Malabrigo Lighthouse and more: Lobo, Batangas

So refreshing view after 300 steps from the shore.

If you have never been to Baguio City, then going to Lobo, Batangas is a must-try just to have an idea of long, hanging and winding roads. For me, who have familiarity with the bitukang manok and the Atimonan road, I think I have a bit of idea. Bitukang manok, by the way, refers to the crooked way to Daet, Camarines Norte (from Naga City) which is like bitukang manok (chicken intestine) while the Atimonan road  that goes to the national park of Quezon have so steep parts. In totally, it's quite fun that I have never been to Baguio City. My feet have already reached as far as Sapporo, Japan but not yet in Baguio City, the summer capital city of the Philippines.

After about three hours of land travel from Quezon City, we reached the town of Lobo in Batangas province. We exited via Batangas City; that's the end of a very long highway, and dropped by Batangas City Fire Station as call of courtesy before heading to Lobo. It was late afternoon but then I wondered why there are lots of bystanders in the downtown. At that time, I expect people to be rushing to go home, finishing some last minute grocery shopping and filling the tricycles or jeepneys soon. However, why are they there? I had a few meters walk outside the municipio (municipal hall) and figured out what's going on. Well, Anne Curtis, the famed actress in the Dyesebel (mermaid) soap, is coming to Lobo for a regular taping. 

Early morning in Lobo beach town

The town of Lobo can be described in some words like beaches, atis and Malabrigo. The rest, I still have to know. There is a long stretch of beaches in Lobo. Some famous showbiz personalities even own resorts in Lobo. As a beach area, I could say, Lobo is worth to discover. I saw an area designated for the banca's (boat) of locals. There is an area for swimming where sand is abundant while there is an area with more stones, good for snorkeling perhaps. Bantay Dagat is active in Lobo. Tourists travelling by boat to hop from one beach to another or to reach Malabrigo are expected to wear life vests. Bantay Dagat follows boats with tourists whom they see aren't in life vests. Not only that because Malabrigo is a reason for having a vigilant Bantay Dagat. Malabrigo is a sanctuary, where no fishing is allowed. For me, who hails from a town in Albay with a vast protected sea area, I see the importance of vigilance in protecting our environment.

Malabrigo Lighthouse, a historical landmark of the Spanish colonial period.

More of Malabrigo, Lobo is known for the historical Malabrigo Lighthouse. Now being powered by solar panels, the Malabrigo Lighthouse is still operational and has served as beacon to sea vessels at the Verde Island passage. Known as Faro de Punta, it was designed by Guillermo Brockman in 1891 as a cylindrical tower with metal staircase, adjacent pavilion and machine room. The lighthouse was built by the Chinese contractor Jose Garcia in 1896. It is an outstanding work of architecture from the Spanish colonial period making it one of the country's historical landmarks. 

From the newly-opened resort where we stayed, a motorized boat brought us to the Malabrigo Lighthouse for 30 minutes. It takes 300 steps from the shore in order for one to reach the tower's base. At the top, the view is breathtaking. I viewed the boat we boarded; it looks so tiny already. The view of the neighboring islands of Verde, Mindoro province will make a big "wow!"

What can be seen only in magazines is a real view from the window of guesthouse.

We stayed in Barangay Olo-Olo, where one will literally see mangroves. The area is known for pawikan nestling. There about ten more identified sites to see such as Jaybanga rice terraces, Malagundi point, simbahang bato and others. I did not make it to see them all. It is noteworthy to mention that Lobo is said to be the atis (a tropical fruit) capital of the Philippines. It was not season for atis when I visited so I only got to see atis landmark in the town plaza. From the daily hassle of living in Metro Manila, visiting nearby towns like that in Lobo is indeed a rewarding activity.

Dos Montes Spring Resort

Dos Montes Hillside Spring Resort, Malilipot, Albay

My family live just few meters away from the famed black sand beaches in Bacacay, Albay. Aside from regularly going into the shore (except me), we also try a new and different thing. This time - we are visiting a nearby natural spring resort.

About five kilometers away from our provincial residence, Dos Montes Resort is located in the next town of Malilipot. It is a hidden natural spring resort at the foot of a mountain. The town of Malilipot, aside from having two island barangays, is also known for its lowland and upland barangays. The resort is not far from the national highway going to Tabaco City. In fact, if one is not bringing a lot of stuff (baon) it is so nice to walk toward the area. If one does not prefer to walk or just commuting, pedicabs will bring you from the highway to the resort. 

A few meters away from Dos Montes is the famous Busay Falls. The falls is maintained by the local government. The way to Dos Montes and Busay falls, aside from having concrete clean roads, have lots of lush and greens. The scarce fresh air in Metro Manila is super abundant there.

The water that flows in the swimming pools of Dos Montes come from natural spring from the mountains. In fact, the resort management says that it is potable. Indeed, the water is so cold.

My family had to bring several termos (thermostat) so that while swimming, we stirred our coffee and sip from time to time. Then, plunge on the pools again. 

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel grotto

Extreme caution should be observed for children. The resort is made of concrete infrastructure mostly of materials from Mayon volcano (gravel, sand), perhaps the best material on the planet. Children must not be allowed to run in the area to avoid slippage and injuries. Besides, the resort's entrance area is sufficient for running as colorful fishes greet the guests.

For Catholics [I bet the owner is Catholic too], there is a huge grotto on the side of the mountain overlooking the entire resort - Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. From whom my name came from, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is the patron saint of the town of Malilipot, where Dos Montes is located.