During the time when I had this intense thirst for adventure, my friends supported me by planning weekend getaways with me. But because of the superstition that graduating students are more likely to be in danger, we couldn't go on hikes or beach trips.

Luckily, we found out about The Cabin Resorts (and their ongoing promo at that time).



Located inside ELCOR Compound at Brgy. Pinagbarilan in Baliuag, Bulacan, The Cabin Resorts is just the perfect weekend escape for people who just wants to be somewhere with family or friends. Also perfect for those that got fed up with life and just wants to be somewhere peaceful. 

We discovered this wonder on Facebook last August. They had this promo wherein guests can reserve the place for P5,500 (for 6 pax) if booked on or before August.

[caption id="attachment_868" align="alignnone" width="720"] This promo already ended but check their FB page for their latest ongoing promo 😉[/caption]

I got really excited when I saw the photos of the cabin. It looked very cozy and very photoshoot-worthy.

Chillin' at The Cabin

We reserved for the first weekends of October. We were fortunate that they still had weekend slots when we booked. (As of 10/9/2017, their weekend slots are fully booked.)

We planned to meet at Cubao around 12nn so we could arrive in Bulacan by 2pm. But, yeah, sometimes plans remains just as plans. 😑

From Gateway Mall, we walked for about ten-minutes (or probably more) to Five Star Bus Terminal. We rode a bus to San Antonio and got off at Tarcan, fare is P71 pesos. At Tarcan, we rode a tricycle to ELCOR Compound. The tricycle fare is 10 pesos per person. It took around 2hrs to arrive coming from Cubao.



The Cabin is only a short walk from the ELCOR gate. We passed by the restaurant and other resorts inside the compound.

[caption id="attachment_948" align="alignnone" width="3264"] There's the cabin 😍[/caption]

We arrived at the cabin around 5PM and was warmly assisted by the caretakers. They told us we could order food from the restaurant until 8PM. They left a copy of their menu inside the cabin (which I wasn't able to take a picture of  😞) for our reference.



Anyway, just a warning, the food on their menu are mostly putok-batok. We ordered Lechon Kawali, Tapsilog, Chicharon Bulaklak (cravings satisfied! ❤️), Sisig, and the only ~healthy~ food from their menu, Chopsuey. The prices range from 150-500 but their servings are good for sharing. They also have individual meals which are the silog meals that costs less than 100.



The second floor of the cabin is the bedroom with 1 bed and 2 mattresses (each can fit 3 persons). There's a cabinet near the window where they put extra blankets and pillows.

[gallery ids="932,931" type="rectangular"]

Because we were busy with our photoshoot, we didn't get to use their karaoke and kayak. But we really enjoyed the free two buckets of beer and the sound system.

Things you can do during your stay

• Play games (bring board games, cards etc.)


• Movie marathon (their speaker is really nice though their tv is quite small)


• Karaoke (you can sing all night if you wish)


• Kayaking


• Catch fish? (my friend was able to borrow a fishing rod, we caught a tilapia but we put it back on the lake)


• Swim (you can swim anytime but it's a separate fee of 250 per head)


• Photoshoot! (yep, it's what we did!)


• Stay up late and share scary stories (this was unexpected but, yeah, we did this until 3am)

[caption id="attachment_959" align="alignnone" width="2000"] Millenials of the Cabin! So happy to meet new friends <3[/caption]

Some notes that could help

• We read on their FB page that bringing of foods isn't allowed. But based on our experience, I don't think they really mind those food that you cant order from their restaurant. For foods that need to be put on boxes (pizza etc.) just try to ask them before going there.


• Bring snacks? During our stay, we got hungry around midnight but since their restaurant is already closed, we had to get out to Tarcan (where we got off from the bus) to buy snacks.


• Take note of the inclusions on your promo. We had to pay for the bottled softdrinks and bottled water from the fridge, and coffee that we consumed. They cost 10pesos each.


• Their regular weekend rate is P7500.


• The cabin can accomodate up to 10pax. But since the rate is only for 6pax, extra persons pay 1000.


• We contacted them through FB so I dont have their contact nos. They don't respond immediately though.


• They have a gallon of drinking water and extra utensils on a table out in the terrace.


• The cabin is really cold unless you don't use the aircon.


• If you're coming from Cubao, I suggest you go there at around 11-12nn.


• Your trip back to Cubao may require you to stand from Tarcan to SM North. There are buses to Cubao that pass by Tarcan but most of the time, there are no more vacant seats. So, just prepare your legs.


• Total amount I spent for this get away is around P1700.

Expense breakdown:

• Transportation (from home to the cabin and vice versa): 268


• Cabin (5,500/6): 917


• Food (this will depend on your orders and your squad's agreement): 250


• Pool: 250

Well, I guess staying in the cabin is quite pricey, but just keep on checking their FB page for ongoing promos and giveaways!

[caption id="attachment_925" align="alignnone" width="4160"] And this is me looking stress-free. Wishing I could stay in this cabin, again 🙏[/caption]

If you wanna see the shots of our photographer friends, click on the links below. You can also book them if you need photo/video services.

