DayHike : Mt Hapunanag Banoy at Rodriguez, Rizal

by Shawi Cortez

I'd have to admit: I was confused when my friend and fellow hiker Leo suggested that we climb Mt Banoi in Rizal.

In a different chat, they were saying that instead of googling Banoi, we should search for "Haponang Baboy" to get an idea of the trail. This is not to confuse Mt Banoi in Rizal, with the Mt Banoi in Batangas.

True enough, there was only one blog about Banoi in Rizal, but searching Mt Haponang Baboy, returned more results.

What confused me even more, was when our guide Ogie welcomed us at the jump off point, his colleagues remarked that Banoi is less explored, yet offers good views as well.

So is it Banoi or Baboy?
Cause they're totally different things!

Banoi refers to Philippine eagle.
Baboy means pig.

I got my answer when Ogie revealed that that particular mountain used to be home to a lot of Philippine eagles.

*light bulb moment*

Banoi have rare appearances

Along with KC and Leo, joining our trek that day is a friend from Romania, who is a seasoned rock climber.

Few days before, Andrei finished The North Face's Trail Running Ultra Marathon Series under the 50K category. He's just recovering from the run, and modestly mentioned that considering his condition, he didn't want to hold the group down.

Seriously?

We're just ordinary hikers! I'd figured my fast pace may even be too slow for him.

Our ascent took the same trail that goes up to Mt Pamitinan. We crossed over the bridge, and passed by the rock climbing area. Trail still covered with banana, avocado, and other fruit trees.

rock climbing area

rock climbing area

The hike was just starting, yet I was already catching my breath! What was it? Three weeks since my last climb? Were my warmers too tight? I ate enough food and I had sufficient sleep. Did I underestimate my strength?

It was a bit embarrassing for me, as my age was probably showing. "Take five!" I'd regularly request, and we'd be resting for five minutes. On a lighter note, Andrei was gracious enough to holler at the guys ahead, that "he was slowing us down." Haha. Thanks for saving my face.

"Take five!"
Four monkeys in Banoy

Then came the rocky part. And the thorny bamboos. They were the familiar jagged edges we encountered in our previous hike to both Mt Pamitinan and Mt Binacayan.

Halfway through, and many more after that, we stopped to take photos. Lots of photos. Photos that look "delikado" and scary. We promised to blog about Mt Hapunang Banoy so more hikers will climb this mountain.

photo op with Leo

Even Ogie the guide, asked to take photos of himself in noteworthy spots to promote Mt Banoy to other climbers.

Ogie the guide
photo by : KC Cadalo

I would say the main draw of Mt Banoy would be the hanging tree, the rocky outcrop, and the limestone cliff backdrop.

Hanging tree. How deep?

with Andrei

with Leo and KC

White monkey in action!

rocky outcrop

Leo's delikado shot

my fave : Limestone backdrop

View at the summit is the same as in Pamitinan--Wawa River and the mountain range surrounding it.

almost there!

So if you have ever hiked Mt Pamitinan and Mt Binacayan before, there's another reason for you to go back to Rodriguez Rizal.

Mt Hapunang Banoy awaits you.

Thank you KC for this photo!

Itinerary:

530H-     Meet up at Jollibee Farmers Cubao
600H-     Take FX to Rodriguez/ Montalban, Rizal (Php 50.00 fare)
700H-     ETA at Puregold, Montalban. Take trike to Brgy. Wawa (Php 10.00 fare)
715H-     ETA and registration at the DENR office, Brgy. Wawa (Php 2.00 reg. fee per person).  They require a guide though.
720H-     Register at the Barangay Hall (No fixed amount here; donation lang)
730H-     Start trek up to Mt. Hapunang Banoy
1030H-   ETA at the summit. Photo ops.
1100H-   Start descent
1300H-   Back at the jump off and head back to Manila

Additional notes:

• No minimum/fixed amount for the guide fee. In our case (4 monkeys), we gave him Php500.00.
• Php600.00 is a safe budget for this climb (depends on how many are you in the group)
• Rocks are sharp and jagged. Wearing a pair of gloves highly recommended for this climb. 

