MT. BATULAO: My Third Journey towards Nature

When life gets you down just look up and realize how beautiful it really is.

Friday night. 7:00pm. That's the only time I've decided to join my third climb, few hours before the meetup time. At first, I doubt because it will be my first climb with my newlyfound bestfriend to join a climb we just found through Facebook. And everything was all worth it. Happiness doesn't have to be expensive, and that's proven with this climb, with this mountain, and with my new friends.

Just like any other climb, it is expected that most of you don't know each other and you have to sort it out on the climb itself. We first met at the Coastal Terminal, with a call time at 4:00am. Due to excitement, like any climbers, Jonel (the man on green) and I arrived at the meet up place at 3:00am. We are the earliest birds among the earliest, and we won headmasks/headgears from the organizers. As first timers on the group, it really made me feel so welcomed. I bet few climb organizers think of this kind of idea to welcome their newbies.

From Coastal Terminal to Nasugbu, Batangas, it almost took 2 hours before we arrived at the main road entry to Mt. Batulao. The mountain is a gorgeous one just like the others on its surrounding, the Mt. Maculot (wherein according to Lyke Basilio, the highest mountain if straightened), and the Mt. Banahaw, which is visible from the summit. Before we start the climb, I was asked to lead the prayer and bravo, let the expedition start. 

Mt. Batulao, being my first minor climb, is not as hard like my previous climbs. "Puchu puchu climb" as I described it, because of it's easy trail on the way to the campsite compared to my previous ones. And during that time, it is the anniversary of the "New Trail", which makes the date more memorable. Mini stores are scattered along the way, offering Mountain Dew, Lugaw and the most dominant of all: Halo Halo. 

One of the best views on Mt. Batulao are the campsites. It looks like a tourist area designated for picnics. It is even comfortable to camp because all amenities we're available: from toilet (which was spoiled by my friend Jonel Bedano), a mini store, and benches. We arrived at almost 1:00 in the afternoon, giving us more time socializing with my fellow campers. 

Photo Credit: Joanna Peralta

One of the best part of an entire climb is the "socials" as they call it. It is the time when the group gathers together at night and have the opportunity to know each other. I can say that among my climbs, this is the best socials I've ever had. It was a great bonding after all, we introduced ourselves one by one, and all we did was laugh til midnight. We are being accompanied by clowns, of course led by the organizers itself, Ace and Rainier, as well as Jonel "The Kubeta Man". We we're also accompanied by Vhong Navarro (female version), Jessica Sojo, Gideon (of Pinoy Mountaineer Org), 2 Dermatologists, 3 rich kids (who left their cars at Silang Cavite), That's My Tomboy title holder, A Betch, the man who can walk without slippers and his loved/liked one Anne (sorry for dropping name), our chef Mimay, and of course, the Derek Ramsey of the group. All I know is we all had a great social, each and everyone of us. One thing I learned about this social is that the title "Mountaineer" is not applicable in our country. We are called backpackers. 

Breakfast time!

On our way to the summit, we we're surprised by various actors who also climbed Mt. Batulao such as Christian Vasquez and Nonie Buencamino. Now I know why traffic is heavy on the way to the summit. 

And of course, the best part was reaching the summit of Mt. Batulao. The view almost made me feel speechless. Good thing there is clearing during that time, so you can really appreciate the view from the top. You can even see the Prayer Mountain on its side, the Taal Lake and Volcano as well as Mt. Maculot. We spent almost an hour for photoshoots. 

It was all worth it. And that's what you call a climb. Every climb doesn't have to be expensive. Happiness doesn't have to be expensive. EXPERIENCE needs not to be expensive. And this is what this climb is all about. This is just the beginning of a new journey with the group. Til next climb!