On ATTACK’s 12th years of outdoor hikes and cross-country mountain biking, experience another mountain biking challenge this coming December 5, Sunday at Gran Europa, Cagayan de Oro City – the Mountain Madness 11. For the 16-kilometer bike trail, riders will come across different challenges from touring rough roads, riding on single tracks and creeks, and stunning view while descending from green hills! Be part of the event and join the fun! For more details, visit ATTACK official website.

Hope to see you there! Let’s ride the fun!

This time, standby pahuway ’sa kadali si bike as this summer’s quite different yet exciting as I’m heading to Central Mindanao to join the Mindanao Food Appreciation Tour / the 1st SoCCSKSarGen Summer Safari.

Last May 29 at 3AM,  fellow CDO Bloggers Jovelyn, Rubelito, Edward, Venus, Eldie, Elva and Michael were already at C7 convenience store in Divisoria. I was a couple of minutes late from a college reunion but we managed to leave CDO at around 4 and enjoyed the whole morning in Bukidnon’s long and winding road.

Along the way, as we enjoyed the overlooking views, the left rear tire unfortunately caught on a shallow but rough hole in the road causing its edge to jagged a bit and got flat. Fortunately, the surroundings were cool enough for us to take pictures. Chiq and the rest excluding Mike, went on ahead and reached Seagull Resorts, some meters away from where we had a flat tire. In less than an hour, we managed to go back on the track as we descend from the cozy Bukidnon to the warm Davao.

We headed to RANCHERO GRILL for lunch and of course, meet Davao Bloggers.

The Davao leg of the Mindanao Food Appreciation Tour was highlighted by a meet-up between Davao and CDO Bloggers at Ranchero Grill. - brendelbalaga.com | Photo by Lyle Santos

We introduced ourselves as others already have known each other from the previous meet-ups and events like the recent Mindanao Bloggers Summit held in Cagayan de Oro. While having our conversation, we also enjoyed the delectable foods served at RANCHERO such as these restaurant’s bestsellers – Seafood Vegetables, Isda sa Miso (Tiyan ng Bangus), Karagatan, Pinapugon na Liempo, Ranchero Ribs, Garlic Chicken, Seafood Kare-Kare, Seafood Platter, and Pancit Canton.

When you visit Davao City, don’t miss to try out RANCHERO GRILL located at Tionko corner Arellano Street. Pwerteng lami-a gyud sa mga pagkaon!

After lunch, together with Davao bloggers, we took an aircon bus, then traveled 3 hours to the highly-urbanized General Santos City. One caught my attention as I gazed the wide beautiful plains is the majestic Mount Matutum as its imposing cone shape dominates the landscape of General Santos to Koronadal City.

Ice Castle Experience will open soon. Experience the luxury while staying in General Santos City.

When we arrived at GenSan, a van took us to the hotel, thanks to MAYOR JUN ACHARON.  We stayed at ICE CASTLE EXPERIENCE, the newest hotel in General Santos that will open SOON! We’re very grateful to the owner REY BILLENA for ICE CASTLE EXPERIENCE to be the official home of the participants of SOCCSKSARGEN BLOGGERS’ Soccksargen Summer Safari from Cagayan de Oro and Davao Cities.

Not far from the hotel, we headed to PACMAN SPORTS BAR. We had a great time playing billiards, looking at awesome pacman items and posters, sipping drinks, enjoying the mouthwatering cheese sticks, tasty garlic chicken, and the one I couldn’t stop eating – the succulent beef sizzling sisig!

It’s time for our dinner so we have to leave the sports bar to our next stop – LE JARDIN ARNEVEL. Yes, tinuod! Wala pa mi nanihapon ato. We’re surprised to see lots of luscious foods at their poolside such as chicken barbecue, sinugbang panga, crabs, guso, kinilaw na malasugue, and lechon baboy! Lupig pa man ang ga-piyesta!

photo by Lyle Santos

The feast continued as we went to Donna Mae Congson’s PIYESTA KTV and RESTO BAR to meet the SoCCSKSarGen bloggers. There were really a lot bloggers and foods (kaon na ’sab!) and the place was di mahulugang tuna! I tried Piyesta’s Jell-O Shots and Gayuma. I can’t describe the idea but it’s really creative and unique. It’s my first time to put a large syringe in my mouth with jelly alcohol in it. Not sure if it’s the right description but I will never forget my experience there at Piyesta. Naa na pud lechon from Mayor Jun Acharon! Next time, I’ll try Piyesta’s kurasticks, sizzling ubol-ubol, and tuna buntot!

photo by Lyle Santos

Aside from the kainan and injections, we all introduced ourselves – some are simple and short, while others went so on and so forth. There were  a lot of conversations not just between bloggers but also among tweeters and plurkers. Recharged, together with some  CDO and Davao bloggers, we went outside to explore the place. I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes I saw the sign. So the CDO Bloggers, with the participation of Jun, we performed our disappearing act to those people who made the event successful.

