#TUCLAS climbs Gulugod Baboy

[womanlalaboy]

Panhik #3: TUCLAS Climbs Gulugod Baboy

Do you ever get that feeling like you're supposed to be doing something else, but you’re just too stubborn to acknowledge it? I always do. But I'm slow in processing signs and was too scared to try different things. So when a hiking club was formed in my company that I've always wanted to establish or at least be a part of, I chickened out. Instead, I joined a more comfortable club: the book club.

I enjoy reading, discussing books with people, and recommending books, but the club I joined in wasn't in any way what I've expected it to be. I still tried to help make changes and move it towards a more stable direction, though, but I still can't quite feel the belongingness I should get from being a part of a group that does everything about what I'm infatuated to. All the while, I've been feeling a great and heavy connection to the email blasts of the newly established hiking club inviting other employees to join their climbs.

On November 2018, I decided to participate in one of their climbs. TUCLAS (TaskUs Climbing Association) facilitated a climb for a cause to Gulugod Baboy and a part of the fee the participants have paid for was allotted for the benefit of the Little Angels Home, Inc. Foundation. I did what I could to persuade my friends to climb with us, but no one would want to come with me except for a friend who has already hiked Gulugod Baboy. So needless to say, I went on my own. This is by far the only time I've tried being a lone joiner in a travel adventure, but I'd definitely do it again if I have to go back in time.

We met all the participants around 2:30 AM and waited for the others to come until 3:00 AM. You see, every one already knows every body. I remember how I nervously walked from the terminal to our meet-up place thinking of good ways to approach someone. The stupid little dork that I am stood a few feet away from those that I'm supposed to climb with who have already formed themselves in a semi-circle, tapping my phone- pretending I'm texting someone, thinking this wouldn't make me look awkward. But it did. Eventually, I mustered the courage to approach. I've decided to talk to someone and blurt out the lines I've been trying to memorize while I tell my inner self that I can do it and that I will make friends; I just have to start it right. Before I could even speak, the organizer noticed me walking towards them and asked if I've already filled out the attendance sheet. My enthusiastic greeting line faded and I only came up with, "not yet."

I filled out the sheet feeling like a dumb-ass, and went to being a tree trunk again; away from everybody. I wouldn't have been this awkward, I thought, had I attended the pre-climb meeting where I would have met all the participants before the actual date of the hike. It's basically a briefing and an opportunity to get to know everybody, and I failed to attend that. So I had to suffer the consequences and be left out of place feeling jealous of them having someone to laugh with. I was full of self-pity, but I decided to use this as an opportunity to learn how to make friends with strangers (which I'm terrible at), and enjoy how things will unfold (even when I'm surrounded by people I don't know and can't seem to connect with).

The road trip was basically silent. We're all tired and some of us went straight from their shifts. We arrived at the junction around 6 AM. There, we did our prayers, stretching, the negotiations with the coordinators and there, we also discussed who would form the head, mid, and the tail of the group. I was supposed to be a part of the mid, but I was too fast for it (since I don't have anyone to talk to and no one to distract me) so I eventually transitioned to head. We were going too fast so there were a lot of stops to accommodate those that were being left behind. There were a few times when we had to stop to treat those who felt nauseous and dizzy. The org. officers are really efficient in those times. They're very caring and flexible to go back and forth, to check up on the others. Sometimes I wonder if they were able to maximize the hike while carrying those responsibilities.

The hike was still fun. I allowed myself to be present in that moment. I allowed myself to enjoy the opportunity to be within and without. The goal changed from definitely making friends there so I wouldn't feel left out to just enjoying their company without feeling the need to be a part of their circle. I felt like a spectator, but not as detached. Weird, but oddly satisfying. I got to observe my body as I go through the entire experience. My mind was thinking non-stop, but it's filled with good thoughts unlike the usual. I get to practice listening without the intent to respond, but to understand. Most importantly, I've learned how to turn this trip from a sad and uncomfortable one to a fruitful one without having to try too much.

After a few hours, we finally reached camp. I've heard that there were 3 peaks at Gulugod Baboy (from SE to NW: Gulugod-Baboy, Gitna, and Pinagbanderahan). We required ourselves to visit two, I guess. Those peaks were where we took our group photos. We then stayed at the sari-sari store near the summit so that everyone can get their breakfast. We rested there for a while. The owner said she has tableas for sale which many of us bought for souvenir. I didn't. Our hike was along the days of petsa de peligro so reasonably, I didn't spend more than I'm supposed to. After that, we went back down and stayed at the Philpan Dive Resort. There were some miscommunication between the officers and the coordinators there so we had to shell out a hundred peso on top of the Php 600 we paid for- all to get us a cottage. Some of us went to the lomihan first before staying by the beach for lunch.

