RAMPA JONAH

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

From Shaw to the Summit: Mt. Pulag in 24 Hours

Hey guys! It’s once again, and today, I'm taking you with me on an epic journey to the one and only — — the and the legendary ! Buckle up and let’s gooo!

Day 1 – On Our Way to the Mountains!

June 7, 2025 – Ortigas, Pasig City

Blooming and I arrived at Shaw Greenfield, Ortigas from Sta. Rosa, Laguna where we had our fun moments at at exactly 8PM — yes, 2 hours early from our pickup time. That’s how excited we were!

It was raining, but that didn’t stop us from grabbing dinner while waiting for our van. A little rain just added drama to the start of this adventure.

A little past 10PM, the van finally arrived. And just like that — our road trip to Mt. Pulag in Benguet Province officially began!

Day 2 – Orientation Day in Bokod, Benguet

After almost 7 hours on the road, we reached Bokod, Benguet just before sunrise. We needed to stop by the for an orientation and to secure our — a must before climbing Mt. Pulag.

But here’s the twist — it was a Sunday, so the office wasn’t open yet. So what did we do? Breakfast hunt mode: ON!

After filling our bellies and waiting a bit, the DENR office finally opened. We had our orientation about the rules and conservation efforts — super informative and helpful.

Ambangeg Homestay + Veggie Views

After that, we headed straight to Ambangeg and checked into — cozy, peaceful, and perfect for pre-climb relaxation.

We settled into our assigned room and had a hearty lunch. Afterwards, we explored the nearby area and wow! — the views were amazing. Lush vegetable landscapes surrounded us — from carrots and cabbage to a rainbow of fresh crops. Pure mountain life!

At around 3PM, our ka-rampas Ana Jean and Althea finally arrived! They had some issues during boarding back in Davao, but we were just so happy to be complete at last! 😄

This climb has been in the works since February, when we first bought our tickets — so this reunion made it extra special!

Midnight Prep – It’s Climb Time!

After dinner, we got some rest, then geared up by 12 midnight — headlamps on, jackets zipped, bonnets, gloves, neck warmers — lahat na!

It was cold and drizzling when we started the hike. We met our local guide, and the climb officially began.

The Hike – Into the Dark and Cold

Compared to my Mt. Apo climb last January, this trail was way more manageable. The is known as the easiest trail — unlike the infamous . So yes, this was the “chill” version of the Pulag experience.

The trail had three zones:

1. Pine Forest

3. Grassland Summit

After 3 hours of hiking, we reached the campsite — a grassy section under pitch-black skies, with only our headlamps lighting the way.

Summit at Sunrise — or Not Quite

By 5AM, we reached the summit of Mt. Pulag. But nature had its own plans — the fog was thick, it was super cold, and there was almost zero visibility.

Then… just for a moment… a small ray of sunlight peeked through. We were all like: “Is this it? Is this the clearing?” But nope — it quickly disappeared.

Still, we took photos, laughed it off, and made the most out of the experience. Even if we didn’t see the , it still felt magical.

But whew — the cold was on another level. My hands were shaking, and my whole body was literally shivering.

By past 7AM, we started to descend.

The Descent – Now We See Everything!

Now that it was daylight, everything around us looked surreal. The grasslands glowed with a soft red hue, making it feel like we were walking through a dream.

We passed again through the stunning mossy forest — so lush and green, it looked like a movie set! Of course, we took our time and had our photo ops. Can’t miss that Instagram content!

Then came the pine forest, a peaceful path that led us back to our homestay.

Back to Base – But Not the End!

Back at Baban’s Homestay, we had our well-deserved lunch and packed our things.

But wait — the adventure wasn’t over yet! We hopped on our ride and headed straight to for the next leg of our journey. Yes, Baguio City tour coming in hot!

So that was our Mt. Pulag adventure! Cold, foggy, and unforgettable! Even without the sea of clouds, the views, the trail, and the memories made this trip absolutely worth it. Don't forget to like, comment your favorite mountain spot, and subscribe for more of rampa adventures with Rampa Jonah! 'Til the next summit — bye, guys!

How much did it cost me to climb Mt. Pulag?

