Lalay Fuster

Capping off midsummer with a mysterious mountain! ✨ I first encountered Mt. Susong Dalaga in Batangas way back 2018, another one in Talim Island last 2019, and from this spot in Montalban this year! 💚 Yung totoo? Nasaan ba talaga ang original Mt. Susong Dalaga? 🙃

Mt. Susong Dalaga in Montalban stands 325 meters above sea level. ⛰️ Compared to other peaks I climbed early this year, it's way too low vis-a-vis Batulao, Naupa, and Kandungaw ranging from 600-950 MASL. It's (significantly) easy, so I consider it as my 'cool down hike'. 🤭 T'was very relaxing, to the point that I had bonding moments with plants, insects, and snails. 🌿🐞🐌

We didn't witness the sea of clouds from the summit, but got sooo amused with the gradient of the mountain range! 😱 From a distance, one can see how the colors of the mountains change to different shades of green and blue. 🤩 Perhaps it's a distinct sight in Montalban. Hence, the town is named as such because it's surrounded by mountains. ⛰️ So this could be the start of "bundok crawl". 🤪

At the peak, I tried to sneak inside a mysterious hole and dared to ask if I can fit there. 🤔 Of course, no one seconded that wild idea. 🤯 Our guide Kuya Wally suggested he'll go down and take our photos from that spot. But I was the first to jokingly dismiss it, "Hindi ka po namin kaya i-rescue pag stuck kayo diyan!" LOOOL! 🤣

We started the descent, passed thru the 'bamboo stage', and rested in a station where other friendly kuya's shared their harvest of bananas for FREE! 🍌 And it's my favorite rare type! Yaaay! 🙌🏻 On top of that, they allowed us to hand feed HANDSOME, their pet dog who likes fruits. Such a cutiepie! 😍

The peaks of South Cebu are literally my 'kapitbundoks'. ⛰️ From my 'second home' in Alcoy, 🏡 it only takes an hour habal-habal ride to the jump-off point. 🏍️ Given the proximity, I went on a 3-in-1 day hike for the first time last April to celebrate my 33rd year atop the 'awesome threesome' Buwis Buhay Peak, Kandungaw Peak, and Sunset Peak. 👌🏻

The 'Buwis Buhay' experience is narrated in the previous post, 🙃 so now I higlight the main attraction which is Kandungaw Peak. ✨ It stands around 950+ meters above sea level and the Philippine flag is its distinct landmark. 🇵🇭 Perhaps it's not as nerve wrecking as Buwis Buhay Peak, but still looks like it. 😆

Luckily, very few hikers went when we were there. 🙌🏻 Without pressure, we stayed up for quite some time to marvel the 360° view and the breathtaking mountain range. 🤩 From Kandungaw Peak, you can see vast greenery from the barangays of Dalaguete; 🌿 while the other side features famous places from West Cebu such as Badian, Moalboal, and Pescador Island. 🐠

After taking unlimited photos from the summit of Kandungaw, 📸 we continued our trek to Sunset Peak. 🌅 Since this is the best place to camp, it once again dawned on me that I should have brought a tent! ⛺ From this side, the hills resemble the ones in Bohol. 🍫 Also, overlooking this spot is the Island of Negros, both Occidental (Bacolod) and Oriental (Dumaguete). 🌊

BAWAL PA-FALL: Ultimate #LessonLearned sa Buwis Buhay Peak! 🤣 Ang ibig ko sabihin, BAWAL MAHULOG! 🤪

Buwis Buhay Peak is one of the main attractions of a day hike to Kandungaw Peak in Dalaguete, Cebu. ⛰️ The name is self-explanatory because it's the ultimate challenge for fear of heights! 🙃 Thankfully, I passed the test and managed to sit by the cliff! Yaaay! 🙌🏻 My knees were OK, but my right hand was shaking for the first few seconds! 😅

