Hiking Talk #18: Mt. Daraitan - Tinipak River Limestones

MINOR CLIMB| Mount Daraitan sits near the border of Tanay, Rizal and General Nakar, Quezon and is at the heart of the famous Sierra Madre mountain range. There are two peaks that connect the beauty of Daraitan. The peak one which is the most visited, stands at 739 MASL and is marked with a mounted flag pole up on the summit. The peak two on one hand is the smaller mountain that stands below the river of the well known, Tinipak.

The Mt. Daraitan "peak one" was first made open to public as an ecotourism site late year 2012 and today, the mountain is among the top visited and day-hikable mountains near Metro Manila. A model of ecotourism that offers outdoor attractions and viewpoints such as limestone formations, springs, natural fresh pools and caves. The barangay officials organised a systematic handling of tourist, an indicator of a spot suitable for ecotourism, including hiring of trained, courteous local guides.

HIKING
Hiking in the honor of our country's 117th Independence. The trek starts at the Brgy. Hall of Daraitan. First up, arrange/secure a local guide, attend a 5-min-orientation and mind setting activity. A tough start of hiking the trail is mostly straightforward, an ascent of 600+ meters.

Few minutes after heading from the start, a steep trail challenges those who are not used to regular hiking.
However the trail is covered with small trees, well maintained plains; and plenty of rest stops. Daraitan has rewarding limestone viewpoints and offers a more challenging two to three hours of hiking (Ascent). There are two camping grounds up to the summit (sad to say, no water source yet) for a night stay.

At the summit,there is a mounted flag pole, thus marking the highest point of the mountain. From thence, one may experience the peaceful view of the mountain ranges of Sierra Madre at the East/ North-east side and a wide glimpse of Laguna de Bay as well as the figure of eight Daraitan river right below. Moreover, if keen enough, distant mountains like Makiling, Cristobal, Banahaw, Sembrano and Tagapo are visible on a clear sky.

From the summit, take the trail route leading down the Tinipak River (1-1.5hrs hiking). I suggest you may take a dip. It is such a favorable side trip after climbing Mt. Daraitan. Tinipak river's highlight include the beautiful limestone boulders and the warm fresh natural pool; a popular camping site; and a place and avenue suitable for caving, spelunking, swimming and rock climbing. Almost 90% of hikers take Tinipak river as a last stop after any other to indulge into the warm natural pool of Tinipak.

TRANSPORTATION
EDSA-Shaw Blvd. Take jeepneys bound to Tanay, Rizal (59php), 1.5-2 hrs traveling time.
TANAY Terminal. Take jeepneys directly bound to Brgy. Daraitan or via Sampaloc (26php), 45mins
SAMPALOC to Daraitan. Hire tricycle going to Brgy. Daraitan(Hall); 3 pax/tricycle (300php) 1 hr.

FEES
Environmental fee- 20php/pax
Guide- 500/dayhike (summit-tinipak)
         - 1,200 overnight
           *maximum of 10 pax/guide
Tinipak River Fee- 20 php

  MT. DARAITAN/ TINIPAK PHOTOS

ITINERARY 

I don’t post any detailed itinerary because I believe such should be experienced by nobody else but you, yourself. General time frame in every stops are shown in the transportation and hiking part of the article.

Queen city of the south:Top five historical landmarks | Cebu "Sugbu"

SUGBU| The Queen City of the south. The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu island. It is the first Spanish settlement and the oldest city in the Philippines. Cebu is the Philippines' main domestic shipping port and is home to about 80% of the country's domestic shipping companies.

HISTORICAL LANDMARKS to visit:

Magellans Cross | Magallanes Street, Cebu City

The Cross was rooted on April 21, 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan. This marks the spot where the first Christian Filipinos, Rajah Humabon and Queen Juana and about 400 followers were baptized by Father Pedro Valderama. In 1525-1740, the Augustinian priests built an open shrine for the cross. However, the locals began to chip off the cross believing it had miraculous power. To salvage what has remained of it, a kiosk-like structure was built as protection. Innovation has been made to the minimum and at present, a hollow cross made of “Tindalo” wood stands to incase the original cross for further protection and preservation.

Fort San Pedro | Plaza Independencia, Cebu City

The fort was named San Pedro, most probably, in honor of Legaspi’s flagship. Fort San Pedro is the smallest and oldest triangular bastion in the country, which was built in 1565 and completed over a century and a half later. The original structure of Fort San Pedro was temporarily built in such a way so as to provide immediate security from the presence of the Spanish expedition encamped within the shores of Zugbu (Cebu). It has also witnessed the different changes, struggles, and wins Cebu had gone through over time although inevitably, much of it was destroyed during the Japanese occupation when it served as a prison camp.

