Ultramarathon Trail (50KM DNF) Solo Joiner; Altra 50 Bicol 2025

Filipino Ultra Trail Slow Runner Solo Joiner April 13, 2025 Camarinus Sur, Philippines

Ultramarathon Trail (50KM DNF) Solo Joiner; VJ100UTC Baguio 2024

This Fun Run served as my Fourth Trail Run and Third ULTRAMARATHON (50KM) as a Solo Joiner, following the Luneta to Tagaytay Ultramarathon (60KM) last Mar. 2025, My main objective is just to finish the race (beating my previous PR is optional), I want to enjoy the run at my own pace.

Ultramarathon Trail (50KM DNF) Solo Joiner; Altra 50 Bicol 2025

Race Name:	ALTRA BICOL 50 2025			Distance:	ULTRAMARATHON (50KM)
Registration:	₱3,040	Inclusion:	Race Bib, Event Shirt, Finisher Medal, Post Race Meal
Location:	PANICUASON, NAGA CITY (one-loop)			Cut-off Time:	13-Apr-2025 Sun (18 hours)
Requirements:	marathon finished, medical certificate			Shoes I used:	Salomon Supercross 4
Finished:	NO	Time:	09:05:24	Altitude Gain:	3,158m
New PR:	N/A	Pace:	DNF	Rank:	DNF
ITRA:	3 Points	UTMB:	No	My Rating:	3 of 10 stars

Qualification: (1) Must be at least 18 years old on race day. (2) Must have completed a 42 Km or higher distance road or trail run between January 2024 and March 2025. (3) Must be physically fit and in good health supported by a medical certificate with a clearly stated “fit to run” not later than six (6) months before the event.

Route difficulty: Difficult one-loop route, not good for beginners. Lots of lost route markers on the 1st 37km, as such, lots of DNFs also. The last 10km final push to Mt. Isarog is brutal, very high total elevation gain of around 1,400m for just 5km distance from base to summit. 

Remarks (My rating: 3 of 10 stars): (1) Lots of lost route markers on the 1st 37km, as such, lots of DNF runners also. (2) Somehow organized, started on time. Minimal refreshments in the water stops. (3) Event shirt and finisher medal design is ok. (4) Food meal after race has no plate, bring you own. (5) decided to DNF due to the burdening inner knee pain, challenging route direction and scorching weather

If given the chance, do I like to join this race again? No (enough for the experience)

Caramoan Budget Family Tour last part; Whole Day Island Tour Long Trip

another Philippines' best beach for my family adventure

March 06 to 08, 2015

Caramoan Budget Family Tour 2nd part; Afternoon Island Tour Short Trip 

Caramoan Island Tour (long trip) is a 8-hour boat tour to the islands far from Paniman Port. It is ideal to start this tour as early as 0800-0900H. There are minimum 4 islands to visit that includes Cotivas Island (nipa hut cottage fee PhP100), Manlawi Sandbar (highlight of this tour as this is the best sandbar I've seen in the world, regular Survivor Show venue for reward/immunity challenge, nipa hut floating cottage fee PhP150), Bugtong Sandbar (small version of Manlawi Sandbar only 15mins away) and Sabitang Laya Island (triangle shape with twin beach). I requested to add The Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Rosary (located in Tabgon which is very far from the center town, 530 steps to 26ft grotto, guide fee PhP100, entrance fee PhP30/head) to our journey, no additional charge as we just shortened the beachbumming stay in Sabitang Laya. We left Paniman Port (Caramoan mainland) at 0900H and went back around 1700H (8hr well-satisfied boat tour).

BUDGET ISLAND TOUR SERVICE INFORMATION;
boatman: KUYA RAMIL (30+ years of experience as boatman in Caramoan) (+63-907-4351962)
boat type: very decent boat with life vest, katig and cover; can accommodate 6-7 passengers
rental fee: PhP1,500 (short trip) / PhP2,500 (long trip) excluding meals and transportation from/to hotel
starting point: Paniman Port (30min travel time by tricycle from center town)
remarks: highly recommended for being kind and accommodating, offers "paluto" for island meal

We spent our 1st day for transportation to Caramoan and island tour short trip and 2nd day for whole day island tour. The 3rd day is the whole day transportation from Caramoan going home.

TOTAL BUDGET: PHP25,484 ($573) for 3-DAYS TRIP (3 Adults, 1 Senior, 2 Child)

Caramoan Budget Family Tour; Whole day Island Tour Long Trip (Manlawi Sandbar floating cottage)

Caramoan Budget Family Tour 2nd part; Afternoon Island Tour Short Trip

another Philippines' best beach for my family adventure

March 06 to 08, 2015

Caramoan Budget Family tour 1st part; from Sleeper Bus to Accommodation

“Dagos tabi!” - a warm and friendly Bikol greeting, meaning, “Please come in, you are most welcome!” 

