I have now reached the retirement age and took 4 month vacationing in islands of Philippines andSoutheast Asian countries. After 4 months I started my business of Risk Management. Fortunately on the 6th month, I got a 2 year contract for a work that I love most, Non-life insurance underwriting and risk management.
Am back to the Corporate World with aim to travel more around Philippines this year 2012.
Message from my daughter - Abby Cueto
We offer interior design services for residential and commercial spaces. for sample completed project please visit http://definedspace.multiply.com. BTW, im the daughter of this amazing blogger-adventurer! great job daddyo! mwaah
PUERTO GALERA, APRIL 4-5, 2008
Our Group
We are group of six from work that is Me, Larsen, Lee Van, Jim, Marife and Melissa plus our friend Jay. We met also other group from our work who are in Puerto G also.
Travel to Puerto
We met at the bus station in Buendia Ave neat Taft Avenue at about 4:30 A.M. The bus goes straight to Batangas Pier. We left about 4:45 A.M. and arrive at about 6:45 A.M. at the pier on time for the first trip of Brian Shipping Lines at 7:15 A.M.
Our boat arrived at White Beach, Puerto Galera at about 9:30 A.M. and proceeded to our accommodation.
Our transpo expense : Php 300 for two-way Bus, Php 360 two way Boat ride, plus PhP 60 tax.
Accommodation
Our accommodation is at Paul’s Bar along beachfront of White Beach.
We got 40% discounts for two nights. Courtesy of Jay whose Paul’s Bar is owned by his relatives. I stayed only one night due to a commitment.
TIP : Booked your hotel or resort in advance or contact Jay for special discount thru me.. Too many vacationers fill up the rooms along the beachfront. You may end up farther out where the action is.
Mt. Pulag, Benguet Province, February 6 - 10, 2008
February 6, 2008: The trip – Manila to Baguio City to Ranger Station
We left Manila at about 12 a.m. and arrived Baguio City at about 6:30 am. We took our breakfast at Baguio Country Club.
We left Baguio Country Club and went to jeepney station near Burham Park. With two hired 4WD jeepneys, we proceeded to DENR Field Office where we registered and had very short orientation about Mt. Pulag and mountaineering since all of us not first timer. We we took our lunch at the DENR Field Office.. At about 2 pm, we departed to and reached Babadak Ranger Station .
As usual the road from Baguio to DENR and Ranger Station are cemented and some are under construction. The road from DENR to Ranger is dirt and bumpy.
Before reaching DENR we passed by Sulfur Spring. It was a crater of about 7 x 7 meters of boiling liquid sulfur ash and overflowing in many directions. One of us stepped on soft sulfur ash and his foot got first degree burn since he was wearing sandals only.
At Babadak Ranger station the temperature was 13 degrees when we arrived around 5 pm. The afternoon has clear sky.
At the Ranger Station, we cooked our dinner and had some singing with guitar accompaniment by Sey, Joel and Randolph.
We spent our first night inside the Babadak Ranger Station since we are only 16.
The Urbanathlon
The first annual Men’s Health Urbanathlon and Festival was first launched by Men’s Health USA on 1ST October, 2006 in New York City. About 1,000 urbanathletes competed in the race from USA ans other part of the world.
In this race, the runners passed through obstacles set up in Central Park, jumped over marine hurdles, on the flight deck of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, scaled walls at Chelsea Piers, and climbed up and down 52 flights of stairs in the new World Trade Center. They then climbed an eight-foot rope wall at Pier 54 to complete the run.
Two more races were held in the cities of San Francisco and Chicago since then.
