Category: Anilao

Why Team Brackets? Read along for you to find out… (“,)

As what some of our friends say, “Many responded, but a few committed.” This was the reason why I didn’t really felt the excitement the night before our trek to Mt. Pinagbanderahan (Gulugod Baboy). It was planned a month before the said date thinking that many will be able to prepare and join us. Yes! There were fifteen people on the go…. But our number went down as the day of the trek was approaching. Two days before it, I received a confirmation that only 4 of us would be going. Well, at least, I got enough sleep since I was not really thinking about the activity. Aside from worrying that our number would be a “boring crowd”, I was also concerned about what are we going to face on our way. I mean, I planned this adventure with just the internet as my reference. Nobody from the group climbed the mountain before, we didn’t get a tour guide and my companion might be disappointed with the outcome the plan consider our count as well… I just pretended to be excited when we met at McDonald’s in LRT-Gil Puyat at  around 4AM.

And so the start of our adventure… We rode a JAC Liner Bus bound for Batangas Port, which departed at around 5AM. I couldn’t take a travel nap since I should be alert of the places we passed by. It will be a hassle if we drop off at the wrong point. After 2 hours, we arrived at Batangas City Public Terminal. We then looked for the jeepney which would bring us to Anilao Port. Luckily, Batangueños around the place were so accommodating, passengers and drivers alike. They helped us find a good bargain to bring us directly to Philpan Beach (where the jump off to Gulugod Baboy is).

We arrived at Philpan Beach Resort at around 9AM already. The day was scorching hot. On the contrary, my mood already changed from anxious to excited after seeing beach views and cliffs along the way. I even got more excited when we were already treading up. The view’s getting nicer, so as the horizon of  the West Philippine Sea growing wider. We’re slowly getting a bird’s eye view of Anilao, Batangas.

So what’s with Team Brackets?… go ahead, you’re halfway there… (“,)

… Since we didn’t hire a guide we got lost on our way up, twice. But, as what locals say, all trails in Gulugod Baboy will lead you to the peak. We reached the campsite of Mt. Pinagbanderahan after 2 hours of trekking.

Being at the campsite was simply amazing. The graduation of colors from green to blue makes you feel cool despite of an open canopy (just a little shade to protect you against the heat of the sun). The sea breeze likewise makes you spread your arms wide open… and let it just kiss you for quite awhile. That time, climbers who came ahead of us were already on their way down. Only the four of us would be spending two hours at the peak… so the place was “exclusively” ours. ‬

We decided to eat our lunch before reaching the topmost part of the mountain. When we were eating, I remembered one Korean movie with a setting almost similar to the peak of Mt. Pinagbanderahan… The stroke of the wind on the grass was like a scene taken from “My Sassy Girl”. I then looked for a tree singly standing on the slope. I found many trees but not as similar as that of the movie. I could have burried a time capsule if there is that single tree on the grass-field… Maybe I was late and it was already struck by a lightning… (“,) (you who have seen the movie knew what I’m talking about, do you?)

Then, it’s time for us to apply additional sunscreen lotion before heading on to the top. (A friendly advise: If you don’t wanna get dark, do not climb Gulugod Baboy during the day, unless it’s raining and the sun is shy to show himself. Or do a night trek instead. Sun protections are helpful… to make the effect of the heat “subtle”. Hehe…(“,) In short, just expect a tan to dark complexion after the day trek.

 

So, you now have a little hint about Team Braces?… Better finish reading the article… (“,)

We were like children running and jumping off on top of Mt. Pinagbanderahan. Can’t help but appreciate another beauty of God’s creation. To express this appreciation, we did a lot of jump shots. Here are a few of them (“,)

After feeling tired, we decided to descend from the peak. We wanted to take a little more time at the beach so we took a faster pace during our descent. But of course, since we need some replenishment we dropped by the halu-halo station. Aha! There are about three houses along the way offering ice cold drinks, halu-halo and fresh coconut juice.

A plunge after the tiring trek.

Since we still have time to enjoy the beach, we rented a cottage at Philpan Resort. Swimming after a climb is really a relief. Anilao waters is also cold despite the, still, hot summer afternoon. We got off of Philpan Beach at around 5PM already. I admit, I was wrong when I thought 4 is a “boring crowd”. I got used of trekking in a group of 10 or more. But at this time, I should say, this is the happiest group climb ever. (“,)

Maybe some of you could have found out why we came up with Team Brackets, huh? Well, for those who are just curious and did not read the whole article, just take a look at our photos… What do we have in common?

5:00-7:00 Pasay (JAC Liner)- Batangas City Public Terminal -[120.00]
7:00-8:30 Batangas City Public Terminal (jeep)- Philpan Beach Resort [125.00]
8:00-9:00 Registration @ Philpan Beach [20.00]
9:00-11:00 Trek to Summit (Pinagbanderahan Peak)
11:00-13:00 (Explore the Peak, 360 view of Batangas)
13:00-15:00 Descent to Philpan Beach Resort
15:00-17:00 Beach Exploration (Philpan Entrance-60.00 Cottage 300.00/4heads)
17:00-18:30 Back to Batangas City Public  Terminal (100.00)
19:00-22:00 Grand Terminal to Manila [100.00]

My expenses, others:
Buko- 25.00
1.5L Coke- 60.00
Phone Charging- 20.00

Food – 250.00