Pong Travels: Mt. Talamitam and Dudong Cove

Hello! Bundok hits muna tayo after magpalamig sa Estados Unidos. Mt. Talamitam! 🐢

[March 31-April 1, 2018]

It was my first summit of 2018! I've been to Mt. Talamitam roughly 10 years ago and the beauty of the mountain still has not changed. This is considered a minor climb and recommended for beginners, too. Difficulty Level: 3/9.☺

PissDrunx, Mt. Talamitam Summit

First climb after my US stint and I tell you, it was really tough. Haha. When I climbed this mountain 10 years ago, I have my bag with me 'til we reached the summit. And now, I didn't have anything w me - just myself, yet twas a struggle. Lack of exercise and lots of fats - yeah. Thankfully, I have very supportive friends who kept pushing me - almost literally, too. Haha. 

Mt. Talamitam - 10 years later with Yo, we didn't have a copy of the photo 10 years back - sayang!

The climb was also a celebration of Ornap's birthday. He works overseas, so it was a bit of a reunion of our barkada which we call PissDrunx. As always, it was fun, chill and w tears, too? (Bakit tayo may tears, Jong? Hehe. Ton kasi e. ♥) After the climb, we headed to the beach (it didn't have a name, so we just called it the Dudong Cove). Originally, we plan to settle at the Papaya Cove but it was so crowded. It was my first time to get drunk after so many years. But I guess it's fine as am with the right set of people. It was my first time to ride a boat as in a little boat under just the moonlight with no life vest! Crazy. Lots of things happened that weekend. Haha. Lasheng e. And am literally smiling while am typing. The kwentuhan leveled up a bit - maybe because now we're older. Oh well. Fun times. Lasheng times. PD times.

happy lunch photo

Good times - well, not so. (Sorry, Dude! Di ko kayang galit ka saken, confirmed.)

Mt. Talamitam - Topher, me and the Dude I was referring to

Some snaps below. Full album (pics + videos) here. 

Mt. Talamitam - mga pogi sila - yo, jorge, topher and birthday boy, ornap

Mt. Talamitam GP edit - Topher

Mt. Talamitam GP edit - Pong

Mt. Talamitam GP edit - Jorge

Tagaytay Brekky

Mt. Talamitam pababa na Saudi Pose

Mt. Talamitam - the "baby, are you okay?" pose - haha

picture muna before leaving Dasma

Super touched with this keychain! Thanks, Dude! #simplethings #bigjoys

How to go to Mt. Talamitam:

Public Transpo: Ride a bus bound to Nasugbu. Drop off point should be Sitio Bayabasan. Fare is about PHP120.


Nasugbu Bus Terminals:

1. DLTB Bus Terminal in Buendia
2.  San Agustin Bus Terminal in Pasay

Private Transpo: Take the South Super Highway then exit to Sta. Rosa then go straight to Tagaytay. Do a right turn and go straight until you reach the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway. Go straight until you reacj Km 83, Sitio Bayabasan which is Mt. Talamitam's jump-off. 

• Is a guide required? - They are requiring it now, but we managed not to. We were there March 31 for a dayhike. Minimum is PHP300-PHP500, it depends.
• How much is the registration fee? PHP40 
• Shower Fee: PHP20 

Remember: Talamitam is an open mountain so it can be very hot during summer. Make sure you have everything you need to protect yourself from the sun. It'll be worth it. 

 
"Leave nothing but foot prints,take nothing but pictures, kill nothing but time." Enjoy! ☺


speak from the heart, 
pong 🐢💙

Pong Features: Deng and Faye's Bernabeach Getaway 🌊

Hello! 😎


You know you have the right set of friends when they ask you where to go, they believe you, they go to that place and they let you publish they experience on your site. Nice, yeah? 😎

So, let's start. Bernabeach Resort is located in Nasugbu, Batangas. It's actually one of the resorts that was on my list when I went to Nasugbu last December. I landed to the adjacent resort though. 

Bernabeach offers an amazing Infinity Pool. The beach - "sapat lang" (just fair) was how I described it to my PD brother Odeng when he asked me. Haha. So, I have decided to just have minor modifications on his kwento (story) about their experience. I mean I felt how happy he was with the outcome, but I guess it really depends on how you'll take it e. Happiness is a choice, right? With good company pa, so winner. 

This is the first picture Deng sent me before the whole sharing of story happened. 