PACKAGE INCLUSIONS:

Van Transportation

Homestay

Environmental & Cultural Heritage Fee

Guide Fee

3 Hosted Meals

Medical certificate

Bagtag

Coordinator

Other expenses: Php 500.00

(Foods not included in the package/Water/Gatorade/Trail Foods)

Total Estimated Cost: Php 4,800.00

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Conquering Mt. Apo: A Journey to the Sky

At exactly 6 PM on January 18, 2025, Nely and I left my home in with excitement and a bit of nervousness in our chests. We hopped on a jeepney bound for Ulas, where our real journey began. From there, we boarded a bus heading to Digos City, with our sights set on Kapatagan. Along the way, we met up with our fellow , Blooming, who was just as eager to conquer as we were. The road was quiet, and the night was slowly settling in. By the time we reached Culan in Kapatagan via tricycle, it was already past 9 PM. This was our designated homestay — a humble shelter and our final stop before taking on the mighty Mt. Apo.

Sleep was a luxury we never got to enjoy. We rested, yes, but our excitement was louder than our fatigue. Before midnight struck, we were already preparing for the climb. I was with my ever-adventurous ka-rampas, Blooming and Nely, our friendly and reliable tour guide, Remlar, and a solo joiner Lani who quickly blended with our group.

Trekking through the dark forest, our only lights were our headlamps. The silence of the night was broken only by the sound of our footsteps and the occasional laughter. We brought our (packed meals) for breakfast and lunch, included in the tour package, though food was the last thing on our minds at that moment. Around 3 AM, we arrived at Camp 1. There, we took a short rest and warmed ourselves with coffee, but the cold was biting and merciless. Rather than freezing in place, we chose to keep moving forward.

By 5 AM, just as we reached the foot of the boulders, the sunrise greeted us. Golden rays pierced through the darkness, casting a magical glow over the trail. The beauty and excitement were indescribable — we were really getting closer to the summit.

But the real challenge began at the boulders. It was a brutal stretch. The heat of the exposed trail, the steep climb, the , and the monstrous boulders pushed us to our limits. My legs felt like they were breaking with every step, but we paused now and then — not just to rest, but to eat breakfast and admire the raw, powerful beauty surrounding us.

Near 9 AM, we reached the crater. The wind was howling, the cold made me tremble, but the view — oh, the view — was breathtaking. A sat peacefully below, shimmering like ice under the sun. There, with nature’s masterpiece as our backdrop, we had our lunch.

After regaining strength, we pressed on to the Mother Peak. The final stretch was nearly vertical, like climbing a 90-degree wall. It was punishing, but my heart was full. When we finally reached the summit — the — a moment of silence swept over me. The skies cleared just in time, giving us an unobstructed view of the majestic Mt. Apo in all its glory. It was truly a dream come true. Then slowly, fog began to roll in, wrapping the summit in a soft white blanket, as if heaven itself had descended upon us.

Before noon, we began our descent. It was still a challenge, but compared to the ascent, it felt more manageable. I even enjoyed hopping from one boulder to another like a child playing on giant rocks — despite the creeping muscle pain. I took my time on the way down, pacing with other climbers and sharing stories and laughter along the way.

By almost 5 PM, I finally reached the base, where a row of waited. I climbed on one and rode back to our homestay for ₱300. As soon as I arrived, I felt overwhelming relief and gratitude — I was alive, tired, sore, but very much alive. I treated myself to a warm cup of noodles that tasted like heaven in that moment.

I packed my things and waited for my ka-rampas to return. Despite the exhaustion, my heart was full. That climb was the hardest yet most fulfilling journey I’ve taken — a true test of endurance, spirit, and will.

By past 8 PM, we began our journey home. And before the clock struck midnight, I was finally back in my home sweet home—physically worn but spiritually full.

Breakdown of my Mt. Apo Day Tour Package:

Tour Package: Php 1,900.00

Breakfast and Lunch (Trail): Php 600.00

Dinner: Php 70.00

Homestay: Php 200.00

Other Expenses (Foods/Water): Php 200.00

Fare:

Residence to Ulas: Php 20.00

Ulas to Digos City: Php 240.00 (2-way)

Tricyle to Terminal (Bound to Kapatagan): Php 20.00

Tricycle to Culan: Php 400.00 (2-way)

Habal-habal: Php 300.00