Fernweh : 2016

Pre-Bday Climb at Mt.Timbak

Stairway to heaven! View from the 3rd highest mountain in Luzon; 9th highest peak in the Philippines.

My 22nd birthday is coming up and i've been wondering what to do, and since it has been our tradition to set a birthday climb. So this event has been created.

Major jump-off: KM. 55 in Atok, Benguet

Elevation: 2,717+ MASL (3rd highest mountain in Luzon; 9th highest peak in the Philippines.)

Specs: Minor Climb

Features: Fire mummies | Village life | Vegetable fields | Magnificent views of major Cordillera peaks

Mount Timbak is considered the 3rd highest mountain in Luzon and 9th highest peak in the Philippines

From Dangwa terminal Baguio City, we ride a van bound to Bontoc. Get off at KM 55 Atok Benguet.

There are no permits necessary to climb mount timbak and tour guides are also not a mandatory since you can ask the locals for direction if you are unsure of where to go.

From the jump off point you may begin your trek on a cemented road that will took 2 and half hours of hike, but you may also go directly to the Timbak Elementary school if you bring own private car or you can take a ride to a hitch. we were lucky enough we had a ride with one of the locals in the middle of the trek and took us from the Mummy cave registration (unfortunately Mummy cave was closed since May this year)

instead of 30-45mins of trek and it is a little bit exhausting.

From the Mummy cave registration, we start to trek again. We passed through a small towns where we met some of the locals with the glimpse of their daily lives in their farm.

Reminder: Be careful not to step on their crops!

Nakikita mo ba yun? Dyan ko tinapon yung pake ko :) #BitterHUGOT

View of the Cordillera mountains

We reach the summit around 10 in the morning and welcomed by a wonderful view of sea of clouds with a few nearby mountain. The summit itself is marked with three large white crosses. (I'm not able to take a picture on the Mini cavalry, due to religion beliefs) This is called the Mini Cavalry. we spent time on the peak and enjoy the cool mountain breeze on the top and enjoy seeing the different terraces of crops all over. Definitely an awesome sight to behold!

Back ride in a gas mini delivery truck!

We start to descend around 11AM, its a good thing that we took a backride on a mini gas delivery truck (first time to experience) since we're running out of time with our expected Itinerary.

Get off to the HIGHEST POINT PHILIPPINE HIGHWAY SYSTEM!

Dinner at the famous 50's diner at Baguio after hike

Rehearsal for fetty wap challenge at Burnham Park but first let us take a group selfie! :)

Arrived at Baguio around 4PM and roam around the city, took dinner at 50's diner. It is around 7:30 in the evening when we left the city

November Babies with not-so-candid shot at the Summit :)

Pabebe pose with my Highschool bestfriend.

Advance Happiest Birthday Kuya Pogi! :) Indeed it was a spectacular birthday climb for both of us.

And what's the climb thought me somehow? You need to make a life while making a living. So even though i'm so eshausted that day i went straight to office to do my job. (lol)

Its been 22 years existing on earth, I may not have the title nor achievement yet, hiked mountain for the 7th time around, been on the top of the mountain and i know someday I will be on the top of the stage where I could finally say " I made it!"

KM. 55: DAYTRIP FROM BAGUIO

0600 From Baguio City, take bus bound for Sagada or Bontoc

0730 ETA KM. 55, start trek

1030 Arrival at Timbak Elementary School. Head for summit

1030 Arrival at summit, talk with locals

1100 Head back to Timbak Elementary School

1130 From school, start descent

1400 Back at KM. 55; visit Highest Point in highway then/or await Baguio-bound bus

1600 Back at Baguio City

by Jobelle Villareal

5:41 PM
2 Comments

When in Cavite: Indulge your sweet tooth at Brickwood cafe

Facade of Brick wood cafe

One afternoon, we braved the rain to finally carry out our long-planned (but always postponed) merienda friendly date. (HAHAHAHA! Baka ma-issue)

Brickwood cafe is a humble cafe bar along Habay, (Bacoor, Cavite. The place is packed on most parts of the day, usually with students hanging out, and patrons getting their daily dose of goodness. In spite of the cafe’s size, it remains a cozy hangout. well-lighted and has Wi-Fi connection but first you need to answer the secret question :

It will tests your filipino skills before providing the wifi password. Do you have any idea? I dunno the answer so we end up talking to each other without distraction.

