Ako mismo: nag river trek sa bonbon. 6.20.09

Need a break? (o cge break nata.) (dili na mao ako pasabot.)

What i mean is a break from routine. A new outlook in life. Have you been
following the same routine day in, day out for a long while and are feeling jaded and bored? Heheheh. Time to break the ice.

Xsembros' Bonbon River trek.

Bonbon Busay river trek to the falls
Entry point: Bonbon bridge
Exit point: Lubo, battalion. (near a store)
Major Jump offs (Timex Altimeter reading)
bonbon falls 890 ft. and lubo battalion 1330 ft.
Specs: Minor Climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail Class 2

Actual Time:
Saturday, JY Square 0915hrs to the bonbon bridge 1000hrs.
Saturday, Bonbon bridge 1000 hrs to the Falls at 1156hrs – 1 hr and 56 mins. (slow pace)


Pack leader: Jong jong
Pack Sweeper: Puff Gerrick
River trekkers: Daks, Steven, Jigo, Ching, Ace, Cathy, Don, Sheena,



Photographers:
Pro: Jong, Puff, Don, Sheena
Newbie: Ace and Ching
Budget: bring your own lunch, php80 per head back and forth through habal2x. jy to bonbon bridge.




How to get there:

Assemble at the JY Square. Take a habal2x at php 40 per head. It must be 2 pax per habal2x. Other option is to take a jeep if you are many at php30 per head. Another option is to take the jeep at Freedom Park, carbon near the chapel of USJR. Take the bonbon route at php30 per head. I haven’t tried the jeep at Carbon. Just be there early. The Jeep leaves when full. Start trekking at the bonbon bridge.


What to expect:

• To get wet. So secure your gadgets inside a plastic. Have the proper attire.
• be ready for rains. Just in case. Any anti rain will do.
• Hot sunny day. You might as well bring sarong or a hat. Any anti sun will do.
• Bring your own lunch. You can buy at Bonbon Bridge. There is an eatery. You can share your food at the falls with the group.
• You are to cross rivers so expect to get wet.
• Some are comfortable with rubber sandals. Know your comfort zone.
• Rubber sandals give me foot blisters. For you to move in comfort wear ready-to-wet shoes and shock absorbing. You might as well wear trekking shoes.
• Big rocks as pathways. Take the steep trails beside a cliff which makes no room for mistakes. Heheheh.
• You are to cross rivers going to the falls. After that will be wall climbing. Expect cuts to your skin from the bushes. You might as well bring alcohol and band aids or first aid kit.
• On the way home. Wall climbing and 45 degree mountain climb. A climb that gives joy if you see a man other than your team, a house along the way and the most is when you hear a sound of a motorcycle or a vehicle even what you see are only bushes around. It means you are near on the way home. Heheheheh.
• Water is life. Bring enough of that life. 3L will do. The river and the falls are not potable. Drink at your own risk. Water stations are at the entry point and at the exit point.
• You may want to at least bring 3 shirts and 2 shorts.
• Bring chocolates or candy. These are trail food. Take your breakfast.
• In doing the activity there is no really a prescribe attire. Those mentioned above are only tips to move in comfort.

Kudos to the team for a safe and fun trip. Thank you also for observing cleanliness.

Ako mismo: ang magdala sa akong basura. Heheheh.
Ako mismo: mamahalin ko ang xsembros.
Ako mismo: mukaon ug breakfast. Toink. Hehehe.

“Once in a lifetime, perhaps, one escapes the actual confines of the flesh. Once in a lifetime, if one is lucky, one so merges with sunlight and air and running water that whole eons, the eons that mountains and deserts know, might pass in a single afternoon without discomfort.”
Loren Eisley

Obviously you can't change your entire life in a weekend, but you can make a good start. At the very least this weekend will start to challenge your perceptions and shift your consciousness into a brand new pattern.

stop counting your loss and wait for the upcoming event of xsembros!

As always “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints and kill nothing but time.”

check the pics at:

Puff's Album
Jong's Album
Daks' Album
Ace's Album

Prev: Life above sea-level. Cebu's highest. 5.30-31.09

Next: Transformers: Hunt of the Fallen . . . Explore Baugo, budlaan falls 7.11.9

Life above sea-level. Cebu's highest. 5.30-31.09

OSMEÑA PEAK TRAVERSE TO KAWASAN FALLS
A peak walk for a falls.

