Natividad Sky Plaza

Then there was this new bonding ground closer to home, since then, I look forward to have a good short trek with my family whenever I spend days of vacation in my hometown.

Sky Plaza is located in a nearby sleepy town of Natividad, about 30 mins away from where I live. It is close to nature and heaven too, as the Grotto was atop the hill with growing trees along the trail. I feel euphoric inhaling the smell of grass, feeling the breezy air, and just by being with the people I love.

I also started bringing along some friends to experience what I've been enjoying to do with my family. It is always a good thing to having spent some quality time with your loved ones early in the morning =)

Photo published in PDI!

Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI)

March 16, 2012
Front Page

Ate Mona, our lady guard informed me of the good news Friday morning. I rushed into the CEO's secretary to check on the newspaper and there it was! It was indeed published! I was so happy and so are my officemates =D I was an instant celebrity for a day. hah!

I want to thank Mr Raffy Lerma, Senior Photojournalist of Philippine Daily Inquirer for appreciating my work and for having it published. I AM TRULY HONORED. =)

Weekend Getaway: An Adventure to Mt Pinatubo

Pinatubo Crater Lake

Mt. Pinatubo, Philippines

November 13, 2010

Our last out of town trip this year...we chose to visit the majestic(as others often describes it) Mt Pinatubo lake. The said volcano by the way, was located at the intersection of the borders of Zambales, Pampanga and Tarlac. Our trip guides fetched us along McArthur Highway in Capas, Tarlac.

waiting to the other group at McDonald's Capas

with our tour guides Perci and Kuya Nardo

soldiers marched early in the morning

We stopped over at the middle of the desert-like 'Lahar' area to take a picture with the scenic view of nearby mountains. Perci said this lahar-stricken area was once a forest and a military base. Buried meters below were tall trees, military tents, tanks and definitely bodies of people and animals unable to escape the volcano's eruption in June 1991.

the trekkers: gel, mace, me and gi

the cloud-covered mountains

With the "skyway"(a road made for 4x4 jeeps all the way to the crater's jump off point) under construction(it was destroyed by the recent typhoons), we have to take the long trail. It could take us 2-3hrs to reach the lake instead of just 20 minutes on the short trek but the advantage of taking the long trail is that you will have the chance to see the "Lahar Canyons". These walls like the one below are pure ashes from Pinatubo's spews years ago...it is very dangerous, unpredictable and is super sensitive that even a sound wave can make it collapse.

the bumpy road along lahar canyons

cows resting in the morning

Rubber or closed shoes are not advisable while trekking along the streams as pebbles and sand tend to get in it. Slippers or sandals is of better use. Halfway, sulfur was seen along the streams which means we're getting closer to the crater.

putting back my shoes on

the rust-like brown sulfur

Finally! the jaw-dropping magnificent view of the crater unfolded! The long trek was well worth it. Our prayers were answered as well, it was sunny up there!

just arrived at the hidden paradise! whew!!!

the welcome sign

just having fun after the tiring hours of walk

it is indeed MAJESTIC! two-thumbs up!

Looking at our fellow visitors makes me more proud, all of them were foreigners in different nationalities. They crossed the ocean and have traveled from different sides of the world just to see this fast-becoming popular tourist spot.

a hundred eighty seven steps down the crater

our bonggang-bonggang signature: ang turo-turo duon! hehe...

The crater isn't like the usual from-shallow-to-deep waters. The lake is like a cup, it is 200ft deep, that's why swimming is not encouraged. We would like to try boating and cook eggs at the other side of the lake(where the water is much hotter) but it is only allowed during summer. We'll get back for that on March! =)

taking a quick dip at the cool water

blue-green calm waters of the lake

Perci and his team set up a tent for us and our belongings. After having our lunch and rest, we packed up to avoid a possible rain shower in the late afternoon.

going back up...

a huge volcano rock was torn into pieces as it fell from miles above the sky

The stream's(it was almost empty the first time we passed through it) current becomes a bit stronger but were glad it didn't rain, else it will be too risky for us to continue our trek. Before we jumped on our 4x4 jeep, we took a picture with the Katutubos, the Aetas were the caretakers of Pinatubo and it's surroundings, they were responsible in planting new trees. I personally admire them for taking good care of the once devastated area.

perci assists us in crossing the streams

the friendly aetas

Food was served after taking a refreshing shower at the Spa town. At Php2,500(inclusions: 4x4 jeep rental, morning snack, lunch and dinner, shower facilities with towel and soap, registration and all other fees, porter and tour guide fees with free photo uploads on Pinaykeypoint.com website), it's all worth it. Next time we will avail the Php4,000 overnight trip, its gonna be a more exciting adventure for sure.

food tastes really good!

We would like to thank the whole team of Pinaykeypoint: Ms Juliet-the head organizer, Kuya Ronald-our 4x4 jeep driver, Perci-our tour guide and photographer, our porter and Kuya Nardo for helping us with our things, for telling us a bit of history of Mt Pinatubo and for providing us a safe day-hike.

