Asa ka before ECQ?

Every one of us has a story before and even during ECQ, it may be funny, difficult, or maybe sad. Well, whatever story you had before ECQ, good luck as soon as possible everything 😃😂 joke lang. Surely you don't want to put an end to that story especially if it's about adventure. I know you've been craving mountain, beach, fresh air, and fog that touches your skin.

It's been more than 30 days since Cebu province and other places are under Enhance Community Quarantine (ECQ). As laagan, wanderer, adventurer, or whatever alias you call to yourself, one thing we both miss is our adventures like hiking, camping, beaching, and our laag buddies yes? 

How's your days during ECQ? Kutob nalang throwback no? Well, I feel you mate😃😂, as much as we would love to go to adventure but better to stay indoor for our safety and to everyone. 

Here, close your eyes, imagine your seating right in front of your tent somewhere in your favorite campsite, feel the breeze of the fresh air that touches your skin, listen to nothing but the song sang by the birds, hear not the noise pollution but the screaming cows, carabaos, goats and other animals that we commonly encounter in the mountain. Isn't it amazing? Peace of mind yea?

So, back on the question, "Asa ka before ECQ?" Before this pandemic spread?

A month before ECQ has been implemented, we were able to have our major climb in Mt. Pulag in Benguet. We're so thankful and lucky kay wala jud tawn na cancel and we are all safe ra. 

During the first or second week of March a few days before enhance community quarantine (ECQ) has been announced, we had this sabot to make camping somewhere out there with friends during our hike sa Mt. Pulag. Since most of them haven't got to Lake Bensis in Toledo yet, we have all agreed to spend a night in Lake Bensis. Basically, hapit jud ni ma cancel on the day mismo sa laag due to unexpected circumstances but maayo nalang kay wala ra jud na cancel. 

Few days right before ECQ has been implemented, we had our camping in Lake Bensis with Renson, Hards, Jolina, Jore, Brad, Elli, and friends. We had so much fun especially during the "S game", promise maka gamay gyud samot ug IQ ang S game 😃😂. 

Mt. Lanhan another Sibonga’s Hidden Gem

I’ve been in the town of Sibonga twice and every time I go there, there was this “lami-ang sabaw sa bisayag manok tapos butangan ug sangig nga hastang pagka humota jud”. Thank you to Mccoy and family and cousins who always welcome us every time we visit their valley in Sibonga.

I can still remember when I first visited Sibonga - Tubod Cliff, we wander in Tubod Cliff and stayed one night in the mountain with Mccoy and cousins. Aside from Tubod Cliff, another hidden gem in the town of Sibonga is Mt. Lanhan. Unlike with other mountains in Cebu, Mt. Lanhan is not that popular but it will offer a splendid panoramic view of Sibonga and the towns nearby.

Mt. Lanhan

---

Mt. Lanhan (Langhan) is located in Brgy. Basak in the town of Sibonga. I'm not quite sure how to go there kay nagsakay mig motor with Renson, Mccoy, Kim and cousin from Brgy. Tubod. Nalimot naku kay daghan kaayog liko -liko. But, you can actually ride a bus going to Sibonga and from Sibonga proper you have to ride habal-habal going to Brgy. Basak Elementary School. Surely, local habal-habal knows where Basak Elementary School is.

Hike to Mt. Lanhan

---

Going to Mt. Lanhan is very easy, the trail is established but you might as well consider bringing arm sleeves for your protection and umbrella

MT. MAGO: FIRST CAMPING OF YEAR 2020

Its been a very long time since I stopped in blogging, murag almost 1 year naman siguru. Why I stop? Gikapoy lang. Lol! Anyways, last week (second week of January), we've been looking for a place to hide and to stay overnight through camping. Supposedly, adto unta mi sa Lake Bensis sa Toledo with Lost Lokal peeps, however, we realized na naa diay sad event sa Bensis on the same day. So, we have decided nga sa Mt. Mago nalang gyud mi mag camping.

Camping Experience

Tugnaw, Kamang, and Night trekking

Technically, nahimong night trek kay around 4pm naman me na abot sa Carmen tapos namalit pag pang dinner and foods for our breakfast. As soon we or I arrived in Carmen, there I met my new friends, sir Eli and Maam Ching friends of Lost Lokal peeps (Renson and Hardilene).