Caramoan is a first-class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Bicol Region, Philippines. It is located at the tip of the Caramoan Peninsula, a rugged place of land extending into the waters of the Maqueda Channel on the north and east and Lagonoy Gulf on the south. Caramoan is both a town and a region, but it also points to the islands sorrounding Caramoan. Bring your swimming trunk, bikinis, body board, swim vests, etc, along and have food or drinks catered over. You will need a minimum of two full days to really see and enjoy this place.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Caramoan

Interesting Facts about Caramoan Town, Camarines Sur: 

Caramoan has been the site for several editions of the competitive reality television show Survivor. Survivor is the American version of the reality game show derived from Swedish television series Expedition Robinson in 1997.
1. Survivor Israel for 3 Seasons; 3 (2009), 4 (2010), 5 (2011) 
2. Survivor USA for 2 Seasons; 25 (2013) and 26 (2014)
3. Survivor Serbia for 2 Season; 2 (2010) and 3 (2011)
4. Survivor France for Season 8 (2008)
5. Survivor India for Season 1 (2012)
6. Survivor Bulgaria for Season 4 (2009)
7. Survivor Sweden for Season 10 (2010)

Survivor Caramoan Update (March 2015);
In reference to some hearsay during my visit, there will be another Survivor Reality Show new season episode tapings this coming June 2015. Also, it will be around 3-5 consecutive seasons in different countries.

Caramoan Island Tour (short trip) is a 3-hour boat tour to the islands nearby the Paniman Port along Caramoan mainland. It is ideal to start this tour in the afternoon. There are 4 islands to visit that includes  ​​​​Matukad Island (5min hike on limestone sharp peaks to see the legendary lone huge milkfish), Lahos Island, Cagbalinad Island and Gota Beach Resort (Survivor Show staff accommodation).

Caramoan Budget Family Tour 2nd part; Afternoon Island Tour Short Trip (Matukad Island hiking)

Caramoan Budget Family Tour 1st part; from Sleeper Bus to Accommodation

another Philippines' best beach for my family adventure

March 06 to 08, 2015

"A family is a risky venture, because the greater the love, the greater the loss... That's the trade-off. But I'll take it all." - Brad Pitt

My 16th family outing initiated, their 2nd visit in Bicol Region (following the Naga-Legazpi trip last November 2011), and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. Please take note I did not perform any advance booking; I just texted the boatman for island trips and the resort owner for 2 nights accommodation while walk-in payment for the sleeper night bus.

Important Tip: Depart any bus from Cubao/Pasay not more than 2000H  to arrive Naga bus terminal at 0500H; leave Naga van terminal by around 0600H so that you reach the 0800H Sabang Port, San Jose boat departure and arrive at Guijalo Port, Caramoan by 1000H. This is the ideal itinerary to maximize the Island Trip (short).

IDEAL (14hrs)		TRANSPO	FROM	TO	FARE/PAX
2000H-0500H	9hrs	bus	Cubao/Pasay Terminal	Naga Bus Terminal	₱750
0500H-0545H	45mins	tricycle/walk	Naga Bus Terminal	Naga Van Terminal	₱8
0545H-0715H	1.5hrs	van	Naga Van Terminal	Sabang Port, San Jose	₱100
0800H-1000H	2hrs	boat	Sabang Port, San Jose	Guijalo Port, Caramoan	₱120

FROM SLEEPER NIGHT BUS TO CARAMOAN ACCOMMODATION ROAD TRIP ITINERARY

March 05, 2015 Thursday
1900H ETD Home; taxi bound to Isarog Bus Terminal (Edsa Cubao) 300php
1945H ETA Isaraog Cubao Terminal; 4-adults 1-child 4,825php (1,000/adult, 825/senior&child)
2100H ETD Cubao (family composed of 3 adults, 1 senior & 2 child)
Subtotal: 5,125php

March 06, 2015 Friday
0600H ETA Naga City bus terminal (9hrs travel); tricycle to van terminal 500m away, back of SM mall 36php
0645H ETD Naga City van terminal 500php (100/pax) full pax requirement for van departure
0815H ETA Sabang Port (1.5hrs travel); 0800H boat departed already, late due to delayed Naga bus arrival
breakfast 315php; bridging fee 50php (10/pax)
1100H ETD Sabang Port 540php (120/pax, 60/children 8 yrs below)
land travel (Raymund bus) will take around 5hrs from Naga to Caramoan with php250-300 per pax
1300H ETA Guijalo Port (2hrs travel); bridging fee 50php; free van pick-up West Peninsula Villa
1330H ETA West Peninsula Villa (free transfer from/to Guijalo Port, free breakfast, free wifi, swimming pool, gym, walking distance to central town... only 2,500php for standard room 4pax, a/c room with toilet)
Subtotal: 1,491php

BUDGET TOTAL: 5,125 + 1,491 = PHP6,616
Based on the above, we made 16hrs of travel with 6 modes of transportation types from our home to our accommodation in Caramoan (taxi, sleeper bus, tricycle, aircon van, boat, aircon van).