PS&MIS Survival Challenge

MSI PS&MIS 2nd Teambuilding

September 24-26, 2010
Mt Pico De Loro, Cavite

The food committee

We never thought we will be the "rescuers" =)

The group decided to have a more challenging activity for our 2nd teambuilding this year and so we picked day hiking at Cavite's famous mountain, Mt. Pico de Loro.

It's a sunshiny Saturday morning, a perfect day for a day hike. Headcount is 23 but only Chur-Chur and I have a mountain climbing experience, the rest of the group were all first timers.

Just arrived @ Ranrich Resort

The newbie's chore: wash the dishes!

Since Chur-chur has a friend who's a high ranking Marine, we had four marine soldiers to escort us on our climb.

Rewind on Thursday...Since we're not able to have a pre-climb meeting, I just sent guidelines and reminders to the team, stating the do's and the don'ts of trekking, as well as reminders on what are the important things to bring. Trail food and water are essential. But come Saturday, most of them just brought 500ml of water and didn't bring trail food at all. Fortunately, the food committee bought jelly aces, chocolates and nutri bars which I have distributed before we start hiking.

It took us, more or less, 4hrs to reach the summit. Since, there were no ziplocks or sealed plastic bags to pack our meals, we only took sandwiches for lunch and after 30minutes of rest, we all climbed up to the summit.

Refreshing!!!

Take 5!

Another break!

Peeking at the Peak!

The Summit!

The Team finally reached the Peak! Yeba!

We are two groups, the first group, in which chur-chur has a friend we're experienced trekkers. They insisted not to go back to the trail we came from but rather take a shorter trail at the other side of the mountain. The Marine's Teamleader, showed the compass and map to the leader of the other group telling him that we should take the same trail instead. But the other group insisted that the trail we're heading is much easier and will just take us 2hrs to reach the base camp.

Off to the other side!

The Bamboo Obstacle along the way...

After a few hours, we ran out of water supplies and we are still deep in the forest. Everybody's already exhausted but since we are running out of time, we need to push ourselves and get out of the mountain before the sun sets.

tired and thirsty!

Almost 2hrs of walking on the muddy trail, Chur-chur left the last group to catch us who were in front. Why, you ask? WE ARE LOST! Paolo, Ehlees and I were following a pair from the other group, thinking that they were trailing behind the 2 Marines. But Chur-chur told us that all of our 4 escorts were at the back, with our group, and way too far behind us. We went to the nearest bahay kubo to ask where we are and asked for water. The residents told us we are at the other side of the mountain and very much away from where we should be heading - Ternate, Cavite. We have crossed the Cavite-Batangas border. We are in Batangas!

Pico De Loro's Peak...is that far?!

We finally got out of the mountain, we took a minute to freshen up ourselves in a shallow river. We decided not to go back for the team but rather go on and look for the nearest town where we could get a phone signal and seek for help. The sun is setting in an hour and a half. Im already worried about our teammates. They're too exhausted! With no water and food...hmmm...this is what they've asked for...a survival challenge!

They need us. We need to decide and act fast! We need to rescue them before it gets dark. We walked for 2hrs, non-stop. We finally got a signal and was able to reach some of our teammates. We just instructed them to go to the small town of Lo-ok and wait for us. By that time, the sun has already set. They only have 2 little flashlights and cellphone backlights to light up their way.

Gladly, nobody panicked, thanks to the 4 marine soldiers who have assisted the group all throughout. Everybody were all accounted for.

trying to reach the team...

we are lost!!!!

As for the four of us -Chur-chur, Paolo, Ehlees and I- as soon as we got to the town, we rented a tricycle that took us in Nasugbu, Batangas to look for a jeepney. We bought burgers in Jollibee and water. Chur-chur's friend came to help us rescue the team. As we got back to Lo-ok, all of them were sitting at the Brgy Hall, teary-eyed, looking tired and wasted. They got out by 8pm, they walked for 3hrs without light.

We listened to each other's stories and experiences while we travel back to the resort. We just laughed it out. We salute the marines for their efforts and sacrifices just to keep the team safe.

We took a heavy meal by 1 o'clock am. Everybody just went on to bed after washing. The supposed activities for the newbies were cancelled.

The Coronel told us that Batangas was already out of the Marine's Area of Responsibility (AOR) and that it was a very dangerous place because there were rebels in that area.

Thank God for the guidance and protection, we all got out safely.

all-in-one meal @ 1:00 AM

another day!
guys tried the pool before going home...

A dayhike became a 12hr traverse! Now that's pretty challenging! tsk tsk be careful with what you wish for.

On monday, most of us sent an absence advise due to back and body pains, as for us who reported for work, we were like snails, walking so slowly and painfully. haha..

ALL charged to EXPERIENCE!!! =)

Resting for awhile...