The BIG Itinerary (The Huge Bacolod-Iloilo-Guimaras Weekend)

September 13-15, 2013

Western Visayas

Oh Yes we did that. 

Bacolod. Iloilo. Guimaras.

First tip to keynote this one: Yes prepare an itinerary, but be sure to anticipate some bends along the way. This isn't your typical tourist's route so thumbs up for the real Hiligaynon culture experience along the way. 

DAY 1 - Friday

My Tiger Airs RT tickets  to Bacolod-Silay are booked not withstanding any itinerary in mind. If in any case you're eyeing for the BIG trip, i'll recommend a Manila-Bacolod and Iloilo-Manila tickets (or vice versa whichever you prefer). Oh well, that's what i have so that's what i'll make the most of. 

6.30 AM

Landing at a very neat and slick Bacolod-Silay Airport very early morning is a delight. Now we have to choose the cheapest transportation to Bacolod City proper, which is roughly more than an hour from the airport. 

Taxi Rates - 300-500 chartered 

Van - 150-200/person

Of course we liked it this dirty:

Tryc - Silay Airport to Silay Highway - P15
Jeep - Silay to Bacolod North Terminal - P10

Jeep - Bacolod North to SM Bacolod/Reclaim Area - P7

Pedicab - Bacolod Highway to BreadCo Port - P10

Taxi whut?

7.30 AM

2Go, SuperCat and Weesam are the famous liners that caters Bacolod-Iloilo ferries. A local told me Weesam has the cheapest and buying RT tickets will save us some more. She even gave me few juicy rambutans since i paid her Pedicab fare OTW to BreadCo. Illongos are the sweetest i tell you. 

Regular One Way Fare (Economy):  P355

Regular One Way Fare (First Class): P450

RT Promo (Economy): P585

RT Promo (First Class): P665

Huge discounts on students and Senior Citizens as well. Weesam departs from Bacolod and Iloilo on these fixed hours with a 30minute boarding time policy: 630AM, 810AM, 950AM, 12NN, 250PM, 445PM. Be there roughly an hour or more for seats availability. Return tickets can also be blank so no need to worry on that as well. 

Now that's quite convenient eh? 

9.30 AM

Now since i befriended a local, we kinda boarded at the 810AM "flight". We're in Iloilo Port in less than 2 hours. 

And yes, there's a Negros-Guimaras route via Pulupandan, Bago City but i'll bet my hat BIG itinerary is better for quite a few reasons: 1. Pulupandan has very few uncertain ferry schedules, 2. Bago city is an hour from Bacolod or roughly 2 hours from Silay airport, 3. Drop off is San Lorenzo, Guimaras which is around 2hours to Jordan where the usual Guimaras tour starts. 

Iloilo greeted us with the scorching sun and a lot of persistent barkers/fixers. Bacolod Ferry Terminal is walking distance from the highway/Iloilo proper. We didn't know that so we hailed a tricycle to the Guimaras Ferry Terminal (P20/head. yeah i know we got scammed. Should have been just P20 per trip or better yet, we could have just walked. oh well...)

10 AM

I guess we're a bit down about that tricycle ride so we postponed our Iloilo roam and boarded the Huge Pump boat to Guimaras. Fare's P14 for around 15-20 minutes across the beautiful Iloilo straight. 

The beauty of Iloilo Straight viewed from the Balaan Bukid Shrine. 

Our late breakfast feast in Guimaras.

10.20 AM

We did it. Silay-Bacolod-Iloilo-Jordan. Oh wait, what about breakfast? 

11 AM

We wrapped up our sumptuous and exotic breakfast in an eatery near Jordan Wharf and started our land tour c/o Kuya Marvin or Mai (+639236389891). Guimaras Province' standard rates for this tour is P1500/max of 4 people. So sorry, no haggling for us. 

11.30 AM - THE GUIMARAS ROAD TOUR

Rock formations at Ambakan Cave.

Kicking it off is a 20 minute trek to the Balaan Bukid Shrine which gives you a fantastic panorama of the Iloilo Straight and the whole Iloilo City.