It’s already late and still a lot of excitements to happen on the next day. So we bid our good night to other bloggers and went to the hotel. But before that, we went to a convenience store beside Pacman Sports Bar and spotted The Destroyer Manny Pacman Pacquiao playing billiard. Lucky enough to get close as it’s my first time to see him in person. Though we didn’t bother to go inside, Rob manage to take some jabs.

Day 2 will follow shortly…

Please enjoy the video while waiting.

60kms+ Camiguin Island loop bike ride.

The onshore breeze strokes lightly in your whole body and the speed that feels like you’re flying, makes it truly worth why you want to do a loop ride on an island. I’ve been biking across hills and mountains, carrying bikes while crossing rivers, and feeling the rush in single-track trails, but never imagined I could spin around an island. Bike tour island destination – Camiguin Island.

September 19 2009. It was a perfect fine Saturday morning in Cagayan de Oro, together with ATTACK, we got our bikes already in our vehicles as we traveled about 50 miles from CDO to Balingoan port. When we arrived there, we parked our vehicles in a paid parking area as we grab our backpacks, pulled our bikes and headed to the ferry bound for Benoni, Camiguin. The trip took us about an hour and when we reached the port of Benoni, we rode on our bikes to the nearest carenderia and had breakfast there.

At Balingoan port, in a paid parking area. Unloading bikes from our vehicles.

On our bikes, heading towards the ferry bound for Camiguin.

The Acquaintance. We’ve finished our meals and started the trip to our first stop – the capital town of Mambajao, Camiguin. On our way, we met a group of bikers heading in opposite direction. They call themselves COBRA or Camiguin Off-road Bike Riders Association. They’re friendly and even joined us as we headed our way to Mambajao, which is about 10 miles from Benoni. When we passed by Mahinog Public Market, some of us started to tease each other and went on a race, competing like a battle between bike clubs. The fun race ended at Pare Ventures and Trading bike shop near San Nicolas Parish Church in Mambajao, took a drink/rest, and met some of the local bikers. We stayed not too long and thanked our new friends as we pedaled up to our pit stop which just a couple of meters away from the bike shop – the Villa Paraiso Resort.

At Mahinog Public Market with COBRA

Journey to the Black Mountain. We left some of our things at the resort. Our ride for that day just got started and our next destination – PHILVOLCS. The road up to the PHIVOLCS observatory starts straight mid-town Mambajao, passing through Villa Paraiso Resort and climbs about 2 miles. The road is sheltered and ascending wasn’t that tough even if most parts are very steep. For about half an hour, we’ve reached the observatory and enjoyed the overlooking view of Mambajao below. We were still not satisfied with the view and decided to climb more and explore what’s waiting for us up there.

We met another COBRA biker and he was kind enough to guide us up to the black mountain or as the local call it Mt. Itum. As we went higher, the air became cooler and thinner but managed to push through while staring at the amazing slope of Mt. Hibok-Hibok and the taking a glimpse at the white island behind as we slowly ascending on our bikes. It took us about an hour when we reached a small town at the top. We took a rest in a store and enjoyed some cold softdrinks and breads. It rained for a while as we were having conversation and a man was playing on a homemade stringed instrument. We were listening to it as we enjoy the peaceful nature and simple life in the surroundings. We almost got carried away when the silence was interrupted and we’re surprised to see a karaoke machine somewhere in a dark spot went on and this young lady played some dance club songs. Tsk tsk!

Ascending to Mt. Itum, overlooking white island and Mambajao.

We rest in a small town in Mt. Itum as rain cools down our tired bikes.

Sidetrip to Katibawasan. For about 20 minutes, the rain stopped. After paying for our food, we grabbed our wet bikes then slowly and carefully descend on a wet road for about 15 minutes when we saw another road to Katibawasan Falls. Our new bike buddy told us it wouldn’t take us long until we reached the falls. We took the rough, dirt road as it exits to another main road until we’ve reached the falls. We didn’t stay there too long and decided to descend back to Villa Paraiso as most of us were already hungry and need to take lunch.

Descending on a wet cement road overlooking Mambajao.

Rough, dirt road to Katibawasan Falls.

