Beach Bumming: Pagbilao's awesome Kwebang Lampas

Looking for a nice beach? Well, laying at the heart of Quezon is a pristine beach known as Kwebang Lampas. Though it requires a lot of challenges to unravel it's beauty, it is still infamous to many. In respect with it's previous owner, Lukang Cove serves as the beach's other name while boasting it's white sand, clean and clear water, and it's serene location.

Kwebang Lampas is truly a magnificent destination to escape the scourging heat of the sun. Though undeveloped, as it don't shelter any commercialized hotels nor offers accessibility, surely this destination deserve not just an applause but also an appraise!

Named after literal meaning of two popular Filipino words, kweba and lampas (which means cave and passes through, respectively), the place highlights it's main attraction, a cave.  Passing through the other side of the cove, the cave of Kwebang Lampas is a short tunnel-like that shelters rock formations that adds to it's beauty. Though sharp rocks could be risky, those parts don't just serves as an entrance to the cave, but also, a good snorkeling spot for those who are afraid to go far. Rich in underwater biodiversity, the said spot won't just offer you a view of some fishes swimming around, but also a big school of tiny little fishes that rally to a single spot making the same look like a smoke underwater.

What to expect in Kwebang Lampas?

Kwebang Lampas is a type of beach which preserves the concept of being "non-commercialized". Though, there is a sari-sari store, paid comfort rooms and fresh water for wash up, still the those mentioned are merely small ways for the caretakers to have other means of income. Since non-commercialized, it will cause a problem to those INflexible travelers. From comfort rooms which are not so comfortable for some, to the wash up area(the ecological version of the shower room) wherein one can take a bath after a long queue inside a room of leaves-made-walls using your purchased 5-6 gallons of fresh water. But merely, those are just small sacrifices to escape the complicated world back in the polluted city. 

Just like other beaches, Kwebang Lampas offers a variety of activities. Though, unlike with the common beaches, such are limited to activities that does not require facilities and technological equipment, like camping, beach bumming, swimming, snorkeling and alike. Some considers the Kwebang Lampas as an additional destination to their Quezon Province's island hoping, which includes the other famous beaches/island, such as Borawan island and Dampalitan island. 

Getting there

Lucena bound buses can be seen either in Cubao or Buendia Taft. They can drop the bummers to Lucena Grand Terminal, where they can take jeeps bound to Pagbilao Town proper. From there, look for Pagbilao Market terminal. Alternatively, as per other bloggers, Naga or Legaspi bound buses can drop the bummers straight in the Pagbilao. However, the con in this option will require the bummers to take another ride, a tricycle this time, to Pagbilao Market terminal. 

In Pagbilao Market Terminal, there will be jeeps bound to Brgy. Polo, which such are to take. Ask the driver to drop you at Kwebang Lampas near Power Plant. From there, it's either a long walk or tricycle. The end of the road is a pay parking area for private vehicles with lots of coconut trees, and a small lake surrounded by mangroves. From there, bummers should take a 3-5 min. boat ride  to cross the lake. Then it's trekking time(suggest to wear endurance sandals and not the typical beach slippers). 

The trekking will begin with an astonishing view. Then, take left and enter the forest. It will be a slippery trek for rainy days and not to mention that there are rocks that your beach slippers won't hold tight if you step to it, thus kindly follow the suggestion mentioned. A 15-20 min. walk will bring the bummers infront of the gate whereas payment/fees will be collected. 

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1

06:30 Assembly time

07:00 ETD to Lucena

11:30 ETA Lucena Grand Terminal, take jeep bound to Pagbilao

12:00 ETA Pagbilao, Lunch

13:00 Take jeep bound to Brgy. Polo

14:00 ETA drop off point from jeep, start walking

14:30 ETA Mangroves Lake, rest a bit

14:40 Cross the Lake via boat

14:45 Start Trek to Kwebang Lampas

15:00 ETA Kwebang Lampas

18:00 Cook/Prepare Dinner

19:00 Dinner/Socials

Day 2

06:00 Wake up call/Cook

07:00 Breakfast

11:00 Prepare Lunch

12:00 Lunch

13:30 Wash up, prepare for depart back home

14:30 ETD for Home

15:30 ETA Brgy. Polo (last trip to Pagbilao leaves at 16:00)

20:30 ETA Home

Mountaineering: Mt. Batulao, the rocky mountain of Nasugbu!

"What a sight!". Who would dare to disagree? Every visitors of our featured destination will surely be awed to her jagged peaks' beauty, Mt. Batulao. Known by mountaineers as a mountain of beauty, ease and accessibility, Mt. Batulao has gained fame and became one of the most visited hiking destination in Luzon. Just three to four hours travel from Manila, she has reached her peak of popularity, not just to experienced mountaineers, but also with people who would first time try to dare the extremes of the outdoor activity called mountaineering.

Mt. Batulao offers her best scenery during rainy seasons, wherein one can view the vast of cogon grass creating a lush green mountain and trail serves as shallow curving. Indeed, anyone can say, it's a natural work of art. Standing at any high point of Mt. Batulao, the said scenery can be viewed. Adding the gentle breeze of the wind and the sound of dancing grasses, surely, every soul will be relaxed.

