On a weekend, bound for nothing to happen, I organized a fun climb to Gulugod Baboy. With first timers in tow, I chose this mountain since the trail to the summit is fairly easy. As we don’t have idea on how to get here by commuting, we opted to rent a van which is more practical money-wise and convenient for the group. Scouring as much information we can get in the internet and few email exchange with confirmed participants – we’re all set to conquer Gulugod Baboy.
hitchin a ride
We left Alabang on an early Saturday morning and meet the rest of the gang in Petron. Before ensuing our trip we filled our lifeless body with a hefty breakfast knowing that it won’t be long before we feel the urge to eat again. As the van jetted the stretch of SLEX, we realized that we don’t have a concrete plan as to where we’ll be making our jump-off. Our choices is toss between Philpan and Brgy. Gasang, but since we want to do a traverse climb we picked the latter.Upon reaching Mabini we bought roasted chicken that we’ll eat up for lunch. With a some help from the friendly locals, we reached Brgy. Gasang just in time for a quick snack. We were told that hiring a guide won’t be necessary as the trail is quite straight forward. The pancit bihon coupled with the Coke sakto appeased our starving tummy before telling Roy (our driver) to meet us up in Philpan.
The start of the trek seems challenging as we ascend on a 45-degrees uphill cemented road. Maybe it has to do with our little snacks on a sari sari store that left us bloated, too lazy to move our asses. As the jeepney converted into delivery truck pass as by, one of the man on board told us that they’ll take us to the jump-off point. It didn’t take that long before we disembarked in a still cemented road.
some interesting deep Tagalog quotes
lunch stopover in Laurel Elementary School
We slowly meander through the beautiful countryside that evokes an overall rural appeal. The weather was just perfect. The warmth of the sun is not as agonizing compared to our first climb in Mt. Pundaquit. No sign of impending thunderstorm nor pouring rain to gatecrash our party with nature, except for those stray dogs like an unwilling host whose keen on checking if we’re on the invited guest list. The hike last around 2-3 hours that includes a lunch in a vacant school and few stops for some refreshments along the way. It was after all a walk in the park literally with the concrete road and dogs in throng.
From what I’ve read this mountain is called Gulugod Baboy because its slope when seen from a certain perspective looks like “pig spine”. I don’t know about that,but it’s actually more looking like my bulging beer belly. lol As mentioned above Pinagbanderahan (where the flag was hoisted), one of the three peaks is where Japanese airmen crash landed during the WWII. Surviving the ordeal they put a flag in the summit and since then the name Pinagbanderahan lives on.
the curious case
Climbing indeed is a great way to elude the rat race of city life and brings you closer to nature. Just lying on the grass with the clouds hover on the horizon and refreshing sweet mountain breeze come in contact with our sweaty face. The sight of the nearby beach tried to lure us away from the lovely peak. Just perfect. There’s no denying that we enjoy the climb at the breathtaking 360-degree view at the summit.
gulugoders
taking the jump
going down
As much as we want to bear witness to the splendid setting of the sun, our lack of preparation (no tent,no cookset) force us to meet Roy at the Philpan jump-off. Contrary to the easy trek we did earlier the downhill walk is really tough as the drizzle makes the trail muddy and slippery. It was a relief when we reach a cemented road leading us to Philpan. And what ‘s good about GB is that the Anilao is just a short hop from the Philpan jump-off.
