5KM Swimjunkie Open Water Challenge Camiguin 2026
Following a memorable 2KM open water swim in 2024 (post here), I returned to Camiguin last May to take on a longer route - a 5KM swim starting from White Island back to Somewhere Else resort on Agoho...
View Article2025 Year-end Hike in Mt. Manabu, Yet Again!
It has become an annual tradition for my brother and I to do a quick year-end hike on the very last day of the year. Fortunately, Mt. Manabu in Lipa, Batangas makes this possible for us. Since my...
View ArticleMorning trip up Mt. Moiwa, Hokkaido | Japan
This was my first trip to Hokkaido in northern Japan, and I really wanted to visit at least one mountain. But traveling close to Winter season, with bears actively on the hunt for food and me going...
View ArticleMt. Bizan Day Hike (Otakiyama route) - Tokushima | Shikoku island, Japan
Of late, I've developed a preference for short trails - ones I can start later in the day and finish in five hours or less, giving me more time to enjoy other things. One such hike is Mt. Bizan in...
View ArticleJapan : Spring Hike in Mt. Tsukuba (筑波山)
Starting from my base near Shin-Koiwa Station, I took the train to Akihabara, then transferred to the Tsukuba Express for Tsukuba Station in Ibaraki prefecture. Just outside exit A4 is bus stop #1, the...
View ArticleHoly Week Hike 2025 - Mt. Makiling (via Mariang Makiling trail)
Before 2020, Mt. Makiling, a dormant volcano in Laguna was one of favorite day hikes. The trail begins at the UPLB campus (trailhead here) and leads all the way to Peak 2, the summit at 1,090 meters...
View ArticleFamily Trip in Don Salvador Benedicto & San Carlos, Negros Occidental |...
It’s only January and 2025 has just begun, but our family trip to Negros for my younger sister’s wedding is already the highlight of my year.at Lion's Park Viewing Deck, Don Salvador Benedicto,...
View ArticleNunobiki Herb Garden, Reservoir & Falls Hike | Kobe, Japan
Just a few minutes from Shin-Kobe Station is the trailhead to Nunobiki Falls—an easy 30-minute hike. From there, the trail continues toward Mts. Maya and Rokko, a route that takes 6-7 hours to...
View ArticleSolo Hike up Dragon Jaw | Sapa, Vietnam
After work, I decided to check a hiking spot I found on Google Maps, Dragon Jaw (Link here). From Sapa town, I walked 1.2 KM to Ham Rong Park (Note : From Sapa church, just follow walking directions...
View ArticleReunion Hike - Gulugod Baboy in Mabini, Batangas | Philippines
Last weekend, I reunited with long-time friends and org mates from my college outdoor club. Since most of my companions haven't hiked in years, we decided on an easy trail where the travel time is...
View ArticleGoing up Mt. Fansipan by Cable Car | Vietnam
Mt. Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest peak at 3,147 MASL, has been on my hiking list for quite some time. Located in Lao Cai province, 9-kilometers of Sapa town where most travelers stay, it promises...
View ArticleMy 1st H20Man Experience in Pico De Loro Cove 2024 - 4KM Open Water Swim
As part of our 2024 ender, my sister and I joined another open water swimming event! Coincidentally, the venue, Pico de Loro Cove is the same place where I nearly drowned more than 20 years ago, while...
View ArticleAutumn Walk Uji, Kyoto | Japan
Two days after my first visit (Post here) I made a return trip to Uji to explore more. This time, I took the Nara Line from Kyoto Station to JR Uji Station. (Note : Uji is also served by Keihan...
View ArticleAutumn Hike in Mt. Hiei - Shiga to Kyoto Prefecture traverse (Nov. 2024)
From Tennoji in Osaka, I made my way to JR Hieizan-Sakamoto Station, a 20-minute walk to the trailhead. (Link to station here). Along the way, I passed a popular attraction in the area: the Anouzumi...
View ArticleAutumn Hike in Nara, Japan - Kasugai Primeval Forest to Mt. Wakakusa...
Kasugai Primeval Forest, a protected area and part of UNESCO's Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara, offers a glimpse into Japan's ancient ecosystem. With hunting and logging prohibited since AD 841, its...
View ArticleMts. Palhi & Redondo, Dinagat Islands
It was quite a journey from Siargao to Dinagat Islands (1 hour trike from General Luna, 1.5 hr boat ride to Surigao City then another boat to San Jose pier) but thankfully, we got to Dinagat islands...
View ArticleHiking in Sulu - Bud Dajo
The next day after our hike in Bud Tumantangis (see post here), we headed to Bud Dajo, another historically significant mountain in Sulu. Its crater was the grim site of the First Battle of Bud Dajo in...
View ArticleHiking in Sulu - Bud Tumantangis
Sulu has been on my bucketlist since 2017, after seeing its highest peak, Bud Tumantangis (811 MASL) while on a boat to Tawi-Tawi. As it was not safe to hike at the time, I just parked it on my wish...
View ArticleReturn Trip to Cebu - Mt. Naupa (Naga)
While waiting for my next project to start, I flew to Cebu to join my friend Gid for coffee and a short hike to Mt. Naupa, a timely breather from all the things that went on in my life that September....
View ArticleReturn to Mt. Arayat (Pinnacle to South Peak traverse)
Welcomed September with a hike up Mt. Arayat. This time, I joined friends who I haven't seen in years - Gid, Carlo, Cha, Christian & FR - plus 2 new ones, Diego and Choi.2008 was the first time, I...
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