*Thanks Leo Navarrete for the itinerary and additional notes.

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First Timers: Stand Up Paddling in Taal Lake

by Shawi Cortez

A visit to Tagaytay is never complete without a view of the Taal Lake.

But have you ever tried being on the other side of the equation?

It's almost 6pm and my friend Nannie and I were rewarded with a view of Tagaytay ridge. We are standing on a paddle board in Taal Lake on the side of Tanauan, Batangas, exactly the opposite of Talisay. The sun has almost set and we see silhouettes of SM Winds' five towers.

sunset in Taal Lake,
our view is Tagaytay ridge

This different perspective is a refreshing take on what we're used to seeing.

The first time I saw stand up paddling (also known as SUP) was in Baler, but the paddler was roughing the seas. I googled about it and saw that a calmer alternative could be done on a lake. Some yogis even do yoga poses on their boards.

So when Nannie posted an article in Facebook about stand up paddle boarding in Taal Lake, I immediately bookmarked it for future reference.

Weeks before this SUP experience, we booked a Ridgeview tour with Tono of FiliSUP. He recommends this for beginners, and minimum 2 pax is required. I honestly had a hard time looking for a Stand UP buddy as the rate is P1750/person, quite pricey for most of my friends.

From Tagaytay, we drove an hour and a half to get down to the lake, and around Tanauan. By 3pm, we were already at the launch point at Brgy Wawa, where Tono was waiting for us at La Playa de Tanauan. The resort is home to the dragon boat team Sagwan Tanauan.

La Playa de Tanauan

The festive flags are screaming so you won't miss it

After changing into our rash guards and shorts, we did not waste any time and started our beginners' lesson by the platform.

Since it is our first time to do it, we began in the kneeling position to establish our balance. Left hand holds the center of the shaft, while the right hand is about a foot lower and nearer the blade.

To shift to the other side, just slide your right hand up the center of the shaft, while your left grabs the bottom of the shaft.

We took a few strokes on each side of the board, and when we were good, we slowly stood up and stayed in the middle of the board.

begin with the kneeling position

Tips for beginners:
. When standing, adjust your grip and place one hand on top of the paddle, while the other is on the centre of the shaft.
. As you extend forward, keep the paddle in a vertical position, and bend your torso if possible.
. Dip the blade fully in the water and feel your back muscles burn.
. When the blade is almost parallel to your knees, lift it sideways and repeat the stroke, switching on each side of the board.

Our Ridgeview Lessons / Tour took about 3 hours, as we started a little past 3pm, and were back at the shore around 6pm.

Tono, our SUP instructor
behind him is Napayung Island

From the platform, we paddled to the left, and enjoyed a view of Napayung Island and Taal Volcano. The shoreline transformed from coconut trees to a semi-jungle--something you'd see when hiking. I stopped paddling for a while to take in its beauty. It would've been paradise for those keen into bird watching. Various species abound, and I don't even know what they're called!

lush jungle and healthy ecosystem behind us
makes for a good home to exotic birds

An hour into paddling, and we turned around for a short break by the platform. The wind blew, and it was more difficult to paddle against the water. We had to put in more effort and care not to fall off.

Break muna. Kuya Joe gave us directors' chairs to sit on while taking a breather

locals taking in the view

finally getting the hang of it

After the break, the lake was back in its calm state. Tono was to show us wild ducks on the opposite side, but we never saw any. We just basked in the sun setting behind Tagaytay, and marvelled at how the view is different from the lake.

ominous clouds  signalled rain on the other side of the lake

Another break

"Walang wild ducks"

If you're looking for a good total body workout, while enjoying nature, then you should give stand up paddle boarding a try.