Next stop is Ambakan Falls for that cliff dive thrill. But before reaching that, we detoured at the Ambakan Cave for some short but heavy spelunking. Wait whut? But I'm in my beach wear darn it!

The trail to Balaan Bukid Shrine.

Daliran Cave is yet another cave which we decided not to purse further deep into its darkness. One has to be very prepared for Level 3-5 spelunking to pursue safely. Its mouth is a keeper nonetheless. 

Rock formations inside Daliran Cave

We ordered the infamous Mango Pizza in The Pitstop in San Miguel, the municipality where the Guimaras Provincial Capitol lies. To save time,we indulged ourselves to lunch on the way to our last destination  he day - the Guisi Point Light House. There we captured one darn priceless sunset beauty.

We plan to visit few more sites tomorrow with Kuya Mai still. We agreed that it's still  a part of our land tour but the Alubijod, Nueva Valencia to Jordan Wharf fare will be additional P100 per head. 

But that's tomorrow's story. I guess i've too much cliff dives at Amabakan that it ate much of our time. Kuya Mai said most of his guests are good to go after quite a few pictures. Well, that's not me.

The Balaan Bukid Shrine. Mass is every Friday afternoon, of course in Hiligaynon.

The clear waters of Amabakan Falls. 

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Daliran Cave Rock Formations

Daliran Cave's mouth has this magical lure. It's like you're entering a world of enchanted creatures. 

Raymen Beach Front during Sunrise.

 6.30 PM

We checked in at Rayman Beach Resort (09275605107/0918-5207271) in Alubihod, Nueva Valencia for 700/4 pax fan room. Aside from great food and amenities, one can swim at the beach at night. Their Lifeguard tower is manned until 8PM. 

8 PM

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Sinigang na Yellow Fin Tuna for dinner. And the lifetime experience of eating the Guimaras mangoes. Oops. I think i forgot t take pictures of those. Sorry, i was just too hungry then. 

Day 2  - Saturday

Another group of three touring the island agreed to be with us today for the island hopping slicing our cost to half: 400/per boat for 6 people for 2hrs. Boats are readily available for charter anywhere in the beach or in Raymen. 

6.30 AM - GUIMARAS ISLAND TOUR

We started our island hop after a light breakfast. First stop is oneof the most beautiful islets i've ever been - Ave Maria Island. We snorkeled our way to the next one - the Turtle Island. 

The next stop, is a no swimming distance.The Baras Beach. The Cave isn't passable at that time due to the tide. Bummer. So we sailed along heavy Guimaras waves to see the the Natago Island and all the way back to Alubihod cove.

9.30 AM - THE GUIMARAS ROAD TOUR

We're ready to check out after rinsing off seawater from our tans. Again we are squeezing in a couple more stops  for our travel from Nueva Valencia to Jordan Wharf. 

We had a chance to see the vast Mango Plantation and the Trappist Monastery for some pasalubongs. 

11.30 AM
Now we're ready for Iloilo. Iloilo-Jordan pump boats i believe won't be a pain. But if it helps, first trip is at 7.30AM and last trip  is at 5.30PM.

12 NN

Arriving in Iloilo City is easier this time. No nagging fixers so we easily found our way to Jolo Cathedral. Jeepneys are available in Plaza Libertad (again this is walking distance from ALL seaports) near the City hall Jaro-Wharf for P10.

Before checking out the infamous detached Bell tower, of course we had to check out the even more famous - La Paz Bachoy. Now that's a sweaty lunch. 

2 PM 

I think it's the lure of the sea ports on us. We're Bacolod bound already. 

4.30 PM

We walked from BreadCo (Weesam Terminal) to our next destination, SM Bacolod and the Pope John Paul Tower. 

5.30 PM

After scouting for a place to spend the night,we decided to take the 200/head air-con room of Sweet City Captel just across the Negros Museum and Lagoon. The room's for 8 and for a crowd of 4, it's a pretty decent deal. 

