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Dahilayan's Longest Dual Zipline in Asia

This trip is for JGC's Annual Summer Getaway. Remember, these are the people who I grew up and I am growing old with. We're friends since we're 6 (and now almost all of us are turning 26!) Eeww!

Destination: Cagayan de Oro and Camiguin
Round trip ticket: P1800 (50% off but still is the most expensive ticket Ive purchased!)

We took the first flight from Manila-CDO at 4.50am. It's time JGC flies- together!

It pays to catch the sunrise.

We landed in CDO airport after 1.15 hours.

welcome to Cagayan de Oro city (it's all our first time in Mindanao)
Kagay pala means River, and Oro means Gold. Aha! Ü

Since we're 8 in a group, I found it very convenient to arrange this trip. We're a big group that's why it's advisable to avail a package for the rafting and zip lining.

I contacted Kagay and they gave us the cheapest rate for this. Trust me when I say cheapest. It's P2050/each inclusive of the pickup from the airport, transfer to Dahilayan Park in Bukidnon, all ziplines, buffet lunch, expert rafting course, and drop off to the hotel. Good deal. This is way cheaper than renting a van, and pay for the individual expenses for rafting and zip lining.

Upon landing, I contacted Clint- a certified Kagay. He is already waiting for us outside the airport. Obviously, he was waiting for us.

Clint welcomes JGC with a big smile!

This Starex van will take us to Dahilayan Adventure Park. It's all the way in Bukidnon, about 2hour-ride from CDO. I dont know how to get here if you're doing this the DIY style.

After the rough road, we're finally in Bukidnon.

finally in Bukidnon

ready to eat huge pineapple

The view up to the park itself is breath taking too. It's evident this place was not affected by El Nino. For 3 days, we never mentioned our favorite phrase " Ang init!" We even wore jackets kahit tanghali na.

breath taking views on the way to the park

At 8am, we're already in Dahilayan Park. We still had the time to stroll around the area.

welcome to Dahilayan Park

brought to you by Zipzone

I wonder what will happen later.. Hhmm..

excited much!

We registered our group and waited for our turn. There are 3 ziplines here: 320m, 150m, and the 840m long zipline! This is the reason why we went all the way from CDO to Bukidnon: to experience Asia's Longest Dual Zipline. Wait, we're trying out all 3 ziplines!

Let's wear the proper gear then we're all set! Btw, Clint instantly became our photographer too. Nakatipid kami ng P1000 (Zipzone/the park offers a photo package for P1000- ang mahal!)

insured ako kaya no worries! Ü

First to try was the 320m + 150m zipline. Game!

super fun ride!

Super fun pero kinda bitin. Up next is the ultimate zipline. This ride will take us 800++m uphill, that's where the starting point is. Wee, ang taas!

the ride itself is already an adventure! it's for you to find out why.. Ü

Once in the starting point, the staffs made us wear the proper gear. It's different from the first ones we wore. We all look hilarious. Haha

Anyway, we all felt nervous at first. Seeing yourself 4,000 feet above where you will be launched is suicidal. Joke! Again, insured kami kaya no worries! *winks*

Actually you will feel helpless too once they already put you in your gear. Bubuhatin ka nila then itatali and all, hanggang i-launch nila yung ride. Helpless ka so just trust them, pray, and just ENJOY the ride!

scream for the 840m long ride!

we're flying very high and very long!

Super fun! You will have a clear view of everything down. The 2hr-ride to get to this park is all worth it! Na-enjoy naming lahat.

our big smiles show how exciting this ride is!

These zipline and rafting activities alone made our trip very enjoyable. Bonus nalang yung Camiguin trip.

Dahilayan Adventure Park
Brgy Dahilayan, Bukidnon
http://www.dahilayanadventurepark.com

Remember when I say this P2050 package is the cheapest? This comes with a free lunch buffet with overflowing iced tea at Mindy's.

what could be better than a lunch buffet after a tiring activity?

I'm very honest with food reviews, and Mindy's is one of the most sulit and yummiest buffets I've tried.

Everything they offer tastes good. Walang so-so or tinipid na ingredient.

We all agreed this is superb for its value!

satisfied guests

Big thanks to Kagay for their excellent service. Highly recommended.

Contact them in your future CDO trip! Ü

KAGAY
www.cdorafting-map.com
0917.712.2323 / dankaamino@yahoo.com

Up next: Expert (not just Advance) Course Rafting

Bawal ang Tamad. Lalong Bawal ang Tanga!

Better stop reading kung mababa lang ang standards mo.

