0930H : After a short briefing, I led the group consisted of Rob, Kirk, Marx, Kiki, Elal, Gino, RJ, Marvin, Rommel, and Gabi from the DENR station to the jump-off point of Pico de Loro alongside the road and started our trek. I repeatedly complaint at the first part of our trek that I hated this part of the trail and they would know why later on.

1015H : The group arrived in Manggahan. I asked them if they wanted to eat their packed lunch as there would no longer be any good spot along the trail where we could sit down and eat. The group obliged. We also spent a gruesome portion of time computing our budget and trying to figure out why we were missing a significant amount of money. The question was answered at the end of our day.

1045H : We started trekking again. I, on the other hand, was constantly reminding them of the basic rules in mountaineering. That trail signs play a significant role in mountain climbing because they will tell you if you are still in the right path or not, that it is a practice in the mountaineering community to greet everyone with courtesy while addressing the climbers ma’am or sir, that they can say take five if they want to rest, that they can stop and wait for someone’s aid if they think they are lost or if they do not know which way to go, that they must carry all their trash and not to leave any on the trail, that it is okay to get tired. RJ, Marvin, Gino, and Gabi were first-time climbers. This earned me a new title, Diwata ng Kagubatan (Forest Fairy).

1245H : In less than three hours, we reached the campsite and regrouped. Some of us had refreshments (oh yeah, there are locals who now sell cold sodas and sports drinks), some went straight to a nice view in the campsite where they could do the usual photoshoot.

1315H : Despite the scorching summer heat, everyone agreed to proceed with the climax of our activity, summitting the mountain. I must give props to RJ who courageously admitted that he could no longer continue on climbing as fear got into his nerves.  Marvin had to stay with him and give him comfort.

That’s RJ and Marvin who almost made it to the summit.

1340H : Everyone was so happy to have finally reached the summit but it didn’t end there. They wanted more, they wanted to test their limits and climb the Pico de Loro or Parrot’s Beak. And so they did.

On the way to the summit. One single mistake and it’s coffee party next.

1400H : Rob, Kiki, Rommel, Marx, Elal, and Gino reached the top of the parrot’s beak. Though I haven’t been to the beak yet, I still decided to just stay at the summit. It was freaking hot and what better to do than sit and seek shelter in the loving shades of an umbrella. Gabi also stayed and rest with me and Kirk who was tasked to take a gazillion photos of the other group at the beak.

Rob was no longer at the peak when I reached it. He headed off to the famous Parrot’s Beak.

1445H : Twenty minutes or so past and the parrot’s beak group came back to the summit. We had to reward ourselves with a few-minute rest and another round of cold refreshments. But my reminders that we need to hurry as we might not make it to the registration area before nighttime didn’t stop. No one but me brought head lamp, we couldn’t risk being in a big forest without any form of lighting.

1500H : Our descend started with the group’s renewed energy. I even jokingly said that they could run downhill if it would help. You would notice from this point on that I no longer have any photos of the trail or of the group. I already put my camera back to my day pack. I didn’t want distractions on our way down. I was so concerned with the time we have left to get back to the DENR station.

1600H : Everyone hurried and was eager to finally finish the trek that in an hour, we were back in the grassland.

1700H : The group regrouped in Manggahan. But since Rob, RJ, Marvin, and Gabi and I arrived last while the rest have already rested for quite sometime now, we asked them to go ahead and start cleaning up themselves once they arrived in DENR.

1720H : After resting, we decided to give it a go and started the final leg of our trek. We then again approached my dreaded part of the trail, the ascend back to the jump-off point. Robi, RJ, and Marvin went ahead of me and Gabi.

You wouldn’t want to go on wandering in a forest like this at night without any form of lighting.

1750H : Gabi and I reached the DENR station. After an entire day of walking, hiking, stumbling, and cursing, I thought we could wrap up our Pico de Loro day hike with laughters but I thought wrong. Kirk asked me where were the others: Rob, RJ, Marvin, Elal, and Gino. My jaw dropped. I was the sweeper of the group. I didn’t stumble into any of them on our way back.

1800H : Rob, RJ, and Marvin arrived in a tricycle. They said they got lost and ended up on a wrong trail that still lead to the main road but far from where they were supposed to be.

1805H : I took a bath hoping that when I get out of the bathroom, Elal and Gino were already with the group. They couldn’t be lost as they have nothing with them that could help them during the night. No headlamp, no trail food, no water, nothing at all. What made the matters worst was that there was no network signal in the DENR station. We couldn’t get a hold of them.

1830H : I finished cleaning up myself but still no signs of Elal and Gino. It was already pitch black that time. If not for the light coming out from the lamps above our head, it was impossible to see a soul. We now concluded that the duo might be too busy chatting that they didn’t notice the board sign saying where the way to DENR station was and took a wrong turn.

