Batangas | Trekking (Mt. Gulugod Baboy)/Swimming (Philpan Dive Resort) in Anilao

@ Mt. Gulugod Baboy, Anilao, Mabini, Batangas

Last April was my brother's scheduled vacation from his overseas job so I went home. I was just supposed to spend the weekend chatting with him and bonding with my nephew but since he just bought a car, we decided to just go on a road trip. We were supposed to go to MonteMaria in Batangas City but later on decided to just go to Anilao and hit the beach. I then remembered that I want to climb Mt. Gulugod Baboy so I suggested we climb it first then go on swimming later.

From our house, it took us around thirty (30) minutes to reach Philpan Dive Resort, the jump off point to Mt. Gulugod Baboy. We then inquired for the trek, got the service of a tour guide (fee is 500 Php) and then registered (registration fee is 20 Php, per person) ourselves for the hike. We didn't let our mom come with us, per advice of the people in the beach, since it's quite strenuous for her age so we rented a cottage for her and my niece first. Afterwards, we proceeded with the trek.

The first kilometer or so (I'm not a good judge of distance) of the trek to Mt. Gulugod Baboy is on an uphill concrete road. I dunno what's it with concrete/cemented roads but I find hiking it a challenge. Add to the challenge the fact that it's almost noon time, I nearly gave up after a few meters of walking. But we keep on going until finally, we got to the starting point of the trail. Upon seeing the somewhat steep trail, my brother and his family decided not to continue anymore. My sister-in-law gave up and feared that their son (a 6 year old) couldn't make it since he's not used to taxing activities such as hiking. So it's just me and my 2 nephews (one of them also a 6-year old who already trekked Taal Volcano) that continued the trek. After more or less three (3) hours, we finally made it to the peak.

beneath this hill is the campsite

Mt. Pinagbanderahan, from the campsite

Mt. Gulugod Baboy, a mountain range in Anilao, Mabini, Batangas, is called as such because its peak's contour resembles that of a pig's spine (gulugod baboy).  It has three peaks, the highest of which is called Mt. Pinagbanderahan (meaning "where the (Japanese) flag was raised" during WW2) and not Mt. Gulugod Baboy but probably because the latter's name is more catchy, this mountain range became popularly known as Mt. Gulugod Baboy.

upper left, I think is the Taal area

At the peak of Mt. Gulugod Baboy, or rather Mt. Pinagbanderahan, is a 360-degree view of Batangas province. On the north/north-eastern side is Taal Volcano and the surrounding towns, Batangas City and its coastline as well as the Batangas Bay on the east, Tingloy island down south and Calatagan/Balayan Bay/Verde Island Passage on the west. It's a magnificent view up there, the reason I try to climb mountains (or hills?) from time to time, even though it's a feat for me. :P

Batangas coastline, if I'm not mistaken

Batangas Bay, if my orientation is right hehe

another view of Taal (upper left), Batangas City coastline/Batangas Bay (upper right)

leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures (down with our litters with us)

More Photos from Mt. Gulugod Baboy

I really enjoyed taking photos here, too bad I only have my cell phone with me. But that doesn't mean I would just stop, here are some more photos I took. I hope you'll enjoy the view...

Sombrero island, the smallest island in the photo

Philpan Dive Resort

Just for diving? What about swimming? And can one dive without swimming? Hehe, I'm just blabbering here. The resort is probably really good for diving/snorkeling and not for swimming as evident of the wounds I saw from the people who swam in this resort, including my brother and nephews.

Philpan Dive Resort is one of the resorts located in Anilao, Mabini, Batangas. It's probably one of the cheapest in the area (if not the cheapest); the entrance is just 150 Php per person (my nephews and niece who are 6-year old and below are free), cottage rental costs 500 Php, packed food and drinks allowed. The beach is stoney though, which I think is common in this area.

the stoney beach of Philpan Dive Resort

But despite the stoney beach, my mom and nephews and niece enjoyed swimming (or should I say dipping their bodies hehe). The kiddos loved it playing with the waves and splashing sea water toward each other. After an hour of swimming, we then prepared to go home. I would want to stay longer to take more photos of the sunset but my brother is not yet accustomed to driving and the road is a bit steep with many twist and turns we decided to go home early. But I managed to take this one, though:

sunset in Anilao

That's it, a weekend of fun and adventure with my family without spending that much. Looking forward for the next fun and adventurous weekend with them.

How to get to Mt. Gulugod Baboy/Philpan Dive Resort

From EDSA (Cubao, Kamuning area) or Buendia-LRT (Taft), take Batangas/Pier-bound bus (Jam, Jac Liner, ALPS) and get off at Batangas City Grand Terminal in Balagtas, Batangas City. From there, take Anilao/Mabini-bound jeepney and tell the driver that you're going to Philpan Dive Resort. You'll be dropped off at an intersection where tricycles going to Philpan are available, take one and you'll be dropped off at Philpan Dive Resort. Travel time from Manila to Batangas Central Terminal is around two and a half hours, moderate traffic considered while Central Terminal To Mabini is around one hour. Travel costs is around 600-700 Php, back and forth.

~ oo00oo ~

Mt. Gulugod Baboy/

Philpan Dive Resort

Anilao, Mabini, Batangas

Date of Visit:  April 19, 2015