Before leaving the place, we did a game which wasn't planned at all. I recommend Pinoy Henyo at any team building or group trips. It’s hilarious! After the game, we did a post-climb meeting. The organizers thanked us for participating, cooperating and for being understanding. They then asked each one of us the things we could say about the hike- the pros and the cons. Only a handful of people mentioned the cons of the trip. Someone said that it would have been better if there was an activity that will let us to get to know each other better. Someone said that there was a little problem when it comes to money management- that they should have foreseen the conflicts so they could have been more prepared for it. The officers took it nicely and reassured us that this will be practiced in the coming hikes.

Many among us mentioned how nice it was to have a sound trip while hiking. We all agree as well that the officers were really responsible. Some have commended one of them for constantly checking up on those being left behind. I commended all of the organizers for practicing what they preach. See, when they announced that there will be a pre-climb meeting, they've sent out a presentation with the agenda of the meeting being included there. They said that we should prepare our own first-aid kit (I didn't), and when someone got wounded after the hike, two or three from them immediately went for their own kits, and I think that is something to be recognized.

I thought we'd leave after lunch, but we stayed there laughing the hours away until the sun set. There were still a few moments where I go, "fuck it. I just wanna go home," but I reminded myself to find something to be grateful for. Luckily, I hiked with funny people. Luckily, the sunset was so good, and that I get to experience a few moments of stillness. I think I needed this, but I wasn't aware or was too stubborn to notice. There have been many things going on around us and within us, but we don't understand what those are for until the very thing everything happened for comes. There are many things knocking at our doors, but when we’re too caught up with other things, we choose not to listen. And maybe sometimes we don’t have to, but the gut feeling lingers there and it stays at the back of your head, telling you something.

Maybe I needed to experience how to be alone again in a crowd and be okay with it. Maybe I needed to learn how to go along with a situation without the intention of controlling it to my preference. Maybe I needed to learn not to crave fitting in. Maybe this experience will prepare me for something in the future. I don’t know. I don't think we'll ever fully understand how this world works. I don’t think we’ll ever be certain on what doors to open and when to answer a knock, but we always have a choice on how to look at things. I chose to look at things as opportunities to learn. I chose to look at things with gratitude. I hope you do too.

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Also read: Womanlalaboy's Travel Guide to Gulugod Baboy Also see: TUCLAS Climbs Gulugod Baboy photo sets

📷 : Aldrich Dherrick Juanillo

[womanlalaboy]

Womanlalaboy's Travel Guide to Gulugod Baboy

SUMMARY

Elevation: 525+ MASL Jump- off: Philpan Dive Resort, Anilao, Mabini Days / hours to summit: Half-day / 1-2 hours Climb: Minor  Difficulty: 2/9 Trail class: 1-2 Features: Scenic views of Batangas Bay and Balayan Bay 

Type of Travel: DIY + package Date of Travel: Oct. 2018 Duration: 1D Budget: P700 Where we stayed at: Philpan Dive Resort

Joiners are common for many climbing activities. A lot of people do this to be a part of a larger group as this would mean lesser expenses and a merrier climb. Joiners usually join, though, with some of their friends, but when I climbed Gulugod Baboy, I was on my own in a group of groups. It was fun, though- got the chance to learn a lot of life lessons and understand a few things about myself. I’ve gotten to meet interesting people and of course, experience the beauty of Anilao Batangas. 

Gulugod Baboy would be an adventure enthusiast’s amusement park. It’s no longer required to get a guide to climb the mountain since 2005 and there are many trails to choose from to get to the summit. Climbers are also offered a panorama view of the coastal areas surrounding Mabini. More than that, there are many side trips to add in your adventure including island hopping to Sombrero, snorkeling, and possibly diving.

ITINERARY

3:00 AM - Meet up Imus Lumina 6:00 AM - ETA Phil Pan Junction 6:30 AM - Register Site. Breakfast. 7:00 AM - Start Trek 9:00 AM - Summit 10:00 AM - Start Descent 12:00 PM - Philpan drive resort for lunch, swimming 4:00 PM - ETD Phil Pan 8:00 PM - Imus

I joined a company club called TUCLAS (TaskUs Climbing Association) for their climb for a cause to Gulugod Baboy. Their beneficiary was Little Angels Foundation, Inc. They always do hikes with a purpose, and I think that’s beautiful. I found no reason not to join, so I did and I regret nothing.