Contact Tono Legarda :
09177906352
filisup@yahoo.com
fb.com/filisup

Photo Credits : Nannie Macalincag and Tono Legarda

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2 Days of Being a Hero in Bayani Challenge 2015

by Shawi Cortez

Back when our grandparents were young, there was this tradition called "bayanihan". To the millenials, it's probably difficult to imagine having the entire barangay carry your house to transfer to a new location.

But that's how they did it in the early days, when houses were bahay kubo, not made of cement, and it was portable enough to lift and move your entire house. Did you have to pay the barangay members in cash? Nope, but showing your gratitude by feeding them was sufficient.

Fast forward to the 20th century, and that spirit of bayanihan is still very much alive, specially in the Gawad Kalinga villages. These GK communities bring back the hope and dignity of our less fortunate brethren by providing them low-cost housing, and a sustainable livelihood that will enable them to feed themselves.

The benefactors are screened very strictly. Yes, they get their house for free, but each has to pitch in effort. By themselves, it will take forever to build the dwelling units, that's why volunteers are called to help carry the burden. Thus, the Bayani Challenge.

Bayani (heroes) are not special people.

A hero is a man who does what he can.

Romain Rolland

Gathered that weekend of June were individuals and groups who are willing to make a difference. No we didn't carry houses and we're not even skilled workers, but we carried pails of cement, we mixed sand and gravel, we stacked up hollow blocks, we cleared out weeds, we painted, we played with the children, we danced, we distributed school supplies.

weeding

Look at who we are, and you'll see there are no boundaries and no barriers as to who can help--men, women, young and old. There are members of the Air Force of the Philippines, Philippine National Police (PNP), the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Light of Jesus (Feasters). There are university students, high school students, corporate volunteers from LBC, Meralco, sponsors from R. Lapid's. And even individuals who just had the same heart of giving their time, talent, and treasure.

members of the Philippine National Police (PNP)

Rescue Team offering free blood pressure check

members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

R Lapid's group

Air Force of the Philippines

students of Infant Jesus Academy

Rescue 926 of Makati

Team LBC

kaPulisan PNP

Team Anonymous (group of individuals)

These are the activities we did :

House Build

pass the pail of cement

Paraisong Pambata

kids enjoying spaghetti, cup cake, and juice

PNP participating in Palarong Pambata

June celebrants received stuffed toys

Palarong Pinoy Amazing Race

gulong sa putikan

Unity Walk

write the lyrics of Lupang Hinirang and sing it!

complete the puzzle

Team Singapore

eat a bitter gourd for every wrong move

crawl pa more

Fire Hose Bath

Bureau of Fire prepping

da firetruck

the onlookers get wet as well!

volunteers enjoying a fire hose bath

with the fireman

group hug with the fireman!

posing by the firetruck

ate Kathy and kapitan serving warm taho
to the wet volunteers

Boodle Fight

prepping the table

BEFORE

AFTER

Post-Boodle snack?

Unity Dance

"Walang imposible, pag #walangiwanan"

walang kamatayang Unity Dance :
morning, noon, and night!

Bonding with other volunteers & meaningful conversations

pack 12 volunteers in a room, and here's what you get

with Mart, ang malambing na bata

with Miel, GK staff and volunteer

kami ay nagpapalaman ng semento

To see people from different walks of life in a selfless attitude gives you a lot of hope that yes, our country is worth loving for (sorry, "worth dying for" is too morbid for me). Together, we can end poverty.

Was it easy? No.

At the end of the day, our bodies were sore.

We smelled. #amoybayani naman
Our tan is one shade darker. #heroicbrown ang kulay namin

If you wish to be a hero for a day, you can still be part of the Bayani Challenge. For more details, please visit : www.gk1world.com/bc2015

A hero is somebody who is selfless, who is generous in spirit, who just tries to give back as much as possible and help people. A hero to me is someone who saves people and who really deeply cares.

Debi Mazar

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