Scenic view offered at the top of the mountain. (view of nearby mountains, surrounding cities of Palayan, Laur and San Fernando)

Since we left Manila around eight in the morning, and travel time is almost 5 hours to jump off, we started our trek around three in the afternoon. It was sunny day and the half of the climb has an open trail which gave an additional difficulty for us.Water source is only available on the first 30 minutes of the climb and no other water source available near the campsite (so make sure to bring at least 3L of water each if you will plan to do an overnight climb)

An Evidence of newly created trail (an hour to Mt. Nanduran)

At first, it was a gradual trail which you can compare to the trail of Mt. Batolusong in Rizal, but when you are approaching the summit of Mt. Nanduran, the trail changes its difficulty level which you can compare to the trail of Mt. Mariveles (an hour before Papaya River). Since the trail is just newly created, expect a non-established trail, tall grass/ bush which might hurt you along the way. These two mountains offer a kind of trail that you won't like during the rainy season - it's muddy and slippery. However, if you are into tropical climbing and you enjoy added adventure during the climb, then this one is for you!

Glimpse of the sunset just before you reach the summit

If you are looking for a campsite which offers scenic view of nearby mountains, surrounding cities, sunset viewing. great view of the sky at night, city lights (yes city lights! just like how you love the city lights of Balagbag) and sea of clouds (if good weather is given) then you night want to spend an overnight climb at Mt. Nanduran's summit/campsite and experience all at once.

Bongabon Eco Trail team : Abey, Raine, Noreen, Allan, Crystal and John

What made our ocular climb more special is not just the mountain itself but the hospitality we received when we were at Bongabon. The rescue team of Bongabon's Municipal Hall took care of us until our departure, the people are all approachable, tour guides are very helpful, tourism head kept on updating us and assured that we will all be assisted once we arrive.

Special thanks to the following:

Nueva Ecija Backpackers and Mountaineers Community for their guided details which made us possible to climb the said mountains.
Sir Andoy Canaya for giving us important details and reminders prior our climb.
Ms. Shaina - tourism head which updated and assisted us prior and after the climb.
Tatay Noel and his 2 sons which guided us all through out our climb.
Tatay Tony and Tatay Dy - staff at Bongabon Municipal Hall who accompanied and pick us up at the jump off and even allowed us to wash up at their place.
To my DIY friends, Noreen, Allanm Crystal, John and Abey which made this event really funa nd memorable. :

Truly, it is important to do an ocular climb first before creating any organized event in any mountains-be it known or newly opened. Depending your climb in any available itinerary isn't enough, it's always better to have a knowledge regarding the mountains you are bringing your participants to have a preparation and set proper expectations.

Let us continue to support our local tourism in expanding the mountaineering community and helping us promote a responsible hiking.

Keep climbing, Ka-Ulayaw!

Last January 31, 2017, the Office of Barangay Council of Barangay Ampucao, released an advisory that may seems their take of maintaining the beautiful and healthy state of Mt. Ulap. Uploaded in one of the official Facebook accounts of Mt. Ulap, Mt. Ulap Eco Trail (https://www.facebook.com/mtulap.ecotrail), the statement goes to limit the number of visitors in the mountain starting February 4, 2017, Saturday. Barangay Ampucao is the covering land area for Mountain Ulap.

Mt. Ulap has been known for Benguet scenery and rock formations, that includes the popular Gungol Rock. Additional perks of climbing this mountain is the cold weather of the Province of Benguet. Popularity of this mountain is undoubtedly growing especially when local artist, Angel Locsin made a visit last December 31, 2016.

We all know what huge crowd brings to mountains like Ulap. It may be good in tourism profit however, the effect to the nature will be crucial. Waste, soil erosion especially on trails and weakening the vegetation of grasslands are some of the problems that may occur if we allow the impact of uncontrolled human visit in the mountain.

Related link: Angel Locsin Climbs

With the perfect weather last Saturday, July 16, 2016, the Ulayaw Ahon (UA) event climb named, "Lambingan Sa Mt. Maynuba X Cayabu" finally commences after the postponement from the previous week due to the bad weather condition.

Twelve hikers were all excited for the climb was joined by five Ulayaw Ahon members who are Joan Tapic, Brian Joseph Opeña, Heroz Rodrigazo, Robby Fazonela and Glenn de Guzman. Some of the Ulayaw Ahon members that are not joining the climb were there on the meeting place to help the pack goodies to be shared to kids in Barangay Cayabu, in Tanay, Rizal.

Mount Maynuba is one of the newest mountains open for climbing in Tanay, Rizal. It gains the popularity in hiking community in the Philippines because of the highest probability of seeing the sea of clouds and it's eight waterfalls. Ulayaw Ahon started the trekking at 4AM and reached the summit at 6AM. As expected, the scenic sea of clouds greeted the hikers.

Ulayaw Ahon climbers pose to camera with Mt. Maynuba's sea of cloud at the background.

Sea of clouds seen in Mt. Maynuba.

After the climb, Ulayaw Ahon gathered the kids in the community of Brgy. Cayabu to share the gifts to them. UA packed cupcakes, candies, packed juice, premium milk brand, coloring books, pencils, and bible story books. At least more than fifty kids received these happiness bundles UA gathered from donors. The climb participants were happy to be part of this activity. They just don't have a good time in the summit, but after that, enjoy giving back something to the community.

Ulayaw Ahon's Heroz, Jo and Rob happily prepare the gifts.

Climb participants Kai and Abi smile to the camera while sharing the gift to a girl from Brgy. Cayabu.

Climb participant Niel organize the kids of Brgy. Cayabu.

The climb participants and Ulayaw Ahon were glad to see the happy faces of the children. The good feedback is the success story of this climb. Ulayaw Ahon will continue this platform so that the community around the mountains will appreciate the climbers in their area thus, help maintain their mountain's beauty.

The Lambingan in Mt. Maynuba X Cayabu is one for the books. Ulayaw Ahon brought up the lambingan into more meaningful level that participants felt and proud being part of.

Ulayaw Ahon climb particpants and facilitators pose with kids who received gifts.

Proud Ulayaw Ahon that facilitates Lambigan sa Mt. Maynuba X Cayabu on summit.

For Ulayaw Ahon upcoming climbs, please visit their official Facebook account at facebook.com/ulayawahon.

Siguro kapag tinatanong ka kung bakit ka umaahon, isa sa naiisip mo ay para maka-move-on. Aminin mo, nangagarap kang makarating sa summit para isigaw pangalan ni ex kasunod ng, "paalam na". Madrama pero, nakakahiya dahil hindi lang naman ikaw ang tao sa summit. At kung sakaling magawa mo siya, malamang, madaming gagaya sa iyo. Mag-iingay lamang kayo.

On June 18, 2016, Ulayaw Ahon (UA) had an event climb at Mt. Sembrano, Rizal. Lead by Ulayaw Ahon's Lorraine Ortiz, together with Jo Tapic and Rob Fazonela. It's an adventure for 14 participants who are High School teachers in Rosario National High School located in Cavite, and employees of LGU and a BPO company.

Participants of Mt. Sembrano climb. Photo taken at the jump off- Barangay Hall of Barangay Malaya .

Preacy with the surprise cupcake greetings from Ulayaw Ahon.