Bundok Series (Pandemic Edition: Mt. Balagbag fast changes every after lockdown)

This will gonna be a long and somehow an updated guidepost. For I've visited Mt. Balagbag few times starting from a month before the announcement of Lockdown series up to this Pandemic time.

1st Part: Feb 2020: 1 month before announcement of Community Quarantine

Hiking in the middle of the cold season would be the best way to be in Mt. Balagbag. I've been there several times at different times of the day. And this would be my favorite I guess. We went there at noontime to be able to witness the good sunset. Mt. Balagbag is an open trail that you have to endure scorching heat when going there in the middle of the day. But Jan - Feb would a good exemption to avoid those times. It was a combination of sunny/windy/cloudy hikes that you won't even care if the sun is at its peak hour. We started around 3:30pm and get to the summit by 5pm. Just the right timing of the sun settling down. It was so surreal and definitely want you to come back for the same sightings. 

What's the downside of this time of hiking? It is when you get there without any service vehicle. by the time that the sun has come down. It is also the time that you have to rush going back to the jump-off to be able to get the last trip of Jeepney. If you don't mind the time hustle of going back home. Then, It was a perfect day for you.

2nd Part: January 2021 - Mt. Balagbag (New Trail: SJDM Boundary) GCQ status

Since Proclamation of different community quarantines starting March of 2020. Mt. Balagbag among with all mountains and tourist attractions in our Country has closed its doors for visitors. Then, It came on Jan 2021 that on GCQ our Tourism economy slowly opening its doors with new safety protocols. Having different trails, Mt. Balagbag has new regulations based on boundaries. Only residents from Bulacan, can go hike and use the newly open SJDM, Bulacan Trail; And Only Rizal Residents can also use the oldest and famous easiest trail. Having long break from the mountains, I was thrilled to know that I can now go to the mountain once again and will experience a new trail which they said to be a more real mountain hiking trail than the old one. And so I did along with my companions which also residing in Bulacan.

It was just a gloomy day and with all the thought that it would be as easy as the old trail. We started in all excitement at the set up registration desk at Sitio Karahume. It also serves as the jump-off for SJDM Dumagat Trail. Environmental fee and getting a guide is required though the payment will depend on your generosity since they don't require floor or ceiling amount for the dumagat local guide from the community. Now, I must say that this was a surprising trail. We didn't expect it to be that exhausting since we're quite comfortable with the old trail. It was like having to experience once again going to Mt. Maranat. River trail, forest, rock boulders, tall grasses and unli assaults. Considering that it rain the night before we get there. It was a tough comeback hike I guess. We started walking before 7am and get to the summit by 10am. We weren't prepared for it. And so we have to make several stops and rest. 

From the summit, I noticed several changes. Like we can no longer get close to the famous 3 crosses for it was in the side of Rizal trail. But what's interesting is that. The mountain seems to have experience a good rest too. For almost a year without a visitor, the smell of grass has been so good. you can also spot greener area where it use to be bald side a year ago. It has generated new breeze that's too refreshing and welcoming. But thinking of going back in the same trail make us exhausted. No other choice but go down quickly as possible since we don't have any food brought for lunch. We were all speechless from that tiring day when we get down. It was a tough comeback hike that I had muscle aches for 2 days. 

3rd Part: July 2021 -Mt. Balabag's Old Trail (Rizal Trail with New Regulations) GCQ Status

What's good to do during Holiday and still cannot booked a flight or go on a touristy destination? Then, just a day in a near mountain would suffice my hunger for travel. This time, Rizal Trail is accessible even for non-residents. As I'd like to know what are the new regulations we go all the way at the old trail. It was heavily raining and not advisable to go over the mountains but we insisted anyway, for we want to get home by Noon. Upon arriving at the Jump off or at the Health Center, they will immediately ask for environmental fee and tell you that guide is now required even you're not new to the trail. Having familiar with the old trail, I noticed few changes that wasn't good for the mountain. There were sightings of back hoe and bull dozer. Our Guide said they do not know if the local government is doing another trail for bikers or they were really destructing the original form of the mountain to make it a man-made attractions(an overlooking site). The locals totally opposed it. It can be a big cause for soil erosion and landslide that might greatly affect those living at the foot of the mountain. Even the water flow might be a mud-like that cannot be use for drinking. Some of the sold lands also become resort and wellness facility. Changes might be good as it is a sign of growing economy, but destructing the natural form of the mountain might bring harm later on. Going back to the trail, it was foggy with a drizzle of rain up until the summit. there are no clearing until we going down. But that does not hinder us not to enjoy the place. As I was saying from previous part, lockdown is a good breather for nature to regenerate. So it was a picturesque scenery even in presence of rain.

I don't know if this Pandemic series would be continuous. I hope not, that means We can now go back to normal. That I don't have to check first if there were crowds when we getting there. As of the moment, May we all take precautionary measures when going to the mountains. Keep patronizing local tourism first for it might also a big help to the community, especially when there are tribes affected in the area.