Pong Travels: Sagada - Buscalan 🌄🌳

Hello! It’s the Sagada – Buscalan coming right up. Lol. It’s been 5 months since this trip happened, pero kebs, here we go.

Sagada Homestay always feels like home

Initially, this trip is just out of frustration between me and my friend, Tec, since paragliding was cancelled for all the reasons in this world. We’ve decided to go even if it’s just the two of us. We’ve invited some folks whom we think are easy to talk to when it comes to trips like this, but they cancelled – of course they cancelled in the most politest way possible (hi, Topher, lol). Tec managed to invite his friend, Tong, and coincidentally, Erika (a blogger friend – check her page) and her friends will be on the same bus enroute to Bontoc - Sagada. Erika and her friends dropped off to Bontoc, and us 3, to Sagada. We stayed for a night and then woke up early to go to Buscalan.

Brekky at The Lemon Pie House

This is my third time in Sagada and, I might have different folks with me each time, but feels is always the same. Iba siguro hangin don, haha, one of my happy places talaga. So we arrived earlier than expected in Sagada. Travelling to Mountain Province has been so lengthy so we have to plan smart. We settled in The Sagada Homestay were I booked a room for 3 for a night. (We were given the same room from the last time I was there).Then we headed out to eat – we had brekky at The Sagada Lemon Pie House. I initially wanted to eat at Sagada Brew as their Hot Chocolate is so delish, but they were still closed when we arrived. Been craving for the wheat bread, too. Got it from the Pottery House. 

Happy kid - home made chocolate wheat bread @ PHP30

Walking around Sagada is a breeze because of the chilly weather. Sarap! But of course, we also have to consider the slopes. (Assault, Hehe) We checked the Tourism Office for the spots open for the day. First stop, Church. It’s just walking distance from the place we’re staying – St. Mary the Virgin Church – this is an Anglican Church. Was able to attend an Anglican Mass the last time I was there. We met this guy (forgot the name) when we’re headed to Bomod-Ok Falls. It’s cheaper when you have more folks in your group as the Guide Fee will be divided amongst you guys. It was so hot during our trek. We managed to be back around 3pm. We had our late lunch at The Sagada Homestay Restaurant. For only PHP150, its already a full meal – chicken, lechon kawali, veggies, lumpiang shanghai and rice.  We also went to the Danum Lake where we witnessed the Sunset. Sunsets are always beautifully anywhere in the world, agree? We had some cute convo while waiting for the sun to go down.

Tec inside St Mary's

on the way to the falls

Sunset gang

Sunset at the Danum Lake

Tong chillin'

Tec and Tong were gracious enough to help me find Sagada Pine Café. For folks who have been to Sagada, this is a super chill place where you can have a few drinks with your friends. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to find it. Huhu. Guess it’s closed already. We had a few drinks at The Homestay instead. The boys recreated their photo 10 years ago, I took the photo and edited it.

We were still undecided if we were to go to Buscalan as Tong needs to be home for work reasons (want to buy a car? Ping him here) and Tec’s legs were sore. So we rested and we decided to go the next morning.

Tong and our guide having some convo

It was yet another lengthy trip, more or less 5 hours including the trek to Buscalan Village. No signal or anything, so kwentuhan gaming kami. Saya. Sobrang simple lang doon. We ate tuna, pancit canton, drink a few, kwentuhan, tulog. Kape. Ganon lang. Fate made its way for us to see Erika there – no signal kasi. Took some photos and that’s it. Hehe. There, you will realize that life can be very simple yet so beautiful. Tec and Tong had their tatts done. We weren’t able to meet Whang Od though. She was not feeling well the afternoon we arrived and somebody passed away, she had to go to the wake as their tradition and as the oldest in the community. We let it pass, as we have to work the next day. 

We made it! Pagoda!

Erika and her friends

 

Simple life at Buscalan Village

Tong getting inked

Poor Tong, upon arriving in Manila, only had a few hours to rest and go straight to his office. Such a hard working dude. Tec and I have known each other for so long, college days. And Tec and Tong have been friends since I don’t know. Tong and I had the chance to have a convo while waiting for our ride in Bugnay. Felt like I’ve already known him in the past.

