HP D&I Pinatubo Trek Experience
Keen Robante
3GS photos: http://sharpangel.multiply.com/photos/album/154

May 29, 2010 – GoGo Bibo was able to join the first Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Pinatubo Trek initiative of their company. Half of the tour fee was sponsored by HP and was limited to 50 employees.

It is easy to reach the Pinatubo crater. There are a number of tour groups that offer a day tour package for local and foreign explorers.

The tour was organized by the HP D&I team, lead by Jon Ong and facilitated by “Kuya Jay” of SABIT mountaineers (http://www.sabitmountaineer.com). It was a fun experience for everyone and we were able to meet new friends from the company, SABIT and local Tarlac residents.
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The Pinatubo trek group met and started the tour from San Miguel Properties Corporation (SMPC) building in Ortigas early morning. It took us 1 hour and 10 minutes to reach McDonald’s Capas Tarlac with a 50 seater “Chandelier” bus.

Bibo went with his team mate Richelle and was able to meet new friends from the company: Jade, Homer and Elmo. They were seated in the last row of the bus.

The tour had a pit stop for breakfast and prepared our lunch packs for consumption later in the crater.
The group then set off on a 15 minute drive to Pinatubo Spa in barangay Santa Juliana where we met the 4X4 jeep that takes a group of 5 to the Pinatubo trek base.

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There are a total of 70 accredited jeeps allowed to provide tour in Pinatubo.
Each group was provided with a local guide and professional 4X4 JEEP driver. We met our driver Sherwin and our local guide Kuya Boy.

There is a registration procedure in the barangay hall and military checkpoint upon entering the Lahar covered fields of Santa Juliana, Tarlac.
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The group took a long 35 minute drive crossing lahar covered fields and breathtaking view of mountains that were formed and deformed from the eruption of Mount Pinatubo lat 1991. The Jeep will also cross small steam of water and river. Expect to see some skinny cows and red trees along the way. :)

Then prepare yourself to a series of up and down mountains trails, drive at the side of a cliffs and more mountain paths to reach the Pinatubo base. Drive inclination can reach 50 degrees. You can pray and hold your breath for 50 minutes if you want.
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It took 1 hour and 25 minutes to reach the Pinatubo trek base from barangay Santa Juliana. A small wooden sign is popular for a group picture at the base.

There is a lot of 4X4 JEEP parked in the base area. As a tourist destination in the Philippines, the crater is visited by 200 local and foreign visitors on an average weekend.

The group then set our legs on a 24 minute trek to reach the crater across rocks, river streams and local plants. The walk and climb up the mountain is easy.
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Upon reaching the crater, you will notice 2 rest rooms. :)
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There is a spectacular view and developed plateau before going down the lake area. The air is cold and there are a number of people taking pictures. The group is one of them.
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There is also a snack bar here but the price is double the original price. :)

Go through steep developed steps down to reach the lake area.

The view in the lake is as magnificent as on the top. It is just awesome!


People prefer to take a dip in the cold water. There are girls in bikini, boys in trunks and some foreigner taking a tan. Others like us just relax themselves and watch the view for an hour as we also have our lunch.
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You can choose to ride a boat crossing the lake for 350 Php each.
We did not choose to ride the boat as we thought it is expensive. We got bored and our group decided to go back to Pinatubo Spa for a massage and bath. It took us 24 minutes down to the Pinatubo base trek and another 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach barangay Santa Juliana, Tarlac.

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Being the first one to get there, we were able to explore and enjoy the services of Pinatubo Spa. This is where you can find the Open door massage (500 Php), Mud pool (500 Php), Volcanic sand spa (500 Php), bar and souvenir shop. Taking a bath will cost you 100 Php.

Bibo likes the Mud pool. However, we have limited time left and a dip will cost an unreasonable 500 Php.

An hour after most of the tour groups arrived. We took our 2 hour and 2 minute bus ride from Pinatubo Spa, Tarlac to Manila. The ride is as complete as watching the movie “Bad Lieutenant” staring Nicolas Cage and the hot Eva Mendes.
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Arrived in Manila around 6:10 PM.

Overall we had a tiring but great road trip to Mt. Pinatubo crater. It was a fun event and Bibo was able to share interesting stories with new and old friends Richelle, Tet, Michelle, Alex, Homer, Elmo and Jade.

Thanks to the organizers and SABIT mountaineers. Special thanks to our driver Kuya Sherwin and Kuya Boy Mahoyhoy of Capas, Tarlac.
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Till our next road trip! Cheers!
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