1845H : We asked the people whom we paid at the DENR station where the way we suspected Elal and Gino have taken leads to. We were told that it leads to Maragondon after four hours but anyone who walk into that trail will pass by a quarry site. Surprisingly, the DENR people made no efforts to help us. So, what’s the Php 20 registration we paid for? Reason why we register ourselves is for these people to come and search for the registered mountaineers when they don’t come back at a given time.

1900H : I was on the verge of breaking down. Elal and Gino were still missing. I was partly responsible for what’s happening. I was the only one familiar with the mountain. I must’ve reiterated that the group should stay intact while trekking. I must’ve told the group to bring lighting regadless if it’s just a day hike. I wished that the couple were okay and that they return soon.

1930H : The driver of our rented van shouted that there were people arriving and that our friends might be one of them. I must have been a very good Diwata that my wishes were granted. Elal and Gino were now emerging from the dark with a group of mountaineers who didn’t let them go further astray. Million thanks to Sir Ben Cuales (I still can’t find his Facebook page) and his group for helping our friends. Props to UPS mountaineers who, despite their busy schedule, were more than willing to help us find our friends. Elal blogged the whole “lost” story here.

2000H : After some reconciliation and thanking, we were homebound. And to wrap up the day, my crazy friends, old and new, talked about nothing but ghost stories all throughout the trip back to Manila.

Team Quarry: Rob, RJ, Marvin, Gabi, Gino, Rommel, Kirk, Elal, Marx

My friend Lea wanted her first-born, Raya, to celebrate her 8th birthday in the first mountain she ever scaled, that is Palay-Palay or most commonly known as Pico de Loro. The kid was excited of the thought of climbing a mountain and enjoying the splashes of its waterfalls. We all told her that waterfalls is not correct. It can only be called as such if it has no water (dried because of scorching heat) and that it must be WATERTRUE. Her mom told me that up to now, Raya still calls waterfalls watertrue.

That’s Raya gazing up the giant tree as she calls it.

If you haven’t been to Pico de Loro yet, let me give you an idea on how it looks like—it is a vast healthy forest with enormous trees and all sorts of insects, which include caterpillars.

Majority of Pico de Loro’s trail is just like this, filled with trees.

Earlier I said I had a blast during this climb. By that, I meant blast as an adjective to what happened to my skin. I got stung by a caterpillar. I didn’t know the damage it did on my skin until I got home the next day. It was burning with itch and I couldn’t do anything about it.

My skin’s reaction to the caterpillar sting.

I was behind the mom and daughter, Lea and Raya, when we were nearing the campsite of Pico de Loro and felt something crawling on my nape. Since I was at the end of our trio, they didn’t notice the thing on my nape. Having climbed the mountain a couple of times already, it didn’t occur to me that it was a strange creature that landed on my back so I immediately grabbed it thinking it was just an ant. To my horror, it wasn’t just an ant. It was a spiky and hairy caterpillar.

If I am not mistaken, this caterpillar is similar to the one stung me.

I immediately threw the caterpillar like a mad man, dusted off whatever it had left on my skin. A few minutes passed, we arrived at the campsite. I hurried to Rowjie and showed him my nape. I have a skin disorder called Dermatographic urticaria or skin writing in which my skin becomes easily inflamed when stroked, scratched, rubbed, or whenever something is pressed on it whether I caused it or by someone else. Naturally, Rowjie wasn’t worried at all when he saw my nape. He said that rashes are all over my nape but it will subside after half an hour or so just like everytime I scratched my skin.

Little of you know that I am a professional writer, Skin Writer.

A day passed, but the rashes never subsided. I then thought of consulting Google on what to do next. I had another shock after reading some tips on what to do when you get stung by a caterpillar.

1. Stay calm. Naturally, I freaked out when I learned that I was holding a caterpillar. Venom tend to spread faster when the person stung by the caterpillar is moving. So, when this happens, stay put.
2. Use tweezers when removing the caterpillar. Of course, I used my hands when I removed the caterpillar not knowing that it was indeed a caterpillar. I ended up having inflamed fingers as well.
3. Don’t scratch the sting. The exact opposite of what I did. See what ignorance can cause you?
4. Place any type of adhesive tape on the spot of the sting. Having no knowledge of the aftermath of caterpillar stings, I dusted off the remnants of the sting thinking it will go away when what I was supposed to be doing was stripping off the hair, spikes, and toxins of the venom. And take note, use the tape strips just once to avoid further spreading of the venom.
5. Wash the affected area. Oh yeah, aside from not washing the stung spot, I also didn’t change my clothes, which made it worst.
6. Seek medical advice. If the swelling and rashes didn’t subside after doing the things above or if you suffer fever and allergies, it’s always best to see a doctor for professional care.

The caterpillar sting left an unpleasant mark on my nape. Though totally healed, it looks like my nape has been pricked by thousands of needles.

