This story first appeared in June 2012 on my now-defunct Xanga account, then quietly sat as a draft on my Blogger page since July 2013. In 2025, I gave it a gentle update—refined a few words, polished the sentence structures, and balanced the grammar—but the voice remains untouched. It’s still me: a rookie, rain-soaked, and ridiculously excited to be on the trail.

Quick Trail Recap
📍 Mt. Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas
🗓️ Freedom Climb | June 12, 2012
🕓 Day hike only (we started early and went home before sunset)
🥾 Trail difficulty: 2/9 – Beginner-friendly
☕ Highlight: Adopted by the Robles’ sisters (OG squad) + met new trail friends + bulalo finale

I said, “YES!!! ” without hesitation when Candice invited me to join her and her sister, Ate Donna, for a Freedom Climb at Pico de Loro. I’d been waiting for this moment for so long. My eagerness to climb a mountain—rain or shine—was a solid 10 out of 10. Honestly, if someone had invited me to climb a termite mound at that point, I might’ve still packed my bag.

After office hours on June 11, I quickly threw together my things and headed to BBL Buendia Bus Station, bound for San Pedro, Laguna. I was staying at Candice’s house for the night before our climb. But plans shifted—Ate Donna announced we’d be climbing Mt. Batulao instead, since her friends couldn’t make it. Not wanting to waste the day, the three of us decided to go anyway. Plot twist: the mountain chose us.

🥾 Rookie Moves & Lessons Learned

I was a total rookie. Honestly, I considered this my “first time.” Mountaineering taught me so many basics—what to do, what not to do, and what never to forget. I underestimated the hobby. I wasn’t prepared—I was just excited and in a hurry.

My outfit? Sneakers (yes, sneakers!), leggings topped with denim shorts, and a T-shirt. Not terrible, but still… Ugh 🤣. My backpack wasn’t rain-protected, but thankfully I stuffed my clothes into a plastic bag. I didn’t even have a tumbler. HAHAHAHA! Basically, I looked like I was headed to a mall sale, not a mountain trail.

🌧️ Welcome to Mt. Batulao

It was June 12, 2012—Philippine Independence Day—when we headed to Mt. Batulao in Nasugbu, Batangas. The skies were gray, and the sun refused to show up. We took a Nasugbu-bound bus near Robinsons Dasmariñas for ₱61. After nearly an hour, we reached Evercrest Golf Course at 8 AM, our jump-off point. A tricycle took us further in, and Wilson, a second-year student, became our guide.

The fog rolled in, and the rain teased us. I kept watching the mountain from afar, unsure if we’d make it. But I never thought of giving up. The idea of reaching the summit had already taken root in my mind—I had to be there. Spoiler alert: I made it. And I didn’t even cry.

🍜 Sari-Sari Store Stopover

We realized we hadn’t eaten. A sari-sari store gave us a chance to warm our stomachs, take a CR break, and meet some campers (I was envious—I wanted to camp too!). We registered, as required, and learned one of the most important mountaineering lessons: eat before the climb. Or risk hallucinating that your trail buddy is a giant siopao.

🏔️ The Climb & The Summit

We started at 8 AM via the new trail and planned to descend through the old trail. By 2 PM, we were back in the lowlands. At one point, we paused—unsure if we should continue. The weather was worsening, and the steep slopes made Ate Donna reconsider.

Then came a solo backpacker. He smiled, chatted briefly, and encouraged us to push on. This is why we climb, I thought—to reach the summit.

At the top, we met Jonathan, the same backpacker, and his companion, Ayie. We bonded instantly, sharing stories and dreams. We even planned a climb to Mt. Cristobal for Candice’s birthday. Because nothing says friendship like agreeing to suffer together on a steep incline.

Descending via the old trail with Jonathan, while Ayie took the new trail, the rain poured hard. We were soaked and chilled, but the thrill of mountaineering kept me going. This was my first Luzon climb—and I finally understood why people say mountaineering is addictive.

🍲 A Feast to Celebrate

After the climb, we took a tricycle back to the highway. I paid ₱20 for a quick bath at a local store to freshen up. Then, as a reward, we joined Ayie and Jonathan for a hearty meal at Mahogany Market in Tagaytay.

No photos, but the memory is vivid: bulalo, lechon kawali, tawilis, and two cups of rice. A feast fit for tired, happy mountaineers. Calories don’t count when you’ve hiked through fog, rain, and existential doubt.

🌄 Reflections from the Trail

Looking back, Mt. Batulao wasn’t just a destination—it was a beginning. I arrived with mismatched gear and zero expectations but left with a heart full of grit, wonder, and a hunger for the mountains. That foggy trail, the rain-soaked descent, the laughter with strangers who became friends—it all stitched itself into the fabric of who I was becoming.

I didn’t know it then, but this climb would shape the way I saw the world: with open eyes, steady feet, and a deep respect for the journey. There are still countless peaks to conquer, but Mt. Batulao will always be the one that whispered, “You belong here.”