Mt. Batulao has two faces, the Old and New trail. Although, both offers a package of experience, views and challenges, the variance of flavors are distinct. Old trail offers the spice one searching for, as it's final leg are composed of much steeper challenges. While, the New trail offers sweetness of wider ranges of scenery since one will have to pass the ups and downs of the ridges.

Technicalities in trekking Mt. Batulao

Mentioned trails are classified under different levels. Old trail, having a spice of a challenge, falls to a higher difficulty level.

Old trail:

Jumpoff: Evercrest Golfcourse, Nasugbu, Batangas

Difficulty: Minor Climb (4/9)

Trail Class: Class 1-3, with 60-70 degrees assault

New trail:

Jumpoff: Evercrest Golfcourse, Nasugbu, Batangas

Difficulty: Minor Climb (3/9)

Trail Class: Class 1-3

What to expect in Mt. Batulao?

Mt. Batulao, is a rocky type mountain. Evidenced by it's jagged peaks, Mt. Batulao shelters mainly cogon grasses and expect less trees. Though, trees are present in some areas in Old trail, still, the majority of the trek exposes the hikers to the sun on a day trek. Estimated at 80-100% exposed to exhausting heat, trekkers should be prepared to keep themselves hydrated.

Technically, the trekking starts from a community, few minutes away from the Evercrest entrance and from the opposite direction of the Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega. Although, one may opt to ride a tricycle up to the jumpoff, walking is advisable to those with tight budgets. 

The jumpoff will surely give the trekkers a nice warm up, as the beginning of the road is already an inclined one, unpracticed and inexperienced trekkers might consider catching breaths. Continuing will be a wide road that passes through some residential houses, where some are selling "halo-halo", while some offers horse ride services. Once the road narrowed down, an inclined trail symbolizing the beginning of trekking along the peaks, meaning ups and downs, needs to be passed. Nipa huts will be present, and one of them is a landmark of the Old and New trail branch.  

Trekking the Mt. Batulao's Old trail

Taking the slightly descending path at the left, leads the trekkers to the Old trail. Passing a farm land of root crops, the atmosphere will change once the mango trees are reached. A creek that is active during rainy season will be seen and shades will tenporarily available up until a resting station with a residential house that is selling softdrinks, at a high price ofcourse! Continuing, the trekkers have to walk a the sides of the mountain. These trails, leads to the next landmark, the Old trail's campsite. At some point, the campsite will be visible, but it may disappoint the trekkers as the mentioned could still be a long way walk. 

The creek with a bridge is a symbol that the trekkers are already at the foot of the campsite, and also a sign to catch breaths as it will be a continuous ascend. Then, it's campsite. Trekkers have to pay a fee to the caretaker of the Old trail. 

The challenges of the trekkers of Mt. Batulao's Old trail does not end in campsite, as the real challenges begins after the mentioned. From the campsite, it will all be ascending trails, and the higher the trekkers reach, the steeper the trail will be.  Though tough to pass, this part serves as the viewing deck of the Mt. Batulao's Old trail, though nothing compared to the summit, truly rewards one's effort. There will be three levels of challenges, Campsite to Camp 8, Camp 8-9, and Camp 9 to Mt. Batulao's summit.  Camp 9 to the summit, being the steepest, boast the spice of a 70 degrees trail. One may opt to use the rope, but suggest to boulder by hands and just use the rope as a back up. Rapelling using the rope to go down is much easier.

Sightseeing in Mt. Batulao's New Trail

Trekkers will have to go straight to take the easier trail, the New trail. However, the challenge here does not come in risk, rather exposure. As the trail is wide open to the sun, trekkers taking this path during day trek will surely be exhausted fast. Cliffs on both side, the positive side of openness of the trail will be given to the trekkers via eyes' vision. The wide range of view, surely compensates the exhaustion. Though, the ups and downs trail that passes through slopes, peaks and ridges could already be grueling for some.

Campsite of the trail lies at the foot of Peak 8, but like the Old one, the challenges does not end in there. The trekkers should pass by the narrower ridges and much steeper trail with around 50-60 degrees inclination.

Summit of Mt. Batulao

The summit of Mt. Batulao offers a wide range of 360 degrees viewing deck. Viewing Maragondon, Mt. Talamitam, Nasugbu Coastline, Calatangan, and Balayan from North to South via East and Mt. Maculot, Taal and Tagaytay in West, one's effort is more than rewarded. 

Getting there

Buses bound to Nasugbu that can be found in Coastal Mall will drop the trekkers infront of Evercrest Golfcourse. Others, may take any ride going to Tagaytay where jeepneys bound to Nasugbu can be found. Same thing, these rides have same drop off point with the bus. 

Fees other than fares

Both campsite of the Old and New trail collects a fee of Php 20.00 each for passers or campers, thus, expect to pay double if ones are planning to take a traverse.

Suggested Itinerary:

Day 1

10:00 Assembly at Coastal Mall
10:30 ETD to Nasugbu
13:00 ETA Evercrest, Take packed lunch
13:15 ETA Jumpoff/Start trek to Old trail
15:00 ETA Campsite/Start Assault
16:00 Summit
17:00 Start Descend to New trail
18:00 ETA New trail campsite/Set camp/Cook
19:00 Dinner/Socials

Day 2

06:00 Wake up call/Cook
07:00 Breakfast/Break camp
08:00 Start Descend
09:30 ETA Jumpoff/Head to Tagaytay for sidetrips