Odeng: 👨
"Haha. Di ko alam paano uumpisahan ang kwento. Pero masaya ang experience kung ano ung pagkakadescribe mo ganun ang napicture ko sa isip ko. Ito yung lakad na biglaan as in umiinom kami ng Sunday, ang usapan namen drive lang sa may Kaybiang Tunnel 'tas uwi na. Sabi ko sayang naman ang lakad, bakit hindi tayo mag-swimming tutal nasa Nasugbu na din tayo. Pag dating ng Monday, ito na, akala ko usapang laseng lang. Dumating yung pinsan ko na pabalik ng UAE sa Wednesday, July 12. Uminom ulit kami as usual. Yun yung time na nagtanong ako sayo saan malapit at di naman ako napahiya, hehe.

Dumating kami ng July 11 sa Bernabeach before lunch time. Mga 10:30AM nakapagcheck-in na kami since di naman daw peak season, pwede na kami sa room, then check-out time is 12NN, the next day. Yung POOL agad ang nakita namen. WOW! Lalo ung sa kabila ung infinity.

Malinis ung lugar at maayos ang service. Siguro nga kasi Monday sha kaya walang gaanong tao, meron man, pero di aabot ng 10 yung nakita ko. Ang masasabi ko ay everything went well or great rather. Kahit walang planong maayos masasabi kong nag-enjoy mga kasama ko lalo na ung aalis ng bansa.


Si Faye?? Nako di ko alam kung nagka-asawa ako ng sirena. Tuwang-tuwa sha sa dagat pero inunahan ko sha sabi ko ung dagat wag ka mag-eexpect na maputi ang buhangin or ung nakikita mo sa FB or TV na magaganda. Nasugbu ay either brown or black sand. Nung andun na kami, sabi nya basta buhangin at dagat hindi mabato, gusto ko.

Yung room namen is for 2,500/night,deluxe ata yun. Ang masasabi ko, makukuha mo ung value ng binayaran mo since maaga kami naka check-in at malinis sha malamig ang AC malinis ang CR at gumagana ung warm/cold water. Maluwag din sila kasi nakapagpasok kami ng food at alak.

The next day, ito na balik dagat kami sa umaga. Tulad ng nakasanayan ko pag pumupunta ako sa ibang lugar na may dagat inaabangan ko ung mga nanghuhuli ng isda. Kasi pwede ka makahingi or makabili sa murang halaga. Hindi ko na lang matandaan kung anong tawag nila or pangalan ng isda na yan. More than 3 Kilos sha. Ang sabi nung mga taga dun is PHP300/Kilo nakuha namen for PHP700.

We were on the infinity pool while watching the majestic setting sun.

Shempre di mawawala ang babe time. Dahil sirena ata ang asawa ko, let me share some of our pics.

The next day, wala na kaming mashadong naging activity. Naligo na lang ulit sa dagat may less than an hour, alam mo na di papayag ang sirena na uuwi ng di ulit nababasa ng tubig alat. Plus kelangan na din umuwi kasi may pasok ako ng 1PM at yung pabalik ng UAE, may kailangan puntahan my 12NN.

So, buong experience was great! Siguro kelangan ng appreciation sa bawat bagay na makikita at mapupuntahan mo..hindi naman pwedeng lahat sila pare-pareho, may kanya-kanyang ganda ang bawat lugar. "For them not to say and for you to find out".




PS. Salamat Jo may sagot ka ata sa lahat ng itinatanong ko haha!"

- end-

Thank you, Deng for sharing your story and writing on my behalf. Haha. No, seriously though, I appreciate it. For your information guys, Odeng is one of my PD (pissdrunx) brothers whom I met through common friends and the mountains. I never thought he will be one of the folks worth keeping - tae! 💩 Sarap kausap neto! From okrayan, gaguhan to seryosohan to okrayan-gaguhan ulit. Haha!

RESORT DETAILS:

Location: Bernabeach Resort, Brgy. Bucana, Apacible Blvd., Nasubgu, Batangas Contact #s: +63-43-416-0442 | +63-927-418-7209 | +63-999-717-5044 | +63-923-442-6802 | +63-932-242-5550
Email: bernabeachresort@gmail.com
Website: http://www.bernabeachresort.com.ph/

HOW TO GET THERE:

Ride a DLTB/BSC/San Agustin Bus in Pasay Terminal with Nasugbu signage (Fare: PHP155)
Drop off to Nasugbu Proper
Ride a Tricycle and tell the driver Bernabeach (PHP10/head)


I guess, I should try Bernabeach myself too! Soon enough! 🌊


speak from the heart,
pong 💙🐢

Pong Travels: Talipanan, Puerto Galera 🌊

Hiiii! 😙😍😚

Finally, a trip to the beach after 5 months! I told myself that I will never go back to Puerto Galera because of the long boat ride and deep waters of Mindoro. But who am I to say no to beautiful beaches, yes? Initially, the plan was to go to Calaguas but because of the weather, we opted to go to Puerto Galera. 

