Been two weeks since my last post. Nope, I did not stop mountain biking, not a chance, just got interrupted by a few lakes and several falls.

We had a 4-day weekend last week. After spending 2 days camping in Mt. Romelo, we received an invite from the some of the boys in PMTB (Pinoy Mountain Bikers) for a Monday ride. With two more days to spare, it sounded like another great adventure. And it turned out to be one.

The day started with a meet up in Petron station in Amparo Village in Fairview. I thought its just going to be a few riders but it turned out to be a great group of 17 bikers.


The planned trail will start in Pangarap, a small village near the walls of La Mesa watershed (the source of water for the whole of Metro Manila).


From Pangarap, it would be a single track tracing the walls of La Mesa, then a great downhill section.


After several moderate rolling hills from Pangarap we reached the barangay of Macabud where we had our lunch. In one of the uphill sections, a biker broke his rather exotic dropout (rear derailluer hanger). We had to wait for it to be repaired before heading out again.

We stayed clear of the main roads and entered the single track leading to Mahogany 1 and 2 trails. Its two of the favorite trails of local mountain bikers for reasons I later found out.


There was an abundance of single tracks and fireroads, mostly downhill. The trails also abound of technical portions - tree roots, mild drops, rocks, etc. The slippery mud made it more challenging.


We rode a muddy single track out of Mahogany 2 into the mango plantation. Although the trail was flat, the mud made it difficult to pedal. My tires were covered, no caked, with mud and I have to push my bike most of the way.

The mango plantation trail lead to Brick town (a small brick village), I soon found out. I had already mentioned Brick town in one of my posts and we usually pass by this village from Licao licao via double track with a hellish downhill section.

From Brick village, its a shaking ride down the Jack hammer trail and a fabulous single track downhill that opens to a double track down Daang Diablo (Devil's Track).


By the time we reached the trail head of the double track going down to Tungko, it was already beginning to get dark. In order to save time, we decided to go via a short cut. Its a downhill single track lined with cogon grass. The single track soon vanished into a trackless route. We had to push our bikes through knee to waist tall grasses and occasionally crossed small brooks. No more pictures this time. All we had in our minds was going home. I tried to tune out the mosquito bites and grass rashes on my legs.

We finally reached a subdivision being constructed - paved roads, finally. But before we even start to head out to the main highway, there was another equipment breakdown. Another broken hanger.

It was real dark when we reached the main highway. After saying our goodbyes, our group of 4 bikers broke from the main group and we started to pedal our way on a 4 lane highway. It felt weird, after a full day of rocks, mud, and river crossings :). By 8:30PM I was home. Another great day of mountain biking :).

More photos here.

Folks who have been to Buruwisan falls are well aware of the location of another falls called Lansones. Just a few meters downstream from Buruwisan you follow the path to your right when you reached the fork. The trail is going upstream and after a less than 200 meters you'll be able to reach Lansones falls.

Nobody seems to bother finding out whats there downstream when you take the left of the fork. Nobody ever mentions that there is actually a beautiful site down there, on top of another waterfalls much higher than Buruwisan. We later found out its simply called Old Buruwisan (officially its known as Binaytuan Falls) , and unfortunately there is no (easy) trail going down to the base of the falls (a 200-meter drop).

A few meters from the drop of Old Buruwisan are waist to chest deep tubs - your own jacuzzi tubs.


More photos here.

Another falls just a few minutes hike upstream from Buruwisan falls is the Batya-Bayta (officially known as Guiling-guiling falls). Its a small one, only about 15-20 feet in height, but just as beautiful as the other falls there. There is a small basin-like depression on top of the falls that is why its called Batya-Batya ("batya" means small tub or basin in Filipino) .

The hike to Batya-batya is a bit of a challenge if you are carrying photo equipment. There is a portion in which you may have to swim (the other option is to scale a tree). There is another section where you have to wade chest deep waters. A dry bag for your gears is definitely a must, although for me a couple of garbage bags usually do the trick :).


Another falls, called Sampaloc falls, is also accessible via Batya-batya. You have to swim the pool to the edge of Batya-batya, climb the slippery rock wall and then follow the river upstream. I have not been to Sampaloc falls yet and I heard there is another way to go there without going through Batya-batya. Maybe on my next trip to Mt. Romelo...

The recent 4 day weekend spelled another outdoor trip. Since it rainy season this time of the year, I decided to stay away from the beach and instead head up to my favorite hideaway in Mt. Romelo in Siniloan, Laguna (together with friends). Mt. Romelo (about 300 meters above sea) is popular for its beautiful falls, all accessible with a short hike (and climb) from the campsite. The campsite itself is on top of one of the largest falls there (Buruwisan Falls).

(Trivia: Mt. Romelo is often (mis)referred to as Mt. Famy because the town of Famy is where folks usually get off the bus from Manila. Mt. Romelo is not even in Famy, it is already part of the adjacent town called Siniloan).

