Mt. Kalisungan

The BACKPACKERS Successfully Finds

MT. KALISUNGAN

By Heinz Henry Lopez Alvarez, Jr.

Many bloggers have written and have published some stories online - stories about some climbers who "mysteriously" lost their way on their attempt to climb and reach the peak of Mt. Kalisungan in Calauan, Laguna. Those stories absolutely sounded so creepy for me, but the more I read on them, the more I felt excited to climb Mt. Kalisungan.

From left to right: Eric, BP Heinz, BP Leah, BP Liz, Getty, BP Chons, Helen, BP Nickson, and Aljo

June 27, 2015, Saturday - Five BPs namely Nickson, Leah, Chons, Liz, and yours truly; and four Guests namely Eric, Helen, Getty, and Aljo pushed through with the Group's scheduled climb for June. We decided to just have it as a day hike activity primarily because of proximity and the mountain itself. 

Matabungka Falls and Exotik Restaurant, Laguna

The BACKPACKERS' Unang Hirit Sa Tag Init continues with the gang descending from Mt. Humarap and enjoying the cascades of Matabungka Falls - a good fifteen minutes from the top of the  mountain. Then they head to one of the most famous restaurant in PH; the one that has a mini zoo and serves exotic dishes: Exotik Restaurant in Brgy. Longos, Kalayaan, Laguna.

PAETE AND KALAYAAN, LAGUNA ADVENTURE

Unang Hirit Sa Tag Init 2013

Part 2: Matabungka Falls and Exotik Restaurant

by Weng Topasi

Mt. Humarap and Paete Church

It is officially the start of that season everyone's waiting for - SUMMER! Last year, The BACKPACKERS enjoyed this season in the provinces of Bataan, Oriental Mindoro and Benguet. This year, the group are expanding the celebration as we have plotted four instead of three Hirit Sa Tag Init Adventures.

The first official group summer adventure is in the towns of Paete and Kalayaan in the province of Laguna which involves an easy climb in a minor mountain, a visit to a century old church, dipping into a majestic waterfalls and a feast at a restaurant that serves exotic dishes! 

Unang Hirit Sa Tag Init 2013
Part 1: Paete Church and Mt. Humarap

by Weng Topasi

Bonifacio Day Long Weekend

So where were you this long weekend?

BP Jovy attended a wedding this long weekend

The BACKPACKERS had no slated event for the long weekend covering Bonifacio Day but it did not mean that it will stop them from individually enjoying the holiday. Ever since the President started altering holiday celebrations in the Philippines so that it can be moved close to a Saturday or Sunday, long weekend holidays became a thing everyone's excited for. But since Bonifacio Day fell exactly on a Friday, we did not need to wait for any long weekend announcements to start planning on an adventure.

So where did The BACKPACKERS go this most recent long weekend?

Mt. Makiling Dayhike via UPLB: "Akyat Para Sa Tagumpay"

BACKPACKERS join and facilitate...  

Mt. Makiling: "Akyat Para Sa Tagumpay"

April 15, 2012 - Four members of The BACKPACKERS (BP) namely, Clue Fajardo, Weng Topasi, Chons Zosa, and Heinz Alvarez joined and facilitated a Mt. Makiling dayhike for UPLB graduating and soon-to-graduate students.

BPs Clue, Weng, Chons, and Heinz

Mt. Makiling Traverse: Sto. Tomas to Los Baños

Mt. Makiling Traverse

Redemption Gained for the BP Lead!

Three years ago, I started an adventure in a mountain that's said to be mystical: Mt. Makiling. Mountaineering, and even backpacking, were not my cup of tea then. The complexities of the sport were more of perplexing to me. Thus, I came in unprepared. I even had jeans on instead of wearing a trek pants. It was a trek to the mountain's peak via traditional UPLB trail. After reaching Station 17, I aborted the expedition because of the ire weather which made the trail implausibly hazardous.

Summer Mini Adventures: TWIN FALLS and the EXOTIK RESTAURANT

To conclude the mini adventures of The BACKPACKERS this summer...

A guide for those who are

---nature lovers and/or travel junkies

---wants an accessible and affordable destination

---strolling around to check out the famous spots in our country

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KALAYAAN TWIN FALLS

Enjoying the last falls for the day!

The last town that we visited: Kalayaan, Laguna! Kalayaan in the local language means freedom. And perhaps the best word to describe our free flowing adventure! We were eyeing for a trip to the Twin Falls in Nagcarlan, Laguna. But we learned that it would be another two hour trip from Cavinti and it was already 4 in the afternoon when we finished our boating expedition at Lumot Lake. So instead of going to Nagcarlan, we had a spontaneous trip back to Kalayaan, Laguna, in search for the town's version of Twin Falls.

Summer Mini Adventures: LUMOT LAKE

The continuation of the mini adventures of The BACKPACKERS this summer...

A guide for those who are

---nature lovers and/or travel junkies

---wants an accessible and affordable destination

---strolling around to check out the famous spots in our country

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A boating expedition at

LUMOT LAKE

stripes of white and black lakebirds hovering around the lake

Another man made lake caught our attention as we were surveying the Caliraya Lake area. Lumot Lake, also in Cavinti, is said to be a hit for bass fishing in the country. Lumot in the local dialect means moss. The name sure sounds less grander than that of the bigger Caliraya Lake. I asked the local at the Japanese Garden if visiting Lumot Lake would be worthwhile and she said yes with a lot of conviction. So when we went out of the park and hit the road in search for Caliraya Lake's twin sister: Lumot Lake.

