MT. LUHO'S PEAK - A 360 DEGREE VIEW OF THE ENTIRE ISLAND OF BORACAY FROM ITS HIGHEST POINT AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS

 

When I was planning my trip to Boracay, I was looking for other places to go aside from its white sand beaches.  So I did some research on its other attractions.  What I found was that Boracy is just a small island that can actually be toured in a single day if you have the resources for exploration.  So I thought, what would be the easiest thing to do in order to see the entire island?  What else but climb to its highest vantage point where you can enjoy a breathtaking 360 degree view of the entire island.  At the time of this writing, I am down with the flu but I feel that sharing with you my experience will help blow some of the fever away and lead me to the road of recovery. 

Let me share a little info about this quaint mountain.  Mt. Luho situated in the eastern side of Boracay  is a small mountain where a viewing tower and walkway was built for tourists to appreciate the island from atop.  From here you will have a spectacular 360 degree view from the north, south east and west side of the island.  For the physically fit, a cardiovascular and muscular challenge awaits anyone intending to walk or climb up to the top.  You can also reach the top by biking or renting a tricycle.  Mt Luho is just a 15-minute drive by tricycle to the top.

This is the northern portion of the island where a vast expanse is occupied by Fairways and Bluewater resort.  There are numerous small coves with white sand beach also in this section bu the consistency of the sand is quite different from that found in White Beach.  However, you get you have more privacy and serenity as more people prefer to flock to White Beach where most of the fun happens.

This is the northernmost tip of Boracay.  The seas are calm and very few signs of human activities can be detected.  So if your in to exploration of Boracay's secluded portion, I think this is the place to go to.  Notice that near the center of the picture, you can see the launch tower of Mt. Luho's Zipline Adventure.  I was not able to ride it because I arrived in Mt. Luho around 7am where no one is around to even charge me for the entrance fee of 150 pesos.  So actually I was able to tour the whole place for free with some Aspin dogs serving as my tour guides.  Just make sure you leave the place before 8am as the caretaker will be arriving at that time and you may not be lucky enough to leave the place without being charged.  The tricycle driver said I was lucky because 150 just to tour the place is already high not yet even including the zipline adventure.

This is the northeastern side of Boracay where a portion the golf course of Fairways & Bluewaters are seen.  This section of the island north of White Beach is situated in higher grounds and I think many plush resorts are located within this section.  This is the vantage point where one can view the sunset from atop.

When I arrived at the top, I felt overjoyed by the beautiful sight of Boracay from an eagle's point of view.  Actually I prefer solitude in my adventure and this is one place in Boracay that I found it.  Well, the climb actually gave some health benefits to me together with the fell good hormones that were released after feeling the euphoria brought out by the beautiful view.  Probably in my next visit, I'll be trying out the zipline, zorb ball and the ATV ride to make the experience more exciting and memorable.

This is the southern tip of Boracay showing also the mainland of Aklan from afar.  The eastern beaches are more visible from this view as White Beach is found on the other side where the sun sets at the end of the day.  The best thing about beautiful Boracay is the ling stretch of White sand beach found on either side with White Beach boasting of its powdery white sand.  The low elevation of this section and narrow part of Boracay shows the highest sign of human infrastructure.  I sure hope that at the rate this increase is occuring, the local government can still maintain the beauty of the island and keep it sustainable for tourism so that future generations can still enjoy its beautiful white sand in their time.

The northern tip of Boracay shows its close proximity with Carabao Island. Carabao Island is only 30min away from Boracay. They say that if you want to get away from busy Boracay and enjoy the real nature, you will definitely love Carabao Island. Carabao is what Boracay was 20 years ago with lots of nature and empty beaches.

 This is the eastern side of Boracay Island.  It was already burning daylight before 8am when i arrived here so all my photos were already taken against the sun.  The eastern side is a vast stretch of open sea where the nearest island east of Boracay is the southern tip of the island of Masbate which is not even seen from this point.