Dalaguete and Badian, Cebu
Entry point: Mantalongon Market, Dalaguete, Cebu
Exit point: Source or the level 3 of the Kawasan falls, Brgy. Matutinao, Badian, Cebu
Major Jump offs (Timex Altimeter reading)
Osmena Peak 2840 ft. 23 degrees celcius and Kawasan Falls 460 ft.

Actual Time:
Saturday, Market 1521hrs to the Peak 1637hrs. - 1 hr and 16 mins.
Sunday, Peak Gate at 0849hrs to the Source of the Falls at 1508hrs – 6 hrs and 19 mins.
Suggestion:
Better leave no later than 0730 hrs with no greater than 4 stops over
Be sure to have as much water at the peak. Nearest water station is a bit far.
Bring many tissues. Conserve water. Do dish wiping instead of dish washing.
Specs: Minor Climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail Class 2

This adventure is participated by the Xsembros Mountaineering Club. The group is composed of Ex seminarians of Pope John XXIII Seminary, recently known as Blessed John Seminary at Juan Luna Ave., Mabolo, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines.


“Xsembros” means X seminarian brothers. Though it’s redundant to say seminarian and brothers, there is nothing I can do. The origin of the name just sprung up like the big bang theory, a crazy wild random thought picked by the group after playing soccer at the said seminary on a sunny Saturday. The group is not only into mountaineering. They have also the Xsembros Football Club and Xsembros Bikers Club. Now the latest additional interest of the group is to go overnight camping and thus came a new club - The Xsembros Mountaineering Club with its very first activity here at the Osmena Peak/Kawasan Falls.

Guide: Jake and Tope (special thanks to them for guiding us freely)
Climbers: Daks, Jong, Kuehne Cute (Louie), Roy, Puff, Ace, Junel, Arnel, Richard, Melody, Jigo, Mark, Don, Hermits


Background
Osmeña Peak is situated in Mantalongon, Dalaguete also known as the "Vegetable Basket" of Cebu or "Little Baguio" because of the vast vegetable farms in the area. The mountain is actually a series of rugged peaks that have been compared with the Chocolate Hills of Bohol because of its interesting formations. Osmeña Peak is considered the highest peak in the province of Cebu with a height of 2840 ft above sea level with 23 degrees Celsius. The peak was named after the Osmeña family, an influential political clan in the province.


Budget Highlights
Caltex, USJR Carbon mini bus fare from cebu to mantalongon market – php 80
We took the 3rd trip at 10 am.
CR at Caltex – php 5
Osmena Peak entrance fee php 15
Tuba – php 40 per gallon
Butong at sugsugan badian – php 10
Kawasan Falls source or level 3 cottages – php 200 per cottage
Level 2 and 3– php 300 per cottage
Tanduay 5yrs lapad – php 60
Long neck – php 120
Ceres Bus fare Matutinao to South Bus Terminal – php 85

What to expect on the first day to the Osmena Peak:
• The place is considered as the vegetable basket and little baguio so its cold.
• Bring anti tugnaw gadgets. Sweater or jacket and socks.
• Bring anti Basa plastics. Place all things you don’t want to get wet in a plastic.
• Last minute shopping at Mantalongon Market. 2 hr hike from there to the peak.
• You can also have alcohol drinks as one of your anti tugnaw. Heheheh. Tanduay?
• A water source is located along the trail to the summit. Fetch as much as you can.
• To move in comfort wear rubber shoes during the hike to prevent foot blisters.
• Bring extra slippers too if you like.
• The peak area is privately owned and has been fenced.
• A lot keeper collects Php15 from each climber that enters the area.
• At the peak, one can have a 360-degree view of Cebu South.
• View more on the southwest side plus a sneak peek of Negros.
• It is not advisable to set camp at the peak.
• Campsites are normally established a few meters down the peak.
• Thick fog starts by early evening, and to some extent, there will be zero visibility.
• The next water station before the falls is 2 hrs away from the peak.
• Have an early wake up call, say around 5 am.