It's just less than two weeks now and we have to cast our votes again. By this time we should have made our decisions, I just hope they are right and wise, or else another 6 years of same old same old things for us.

I never wanted Noynoy to be our president. Duh, need I say more? I supposed my readers are wise enough not to be carried away by his being Aquino and ABS-CBN's kinda biased broadcastings. Ü

Senators are the ones who make bills, and how many bills did he author & pass into law: None. Sana yung LABAN na lagi nyang sinisigaw, ginawa nya na or kahit sinimulan nya man lang sana.. 12 years kasi sya sa public service, 12 years of nothingness.. Sayang.

I used to like Villar, kakahiya aminin yan. His rags to richess story is inspiring. But then after all the lies, specially about his brother who apparently died in FEU hospital and not what he labeled "naranasan nyo na bang mamatayan ng kapatid dahil wala kayong pampagamot? wala kayong magawa?" that was a very foul joke against a dead person, specially kapatid mo pa. Kinikilabutan ako. Ang sinungaling ay kapatid ng magnanakaw, hindi ba? Not to mention the many lawsuits filled against him.

Gibo is fine with me but why did he personally chose EDU MANZANO as his VP? Now Im starting to think, is he really serious? hihi
I think he is good and smart. But I think there's someone better. Who wants to settle for less, right?

Upon watching many debates, interviews held by GMA7 and ABS-CBN, it's now clear who is the best man for the position, who deserves my vote.

It's GORDON.

Educate yourself. Bawal ang tamad, lalong bawal ang tanga!
Check out the Side-by-Side Comparison of the 2010 Presidential Candidates

Gordon deserves my vote indeed.

Wow Philippines. Sin City to Model City. Red Cross. Automated Elections.

10 Principles for Success in 2010 from Gordon
written by Lynda C. Corpuz as published in MONEYSENSE MAGAZINE

Asked how ordinary Filipinos can improve their lot in life, Sen. Dick Gordon, who has enjoyed a fruitful and accomplished life, shares his key principles for career and financial success:

1. Be ambitious. Umaasa tayo lagi sa tulong. Kahit anong hirap mo, you have to be ambitious. Being ambitious is not negative.

2. Have the right work ethic. Bawal ang tamad. Lalong bawal ang tanga. Manage by objective. Instead of a quick fix or instant gratification, practice delayed gratification. We should go for meritocracy. Hindi palakasan. Palakasan pa rin dito.

3. Learn a skill. Poverty is an absence of choice. That’s why you have to continue learning. You have to learn a skill. I never tell people “good luck.” I always tell them “good skill.” Be creative. Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa. God gave you skills. God will not help you if you don’t help yourself.

4. Work, save, invest, and prosper. You have to work. Address your needs but always save. Get into a business. Get life insurance or a personal accident insurance kung `yun lang ang kaya mo. We need a provident fund especially for our OFWs. We have 11 million Filipinos abroad. You put them and our people here in a provident fund, we can prosper ourselves. Combine GSIS and SSS funds and come up with a provident fund, just like what Singapore did. People have to learn to save something.

5. Help. Find extra time to help. Volunteer with the Red Cross. Kapag alam mong ginawa mo, bibiyaan ka. Helping others is a reward in itself.

6. Lead by example. The Philippines would improve if it elects a leader who can inspire, able to communicate by word and deed, provides a vision, extracts values, and displays integrity. Demand from your leaders. Ask for their qualifications. Look for their record.

7. Be independent. I had to fight big guys but I couldn’t tell my dad. He encouraged me to learn judo to protect myself. You have to learn to survive. You have to learn to stand your ground. Those guys who tried to bully me, I stood up to them.

8. Learn from your mistakes. I learn from my mistakes. I learn from other people’s mistakes. There’s only one thing I can never learn: to be overly materialistic. I don’t pay the media to cover me. I don’t pay for my press releases. If my being straightforward is a mistake, that’s a mistake I’ll keep on repeating.

9. Be assertive. We’re like makahiyas. We shouldn’t be. We shouldn’t be an adapting culture. We’re resilient but we don’t assert ourselves. We’re a happy people. That’s good psychology. We laugh at ourselves. We’re an accommodating culture. We shouldn’t be. We should live by the national anthem, by our oath.

10. Make fear your friend. During the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, I told myself we’re not going to allow ourselves to die here. I prayed, “If you’re going to take me, take me. Please though, don’t make me look bad as I lead.” You must make fear your friend.

And opcors, Bayani Fernando is my VP not just because he is the running mate of Gordon! Tama ng salita, gusto ko yung gumagawa!