After viewing and taking pictures from all sides, I began to explore the other places within the viewpoint. There were actually several viewing decks that are connected with bamboo bridges such as this one.  So one doesn't need to come down and climb each and everyone of it.  Each deck has its own share of spectacular view as not all decks have a clear view of some places.  So you really need to transfer from one deck to another.

This is also the place where the Mount Luho Zipline Adventure is also located.  It was very early in the morning so there were no operations going on yet at this time.  Probably next time when I have more money I will definitely take this ride.

So that's it folks.  This is the Mt. Luho Viewpoint.  Entrance fee 150 pesos per person.  The Zipline Adventure has a separate fee for riding.  So if you plan to visit the place, I advise you, it's not free except very early in the morning when there is no one around yet. hi hi hi.

 As our tricycle made its way downhill,  I saw that there were also horseback riding offered in the place.  It makes the tour more interesting because the travel is slower and you can have a longer time to enjoy the scenery.

 Halfway between the peak and the sea is the Zorb Park where one can experience rolling inside a huge transparent ball and landing on water.  Just make sure you are not claustrophobic.

 As I was gazing at the huge Zorb Ball in its hangar, I can't help but think of my son whom I would be having a grand time with if only circumstances will permit.

 Adventures such as this one is best done in the company of your loved ones.  So make sure to save up for this adventure to make the moment memorable and unforgettable.

 There are actually many attractions along this route such as the ATV and horseback riding.  Since the Mt. Luho was an exploratory trip, I was not yet familiar and and was not able to draw up a do-it-yourself plan to make the adventure as economical as I can.

There is even a theme park located in the intersection on the main road going up. With roller coasters and other rides, one can experience urban fun in a rural place like Boracay.

Many tourists attractions have indeed sprouted out in Boracay making this place a one-stop-shop of pure adventure, family quality time and fun, fun fun!

BenCab MUSEUM : A CULTURAL IMMERSION ALONG THE ASIN ROAD, BENGUET

It's time for another bucket list adventure. This time I will be visiting a museum in the outskirts of Baguio.  This will be quite a different experience because I will be infusing a little bit of culture and the the arts.  So let us now enter the BenCab Museum for another different Baguio adventure to excite you.

The day was great for roaming the outskirts of Baguio and I got a shot of a rain cloud forming not far from wehere I stood.  So I have to cover as many  places as I can before the rain comes in the afternoon.

Before we enter the museum, let me give you a crash info about BenCab "The Artist" (drawn from the Bencab website)

Benedicto Reyes Cabrera — or BenCab, as he is more popularly known is widely hailed as a master of contemporary Philippine art. He was born in Manila on April 10, 1942. BenCab began carving a niche for himself in Manila’s art circles shortly after receiving his bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines in 1963.  Has three children: Elisar (born in 1971), a filmmaker based in London; Mayumi (born in 1973), a model and actress currently living in Los Angeles; and Jasmine (born in 1977), a fashion stylist working in London. The artist lives and works in Baguio City.

A painter and printmaker, he has exhibited widely in the Philippines and in Asia, Europe, and the United States. He has won several major art awards in a career spanning four decades. In 1992, he received the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining (Cultural Center of the Philippines Award for the Arts).

 

In 2006, he was conferred the Order of National Artist for Visual Arts by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacanan Palace. His works have been the subject of three books, Ben Cabrera: Etchings (1970-1980) by Cid Reyes; Bencab’s Rock Sessions by Eric Caruncho; and BENCAB by Alfred Yuson and Cid Reyes.

 

The museum is perched on a cliff along the Asin road in Tuba, Beguet so not only will you be given a treat of art and culture inside the museum but you will also be able to enjoy a picturesque view of the Benguet countryside on several of the museum's balconies.

The museum is composed of several galleries that house the permanent collection of Philippine National Artist Benedicto Cabrera (BenCab), his paintings, his collections of indigenous Cordillera art and the works of Filipino masters and contemprary artists.