What to expect on the second day to Kawasan Falls:
• To Badian falls follows a rugged terrain downhill.
• The next water station before the falls is 2 hrs away from the peak.
• The path is rocky and at times slippery.
• 4 to 5 hr walk from the peak to the falls
• There are a few "sari-sari" stores located along the trail.
• The scorching heat of the sun which makes a pain in the neck.
• Upon arrival, you may rest your heating body through cooking and sitting.
• Rest first before diving into the cool blue waters of the falls.
• At the falls, you will encounter the source first or the level 3.
• Then go down to the level 2 and level 1.
• There are rooms for rent or cottages at levels 1 and 2.
• You can order food also at their restaurants and buy souvenir items.
• Bamboo rafts are also available for a fee.
• Kawasan Falls is a good venue for family and group picnics.
• This is my 7th time here at the falls and it seems my 1st always.
• Not a boring place. A place of nature and soul searching. Hehehehe
• Night trekking to the falls is possible also due to the electrical lights.

Personal Itinerary
0430 hrs Saturday – Wake up at home
0600 hrs – Puff’s place
0700 hrs – Gaisano metro venue meeting
0843 hrs – head towards Caltex, USJR Carbon mini bus
0940 hrs – nag cr si Junel at Caltex at php 5
0958 hrs – larga at 34 degrees celcius/ sea level/ 50 liters full tank at php1576
1154 hrs – moderate raining at argao
1202 hrs – rain stops
1238 hrs – arrived at Ace’s place/Lunch (pancit, prito isda, lechon, softdrinks & rice)
1425 hrs – Picture taking at Ace’s Grotto with her mom
1441 hrs – Dump truck ride at php 10 from Ace’s place to Mantalongon market
Special thanks to his Uncle Mayor for the ride.
1521 hrs – arrived at the market and hiking starts
1607 hrs – Lapa stop over
1637 hrs - Osmena Peak arrival
1711 hrs – finished setting up the tent.
1723 hrs – Standing at the tallest part of Cebu. (2840 ft. plus my height 5’8” hehehe).
1910 hrs – Dinner time (manok bisaya soup with chicken broth cubes) hmmmm.
2100 hrs – Tanduay Drinking session. (Followed up by Ethyl and ice tea)
2311 hrs – noodles eating session
2321 hrs – lights off
0527 hrs – rise up
0542 hrs – fetched water (igo sad panington) phew.
0734 hrs – breakfast (beef loaf, corned beef, bacon, tuna, “chao fan” rice, noodles)
0824 hrs – finished packing and picture taking
0849 hrs – hiking starts from the Peak gate (left behind 1kg rice for the guard.)
0930 hrs – 1st stop over Dugsangan Basketball court , Dalaguete (2360ft.)
0951 hrs – 2nd stop over Lugsangan sarisari store, Dalaguete (2280 ft)
Don and Jake went to the CR.
1106 hrs – 3rd stop over Tagaytayon badian (a duyan under a manchinitas)
1134 hrs – 4th stop over water source Mayoot badian at 1180ft. lunchbreak
1234 hrs – Breaks over and walk again.
1244 hrs - Tuba drinking session (php 40 per galon) Mayoot Badian Basketball court
1335 hrs – 5th stop over water station Sanlagan Badian water station
1356 hrs – walk again to the half moon
1429 hrs – 6th stop over at Sugsugan Badian namutong at php 10 per butong.
1454 hrs – walk again
1508 hrs – source arrival at 460 ft. CONGRATS! Kudos to the team.
1900 hrs – Matutinao waiting shed waiting for the bus.
1930 hrs – Bus ride
2145 hrs – arrived at south bus terminal
1045 hrs – home sweet home.

Signature Move:
Ace: NO! Osmena peak nude scandal. Hahaha. Btaw nude photography lng. Art.
Cute: Baby Frog’s “smile sa!”. Hehehe
Junel: wtf. “kung ikaw kalibangon, dagan lng sa baybayon., kung ikaw wlay ilo. . . .”
Hermits: What is the difference between sky and underwear? Sky covers the population while the underwear covers the source.
Puff, Jong, and Don – Peak Photographers. Fog shots.
Melody - rice master side by side with the Kuehne the beef loaf master. toink.

sa Osmena Peak abot mo ang mundo! a place away from work. 'work is no fun that is why it's called work'. have a break. have a katkat. *kidhat!

unsa pa ang imo gihuwat? Katkat na!

