Mt. Balagbag (Baguio feels!) and Otso-Otso falls

It was 4th of July and the weather was strikingly bad. Yes! A storm called "Egay" has been producing rainfall but these adventurous feet of mine wants to go out and search for an adventure, it's been a long time that I wanted to go for a solo hike at Mt. Balagbag and chase after the waterfalls nearby and I think this is right moment but not alone. After researching what are the possibilities of going there even when raining, I decided go on with my friend.

We were at Jollibee tungko exactly 6:00am for meet-up and breakfast as well then, after 30min. immediately proceeded to Jeepney Terminal bound to Licao-Licao. It was 30-45min. ride that will take you to Licao-Licao or the Jump off point for Mt. Balagbag and Mt. Maranat. From there One may take a tricycle or do a 30min. walk all the way through Sitio Balagbag Health center where every one must register and pay 10pesos.

Sitio Balagbag Health Center

Paved road from the start of Jump off 

After fixing everything at the center we started walking to a muddy, rocky, slippery and steep trail. having a guide is not necessary because Balagbag trail is wide that you can just follow the trail all the way to the summit and asking the locals is a big help when in doubt which way to choose. I don't know if everyone will agree with my opinion but the rain help us not to get tired easily because it gives a good cool atmosphere with a baguio feels on the side, since there were fog in the whole trail. Several times that we had to stop because the trail was filled with flowing water and some parts were zero visibility as we go up. Then, after almost 1 1/2 hours we finally saw the so-called red gate which is a sign that we are near the helipad or the summit of Mt. Balagbag. It has a gate since the Helipad is a private property; according to the caretaker it was owned by the Robes (somehow related to Bulacan's Congressman) that's why we have to pay 20pesos to get our way to the Helipad. For 20-30 min. you can reach the summit or the Helipad. It was really like a Helicopter may land into that space but One thing disappoints us upon getting there; Thick Fog all around the summit and we were not able to see the great Sierra Madre mountain range which the mountain has to offer and also the view of the whole Metro Manila. It was cold, Foggy and a little rainfall in the Helipad that gives us a feeling of being at Baguio or La Presa or somewhere in the Cordillera Region. I am thankful that it wasn't a sunny day when we get there because Mt. Balagbag has been a victim of Illegal logging and some trees were used to make charcoals that's why it must be a terrible heat experience if not with the rain, but still I can't contain that feeling of incomplete when everything that we expect to see has been covered by Fog. There's nothing we could do but enjoy the atmosphere and the quietness in the summit, I take the chance to make a deep breath and feel that soothing breeze upon my face while praying to the one above and saying everything I had inside. I can feel that peace, serenity and Tranquility for that moment since all I can hear is the wind, humming of birds and the howling of trees. Maybe that's the only consolation that we get by hiking there with less crowd in the mountain, it feels like we own the place and we can roll into the grass if only it's not wet. Instead of having sentiments with the Fog we just had our snacks at the resting place or the "Kubo" within the summit and immediately descend by 9:45am.

Next to our destination is the falls nearby which is located near the jump off and the health center. It is called Kaytitinga falls or known by the locals as otso-otso falls. Some hikers opted to do river trekking going there before hiking to Mt. Balagbag. We chase the falls through a signage "Way to Kaytitinga Falls" beside the store, We asked the local how can we get there and said that we only have to follow the trail and we'll be there 10-15 min. I can say that the trail is somehow easy but becomes difficult because the rain that makes it slippery. We don't know where we were heading to, we just follow the trail and the sound of roaring flowing water and Boom! We were surprised to what have welcomed us. That gushing sound of water that cascading from a higher part or should I say looks like a series of falls going to the river plus the cold atmosphere. It was really a perfect hiding place; I call it a hiding place since it looks like hidden from the trees and again we are the only person in the place. Next thing I know is we were climbing the stones just to get to that cascading water and it was cold but so refreshing. I couldn't help but thank God for that kind of unexpected experience :) :) :) As much as we want to stay there for longer hours we have to packed up and go since the weather in unpredictable the running water might be harmful if it gets stronger, so we have to say goodbye and head back to the trail going to the jump off.
At exactly 12:30pm we were at the jump off, make use of CR first and fix everything then Go Home.

My Friend starring at the view from one of our stop overs

Panoramic shot from the Helipad 

Photo Ops again!

The Helipad

Playing with the Fog

that almost zero visibility trail

My Favorite spot

Path near the helipad

Where I say a little prayer

I love this Photo

Famous Red gate

The lonely tree

Creepy

Trail going down

Fog!

Sorry for this part :( We were not able to capture the whole cascading falls. We just had a few from a certain portion.

trying to get a good photo

down to the river

Envious! hahaha

Most of us will come to a point in our lives that we don't understand everything that's happening to us, we get disappointed to those goals that we didn't accomplished for a specific time, we get anxious to what might happen for tomorrow, we overthink little problems in the family, we regret the opportunities that we lose because we didn't try and we are always afraid to take one step forward to our dreams. Those will bring us down and might lead us to a state of being stagnant. I, for one, will attest to this kind of struggle but what makes me different from other people who are in the same situation? It is by Breaking the Chains. Yes! We can always revive our spirit, refresh our minds, regain our energy, revitalize our heart and rebuild our dreams; It is by finding some source of energy in travelling. I decided to go hike at Mt. Balagbag this time to break the chains; It is not my first time to do hiking but it is a memorable one because my heart was filled of never ending questions. but being alone in the summit and taking a deep breath seems like relieving every burdens I had inside. This may not answer all my questions in life but it gives a feeling of peace and serenity which I really wanted. Also, to escape from a chaotic and fast paced environment I had everyday in the City and more importantly to appreciate life together with its imperfections; Because just like the mountains, our lives sometimes will be facing rainy days which includes slippery path or maybe our struggle to reach the summit is like reaching for our dreams. It maybe tough and might need to face different obstacles like big rocks, walking to the grassland and steep trail but in the end it was all worth the risk. I am encouraging everyone to look for some nature tripping once in a while and discover more about yourself by being one in nature.