GULUGOD BABOY: Guide to Hiking Anilao’s Most Priced Treasure

Name: Mt Gulugod Baboy
Elevation: 525+ MASL
Location: Anilao, Mabini, Batangas
Jump Off: Brgy. Ligaya, Anilao, Mabini, Batangas
Difficulty: 2/9 (Pinoy Mountaineer)
Features: Marvelous view of the coastal lines of Batangas

Mt Gulugod Baboy has been a favorite hiking destination in Batangas for a very long time. Rolling hills, sprawling grasslands and an unobstructed 360 view of the coastal waters that surround the province are reasons why hikers find this mountain too irresistible. Frequented by seasoned mountaineers and a great beginner hike for aspiring newbies, Gulugod Baboy is certainly both a worthwhile challenge and a masterpiece to behold. Diving in one of the country’s rich underwater heaven is also one of the promises to look forward to after the hike since several pebblestone beaches line at its foot and not so distant away is the stunning Sombrero Island.

Update 2021: 

Mt. Gulugod Baboy is open to hikers from anywhere outside of Batangas like Metro Manila and other nearby towns and provinces. Requirements such as med cert or swab tests are not necessary and hikers are just mandated to wear face masks and face shields. For those driving their way to Batangas, taking the Tagaytay route is better than taking STAR Tollway to avoid checkpoints.  For more information, please contact Gulugod Baboy’s Guide Association or a reliable tour guide, Jaymar Ilao – 09105294122.

OUR MT. GULUGOD BABOY CLIMB

I can’t help but let out a sigh while basking at the exquisite view that was in front of me. Gulugod Baboy surely didn’t disappoint. The sun was up, shining in all his glory but I barely felt he was there. His warmth subtle, like the lone fireplace in the middle of a winter storm which didn’t do much to take me out of my reverie as I let the mighty wind blow against my face, my ponytailed hair dancing with it. Stunning. My mind uttered as I thought of never seeing such beauty before. As you may know, this isn’t my first mountain as I have hiked 10 or so mountains before then but it still baffles me how each time I am blown away by nature’s sheer perfection. It isn’t just the view at the peak that surprises me but every single detail there is from the beginning of the hike until the moment I reach the summit. It made me realize that each mountain is unique. They each have their own stories to tell.

While taking in the beauty I was fortunate to be staring at, I remembered how I found the hike too tiring. I haven’t hiked in more than two months, the reason why my body found adjusting to the physical demand of the hike too difficult. Reaching the summit from the jumpoff should only take two (2) hours the most but we took four (4) hours! It was eight in the morning when we began the hike with each one of us carrying our heavy, Lomi-filled tummies. We had light packs as we were only going for a day hike but the morning uncalled for binging added extra pounds to our loads. The hike kicked off with an ascent along a footpath that stretches to about 10 meters. It leads us to an uphill concrete road that stretches to about a kilometer or two of continuous ascent. We took breathers every ten minutes or whenever we find a bench to rest our weary knees.

What I love about this hike was the absence of the slightest amount of pressure. There was no pressure of keeping up with my buddies, of adhering to the given itinerary, or the pressure of being embarrassed for being the weakest link in the group. It was just friends having fun and chilling with one another. I didn’t have to act strong as it wasn’t at all needed. I can ask to take breathers every time my body was about to fail me. I didn’t have to be embarrassed about taking way too many photos whenever I find something interesting along the trail. I can simply be myself and that’s what I treasure most about hiking with the people I know who will have my back no matter what. When it comes to hiking any mountain, I always prefer to travel with people who will accept my weakness and won’t make me feel ashamed of it. Not even a bit.

We rested at a bench just in front of the trail going up. Our young guide told us it was going to be an assault all the way to the summit so we needed to brace ourselves for the arduous task coming. We only had a hearty conversation to fill our hungry souls with. Trail snacks were not even on the menu as we had just eaten. I think, for the most part, the only thing we couldn’t live without was water. Anything else can be eased by our shared laughter.

We began taking the assault shortly after we had ourselves enough rest which is exactly an hour since we started hiking. This time instead of the concrete road, we were ascending on a slightly muddly footpath. The sky was cloudy and the sun obscured which I was thankful for as the sun always has been my greatest weakness. The trail of Mt. Pinagbanderahan is as easy as it gets. The only challenging part is the fact that it is a continuous ascent all the way to the peaks. There were steep parts that no abled soul can’t manage. It’s not a technical mountain so navigating skills are not much needed. It was a mountain for everyone, especially for the aspiring mountaineers of this generation.