SICAT ADVENTURES AND PHOTO SHOOT OF SAGADA Sagada is a small town, nestling in the middle of a valley at the upper end of the Chico river, 1,500 meters above sea level. It is dirt-free air, and sights of towering pine trees. The atmosphere represents an ambiance of tranquility and peaceful life. There are no televisions (although there is cable TV and internet cafes now). There are no phone lines but there is Smart and Globe presence now. There is curfew at nine in the evening imposed by the local authorities. This is to avoid troubles for everyone.,
Sagada is beautiful because of its temperate weather, undisturbed environment and the presence of towering pine trees Sagada offers plentiful of things to do and sights to wonder. These are subterrenean caves used as burial grounds by the natives on eminent limestone cliffs. Among them is Sumaging Cave, the deepest and the biggest, requires little endurance and enthusiasm. Sumaging is just about 50 minutes walk along the road from the Municipal Hall. Other magnificent destinations are Bomod-ok and Bokong Falls and Danom Lake which we failed to see due to time constraint. Trekking the nearby mountains is an ultimate experience although must be done with local guides. There are simple trails for short hikes which are leading to some picturesque summits, and can be easily done in one day, or longer for those who may want to camp out. Sagada has excellent sites for high adrenalin trips. Sagada may not have the luxury of hi-tech society but it has the abundance not even a well traveled man have ever experienced anywhere in the Philippines. Everyone is advised to register at the tourism office located at the Municipal Hall. From there you will have the guides in so many places of interest. There are no ATM, banks or any financial institution that can help in case you run out of cash. Sagada may be far from being invaded by famous fastfood like Jolibee, McDonald,Chow King, and shopping malls, however, food and relevant needs are bountiful.
Green products are good, fresh, juicy and green. Food is served generously and reasonably cheap in many restaurants.
Hello Guys,
This is the 
Speedo National Age Group Triathlon held at Ayala Alaban Village last October 14, 2007. I did not join since I have no practice 
since my joining Aquatlon in Palaui Island last May 2007. I only watched and took picture. Lo and Behold, Leo Oracion, our Hero mountainer , the first Filipino to conquer Mt. Everest. He also conquered this triathlon since he was the first at the finish line against all the triatletes that join.
Next Triathlon is an invitational in Punta Terraza del Fuego in November 10, 2007. Come and join us let us have some fun.,
We surfed San Juan beach break in three consecutive days of October 2006. We were joined by a friendly local riding his short board. I let him borrowed my longboard and he surfed with Erwin.
After three days of surfing, we had SPA at Mt. Pinatubo Volcanic Ash SPA, in Capas, Tarlac. Tanggal lahat ng sakit ng muscles.
That’s me on top of Palaui Island at the Lighthouse. Running uphill 2 kms 1st leg.
The lovely athlete couple, me and Ethel, posing at the Transition 1/2 and Swim Lane.
Palaui Island Aquathlon Challenge 2007
Sta. Ana, Cagayan North, Philippines
The Travel to Sta. Ana to Palaui IslandWe left Pasig City at about 8:30 pm Thursday, May 17 and arrived at Tuguegarao City at about 9:00 am Friday. We took our breakfast at Jolibee and then we proceeded to Callao Cave. We arrived at Callao Cave about 10:30 am.
We left Callao Cave at about 12:00 NN and proceeded to Sta. Ana, Cagayan North about 160 kms more.
We arrived at about 2:30 pm at Cortez Beach Resort in Sta. Ana for our lunch and lodging.
On the dawn of Saturday, about May 19, about 5 am, we left for Pier Irene. We traveled about 30 minutes by several boats in Palaui Island.
Moments of TravelWe all tried to catch some sleep while travelling. It is quite difficult to sleep sitting inside the bus. Very tiring and painful around the neck. I brought two neck pillows for me and my wife giving us some relief. The bus is very cold early evening until morning of the following day.
We had several stops. One in Shell SLEX for our first dinner in travel. Another stop at about 1 am Friday to relieve the bladder. The next was in Tuguegarao City for breakfast. Oh we were stopped by LTO entering Cagayan Province and we were held for about 20 minutes.
We are two buses of 50 athletes, organizers, sponsors and media. The organizer is Triathlon Association of the Philippines and among the major sponsors are Speedo and Cagayan Export Processing Zone Authorithy, in Sta. Ana, Cagayan.
On the way to Callao Cave, there are two ways. One needed to ride a banca and cross the Pinagcanauan River then go up 187 concrete stairs. Another is a longer by about 5 km to Quibal with some rough road going direct near the entrance of Callao Cave. We went first to the first site to ride small bancas but then change mind and proceeded to the Quibal.
Callao CaveCallao Cave is located in Penablanca, town nearby Tuguegarao City. It has 7 chambers with massive limestone formation, skylights and chapel. Inside it has plenty of crystal formation. The chambers are huge chambers filled wih white, crystal-studded columns.
