Rizal's Execution Site

Seen in this old picture is the event that changed the history of the Filipino people. Rizal's execution 1896.

2012 Year End Post | A Timeline of Adventure

As I look back through the past 12 months, I realized that a lot had happened to me in this outgoing year, and when I say a lot, it really means A LOT! My 2012 is a mishmash of surreal, memorable, life changing, awe-inspiring, delicious, and death-defying experiences. I met new friends, acquired new stuff, and gained a little more priceless knowledge. This outgoing year is by far my most traveled year, oh yeah! 

In this post, you will see the timeline of my adventurous life in the year 2012.

January

9 Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno

14 Mt. Maculot Rockies

21 Mt. Pundaquit Traverse to Anawangin, Nagsasa Cove

22 Capones Island

28 Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake

Together with the awesome Pinoy Travel Bloggers, I reached the crater lake of the mountain that at one point in history, incurred death and destruction upon many Filipinos. 

Giant Lantern Festival 2012

Christmas Celebration in San Fernando City wouldn't be complete without them showcasing their very own Giant Christmas Lanterns. These giant parols are products of San Fernandinos' creativity and craftsmanship, thus every December, few days before Christmas Day, San Fernando City takes the limelight for their Giant Lantern Festival.

Last December 18, 2012, after filling up our tummies with various Kapampangan dishes, Culture Shock PH, brought our group to San Fernando City to witness this renowned kaleidoscopic display of lights and sounds.

Well what can I say? Let the lanterns speak for themselves... (sensya na sa mga photo, medyo hndi maganda yung pwesto namin)

Top Ten Captured Moments of 2012

Here's my top ten most memorable moments in 2012 - captured on photo

10. Chased by Birds
Mt. Tagapo
Talim Island, Rizal
February 18, 2012

Our boat was being chased by the birds of Laguna de Bay.

I just came from Talim Island after doing, for the first time, a solo climb on a mountain. It was a life-changing experience as it really leveled up my taste for adventure.

related story in this link.

Sagada Revisited

Shit things do happen, sometimes they'll just come by surprise and would wreak havoc, and the worst part is that you know you cannot do anything to stop it. For instance, an adventure of mine was crippled by an unexpected shitness. Everything was set for a day trip at Taal Volcano, we were just waiting for the day to finally come when suddenly, there's an Alert Level 1 announcement by PhilVolcs (arrrggh, I really hate postponements). Of course, our trip was postponed and my 3-day long weekend (Bonifacio Day) was freed.

But on a brighter side, the postponement of our Taal Volcano Adventure gave way to a better, more exciting adventure up north. I simply cannot afford to just stay at home for 3 days doing nothing. That's why, out of the blue, I bought tickets bound for Sagada.  

Pampanga Food and Heritage Tour

The province of Pampanga, aka the "Culinary Capital of the Philippines", has been my school's (both elementary and high school) top favorite field trip destination. If my memory serves me right, we had our field trip in this province when I was in 6th grade, 1st and 3rd year. I can even recall where our bus would usually stop for lunch - Double Happiness Restaurant.

Anyways... I was just here last Saturday for yet another field trip. I was with Culture Shock Ph this time and our tour focuses on what the Kapampangans are really known for - food.

Mt. Ampacao | Sudden Bonifacio Day Climb

Last long weekend (Bonifacio day), I had this sudden urge to revisit Sagada, Mountain Province. Last year, I've done most of Sagada's tourist hot spots. I survived the cave connection, pigged out on several restaurants, trekked to Bomod-ok and Pongas Falls, witnessed a foggy morning at Kiltepan Peak, yes I've done it all but not the summit of Mt. Ampacao. Well I was not into mountaineering back then.

Being the highest peak in my favorite town in the Cordilleras, I really wanted to reach it's summit.    

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Friday - November 30, 2012

It was around 11:30 before noon when me and my friend arrived in Sagada. Geez, we left Manila at Thursday night, 11 PM and arrived 12 hours later, sobrang haba ng biyahe. (P450 Manila-Baguio, P220 Baguio-Sagada)

As soon as we left our things at our lodging (we did not reserve our lodging, pero buti may nahanap pa kaming available room, we stayed at Traveler's Inn. sobrang nagkakaubusan talaga ng matutuluyan sa Sagada kapag long weekend) then had a quick lunch at Yogurt House, we set forth on a dayhike to Mt. Ampacao summit. I've read in many articles that hikers wouldn't need a guide to reach it's summit since the trail is single and straightforward and can be easily followed even by a non-mountaineer.

Trail starts here.

Mt. Mabilog | An Unexpected Traverse

We were trekking our way back to Lake Pandin from the summit of Mt. Mabilog... but all of a sudden, we found ourselves standing in front of Lake Yambo. It was an unexpected Mt. Mabilog Traverse.

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Saturday - December 8, 2012 

We're done with Mt. Kalisungan and now in pursuit of Mt. Mabilog's summit to complete the Twin Hikes IV.
  
The time was almost 2PM when our group arrived at the jump-off of Mt. Mabilog at Brgy. Sto. Anghel, San Pablo City. Actually, we're a bit late in our itinerary, haven't taken lunch yet, but my eagerness to reach the summit of Mt. Mabilog did not wane a bit - maybe I was just really excited to reach my 30th mountain.