SAMPLE BUDGET

for 30 pax

1050 - Environmental Fee per head is 35 500 - Guide's fee (divided by the number of persons included in the group) 3000- Entrance fee to Philpan Dive Resort per head is 100 1000 - Cottage per head would be 34 12000- 2 vans; Van transpo per head is 400 3450 - Fund for Little Angels Foundation, Inc. ___________________________________

21000 - 700 / head

We initially paid P 600 inclusive of transportation, cottage, and donation. Other activities such as diving and island hopping are not included in the package, though, as well as the entrance fee of P 100 per head to Philpan Dive Resort. The plan was to hike in the morning and do an island hopping for those who were interested, but we settled by the beach, swam and rested. If you’re just gonna do the climb, you wouldn’t need to shell out that much. Just leave a budget for your transportation, guide fee, and environmental fee if you’ll bring a private car, and you’re all set.

HOW TO GET THERE

Commute from Manila: Board any bus bound to Batangas Grand Terminal  > board any jeep bound for Anilao, Batangas, drop off at Philpan- Mabini Junction  > Rent a tricycle and drop off at Philpan Dive Resort/registration area  

Bus liners are available along LRT-Buendia and Taft in Pasay, and Cubao and EDSA-Kamias in Quezon City (Jam, Jac Liner, ALPS). The fare for a ride to Batangas would be around P 170 depending on the bus liner you’ll catch or from what terminal you’ll come from. From the Batangas Grand Terminal, you can simply ride a jeepney to the Philpan-Mabini Junction for a fare of P 35. From the junction, ride a tricycle and drop off at the registration area. Fare is P 40.

Commute from Bacoor/Imus Cavite: Board a jeepney/bus bound for Dasmariñas Pala-pala terminal for P 25 (the terminal is right after 7/11 from your right) > Board a van bound for Anilao, Philpan- Mabini Junction > Rent a tricycle and drop off at Philpan Dive Resort/registration area for P 40)

The vans available in Pala-pala don’t really follow a schedule. They usually wait for the vans to get full before heading to Batangas. The jeepneys going back to  Batangas Grand Terminal, though, are hard to find later than 8 PM. If you happen to miss the last trip to the Grand Terminal, ride a jeep bound for Bauan instead then board a jeep bound for Batangas Grand Terminal.

OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST

Diving

If you’re into diving, you’ll find Mabini irresistible. They’ve got a lot of Scuba Diving Resorts in the area like Halo Anilao Dive Resort, Aquaventure Reef Club Dive Resort and Aiyanar Beach & Dive Resort, but the closest from Gulugod Baboy, one of the cheapest and the most famous would be Philpan Dive Resort. They’ve got cottages for as low as P 500.

Island Hopping and Snorkeling 

Since it doesn’t have to take too much time to climb Gulugod Baboy, many opt to do Island hopping afterwards to Sombrero Island. Boats can be hired from your lodging area or you can go to Anilao port to board boats going to Sombrero Island.  Boat rental is around P 2500 to P 2800 for 10 pax. 

WHAT TO BRING

Packed lunch if preferred

Med Kit/ Personal medicines

Raincoat when necessary

Extra clothes

At least 2 liters of water

Whistle

Trash Bag

Toiletries (esp. alcohol)

Trail food (energy bars, peanuts, chocolates, banana, salt)

Sunblock

Cap

Headlamp when necessary

Gloves (not required)

Trekking pole (not required)

Handkerchief / scarf

NOTES

Pack light if you’re going to commute. Those who will visit this place with their private car or van would have it easier. They can simply leave their stuff in the van and hike only with those they ultimately need.

Don’t eat heavy before the hike. Energy bars are better for activities like this.

Sun exposure is notoriously acute when dry. Apply plentiful of sunblock whenever needed.

When you encounter something that would hinder you from descending using the trail when you ascend (e.g. an accident / you suddenly felt ill), you can rent a tricycle from the camp to the registration area or to your lodging/resort for P 150.

When you miss all trips to Grand Terminal, you can rent a tricycle, but this would cost P 400 for 4 pax.

It’s not that safe to swim around Philpan as the rocks and pebbles would be too sharp for our bare feet. The place is a diving spot after all. It would help, though, if you use aqua shoes there.

While hiking, wear quick dry clothes and stay away from cotton fabrics and denim pants since you will be sweating profusely during the climb.

Wear a pair of hiking shoes or sandals.

LEAVE NO TRACE (LNT): Kill nothing but time, take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.

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Also read: Panhik #3: TUCLAS Climbs Gulugod Baboy Also see: TUCLAS Climbs Gulugod Baboy photo sets