⛰️ Kandungaw Peak & Sunset Peak 📍 Dalaguete, Cebu 🎥 LF

Mt. Naupa, you're my most random adventure ever! 😍✨ After sending my mama and tita to the airport, I decided last minute to hike. IKR, that's sooo random! 🙃 My Mt. Naupa experience is also one for the books because of my series of firsts! ☝🏻

#FirstTime to hike this mountain located in Naga, Cebu. ⛰️ The drop-off point is just an hour away from the city proper; hence, that explains why all of a sudden I went on an escapade. 😏

#FirstTime to climb solo (not with a group), but with a guide. 🚶🏻‍♂️🚶🏻‍♀️ He was surprised to see that I'm on my own, but I was also surprised when he thought I'm only 26 years old! Hihi! 🤭 Though the Bisdak guide is younger than me, perhaps he didn't expect my pace so he ended up with cramps. Super sorry! 😅

Mt. Naupa is not for the faint hearted. Literally! 🫀🫁 #FirstTime did I feel my heart beat and lungs work like crazy! 🤯 Pushed my cardio to the limit because I cannot afford to miss the amazing sight! 🚨

#FirstTime to catch the sunset from the peak! 🌅 I'm used to hiking at dawn to watch the sunrise. For a change, I tried to trek at dusk and it was sooo rewarding to see the sky like BORAHAE! 💜

Mt. Naupa has 360° view. 🤩 So if you're a sun chaser, its peak offers the best of both worlds. 💯 I was so tempted to go overnight; but judging by the looks of the natives, they were like, "No tent? Are you OK to be homeless?" 😳 So as not to scandalize them with my 'random cowboyness', 🤪 I just descended and reached the jump off point accompanied by the night sky. 🌌

⛰️ Mt. Batulao 📍 Nasugbu, Batangas 🎥 SP X LF X IB

Every mountain has its own charm, but it's most stunning during the golden hour. 💛 Luckily, I witnessed that magical sight atop Mt. Batulao last February. 😍 I'm not noob to hiking, but climbing it for the first time is nevertheless special. ✨

True to being "maiden mountain" of my 33rd year, the beauty of Mt. Batulao remains unbeatable among the peaks I conquered this 2023. 💯 As a noctural orophile, trust me when I say that an early morning hike is always worthwhile. 🙌🏻 Lack of sleep, 🥱 cold sweat, 🥶 uncertainty caused by darkness, ⚫ plus the danger of rolling over a cliff 🙃 will all be outweighed by a jawdropping view from the summit. 😍 The best part of my Batulao experience is threefold: 👌🏻 waiting for the sunrise, observing the sky change its colors, and seeing the jagged peaks light up. 🌄

⛰️ Mt. Talamitam & Mt. Apayang 📍 Nasugbu, Batangas 🎥 SP X LF

My taste buds were revived in Bicol region! 👅 After the #foodtrip in Naga, I can absolutely attest that it's one of the best go-to places for a superb gastronomic experience! 🙌 From breakfast, lunch, merienda, dinner, even after-party drinks, Naga got you covered. 💯

Though I'm not a #certifiedfoodie, here are top 5 recos you #MustTry from the province that taught me to appreciate flavor at its finest! 😋

1. CASA SORIANO’S PINANGAT, KINUNOT & AUNTIE’S CHICKEN. Abundant with coconut, 🌴 it’s not surprising if most of Bicol's best dishes are gata-based. When in Naga, I tasted "pinangat" for the #firsttime. Made of ground fish 🐟 wrapped in layers of gabi and seasoned with gata, it tastes best with lemon zest! 🍋 Another famous local dish is called "kinunot" served with either shark or stingray as its meat. You can also spice up your meal with Auntie’s Chicken. 🍗 Not your ordinary roasted chix, the heirloom version in Casa Soriano is distinct, perhaps because of its special stuffing. 👌

2. MANG KOK’S KINALAS. Oozing with flavor, “kinalas” is Naga’s better counterpart of Iloilo’s batchoy and Batangas’ lomi. 🍲 Its luglog noodles 🍜 loaded with beef 🐮 will surely power up your day. 💪