CUERNOS DE NEGROS: CONQUERING THE HEARTRENDING TRAIL IN MT. TALINIS

Ganahan kag sakit? Adto tas Negros, sa Mt. Talinis mag hike. 

I'm sure you already know where Mt. Talinis is, yes? If not, Mt. Talinis is located in Negros Oriental. Mount Talinis, also known as the Cuernos de Negros, is a complex volcano in the Philippine province of Negros Oriental. At about 1,903 meters above sea level, it is the second-highest mountain on Negros Island after Mount Kanlaon. The volcano is located 9 km southwest of the municipality of Valencia; and 20 km from Dumaguete City, the capital of the province.

It's almost a year before na blog naku ni nga hike, technically this is the second major climb  I had with some of my Team sa Laag Bisaya. I have nothing much to say about this hike, aside sa super kapoy ug sakit sa lawas. 

A SEAMLESS NIGHT TREK TO MT. KALBASAAN

It's been 3 months since I went away from Cebu City. I missed a lot of things here, missed my friends, mountain adventures with them and so on and so forth. I also missed visiting my family in Bohol, basically, again I missed a lot of things here in the Visayas. 

Yes, I had a tough and good experience in Baguio during my time there. I learned how to survive on my own, live on my own, do things on my own and decide for things on my own. Technically, one reason why I went there alone is I wanna prove in myself that I can live independently. 

After 3 months in Baguio City, I finally went back to Cebu City. Just last 26th of September  I flew back here alone, naka kamiss din yung bisaya dialect yung marinig sa tainga natin everyday pero hindi ko na miss yung traffic at init sa Cebu. Lol! A day after my flight here, I went to Bohol to visit my mama, of course, family first then after 2 days I went back to Cebu to do my first trek after 3 months of being away. 

Conquering the Perfectly Green Landscape in Alicia Bohol: Binabaje Hills

Bohol, as we all know, is a popular tourist destination all over the world because of its natural beauty and white sand beaches. Surely, we are all familiar with what are these spots in Bohol, right?

Binabaje Hills, Alicia Bohol

A little thing about Binabaje Hills

One of these spots is the Binabaje Hills which is located in the municipality of Alicia. This was discovered a year ago if I'm not mistaken. Numbers of major events such as trail run took part in this place.

Binabaje Hills is actually in our wish list. I conquered Binabaje with Char, Cherry, John, Rell, Lin and her cousin. Basically, Char, Cherry, Rell and John went to Bohol together while Lin and her cousin followed on the next day.

TUBOD CLIFF: SIBONGA'S HIDDEN AND UNEXPLORED GEM

It has been a few weeks since I've been into the mountains after our first major trek in Ormoc City, "super kapoy man gud". Few weeks before my flight in Manila, I’ve decided to go somewhere. I remembered that a friend of mine, Mark, invited me to visit and hike to a “deadly” cliff near their place. Basically, I wasn't alone in this trip; I have Mark along the trail who served as my guide in going to their place in Brgy. Tubod and into the cliff. 

What I love in this Laag was that we were able to visit Simala Church. We lighted candles and offered a prayer. 

The Spectacular Campsite in Mt. Kalbasaan, Traverse from Puting Bato to Biga Pit

Do you know that feeling when you are surrounded by a lot of people with good vibes but still you feel alone? Hayst MAOY pa more. But what's really the best thing do to when you're in MAOY mood?

Eating?
Go shopping?
Sleeping all day long? 

Nowadays, it is so common that if someone is in MAOY mood, they'll go mountain climbing to ponder chuchu and etc lol. Mountain trekking, aside from being the stress reliever for some, mountains also became the instant witness on how maoy you are. Luhh!

Sa bukid nga imong gi lakwan
Murag feelings nimo niya, walay padulngan
Sakit huna hunaon
Pero sa kasakit sab kita makat on
Ayaw pag pakabuta bungol
Sa gugmang makagu-ol
Kung tumang kasakit ang matagamtaman
Hununga ug putla ang tanan
Dili lang ko ni tas-on
Para kita maka move-on

 

The trail to Mt. Kalbasaan

As far as I know, there are three trails going to Mt. Kalbasaan, one is via eskina Pakigne Minglanilla or eskina Tubod, second is via Camp 8 Minglanilla and third is via Camp 7 at the same town. Camp 7 and Camp 8 can be reached via Brgy. Lutopan in the Municipality of Toledo. 