Here’s what it looks like inside Brickwood cafe:

Panaroma view of Brickwood cafe

hanging guitars on the wall

Place: You’ll surely like the place. The ambiance is calm and quiet. If you’re looking for a place to chill and chitchat, it’s definitely the one! They don’t have aircon here, but don’t worry it’s not warm here in Cavite unlike in Manila. The weather here is just fine, well, most of the time.

Nevertheless, apart from the physical look, this cafe also boasts about their menu, which offers a variety of food options including pastas, rice meals, salads, snacks and an array of refreshments. Here’s their menu:

Photo grabbed from Brickwood FB Page

For first timers like us, it really helps to trim down the food selection when choosing what to order; so, these ‘heart’ ratings beside each food option is really a thumbs up.
Simply, the more hearts, the more people love it, the more people order it. Therefore, based on this, we decided to get their best-sellers.

Anyway, after being oriented about the food choices, we decided to order their best seller
Table #4 They’ll give you their menu and this jar with your table number

The best-seller food in Brickwood

The best-seller food in Brickwood (Choco overload, Oreo overkill, nachos,Creamy chicken with mushroom)

Mouthwatering Monstershakes Choco overload on the left, Oreo overkill on the right

So to wrap it up, I give this place FIVE STARS ★★★★ (Extraordinary experience).

Nonetheless, the food here is awesome and its very affordable (if you consider the serving size), it’s definitely worth a comeback.

Our overall experience with Brickwood is short but sweetness overload. There’s still so many things to look forward to in this cafe, so we will definitely have our next visit very soon.

Me,my bestfriend victor and with the pretty manager of café, Ms.Lara.

C'mon lets eat! :)

"Indulge your sweet tooth and treat your love ones at Brickwood café "

Thanks for bringing me here, Victor!

With my bestfriend,Victor! :)

For those of you planning to visit Brickwood, here’s some important details which might be handy:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BrickwoodCafePH

Brickwood Café is located at Rufino Santos Ave., JS Ville Subdivision, Habay 1, Bacoor, Cavite. (In front of ISHRM building)
open Tuesdays to Sundays, 3:00 PM - 12:00 MN
Contact them at 0998 958 2654 or brickwoodcafeph@yahoo.com

by Jobelle Villareal

9:22 PM
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Light House Dingalan, Aurora : Experience Batanes in a cheaper way

Adventures

Dingalan is a third class municipality in the province of Aurora. It is bounded on the west by the provinces of Nueva Ecija and Bulacan, on the south by Quezon Province and Pacific Ocean on the east.

White Rocky beach in Dingalan

Let me introduce this newest attraction in Dingalan, Aurora and dubbed as "Batanes of the east".
Upon touchdown to White Beach Resort, we hiked up to the mountain where the lighthouse stood.
Ascending was easy at first but there were steep and slippery parts (*Madulas yung daan. Mainit. Matarik. Basagan ng tuhod ang laban - bagay na nakasanayan ko na ng mabasag ang puso ko*) because of the continous rain that make the hike even more difficult. You can get to the top 20-30 mins approximately
Everything will be worth it once you saw the view on the top. As you ascend, you'll notice the strong breeze you'd think it'll carried you by it. Surrounded by the mountain ranges and sea breeze would be the most peaceful sceneries and took your breathe away.
The majestic, awesome, spectacular view that made me feel like I was in Batanes.

At the top Dingalan Light house!

Embrace the Nature!

With My friend Mark, He conquered his fear of heights with this shot! Congrats

#TeamSawiNaWagi

The Lighthouse

The sea and the mountains

PS: We rented a van from Manila- Nueva but you can also take this itinerary
From Cubao, take a bus (5star, ES, etc) going to Cabanatuan. Fare is Php185. Ask the driver to drop you off sa Cabanatuan Terminal. Travel time is around 3-4hours.
From Cabanatuan Grand Terminal, take a van (Php100) or bus (Php80) going to Dingalan. Ask them to drop you off sa Dingalan Port or bayan(you may rent a trike to get you to feeder port) Travel time is around 2 hours.
From Dingalan port you need to ride a boat to get there , it would normally cost 500-750 and take 30 mins travel time.
Take note:
Last trip from Dingalan to Cabanatuan is 3:00pm.
You may pitch your tent sa white beach.
Buy all the stuff you need if you're planning for an overnight in the beach.