3. IBALON’S CRAFT BEER. Named after characters from a Bicolano legend, Ibalon craft beer 🍻 ranges from Sili Beer (Handiong), India Pale Ale (Baltog), Pale Ale (Bantong), and Coffee Chocolate Stout (Oriol). With highest IBU and ABV, Baltog's my fave; coz the bitter, the better! 🍺 Yet nothing beats the perfect fiery combination of Sili Beer and Tofu Sisig! 🔥

4. BIGG’S PLATTER. My stomach reached its limit but for the sake of completing the #foodtrip, I still tried Bigg's platter of chicken poppers, cheese sticks, and french fries. 😉 Maybe I'll just visit the branch in Fairview to try their bestseller chicken! 😁

5. ICE BLINK’S HALO-HALO. Roaming the streets of Naga under the sun is especially rewarding when there’s halo-halo waiting! 🍨 Topped with leche flan, ube halaya, and 2 flavors of ice cream, Ice Blink’s halo-halo mix is refreshingly not-so-sweet, that’s why I like it! 👍

P.S. The year-end Naga escapade won’t be possible if not for the 3rd wave promptings of my fella #teambuilders Ivy and Pat. 😄 Cheers to more amazing travels in 2020! ✈

My recent trip in Naga marks my 2019 last hurrah! 🙌 A year-end escapade to Bicol Region is totally unexpected; but among its provinces, Naga deserves to be visited. 👍

In this quaint “Pilgrim City” sits Our Lady of Peñafrancia whom they lovingly call “Ina”. 💙 Despite sleepiness 😴 caused by the 11-hour bus ride, my senses are wide awake and I went straight to the basilica where “Ina” resides. 🙏 Bigay pugay muna sa Nanay. 🌷 Ehehe! Also located within the metro are parishes in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, and St. John the Evangelist Cathedral. ⛪ True to being a “Pilgrim City”, these beautiful churches are situated blocks away from one another to the point that you can complete many sets of Visita Iglesia in just a few hours. 😁

Moreover, I learned that it’s part of Nagueño tradition to tour people around their different pilgrim sites. Special shoutout to my ever-supportive mentee Tina and her super game Tatay, I also had the chance to marvel at churches located outside the metro. 👌 Fighting my tendencies to be Google-dependent, I’m listing the names of the places we went to the best of my memory: 💡 Magarao, Bombon, Quipayo, Calabanga, Hinulid. 📍 Hope I got them all completely correct! 💯

Ofc, I cannot put aside my adventurous side! 😁 As if it’s always a requirement, I made sure that a trek is part of my itinerary. 🏃 Ehehe! In as much as I want to climb Mt. Isarog, my closest encounter with this active volcano is limited to its foot (or maybe toes). Ahaha! 😂 I initially wanted to go to Malabsay Falls, but it's closed on that day. ❌ Thanks to the natives living in that area, they were quick to give an alternative: Baby Falls. 💦 Tina and I braved into the unknown and passed by typhoon-caused obstacles, until we finally made it to our destination. 💪 The falls is small and it’s friendly for the not-so-tall; so we didn’t hesitate to take a dip because it’s not so deep. 🏊 Yup, it’s a really cool experience! 😎

P.S. From water drips to side trips, I’m absolutely grateful to the Moneda’s who welcomed me into their home 🏡 and for an amazing roam! 🚗 Happy to meet the #fambam! 😊 Sa uulitin po! 👋

It’s January 1st and it’s just fitting to write about my series of firsts in Bacolod. ☝ But first and foremost, HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎂 to my partner-in-crime and travel photographer Sidney Perez with whom I share this journey INTO THE UNKNOWN! 🙌

Going to a place for the #firsttime is equally daring and exciting. When in Bacolod, I experienced getting lost in translation; 💭 but never lost in my adventures. 👌 Without specific order, here’s a list of my top 5 ✋ #firsttime awesome and notorious explorations in the land of the Negrenses.