Conquering Eastern Visayas' Highest and Treacherous Peak : Mt. Aminduen/Alto Peak

Every mountaineers dream is to experience major climb in different places and in different mountains. No matter how high the peak is and how tough the trail is, kay laagan man lage, go lang ng go. Visayas may not have the title for having the highest peak in the Philippines but it is well known for its spectacular peaks. 

Cebu has Osmeña Peak which is the highest peak in Cebu Province, but climbing is very hmmmm. It’s for you to find out.

The Peak

Alto Peak or commonly known as Mt. Aminduen is located in Brgy. Cabintan, Ormoc City which is 1.5 hrs away from the city proper. Mt. Aminduen is known to be the highest peak in Eastern Visayas at 1332 MASL (meter above sea level).

Trails to Alto Peak

There were actually two trails going to Alto Peak, one was via the abandoned road (as per guide/tourism) and the other one was via Lake Janagdan traverse to junction then to Alto peak. The first trail is not that difficult or adventurous, it may be just your regular trail when

Alegria's Spectacular Gems for Summer: Camp at Mt. Lanaya, Trek to Kalo-Kalo Peak, and Swim to Cambais Falls

Summer is Here! Trek+Camp+Swim was the second major event we had. The first one was the Pre-Hearts Day held in the City of Naga. The same as the previous event , it was done successfully and peacefully. On behalf of Laag Bisaya Team, I would like to say thank you to those who attended and contributed to the success of the event. Thank you so much for your cooperation and following the simple bukid rules.

Basically, the event should have 52 joiners and 13 organizers. Unfortunately, there were more than 20 laagans who did not made it due to some circumstances. But if the attendance were complete, surely we could have had a hard time in going to Alegria since most of the buses going there can only accommodate 40-50 passengers.

Mt. Lanaya's Ocular: Alegria's friendly and Grassy Scenery Campsite

SECURITY is our number one priority in every event we've hosted. No matter how near or far the event place is or no matter how easy the trail is, we always do ocular. We do ocular to double check how safe the place is, to check the proper place where we can set up our camping tents, to assigned a designated cooking place and to check how difficult the trail is. Aside from this, we also need to see the captain or person in charge to ask an approval for formality and to provide our intent as to why we do this activity in their place. 
 

Trail going to Lanaya's Campsite

So, just last Sunday, the 7th, we had our ocular activity in both campsite and in the Kalo-Kalo peak. We leave Cebu at exactly 250 am via series bus and we arrived in Brgy. Legazpi, Alegria at 630 in the morning. Inig abot gyud dayon sa Brgy. Legazpi, there's a place where we need to register and pay the guide and entrance fee. During our ocular, we had to pay P150.00 each (P100.00 for the guide and P50.00 for the entrance. We tried

The Fascinating Sea of Clouds in the Municipality of Danao Bohol

Bohol is known to be a wonderous place not just in the Philippines but worldwide. Every year, a lot of tourists both local and international visiting Bohol. Most common spots in Bohol are Chocolate Hills, the tarsier, Man-made forest, Beaches in Panglao and etc. Aside from those attractions, there are also interesting and adventurous spots that are not so common to everyone but yet the beauty is so fascinating.

Bohol, for me,  is a paradise where fascinating spots are in one place from mountains to beaches. Bohol is a must-see island in the Philippines for its full of stunning and adventurous places. Years and years have passed by, more tourist both local and international has come to Bohol to explore its alluring gem.

City of Naga: Mt. Kabuwan - Mt. Naupa : Pre-Hearts Day Trek + Camp

What a great day to take a break! So the amazing Laag Bisaya team decided to take a break in the mountains.

Wait ✋

What?!

Yes, you read it right. To the mountains we go!

And have a break from the busy streets, noisy and polluted city life and of course from the work stress. So what and who are you waiting for?

C'mon let's get this adventure started! Thanks weather for cooperating! 😂 and before I forget (just like what he did, CHAROT! 😂😂) This also serves as an advance celebration for Valentines Day, so as you can see it is entitled as PRE-HEARTS DAY TREK + CAMP. TAH! Manglakaw na ta! 😂😎

So to start, let's have a ride. A special one (as special as you) from Cebu South Bus Terminal going to the jump-off area Skina Apid Cantabaco Toledo City. So guys plite lang tag sakto noh, lisod muhatag ug tibuok nya di masuklian murag feelings nimo para niya. BOOM! CHAROT LANG!