Summer Mini Adventures: CALIRAYA LAKE and the JAPANESE GARDEN

The continuation of the mini adventures of The BACKPACKERS this summer...

A guide for those who are

---nature lovers and/or travel junkies

---wants an accessible and affordable destination

---strolling around to check out the famous spots in our country

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CALIRAYA LAKE

BP couple Angel and Ivan at a ledge near the lakeside

A man made lake that was created in late 1930s by a US Army Engineer by flooding the Cavinti valley of the Sierra Madre mountain range to generate hydroelectric power for Manila (source: http://www.calirayalake.com/historyclryalake.html). Ever since it drew popularity, real estate developers started to enhance the surroundings as witnessed by the several resorts and clubhouses that circumscribe the lake. A two-day trip at Caliraya Lake would be enticing and complete if you will book an overnight accommodation at some of the popular hotels and resorts here. In my humble opinion, the most popular among these is Lagos Del Sol Resort, but the other resorts are also contending to be the best provider of amenities and adventures at the lake. For a complete list of the resorts in the area, click here. 

Summer Mini Adventures: PANGUIL RIVER ECOPARK

The continuation of the mini adventures of The BACKPACKERS this summer...

---nature lovers and/or travel junkies

---wants an accessible and affordable destination

---strolling around to check out the famous spots in our country

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PANGUIL RIVER ECOPARK

A refreshing dip at Panguil River

An hour away from Tanay, Rizal (approximately three hours away from Manila)  is the quaint town of Pangil in the province of Laguna. Who knew that a hidden natural wonder can be found along the town's peaceful roads. After entering Pangil, approximately five minutes away, you will see a marker on the road pointing out the direction to the park. Take a left turn and you will pass by a barangay until the sight of the houses decreases and you will be greeted by the park's admission office.

Makiling Highlands Resort: A Big Day Treat

Makiling Highlands Resort
Pansol, Laguna, Philippines

Celebrating Her Birthday with The BP: 

Mommy Ems

By Heinz Lopez Alvarez
Photos by King Aguilar

January 2012 - The BACKPACKERS felt very honored to have been invited to an almost exclusive -to-the-group birthday party hosted by the celebrant herself, Emily Pacursa Peralta. We call her "Mommy Ems".

The event was held in Makiling Highlands Resort that is located at the foot of the legendary Mt. Makiling in Capt. Mamon Road, Pansol, Calamba, Laguna and is only a 1-hour drive from Metro Manila.

Mommy Ems, together with her son, Daniel, was introduced to the group by Pam "Bamboo" Bautista when the latter tagged them along as her guests during The BACKPACKERS' Mt. Batulao climb in January 2011.

Mommy Ems showing BP's birthday present for her

It was a happy celebration that everybody enjoyed. There were lots of sumptuous food; Mommy Ems herself prepared them for the Group. Kiddie games brought the child out of each one of us. And, the Amazing Race game, which was an ultimate fun, served as a good exercise for those hyper ones.

Kids at heart

The Amazing Race flaglets

The Race is on! Siblings Jovy and Jonathan

Winning teams of the Amazing Race: Ivan and Angel; Heinz and Esther; and, Pam and York

Sweethearts Angel and Ivan: 1st Place - Amazing Race

A Pera-O-Bayong game. Mon in a hotseat.

The Videoke King: York (may pinanghuhugutan, dude?)

King with all-girl Non-BP guests

And the Videoke Queen...

BP Girls Angel, Clue, Jovy, and Conts

BP Weng The Poet, host or singer this time

Siblings Mark, Esther and Minel gave an intermission number

BP Mon, Heinz, and Ivan

Most of The BACKPACKERS went back to Manila to report for their respective duties at work when the clock hit between eight and nine PM. A few stayed overnight at the celebrant's residence to enjoy the rest of Mommy Ems' big day.

The Celebrant, Mommy Ems, giving her thank you's

Thank you, Mommy Ems for celebrating your 
2012 birthday with us! 

You have been more than a guest to The BACKPACKERS. 

We appreciate the friendship!

The BACKPACKERS: Nature. People. Friendship.

The Place

Mt. Cristobal

Dolores, Quezon; San Pablo, Laguna
Major jump-off: Brgy. Dolores, Quezon > Traverse to: San Pablo, Laguna
LLA: 14.064° N 121.428° E, 1470 MASL (600m gain)
Days required / Hours to summit: ASCENT- 4.5 Hrs. TRAVERSE-6 Hrs. TOTAL-10.5 Hrs.
Specs: Major Climb
(Source <selective>: http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/09/mt-cristobal-1470.html)

The Backpackers:
Ivan Laurence Ignacio
Angelica Cawaling
Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr.
Mon Sarmiento


Mt. Cristobal: Traversing the Devil's Mountain
By: Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr.

February 26 to 27, 2011 - Perhaps the most uniquely anticipated climb among mountaineers and enthusiasts of all time because of the curiosity it brings as this mountain is known for "hair-raising stories" which, they say, were actually experienced both by mountaineers and the locals. For the two Backpackers, Ivan and Heinz, this climb was extremely exciting because of the above mentioned reason; second, it was their second major climb; and third, it was Ivan's birthday climb.

From Left: Ivan, Angel, Shine, G, Will, Mon, Heinz, Rex, and Louie (ducked)

The group boarded a JAC Liner bus at its Buendia Station soon as the headcount was found complete. Composed of nine climbers, they traveled Manila to San Pablo City, Laguna, for an hour and fourty-five minutes (09:30 AM - 11:15 AM) while pretty much  preoccupied with "what lies ahead".  The drop off  spot was Jollibee- San Pablo City, where the group's guide, Kuya Lito, was already waiting.