MT. BALUNGAO | Hilltop Adventure Rates

Adventure Rates as of Sept 23, 2012

Something you wanna know:

• Mt. Balungao Hilltop Adventure
• Balungao Pangasinan Medical Mission

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MT. BALUNGAO | Rediscovering the Tremendous Hilltop Adventure

Rediscovering the enchanting Beauty of Mt. Balungao, a refreshing side trip from our medical mission at Municipality of Balungao, just a ride of about 10 minutes you’ll reach the foot of the mountain, be amazed with hot spring and cold spring and also experience the tremendous Hilltop Adventures.

Adventure ride on to the Pangasinan pride: 2nd longest Zip-line in the Philippines (600 meters cable long)

Two of the places of interest in Balungao Pangasinan are:

MT BALUNGAO and its HILLTOP ADVENTURE

Mount Balungao is 1253 fasl, situated in the municipality of Balungao (Kung san kami ngconduct ng Medical Mission Event). It is an inactive volcano according to PHILVOCS and presence of hot and cold springs resulted from its past volcanic record.

This mountain caught my attention upon arriving at the venue. It is very near from us that the leaves from its trees whispered in my ears saying “touch me and no regrets” while the air whipping on my face as it was persuading me to visit her place and have fun. Its aroma hypnotizes me that I got the out of nowhere question in my interview to Nanay Violeta (HILOT). “Ano pong pangalan ng Bundok na iyon na tanaw from here?” an interrupted question from our heart to heart talk about her experiences. “ahh yun ba, Mt. Balungao, ay ang ganda jan pede kaung magadventure jan, yan na ung park dito, bago lang tayo yung resort at zipline jan, last year lang”. She was too excited while telling all these things. I found out she haven’t got the chance to be there even once because of her tight budget. Well, I hope one of these days you visit your very own Hilltop Adventure at Mt. Balungao.

Anyway, Balungao Hilltop Adventure was originally started as The Mt. Balungao Hot and Cold Springs Resort and was repackaged for adventurers and travelers, opened last September 8, 2011. It is placed at the foot of Mt. Balungao. It features ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) driving, Bungee Trampoline, cottages, accommodation at Cabana for overnight, biking and Hiking. Also, the renovated hot and cold swimming pools and one of the Pangasinan pride the longest Zip-line in region 1, 2^nd longest Zip-line in the Philippines.

Around 4 pm, while waiting for all the things be packed up, a Kagawad woman invited us all to experience Hilltop Adventure at mount Balungao, unfortunately just few of us were done from all our responsibilities in serving people of balungao.

We rode on to a private cab and hilltop adventure happened for free. Such a giveaway experience from our service to their people, it was so touching. ;) and the experience was relieving and energizing.

Of course I didn’t wanna loose the opportunity to experience Zip-line for the first time so I chose it first. I’m so excited with a little bit of nervousness in me. Hahhahaha

ZIP-LINE

At the foot of the mountain, the employees will ask you to sign an agreement form like a waver in a school field trip. Then, you’ll choose whether you want it hang in prone position (nakadapa) or sitting position, individual or buddy. It’s up to you but I prefer in individual prone position and get the option to wholly take a glimpse with the long stretch of farms and trees.

After wearing and preparing your suit for your preferred position, you’ll take another ride, it’s free for about less than 5 minutes to reach starting point of Zip-line. Ooops, going up to the starting point will take you 177 steps ascent to it, enough to grasp oxygen in preparation to this incredible adventure. And here we go….

Sitting and Prone Position

The breath away experience will keep in mind and never forget. The feeling is like I’m gonna die, will surely a feeling of life navigation to death. A beautiful death probably. The wow experience is priceless, no one can even better tap any value to it. The wind hit your body like a total body massage in the midst and mind blowing that defeat all dilemmas instead. Keep you alive your body and mind, 100% charged afterwards. A part of me left hang steadily for meanwhile. Still, hang over from this extreme I’m incredibly much sure you wanted it too. 