Relaxing at the Paraiso. We’ve checked in to a dorm-type room of the resort. The room can accommodate 10 people and the whole place was soothing and very relaxing. We’re lucky that there were only few people to check in that resort. We washed our dirty bikes and clothes in a faucet outside our room. There’s a large pool and we didn’t hesitate to take a dive. We almost forgot to take our lunch and decided to eat outside the resort.

Relaxing at the pool in Villa Paraiso Resort

We walked down to Mambajao market, bought seafood and hired someone to sugba our bought fishes. It’s already late afternoon when we finished our late lunch in a carenderia near the market. Then, we sat on this park near the shore, talking while eating lanzones, went back to the market to pick our sinugba. I got tired of wearing my bike shoes and bought a cheap slipper. I felt a bit relaxed as we walked back to the resort as the dark sets in.

Night celebration. We bought some beers in a store in front of the resort and continued our conversations there. We enjoyed the bought sinugba as pulutan. We talked a lot, from the stars to our rides. We talked everything under the clear, dark sky. The night’s getting colder but the fun kept us warm.

It’s already past 10 when we went back to our room. We continued the fun there and then we rest.

September 20 2009, closing the loop. A fine morning to wake up. All charged up and ready to roll! Before leaving the resort, we did some group pictorials around the place and left.

On the last day on the island, we continued our journey.

Group pictures before leaving Villa Paraiso

Very strong winds on a land slide prone area

Sunken cemetery

At the old church, a few meters away from the sunken cemetery.

Biking along near the seashore

At Benoni Port, ferry bound for Balingoan. Going home to CDO.

More pictures..

We gathered ourselves for a short orientation by Karl de la Peña in front of Montessori and Fil-Estate entrance as we equipped ourselves with a powerful tool – PRAYER.

After a short orientation and a prayer, we started walking along J.R. Borja Ext. road, went straight ahead to Galaxy crossing section, passed by some quarry spots on the river side and hiked for about 2 kilometers until we’ve reached the starting point of the river trek.

Confident enough with my leather sandals, I didn’t hesitate to cross the cold crystal clear waters, as the current was manageable enough to allow us through it very smoothly. There were cases when some of us have to improvise their footwear by tying up with rubber band behind the ankles to prevent from getting washed out by the current and refrain them from slipping off the rocks and mud.

There were already established tracks used by the local residence so trekking was really easy. But if you really want to trek on the river ‘mismo’, that won’t be a problem too. There were times when we have to climb some slipper boulders, turned around some washed logs, vines and twigs, and even the easiest single track can hurt when you’re lucky enough to be caught by thorns from small plants. With all these challenges, such activity is guaranteed that you’ll never get thirsty while trekking.

It is quite amazing how I was not able to expect such awesome place exist near the city. For about 4 hours of walking (approximately 4,300 steps from starting point), we’ve reached the cascading waterfalls located in Sitio Mapawa.

We took our lunch near a waterfall about as high as a 3-storey building and a green (if not raining) lagoon at the bottom. On the left leads you to another set of cascades and a man-made stairs to climb until you’ve reach the area which is already a part of the Mapawa Eco Park. The actual ascent could take you to the top of the waterfall. There were actually a lot of levels on these cascading waterfalls with lagoons and somehow we’ve managed to climb up to the 2nd level only. Dito daw madalas yung rapelling at dati’y nagshoot ang Extra Challenge a few years ago.

At around 2PM, we started to pack our things to leave. The gray clouds started to show up too and we’ll still have to walk back but this time, we’re not going on a backtrack but instead, we headed west to Indahag. We’ve crossed some cornfields, picked some guavas along the way as we follow the tracks to “Torres”, a popular biking trails here in the city that exits to Camaman-an.

Special thanks to ATTACK Outdoor Club for making these things possible.

Fine weather, perfect for a cross-Saturday country mountain biking!

There were storms spotted lately in some parts of the archipelago and one was cited near Surigao del Norte that causes some rain showers in Cagayan de Oro. It’s raining lately especially during late afternoon here but thank Heaven it was a very fine Saturday morning when we started out our Baungon-Kinawe mountain biking! That was my 3rd time to do biking in Baungon, a municipality located in the northern part of Bukidnon province. It has rough but usually wide trails that travel across 2 municipalities – Baungon and Libona. This ride usually takes 5 to 7 hours.  We took off from Cagayan de Oro around 8AM via SM-Lumbia route.

