More Fun in the Philippines – JEPOI's Adventures

Mt. Daraitan and Tinipak River

April 14, 2019November 20, 2019jepoisadventure

Since it is summer, sharing with you another laagan adventure post 2 years ago. If you are the type who prefer the mountain view instead of the beach, then this climbing adventure near Metro Manila, Philippines definitely suit you.

MT. DARAITAN
Tanay, Rizal and General Nakar, Quezon

Major jumpoff: Brgy. Daraitan (village center), Tanay
Minor jumpoff: Sitio Cablao Brgy. Pagsangahan, General Nakar
LLA: 14°36′48.5′′N 121°26′19.5′′ E, 739 MASL (+600)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2.5-4 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 1-3
Features: Tropical forest, limestone formations, river trek

The info above was grabbed from:
http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2014/10/mt-daraitan-739.html

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——–
DAY 1
——–
0600 Take a UV Express Van from Ayala Triangle (Citibank Paseo) to Antipolo (via Tikling) [Php45.00]
0700 ETA Tikling, Antipolo. Take jeep to Tanay, Rizal [Php45.00]
0815 ETA Tanay, Rizal (Jollibee). Take tricycle to Brgy. Daraitan [P100/person for a group of 4]
0900 Arrival at Daraitan River. Take trike to barangay hall [Php 20.00 / (You may also opt to walk instead]
0915 ETA Barangay Hall; Register and secure guides. [Tourism Fee: Php20.00 ;Guide Fee: Php500.00 – Day Trek | Php 1250.00 for – Overnight Trek]

** For us, we chose to take the Tinipak River Route on the 1st day then descended via the original Mt. Daraitan Route.

1000 Start trek going to Tinipak River
1100 Arrive at General Nakar Registration (Tinipak River Camp Site) [Php20.00 registration]
1110 Explore Tinipak River and go spelunking at the Tinipak Cave [Maintenance Fee for the Cave – Php5.00]
1200 Lunch at the Riverside
** Last stop to Buy essentials (food, drinks, meds, etc.) and Refill Water
1300 Resume trek
1600 ETA summit; Set up camp
1730 Sunset viewing
1800 Dinner / socials

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——–
DAY 2
——–
0545 Sunrise viewing at the limestone formations
**Given the good weather condition you may be able to see Daraitan’s “Sea of Clouds”.

0630 Breakfast / Break camp
0730 Start descent to Barangay Hall
0800 Back at Barangay Hall; tidy up
0900 Head back to Tanay, Rizal via Jeepney (Php60.00)
1015 Back in Tanay Rizal. Take UV Express Van going to Shaw (Php70.00)
1130 Back in Manila (Shaw Crossing/SM Megamall)

** Camping Stuff Rental
Tent Rental – Php 300.00 (Good for 4 pax)
Headlamp – Php 30.00

Estimated Expenses:
Day Trek – Php 500 (food not included)
Overnight – Php 700 to Php 800 (food not included)

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Mt. Daraitan and Tinipak River

April 14, 2019April 14, 2019jepoisadventure

MT. DARAITAN
Tanay, Rizal and General Nakar, Quezon

The info above was grabbed from:
http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2014/10/mt-daraitan-739.html

** For us, we chose to take the Tinipak River Route on the 1st day then descended via the original Mt. Daraitan Route.

——–
DAY 2
——–
0545 Sunrise viewing at the limestone formations
**Given the good weather condition you may be able to see Daraitan’s “Sea of Clouds”.

** Camping Stuff Rental
Tent Rental – Php 300.00 (Good for 4 pax)
Headlamp – Php 30.00

Estimated Expenses:
Day Trek – Php 500 (food not included)
Overnight – Php 700 to Php 800 (food not included)

Siargao Island, Philippines

April 1, 2019April 1, 2019jepoisadventure

Before those self-proclaimed #influencers are demanding for free accommodations at some resorts in exchange of a feature, Siargao Island has already established its name on the map of the “most beautiful places to go to before you die”. Re-posting my Laagan Adventures post about this paradise almost 9 years ago. 😊

Date: Nov. 10, 2010

The 14-hour travel by land and sea from General Santos City paid off the time we stepped on Dapa Port (RORO gateway to Siargao Island). I was just reading feature articles about Siargao Island before, but now, I will be an addition to those people who are proud to have reached this Cloud 9 destination.