Photo Links
Jong's Album
Puff's Album
Hermit's Album
Don's Album
Ace's Album
Daks' Album

Prev: bantayan under the island sun Apr. 9-12, 2009

Next: Ako mismo: nag river trek sa bonbon. 6.20.09

Bantayan Under the Island Sun [Apr.9-12,09]

Question by a certain “Pro” friend: Can we really eat meat at this place and time at Bantayan?

Fact: License name is Indult. Pope Leo XII gave permission to eat meat. The document was obtained by a certain Fr. Doroteo Andrada del Rosario on February 8, 1840 from the Hierarchy of the Church in Spain.



So Eat na ta baboy sa holy week?

A must visit island --Bantayan summer fun under the island sun.

Unless you think that this practice is anti-religious since meals during Holy Week in the Philippines are traditionally fish and vegetables as a form of sacrifice, it turns out that way back in 1843, the pope at that time, Pope Leo XII, gave the townspeople of Batanyan permission to eat meat during Holy Week. Being so religious, the local people in observance of Holy Week, refused to work. Being fishermen, the villagers therefore, had nothing to eat during the Lenten season; hence, Pope Leo XII gave that historic, unique privilege called an "indult" (a license that authorizes an act that is not ordinarily allowed by the Catholic Church).

History states that in order for the bantayanons to survive, they resorted into eating meat despite of the abstinence ruling. Up until now, this has become a tradition. In fact it is too grand of a tradition that every holy week, the whole island comes to life feasting on roasted pork or "lechon" as what we call it. This island will be dwelled with a lot of people, celebrating the death of the Lord in a very unique way, through lots of parties in every resort. Strange but true. Hahahhaha.
Bantayan was the first parish to be established in Cebu by the Augustinians. Saints Peter and Paul Parish was founded on June 11, 1580 as the Convento dela Asuncion de Nuestra Señora. It was one of the few parishes to be a part of the Archdiocese of Mexico (with the Archdiocese of Manila separating only in 1595) and is older than San Nicolas by four years (the latter founded in 1584)!

About the island:
Bantayan Island is an island in the Philippines located at the western portion of the northern tip of Cebu Island. It is the center island of the Philippine islands. It is politically a part of the Province of Cebu.
The main Bantayan Island is about 7 miles wide by 10 miles long. About 20 of its islets stretch for another 5 miles long with some being accessible by foot from the main island at low tide.

The island is composed of three municipalities:
1. Bantayan, Cebu – 68125 people in 13213 households
2. Madridejos, Cebu - 29,020 people in 5,275 households in 14 barangays (year 2000 census)
3. Santa Fe, Cebu - 22,956 people in 4,444 households in 10 barangays (year 2000 census)

As of the 2000 census, the island has a total population of 120,101 with 25 barangays.

The town of Sta. Fe was formerly one of the baranggays of the municipality of Bantayan and its name was Ogtong, a name derived from the fish locally known as “Kogtong”, a big species of the lapulapu fish which was abundant at that time. By the superior decree of the Spanish government, baranggay Ogtong became a town in 1872 and the town’s name was changed to Sta. Fe.

How to Get There

Santa Fe can be reached by V-Hires (vans) or Bus from Cebu North Terminal via Hagnaya wharf in Bogo which is about 110 kilometers from Cebu City and is about 2-3 hours travel time. From Hagnaya take a ferry boat to Sta. Fe which will take about 30 minutes to cross the 18 km. distance.


Budget info update as of April 2009 and as experienced:


Bus fare (north terminal to hagnaya) – Php 100 per head
Boat fare (hagnaya to sta.fe) – Php 120 per head
Tricycle (sta.fe pier to the sta.fe market) – Php 20 per head Motorcycle rent – Php 50 per hour
Globe tent space – Php 100 per tent per day.