Hot and Cold Spring | ATV Driving | HIKING | Bungee Trampoline

Roaming around the place and took pictures of every features of it with KAGAWAD who used to be our guide in this entire tour. Have no enough time to take other adventures and we have to go back and home but we left with a wonderful experience all in all, not only the adventure but also hospitality of the people there warmly soothed to our hearts. I want to go back and do hiking to its summit. 

Something you wanna know

• Mt. Balungao Hilltop Adventure Rates
• Balungao Pangasinan Medical Mission

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Funny Innocence

On the way to Hospital basement to pick up linens, the room is locked so we asked the guard and he pointed out his finger towards the opposite room. Together with my girl buddy we move towards the room, facing the locked glass door, we saw someone lying in a stretcher with blankets covered all over his body. No one is inside, the light is open…

Me: Sarado ang pinto!

Buddy: May tao kaya?

Me: may natutulog eh

Buddy: Eh PATAY yan eh

Me: Huh?

I look up for the room title and found it “MORGUE”.

It doubles my heart pumps, make another glance to corpse, I hold her hand tightly and then quickly walked out to elevator.

She knew it from the start and just thinking I’m just pretending I don’t.

So laugh out loud inside our department for my funny innocence.

This will be unbelievably terrible experience if we try to wake him up and answer me back.

Whack!

SHARE A LAUGH AND SMILE :)

SHARE YOUR FUNNY EXPERIENCE OF ANY HERE :D

UPNEXT MY GUILTY PLEASURE. STAY CONNECTED.

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I climb | I do like best

Just like other people I also like adventures, we know people have different pleasure they could get from purposeful travel, some are just happy observing inexpensive beauty of natures, relieve from awesome creatures down and up, drop jaw with the breathtaking sceneries from side to side, fulfilling their pleasure through hearing quiet seas and beaches, make your ears borrowed by the cooing of winds sounded like the most beautiful song, also melodic music of birds, some are really amaze with the falling water of falls, flowing rivers in rough and smooth rocks that make them feel the peace of mind, witnessing the time of sunset and sunrise in different places alone or with special someone or with friends, meeting different people in different places with different stories to share, make friends with lots of the like you are, experiencing extremes through rock climbing and others, rediscovering historical places, get off to popular places and places where people undying to trend off their feet, take an eye in the places they never seen in their lives… and afterwards, cease fire! Forget all the boomerangs they’re going through for they feel it is an emotional outlet where they can forge solution to their problems quickly, enlighten their minds peacefully and make their finest decision ever that could help them to absolutely solve it.

Apparently, you can do it all as I can, mountaineering is a package pleasure you could experience throughout your life.

And mountaineering as I view it, full of excitements, extremes, adventures, knowledge and wisdom and rediscoveries and full of responsibilities

Always put on mind that mountaineering is not just a walk in a pavement, like others don’t care for every little mess you see along the road. It is our part to be the caretaker of the world, every mountain you ascend and descend, leave no footmarks.

And mountain as I spiritually discern it, it is God’s creation to show us his existence and power over us.

Be absolutely more than 100% responsible in our every pace to the world. :D

I climb not only because of the pleasure I could get and diversion I could relieve from all dilemmas embracing me but also a huge interest in making myself go roaming around to be grateful for God’s obras in every phases of the world. The skies, the seas, the lands and the things on it. They are all deserved to be valued. It also aside from its heavenly sides, it is a good workout for every inactive people to break out their sedentary lifestyle. Cheer up to the world, perspires for wellness and breathe for life. Stretch out life and be normally circulated in multitude of pasajeros y viajeros  (passengers and travelers) down the road.

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Mt. Marami | Stormy adventure with typhoon Ambo

A connotation, “Lots of confusing trails for hikers could have seen in Mt. Marami”. It was true that trails in Mt. Marami were confusing and deceiving, lots of entries were seemingly like the right way, think twice you might be entering the bamboo fence where “pastulan ng kambing at baka”. Amazing right? Stop wandering around, you may have step on to a lost trail. It was aside from confusing trail the long trail without trail sign, there were signs maybe, but it was tedious to find. Though, locals can be our source of information towards the right way, you’ll find them at the barangay hall, jump-off point and along the trail, but it was barely to ask help from them since they were always offering a guide, with fee of course – 300 -500, we understand them, they needed money to get through the day for their families, also they would understand our tight grip budget at the moment but it is strongly advisable to hire a guide if you are worried about loosing your way and halt waste of time. Trail information we got from our internet source prior to climb were absolutely helpful. Thanks to them.