Siargao is composed of 8 municipalities. We stayed overnight in General Luna where the famous Cloud 9 waves are just about a mile away. The island has gained a reputation as the Philippines’ Surfing Capital because of Cloud 9. This right-breaking reef wave is the site of the annual Siargao Cup, a domestic and international surfing competition sponsored by the provincial government of Surigao del Norte.

We stayed at Ronaldo’s Inn and Restobar. Among the resorts in General Luna, I should say, Ronaldo’s Inn is the cheapest. But despite its low room rates, it still provides its patrons the comfort of an island getaway.

2019 Update: The resort has improved over the years, but their rates are still one of the cheapest and worth a penny especially for those who are in big groups. Check out their facebook page for details.

Aside from the surfing stuff, some shops in General Luna also offer island hopping trips recommended for those who just want to relax on the sand bars of the neighboring islets. They have a 16-hp motor island boat that can accommodate at most 20 passengers. It was an offseason when we went to Siargao, so we were able to negotiate their island hopping rate to as low as Php 2,500 for 3 Islands (Naked Islet, Dako Island, and Guyam Islet).

DSC09169 copy — Pansukian Islet (also known as the Naked Island)

Siargao Island contains the largest mangrove forest reserves in Mindanao, at Del Carmen. Long stretches of wetlands indicate a potential for commercial seaweed propagation. Siargao Island is greatly influenced by the winds and currents coming uninterrupted from the Pacific Ocean, intensified by the Mindanao current running westward through the Siargao Strait. (…excerpt from Wikipedia)

T’bolis of South Cotabato

March 31, 2019April 25, 2020jepoisadventure

Repost from Laagan Adventures (May 15, 2011)

The T’bolis are well known among the 18 tribes of Mindanao. Majority of them settles in the mountains of South Cotabato particularly in Lake Sebu. Even with the local government’s push towards development, T’bolis were able to maintain and preserve their rich culture and traditions. Their ways of living, in the present progressive state of Lake Sebu, can still be compared with how their ancestors lived centuries ago.

Their contribution to the tourism industry of South Cotabato has been a big factor. They are famous for intricate handicrafts such as their colorful bracelets, earrings, brass ornaments and their world-class woven fabric called the “t’nalak”. Bags and clothes made of t’nalak are being sold expensively in parts of Europe and the United States.

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The friendly T’boli Tribe in South Cotabato is worth a visit. Their happy characteristic will make your stay even more stirringly memorable. Moreover, when visiting Lake Sebu, don’t forget to witness and be entertained by the T’bolis’ tribal dances. These dances are inspired by the strokes of animals like that of the monkeys and birds. Their tribal songs are the traditions they’ve cherished from their ancestors, likewise their living connections with them ( their great grandparents).

Legends say (excerpts from The T’boli Tribe of South Cotabato)…

“…T’bolis are descendants of the survivors of a great flood. A man named Dwata warned the people of an impending great flood. But the tribe refused to listen, except for two couples, La Bebe and La Lomi, and Tamfeles and La Kagef. Dwata told them to take shelter in bamboo so huge they could fit inside and in this way survive the flood. The first couple is the ancestors of the T’boli and other highland ethnic groups. The second couple descended the other Filipino indigenous groups.”

“…T’boli women are named dreamweavers. The T’nalak weaving was taught by a goddess named Fu Dalu in a dream and that women learn this ethnic and sacred ritual, based on tribal designs and cloth patterns through their dreams.”

Tourist Spots in Lake Sebu