The Change We Can Expect and the Change Already Proven (yan mahalaga)

I pity those people who say "I like Gordon (or any presidentiable) kaso sayang lang boto ko kasi di sya mananalo.." They actually sound stupid. For me mas sayang yung boto ko pag binoto ko yung #1 at #2 dahil lang sa survey o dahil sa lesser evil crap.
There are 50 million voters sa Pinas, not even 100,000 or 1 million persons (0.02%) are being surveyed. Just so you know, Bro. Eddie Villanueva leads in exit polls conducted for absentee voting held in Hong Kong last April 11.

Yes, voting is a right, but it's also a responsibility to study each candidate first before making a decision. Turo ng simbahan natin yan. Bawal ang tamad. Lalong mas bawal ang tanga! Ü

Take a Peak at Mt.Pulag

click here for PART 1.

Off to Camp 2. The trail is much better. I really felt I was in the middle of a forest. Temperature was colder too. Grasses and trees are green, unlike the trail I've seen going to Camp1, everything was brown and dry. I enjoyed trekking at Camp 2 more.

trekking inside the forest

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I requested to rest twice. I felt it's getting hard to breathe. Im OK but I dont know how long this walking would take so I need to conserve the energy I have.

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and more reminders for the trekkers

After an hour I think, I reached Camp 2! Woohoo! It's not that hard after all. I overcome the cold and hot temperature and the pagod, combined all together. More than the endurance, it's the will power to finish the climb is the key.

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Camp 2 - Woohoo!

The place is very foggy. All of us felt the fog passed us. Temperature dropped to 10degrees!

Everybody panicked when it started to rain. We haven't setup our tents yet. I just made sure my camera wouldnt be wet. Thank God the rain didn't last long, it only took 5 mins. Pinakaba lang kaming lahat. Hihi

All of us immediately setup our tents.

it's warmer to pinch the tents near the grasses

At this time I put on my 2 jackets, my gloves, and socks. I stayed inside the tent and slept for 2 hours. After experiencing to sleep in the open without any tents at all, I dont have any difficulties sleeping anywhere now. Ü

I woke up and dinner was being prepared. Everything was improvised. Galing!

dinner in the mountain

While waiting for dinner, all of us noticed the sea of clouds near the other end of the camp site. Amazing! I only see these when Im in the airplane! Also, all of us awaited for the sun to set.

sea of clouds

majestic sunset in the mountains

The temperature dropped to 8 degrees while we were eating. At 6pm it's already that cold. So after dinner I put another jacket which I bought in ukay ukay. Yung pang antarctica jacket na iniisip nating lahat kung sino bibili ngayong summer time. Well me! Hihi

I decided to sleep again right after dinner. I stayed warm under 1 shirt, 2 jackets, and 1 pang antarctica jacket. Im also wearing a bonnet, 2 mufflers, 2 levels of gloves, 4 levels of socks, and 3 levels of pants. Seriously, may ganito kalamig sa Pinas! I didn't use my camera too to conserve the battery. I wrapped it in a cloth, then put it inside a plastic, then I put it inside my bag. I heard everything gonna moist in the middle of the night, ayoko masira si Harvey.

Come night time, I still felt the cold but I didnt mind. I was asleep from 7.30pm-2am I think. Tagos hanggang buto yung lamig but I dont care, mas ramdam ko yung antok. Btw, the word GINAW is insufficient to describe how cold it became. CHILLING is the right word. My lower body, hands, and feet became numb. My friend Jacq and all others werent able to sleep at all because they got fever and headache. Well, I heard almost everyone in Camp 2 complaining about the freezing temperature.

At 3am we started to prepare for the summit climb. 1 of our groupmate decided not to pursue the climb at all. Eto pa, my 2 flashlights batteries got drained! Omg, how am I gonna reach the summit with the steep trail without any light?! Good thing BJ and Rina helped me. Thank you talaga. You are very kind. Pati Gatorade mo shinare mo sakin. Sweet! Hihi

The trek to the summit is the hardest I think. Aside from I dont have a flashlight (dahil jan mga 10x akong nadapa), the temperature is very cold, mas nakakahingal na yung trek, at nakakapressure na umabot sa summit before the sun rises. Sukatan ng endurance and I think will power to reach the summit on time.

Thank God we reached Luzon's highest peak on time! My victory shot while wearing the hilarious levels of clothing. Ü

my first summit shot!

Okay, laugh out loud. I look funny and wasted. Haha But I dont care, Im having fun on top! Ü
Few minutes later, we finally saw the sunrise. Wow, ganito kaganda ang sunrise sa bundok!

Majestic!

who ways it's lonely to be on top?