We always prefer to do a midnight trek whenever we go there but horrendous traffic jam in Manila made us miss our 12:00 midnight jump off. We arrived at the trail head at around 2:30AM. Surprisingly, its a clear night there while there is a heavy downpour in Manila.

After 4 hours of mud, leeches, more mud, and mosquito bites we arrived at the campsite. The normally jampacked campsite (during the summer) is virtually empty save for us and two other campers.

After setting up camp and getting a quick shut eye, I decided to hiked down to Buruwisan falls. Its a short climb down from the campsite, but the slope is more than 70 degrees in some sections and you only have tree roots and wet rocks for holding.


Buruwisan Falls is a popular location for rappelling because of its almost vertical wall. Its a great swimming area too with its emerald green waters, if you can take the cold.


Downstream from Buruwisan Falls are nice "tubs" or "pools" with crystal clear waters. There also are two more falls within a few hundred meters from Buruwisan. There is a fork just about 100 meters downstream from Buruwisan. The right path goes upstream to Lansones Falls while the left path goes downstream to the top of Old Buruwisan. There is no trail going down to Old Buruwisan (also known as Binaytuan Falls) but you can enjoy the vertigo inducing view (down) from its drop.

Check out other posts and photos of the beautiful waterfalls of Mt. Romelo here.

The sun's hiding again today and its a rainy dreary Tuesday. For those who need something sunny, I included, here is a "wallpaper" shot of Lake Lahit in Lake Sebu (South Cotabato).

About Lake Lahit
Its the smallest and with the lowest elevation of the 3 lakes in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. Its also a free fishing zone unlike the other two big lakes. You will be able to pass by Lake Lahit on your way to the famed 7 Falls of Lake Sebu.

Another one! :)


One of the 7 falls in Lake Sebu. This 2nd falls is the tallest and most majestic of the 7.

Story behind the my 2nd falls visit here.

A little rain (or even a heavy downpour) could not stop us on our Saturday bike runs. Weather forecast last weekend as grim: dark clouds, heavy rains, and thunderstorms. We decided to bike anyway. The trail : our favorite Litex -> Macabud -> Licao-licao -> Tungko -> Fairview loop.

The first leg of our bike starts from Caloocan to Novaliches Bayan to Litex. We started at 6AM (1 hour late of our usual 5AM ride off) and the rains were unceasing. By the time we got to Litex I was already soaking wet. One of us even got his rear derailluer out of commission. His rear wheel locked up for some reason, busting the locks. Along with it some parts for his derailluer. Good thing a bike shop in Litex was already open (he was 500 pesos poorer when we continued on).

We took pictures along the way whenever possible (when the rains eased up).



After the concrete section of the road in Macabud starts a nice rolling hills terrain. If you are heading to Licao-Licao the barrier wall of the La Mesa Eco Park is to your left. When we got there it the fog started to thicken, reducing the visibility to a few meters.




From Licao-licao we proceeded to Tungko via the private road passing through the "Brick City" - an old deprecated bricks factory (Manila Brickwords Inc).




From Brick Town its mostly downhill to Tungko. There is a portion of the trail called the "Jackhammer trail". You have to ride it to know why its called the Jackhammer Trail :).

I recently changed my Michelin Country Trail tires (26 x 1.95) to a much wider and more stable one. I had been having problems with its grip on mud and wet stones, especially on the downhill sections. Grip on pavement, wet or dry, is pretty OK but our trail mostly consist of rough terrain.

The replacement was Maxxis' Mobster (26 x 2.35). It was a matter of whats readily available in the local bike scene. I had my eyes on other Michelin tires but they were just not available.

It was a huge jump in terms of the width of the tire (from 1.95 to 2.35). My grip and braking stability on various surface was greatly increased. I was able to take slippery downhill sections with much confidence.

However I paid a great price with the rolling resistance. The increase was quite noticeable. But since my bike is not really a road bike, the rolling resistance is just a small inconvenience.


Overall, Maxxis' Mobster lets you enjoy (and pound) your favorite outdoor trail.

The rush hour that city dwellers know and dread is practically non existent in the scenic Lake Sebu (South Cotabato). The photo you see below is as busy as it gets.


One of the main sources of livelihood in Lake Sebu is tilapia farming. Every morning you will see folks precariously balanced at one end of their dugout canoes tending the tilapia cages. From the outside looking in its a simple and uncomplicated life.

I had difficulty prying my self off the bed that morning. The cold weather (Lake Sebu is about 1000m above sea) did not help at all. I went down to the lake shore and searched for a good vantage point for capturing morning activities. I was not expecting a sunrise shot (its best to get sunrise photos in Lake Seloton) since I was facing the west, but nature always rewards the early bird :).


Lake Sebu's placid morning cannot be fully captured in photos. You have to be there to really experience it. The receding fog slowly takes off its mysterious cover on the mountains surrounding the lake, the distant roosters crow to signal the start of a new day. And the lake is in its calmest.


The few minutes before the "rush hour" is the best. It not too dark anymore but yet too early for folks to start their daily activities. It is on this magical moments that everything seems to stand still. You will be able to hear yourself thinking.

More photos here