Signature moves:


Cute: (the group nitalikod ni queenie with cute remaining) “ayaw mo pag ingon ana bai. Kung mag ingon ana man gani mo, ayaw!” (cute ni blush) hahaha. C queenie na OP.

Pro: “ang skimboard lng ato plato bai?” yaw saba ni ken. “Bai? Apil kuno c polo nato? Naa man cya delata.” “ang skimboard naka daug tungod sa pray over.” Hahahah.

Daks: use the boat. The boat will be lighter. Hahaha. Wani c pro2x. beer trade with noodles. gipailisan ang 2 litro na redhorse with cooked 4 noodles. (pamahaw pa uli). Ang anak sa tindera nahibong ngano 1 canton ra ang gibayran. Heheheh.

Ken: longest ride 1st place skimboard winner 2009

Sasan: power move of the year. 20 mile motor ride under the 12noon heat sun just to say hello to his long lost 6 year wala nagkita na gf Gemaline. What a love! Hahaha. Ur d man.

Koikoi: (to sexy Cielo) “Hi, ako d ay c Chelon.” Hahaha ig agaw gyud nako da. Naa naka picture nako? Hehehe. Picture ta.

Junnel: chugs chugs chugs . . . . happiness rice dealer and ‘ceil’ charging. Happiness power dance moves. Heheheh

Ching: action taker photography. Apila pud ko oi. Hehehe. Jet ski rider bisag hunas.

Jong: motorbike on the move photography. Smile. Heheheh. Php 51 red horse discoverer.

Roy: (to the Philip morris girls) naa ba free kiss? The girl replied “theres no such thing as free kiss” sumbong tka ni aura hap? Heheheh. Adto ko bantayan ky mokaon ko baboy.

Buts: biernes nako hapon uli bai. Hahaha. Dili guro Gregorian calendar ang gamit ky Sunday naman na uli. Mohican inspired. Heheheh.
Special thanks to mang parot and ate tisay for the water sa tabay para ligo and also for the cr. S U C C E S S!




Quick travel tips:

Arrive as early as Holy Thursday.
Travel light. Enough for 4 days stay.
Expect crowds at bus terminals and Hagnaya pier and Sta. Fe.
Communication is important. Make use of your mobile phones.
Bring enough cash. There is 1 atm in the bantayan proper however you may use the services of Western Union located at the market of Sta. Fe.

Summer kick off venues:

RED MOBILE...Present!
Summer Kick-off at the Sugar Beach
April 8,9,10 & 11
Feat: Djs Marlon Orellano, Maxie Perez, Nikki Taylor, John Areno, & Jack

Numero doce club pump & the grille room
in cooperation with
globe telecom , san miguel beer & k&n productions
present……
pump n’ summer ’09
Celebrity by the beach: Viva Hotbabes Maui Taylor and Jennifer lee. Polo Ravales & Paolo Paraiso with Cebu’s top models.

Photo Links
Jong's Album
Cute's Album
Dak's Album

Prev: Xsembros bike club - olango island and cordova

Next: Life above sea-level. Cebu's highest 5.30-31.09

Xsembros bike club - olango island and cordova

Xsembros Olango Biking Adventure

Bike ride to hilton pier. Take a 15 peso fare and 10 minute pumpboat ride to olango island. Olango Island and its neighboring islets has a total land area of approximately 10.3 km² (1,030 hectares). The main island of Olango is composed of 8 barangays (Baring, Caw-oy, Sabang, Santa Rosa, Talima, Tingo, Tungasan and San Vicente) as well as the island barangays of Pangan-an and Caohagan,[2] which are under the administration of Lapu-Lapu City.

Gilutongan and Nalusuan Islands both within Barangay Gilutongan,[2] are under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Cordova. Brgy Tingo is at the left edge of the island while the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary is on the right edge of the island near bas daku beach. When we arrive there we didn’t see the birds. Possible features of the bird will be posted in the album.
Another thing, Angasil pier beside portofino offered only a 10 peso pumpboat fare. You might as well take that ride to and fro the island.

FYI – there is a pump boat trip from Brgy Cow oy to Bohol which is only 30 pesos per head so they say. Double check it first before taking it.


Photo Links
Daks' Album

Next: Bantayan under the island sun apr. 9-12, 09