It was a very fulfilling moment for all of the climbers specially those who took the killer trail, it took them 3 days of trekking to get on top. Whew! I may not understand their passion for mountain climbing pero saludo ako sa kanila. This is not easy.

big cheers to the mountain climbers!

Haay, the worst part is walking through that same trail again to go back. Kakapagod na adventure indeed. Wala bang giant slide pabalik ng Ranger station? *winks*

Now meet my new found friends: Mt.Pulag edition.

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Jacq, Me (unattentive), Rina, Bj, Ms.Tata, Sir Cheeks, Ms.Joy, and Ms.Pam

Nice meeting all of you. Im lucky kayo nakasama ko for this climb. Nabusog ako sa dami ng food! Ü

And opcors, I wont leave the summit without making a memorable shot. Since it's too risky to do a jumpshot, I thought of something else. I removed the layers and layers of clothing to feel the breeze on top of Luzon's peak. Tagos hanggang buto na lamig! Astig!

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summer breeze on top of Luzon's highest peak
3rd highest mountain in Pinas
mind-freezing temperature with nothing but 1 level of clothing
palakasan ng trip! ♥

At Zero Degrees and Beyond

Have you noticed I included some more items in my To Do List? Pano naman 1st quarter palang of the year, almost half of it are done already. Since I wanted to challenge myself more, I included some items that are never planned at all.

One of these is mountain climbing. Im really not a fan. I admit Im never interested to do this. Last year I started making trips which are way out of my comfort zone - like Anawangin, Nagsasa, Capones, Pinatubo Trek, Sagada, and DIY Calaguas. Surprisingly, these trips are the most memorable and awesome adventures I ever had. Then maybe I should also include mountain climbing in my list. Probably I will also have another awesome experience.

my most viewed travel entries

To make it more exciting, I chose a place where the temperature becomes ZERO DEGREES. Oh yeah, freezing level coldness. Interesting, may ganyan kalamig na lugar sa Pinas! The mountain's name is Mt.Pulag. It's in Benguet.

Mt.Pulag is the third highest mountain in the Philippines. The highest peak in Luzon. Acdg to http://www.pinoymountaineer.com's entry about the Philippine's highest mountains, Mt.Pulag (2922m) is only 34m short of Mt.Apo (2956m)! Had I known these facts earlier, I would choose a not so high mountain for my first ever climb. Ü

This blog always promotes Do It Yourself trips, ayoko ng package. Those are only for people who dont have time to plan and research. Planning and researching are part of the travel, just so you know. But when I found out that it is way cheaper if you travel with a group, then it's time to join a group. Yes, I availed a tour package provided by Tripinas. They charge P3500 for an all in package but I think it's still expensive. But anyway since wala namang akong camping equipments, hmpf gola na!

Our group met in cubao and after we're introduced to each other we headed to the bus station. We arrived in Baguio at 5am. Kung dati "ngatog" ang mararamdaman mo, ngayon keri lang walang jacket. Mainit na talaga kahit saan. The rented jeep awaits us. This will take us to Benguet.

the ride to Pulag

Climbers must register and be briefed first at DENR station. We attended a short orientation here.

ready ka na ba?

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andami palang mountaineering groups

After that, roadtrip ulit. Zigzag roads are fine, what I dont like is the rocky and dusty road. Jeepney windows are closed too kaya ang init. It's diffucult to breath and at the same time I felt like Im eating all the dust (artsy mode).

Finally after many stopover, we reached the ranger station. This is the drop off point for the Ambangeg trail. This is the easiest trail. Ambisyosa naman ako if I take Akiki "the Killer" trail.

ranger station with many climbers

After eating lunch provided by Tripinas, I changed my outfit for trekking and put some SPF70 sunblock provided by Ms.Joy. Sosyalin mga kasama ko. They are classmates in Spanish class. Sir Cheeks had a watch with a built in temperature and altitude reader. Sowsyal (social) climbing it is! Ü

Btw, porters are available for only P250 per way. Yes I availed it kahit magaan yung bag ko. I dont want my back to suffer after this weekend.

meet the lady porters

Gulat ka no? Yes, babae ang mga na-assigned saming porters. Kakaawa na sila magbibitbit ng bags namin pero at least I helped them earn money that day.

trek to Mt.Pulag is 7.5kms

Sounds easy but bare in mind this is not a flat surface. This is uphill climb. Inferness, for the last 3 weekends, I did some biking and running for preparation. Tara let's trek!

The view is gloomy. Forest fires are everywhere. The mountains are brown not green. The rivers are dry. Effect talaga ng El Nino. Sadness.