Caramoan Budget Family Tour 1st part; from Night Bus to Accommodation (Sabang Port, San Jose)

Legazpi - Naga Rainy Family Day-Tour without Me

2011’s 3rd family outing
November 05, 2011 Saturday

due to an expected changes, i still pursue this event though i was not there. i made a very detailed itinerary so that confusion will be least anticipated during their travel. also, this is their first time to have a family outing without me in-charge and their first time to go on this places. my itineraries from my camnorte-legazpi last may 2011 and camsur pnr bicol express day-tour september 2011 helped a lot and give me more confidence that they can nail this.

mayon volcano

Bicol Week-End Express Hopping last part (Legazpi City)

another hitched get-away

may 20-22, 2011 friday to sunday

white fine sands of calaguas islands
bicol weekend express hopping part 1 (camnorte)

continued...

woke up as early as 0700H then left by 0800H and then rode a jeep infront of lodging bound to lignon hill park. the roads are very steepy that we decided to left our baggages in the guardhouse just to cope up the road upward. this hill is an adventure place where zipline, jump-off of ATV's and jugging are found. overlooking above is the 2,400 meter (8,000 feet) mayon volcano. but it was cloudy the time we went there. 

mayon night shot around 1am

Bicol Week-End Express Hopping 1st part (Camarines Norte)

another hitched get-away
may 20-22, 2011 friday to sunday

objective: to visit this best tourist spot and fit to my budget at limited amount of time.

additional tasks: to have this 1st beachineering in calaguas island and 1st look on mayon volcano.

the preparation:

grabbing the outburst of my travel addictness and the opportunity of summer season, planning of calaguas getaway was one of not-so-called spontaneous trip since i just thought of this as gamble adventure, meaning a 50-50 chance possibility. i am very fortunate, once again, to meet mr. yuri and his very kind group and give such a warm accommodation as if we know each other before (my 1st time was with miss mitchie of camiguin).

white fine sands of calaguas islands

tricycle top-load experience

In the Island of Calaguas at Last!

budget diy day-tour beachbumming
May 21, 2011 Saturday

objective: to be able to experience white fine sands at a very low budget.

additional tasks: to confirm if this island is a threat to the world's famous boracay island.

I have once again hitched another set of unknown friendly and very accommodating group, c/o Yuri et al in an online travel forum, to satisfy my eagerness in visiting this popular underrated white beach. If you really want to go on an adventure mode of budget traveling, knowledge of schedule on earliest and last trip of public bus bound to destination is very essential. In this case, we went to an air-con bus of Philtranco liner in Pasay City. For a Camarines Norte trip, the following are the last trip from Pasay on daily basis (as of May 2011).

Daet - aircon bus - 2000H - php580

Panganiban - aircon bus - 1830H - php580

Since we arrived at 1930H, we have no choice but to avail the Daet bound. Supposedly, Panganiban is the top priority but we didn't researched the departure times. Fortunately, there were 3 passengers that didn't arrived which was the exact count of my group. And so there it goes, we left Pasay at 2000H. Around 0100H we spent 1st stop-over to Gumaca, Quezon and left after 30 minutes. at 0400H, we dropped-off to Talobatib, Camarines Norte. Then, rode a tricycle bound to Bato-Balani crossing. By the way, if you ride the Panganiban-bound trip, bus will drop-off exactly to Bato-Balani crossing. But the bad news, you will be there as early as 0230H.

Marine Bay Sands skypark cloud formation above calaguas

Windy Province of Catanduanes last part

my birthday beachbumming trip
january 28-30, 2011 friday-sunday

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my taste and budget accordingly.
additional tasks: to experience wind-based hobbies on beach

windy province of catanduanes 1st part

continue...

DAY TWO:
Saturday

luyang cave

luyang cave

Windy Province of Catanduanes 1st part

my birthday beachbumming trip
january 28-30, 2011 friday-sunday

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my taste and budget accordingly.
additional tasks: to experience wind-based hobbies on beach

important note (catanduanes):
"Isla de Cobos" was Catanduanes' first adopted name. It was earned as such during the early part of 1573 when Spanish conquistadores came upon several tribes living in the thatched huts called cobos. Catanduanes, is a hispanized term derived from the word tandu, a native beetle and the samdong tree, which were both found in abundance throughout the island. Common reference to "katanduan" or "kasamdongan", meaning a place where the tandu or the samdong tree thrives in abundance, led to the coining the word Catanduanes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catanduanes

bato church

pagasa weather radar station