My Travel: Mt. Gulugod Baboy Trek

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 peak after the battle was won. Historical accounts on the other hand mention about a Japanese warplane crashing in one of the peaks and thus to commemorate, a flag was hoisted in Pinagbanderahan 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 Pinagbanderahan peak.

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 promise 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.

HOW TO GO THERE

• Ride a Batangas bound bus in Buendia/Cubao Stations and alight the bus in Batangas Grand Terminal (Fare: P160).

• From there, ride a jeep going to Anilao and get off at the Philpan-Mabini Junction (Fare: P35).

• Ride a tricycle going to the registration site of Gulugod Baboy (Fare P40).

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 is priced at P150.

• Don’t stay too late. Passenger jeeps traveling back to Batangas Grand Terminal from Mabini can be hard too find during the hours past 8PM. Alternatively if you miss the last trip, you can take a jeep back to Bauan or to the junction. There will be plenty of passenger jeeps bound to the Grand Terminal until 10PM.

• Taking a tricycle back to the Grand Terminal is also one of the other options but it can be too costly as it is priced at P400 for 4-5 people.

THINGS TO BRING
-2L Water
-Trail Snacks
-Packed Lunch
-Extra Clothes
-First Aid Kit Inc Personal Meds
-Toiletries
-Wet wipes
-Umbrella
-Trash Bag

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 are all over the place. Local houses along the trail have been a storage of plastic bottles. Please, don’t be a part of the problem. Take your trash with you and dispose it properly once you get back to the city or to your home.

Enjoy and have fun! :)