This trip has been tagged as one of my favorites. Chill lang, the trek was so hard though as I am so fat. Hehe. Masaya lang e. Wouldn’t have it any other way. #tectongpong ♥

Sagada Expenses:
CODA Lines – HM Transport - Cubao
Manila to Sagada (via Banaue) – if you want to go straight to Bontoc, just tell the conductor to drop you off Bontoc. More or less, travel time is 12 hours.
First trip – 8:30PM (Better book online, chance passenger is okay, but better be sure than sorry. Trip is so long)
Fare: PHP760 + PHP35 (when you book online)
     PHP980 (Deluxe, with CR)

Where to Eat in Sagada: Some famous spots include Sagada Brew, The Sagada Lemon Pie House, Yoghurt House, Salt and Pepper, Gaia Café & Crafts
Prices: PHP120/meal – PHP200/meal (x3)
*Just enjoy walking around and you will find a lot – try their famous Pinikpikan

Where to go and what to see: (there is a corresponding fee per spot)
St. Mary Church ✅ (free)

Sumaguing - Lumiang Cave
Echo Valley – Hanging Coffins
Mt. Kiltepan
Lake Danum ✅ (PHP500/group) (167/head for us 3)
Bomod-Ok Falls ✅ (PHP500/group) (167/head for us 3)
Marlboro Hills
..and a lot more..

Environmental Fee: PHP50

Note: please make sure to coordinate with The Sagada Tourism Office for fees and open spots during your visit

Total: PHP3528 (+fare)

Sagada to Buscalan
Jeep to Bontoc – PHP45
Bus to Bugnay, Tinglayan (from Bontoc) – PHP100 (x2 for Roundtrip)
1 Motorcycle Ride – PHP100 (on our way back, a good Samaritan let us ride on his pick-up, free)
Environmental Fee – PHP75
Tour Fee for 5 Pax – PHP1500
Overnight Stay: PHP350/pax
**unli rice and unli coffee

Total: PHP1270/head (for 3 pax, does not include food)

Food & Drinks say: PHP300 (Medyo pricey don because grabe ang trek dun, please understand ang hirap ng porters, help na din natin sa kanila)

Total: PHP1570

Bontoc to Manila: (Coda Lines) PHP685


Note: Having a tattoo is optional and price starts at PHP100. Whang-Od only does the 3 dots - her signature and other designs can be made by a lot of mambabatok in Buscalan. 

GRAND TOTAL: PHP5783

speak from the heart,

pong 🐢💙

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 🐢💙

First Time sa Snow ni Pong! ❄️��

Hello everyone! 💋

Oh my goodness! It's been forever and I don't have much content anymore! It's been pretty busy the past weeks with all these "adulting" things that's been happening! Currently, I am in the land of the free and the home of the brave - hopefully I got that right. Who would have thought? Dreams really do come true. I was like, hey snow! ❄😍

This is all I've got for now. I have been so preoccupied that I don't have time to post anymore. But I've got a short clip for today. Too bad, GP failed me today. But tomorrow should be better. I've got a lot of stories to tell. Tagilid! Haha! Sorry!

speak from the heart,
pong ����

Pong Thoughts: Finally Found (someone)?! 🎉

Hello! 👀

Finally found (someone, chos!) time to write before the year ends. 4 days to go and we are going to welcome a new year. How exciting, right? A new beginning is always something to look forward to. Am still yet to finish office stuff - not a lot now, but I still have a few. Should be done, hopefully, by tomorrow. 😊


Christmas has passed and I must say, am really getting a "Tita" now. Titas of Cavite, perhaps. I think of Christmas as a simple gathering of family members at least once a year and the kids mostly enjoy it - which is true. I think I enjoyed Christmas more when my Paternal Grandparents were still here, back when I was kid. Now, every time "ber" months come, and me hearing Christmas songs, it makes me somehow, sad. Maybe because Tatay (my Father's Dad), my walking buddy, passed away December 22, 1992. As a kid and until now, that memory is still fresh and I don't think I'd be able to get over it. Christmas Trees were set aside and we celebrated Christmas with our lifeless Tatay back then. Christmas is totally different now though, I now have my nieces and nephews and they make Christmas lighter and happier. Gotta love kids! ♥

Received lots of goodies from my team, my boss, my family and my friends. How sweet, yeah? Met some of my friends for some catching up which is always a good feeling. And I must say, we've matured. Haha. (Dapat lang, lol) ♥

this one's sweet. pen with my website engraved and Parker for Tony Parker, my ex-hubby. lol. Thanks, BP.  

these ain't all. these are just a few. ❤

This year has been tough - I was injured and was sidelined for 6 months. But the good thing about that - I was able to spend time at home and more time with some people. I missed my Saturday Badminton Session with my Barbies. Missed traveling. Kind of missed a lot, but gained a few too. It's all about perspective, right?

