Sirao Peak: What if I did not organize that climb?

Having a group of people with the same point of interest is really great and surely makes a fun filled adventure. As we all know, laag is fun and it will be funnier when you are with your close friends or even not that close as long as you have the same interest. Nowadays, there are a lot of mountaineering groups anywhere. I actually wrote this article because I had a sudden question in my mind, "what if I did not organize a climb that day to Sirao Peak?" 

I really do love laag, climbing moutains, camping and etc, however, most of my friends are backout dancers and they love to draw and draw and draw and draw.... 

So what I did was, I created an event through Facebook. The very first event I had was held in Mt. Kabuwan, Naga City. Some of my friends as well as acquaintances joined me with this event. It was successfully done and we had so much fun. 

This was the very first event held at Mt. Kabuwan, City of Naga. The group is taking rest after extreme uphill trail. 

Few weeks after, I created another event that was held in Mt. Mago, Carmen. This time I had 20+ joiners. The best part of having such event is that we were able to meet new friends, make adventure and explore new things at the same time together. 

OUTREACH PROGRAM: GILUTONGAN INTEGRATED SCHOOL GILUTONGAN ISLAND CORDOVA

Laag Bisaya: Mission

One team. One goal 2 help

Laag Bisaya aims to help the people and the environment or to educate people about the importance of taking care of our mother nature, the importance of following the Leave No Trace policy. As we all know, nowadays, global warming is (lalong lumalala) due to our carelessness. Aside from that, Laag Bisaya, aims to help the less fortunate children in different places or in the mountainous areas of Visayas by doing an outreach program. 

We collected our funds for the outreach program by organizing outdoor events and in that event, we sell customized t-shirts. The very first outreach program we’ve hosted was last December 2018 held at Gilutongan Elementary School, Gilutungan Island. The last year 2019, we had our second outreach activity held at Mulao Elementary School, Brgy. Mulao Compostela Cebu. 

Unexpectedly, we have received a lot of supplies and cash donations from different entities and kind-hearted people. On this activity, we were able to cater 77 pupils from Grade 2 to Grade 3. Each kit consists of school supplies such as a writing pad, notebook, crayon, pen/pencil, sharpener, plastic envelop, drawing book. Also, we have added basic hygiene kit such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and shampoo, and face towel. Each pupil received one kit with school supplies, one set of hygiene kit and one free meal.

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. 

La Trinidad, Benguet: Exploring the Instagrammable view of Mt. Kalugong

Baguio is known to be the Summer Capital of the Philippines while La Trinidad Benguet is known to be the plantation of Benguet's Strawberries. I know, every tourist whom ventured in Baguio will not be satisfied if they can't have the strawberry fruit or strawberry jam. I've been in Baguio for 3 months, for all those days and times I learned a lot of things, values, and new cultures. I meet many kinds of person and fortunately, I got a number of good friends. 

It is really nice to be in the new place, like a totally brand new place. New in a way that people around don't speak the local dialect I had, weather and etc. The downside is that when the time goes by and you have to say goodbye of the place and all the people you got as friends. Makamingaw sad.

One of the adventures I had in Benguet was in La Trinidad Benguet. As far as I know, there were 2 stunning mountains located in La Trinidad. One was Mt. Kalugong and the other one was Mt. Yangbew in Brgy. Tawang, La Trinidad. 

La Trinidad

La Trinidad is located a few miles away from Baguio City. It can be reached just by riding a jeepney which may take 15-30 minutes depends on how heavy the traffic is. La Trinidad, aside of being the place where strawberry grows has also a beautiful gem for mountaineers. Mt. Kalugong is located just a few miles away from the strawberry farm. 

Bakun Benguet: A Perfect Paradise to Live with

Baguio City is known to be the summer capital of the Philippines. Lots and lots of tourist from a different corner of the Philippines are coming to explore Baguio and to experience its coldness. Last year, when I had a vacation in Baguio with my college friends from Cebu, we weren't able to explore Baguio much since we only have 2 days at that time.