Carmen's Mt. Mago : Meet and Greet to a Newly Found Friends

Laag is the best way to kill the boredom and laag with new people and new friends is a lot better and funnier. It is really nice to go to the place that you've never been with good people around you. 

Cebu, as we all know, have a lot of splendid mountains and peaks that you and your friends may enjoy in wandering. One of these peaks is located in the municipality of Carmen Cebu northern part of Cebu, Mt. Mago. 

About Carmen Cebu

Carmen lies approximately 42 kilometers North of Cebu City, travel time may take within 2 hours depends on how heavy the traffic is. There were lots of things that you can do and enjoy when visiting the municipality of Carmen, you can go swimming in Durano Eco Farm and Spring, you can also enjoy the nearby pool with flowing water from a spring, river trekking and enjoy the soon to open Safari - the 100 hectares animal zoo own by Michel J. Lhuillier. Everyone is excited about it, I know right? Lol

About our Laag

So here's what happened, everyone is so excited especially the first-timers, however, for some valid reason I have to postpone this laag due to the typhoon and basically, there is no clearing yet and the way going to the starting point is so slippery, muddy and very risky. So, for everyone's safety, I ended up postponing the activity a week after the intended date. 

There were 30 heads who join this trek, some are hardcore and some are first-timers. Before it was postponed, there were more than 50 heads who will join the activity but due to conflict of schedules, some joiners have to back out.

A friendly hike and camping in Mt. Kabuwan, Naga City

Adventure is like love. We already knew the risk and possible outcome but we didn't mind it and we just go for it anyway. Adventure can be memorable through struggles, through happiness or both. They say, 90% of trekking is struggles and 10% is happiness. This is somehow true or maybe depends on the trail.

Setting of Facebook event

Before the said event, I made a facebook event via my facebook page @laagbisaya. That was the very first time making/organizing a Facebook event. Most of the time, I go laag just a day before the actual date but this time it's different. I intentionally made this event to meet new friends and I am so glad that there were heaps of person who got interested and join in the event. I had 12 acquaintance along the trial, some of them are hardcore in terms of hiking but mostly are first timers.

A new friend (Win) and hardcore in terms of hiking

A Fellowship Day Hike to Mt. Mauyog Balamban

Laag away from the stressful city life is everyone's wish, especially when you're so stressed with your work or with the people around you. This would be the case if you're working too hard or even not but has a stressful work environment. In some cases, others went laag just for picture taking purposes, to have a little adventure and to see another world. For myself, I have those reasons plus to relieve my stress. It's been a long time since my last laag. Now my feet are itching for a long hike and craving for a new adventure. Among the many peaks Cebu, we decided to go to Mt. Mauyog.

About Mt. Mauyog

Mt. Mauyog is located in Brgy. Sunog under the Municipality of Balamban western part of Cebu Province. Mt. Mauyog is known to have a rock formation in the peak that looks like a human brain. It is just a few mile away from Mt. Manunggal the crash site of former Philippine president, President Magsaysay. Most of the wanders including me, thought that Mt. Mauyog and Mt. Manunggal is just one mountain but actually they're not. As per locals/guide, Mt. Mauyog is owned by a private individual but I'm not so sure the legitimacy of the information.

Panoramic view at Mauyog Peak

About our Laag

As always, we do our laag minute before the actual time of our laag. We do love unplanned laag for it is funnier and adventurous. Basically, we decided to have a little adventure in Balamban just a day before the actual date and 2 hours before our graveyard shift ends, we do a little research so that we will be able to know the rights stop points.

Boljoon - Eli Rock : A man made Viewdeck with 137 steps

Escaping from the City is everyone's desire  especially when you are so stressed  from work or from whatsoever reason. There are heaps of beautiful places in Southern part of Cebu that you may want to visit  and chillax. I've been visited lots of places in the South, some are in the mountain part and some are in Beaches. 

I don't know if you guys already heard about Eli Rock in Boljoon.  The firs time I've visited Boljoon, was during our Educational tour in University of San Carlos. Boljoon church was our last stop back then. It was for Humanities subject though, we visited the old churches, from the municipality of Carcar, Sibonga, Argao, Dalaguete and finally church in Boljoon. Unfortunately, due the age of our tour I already lost the photos I had taken during the said tour.

