Mabini Escapade

 After not seeing each other for more than a year due to the pandemic, finally!

Thanks to the long weekend last February 12, 2021 (Chinese New Year), were given the chance to meet each other after spending months of languishing in the pandemic.  

We booked at Altamare Dive and Lesire Resort in San Teodoro, Mabini, Batangas.

From the room balcony, the view was astounding and breathtaking.

Accommodation amounted to P5,600 for 2 nights.

Past 4 pm, we decided to go to the nearby resorts, Casita Ysabel was the first stop.

Then, next stop was Solana Resort wherein we booked our buffet lunch (P600/pax) for the following day. Good thing we were able to book here for our lunch.

A couple of souvenir pictures inside the resort won't hurt. =)

That night, we enjoyed our dinner in Altamare!

Card game and bottles of red wine.

DAY 2

We rented a van for P2,500 for our tour at Mt. Gulugod Baboy.

It was a bit foggy that morning and we had to wait for the fog to lift.

And after waiting for nearly an hour, the weather cleared.

Going down, we saw vintage cars parked at the basepoint and again, a souvenir picture was inevitable.

Past noon, we rented a boat (P3,500) and had our island hopping experience. The only stop though was Sombrero Island and a few stops at the snorkeling areas.

Normally, the island hopping involves several islands such as Tingloy Island  but due to the pandemic, we had to settle for one island.

We still enjoyed the snorkeling and the boat ride. Though MJ enjoyed it more!

Jun, Cyc, Laine, Jayson, Jen, Rico, MJ

Another dinner, card game and drinking spree.

DAY 3

Going home, we went to Corcolon in Cuenca, Batangas and ate what Batangas is known for - LOMI!

Landscape pictures of Altamare (courtesy of Cyc Sarm)

Thank you Cyc Sarm for the wonderful pics of Altamare!

Thank you guys for this adventure!

See you in our next escapade!

Enrico Garcia

Laine Javier

MJ Corillo

Jen Torres

Cyc Sarm

Jayson Javier

in spirit

Nikko Darilay

Lester Reyes Alvarez

This blog is dedicated to my mentor, who happens to have her birthday today - Master MJ Corillo! =)

 

Master MJ Corillo

Casita Ysabel, Mabini, Batangas

This is my first blog for 2021 though it happened year 2020. 

It was actually my last travel in 2020 and it happened in Mabini, Batangas.

I do not normally blog a resort or hotel but this one deserves to be known.

The resort is called Casita Ysabel.

I booked this resort thru Agoda.com (normally, I use Booking.com). I paid P10,300 for a 2 night stay.

and upon arriving, my expectation did not fail.

The atmosphere of the resort is relaxing and rejuvenating. A good place to stay to escape the stress and negative impacts of the pandemic.

Upon arrival, I roamed around the resort and immediately felt respite. Then, later I did some snorkeling (P150 for snorkeling equipment while kayaking is also P150 for 1 hour). Around 8 pm, I had my therapeutic massage for P900 and it was worth every penny.

The view at night is even more majestic and captivating.

DAY 2

The following morning we rented a boat to have our island hopping tour. Normally, it involves hopping in various islands but due to the pandemic we (with Sir Mike and her wife) were allowed to go only to Sombrero Island. We paid P4,500 for the boat rental.

Boat Rental

Bunso - 0936 994 5459 / 0915 721 1159

We left the resort around 6 am and after less than 30 minutes, we arrived in Sombrero Island. The weather was not quite good but it did not hamper our enthusiasm to enjoy the island.

 We spent the morning snorkeling and then later boarded the boat and we circled Tingloy Island since we were not allowed to land due to strict pandemic measures of the municipality.

After more than 3 hours, we went back to the resort and then I hired a habal-habal ride (P500) to Gulogod Baboy. My driver (Dodong) also offers boat rental and he was kind enough to guide me in my trek.

Dodong - 0999 718 9687 / 0927 960 6902

Entrance fee is only P50.

After trekking the muddy and sticky trail, we reached the summit. I was awed by the view.

Trekking from the resort will take me more than 2 hours.

Using the motorcycle ride, 25 minutes and the trek was for only 12 minutes.

DAY 3

with Alice

I enjoyed another relaxing evening and had my massage anew. The following morning. I left the resort and extended my gratitude to the very accommodating and hospitable staff most especially to Alice. she arranged the tours, massage and food.

with Kim

And then I went to SM Lemery and met my friend Kimberly (from Dubai).

Thank you for meeting me and see you later in Dubai! 

Tips

1. You can have a day tour in the resort for only P1,200 inclusive of lunch (8:00-5:00). You have to book thru their facebook page.