Puerto Galera is located in Oriental Mindoro and is accessible via Batangas City Port. My first glance of Puerto Galera was way back 2008. We stayed at the White Beach. This time, we chose the tranquil part of Galera - Talipanan. But since, it's my friend, Star's first time, we headed to the White Beach to have lunch and to do some pasalubong shopping before heading home. 

As usual, White Beach is busy. It's like mini-Boracay. Everyone is swimming, doing water sports and activities and party-ing at night; on the other hand, Talipanan is tranquil and serene. So, you choose your beach. Both White Beach and Talipanan Beach is a long stretch of white sand with different resorts to choose from. 

It was my first time in Talipanan. Did some research the same day-down to the last minute booking for a place to stay there. Thankfully, we're able to find one. We stayed at Veronica's Inn. It's like Manila in an island. Condo-type with Infinity pool. 🏊💙

The stay was fine. It's just that during our stay, not all food in the Menu was available. Knowing that the next resort is a bit far, they should have prepared for their guests - they were fully booked at that time. Room's a bit small for 3K/night. Good for 2. And here's the catch, I was taking a shower when the water ran out. It took a while to have it back. I already fell asleep in the bathroom as I was experiencing a terrible hangover. 😓 Water was back after 15 minutes or so with conditioner in my hair and soap all over my body - too bad. 😢 The staff were very accommodating though. Hands-up! 👐 Kayak use is free and you can go kayak-ing to White Beach. Flex 'em muscles! 😎 

HOW TO GET THERE:
1. Ride a Bus (JAM Liner) in Buendia with signage Batangas Pier or Batangas Port. (PHP167)
2. Upon arriving at the port, there will be a lot of fixers, they offer the same price but of course, they have "convenience fee" or yes, tip. You can always go straight to the ticketing booth and buy your tickets. We chose Minolo Shipping Lines . Buy roundtrip tix (RT) and they offer vans to take you to White Beach or Talipanan. (PHP310 - RT Talipanan Fee + 10PHP terminal fee)
3. Upon arriving, there's Environmental Fee of PHP50. 
4. Before heading home, another terminal fee of PHP10 shall be paid before hopping into the boat. (just like # 2)

TRICYCLES can bring you to White Beach (ranges from 100PHP - 150PHP)


Resorts in Talipanan: 

Lucas Miramare - 09164175125; 09177925263
Mountain Beach Resort - 0917-5620842
      Rates: Fan Room 800PHP-1500PHP; AC 2500PHP
Mengie's White San Beach Resort - 0920-4032173
      Rates: Fan Room 700PHP; AC 1500PHP
Bamboo House
     Rates: Fan Room 800PHP; AC 1500PHP
Veronica's Inn - 0936-9491228 (Veronica)/0977-7272014 (Ced)
     Rates: AC 3K (2 pax)

Minolo Shipping Lines: (043) 287-3614

Have some snaps to share! Enjoy! Hope this helps! 👌

Always remember to speak from the 💙.
- pong 🐢


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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joanepangilinanblog/

Strolling around Talipanan shores

Floating Star

Infinity Pool

My favorite char in Veronica's

Playing billiards like a champ

Veronica's Inn

Infinity Pool + Star

I belong - all black

Mad weather

    

Pong the Fan: The Moffatts Part II

Hello! 😉

Am soundtrippin' while doing this one. Today is quite a productive day and a happy day! Remember, happiness is a choice! 😉 Okay, cool, too much of my blah-blahs. Let's get started with this one.

So roughly 2 weeks after the Smart Araneta concert, I found myself headed to the beautiful Club Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas. The moment I was informed that they will be back in Manila for a music video shoot, a friend and I searched and find ways how to get near them. Well, not really me, it's my friend. Haha. So just like a stalker, March 1st was booked and I filed for two half-days at work. Thank God, it was approved. 😉

March 1 came, headed to EDSA Shrine to attend the Ash Wednesday Mass and drop by our house coz I forgot my effing wallet - so wrong. (Thanks, Gibby!) After 2 hours, we arrived at Punta Fuego, such a beautiful place and of course, I love the sunset so I took a shot of it, some selfies on the side, and we lined up for the buffet. God, food was so good. (Thanks, Chef!) 😋

Show started at 8PM with a front act. Front act had 3 songs. Such a talented young girl. 😊 It was a fun show! And this time, I felt that we are really connected and reunited after 16 long years (Yes, I am such a fan! Haha!) Seems like we're literally just enjoying the moment by the pool and by the beach. 3 weeks of travelling is really tiring so their voices have been struggling already but it was still good. It was a short and sweet show. They sang 8 songs, if I reckon that right. I cannot get over from the experience yet and I don't think I would. I just love 'em to bits! Scott's been doing a lot of ad-libs which were way too cute! Have some snaps and videos to share. Enjoy! 💕