The vast mango Plantation in San Miguel Guimaras

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The Lone Bell Tower of Jaro Cathedral

7 PM

Though i'm not a fan of man-made structures, i agreed that we check out the Ruins. Any jeeps (P7) from Lacson Street bound to the North Bacolod Terminal will lead you to the corner of Carlos Hidalgo Highway (Pepsi Bottling Plant will be your Landmark) and from there, tricycles can take you directly to the Ruins. Tricycles costs a whopping P25 each and entrance fee to the Ruins is P80. 

Best thing that happened in our cost slasher Ruins trip is that we get to meet the funny tour guide Kuya Roger. He told us he'll be in GGV the next day and he really did. 

8.30 PM

One of my most awaited part of our tour finally is happening - the authentic Bacolod Inasal experience in Manokan Country. Aida's Place deserved it's high reviews i tell you.

9.30 PM

I can't believe that at 20 something we are capping off the night with sweets instead of booze. But i would prefer indulging in Calea's Cakes than being the handsome Manilenyo in pubs of Bacolod that Saturday night. These cakes are heavenly. Like a round of applause with a 15 minute standing ovation as we wrap up our BIG trip. 

DAY 3 - Sunday

Tiger flies to Bacolod only once a day. So an early flight to means an early flight home.

5.30 AM

I don't want to end our BIG trip on a bad note but North Bacolod Terminal doesn't have jeepneys yet that early to Silay. We have to charter a tricycle for P50/head to the airport. 

6.30 AM

And no, this airport is not done slicing my money off - that's P200 terminal fee. Oh well. I've had too may great memories about this trip and i'm not letting this little airport ruin it. 

How about piyaya and biscocho for breakfast before heading home.   

________________________
Hey i'm on Twitter and IG:
@rome_john

Why Not Maranat? (The Mt Maranat exploratory dayhike)

September 01, 2013

San Jose Del Monte - Norzagaray Boundary, Bulacan

Everyone's been to Mt Balagbag. And Mt Maranat is the darker hued mountain beside it. "Hinulaan ko lang yung iti natin eh!" the host of this event confessed. Unrated in Pinoymountaineer, no official itinerary template, unknown. That's what Maranat is. After more than four months of hiatus from the mountains, that's what i signed for.

5AM 

Rendezvous point is Tunko, SJDM, roughly an hour bus ride from Cubao (Fare: 45 pesos). With that, accessibility is not much of a problem. 

6AM 

From Tunko, there are jeepneys to and from Licao Licao. First trip will be around 5AM and last trip from Licao2 will be at around 6PM. Fare is 26 pesos for less than an hour travel time. If you're in a large group, you do not need to worry about jeeps since they'll be everywhere ready to be hired.

Also, keep  in mind that this is the same jump-off point of the famous bike trails of Mt.Balagbag so your research about it is very much applicable with Mt.Maranat.

7AM

We're locked in this idea that Maranat will be as a breeze as Balagbag so we are in everything but hurry. Ate Nene of Sitio Bocaue may have mentioned to scrap those expectations but we carried on. She gave us 2 guides for 800 pesos for that day. 

Our initial plan, however Ate Nene quips, is a Maranat-Balagbag traverse. And since Maranat is not that much famous, our guide fee is from the art of haggling since the locals don't have the standard rates.  I don't mind paying extra though,if that's a way we can help  them locals and drive them to really take care of this wonderful place. 

The  trail i'll say is amazingly cleaner compared to that of Balagbag or any other inhabited trails elsewhere. Our guide says that most of them parts were privately owned. Fruit-bearing trees are abundant and bamboo harvesting and coal mining is very eminent.

Most part of the ridge gives you a clear view of Mt Balagbag.

Kudos to the local government for the reforestation efforts making the trail all the more enjoyable. All trails, as it is being used by the locals constantly, are pretty well established, a probable Trail Class 1-3. 

8.30AM

We instantly got our groove in the trail and arrived at this little sari-sari store after an easy walk. Maranat river and falls, our guides explained, will be around 3 hours at an average speed. 