The different areas of the museum are the BenCab Gallery, Cordillera Gallery, Erotica Gallery, Sepia Gallery, Philippine Contemporary Art Gallery 1, Philippine Contemporary Art Gallery 2, Maestro Gallery, Print Gallery, Patio Salvador and Larawan Hall.

When touring the BenCab Museum, visitors will also  view the artist's personal collection of rice gods, known in the vernacular as bul-ol, and other examples of indigenous art & crafts of the northern Philippine highlands such as lime containers, tribal weapons and native implements that evidence the rich culture and traditions of the Cordillera region that have intrigued the artist since the 1960s, and one of the reasons BenCab took up residence in the City of Pines in the mid 1980s, upon his return to the Philippines from London in 1985.

 Lounge at the coffee shop called Cafe Sabel and also enjoy the museum's garden with a duck pond, the organic farm with an aviary of local and imported fowl, plus a mini-forest with an eco-trail.

Souvenir items, artbooks, paper products, wood carvings and textiles are for sale at the Museum Shop.  The museum is also being offered up as a new venue for art shows and exhibits Baguio City.

The granary gods, lime containers, native implements, weapons and other outstanding examples of indigenous arts and crafts of the Cordilleras are also highlighted – a reminder of the rich material culture and traditions of the northern Philippine highlands that has fascinated BenCab since the 1960s, and part of the reason why he has made Baguio home since the mid-80s.

With its vision of bringing arts closer to the people, the museum houses the artist’s collections of his own works, as well as those of acknowledged Filipino masters and rising contemporary artists.

The Bencab Museum is committed to the promotion of the arts, and the preservation, conservation and protection of the environment, as well as the culture and traditions of the Cordilleras, as an expression of the artist’s gratitude to the country that nurtured and inspired an artistic career that continues to grow, mature and fascinate.

The BenCab Museum is on Km. 6 Asin Road, a brief 15-minute drive from the center of Baguio City. Built on a promontory, the museum commands a breathtaking view of the adjacent garden, farm, hill and mini-forest, the surrounding mountains, and the South China sea in the distant west.

Well, so much for the basic info about the man and the place.  What has this visit contributed to my health?  Not all that the body needs are physical requirement that nourish our systems.  Food gives us the sustenance to carry out all our life functions, but food for the mind is essential as well.

In an era where Alzheimer's disease is fast rising in our society today, we need to occasionally sit back to nourish our neural functions.  And the best way is to constantly immerse our ever consuming brain to many countless stimuli to ensure that they never decline in function.

As the saying goes, " a part of the body that is not being used will eventually shrink in size and evolution causes it to disappear in time.  So as not allow this to happen, one has to continuously use and exercise every part of the body for it to be of use to the person. And appreciating art for its extrinsic and intrinsic values help stimulate your senses which exercises our brain.

 When the plan to go to Baguio was 100% certain, I began to research for places to go aside from the typical tourists spots of Baguio where I have already countless pictures and redundant memories.  I advised my friends that we should have our own vehicle because commuting via public transport will limit our movement around Baguio.

 

When I didn't get the consesus of the group, I decided to bring my car so I get proceed with my plans of touring these unsual places.  True enough, I wasn't disappointed because BenCab Museum is indeed one place in Baguio you should definitely visit.

 I am not really an art afficionado  but the different art collections and creations of  BenCab truly is an amazing exhibit.  There are ancient, colonial and the contemporary art that clearly describes the Filipino race as unique. With so much artworks and so much pictures, I can no longer post each and everyone of them so I enjoined you to visit this art haven in the fringes of the City of Pines.

But since this is a private museum, I just felt sorry for the masses that flock to Baguio who don't have the resources to visit this far-flung place.  It is indeed very educational for young and old and I feel that there should be efforts made in making this place more easily accessible.  Planners just have to make sure that environmental impacts by tourists should be minimized to the fullest to preserve the integrity of the Benguet landscape.

 In many of the museum's outdoor veranda, one can enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery of the Benguet countryside at its best.  On a clear day, you can even see as far as the West Philippine Sea.  I believe that it is our sea and our territory to nurture and not for others to plunder.