Hiking with friends and typhoon Ambo. This was another first time experience to walk onto the trail while it was raining with minimal strength. Trekking in the rain was unusual that made me feel unlucky at the same time happy (unexplained kung bakit Masaya). With the umbrella on the 3 people’s hand, folded tent held on my other hand, it was tiring, still ascent moved smoothly and lost trails faced bravely. Portals lost about an hour in the middle of trek, it was raining and treacherous trail was deceiving so asked somebody’s help to lead us the way. To think several times, the name of typhoon wasn’t reminded not even passed by several times in mind, didn’t avoid us to go through but push through it. It wasn’t pour down hard; I am a freethinker about it.

don’t cross the 1^st river yet, it is the sign…but we push through it, so we lost for about 30 - 45 mins

Rather, continue walking on the Right side of the River and when you see this… wooden bridge

It is your signal to cross the 1^st river and we relieved from our 20 – 30 mins lost in the wrong way.

Weather was truly unpredicted. Exhaustion craves for rests, the sun shone its summer days over us and I’m tired. I got no sleeps before the climb, it simultaneously added up to my tiredness. Take 5! Take 10! Take5! No shed along the assault. Umbrellas were still useful device to protect our head, to prevent greater dehydrations and provide higher oxygenation through our body systems and brain. Energy conservation, a woody cane used temporarily. Business as usual as head rose up looking for a gradual steep.

Rain or shine, rest or continue… we don’t hesitate to conquer marami despites of many confusing and deceiving trails. Cheer up!

3 Rivers were crossed, mud crossed for lots. The crazy mud in the 1^st river was unbelievably foolish that a right foot of mine buried. Withdrawal reflex happened in a split second, I am afraid.  Along the way, locals determined not the safety while walking on unprotected foot. Greetings temporarily ease the weakness and dried mouth for locals so just as the three of us. A marvelous smile of nowhere simply soothed ones heart. Unbelievably, the lame sunlight reflected on tedious clouds dimmed over the muddy land and green environment. Dashed through the rain, cautiously watched steps avoiding foot buried few inches on muddy trail way and watchfully stepped on slippery ascent and descent.

1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd river crossing

Muddy trails and the thick clouds na nagbabadyang bumagsak

It was chucking down over umbrellas. Awkward moment, the three of us sat down on sizes rock, each of us with distant measure in a meter or two. Took pictures in the midst gracious moment of Ambo. Speechless, stare counts the rain drops impossibly like counting sands underneath the shore. Forecasted about 15 – 20 minutes of my wandering mind the rain seized.

 Mga kawawang batang walang magawa kundi maghintay sa pagtila ng ulan

Looking for the campsite, tent would be pitched up with strong pegs. Strong winds flew us invulnerably so tent placed beside the small stems of considered high trees over there. The weather has started to scare us, fogs begun to embrace the campsite. Tent pitched, things were all inside the tent, surrounding was started to shut down its lights, no visible stars, not even the moon, we were all together spent a tremendous night in the 2^nd campsite. It was Mother Nature that sounded angry outside our tent.

Mukhang masarap matulog nyan!

Ambo made us experience his power over us. Scary it was to think back all the memories with Ambo at the campsite. To remember a few, the 3 of us were lying down inside the tent, in my mind I was thinking that though social rituals of any kind in the midst of the night were not possible but it could be a mysterious night for us and unforgettable one. It was true that mysterious and unforgettable experience hit us tremendously.

While laying in the tent, a great thunder followed by stronger lightning scared us, with intervals of seconds to minutes it repeated for times in my fingers, it counts before the strong wind with strengthen rain poured over the tent. Like the thunder and lightning, the rain had left different stories in this experience.