Larger groups, like our crowd of 12, would really take much more time in the river. Not sure why is that but everything made sense when we got there. 

9.30AM

The rigde trail ended in a descent to the river bed. And boy when i say descent, i mean steep trail class 3-4 that requires you some maneuvers. I don't mean the scary ones though. This is the type that novice thrill seekers would enjoy. Though, going back there if we back trail, will be a pretty hardcore assault.

Best thing about that part of the trail is that it gave us a sneak peak or probably the best view of our destination.  

The Maranat Falls. 

The remember i told you about us spending quite a chunk of time in the river? 

Well, this can justify that.

And what to do while we wait for our turn? Give in to the river calling my name. 

By the river we met Tatay Nestor, the owner of the lone house by the Maranat Falls, some 200 meters ascending from the river. He told us the river separates SJDM from Norzagaray. And with him is Ace whom i initially thought is a local but really is just a hardcore adventurer. He became our guide for the entire day. No offense with our hired ones but Ace here speaks the adventure language i so can understand. 

The shirtless hunk on the left is Tatay Nestor and his humble abode. 

He told us we're welcome anytime to spend the night under his roof. 

11AM

Told you that river took time.

Now we face the grueling ascent to Tatay Nestor's place. After draining my energy swimming against the rapids of the river and also rappelling across, steep trail is a bit intense. And i love every moment of it. 

11.30AM

We finally arrived at our destination, Tatay Nestor's place tired and hungry. Wait, destination is Tatay Nestor's place? 

Then we learned from Ace that Maranat's summit is a grueling 4 hour climb from where we are. This is the reason why i cant give out a perfect itinerary template for this dayhike. Did i mentioned how we just rolled some dice to come up with an itinerary? 

Tatay Nestor offered nilagang kamoteng kahoy which we indulged hesitantly. His hospitality is above the sky i tell you. We're even offered to pick guapols planted around his house.Most of all, he offered us to come back and stay longer. Then i'm thinking of next week eh?

Some of us are still hard on the idea of traverse, keeping in mind that Balagbag is just about a couple of hours easy climb.  So after our quick lunch, Ace lead us down to the Falls. And when i say falls, i mean,lots of em. 

1.30PM

After the joys of never ending cliff dives, we regrouped and seriously assessed our traverse plans. By this time, the decisions is a lot easier. We willingly ditched the grassy mountain for a couple of hours more in this paradise. 

3PM

We unwillingly left Tatay Nestor's place. A couple of clouds are showing some signs of rain and we don't need that. Not until we crossed the river which they say swells right after some downpours. 

Though there are possible en routes for a traverse from Tatay Nestor's place, crossing this river to and fro is the most common and the one being used by the locals. 

Luckily enough, rain poured after an hour from our river cross. Rain wrapping up our climb, is a pleasant surprise; shaped up this climb to be one of my favorite.

5PM

We are all down the jump-off and piled on to the comfort rooms to clean up. Then, it took us a couple of hours more to go back to Tungko for our dinner. 

As i wrap things up in my head, i instantly told my friends how i need to blog about this experience. First line of business, i've to give this climb a 5/9 ratings for the boulders, ridges and 70-80 degrees assaults. Do not take my word from it though, as i've told you, we've been to just halfway through to the summit. Maranat summit and Maranat-Balagbag traverse is probably doable in a 2 day itinerary; or a day hike with absolutely no time to explore the enticing beauties of the water cascades. 

Given my fascination with Falls and waters in general, this climb shaped up to be one of the most enjoyable, nearest and cheapest in the greater Manila area. All the more, I feel that what i've seen is just the tip of a humongous iceberg, just a cave mouth waiting to be explored. 

However accessible the jump-off is though, turned out to be a not so easy hike as we have initially expected. But i wont discourage you to take on its challenge. Anyway it is not a question of how you can survive its trails, but what you can do to take care of it and keep it as it is. 

________________________
Hey i'm on Twitter and IG:
@rome_john