What have I realized (so far) during this lockdown?

Owing to this involuntary confinement I have to endure because of Covid-19 pandemic, I am now free to do the things I had always wanted to do "if only I had more time", and now I'm still unable to do so which means all ten fingers point towards me.  Oh well.  This is the opportunity …

I’m Learning Mandarin and Hokkien

Hi, everyone.  Since we are looking forward to a considerable amount of time without being able to travel outside Metro Manila, we may as well use our time to do productive things, such as cooking, playing a musical instrument or learning a new language. Speaking of which, Stephen had long encouraged me to learn Mandarin, …

Mount 387, take 3

I woke up about five hours late for our intended time to wake up for the trip? I was wondering if this would be a good sign or not.  At the back of my mind I guess I was reluctant to camp on that particular date in that chosen destination. Stephen and I wanted to …

Vegfest 2019

I'd been looking forward to this year's Vegfest held in Taguig.  I arrived at last year's Vegfest late so I was not able to make the most out of it. This time around, Joe, Stephen and I went there early in the afternoon. It was Joe's first time to participate, and the second time for …

The Much Needed Journey to the Twin Mountains in La Trinidad, Benguet.

I had again grown weary and tired of the routine activities here in the city so I longed for a respite from the stress and pollution that goes along with living in Manila.  I had not hiked for 4 months so my best friend Stephen brought up the idea for us to hike again.  Also, …

AFTER A LULL, MOUNT SEMBRANO

For fit newbies, Mount Sembrano is just the right place to trek.  Located at Pililla Rizal, it stands at 745 MASL, is a relatively easy hike surrounded by breath-taking sights and not far from Metro Manila.  The mountain used to be a hideout for insurgents, and after it has been purged of the rebels, it …

Life and Hiking

My friend Stephen always compares mountain hiking to life.  And I used to give him the cold shoulder treatment when he mentioned the places he had been to.  But he always showed me those photographs he took.  It was always something new.  So, I, tired of the monotony of Metro Manila, decided to relent to …

Halina sa Mount Talamitam!!

I instinctively woke up at 3 a.m. that day as if something eagerly reminded me of the adventure that was about to happen. I had agreed with my best friend Stephen to hike. So I just slept soundly while traveling to Nasugbu, Batangas, where Mount Talamitam is located.  Stephen had been there several times but …

Las casas Filipinas de Acuzar en Bataan

On June 12, 2018, Independence Day, we spent this historic event in a most historic place, Bataan…. Never mind the rainy weather. Never mind having to wake up in the wee hours of the morning. We were determined to make this more memorable than the usual holiday. Mount Samat in Pilar Bataan is not really …

Why I should go back to Mount 387

I just chanced upon it online.   I suggested going to Mount 387, standing at 724 meters above sea level and also known as “Batong Amat” or “Ghost Rock” because the area is the resting place of many soldiers (Filipino, American and Japanese) who perished during the World War II, to Stephen who immediately read …