Sean Amador - Flickr / Facebook / Instagram

Kat Teodosio -  Facebook / Instagram

 

September had been tough. School, work and a spontaneous trip to my hometown in Bohol (no, it's not for a vacation). Thankfully, the squad was also too busy to go on a trip for the month because, yknow, FOMO.

Anyway, the plan to go to Mt. Tagapo started when Tin sent a blog post about it on our group chat. And our stressed out selves made this an inspiration to get through the following days. Also, Tin and I had this big fantasy for talahib shots, we were determined to finally achieve it.

The plan started out with about 20 people (or more), most were Tin's blockmates. Then, the week before the hike, we were left with 8. But, the trip must go on!

Mt. Tagapo

Talim Island, Laguna de Bay
Major jump-off: Brgy. Janosa (Talim Island) Binangonan, Rizal
LLA 14.32° N 121.23° E, 438 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 1-2

Source: PinoyMountaineer

On October 2, around 6-7AM from (everyone's favorite meet up place) Cubao, we left for Pritil Port in Binangonan, Rizal. I kept thinking how bad it was that there weren't any port near our place since Laguna Lake is only a few steps away from my house and Talim Island is just across the lake. Sighs 



After waiting for other passengers,we finally left for Talim Island. The boat ride went on for about an hour or so.

We reached Brgy. Janosa at around 10am and started climbing once our guide was available.

[caption id="attachment_600" align="alignnone" width="3264"] Bamboo Trail[/caption]

The trail wasn't so difficult which explains why the mountain is recommended for beginners.



Although some parts of the trail were shaded, it's still best to keep your skin protected against the sun.

[caption id="attachment_596" align="alignnone" width="5184"] This is me in my natural habitat (according to my very nice friends)[/caption]

Before proceeding to the summit, we first ate at the campsite. There was a tree that provided shade for those who want to rest.



Even before we arrived at the campsite, we already encountered the talahib trail which made me squeal because, Finally!



We found the perfect spot to take our ~meadowy~ shots on our way up the summit.



The trail to the top was surrounded with grass. It can get really itchy if you don't cover up. The guide told me that there would be some time in the year that they would burn or cut up the grass.

Not really sure of the burning part, but years ago I saw some part of the mountain burning from my bedroom window. Yes! My room has the best view in the house.  It was around 7-8 at night when I noticed that there was like a patch of orangey red on the mountain. I thought it was a accidental wildfire so I was like, searching for the news about it that night. Anyway, the guide said it usually happens around holy week when the mountain would be crowded.

[caption id="attachment_590" align="alignnone" width="3264"] Hi Kuya Sean![/caption]

Once we reached the top, we were able to see 360° view of Laguna Lake. It got a little cloudy though that's why the surrounding mountains and land wasn't clearly visible. I wasn't even able to use the binoculars which I borrowed just to see Sucat from up there.



From the top, you could see the fences of the fishponds on the lake. They looked like stitches to me.

We didn't get to spend too much time on the top because it looked like rain clouds were on their way to us. Once we got back to the resting place near the campsite, we started taking our talahib shots.

[caption id="attachment_690" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Jin&Tin © Sean Michael Amador[/caption]

[gallery ids="696,695,694" type="rectangular"]

[caption id="attachment_691" align="alignnone" width="2048"] We'll release our movie, someday. © Sean Michael Amador[/caption]

After taking our group picture, we started our way down. Once we were back at the base camp, we freshened up and ate merienda from the lugaw stall nearby. It tasted good enough for its price.



We took the boat going back to Pritil Port  around 4PM. We were able to witness the sunset as we traveled through the lake. Too bad, my phone wasn't nice enough to let me take nice sunset shots.

On our way home, we weren't sure where to find the jeepney going back to Manila, so we walked from Pritil Port to the nearest fast food chains. We planned to eat there but there were too many people. Anyway, we walked somewhere to find where the fx/jeepneys would be but we really couldn't find them. So, we took a tricycle to the terminal of the FX going to SM Megamall. How doid we fit 7 people in a tricycle (excluding the driver, ha)? We had Kuya Sean sit on the very front of the sidecar :)

I totally recommend this hike for those who want to get a quick escape from the stressful Manila life with a low budget. P500 would be the safest budget for this. Excluding food and other stuff, the total expenses for the fares, registration and guide took not more than P300 for us.

Please watch this video taken and edited by Kuya Sean :)

https://youtu.be/2QVtF99alhs

 

 

[caption id="attachment_689" align="alignnone" width="678"] When you want to hike but also pass your exam for the next day :) © Sean Michael Amador[/caption]

An irrelevant side story (but I still want to share because I think i'm such a genius)

Like I said, September had been really busy for me. I was trying to pull my grades up to pass Finals, especially in my Economics class. So, the week after this hike was our Final exams week. Because I had to work in the afternoon, I really didn't have enough strength to study anymore at home. Yes, that's why my grades were not up to my standards :(  But I really wanted to be in this trip, so I studied my Econ while on our way to Mt. Tagapo. I was memorizing the Agrarian Reform Law while on the jeepney and boat and then, I was reciting it aloud on our way down.

Anyway, I'm so happy I managed  to pass the semester :)