9:30 AM
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MT.ULAP TRAVERSE DAYHIKE

Hiking Adventure

MT. ULAP ECO-TRAIL
Itogon, Benguet
Entry point: Brgy. Ampucao, Itogon
Exit point: Brgy. Sta. Fe, Itogon
LLA: 16.2904 N, 120.6312 E, 1846 MASL (Mt. Ulap)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-3 hours
Specs: Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-3,
Features: Grassland and pine ridges, scenic views of the Cordilleras, burial caves

If you want to hike and escape away from Manila's heat. Mt.ulap will suit you well. Mt.Ulap Eco-trail is in close proximity to Baguio City , a less-than-an-hour drive.

One of my office close friends set this hike for his birthday celebration. From Manila, we rented a van going to Baguio around 11pm. We're on the way and my officemate didn't have any idea that we have a surprised for his birthday by 12mn.
(We wrote our greetings on a sticky note and put it on the jar with matching birthday cupcake).

Happy Birthday my frenemy Felmer 😘

We arrived in Baguio around 4:30AM in the morning. We registered first at the baranggay hall and started to hike at 5:30AM
A number of peaks and points of attraction are traversed via this relaxing trail: from the grassland slopes of Ambunao Paoay to Gungal Rock, and then to the highest point, Mt. Ulap

Hiking time is roughly around 4 – 5 hours, according to your hike pace and will return to the Barangay Hall after.

Im PINE here 😂 #HugotBundok

The trail was surrounded with pine trees, some still glowing with a youthful green color, their leaves bathed in yellow morning hue.

Groufie! Almost near to Summit!

We reached the summit around past 10 in the morning but got no clearing (Sobrang labo, parang tayo) We rested and took some “pang-profile pic” photos near a rock hanging of a cliff. “Onting usog pa, 200 likes na ‘yan,” I said to the amusement of others.

Sobrang Fog at Gungal Rock

Sitting on a cliff edge!

ITINERARY
21:00 Take van- Itogon Benguet
04:00 Arrived Itogon Benguet Baranggay hall
05:30 Start ascend
07:30 ETA Gungol Rock
10:00 ETA Mt. Ulap summit
10:15 Start Descend
11:30 Back to Baranggay Hall
01:30 Travel back to Baguio
04:30 Back in Baguio (Drop by in Baguio market)
06:00 Dinner at Goodtaste
07:30 Back to Manila
By public transport
Take bus from Manila to Baguio)
Take jeepney from Baguio to Brgy. Ampucao (P50)
ETA Brgy. Ampucao. Head to barangay hall. Register / Secure guides
Start trek
ETA Gungol Rock
ETA Mt. Ulap summit
Visit Burial Caves
Arrival at Sta. Fe exit point. Wait for jeepney back to Baguio
Back in Baguio City (and then to Manila)

6:14 PM
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Chasin dreams at Dreamland Arts and Crafts cafe

food trip

Location: Brgy San Jose, Tagaytay City, Cavite. It is just near the Tagaytay Rotunda, less than 5 minutes walk from there. It it just below the Cityland Tower.

We usually go to a cafe to meet up, but most coffee shops are crowded with people having meetings, but this time i found place where It's the perfect place to chill with your friends especially when you're the type who wants to try out different places and want to catch instagram worthy posts

Dreamland cafe is a indie theme cafe located in tagaytay few hrs drive away from the city. It is where you can dine and dream and also shop for arts and crafts at the same time.
According to the Phoebe Duran, a fellow dreamer and the owner of the cafe, he once dreamt for this cafe and boutique at the same time. That's why came up with "Dreamland", on the other hand arts and crafts cafe means "let's share our love for arts and crafts

***IT PROMOTES SOCIAL MEDIA DETOX!!!
It is very different compared with other coffee shops, this is a no wifi area. I love that idea, cause everytime we're having friends hangout, everyone are glued on the phonescreens and don't really talk with each other.
you can rest easy and fill your time with activities that brings simple joy and contentment -- coloring, doodling, arts and crafts, reading...or just closing your eyes and relishing the beauty of doing nothing.

They also offer shoes,accessories and other stuff. What attracts me the most inside the cafe store is the Dreamcatcher of various sizes, colors and design that you can also purchase.
A dreamcatcher is a handmade decor consisting of a small hoop containing a horsehair mesh, or a similar construction of string or yarn, decorated with feathers and beads. It is believed to give its owner good dreams and were originally made by American Indians.