Was able to tick swimming with the whale sharks in Cebu back in September off my bucket list. Met a few bloggers in Bataan and witnessed The Pawikan Festival. And just last week, I was reunited with my Barbies to play Badminton - I was just so happy to be back.

look at these two - andrew and patty. 😍

By now, you realized that the title is just a click bait - lol. But seriously though, I want to think that I found someone, but just recently, I lost that someone just like that. Sad reality. My 2017 Spotify Playlist is almost all about him. Dafuq. Haha. All good now though. Am leaving 2017 behind in a few days.

As a blogger, worldwide, a single post can be read by anyone. I've received compliments, not so good comments, an indecent proposal, love messages and almost everything in between. The people who supported me from Day 1 - you guys are the best! It has been a crazy ride - all of these, I have learned and am grateful. 2018 - let's go!

THANK YOU, all! This is yet another hanash and more to come! ♥



speak from the heart,
pong 🐢💙

Pong Thoughts: Diving Specials - Whale Shark Encounter 🐳🐋🌊

👀 Hello!!!! 👀

Last October 10, Diving Specials chanced upon a photo I posted in my Instagram account. It was a photo of a baby whale shark that I had a chance to swim with last September 17 while am in Oslob, Cebu. It was indeed a surreal experience knowing that these fellas are so big - it's crazy to think that something can eat you whole but chooses not to. Makes me love the marine life more and more. 🐳🐋

Here's the photo that am talking about - used my GoPro Hero 5 Black and did some editing using Snapseed. 

baby whale shark

As requested, added the #whalesharkmoment in the caption and sent Diving Specials an email about doing so. Once chosen, you're entitled to have this super cute Scuba Tank keychain.  

how cute is this scuba tank keychain?

And your entry will then be qualified to join the #whalesharkmoment photo contest wherein the top 2 voted images will win. With the help of my family and super friends, the photo won (yay!!!!) and I got the Buddy Watcher! Buddy Watcher is a device used for communicating under water via vibrations, all you have to do is tap to signal your diving buddy. How sweet, yes? Thank you very much Diving Specials and to everyone who voted, I will forever be grateful. The voting process was not that easy, so I thank you for your time. I wish I had all the names, but I was not able to capture all. You know who you are! Much love from me! ♥♥♥

Thank you, everyone. This is not the complete list though! Much love!

Here's the contents of the Buddy Watcher Box from the mail: 

Buddy Watcher Set (Straps, Charging Clips, Charging Cable and 2 Buddy Watcher Devices.

If you want to avail of The Best Diving Deals, make sure to visit Diving Specials website. They definitely have a lot of good deals to offer and Sarah, CEO and Founder, is very hands-on, accommodating and she always makes sure to respond as necessary and as soon as possible. Danke, Sarah! 😍

Below are the some screen caps of their website. 

And this is me ready to communicate under water. Diving buddy, anyone? lol

let's go!!!!  (haven't remove the plastic protector, lol)

my gear: 

My action cam, GoPro Hero 5 Black: http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHXTXP
My phone, iPhone 5: http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHXTdi



speak from the heart,
pong 🐢💙

Pong Thoughts: Counting the Days! 🎄

Hello! 👩🏻

So, my writing soul visited me yesterday. I feel the need to publish something but was too sleepy to do so. I have been very busy lately with all the things that's been going on. But this busy is a "good busy", I must say.


Month-ends are always busy at work. Timesheets, coachings, etc. Not to mention the endless timesheet challenges and stuff. And me going on an unpaid leave while all these are happening is really a brave move. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

My blog site is also keeping me occupied. It's been overwhelming (but my layout still sucks! Haha). Anyone, sponsor? Help, pretty please? Haha! Maayos ko din yan. 😉 Some drafts are left unpublished. Hopefully, I can publish one on Monday.

I have an event to attend to this weekend - Pawikan Festival in Bataan. Am excited, nervous. Mixed emotions. I really don't what to expect pero kaya yan! Lavern!

I hope I can squeeze everything in a day. I mean all the things that I need and I want to do. Sana ako si Super Pong! Haha. Lahat nakaplot sa calendar e. But am not complaining. Forever grateful.

But sometimes, there are things and people that we, unconsciously, due to the demands of our everyday lives, we almost forget that they exist and they are once part of our daily routine. Sad reality. 😞 But then again, it takes two brave souls for a relationship to work. Even friendship is a relationship too. Siguro it's true that no one is really that busy, we can always make time if we want to. Always make time for folks who matters the most! Love lang, bawal hate.

How Pretty, right? Taken at The Posh Podium

Merry Christmas, guys! Thanks for reading my hanash for today! Happy Thanksgiving to my friends from the US of A!



Lazada Crazy Cyber Pinoy Sale Happening tomorrow until the 27th! Click LAZADA CRAZY SALE


speak from the heart,
pong 🐢💙