Always Wandering

February pic(k) of the month

The love month kicked off with what I hold close to my heart: travel! I bade hello to weekly trips and to the start of the sun-soaked season with bumpy bus rides, dusty roads, and a view of the rolling landscape. And I had more! The striking sun bit my skin, the fine white sandy…
Assault all the way

“Difficult Route”: the sign going to the Mt. Pulag National Park Akiki Trail Visitors’ Center forewarns. The third (of four trails) I have tried, Akiki is indeed challenging compared to Ambangeg‘s easy trail and Tawangan’s lengthy trek. The Akiki trail starts with a 5-minute stair climb from the drop-off point to the ranger station. As…
January pic(k) of the month

Because I promise to see more. Of the outdoors, of blue skies, of lush landscapes, of amazing beaches, of rich cultures and of soaring peaks. Because there is more to travel that benefits the wandering soul. Of appreciation, of pleasure, of temporary disconnection, of knowledge, of lifetime memories and of a hole in my pocket.
A lot of everything

Of trails. Of mud. Of river crossings. Of cows. And their dung. Known for the towering rocks forming its pillar-like summit, Mt. Marami (405+ MASL) also has a monolith aptly called Silyang Bato. Located at Maragondon, Cavite, the mountain can be easily reached via a three-hour public commute from Metro Manila. From the bus drop…
December pic(k) of the month

On that particular afternoon, leaning back with legs outstretched and head tilted to the sky, the passing of the moment made me recall what Hal Borland once said, “Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” 2011 had been a…
Bakun trilogy

To kick off the new year, our mountaineering group embarked on a challenging trek, which on hindsight, when I think about it now, set the pace for our upcoming climbs in the first half of 2012. Series 1 took us to the famed Bakun Trio: Mt. Tenglawan (1,940 MASL), Mt. Kabunian (1,700 MASL) and Mt.…
November pic(k) of the month

“Chocolate causes certain endocrine glands to secrete hormones that affect your feelings and behavior by making you happy. Therefore, it counteracts depression, in turn reducing the stress of depression. Your stress-free life helps you maintain a youthful disposition, both physically and mentally. So, eat lots of chocolate!” – Elaine Sherman, Book of Divine Indulgences
Talamitam’s animal farm

Talamitam has a cuteness level of 5 with all the pairs of neighing horses, curious cows, photogenic carabaos and charming baby goats. Oh wait, this isn’t a farm. Mt. Talamitam is an easy dayhike like her sister Mt. Batulao. Legend has it that a giant once lorded the plains. He had one foot in Batulao,…
Traversing 21 mountains

I now understand why some mountaineers keep coming back. As with most Benguet mountains, the scenery going to and from Ugo is picturesque. Rolling pine tree-covered ridges, chilly temperatures, long yet slightly ascending and descending paths complete the breathtaking landscape. The tiring traverse is capped by a crossing of the 90.7-metre hanging bridge of Sitio…
October pic(k) of the month

They both turned s-i-x-t-y! The big 6 and 0 finally caught up with my Mom and Dad. My Dad threw a surprise party for my Mom and for a change, my Dad chose to celebrate his privately. The best parents in my universe deserve all the love and gratitude. Cheers to their compatibility and insanity.…