Top 10 Adventures of 2013

THE BACKPACKERS' TOP TEN ADVENTURES OF 2013

                         
10    MARINDUQUE ESCAPADE

Four BP Girls explored the heart of the Philippines - Marinduque. Hitting the beautiful beaches, island hopping, resort bumming and a little bit of caving were the sweetest escape for the girls.

SURVIVOR ZAMBALES FINALE

    
A couple of weeks ago, we have witnessed the incredible adventure of sixteen people in one of the most beautiful province in the country: Zambales!

They were divided into two tribes Tapulao and Pundakit, named after two breathtaking mountains in the area. The Green Tapulao Tribe was composed of The BACKPACKERS - adventure seekers and official members of this group, while our Guests comprised the Blue Pundakit Tribe. The tribes were divided and had to live on two separate areas in the beach.

This promising season offered twists which really impacted the game of the castaways. From the get go, Guest Jane was transferred to the Backpackers to even up the tribes. On Episode 3, an individual immunity was played where the winner, Guest Rommel did not squander his power, using it to create a last minute panic for the Backpackers tribe. Angel took the fall and was the first Backpacker voted out. On Episode 4, the tribes were shuffled leading to a possible shift in game play. On Episode 5, the stakes were higher as the losing tribe was given an ominous message in a bottle which contained a back-to-back tribal council announcement. Guests Mina and Jane were eliminated in this episode.

SURVIVOR ZAMBALES EPISODE 9

SURVIVOR ZAMBALES BACKPACKERS vs GUESTS

EPISODE 9: Roller Coaster

The Final Five:

 
POST MELTDOWN

After Mon's meltdown, the five remaining castaways were allowed to stay in one portion of the jury house while the staff deliberated on what sanctions should be given to the infuriated and explosive Mon. In the end, his actions led him to be completely removed from the game. He was not even allowed to be part of the jury where his adversaries Ralph and York were part of.

"We got a free pass for the night, we are allowed to sleep in the comfort of the house while host Ivan and the others deal with the Mon problem," narrated a relieved Aaron. "I personally want to go back to the beach 'cause it's Survivor, but the staff won't be able to get a close spy on us so I'll accept it," he added.

SURVIVOR ZAMBALES EPISODE 8

SURVIVOR ZAMBALES BACKPACKERS vs GUESTS

EPISODE 8: Meltdown

MERGED TRIBE

SURVIVOR ZAMBALES hiatus is over!
We start episode 8 with a quick recap of what happened so far in the game.

A QUICK RECAP - A REFRESHER



SURVIVOR ZAMBALES EPISODE 7

SURVIVOR ZAMBALES BACKPACKERS vs GUESTS

EPISODE 7: Who to Trust

MERGED TRIBE

OFFICIAL SURVIVOR ZAMBALES INTRO:

WHAT HAPPENED AT TRIBAL?



After blindsiding BACKPACKER Ralph at tribal council, the group headed back to camp. A flustered York was approached by Mon. "What happened?," asked Mon. "I voted for Aaron just like what we planned. Who did you vote for?," asked York to which Mon responded that he also voted for Aaron. In reality, Mon joined forces with Nick and Kenji to throw away Ralph's possibility of controlling the game and the votes of The BACKPACKERS. Nick, Mon and Kenji were successful in overthrowing their co-BACKPACKER Ralph with the help of Kaye's and Aaron's votes.

SURVIVOR ZAMBALES EPISODE 6

SURVIVOR ZAMBALES BACKPACKERS vs GUESTS

EPISODE 6: Backpackers All The Way?

MERGED TRIBE

MERGE!!!
  

BP Ralph

The BACKPACKERS Ralph, Mon and York walked away from the last tribal council where Mina and Jane were eliminated. They were in possession of nine Black Buffs which signifies the start of the individual phase of SURVIVOR ZAMBALES. "Two tribes no more, it is now time for us to battle it out with one another. I am just so happy that I made it in the merge. Next goal: Final Four!" Ralph excitedly stated. His Final Four was him, Mon, York and Jane but because Jane was voted out in a surprising double elimination, he was forced to redo his strategy. "Jane, who is our supposed fourth person was sadly eliminated. But going to this merge, we have six BACKPACKERS from the original Tapulao and only three Guests. So the right strategy here is to go back to the original tribal lines. And I trust Ghei, Kenji and Nick that them and us three (York, Mon, Ralph) will be the final six," added Ralph.

SURVIVOR ZAMBALES EPISODE 5

SURVIVOR ZAMBALES BACKPACKERS vs GUESTS

EPISODE 5: Message In A Bottle

TAPULAO TRIBE

PUNDAKIT TRIBE

THE POST BLINDSIDE OF THE THREE AMIGOS

The BACKPACKERS Ralph, Mon and York perfected the art of the blindside last tribal council when they voted out Rommel instead of Mina. "Jane and Rommel did not see it coming last tribal council. But we had to do what's needed in order to solidify the alliance with Jane. We do not want her to have more options," explained York. "Our first blindside," Ralph remarked while walking out of the tribal council area.