2. There will be a rapid test upon entering Mabini for P1,000. 

3. You can also just rent the boat and enjoy the island and then later hike Mt. Gulogod Baboy.

ENJOY!

Batulao Hiking at 43

Second time to climb Mt. Batulao.

Hiking may not be my favorite activity.

But I am still doing it at the age of 43.

There are so many ways on how to reach Mt. Batulao and the different routes are -

a. Manila to Nasugbu

b. Quezon City / Cubao to Nasugbu

c. Calamba to Tagaytay to Nasugbu

d. Manila to Lemery to Nasugbu

e. Batangas City to Lemery to Nasugbu

Mainly, it depends on where you are coming from. In any event, alight at Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas. Buy the supplies at the jump-off point.

Again, hiking at the age of 43 may not be my favorite activity. But since my three companions would like to climb Mt. Batulao, then, I humbly obliged.

With me in this climb are Ana Marie, Vianca and Lyka. We started the hike at around 7:30 AM. 

Fee for the guide is P500.00 (Traverse is P800.00). Fee for the trike is P30/pax and we had to pay P30.00, P25.00 and P30.00 for the hike fee for each of the spot.

There are 12 peaks in the Mat. Batulao and after 1 hour, we reached  the traversing trail of old and the new trail. The old trail is quite complicated. So we decided to hike using the new trail.  

Normally, it takes 5 hours to complete the new trail. Three hours going up and 2 hours going down. It took us more than 5 hours since we had many stops along the way.

Along the trail, you will enjoy the view of the terrain of Mt. Batulao.

The rest reached Peak 12 but I decided to stay at Peak 10.

After waiting for an hour, the three descended.

 We decided to go to our last destination for the day.  

Last stop for the day was Caleruega.

We took souvenir pictures and went home.

Thank you guys for the hike! =)

My 41st Birthday with my Fellow Travelers in Tanauan City, Batangas

This is the first time I am writing about my birthday.

I do not normally do this but I had to do it.

This blog is the celebration of my 41st birthday in Tanauan City, Batangas with my co-travelers last October 3, 2015. I made an event in Facebook as early as June 2015 but only a handful of my friends were able to grace my event. It took me more than a month to write this down after so many attempts. Guess I was busy in my teaching load in Far Eastern University.

The venue of the event was in Sunshine Garden Resort (Darasa, Tanauan City, Batangas).

The event was attended by my fellow travelers:

Red Chuca

Erwin Nuer

Onil Castillo

Rye Yan

Rodrigo Jonson Tinchuanco Acuzar Jr.

NRhico Garcia

Robz Reyes

Ma. Cherie D'amour

Jennielyn Torres

Lester Reyes Alvarez

Bnx Lobredo

Rubec Moyano

Norry Nepomuceno

Nelson Dona Aclan

Buddy

Jonas Reyes

It was actually one of the best, if not the best birthday celebration I have ever had in my 40 years of existence. I guess everybody enjoyed the drinking spree and the videoke.

Some of those who confirmed were not able to attend but the party must go on.

We were able to consume so many bottles of brandy and we had the best time of our lives!

I think Rod was able to consume a lot!

The following morning we woke up early, took breakfast in my place and we started our tour in Tanauan City. First stop was the Old Municipal Building of Tanauan, now the town's museum.

Second stop was St. John, the Evangelist's Church. 

One of the oldest churches in Batangas.

Third stop was President Jose P. Laurel's Ancestral Home.

Thereafter, we boarded the van towards our fourth destination. After 15 minutes, we arrived at Apolinario Mabini's Birthplace.

We roamed around the spot and even visited the museum.

After nearly 45 minutes in Mabini's Residence, we went to Talisay and went up to Tagaytay.

After the souvenir pictures were taken, we went to our last destination which is in Laurel, Batangas. It took us more than 45 minutes before reaching the place.

We trekked towards the falls. We had to cross the river more than three times before reaching the falls. The trail was light and it took us only 20 minutes.

We initially passed Malagaslas Falls but our destination was the other falls.

Finally, we reached our destination - Ambon-Ambon Falls!

We took our lunch and some souvenir pictures and then headed back to Malagaslas Falls.

The group took a dip at the cold waters of Malagaslas Falls!

Past 1 pm, we headed back to Tanauan City.

Reaching Tanauan City, we bid goodbyes to each other and I promised that there will be another birthday celebration next year. Again, all expenses will be paid (except for their transportation to Tanauan City).

See you again guys next year!

THANK YOU!!! =)

Happy Birthday to me 

and Happy Teachers' Day!