It’s never too late to know these things as I will never stop entering forests as I climb mountains. But please, don’t tell my mom I got stung by a catterpillar. She nags very good.

If you opt to land in Surigao, you need to ride the ferry to Dapa Port for Php135. Travel time depends on the condition of the sea but usually takes two to three hours. Lots of vans (Php300 – 500), tricycle (Php200 – 300), and habal-habal (Php200) are waiting in Dapa Port that will offer you ride to either Cloud 9 or General Luna. It takes at least 30 minutes to get to the town proper.

Sayak Airport in Siargao, however, is a bit farther than Dapa Port and could take you 45 minutes before you could reach General Luna. Vans (Php300 – 1000) and tricycle (Php400) are also available as transportation.

From what I noticed, there are no jeepneys in Siargao. The town mostly relies on habal-habal as mode of transportation. General Luna to Cloud 9 is at least 10 minutes by habal-habal and would cost you Php20 per ride.

What to do
Very little can be done in Siargao as it is a small and pretty much laid-back town. Aside from surfing in the internationally renowned Cloud 9, you can also visit the neighboring islands of Daku, Pansukian, and Guyam, which are at least 10 minutes away from the town proper General Luna. Fixed rate for island hopping is Php1500. Or, if these all still don’t interest you, take a dip in the natural pools of Magpupungko. For me, the best thing to do in Siargao is enjoying a bottle of iced-cold beer from one of the local stores while watching the amazing sunset in Cloud 9 boardwalk.

Where to stay
There are loads of resorts and lodges within the Cloud 9 area but, of course, expect it to be more expensive than those around town proper, General Luna. During my stay in Siargao, we were accommodated by Wave Cave, A Surfer’s Lodge & Beach Bar. It is 3.5 kilometers away from famous Cloud 9 boardwalk yet near the boulevard, market, town plaza, and all. Wave Cave boasts of its cozy and relaxing bar located in its second floor, perfect for small parties after your surfing sesh. Highly recommended because of the superb Wi-fi connection, well-air conditioned rooms and clean facilities, location, staff, and owner himself. Rate starts at Php700.

Where to eat
Frankly, we had difficulties finding a decent yet cheap eateries in Siargao. We had to endure breakfast-less mornings because most of the eateries and cafeterias in Siargao open at 11AM. But lo and behold as General Luna boulevard transforms into a hotspot in Siargao at night with its row of eateries that serve basic yet delectable meals. Those who lodge in Cloud 9 gather in GL boulevard at night where they share their surf stories for the day. The Ocean 101 Bar and Restaurant in Cloud 9 is a must-try too as they serve western and Filipino cuisines.

Itinerary (with side trip to Mabua Beach)

Day 1
0800H – 0845H : Manila to Surigao via plane
0845H – 0900H : Surigao airport to Surigao Port by multicab
0900H – 1200H : buy ferry tickets, eat brunch, wait for departure of ferry
1200H – 1500H : Surigao Port to Dapa Port by ferry
1500H – 1530H : Dapa Port to Wave Cave lodge in GL
1530H – 1600H : settle things with lodge, rest
1600H – 1700H : walk from GL to Cloud 9
1700H – 1800H : rest in Cloud 9 boardwalk
1800H – 1900H : dinner in Cloud 9
1900H – 1920H : Cloud 9 to Wave Cave lodge by motorbike
1920H – 2100H : rest, lights off

Day 2
0700H – 0900H : breakfast in the boulevard
0900H – 0920H : Wave Cave to Cloud 9 boardwalk
0930H – 1100H : swim, surfing lessons in Cloud 9
1100H – 1230H : lunch in Ocean 101
1240H – 1300H : Cloud 9 to Wave Cave lodge
1300H – 1500H : rest
1500H – 1540H : go to market and buy ingredients for lunch during island hop
1540H – 1600H : Wave Cave to Cloud 9 boardwalk
1600H – 1800H : take photos, watch surfers
1840H – 1900H : Cloud 9 to Wave Cave lodge
1900H – 2000H : rest, fresh-up
2000H – 2100H : dinner in GL Boulevard
2100H – 2200H : rest, lights off

Day 3
0800H – 0855H : breakfast in Wave Cave lodge
0855H – 0900H : walk from Wave Cave lodge to GL port
0900H – 0910H : GL port to Guyam Island by boat
0910H – 1000H : eat snacks, chill
1000H – 1030H : Guyam Island to Naked Island
1030H – 1045H : photo ops in Naked Island
1045H – 1115H : Naked Island to Daku Island
1115H – 1200H : cook, prepare lunch
1200H – 1300H : lunch
1300H – 1400H : rest, siesta
1400H – 1600H : swim
1600H – 1630H : Daku Island to GL Port
1630H – 1900H : rest at Wave Cave lodge, fresh-up
1900H – 2000H : dinner in GL Boulevard
2000H – 2100H : drink in Wave Cave lodge bar
2100H – 2200H : pack things
2200H – 2300H : rest, lights off