The priest held mass attended by some athletes. The altar is carved on wall made of limestone and skylight (big hole on top where the sunlight comes in). Another chamber further has wider and higher skylight.
Boat Ride to Palaui Island.
The day was cooperating. It is cloudy, not hot and not humid. The sun tries to peep behind the clounds but failed. The sea is calm.
One banca can ride only 6 to ten depending on the size of the boat for safety purposes.
There were several small islands we passed by going to Palaui Island. There is marsh about 10 meters by 20 meters and you can see the shrubs floating and swaying with the waves.
You can describe the ride as picturisque seeing the islets which are formation of stones and grasses.
Another boat was racing with us but later went just behind us at about boat length only. He is drafting and if it was a bike, then it is illegal.
Nearing Palaui Island, we can see the Lighthouse on the peak of the island. I was just wondering how lonely to live and maintain the lighthouse.
The AquathlonThe race is 2 kms mountain trail run, then 1 km open sea swim and 3 kms mountain trail run. The run started at the beach, going up the hill to the lighthouse and down to grassland and thru forest trail until reaching Transition 1 near the beach. Swim two laps of 500 meters back to transition and run again, same way to the finish line.
Moments of RaceIt was great and very fullfilling to join the Palaui Aquathlon. Here you meet your fellow athletes, talk with them with anything under the sun to keep the bonding. I met personally great guys, triathlete champions, OLYMPIAN, and Ironman (or ironwoman, whatever).
During my last Triathlon in Ayala Alabang and Duathlon in Festival Mall, I was able to talk to few guys only.
Although I am still have some knee pain (stressed MC Ligament) and shoulder injury ( hit by friend falling from banana boat in Puerto Galera), I run and swim.During downhill run, I felt some pain but still decided to swim. The dive after run was very pleasing and relaxed my quads and hams. It was a good swim but at the last 200 meters I lost my focus and swam and swam and I found out I was off course by about 75 meters. The water was very clear and I can see the deep bottom. I swam back to the line and finished the 1st lap of 500 meters. I decided to DNF since my MCL was starting to hurt.
Moments of FunAwarding of winners was fun. Everybody is happy rooting for friends or fellow athlete. My wife and I made some friends. We got acquainted with the athletes pride of Pinoy.
We took our superb brunch which is local recipes before the awarding.
At about 10:00 am, the race was done. Everybody enjoyed the lighthouse, the beach and some went to the waterfalls.
Angib BeachMy wife and I joined some guys in going to Angib Beach, in mainland Cagayan, another 20 minute boat ride.
It is white sand beach even you out to the sea the bottom is white sand. The beach is shallow, up to waist deep far enough to play around. Futher on one side is quite deep and has corals with plenty of colorful fish.
Port Irene, San Vicente, Sta. Ana.We boat ride back to Port Irene where we came from for about 20 minutes again and back to Cortez Beach Resort for shower and rest.
Back to ManilaWe left Sta. Ana about 5 pm. Saturday. Everybody was happy and satisfied with the trip. Camaraderie was more in the air during trip back to Manila. More jokes floated and videoke singing complete with mike along the way.
Day 0 : The trip – Manila to Baguio City to Ranger Station
We left Manila at about 3 a.m., had breakfast in Pangasinan and arrived Baguio City at about 10 am. With hired 3 jeepneys, proceeded to DENR Field Office where we registered and had short orientation about Mt. Pulag and mountaineering. Along the way, we took our lunch. At about 5 pm, we reached Babadak Ranger Station our Jump Off Camp.
Day 1 : The Climb – Ambangeg Trail
At Babadak Ranger station the temperature was 5 degrees centigrade. It was foggy and windy. That made it more chilly. Well and good we are wearing TNF jacket with fleece. I added on a dri-fit shirt and cotton shirt inside for added insulation against cold. I was wearing cotton gloves that were not good insulator and I felt the chill thru my hands. My shoes were brand new Merrel mountaineering shoes, waterproof.
We spent our first night in Babadak Ranger Station. We pitched three tents, two TNFs for 10 guys and one Blazing Product tent for me and one of my co-mountaineer. Other fellow mountaineers stayed inside a wooden house beside the Ranger Quarter.