Headlamps opened. Dinner was over. Social rituals spent with ambo the whole night as it intermittently raining cats and dogs with the scariest thunder and lightning ever. The only hope we prayed for was to be safely gone down and home but Ambo as if he doesn’t want us to leave out. To think that, the way down I couldn’t imagine, the 3 rivers may be overflowed, landslides and erosions were possible. Geological changes might happen. Big eyes and drop jaw! Shocking! Be optimistic!

Moistures! It was felt from all sides of the tent. “umaanggi nanaman”. Whooooo…. The videos taken and be heard like this. (watch video clip).

Draining the flooded tent.  Squeezing hancherchiefs and drying the tent. Few hours had passed that we couldn’t find the best sleep pattern it would give us since the water seeped inside, 1 – 2 inches the water leveled inside tent that made my clothes wet so as my guy friends too, even our things inside fated to experience the angry Ambo. This wasn’t expected but it was an experience to prepare about before it organized. Another learning adventure picked up. 

Ulam pack, limited rice, egg, hotdogs, bread, water for dinner

The 3 of us faced ambo bravely, even annoyed because we can’t sleep due to strong wind, thunder and rain and worse water sipped inside the tent

Umbrella inside the tent was an unusual thing I ever experienced because of the strong pour of the rain that even enter all over the sides of  it, not waterproof!

Draining out the water inside the tent, a crucial thing that added up my tiredness aside from 3 day lack of sleep including this Marami day

On the next day. The sun had shown invincibly but covered with thick clouds. No clearing at all, “let’s wait for the rain has seized, few minutes to pass the weather will be nicer as it is expected”. But nothing happened, the fogs surrounded the summit, the trail too.  

The trail to summit when the rain seized, no one can stop us, not even typhoon Ambo from conquering the summit despite of all the fears we encountered. No clearing at all, strong wind may blew us once you stand longer but IVAN was really amazing guy that he got the courage to stand in one of the danger zone of summit notwithstanding of the wind and slippery rocks, he only had a smile before our worried faces. 

Rock Assault to summit

The thick clouds of mt. marami summit

It must be a 360 degrees awesome backdrop view over the summit.

Gone from summit, we started to trek down. Fixing up all things, drying up bags and cleaning up mess brought by proud Ambo last night were done on time. Descending down while minimal to moderate rain showered over us, muddy trail became muddier, slippery trail became more slippery, rivers expectedly crossed above knees. Carefullllll!!!!! 

Tidying up the messy tent inside

Drying up bags

Crazy mud on our way

3^rd, 2^nd, 1^st overflowing creamy latae river

Oh well, where’s the trail way to barangay Ramirez?  Few entry points were deceiving, thanks to the locals we met along the way and lead us to the right way, still muddier trail ways were expected, including theirs famished horses carrying heavy loads over backbones, needed tidying up after the long walk. They didn’t stop walking until they’ve lost my eye, we can’t follow them anymore but their marks lead us to Barangay Ramirez so we took our lunch in the middle of the way while raining, just a pack of viand and running out water we shared altogether for lunch,we don’t know what would happen after this so few minutes passed, we continue dashing through the rain.

Very near, here at Nuestra Senora, we smell the nearest shower room at Barangay Ramires, after 10 minutes of rest, we continue to walk and 

 Finally, here at Barangay Ramirez 

and took shower not in the barangay hall but in one of the residences here, just beside the barangay hall, owned a “sari sari store”. P20 per head. Alighted to police station from a tricycle (P50), we rode on to a jeep heading to naic cavite for a bus to manila.

Before we took ride to manila, we saw “ihawan”, plan was to eat at fastfood chain but it suddenly changed due to our dancing hungry stomach.

Now, after the muddier trail ways, the stormy weather at campsite, tedious views at summit, we promised to return, we shall return, there’ll be revenge!

And we’ll leave you with this reminder seen posted in one of the trees in Nuestra….

Photo Courtesy by:

Ivanlakwatsero.com

Joshua of PKP

Paxenxa kinuha ko mga pics nyo, heheehe salamat ng madami :D

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