Puerto Galera is a top destination here in the Philippines. It has pristine beaches, white sand, and the lively night life of the island. Puerto Galera is also the home of the Mangyan, the indigenous tribe of Mindoro province. Puerto Galera Ultra has been one of my bucket list of ultra races here in the … Continue reading Puerto Galera Ultra-50KM: A Brutal yet Rewarding Run
Why do we hike? Why do I have to do this? Why do I need to climb this so steep a hill, only to find out that the view is obstructed by fog. Why do we need to carry a heavy backpack, on a rainy, slippery trail and sleep on wet ground with insects, or … Continue reading Why do We Hike?
“I’m not the strongest. I’m not the fastest. But I’m really good at suffering.” - Amelia Boone The gun started, and 58 runners ran for the first station of the 50 Mile race; it was 9 in the evening, and the cold air in the mountainous town of Kayapa was breezing the runners, a welcome … Continue reading Endurance Running: Lessons from Hardcore Ultra Trail 50 Miles
I saw this post earlier this morning and could not help but think of the unnecessary requirements to hike Mt. Guiting-Guiting. The new requirements were laid down since a hiker had died last December 2025. I bet the Tourism, and LGU of Sibuyan Island are good in their intentions. However, I have some questions: What … Continue reading Of Red Tape and Mt. Guiting-Guiting
Days 1 to 3 can be read here: https://thoughtsofyetobelawyer.com/2025/07/24/pacific-coast-trail-phase-2-5d4n-days-1-to-3/ In Day 4, we past communities and a suspended bridge, below of which the children were playing. We traversed different coconut plantations, and beach fronts, until we arrived at a river where locals also took a bath to relieve themselves from the sweltering heat. We also … Continue reading Pacific Coast Trail – Phase 2 (5d4n)- Days 4 to 5
The longest hike to date.
Interbeing is the understanding that nothing exists separately from anything else. We are all interconnected. By taking care of another person, you take care of yourself. By taking care of yourself, you take care of the other person. The understanding of interbeing is very important. It helps us to remove the illusion of loneliness, and … Continue reading Hiking and Buddhism
I am always fascinated by this trail as the trail is not the ordinary trail where people organize hikes in the mountains. Rather, as Yabag says, it is a thru hike. So what is a thru hike? Thru hiking is defined by Thru-Hiking.com as a walking a long-distance path from start to end. In most … Continue reading Pacific Coast Trail – Phase 1 (3d2n)
The race started at 1:00 in the morning. The once dark and chilly night was illuminated by running lights. Runners past Kayapa Municipal Hall and turned left going to Mt. Ugo. The trail was dark. and the ground was muddy. The lamp posts did not help. It was dim. Other runners overtook me. Methinks that … Continue reading Hardcore Ultra Trail 60k
You know what's insane? A person who hates running is joining an ultramarathon! You heard it I hate running. I could not imagine running, let alone an ultra marathon. Heck, when I was a wee lad, I was always kulelat on running with my childhood playmates. But here I am, joining one of the toughest … Continue reading Hardcore Ultra Trail 60K – The Arrival, Race Briefing, and Other Silliness in between
Manananggol na Namumundok 