Hinagdanan Cave, Panglao Bohol

Chocolate Hills

hot chocolate

One of the things that inspired me to climb mountains and mountaineering is not really the sport itself. Basically what attracted me most to this is the way of life that I experienced climbing with friends.

Circa 1994, my first climb was Mt. Banahaw. It was an exhausting 10 hour climb up Durungawan which was supposed to be a two day climb. Without proper physical preparation I was exhausted beyond words. Even amazed that I can still walk after carrying more than 10 kilos on my back. But I was able to reach the summit not by my own strength but also by the patience of my friends who were with me at that time. Determined to show me a vista that cannot be reached by any mode of land transport these friends made me appreciate the journey with each step.

Imagine clouds covering your campsite in the early morning. Everyone still inside their tents in the small hours, resting their dead tired bodies. Sunrise is always an anticipated event and I always am aware that it is almost morning. Then there is a sort of "knock" on our tent. Opening the tent's zipper a friend hands in a cup of hot chocolate!

At that time, I realized that I found a renewed sense of respect for these friends with their way of life. They are not at all the preconceived notion of "macho" type mountaineers. Indeed I got to know that true mountaineers go out of their way to take care of their climbing buddies.

Despite the early morning cold, someone starts the stove and cooks hot chocolate for everyone to enjoy just before sunrise! One simple gesture that sealed my decision to climb more mountains and enjoying the great outdoors with great company!

Red Bananas / Saging Morado

"Pag-sure Uy! mag tumbling karun!" is the expression of choice now in Bohol. I found these red bananas by a road side fruit stand. This kind of banana is called Saging Morado. I will be doing some research on the variety later.


I bought a couple of bunch of ripe ones which are more dark colored than the on the top photo for about P80 less than $2. Also, I asked permission from Manong if I can take his picture. In an instant he struck a pose--the classic Gwapo ini!

such a happy bunch!

Sinugbang Isdang Bato/ Grilled Reef Fish

I think this is a Batfish. But I saw it labeled as butterfly at Miravilla. Also, when I asked one of the locals I am with he mentioned that same thing. But I am sure that this is not a butterfly fish. I do not really like to eat this kind of fish because I saw what they eat while I was in Palawan. We were on the research vessel Minerva and we saw a few of these waiting at the bottom of the boat waiting for the "flush" from the boat hahahaha.

These are parrot fishes. Scaridae. These are considered as one of the indicator fish species that we regularly monitor. Parrot fishes have this distinct beak like mouth that helps them graze on the coral reef. They actually eat corals and they expel sand in the process. They are locally known as "isdang bato" as they are resident reef fishes.

These squids are according to Moli are locally called 'tam-isan' in Lobo, Batangas. These are usually caught in shallow areas near the reef area. There was a time while I was snorkeling in GBR I saw a school of squids. They are such a beauty to watch changing colors and as if dancing in formations. There was also a time that I saw a solitary cuttle fish while diving in Anilao. I saw it change form and color from brown to purple and red. At that time, I stayed away from eating squid dahil parang naawa ako sa kanila. But, since I do not eat red meat anymore, I cannot seem to give up seafood.

Below is dinner being cooked. "Sinugba" or grilled.

I remember my advance scuba instructor and boss at wwf said while we were in Taganak in Turtle Islands: "we should appreciate what we are conserving".

Ilog Maria, akapulko atbp

After a workshop in Mendez, Cavite we passed by Ilog Maria farm. It is located in Silang Cavite. We almost missed the turn coming from Tagaytay there is a sign to the right onto a dirt road. I would guess about 1km towards the farm outlet. But when you get there the shop is a well spring of handmade honey products that range from soaps, spa, beeswax, oils.

Basic mountaineering requires one to use biodegradable soaps in the outdoors. Common sense will tell you that the chemicals in commercial soaps can kill the living things in our rivers. In the early 90's we use ivory. But now there are a range of products that one can use.

Above, I bought insect repellent made from citronella and other fruit oils P60. I love this item specially for Isay when we are in the outdoors--goodbye to ddt. I also bought eucalyptus bath gel from the spa line P70. Another item is the probiotic immune system booster which i will blog about in a future post.


These biodregradable soap I bought from Women and Ecology center. These are handmade soap by the group of local women in Muzon,Cavite for their livelihood project. Akapulko grows there in the farm. I will make a future post on this one. The other soaps are papaya (orange), then oatmeal (white with brown specs), then the green one is citronella which Ms Jovy gave to me as a gift before.

One great discovery is the feminine wash below (round dark brown) P45 from Ilog Maria. This one made from honey propolis. I gave one to Aling Lina of Romblon. It smells really fresh and good I want to press the resin. sobrang natuwa pinang gigilan ba hehehe.

green tea and beans pudding

The dark one on the left is black sesame seed pudding the the powdered one is mango flavored. But I didn't taste the the mango flavor one. The green tea pudding was ok I was prepared to have my tongue reel but no it didn't. The black sesame pudding to seemed grainy I guess I imagined sand while chewing this one.
These are the different kinds of pudding we bought from the canteen at Po Lin Monastery. The consistency is like maja blanca.

view of outlying islands from Tian Tan Buddha

Po Lin Monastery

cooking gear!

The lightest and most compact cooking gear. I took this photo on one of the shelves of the shops in Nelson St. HK. Another branch of the store below. Of course this was the day after when they were open already. I just love to have that tea pot! But our shopping packs are already full and pocket is on a diet. I will be posting the gears I used in the past years. I just love the old gears. Every dent on the pot has a story to tell. Melted handles of old pots a treasure trove of memories up there.

HK Mountaineering Training Center

This is where we bought the stuff below in the earlier post. A friend said this is where Bombproof gear gets their stuff that is sold in Galeria and elsewhere here in the Philippines.

I took this picture about past 11pm actually almost midnight. I was going to scout the area at the Ladies Night market which is just a block away from Fa Yuen the sports street as it were.

Nalgene bottles from HK

"Hydrate or die" is one of the tag lines that you will always remember as you walk up that trail on a dry humid day. Water is "gold" and very precious commodity up there. Nalgene is one of my most favorite gear. It is believed to be used by the expeditions and missions and other outdoor adventure. Its main claim to fame is un-breakable and leak proof, thus saving your change of clothes inside your pack.

When I was a newbie back in the mid-90's I always ask friends to bring back the newest model or even the old reliable Blue bottles. Below are the ones we got from Mongkok Outdoor HKMTC shop. The pink one went to Mia Oliveros who generously lent us her digicam when ours was broken. The purple one went to Hannah Liwanag who lent Isay her baby carrier-- such a great help for us all.

The new model is the narrow cap but wide neck green bottle with flip up cover. Improvement on the product based on the feedback of users is what I love about this product. Narrow opening so it doesn't spill while drinking in the jeep or truck carrying you to the jump off point. Then wide enough opening for easy cleaning and refill! The strap that is the first to break is revised into the built in loop. I am not an official endorser of Nalgene mind you. But I just like them! A must have gear. Hydrate or die.