We cooked our group dinner for 10 persons. That was rice, adobo, and beef steak. No problem with drinking water as there is spring water by the faucet that is so cold. There was no socializing on our first night of since it was so cold, foggy and windy. Early morning about 4 am, I had to pee and looked at my thermometer, it was 2 degrees centigrade. It was so foggy, cold, quiet and lonely but romantic under the full moon.
Hey that’s me. That was taken early morning after the our first night. Not anymore windy but still the temp was 5 degrees C.
After our first breakfast, we started our trek about 8:30 am. After about 3 hours, we reached Camp 2 for our lunch.
Here we are. We are all 34 mountaineers of SICAT (Standard Insurance Climb and Adventure Team). On the left is our team at Camp 2. We took our lunch here. The camp site has spring water, improvised toilet and one unoccupied wooden house. The tents from the background are not ours but were earlier team of mountaineers ahead of us. They left to assault Mt. Pulag and will get back here.
The two pine trees on the left background are quite famous for you will see them in so many angles in the internet. The mountain on background was full of clouds.
After lunch, we resumed our trek at about 2 pm to reach Camp 3 at the base of the summit. We passed thru downhill mossy forest then ascending/descending grassland. The weather was good and the sun was shy hiding behind the clounds most of the time. The trek was pleasant although the temperature must be about 7 degrees C.
At the background, that’s the start of our trek of mossy forest from Camp 2. Above is also picture of mossy forest and behind it is the grassland before hitting Camp 3.
My backpack weighs about 12 kilos. That carried my tent, sleeping bag, earth pad, two 500 ml water, clothes, etc..
See my gear. I was wearing green/gray TNF jacket with fleece inside, the blue dri-fit, cotton undershirt and inside polyester shirt with cotton bonnet and red cap. My hands were covered with cotton gloves that were wet and cold. I got one trekking pole and one knee cap to protect my left knee. I got also one trekking bottle of water to prevent dehydration.
That’s me again. See the mossy forest and the trail. The trees with their branches are covered with moss and are dripping wet. That’s very nice picture, not me, but the background, hehehe. This trail is mostly downhill. The next trail is mostly grassland and more uphill.
We reached Camp 3, that is about 2,734 meters above sea level at about 5 pm. From here, we can see summit at about 188 meters high more.
From Camp 3, a higher level than surrounding mountains, we can see the clouds below us and on top of lower mountains. It is so cloudy that we might not see the sunset if we climb the summit.
We pitched our tents and prepared our second dinner. The temp was still 5 degrees centigrade and it is windy and cloudy as well. Still no socializing event and everybody went to rest right after dinner.
Wake up call the following morning, Day 2, was at 5:30 am and started assaulting the summit of Mt. Pulag at 6 am of about 1.5 kms ascent. At the break of dawn, we are at the summit and conquered Mt. Pulag. Everybody was elated and cameras keep on clicking to record the event.
Despite all the hardship, we felt no pain but all victorious at the summit.
Day 2 and 3 : The Descent - Akiki Trail
On the descent, we took Akiki Trail that is commonly known as “the Killer Trail”. Going downhill is quiet difficult specially when the trail is very steep. Akiki Trail is mostly about 45 degrees slope. Earth was dry and the trail is very slippery due to dried pine needle leaves and pebbles. Good thing the trail is not wet otherwise it will be more slippery and dangerous.
According to our guide, this was called Akiki because of small birds that sing “a ki ki ki ki ki ki”. Mountaineers call it “Killer Trail” because after traversing downhill, you might have one or two dead toes.
We started our trek back to civilization on the Day 2 at about 8 am. We reached Marlboro country at about 12 noon and had our lunch.
We resumed our trek to Eddet River at 1:30 pm and reached Eddet River about 5:00 to set up our tents for the night. Many guys went to swim the cold water of Eddet River.
We had dinner at about 7 pm and our party about 8 pm.
On Day 3, we started our trek at about 9 am and reached Kabayan School where we had our lunch and end of our trek. From here, we are fetched to Baguio City for about 5 hour travel.
Day 3 – Gimik Night
We had our sumptuous dinner at Marios Restaurant and proceeded to Nevada bars in Baguio City.
