Every step in reaching the Peak

April 22, 2012.

All first-time hikers. 


My father was the one who insisted in "why not try Mt.Batulao in Batangas?". We had two guides for that day, Kuya Gilbert and Kuya Eric, who were office mates of my mother (which I should be thanking them so BAD, that because without them, I will not survived this day. HAHA!). Call time at 4 am, as usual I was late plus carried only 1 1/2 hours of sleep. Partly, I was so dizzy at the start of the trail. We started at around 5:30 in the morning, as we went along, I started to loosen up and started to appreciate every view that we passed by. All you can feel was the serenity of the place and the fresh breeze of air blowing by your face. 


Mt. Batulao have 10 peaks to go through, and every peak we had able to surpass was surely a big challenge of sweat, motivation and sacrifices to reach the top. Fresh buko juice, Mountain Dew and Halo-Halo were the all time favorites in every stop over. So imagine how the people struggled for a living in going up and down to earn money. And I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the people living there for their warm welcomes and great hospitality to all hikers. :)


As promised by our guides, the view will never fail you and make your sacrifices all worth it. (Amen to this, the view was a 10.) The trail was our competitor that day. First, I slipped down and had this big mark of bruise at my right knee, not to mention I can't count how many times I slipped the entire time. And lastly, my mom and my little sister Isay gave up at the peak 8 (Boo? :)) you should be sorry guys for not completing the whole 10).


We reached peak 10, at around eight in the morning. And man, the feeling was so awesome. The view and the feelings of fulfillment were all mixed up in my brain. The feeling was indescribable, I promise. :) 


But the total challenge for me was the intense heat that day, plus the trail in going down the peak. IT WAS NOT EASY, and yes from that moment, I promised myself never to hike again. HAHA! (Yes, seriously.)


I gave up in going down, thus renting a horse of a resident to be my buddy was my only choice to finish the trail. And surely, I want to hug that horse for saving me in slipping and struggling my way down. The whole Mt. Batulao experience created a big impact to me. As a first timer, I never imagined myself to finish it (with the help of that horse, of course! haha.) and gained this wonderful experience that surely I WILL TREASURE my lifetime. It was all worth it, even with the muscle cramps the day after. :) 

FIRST SHOT. No signs of tiredness. :)))

THIS! Kuya Eric, I salute you. PROMISE.

Grotto at the peak of Mt. Batulao. <3

Touch down PEAK 10! :)

Our ever supportive guides. :")

doing the usual Yoga pose.

No regrets at all. Yes my whole body still hurts and have this tan complexion. But the experience and the family bonding were the main things to love on this memorable day. 

Mt. Pulag, next? NAAAT. Maybe next time. HAHA!