1. While trekking to Dumalabdab Falls, two blood leeches tried to suck my (precious but fake German) blood. 😂 Lapitin pala ako ng limatik. Ehehe! Tbh, I find it amusing how they got into my skin without me getting hurt. 😱 Sidney had her share after the trek and she realized it when we were already inside the van. 😛 Though it caused us panic and paranoia, I guess blood leeches complete the experience! 💯

2. Waking up significantly early to catch the sunrise 🌄 isn’t foreign to us, but finding our way up a small hill in La Castellana – without a guide – is an achievement! 💪 As expert buzzer beaters, we made it to the conference center in the nick of time. 🚨

3. With a strong bias towards our choice of coffee, we went to Duyan Café in Silay for the view and not for a drink. 😝 Also located in Silay is Negros Natural Park. 🌿 Ironically, it’s a protected area yet we legitimately trespassed because not even a single soul’s guarding the place. Oops, sorry not sorry! 😜

4. Western Visayas provinces are geographically close to one another; so from Bacolod we crossed Iloilo via ferry. 🚢 From the port, we went straight to Miag-ao with 3 jeepney rides. Yup, that’s the straightest route I’ve ever known! 😳 But the adventure of our random crossover exceeded our expectations: we didn’t catch the ferry going back Bacolod. 😅 That unprepared overnight is absolutely unforgettable and we’ll always be indebted to the hospitality of Amparet Ledesma and Baking Pison. Salamat gid! ❤

5. Where to next: Guintubdan, La Carlota. 📍 Back in Bacolod, we powered up with coffee for one last adventure. 🏃 To go up the “bukid” of Guintubdan, we rode a bus to La Carlota and transferred to a jeepney. While waiting for other passengers, we were told that’s the last jeepney ride to Guintubdan and there’s no return trip. 😢 Sounds like a repeat of our Iloilo escapade, but this time we can’t afford another random overnight. 😅

My Hiligaynon comprehension 💡 was challenged because I had to haggle with tricycle drivers to bring us to Guintubdan. Already resigned due to rejections left and right, I ate ice cream to cool my head. 🍦 When we reached the plaza, a certain “manong” recommended to us Ronald (Weasley), a teenage tricycle driver and a native of Guintubdan. YEAH, HEAVEN SENT! 😇

We arrived the “bukid” 4:30pm, trekked to Busay Abaga with our tour guide Manang Veronica, and made it back to the campsite minutes after sunset. 🌅 On our way home, we were rewarded with overripe guyabanos and a beautiful sight of the night sky. ✨

P.S. Not a fan of the limelight, I intentionally published the 2-in-1 post close to midnight. 🌝 Guess there’s no harm if my greeting’s a bit late because we’ll still enjoy FREE LATTE at a later time. Cheers! ☕

Iloilo is the home of devout Catholics who take pride of their beautiful churches. ⛪ Parishes from Molo and Jaro are gothic and romanesque-inspired with St. Anne and Our Lady of Candles as its patrons. 🙏 On a separate trip, I visited Miag-ao's very own UNESCO heritage site, Santo Tomas de Villanueva Parish which is known for its baroque architecture. 👍

With a perfect mix of history and modernity, Iloilo has also preserved and renovated its historical structures. An Ilongga friend (ehem, Leah May) told me that Molo Mansion used to appear like a haunted house, but now it has been transformed into a one-stop cultural site x Kultura store. 💯

Apart from its wide variety of tourist spots, the Iloilo experience is incomplete without a #foodtrip! 😋 Thanks to a random "manong" we met along the River Esplanade, we discovered Kap Ising's original Pancit Molo. 🍲 Netong's La Paz Batchoy 🍜 is also another #MustTry original, but don't leave Iloilo without satisfying your seafood cravings in Tatoy's! 🐟🐙🍤 Namit! 👅