VL Team in Eli Rock Viewdeck

The Municiality of Boljoon

Boljoon is a 5th municipal income class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines and is under 2nd District. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 16,344. In the 2016 electoral roll, it had 10,216 registered voters. Boljoon has 11 barangays of which six (including Poblacion) are coastal, and the rest inland.

Bocaue Peak : first time 9 hours hike

For me trekking is the best outdoor activity ever. In trekking you can absolutely see how beautiful our mother nature is. You can see how god made the earth with its beautiful creation. You can relax, breath fresh air, find the  extraordinary experience that you can never find in the city. In trekking, you can have new friends, meet locals in different places, see different mountains and rock formation.

Last year, when I was employed in ValueLabs Philippines Inc in Cebu City, I met Char and Jick who is also fun in doing mountain trekking. Char has a friends who are hardcore in mountain hiking or a pure mountaineers. Char invited me and Jick to join with them in hiking going to Napo Towers, Bocaue Peak and RCPI Towers. Ever since, I really love to join mountain hiking so I was so happy and excited when I got the invitation from Char. It was a week after I was confined from the hospital but that's not the issue since my case is just a minor issue. Me, Jick and Char agreed to meet up in Ayala PUJ terminal then we will go together to Guadalupe Church area wherein we will meet with the other group. Before I met the other group, I just thought that they are just a normal hikers but when I finally saw them it was like "whoooaaa hold on, ma OP tas out fit" because me and Jick are just wearing running shoes not a trekking shoes and a Jan sport backpack. But they don't actually care, they are good and friendly and as long as you can hike with a heart then you are good. Lol. 

Napo Towers

Before we went to the starting point which is in a small village in  Sapangdaku we bought first the things that we need during trekking. As the first timers, me and Jick just bought 1 liter of water that's it. After we prepare everything in Guadalupe Church area we walked a little going to the habal-habal waiting area to ride going to the starting point. We start our hike at exact 9:00 am, it was perfect sunny day during our trekking. After most likely 30 minutes of hiking we had our first break/rest under the shed of the big mango tree, we had a small talked and knowing each other. After 5 minutes we continue our hike and we finally saw the first tower in the middle of meadows. But before we finally arrived in the first tower, we passed by a roses plantation, though when we passed in the place there were no flowers blooming yet but its kinda amazing seeing those lovely stems. The trail going up is so steep, so we had our second break under another big mango tree and a few minutes after, we continue our hike then rest. We need to rest most likely every other 5 minutes because the trail going up is so steep so basically our air has been easily drained. Lol. 

Celestial Garden -Banawa

 Banawa Heights - Good Shepard and Celestial Garden

It was 3:30 when CM called me and said that  we will go to Banawa Heights to chase sunset. We meet at Cebu Capitol building then from there we ride a jeepney going to Banawa. It was like 10-15 minutes walk going up to Sister's of the Good Shepard in Banawa Road.

Louren is so hurry going to the Celestial Garden where we chase the sunset, so CM and I took a picture quickly then went to the park. Unfortunate, when we arrive in the park it was raining a little but still we enjoyed our time there, we  had a little picnic taking photos but no sun set.

Danao City: Chasing the Splendid 360 view in Mt. Manghilao

Mt. Manghilao with side trip to Durano Eco Farm

---

If Osmenia Peak in the southern part of Cebu is known to be the highest peak in the South, then I think Mt. Manghilao is the highest peak in Northern part of Cebu though it not yet confirmed. Mt. Manghilao is not that famous unlike Osmenia Peak, Mt. Manuggal and other mountains but in Mt. Manghilao you can see the beautiful over looking of Danao City. 

Mt. Manghilao is located in Coastal part of Danao City, few miles from Danao proper. It was a perfect day when my friend Char went there with her friends also (a certified mountaineers), from SM City Cebu we ride a vhire going to Danao City. When we arrived in Danao proper we bought our foods first for lunch and also water. Char and Jenn already knew the place so we just ask the "habal-habal" driver to bring us to Mt. Manghilao. When we arrived in the starting point we ask some local where is the way go up to Manghilao they give us direction but we're not pretty sure if we are on the right way. Luckily there were these 3 kids passing by so we ask them if they can guide us going up. We met Dave a 12 years old one of our guide in our day hike to Mt. Manghilao. Dave is kinda amazing and friendly, he told us something about the place and etc. Also his cousins, the younger one's show us something that is not really different but it's different how they use it.