Okay. The thought of traveling had crossed into your mind at one point. But you are shutting down the idea because you don’t know where or how to start your own adventures. Let my friends inspire you. When they joined me for the first time on a hike or a trek, the roller coaster of their emotions is like excitement turned to pain then to fulfillment to separation anxiety to enthusiasm to do it again. There are destinations meant for beginners. Let’s call these such as pabebe climbs and treks.

Pabebe climbs are considered to be easy in contrast with Harkor (hardcore) hikes. The difficulty of hikes of Pabebe type ranges from 2 to 4 (on a scale up to 9 being the highest based on PH Mountains app). Pabebe could also be relatively daunting but the popularity of the mountain translates to a number of beginners who also made it to the summit and came back alive. That would mean you can survive the challenge as well. No excuses. The itinerary of the most of the Pabebe climbs will only cost less than PhP500 per pax.

Unfortunately just like how irritating Pabebe is for some in the online context, Pabebe climbs have drawbacks too. Because of the popularity of these climbs, most of these mountains are already abused or being rehabilitated. That’s why the bigger challenge for everyone is to climb or to trek following the Leave No Trace principle.

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1. Malangaan Cave

Getting to the jump off point is a long drive from downtown of Baliuag to Brgy. Tukod but right after you arrive at the barangay, it will only take you less than 200 meters (or less than 10 minutes) to see the teardrop formation of the caves. There is no registration fee and your guides are the kids in the area. You will only need them as spelunking guides.

The walls, however, are full of vandalism – the worst state in this Pabebe list. The water spring that welcomes you makes you think twice before you swim but there are locals who dip on that small pond. Cleanliness is in the eye of beholder.

The saving grace of the cave is how weathering carved those unique shape of its entrance hallway for centuries. Simply put, the cave is photogenic. There is also a wall of marble located outside the cave. Its whitewashed and textured characteristics are Instagrammer’s favorite.

Location: San Rafael, Bulacan
Cost: Less than PhP 500
Hashtags: #Instraverse #MalangaanMoKaya