Cagbalete Island, Mauban, Quezon

Cagbalete Island

By: Mark Nickson P. Garcia

It’s the time of the year when most people, especially beach lovers, look forward to escaping the metropolis with their backpacks on - summertime!
With my classes that are finally over and office that is at Shutdown Break for a week, not to mention that PAGASA has already declared the start of the summer season, what activity could be more exciting to do than to hit the beach? And, yes, i did.

My original plan was to go somewhere far from Manila, but due to a tight budget, and because not all of my friends are not on a Shutdown Break, i thought that a two-days-and-one-night itinerary would be just fine. After researching online, I decided to travel to Mauban, Quezon ane explore the well know island called CAGBALETE.

Norzagaray, Bulacan

Five BACKPACKERS joyously celebrated the start of summer by hopping on a road trip in the beautiful town of Norzagaray, a first class municipality in the nearby province of Bulacan. The town is endowed with a lot of natural resources and beautiful scenic spots. It is the headquarters of the biggest cement making companies in the Philippines. Among the beautiful scenic spots are the historic Pinagrealan Cave, Bakas, Bitbit bridge, Hill Top, Ipo Dam and Angat Dam which is the biggest hydroelectric dam in the country. We visited four of these mentioned visit-worthy spots.

by: Ivan Ignacio

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

Baguio City: The Summer Capital of the Philippines

Baguio City and the Panagbenga Festival

by Marion Erika Macapagal

Baguio City, also known as the City of Pines, has been a famous tourist attraction in the Philippines. Though, it’s not my first time here, this is the first time that I’ll be writing about my experience in a non-dramatic way (sorry naman! drama princess lang ang peg minsan :p). I'll try to be more informative in this blog, then share my emotions through the photos posted here instead.