Day 4
0400H – 0430H : fresh up, prepare for departure
0430H – 0500H : Wave Cave lodge to Dapa Port by habal-habal
0500H – 0530H : buy tickets, wait for departure
0530H – 0830H : Dapa Port to Surigao Port
0830H – 0845H : Surigao Port to lodge by tricycle
0845H – 0900H : settle things
0900H – 1030H : brunch in town proper
1030H – 1530H : rest
1530H – 1600H : town proper to Mabua Beach by tricycle
1600H – 1700H : photo ops in Mabua Beach
1700H – 1730H : Mabua Beach to town proper
1730H – 1830H : buy souvenirs, pasalubong
1830H – 1900H : rest in lodge
1900H – 2100H : explore town
2100H – 2200H : pack things, rest, lights off

Day 5
0500H – 0600H : prepare, fresh-up
0600H – 0700H : breakfast in town proper
0700H – 0715H : town proper to Surigao airport via multicab
0715H – 0730H : check-in / boarding
0730H – 0900H : wait for departure
0900H – 0945H : Surigao to Manila via plane

The itinerary I made includes border crossings and visit to other neighbor countries as well. I say, it would take approximately one month to complete the whole trip. Everything’s going so well except for one little bit of a problem. Funds. I am saving but I’m afraid it isn’t enough. Then a friend told me to investigate the best personal loans out there as they could do so much help to my upcoming trip. So then, what are the things to consider when getting a travel loan?

1. Need for Loan. Frankly, I’m not a big fan of debt especially if I’m the one who acquired it. I believe that if you really want something, you’d do everything in your capacity to achieve it. Maybe you can withdraw a small chunk of your savings instead of taking out a loan, cut the money you spend on splurging and shopping, accept extra jobs, sacrifice a little. This leads to the question do you really need to apply for a loan?
2. Use of Credit Cards. Instead of paying debts with higher interest rate, why not use your credit cards? There are banks that let you pay your credits after a few months. Some also offer installment plans without interest. A lot of credit companies provide freebies like travel insurance, plane tickets, and hotel accommodations in exchange of loyalty points. If you don’t own a credit card or none of these interest you, proceed to the third factor.
3. Interest Rate. The question here is how much, really? Compare and compute. How much will you spend overall after getting a loan? If you think you still need to borrow money, consider a bank loan to fund your vacation that has the lowest interest rate. Be mindful of loan sharks that charge unreasonable interests. You wouldn’t want to spend the rest of your life paying just for the interest fee of the loan you acquired.
4. Financial Situation. Here is where the 3Es come in: earning, expenses, extra. How much do you earn, spend, and save? If you have enough or more than what you usually save, then you can definitely pay for the interest of the loan. But then again, you can refer to factor number one, the need for a loan.
5. Payment. How long? You have to consider the time span on how long the payment would take. Travel loans should not take that long; it could be finished in less than a year. It shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg to settle this kind of loan.

Going on holiday doesn’t really come cheap. It sometimes mean resorting to acquiring loans when our savings aren’t enough. Just be mindful of the terms of the loan you are about to take before agreeing to it. As for me, I still have a few months to think about it, for the sake of Nepal.

My old yet still reliable backpacks and day packs.

So what are the differences between the two? Well, there’s no known law or rule on what makes one different from another. But as a common knowledge, a backpack is larger than a day pack.

A day pack (around 22L – 30L) is a bag that can carry your things enough for your activities within the day. It can be large enough for a few clothes, water container, trail food, personal toiletries, first aid kit, cameras. It is ideal for day hikes.

I usually use my Mountain Hardwear Fluid 26 for day hikes.

A backpack (around 35L and above), however, can be large enough for all your equipment for several days. It can carry your tent, sleeping bag, ropes, lantern, cook set, stove, clothes, and a lot more depending on the type of your activities. Backpacks have well-engineered back frames, wide waist straps, advanced shoulder straps, and storage compartments that are not present with day packs. This kind of bag is mostly used during expeditions that can last days, weeks, or months.

My backpack at the moment, a Mountain Hardwear Trad.

Now that we know the basic differences between a backpack and a day pack, it is now your task to learn the techniques of packing. If you pack properly, you will be surprised on how you are able to fit an amazing amount of your two-day things into a day pack. Like me, I only use my backpack if my activities will last three or more days. Great, isn’t it? The smaller the bag is, the freer you can move.

What are you waiting for? Go and invest on a decent backpack or day pack that will be your companion on your future outdoor activities. There are a lot of outdoor gear makers that produce high-quality bags with technologies that you can’t even think of. An integrated urinal perhaps. JK.

Backpack vs Day pack. So, which won?