SURVIVOR ZAMBALES EPISODE 4

SURVIVOR ZAMBALES BACKPACKERS vs GUESTS

EPISODE 4: Drop Your Buffs

TAPULAO TRIBE

PUNDAKIT TRIBE

VIDEO:Survivor Zambales Intro

ROMMEL RUINED TAPULAO'S GAMEPLAN
    

After the dreaded double tribal council where Isabel and Angel were voted out, Tapulao Tribe was still stunned about the twist. "Last tribal council, we all agreed to vote out Kenji. But when Rommel from the other tribe gave him immunity, we realized we did not have Plan B," Ralph narrated.

SURVIVOR ZAMBALES EPISODE 3

SURVIVOR ZAMBALES BACKPACKERS vs GUESTS
EPISODE 3: Double Trouble

TAPULAO TRIBE

PUNDAKIT TRIBE

SURVIVOR ZAMBALES EPISODE 2

SURVIVOR ZAMBALES BACKPACKERS vs GUESTS
EPISODE 2: Hunger, Sweat and Tears

TAPULAO TRIBE

PUNDAKIT TRIBE

VIDEO: Survivor Zambales Official Intro

GOODBYE RED

After a sad tribal council for Pundakit Tribe where Red was voted out, the morale was low at camp. "We are very sad going back to camp. I am personally saddened because it felt too early for Red to be voted out. I know that she can help the team grab victory especially when challenges will involve puzzles and mind games. But at the same time, I know the feeling, she was uncomfortable," lamented Isabel after getting back to camp.

SURVIVOR ZAMBALES EPISODE 1

SURVIVOR ZAMBALES BACKPACKERS vs GUESTS
EPISODE 1: Welcome to Survivor Zambales!

Green TAPULAO TRIBE

Blue PUNDAKIT TRIBE

SURVIVOR ZAMBALES Backpackers versus Guests 

Official Intro Video

Mt. Tapulao

It was a climb that tested us in varied aspects - physical strength, mental alertness, and our virtues. But as a Group we were able to emerge from the challenges that came along our "trail". And once again, we were able to prove that while knowing the technicalities of a particular target climb prior to the attempt is very important, still, it is how the group utilizes that knowledge and the group's approach to difficulties that promises an achievement. 

Because of "The BACKPACKERS' way", five mountain climbers were welcomed as new members of the Group in a successful climb to the highest peak in Central Luzon.

The BACKPACKERS Fifth Induction Climb

Conquering Mount Tapulao

By Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr.

Mt. Pinatubo

Solo-Backpacking in Mt. Pinatubo 

by Marion Erika Macapagal

Mt. Pinatubo has become one of the most famous volcanoes in the country after its eruption in 1991. It might have brought massive destruction of infrastructures and resources, natural or man-made, but its beauty nowadays is incomparable that tourists, local or foreigners, would be wowed seeing its summit and the crater lake.

BP King's nice capture!

Subic's Whiterock Waterpark and Beach Hotel

Water Slides Adventure Is More Fun in Whiterock

Subic, Zambales, Philippines

I was a Chicken Little before, too much of a coward when talking about sliding into a pool. Believe me, just the thought of climbing up pool slide scared me so much that I would prefer going home when asked to give it a try. But not anymore, after a friend—whose energy and excitement are so infectious—was able to bring me up the platform and slide with me into a pool with a huge splash...washing away my fear of waterslides!

Since then, I've never missed slide adventure whenever in a resort.

Camara Island

A Picturesque: Camara Island

By Clue Fajardo

After spending several hours at Capones, the group explored the next island, Camara.

Camara is 10 – 15 minutes away from Capones. It’s an island with terrific rock formation, just like Capones. But where the difference lies is the structure and land mass. Unlike Capones which is a single solid rock island, Camara consists of two extremely big rocks, and in between them is a gap where sea water flows.

Capones Island

A Zambales Gem: Capones Island

By Clue Fajardo

Amazing as to how it evolved but Capones is also one of the beautiful islands to consider.

In as much as the group wanted to extend some more time in the captivating shore of Nagsasa Cove, the boatmen arrived to pick us up for the next thrilling adventure, the island hopping, which was scheduled on that day, 23rd of October. We weren't in the mood to leave the cove yet when the boatmen came. Tents were still set and some had not taken their breakfast yet. As we had to hurry, we packed up, jumped into the boat and left the cove.

Mt. Pundaquit (Traverse to Anawangin)

San Antonio, Zambales
Major jump-off: Brgy. Pundaquit, San Antonio
LLA (summit): 14 53'59" 129 94'24", 464 MASL
LLA (cove): 14 52 41 120 04'04", 0 MASL
Days required / Hours to cove: 1 day / 4-5 hours
Specs: Minor Climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail Class 2
(Source: http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2008/04/anawangin-cove-via-mt-pundaquit-464.html)

 Mt. Pundaquit:

Traversed and Conquered!

 By Ivan Ignacio, The BP Lead

The typical Pinoy Backpacker knows what majestic and mystical wonders hide in the town of San Antonio in Zambales: its stunning islands and spectacular coves. Nestled in the region which is more known for its abundance in wide plains and rice paddies, one won't expect to see an array of crystal blue waters surrounding a rather breathtaking landscape. The BACKPACKERS are very fortunate for having been able to witness this beautiful divine creation last October 22-23, 2011!

Zambales: San Antonio's Pride

The BACKPACKERS Explored

San Antonio's 

Big FIVE