VIDEO FEATURE | Mt Halcon (Cinematic Video)

Mt Halcon aka Sialdang is definitely one of the most esteemed hiking destination in the Philippines. Dubbed as majestic or sometimes "The Mighty Sialdang". A storied mountain that had claimed many lives due to its unpredictable weather, long steep trails and dense forest. Mt Halcon is only open for hikers from January to May. 

This is the first hike where I started to actually vlog as I've never done it before. I would usually just take photos and videos without sharing my voice. This video is also my first attempt at cinematic editing. I've tried to capture as many timelapse as I could, but alas I didn't have much time in the summit. 

The weather during my hike was also very good, we didn't get that drenching rain or hypothermia inducing cold that this mountain is known for. I vowed to climb this mountain again, for more majestic visuals like the famous sea of clouds or the strong currents of Dulangan river. Hiking Mt Halcon will make you introspect why you are doing this, hence it is sometimes referred to as the introductory mountain to serious mountaineering. 

Camera: Francis Balgos 

Video Editing: Francis Balgos 

EQUIPMENTS USED: 

Camera: GoPro Hero 6, GoPro Hero4 Silver, Nikon D5330 

Stabilizer: FeiyuTech G5 Gimbal 

Editing Software: Sony Vegas Pro 13 

LINKS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fnbalgos 

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PalaLagaw/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angpalalagaw/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AngPalaLagaw 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/chabeki 

Blog: https://www.pala-lagaw.com/ https://shuttermix.blogspot.com/ 

MUSIC CREDITS 

Song: Queen of the skies 

Artist: Nicolai Heidlas 

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlKdh... 

Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/Vercitty... 

Please do not use my video clips without my permission. Send me email to sicnarf.fam@gmail.com or private message. Ang Pala-lagaw

Francis Balgos has declared himself a champion of weekend travel warriors, of call center agents who have less time for themselves, he feels everyone of you who has desires to be at two places at the same time, to see the world in their own eyes, to live fully at the best of their years. ...

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Baguio | Old Diplomat Hotel, Shadows and Shades Lurking

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Haunted Photographic Haven

Joey, my travel companion just stepped out for a few minutes, says that he feels the place to be a bit confining. Just so for me, I found a good subject standing just outside the door.

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Photography Feature Post

The best sunset Photo I took from the campsite of Mt Naguiling.

Mt Naguiling is the highest peak in the Lobo-San Juan Mountain of Batangas at 1,007 MASL. One of the places I’ve hiked and camped to earlier this year 2016. 

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QUEZON | Retreat At Bangkong Kahoy Valley
In Photos

Nestled between two mystical mountains Holy Mt Banahaw and The Devil’s Mt Cristobal which are said to have opposing energies like yin yang, this place is referred to as Bangkong Kahoy (Wooden Bench) Valley in Dolores Quezon. 

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Benguet | Serene Lake Tabeo of Kabayan, Benguet
The Short Rendezvous From A Long Trip

I always tell my friends that people who go places will come to and experience a lot of things; learn, become enlightened, become more appreciative of people, and will eventually realize the value of life and how short it is to be wasted with meaningless endeavors.

 

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BATAAN | Mt Natib, My First Trek In Bataan Province
Highest Peak In Bataan National Park

Beyond the gate of the DENR viewdeck is this beautiful but daunting view of Mt Natib.

It’s the time the year when I’m busy or try to get into hiking mountains more often. I did this climb six months ago in Bataan National Park; Mt Natib is known as the highest peak in the Natib Caldera System. A potentially active volcano with elevation of 1253 MASL, Mt Natib is higher and is much more challenging than my usual volcano favorites Mt Arayat and Mt Makiling climbs. I had a few misgivings regarding this climb, first is that Mt Natib is one of those mountains known to have Limatik (Mountain Leech) infestations and second is that I’m joining a strange group.  

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Negros Oriental | In Awe of The Margaja Valley

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Home Of The God Kan-Laon

A view imprinted in memory for a lifetime.  The feeling of elation, of being bereft with words while marveling at the saturation of life that envelopes us as we stand at the Caldera Rim of the Margaja Valley. The sun illuminated for us a landscape view that will never be replicated anywhere. The grass blades heavy with morning dew, the morning mist covering and giving way to assure us, 6 lucky climbers that we made it. We climbed this mountain that is referred to as the home of the God. The difficult terrain that we had to pass through was worth it, the muddy trails, and the thorns in the bush that seemed to fight back, the long despairing trail that seemed too steep and hazardous to trek, they all lined like ducks in a row but we still made it. We were overwhelmed and in awe of The Margaja Valley, Home of the God.

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Mt Apo's Elfin Woodland

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North Cotabato | Cold Mornings In Lake Venado

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The Enchanted 2nd Highest Lake In The Philippines

Kim and I were actually taking each other's photo, marveling at the clear reflection we have in the lake. Joanne is trying to warm up with a little walk. The saturated greens and blues of the photo were no exaggeration; I don't over enhance my photographs.

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Traversing The Extinct Stratovolcano On A Stormy Weekend

Loveless. My friend Lovely is hugging this Andesite Rock Wall like a caring boyfriend under the rain.

Its an outdoor adventure with added challenges. Chased by the approaching landfall of Category 1 Typhoon Kalmaegi locally named as Tropical Storm Luis which was expected to make landfall over Cagayan Valley of Northern Luzon on the same day as our planned Mt Arayat traverse.