The present fort, a triangular structure of stone and mortar overlooking modern Cebu’s busy port, was rebuilt in 1835 to protect the Spanish settlement from pirates and marauders who used to plunder coastal villages.

Capitol Building | Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City

It was first built in front of Plaza Independencia , under the realm of the Filipino Revolutionist in 1898 and American Military in 1899. The seat of the Provincial Government is of pre-war vintage and has the undulating mountains of Cebu as its background. Majestic and imposing its high dome, the Capitol was designed by Architect Juan Arellano (1936) and it was relocated geographically along Osmeña Boulevard. Seen as a replica of the United States’ White House, it is one of the many beautiful capitol buildings in the country, constructed in 1937 under the administration of Governor Sotero Cabahug.
“We cannot leave to our posterity the legacy of a life without difficulties and struggles. If we do, we would develop a weak and impotent nation, unfit to survive by its own strength and courage.” -- Sergio Osmeña, Sr.

Lapu-Lapu Monument | Mactan Shrine, Lapu-Lapu City

The monument is dedicated to Lapu-Lapu, the first Filipino hero which stands inside the Mactan Shrine facing Magellan Bay. Lapu-Lapu is considered as the greatest fighter in Philippine history because he was among those who rejected foreign power. He was the chieftain of the area during his time, and defeated Ferdinand Magellan, the leader of the Spanish fleet, in the famous Battle of Mactan.

Taoist Temple | Beverly Hills, Cebu City

Taoist Temple is a concrete reminder of the well-established Chinese Community in Cebu City who has contributed much towards the industrialization of Cebu. The temple was built around 1964 and is a classic example of Chinese architecture which houses the teachings of Lao-Tse (600 B.C. Chinese philosopher). Everyday tourist would climb its 81 "stair steps" (representing the 81 chapters of Taoism scriptures), light joss sticks and have their fortune read. Today, the structure depicts Chinese architecture shared to Philippine culture.

Experience Cebu!

Cebu's famous souvenir shop.

City of Cebu

Dakbayan sa Sugbo

Lungsod ng Cebu

Ciudad de Cebú

A travel to Argao "town of famous torta" | Cebu

 

CABECERA de ARGAO| a town down south of Cebu. It was once a fortified Spanish pueblo or town designed according to the Spanish Crown’s blueprint for its settlement in the colonies. The town center, used to be enclosed by rectangular high walls made of coral stone that has a four main gates located on each side of the perimeter. At present, two entryways still exist. In addition, other main structures that remain of Argao’s wall pueblo of the 1800’s include the San Miguel Archangel Church, Capilla Mortuario, Casa Real and the “paso” or processional courtyard.

Having been to the coastal town, there are beaches everywhere, vast rice fields, as well as varied fishponds in some areas.

Places to visit Argao:

 

Municipal Hall. An ancient looking structure where public business affairs are officially and legally conducted.

Town Plaza. A simple accommodating lawn with white stone benches, with free wifi connectivity as somewhat one of the freebies for visiting their place. You could update your status while sitting on the benches which more often than not, every traveler does. I, for one have done so!

St. Michael’s Church. The square stones that make up the exterior walls still have the traces of the tools that were used to shape the boulders around the building. The bell tower is beautifully preserved, still functional and is yet at its best amidst the test of time. Surely a proof of great filipino artistry and handicraft.

Argao Nature Park. 

An ideal avenue for nature lovers. One may prefer to "chill out" by sitting on the benches, while nibbling on snacks they brought, and merely enjoying the breeze.

However, if you prefer to move around and be active, well,you might want to experience the "short" zip line (with it's height and length safe even for children above 10 years of age at 20php only. It’s a brief trip from the top of the trees to the other side of a man-made lake), or wall-climb and row a boat, all at a budget-friendly cost.

With a meager entrance fee of 5php you can aready explore the park, dine in their kiosk cottages and take a glimpse of some wild life.

Alex Kafe. A simple antique restaurant near the church, it exudes a feeling of an old house with a high ceiling with antiques such as paintings and drawings hanged on the wall. Eye-catching objects such as an old and rusty sewing machine, shelves full of old books and albums from the 80's, a used laver which I believe used to be the trend during the old eras, and many other antiques are on display. When the witty attendant was asked of, she proudly claimed their Halo-halo to be one-of-a-kind, and thus their specialty along with the popular “torta” in town.

How to get there:
Catch up buses bound to Oslob or Dalaguete from the South Bus Terminal. You can choose between a non air conditioned(78php)or airconditioned(86php) bus. Traveling time takes 1.5 hours.

SNAPSHOTS

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”