From our usual meeting place in CAP at Gaerlan St., we warmed up ourselves on ascending to Pryce Hotel then all the way up to Gran Europa. I started to heat up after passing Oro Gardens as Demzy and I were kidding around, competing, overtaking each other, knowing that we’re close to our first stop.  We regrouped ourselves at Lumbia Airport gate. I was still catching my breath as my heart’s beating hard and fast, murag kalaspagon likely a result after days without training. Hmm, not really training. I just skipped last time on the Haway ride and my 6km commute ride thrice a week isn’t just enough. Tinatamad akong bumangon sa umaga kase madalas puyat!

Cabula Bridge

Okay, nakarefresh na after eating some bought bananas. We rushed downhill in Cabula down to the Baungon-Mambuaya crossing. We took our breakfast there. At 10AM  we descend to the rough curve road leading to Cabula bridge. We passed Cagayan river which means, we’ve crossed the border of CDO and Bukidnon. This is usually the place where white water rafting ends. This bridge connects the province of Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro. It leads to some barangays in Baungon such as found on the southeast region- Liboran, Imbatug, Salimbalan, Mabungao, Balintad and San Vicente; and to southwest part – Lingating, Danatag, San Miguel, Kalilangan, Lacolac, Buenavista and Mabuhay.

Long hot stretch road to Baungon poblacion

After spinning for about 5 kilometers, you’ll see a 15-km long straight rough road that slowly ascends and ends in the main town of Baungon. It was around 11AM and the heat crawls beneath my jerseys and warmers. Mirage forms ahead and the road seems to be endless. Every side of it are wide farms planted with different crops from corns, sugarcane, and rice!

Kabalo ba mo? The water in the irrigations that supports ricefields in Baungon comes from the Cagayan river. Baungon is about 1,500 feet high and water climbs up without using pumping machines. I don’t know how it’s done. Baka ginamitan na ng physics or di kaya magic tricks?

Shot taken during my 1st ride in Baungon

We’ve reached Baungon Public Terminal at 11AM and had our early lunch there. Medyo busog pa ako ’cause I had early breakfast and brunch already. But I need to recharge myself with energy. ‘Di bale nang laspag, ‘di naman gutom. It’s also the last place where foods and water are available enough to sustain us in the remaining hours of biking to Kinawe, Libona. Unlike any markets, the whole place seems a bit quiet. There are just few people around. It was calm but the tinderas were goofy! We were kidding around while having our lunch in their carenderia. The water tastes different too! Is it because we think it’s natural or we’re just thirsty? We left the terminal at 12noon.

At some few kilometers ahead, we turned away from the main road and rushed down on this rough road with loose rocks then ended up in a very beautiful and enchanted scenery! We’ve reached the dam where two rivers meet. I am not sure if these waters come from the Kitanglad mountain range. I am so sure these waters are truly amazing and refreshing!

Looking down below..

‘Di na kami nagtagal and after some photo shoots, we grabbed our rigs and headed for the steepest ascent of this journey. The whole part has 4 turns, shaped like an S, probably looks like those in Mangima parang bituka! I wanted to finish that steep hill with my lightest gears and without dismounting but I don’t want to miss out taking photos of the views. It took me about half an hour before reaching the top. We rest in a waiting shed in Sitio Pantunan, Nangka, Libona, Bukidnon. Elevation? Around 1,750 feet.

We took a rest.. phew…..

Rocky steep downhill to Kinawe

After the steep ascent, about a kilometer ahead, we descend to a rocky road that seems to lead us into the forest. It’s as long as the Nangka ascent and ends in a wooden bridge that crosses a stream. That would be the 3rd time we’ve crossed a bridge. Then  we continued our journey, as the road went smaller until we stumbled upon a wooden gate and went through a cattle ranch, climb up to the last hill and we were caught in the rain at the last part of the ascent. Finally, we exit to Kinawe and spinned fast as we passed different farms. There were on-going construction that somehow got us in trouble and took us a lot of time to wait.

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crossing the last bridge in Kinawe

The whole ride was amazing! We’ve not just crossed rivers and streams, not  just countries nor bridges but paths that tested our minds and hearts. Paths that would seem to tear you apart but with support and camaraderie, you’ll regain strength that powers up your legs as together you spin all the way up and from there, you’ll be looking down those trails that you thought you might not be able to go through. The long traveled distance shortened by the relieving beauty of nature and friendship strengthened by rocks along the trail, these are just few of the gifts that could not be bought nor borrowed but are obtained from determination and courage to succeed!

The time that we arrived in Indahag, the last part of the trail, is the time when I realized how lucky I am to experience an amazing journey with amazing buddies.

From left to right: Mr M, Doods Yasay, Rusty Billedo, Goma, Matt Baluyos, Joel Haguisan at Baungon Dam