Blogs from Benguet, Philippines, Asia

I came to train. I got more than what I had bargained for. A friend and I suddenly decided to climb up Mt. Pulag in preparation for our Everest Base Camp trip (yes, we are preparing even if it's just the base camp). It is the highest peak in Luzon and 3rd highest in the entire Philippines at 2,922 meters above sea level. Upon learning from another friend about an open climb (2 days on Labor Day), we registered without a blink. And a great decision it was. The Trip With 36 other strangers, we embarked on this 2-day journey through a 7-hour bus ride to Baguio City. From Baguio, 2 jeepneys took us to the DENR Visitors Center and Protected Area Office in Ambangeg, Benguet for registration and an orientation. On our way, we passed ... read more

This trip was actually done about three years ago when I was still a tourism professor in UP-AIT. I had some students experience the beauty and adventure of Mt. Pulag National Park with me. If I had it my way, I would have brought with me about 35 young souls, but the trip was a voluntary one, just open for those who are interested to climb the highest mountain in Luzon and experience the cold and refreshing views of Mt. Pulag. The nature of the mountain is a combination of mossy forests and grasslands dominated by dwarf bamboos. You either camp on a grassland or in the forest edge which actually looks like a well-landscaped garden filled with colorful wild flowers. We made the good decision to camp in the latter and saved a lot of ... read more