It's been almost 3 months since I left Cebu. I left Cebu because of too much heartache. HAHAHAHA Char lungs! I left Cebu and move here in Baguio because I like Baguio and the weather is perfectly imperfect. This article should be written and posted supposedly months ago but since poor man ko diris Baguio (no laptop and other resources and also busy), so, therefore, I can't post just easy as that. I even just used my phone in creating and posting this HAHAHA it's too difficult kaya to access and navigate Blogspot using a phone.

San Carlos Heights, Baguio City

When I came here, I have no idea where to go and where to live, despite of searching room for rent online before coming here. Luckily, I got this friend who I asked for a little favor, Rhex. One thing that I can say about Igorots,

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 Alluring Gem of Canigao Island: Matalom Southern Leyte

The Philippines is composed of hundreds and thousands of stunning islands and more than hundreds of them are still unnamed and not expose to the public. 

Visayan Islands, also called Visayas or Bisayas, island group, central Philippines. The Visayan group consists of seven large and several hundred smaller islands clustered around the Visayan, Samar, and Camotes seas. The seven main islands are Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Masbate, Negros, Panay, and Samar. These islands and their smaller neighbors make up the central group of the Philippine archipelago.

About Canigao Island

Canigao Island is located in the municipality of Matalom, Northern part of Leyte. Canigao island is just one of the alluring island in Leyte. Sambawan Island, Kalanggaman Island, Digyo Island, Limasawa Island and more others are just some of the famous island in the place. 

Canigao Island is known for abundant fishing grounds and scenic coral reef areas suitable for diving. The beaches have white sand, with tropical sea creatures and extensive coral reef in the surrounding waters.These natural features often attract tourists and scuba divers, who arrive at the island by traveling from Matalom.

Preparation of Leyte Escapade

Basically, few days after I was admitted to Perpetual Succour Hospital a friend of mine, Denisa, asked me if I wanna go to Leyte for free. So to make story short, we went to Leyte and all expenses have been taken cared of our very humble big time friend, haha, Judy. Well, they are just the owner of Gabisan Shipping Line, we went to Leyte riding one of their ship heading to their place with no charge at all.

Beach, Falls, Springs, Mountain, Snorkeling - All in Sweet Lanzones Island : Camiguin Island

Summer is fast approaching, surely you will have an outing so soon kung dili drawing. Summer is the season wherein most of laag's are in group chat only. Drawing here, drawing there, drawing everywhere. Lol

Do you already have a place for summer? Why not considering Camiguin Island? Camiguin is just a small island but is composed of stunning spots that will surely tickled your adventurous spirit.

If you are into beach, springs or into waterfall chasing or mountain climbing, then Camiguin would be the best place for you.

About Camiguin

Camiguin is an island province in the Philippines located in the Bohol Sea, about 10 kilometers off the northern coast of Mindanao. It is politically part of the Northern Mindanao Region of the country and formerly a part of Misamis Oriental province.

Camiguin is the second-smallest province in the country in both population and land area after Batanes. The provincial capital is Mambajao, which is also the province's largest municipality in both area and population.

The province is famous for its sweet lanzones, to which its annual Lanzones Festival is dedicated, the picturesque Sunken Cemetery of Camiguin, and its interior forest reserves, collectively known as the Mount Hibok-Hibok.

How to get to Camiguin Island from Cebu City? 

There are actually 2 options in getting to the island, its either by the sea or by the air.

By Sea. Basically, if you are coming from Cebu City you have to go to Jagna, Bohol wherein you can ride a vessel bound to Camiguin.  As per advice from my cousin who is currently living in Camiguin Island, the trip going Camiguin from Jagna, Bohol is only during Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. There's also an upcoming new shipping company that will soon operate in Camiguin. Fastcat will have a trip from Bohol to Camiguin (vice versa) that may only take 45 minutes to 1 hr.

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!