PS: I just had to - the girl host was beyond annoying. Punta Fuego is such a beautiful place. They could've invested with a good host. Maybe next time - ☮✌

- pong 🐢

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Videos could be found in my YouTube Page: Joane Pong
(Disclaimer: still learning the ropes of video editing, peace y'all)

Buffet with fellow Moffattians

Punta Fuego Sunset

Pong Travels: Lobo, Batangas 🌴🌊

Hello! ☺

Another tick off my bucket list is beach bummin' at the pebbly beaches of Lobo, Batangas.
Happened last weekend, January 21-22. It took us forever to reach La Bien Haus and Resort. Left Cubao 11:45AM and reached La Bien around 5PM. But we were able to see the sunset so still all good. ☺Just like other beaches, Lobo is a looong stretch of salt water and beautiful pebbly shores, you just have to be diligent on choosing a place to stay considering your budget and location. Since it's a long stretch, it covers different barangays and Malabrigo is the farthest if am not mistaken. 🌊

After browsing the net for all possible resorts to stay and the best route to take, considering the budget of PHP1500 (per head, group of 4), we settled at La Bien and took the Batangas City Grand Terminal route. On our way home though, we tried the SM Ciy Lipa Grand Terminal which is better and faster. Will share the list of resorts that we considered too. We were over budget this time - PHP1544. There's always a first time for everything, yeah? 😀

💫 The roads are rough and zigzag-y, so I suggest you drink Bonamine just to be on the safe side. 😭

Most important thing though is we enjoyed our stay. We barely had the beach to ourselves at that time. Had one neighbor though, whose very friendly. Will recommend this humble place to everyone! 👌

How to get there: 

1st Option
1. From Cubao (ALPS), ride a bus with CALABARZON, Batangas City Grand Terminal signage. 
2. At the back of the Grand Terminal are jeepneys bound to Don Ramos, tell the driver to drop you off there (landmark: STI College)
3. Ride a Tricycle and tell the driver to drive you to Lobo Jeepney Terminal (behind SM). 
4. Ride the jeep bound to Lobo. Drop off - Lobo Town Proper.
5. Ride a tricycle bound to the resort of your choice. 

2nd Option
1. From Cubao (ALPS), ride a bus with CALABARZON, Batangas City Grand Terminal signage. Drop off: Lipa City Grand Terminal
2. From LCGT, ride a van bound to Lobo (O-Hap Van)
3. Ride a tricycle bound to the resort of your choice.

 EXPENSES: (Budget: PHP1500)

1st Option
Cubao to Batangas City Grand Terminal: PHP165 
Grand Terminal to Don Ramos - PHP9
Don Ramos to Lobo Jeepney Terminal - PHP20/head
Jeepney to Lobo - PHP55
Lobo Town Proper to Resort - PHP120 (or PHP22 each, pag hindi napuno yung tricycle)

2nd Option
Cubao to Lipa City Grand Terminal - PHP132
Van to Lobo - PHP120
Lobo Town Proper to Resort - PHP120 (or PHP22 each, pag hindi napuno yung tricycle)

ACCOMMODATION:
La Bien Haus and Resort, Standard Room (good for 4) - PHP2500 **no entrance fee**

https://www.facebook.com/labienhausandresort/
Contact Number: 09209254061

FOOD:
PHP358/head

Optional: Souvenir Magnets PHP50

GRAND TOTAL: PHP1544 (Still not bad! 👍)


DIFFERENT RESORTS TO CHOOSE FROM:
Almalin Beach Resort
Punta Malabrigo Beach Resort
Super Star Beach Resort
Catada Beach Resort
Honey Beach Resort
Flordeliz Beach Resort
Harisa Beach Resort
Lawas Seaside
Submarine Garden Beach Resort
Punta Verde Dive
Gerthel Beach Resort

PICTURES 📷 (Complete album: https://www.facebook.com/JoanePangilinan/media_set?set=a.10154959730949731.1073741918.724399730&type=3)




Lobo Sunset



Pebbles, shells etc

Titanic 3.0 (thanks, Coachee! Haha)

Malabrigo Shores - super clear waters

Armond

Kitty

Ken

Me. Not sure if am trying to flipturn

Bekies



Hammock Area

Bahay Kubo

Open cottage with sink

Our room - Standard Room 

Interior, Standard Room - our messy stuff, sorry

Big Room

Entrance w Armond and Kitty

La Bien Signage

 - Pong 🐢


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