Isla Pulong Pasig

When the organizer posted the event for would be joiners,  I did not hesitate to join. Knowing her, I know that it's going to be nothing but pure fun and adventure.  Also, the past months had been full of knee-pounding activities.  I needed vitamin sea to relax, unwind and recover.

Aside from Ms. Ron (the organizer),  there were only five of us who responded positively.  Well, it could be because it's the holiday season and people are busy with parties and get together.  On the day of the event, another one backed out due to work related reason.  Final headcount was five persons. Ms. Ron, Ken, Woody, Mamang and myself.

We agreed to see each other in Lucena grand terminal 12 midnight to catch the 1:30 am bus bound for Calauag.  Kamuning was more accessible to me so I boarded at Jac Liner bus from there at around 8:30 pm.  The other four boarded the same bus line but in Buendia.  As expected on a Friday, traffic was heavy going out the metro.  We arrived almost the same time in Lucena at around a little past 12 midnight or after 3 plus hours of travel. 

Mangroves we passed by going to the beach

Weather was awful while enroute to Calauag.  It was cold and drizzling when we arrived around past 3 am.  Before heading to the port, we dropped by 7/11 to buy supplies and a nearby roadside eatery to take our early breakfast.  Arriving at the port, we learned that the trip of public boat going to Pangahoy was not certain due to the poor weather condition.  Actually, the port was almost empty.  We tried looking for boat for rentals to no avail.  Other passengers told us to wait until 8 am or when the weather improves.  We did.  Fortunately, the public boat arrived past 8 am.

The usual boat trip to Pangahoy on a fine day took 2 hours.  However, it took us almost 3 hours because of the poor weather condition.  From Pangahoy, we needed to take a small boat to get to Pulong Pasig island.  We arrived at our final destination past 1 pm, a little tired and hungry.  Nanay Vergie's nipa hut was our home base (where we hanged our hammocks) during our stay.

Pulong Pasig as viewed from afar

Talking to the locals, I learned that Pulong Pasig is an island sitio of Santo Anghel.  Santo Anghel is the barangay of Calauag, Quezon having the jurisdiction of the island.  Pangahoy, where the public boat anchored is also a sitio of Santo Angel.  Pulong Pasig is privately owned but remained undeveloped.  There is a small community living in the island.  No electricity.  No concrete structures.  Sporadic cellphone signal.  Fishing is how they make a living.

There was nothing much we did during our stay due to the bad weather.  It was windy and cloudy with waves high enough to crash our confidence.  We did a beach walk and took photos on day 1 but that was short.  Instead, we headed back to home base and kill the time over a bottle of vodka and exchanges of stories.  Having no cellphone signal, we were disconnected to the outside world.  No temptations to check our FBs and instagrams.  I enjoyed the night as I got to know each one.  I slept on my hammock with the wind still howling.

Pulong Pasig as viewed from the sandbar

Waking up the next day, the weather was still bad.  It was raining in the morning.  We ate our breakfast over exchanges of personal stories and experiences.  Nanay Vergie and husband also share their stories about the island.  How they became inhabitants.  How on a fine day, Pulong Pasig is beautiful.  How on a fine day the sand bar was flocked by birds hence they named it Pulong Ibon.  How on a fine day, the locals got bounty catch of varieties of fishes.   I can't help but wish for the sun to show up and for the weather to improve.  The sun did show up!  With excitement, we walked to the beach, swam and visited the sand bar.  But like some romance, it was short lived.  Rain poured again while we're on the beach.

On a fine day, one can go beach bumming, swimming, snorkeling, beach walking and visit the sand bar.  However on our stay we were not able to go snorkeling due to the poor weather.  We also just had a little time at the sandbar  as there was already a need for us to return to Pangahoy to catch the boat trip to the Calauag.  Despite all of these, I still enjoyed our stay.  The simplicity of the island life amazed me.  Locals were kind and entertaining.  The island was untouched by any form of commercialism.  If ever I'm going back I'll bring candies and chocolates for the number of kids there.

the short lived blue sky

Upon return to Pangahoy, we had our late lunch.  Fresh catch of fish, fried and grilled satisfied our hunger.  A bottle of beer followed while engaging in a karaoke.  It was already past six in the evening when we bid goodbye to Pangahoy.  We may not had the best of weather, I can still say that the short stay at the island was such a relief from the stressful life at the metro.      

the beach walk

Sharing my travel notes below.

    

Trail Action: Mt. Tapulao

I woke up to a knock on the door by the hotel attendant.  I remember telling him the night before that I'm leaving early.  It was past five in the morning.  Darn!  My activity for the day was a run up Mt. Tapulao, the tallest mountain in Zambales with an elevation of 2,037 masl.  

It was already late when I arrived in Zambales from Bataan, Sunday.  I had to stay overnight in Iba and commute an hour from there to Sitio Dampay Salaza in Palauig.  My activity the previous day took its toll on me hence, I over slept.  To cut the story short, I was at the jump off past 7 am.  

Powered by a plate of pancit, a rice cake and a cup of coffee, I started my way up at exactly 8 am with the sun already up and shining brightly.  Based on the logbook, groups of mountaineers were already on the trail and I was the last one to depart.  As always, I started slow. So slow!  It was my fifth time in Mt. Tapulao,  I knew what to expect.  Slowly, I caught up with the last group, then another group and another one before the 6 km. marker.  I continued until I reached the first water source at km. 6.  I did not bother stopping because I still had enough water that can sustain me up to the next water source.   

the rocky trail

Another group in sight taking a rest.  I passed by on them and as a trail courtesy, I greeted them with a smile. There were few segments of the trail going up that were runnable but I would say that 80 percent are uphills.  Another characteristic of Mt. Tapulao is its rocky trail (I was cursing on my first time).  This is true from km. 6 to km. 8.  Alone, I had to be extra cautious.  I realized that while there are advantages in going solo, there are also some disadvantages.  Like in this instance, no one to asked for help if I met an accident.  

A short runnable segment ensued after reaching km 8.  I took advantage of it.  I caught up with another group taking a rest.  One asked if I was doing a day hike.  She was amazed to hear yes, as an answer.  She continued to ask what I had with me. She was more amazed to learn that I had nothing but water and some chocolates.  I myself once amazed of mountaineers who do day hikes.  Never thought that one day I will be doing it as well but as a trail runner.  Experience played a big factor.   It was the number of climbs I did in the past that gave me the courage and confidence.

the pine forest

After 2 hours, I reached the 2nd water source at km. 10.  I refueled and rested for a while. The next kilometers are all uphills up to the pine forests.  My goal was to reach the summit by 12 noon.  Continuing, there was another group I passed by on these segment. Before entering the pine forest, there was another group.  They were all taking it slowly. I can't blame them, they were all trekking full-packed.  I remembered in my first climb, it took our group almost 13 hrs. to reach the bunker house(campsite then).

Mt. Tapulao's pine forest is a treat after all the hardships.  That is how I find it.  All is beautiful reaching that part - from the pine trees, to the distant mountains, to the sound of the wind.  It made me forget the ordeal I went through in the past number of hours. However after that part, another challenging uphills awaiting.  I had no choice but to kept going.  It was during this part when I encountered groups going down.  By 12 noon I was at the bunker house.  After resting for a while, I began the summit assault.  The steep trail from the bunker house up to the saddle(mossy forest entrance) was slippery.  After the campsite was moved, the trail was less taken.

the bunker house

There was an eerie feeling while I was inside the mossy forest alone.  I have to channel my attention into thinking beautiful and funny moments and ignore whatever sounds I was hearing.  By 12:30 pm, I reached the summit.  It took me 4 hrs. and 30 mins. to cover 18 km.  I was short by 30 mins. of my target time.  Still, I was thankful I had the strength and the courage to do it.  I used to frowned this idea before. Now, I'm doing it all by myself.  

There was no one but me at the summit.  Under the intense heat of the sun, I took a picture of myself at the km. marker.  Afterwards, I took shelter from a shade of a bush, re-hydrate myself, and rested for a few minutes in preparation for my descent.  

At exactly 1 pm, I started my way down.  It was smooth and swift going out of the mossy forest.  I decided to take the trail leading to the new campsite, another segment that was beautiful.  Countless pine trees and nearby mountains can be seen as well.  Passing by the campsite, there was only one group camping.  The other groups has not arrived yet. 

me at the km marker(summit)

My goal was to reach the jump off by 3 pm or after 2 hours.  I just had to be extra careful on the rocks and boulders  but it was all downhill.  With the goal in mind, I started to ran after the campsite.  At km. 15 I encountered one group and another one at km 14. They were surprised to see me going down already.  I just greeted them with a smile and continued.

I was expecting to caught up one of the groups going down at km. 10 but did not.  It was around km. 8 when i caught up with the last group going down.  At around 2:30 pm, I came upon the last group going up.  The group was still very far from the campsite.  With their pacing, I was sure that the night will fall upon them while on the trail.

More groups I caught up in the last 6 km. Actually all the groups I encountered on their way down, I passed by all of them on my descent.  I took it as a challenge since I was on training mode.  It was already 3:30 pm when I arrived  at the jump off.  I was 30 mins. short of my target time.  A guide asked me if  I will do another round.  I was quick to answer no!  I'm already satisfied.  It was already enough to boost my confidence.  I'm ready for CM50! 

This is how I spent the long weekend.  Full of trail action and I loved it!  However, on the last day, I decided to go home instead of going to the beach. =)

alone on the trail

Interested in climbing Mt. Tapulao? Here's how.

> Took a Victory liner bus (Caloocan, Earnshaw, Pasay terminal) bound to Sta. Cruz, Zambales.  Fare is around 451 to 466 pesos.  If you missed the Sta. Cruz bound bus, you can take a bus to Olongapo or Iba.  There are already local buses plying Olongapo - Sta. Cruz and Iba - Sta. Cruz routes.  There are also vans plying Iba - Sta. Cruz route.  Terminal is just in front of the Victory bus station in Iba.  
>  Alight at Dampay Salaza, Palauig (landmark is Zameco).
>  Ride a tryk to the jump-off.  Fare is 250 pesos (per way) per tryk. 
>  Registration fee is 30 pesos.
>  Guide is mandatory for hikers for 700 pesos a day per guide.
>  Water sources are at km. 6, km. 10, and at the bunker house.
>  Campsites are wide and can accommodate a number of tents.
>  Temperature can drop especially at night.
>  This is a major climb and not recommended for first timers.

>  Trail runners are not required a guide.