If along the trail you are about to lose hope as the hike drains you of your energy, don’t fret. You may find motivation from the markers which would indicate how far are you from reaching the summit. Along the trail are four (4) distant local houses. Once you get past all those four, believe me, you are just a few breaths away from the peak. The concrete footpath which was a bit slippery will resume once you reach the 2nd or 3rd house and will abruptly switch to the earthen trail past the village. The ascent will continue until you reach a clearing that will let you marvel at the peaks and the coastlines of Anilao. From there the peaks are just five (5) minutes of an easy assault.

TRIVIA

• Mt. Pinagbanderahan is the local name of this mountain. Pinagbanderahan means “where the flag was hoisted”. Legend says that a battle took place within this mountain and the victor’s flag was hoisted on one of its peaks after the battle was won. Historical accounts on the other hand mention a Japanese warplane crashing in one of the peaks and thus to commemorate, a flag was hoisted in Pinagbanderahan’s peak.
• Gulugod Baboy is the name of one of the peaks of Mt. Pinagbanderahan. It was derived from the peak’s structure that resembles a pig (baboy) when viewed from the Pinagbanderahan peak.

IMPORTANT TIPS AND TRAVEL INFO

About the mountain:

• Try to minimize the impact that you bring to this mountain. Avoid leaving your trash i.e. plastic bottles and wrappers. The locals of Anilao don’t even have the proper waste disposal facility to take care of their own trash. Let’s not add to their worry any further.
• Gulugod Baboy is part of the ongoing problem and sad truth about our mountains. Plastic trash is all over the place. Local houses along the trail store tons of plastic bottles. Please, don’t be a part of the problem. Take your trash with you and dispose of it properly once you get back to the city or to your home.
• During the pandemic, please avoid coming in large groups. Observe social distancing, have alcohol handy and properly wear a face mask.

About transportation

• Getting to and from the jumpoff/registration and Mabini Hwy can only be done through a tricycle.
• From the summit, if you don’t want to hike back to the registration area, you can hire a tricycle to take you back to the town proper or to your chosen resort if you are to visit the beaches there which are priced at P150.
• Don’t stay too late. Passenger jeeps traveling back to Batangas Grand Terminal from Mabini can be hard to find during hours past 8 PM. Alternatively, if you miss the last trip from Anilao to the Grand Terminal, you can take a jeep to Bauan or to the junction where there will be plenty of passenger jeeps bound to the Grand Terminal until 10 PM.
• Taking a tricycle back to the Grand Terminal is also one of the options and is priced at P400 for 4-5 people.

Sidetrips:

• There are plenty of beach resorts in the area such as Phil Pan and Planet Dive Anilao if you are more into diving. The latest craze is the Manta Ray Dive in Sicilian Reef which we missed since the locals are not too familiar with it.
• If the coastlines of Anilao don’t appeal much to your liking, then you can visit the nearby Sombrero Island for a more fun adventure. The boat is priced at P2500-P2800 for 10 people.

HOW TO GO TO MT. GULUGOD BABOY

From Manila – In Buendia, ride a bus to Batangas Grand Terminal (3 Hrs | P200/way). In Batangas Grand Terminal, ride a jeep going to Anilao and get off at the Philpan-Mabini Junction (20 Min | P35). From there, ride a tricycle to the registration site (10 Min | P50/Tricycle).

SUMMARY OF EXPENSES AND OTHER ESSENTIALS

OUR ADVENTURE CAPTURED

People have different reasons why they do what they do. The same goes for climbing mountains. We all have our reasons why we keep on reaching those summits. Why our hearts cry for another moment marveling at another stunning peak. Some want to test their skills. Others simply don’t want to be bound by limitations. There are some who at the very beginning have fought alongside the environment and the preservation of this earth’s gifts. No matter what our reasons are. Beyond the bonds that were strengthened by unimaginable challenges. Beyond the unforgettable moments shared with new-found friends is the birth of a brand new perspective that compels us to be aware and more responsible towards this world that is our home.

GULUGOD BABOY, Anilao Batangas | 525+ MASL | 2/9 Difficulty

There you have it folks. Hope to see in you the trail. Until next time. Ciao 🙂

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