March 2012 ~ Weekend Lakwatsero

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Mt. Talamitam Buhay Pinoy Mountaineer

6:07 AM climb, mountaineer, near manila No comments

Mt. Talamitam Buhay Pinoy Mountaineer
Elmer's Birthday Climb - Dayhike in Tamalitam and bulalo dinner in Tagaytay

Nasugbu, Batangas
Jump-off point: Sitio Bayabasan, Brgy. Aga, Nasugbu (KM. 83)
LLA: 14.1158° N; 120.7577° N; 630 MASL
Days required/ Hours to summit: 1 day / 2 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-3 with steep assault (100m)

SUMMARY: It was hot as hell then it rained! and Happy Birthday Elmer ^_^

"As it rained and the wind rush thorough me I gripped with all my might..."

Itinerary
The Adventure
Favorite Photos
The Summit
Mt.Batulao - The sister mountain
People/Fun Shots
Tips

Itinerary
Just a rough itinerary.
630am - Meetup in Chowking Pasay Rotonda
7am - ETD of bus bound for Nasugbu
10am - ETA Talamitam Jumpoff
1030am - start of trek
1230am - ETA summit, lunch, picture taking, etc.

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The Adventure
I should be going with the Storm Chasers in Magalawa Island, Zambales but on March 24 it's my Mom's birthday so I need to be with my Mom, Happy Birthday Mom! ^_^

It's 12 midnight already but I can't sleep I'm just too excited for tomorrows Climb! I was a little worried because it raining but the next morning finally the rain stopped.

They ride a bus from Pasay Rotonda and I just joined the bus with them in Cavite. Finally we arrived in 4 Sitio Bayabasan.

We had a briefing from Bro. Ted. There's a few changes seems getting a guide(300 pesos) is a requirement now. Try not to argue with them or else your group might be banned at Mt. Talamitam. I just don't agree with banning. Because nobody owns the mountain! Unless they did something against the rule of mountaineering that will be fine.

We trek for a while, I saw some flora but not much. In this adventure seems I've like stones also ^_^ new subject!

In this entry I'll just tell the story by photos. I'm not really good in telling stories anyways.

Favorite Photos

The Summit

"As I reach the summit I felt this sudden Hope that after all the things that have been so wrong, One day everything will be ok again"

Mt. Batulao- the sister mountain of Mt. Talamitam

People/Fun Shots

After the hiking, we rode a jeep going to Tagaytay for a birthday dinner. Our target Bulalo "Beef stew"

where Tagaytay is very known for. We had the sinigang, nilaga, and sizzling version.

Tips
1. Don't argue with the caretaker. Listen to what he says. Or else you may be banned
2. Bring water there is no water source
3. If you want to help restore Talamitam bring seedlings, or bring water to water the seeds that the other mountaineer planted.
4. Snake warning as real, we actually saw a goat who is dead because of a snake bite.
5. Bring a waterproof camera just in case it rained.

for more information visit pinoymountaineer.com

"The day ended with a big SMILE on my face ^_^. What a great day spent with great people. I'm thankful for meeting another great mountaineer group. Kaladkarins"
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Luneta Park Chinese Garden Children's Playground

9:00 PM It's More Fun In The Philippines, Manila, weekend getaway 1 comment

Photo Walk - Chinese Garden and Children's Playground

I should be climbing Mt. Damas on March 17-18 with Storm Chasers, but something came up thus I can't go for a 2 day climb. It's a good thing that on March 18 FACETS/Kaladkarin decided to have a photowalk in Chinese and Japanese Garden.

Destination: Chinese Garden and Children's Playground located in Rizal Park, or what's commonly called Luneta Park

Background:

Adjacent to the old walled city of Manila, now Intramuros. Since the Spanish Colonial Era, the park has been a favorite spot for unwinding, socializing, an urban oasis for family picnics on Sundays and holidays. It is one of the major tourist attractions of Manila.

Located along Manila Bay, Luneta has been the site of some of the most significant moments in Philippine history. The execution ofpacifist Dr. José Rizal on December 30, 1896, sparked the fire of the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish colonizers, elevating the martyr as the national hero of the country. The park was officially renamed Rizal Park in his honor and his monument serves as the symbolic focal point of the park. The Declaration of Philippine Independence from American rule was held here on July 4, 1946 as well as the political rallies of Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino in 1986 that led to the EDSA Revolution that deposed Marcos ending his dictatorial government. [for more information:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rizal_Park]

Expense:
Chinese Garden (5 peso entrance)
Food - I suggest bring your own food. The closest fast food restaurant we saw is Inasal at iba pa (Php 90, unlimited rice and unlimited ice tea) or you can opt the cheaper meals without the unlimited rice and drinks.

Why go there:

A park with a history
They have the Orchidarium (a 10,000 sqm area which serves as a repository of native and some imporated plants, flowers and tress. They also have Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, and even a Noli Me Tangere Garden

During the time went there the other gardens are under renovation. We will definitely comeback ^_^ to check the other gardens.

Let the photos convince you ^_^

Tips:

You can also go Intramuros, Manila Ocean Park, Planetarium and other 29 tourist spots.
Bring your own water which will save you money a well as protect the environment
It is suggested that you bring your own food and have a picnic (other restaurant are faraway) and it is actually more fun having a picnic!

FUN METER:
Adults 3/5 - for lovers it's going to be 5/5 haha!
Kids 5/5 ^_^

National Astronomy Week 2012 Sky Lantern Event

7:59 AM astronomy, events, yearly events No comments

Moon on Leap Year 2012
I took this shot this from the telescope ^_^

Ohhhh Moon how many times I've seen you... you are just there always looking at me...I hope one day I'll be able to touch you...

UNTIL this day! I did it by the power of laser BEAM! =(^o^)=

The National Astronomy Week is celebrated annually every third week of February. The theme of this year celebration is "Viewing the Sky... Enhancing our Knowledge!". Next year we will surely go to this events again. I missed a lot! viewing of Jupiter and Venus :( Ohh well there's always next year! Or who knows there might be a special astronomy event "alignment of planets" or other phenomenon.

My mountaineering friends and I went to Sky Lantern event of UP Astronomical Society last February 29 at Sunken Garden, UP Diliman. We went there for the reason that it's a leap year and hmmmm sending a wish in a Leap year will be "something". If I want to do it I'll have to wait for another 4 years!

Send your wishes to the sky this love month,
End the February by gazing at the night sky.

Here are some of the photos we have taken during the event.

Thanks Elmer for this photo ^_^

The Moon the lantern and the Telescope

People and their wishes

Lying in the sunken garden looking at the sky.
Somehow just looking at the sky makes me feel calm and happy =(^o^)=

"As the year leaps, I sent my wish to the heavens that someday "you" will arrive in my life..."

In the end my WISH did came true "somehow" :D Ahhh the magic of the lantern and leap year DO WORKS!

A night spent with mountaineer friends and "UP Astrosoc". Thanks for this event ^_^. Met new mountaineer friends and some Astonomy guys/gals Ohhh I feel like in college again haha! This is the first time I have seen the moon this clear. My telescope can't do this haha or I don't know how to use it? haha! :p

Combo meal Cantunan is a great experiencefor 50 pesos. I got fishball, kwekwek, canton , + C2 there's a mix up I wasn't been able to taste the cheese stick. Ohh well! next time :D No worries it's clean. I HOPE SO :p hehe!

Cantunan sa UP

Yeah good stuff!

Ahhh another day OF FUN ^_^ and this time there's an educational value hehe! Constellations! ^_^

UP Astronomical Society in partnership with Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs presents: