MT PULAG: Ambangeg - Tawangan Over the Weekend

on our way down to Lusod

A journey in Benguet is always worth a story. I’ve travelled the place far and wide but it’s a different feeling when you’re travelling alone with a local family. And the Ballagans are one of those families who know the trails of Mt Pulag National Park like the back of their hands.

TNF 100 Baguio 2012 Results

Josiah and the other 50km podium finishers

I can’t think of any other way to start this article than to express my gratitude to all those who believed with me. I believed in Josiah and so did you! Now we’ve put him in his rightful place on the podium. Thanks to Lukas Lakwatsero, Bhenjo Bernardo, Jules Picato, Jesus Calupitan and friends, and Allan Palomares.


Cordillerans Rule

Josiah with the trail legend Iker Karrera who finished first in the 100k event

The recently concluded TNF100 Thrill of the Trail in Baguio was participated in by more than one thousand trail runners around the world including the trail legend Iker Karrera and one of the top adventure racers in the Asia Pacific region Ryan Blair.

Osmena Peaks

I want to start this article with a note on the name of the location. This cluster of peaks in southern Cebu, which resembles the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, is referred to by three names—Osmeña Peaks, Osmeña Peak and O-Peak. Whether the place had a previous name is as unclear as who christened it as Osmeña Peak. One thing’s for sure, the place is named after a prominent bloodline in Cebu to which the late President Sergio Osmeña belongs. One of the Osmeñas, they say, took refuge in this group of peaks during wartime.   

Tinagong Dagat

Visayan Trekkers Forum: Friendship Trek of the Visayans

March 3-4, 2012

This article isn’t about itineraries and budgeting. This is about one of the many lessons LIFE teaches us! This is about an experience!

Last March 3-4, a group of ten individuals representing the islands of Leyte, Cebu and Negros gathered together for the first Visayan Trekkers Forum—Friendship Trek of the Visayans. We were mostly strangers to each other but we were all one in the spirit of unity and camaraderie among Visayan trekkers. The master planner was Gian Carlo Jubela (Cebu). The itinerary architect was Jack Daniel Cerrada (Bacolod). The other participants were Yuri (Leyte/Cebu), Neil (Leyte/Cebu), Duyduy (Cebu), Ed (Cebu), Kathy (Cebu/Negros), Mitch (Cebu), Jigz (Negros) and me (Leyte). We were to embark on a trek in Tanagong Dagat in Silay City, Negros Occidental.

Pilipinas Akyathlon Results

taken during one of his trainings in Baguio

Josiah Outruns the Country’s Elite Runners

The first-ever International Skyrace in the Philippines has just been concluded. And Josiah Ballagan awed everybody with his very strong performance! The event was a 33-km out and back run in Mt Ugo in Itogon, Benguet last Saturday (February 18).

Josiah finished fifth overall and second among locals with a time of 4:05:40. The Kenyans ruled the race with Chirchir Jackson finishing with a time of 3:42:36 and compatriot Eliud Kprugut Kering finishing after 3:46:08. A local runner from Bicol, Mario Maglinao came in 3^rd with 3:59:46 who was followed by the Malaysian Saffrey Sumping with 4:01:14. But the very strong uphill runner Josiah was the third to reach the summit (behind the two Kenyans).