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“Waterfalls are exciting because they have power, they have rainbows, they have songs, and they have boldness and craziness!”
― Mehmet Murat ildan

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Siniloan, Laguna

In a corner of this river trekking, the powerful cadence of Buruwisan Falls welcomed us.

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Nasugbu, Batangas

Derived from the Filipino Phrase "Bato sa Ilao" (Illuminated rocks), Mt Batulao is a favored mountain by newbie to experienced outdoorsmen. With open trails, some steep rocky slopes combined with the cool weather associated with the highlands of Tagaytay; Mt Batulao is a hot spot drawing crowds of adventurers during weekends.

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Mountain | Daring The Rock Monolith Of Pico de Loro

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Ternate Cavite And Nasugbu Batangas

Mt Palay Palay or more popularly known as Mt Pico de Loro is one of the esteemed outdoor destination near Metro Manila. This is one of the mountains that I have planned to climb for a long time now but didn’t get the opportunity until an invite came from a fellow travel blogger Arnie of The Kid Wanderer. Known for the rock monolith that had earned its pseudo name Pico de Loro (Parrot’s beak), the proliferation of Social Media had drawn numbers of visitors and climbers in the last few years. The challenge of scaling the rock monolith is death defying and is said to only draw the daredevils and the-not-so faint hearted ones, more so for the 2nd camping site is a place shrouded in bamboo’s near the ridges of the mountain summit, offering a sweeping panorama of the surrounding terrain of forest, coves and rolling hills.

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MOUNTAIN | Mt Pulag Sunrise In The Rolling Hills Part II
Mt Pulag Climb In Photos Part II

Everyone who climbs the slopes of Mt Pulag in Benguet hopes to witness the sunrise as it unfolds in the Summit. Said to be one of the most scenic spot for Sunrise viewing in the country due to Sea of Clouds Phenomena and being that Mt Pulag is the roof of Luzon. I got my share of the spectacle, and these are some of the photos leading up to this memorable experience.

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Mountain | Walking In The Clouds of Mt Pulag

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Mt Pulag Climb in Photos



“Climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are nought without prudence, and that a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste; look well to each step; and from the beginning think what may be the end.”
- Edward Whymper, Scrambles Amongst the Alps 

Mt Pulag for most Filipino outdoor enthusiast is the mountain of dreams, what with the many taglines and titles alluded to this esteemed peak in the Cordilleras. There had been a lot of instances where I planned to climb this mountain only to be re-scheduled, thwarted or cancelled, perhaps it was fate that I have come to a point where I would read through someone’s account of their personal experience in a blog post, thinking that most had been exaggerated stories of zero visibilities, extreme cold, or deadly inclines, I have kept my opinion to myself until I’ve experienced it but I have been deeply jealous all along, I have yet to confirm why this is a must-do in the bucket list.

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"I know now that I am not making any sense of what I write, but the sharing of my adventure and experience is always a good reason to sit down someday and look back to where I had been."
My December Moon  -Francis Balgos

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"You never climb the same mountain twice, not even in memory. Memory rebuilds the mountain, changes the weather, retells the jokes, remakes all the moves."
-- Lito Tejada-Flores

Above the sea of clouds and under the stars we were.

There was a moment when we all braved the cold and stepped outside just to watch the heavenly moon hover the night sky, like a midnight sun giving just enough illumination to the landscape. Its dark, the weather is cold, but we felt the warmth of inspiration creeping in our hearts, it was a site to behold, and so like paying homage to this beautiful place, we stood in silence as the bright moon revealed itself behind the passing clouds.

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PANGASINAN | Cape Bolinao Lighthouse
Photos Of Bolinao Lighthouse

A tower placed on a vantage point of Bolinao Pangasinan. Known to be the 2nd tallest lighthouse in the Philippines.

In a broad daylight, with few drifting clouds, stepping into the threshold of this abandoned lighthouse was hot. Without a camera filter, my photos would have been glaringly exposed.

Bolinao Lighthouse is a noted destination to visit for every visitor of this lovely coastal town.

A Photo from the open gates. A little hike up, the lighthouse stoods proud on top of a hill.

Standing few meters at the foot of this massive tower.

Being in a close proximity, it is difficult to make the tower fit in my frame.

The tower is no longer in operation, as is, that the building beside this lighthouse is abandoned and dilapidated as well. A nice contrast to frame this beautiful lighthouse.

Francis Balgos is a Call Center Agent, Weekend Travel Warrior, Amateur Spelunker, Sometime Surfer, Newbie Mountain Climber, Photography Enthusiast, Certified Beach Bum, A first born son, Faithful lover, True Explorer...

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Mountain | Sea Of Clouds From The Summit Of Mt Mabilog

MOUNTAIN | Sea Of Clouds from The Summit Of Mt Mabilog

Mountain Views from Mt Mabilog

Not all Mountains would have a 360 degree view where you can expect to witness Sunset and Sunrise spectacles in an overnight camp. Some summits view would be blocked by perhaps another mountain, some would look like a glen or garden, some covered in thick forest of trees, one can't really compare one Mountain to another no matter how similar the trails and challenges they present. 

Golden Hour Sunrise from the Summit of Mt Mabilog, overlooking the Holy and Devils mountains Mt Banahaw and Mt Cristobal. Below on the left side in the clearing of fog, can be seen Lake Pandin. 

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