Hike Date: April 2025
How to Get There
By Air & Sea:
- Fly to Manila or Cebu.
- Take a flight or ferry to Romblon province.
- From Romblon Town or San Agustin, take local transport to Sibuyan Island.
By Land & Sea:
- From Batangas port, take a ferry to Sibuyan Island.
- Head to the jump-off point in Magdiwang or San Fernando municipalities.
Reminder: All hikes must be coordinated with the local government unit (LGU). If you have a hike coordinator, this has likely already been arranged with the LGU.
Estimated Costs
- Round-Trip Bus Fare: ₱394–₱414
- Round-Trip Ferry Fare: ₱2,700–₱3000 (depending on operator, and available ticket)
- Medical Certificate (with ECG): ₱800
- Climb Package with Rabas Outdoors/Mr. Win Calleja: ₱6000
- Requirement: Fit to climb Mount Guiting-Guiting
- Event shirt (optional): ₱650
Note: These costs are approximate and may vary. Always check with operators for current fares and schedules.
Conquering Mount Guiting-Guiting: Tired, Bruised, but Grateful
The preparation
Sleeping System
- Tarp & hammock (from Tingguian Tribe)
Clothing & Accessories
- 3 pairs of socks
- 3 pairs of trek clothes
- 1 hoodie
- 1 cap
- 1 neck buff
- 1 set of sleepwear
- Shades
Gear & Electronics
- Power banks
- Flashlight & headlamp
- Mess kit
- GoPro
- Pole
Toiletries
- OFF! lotion
- Efficascent oil
- Petroleum jelly
- Wipes
- Deodorant
- Soap
Medicines
- Neozep
- Biogesic
- Mefenamic acid
- Cetirizine
- Montelukast
- White Flower oil
- Poy-Sian inhaler
- Alcohol
Food & Hydration
- GU gel
- Hydration tabs
- 3.5L water
- Hydration bag
- Jelly Ace & few chocolates
Day 0 (16. April)The Journey to Sibuyan
I’d heard about Sibuyan and Romblon for years, but this was my first time setting foot here. And wow—Sibuyan Island instantly won me over with its quiet charm and laid-back rhythm of life.
I left Metro Manila at 10:00 AM and reached Batangas Port by 1:20 PM, thanks to traffic. My bag felt too small for everything—as if it were my first time packing for a three-day hike. Since I didn’t know anyone in the group, I wanted to make sure I had all my own supplies.
Luckily, the port had convenience stores, so I grabbed 3.5L of water to avoid having to buy more on the island.
Our ship left around 4:45 PM, an hour later than scheduled. We had reclining seats in the air-conditioned section, which came with dinner and breakfast—but since we had to disembark early, we never got to claim.
Sunset Thoughts
Sailing out of Batangas felt strangely melancholic. Maybe it was the sunset reminding me of choices I’ve made. Or maybe it was work still waiting for me. Or maybe I just missed certain people. Sunsets tend to stir that kind of reflection.
Still, it was a majestic one. I held onto the hope that the next two days would bring clear skies.
We embarked on a 12-hour journey from Batangas to Sibuyan Island in the reclining chair class.
The 12-hour voyage reminded me of my childhood trips to Bacolod, Dumaguete, Cebu, GenSan, and Davao—familiar yet exhausting.
Day 1 (17. April): Warm-Up Trails – Magdiwang to Tampayan
First things first: upon our arrival at Sibuyan Island, some of the group were able to get their packed lunch from the boat. For those of us who didn’t, we grabbed some pandesal at the port. Our guide/coordinator then picked us up, and we headed to our homestay to drop off non-essential items and prepare for the day. After settling in, we had coffee and lunch, then bought a few supplies for our first-day hike. Once that was done, we registered and proceeded to our jump-off point for the orientation, where we were briefed on what to do—and what not to do—during the hike.
10:26 AM: Our first river crossing. The sun was already beating down hard.
We took several rests. I learned not to eat too heavily on treks like this. At the time, I was also dealing with some stomach issues, so I stuck with GU, eggs, bananas, and plenty of hydration tabs.
4:30 PM: We reached the last water source on the trail and refilled our containers for the next day’s long hike.
5:00 PM: At the Century Tree viewpoint, we could see the mountain range—but not the summit. Clouds had covered it completely. We waited, hoping it would clear up, but eventually moved on.
5:45 PM: We arrived at Mayo’s Peak. My first time using a hammock—thank you, Marco & Mark Christen, for helping me set it up.
Dinner, camp stories, and new faces—it was refreshing.
2:00 AM: The rain poured. I had been using my tarp as a blanket since I forgot my sleeping bag, but eventually had to set it up properly. Shoutout to my hoodie and socks—unsung heroes of the night.
Day 2 (18. April): The Brutal Push
“Fourteen hours on the trail. Knife edges, camelbacks, endless boulders. For a short girl like me, the struggle was real.”
7:00 AM: We left Mayo’s Peak. By 9:30 PM…
The rain came and went, and I was thankful we’d hired a porter. My small bag wasn’t built for three days, and honestly, gone are the days of forcing myself to haul everything just for pride.
10:20 AM: We reached Kiss the Wall. Though honestly, there had already been plenty of moments where we were hugging rock faces.
12:00 PM: We made it to the Peak of Deception, but the only thing visible was a thick blanket of fog. Lunchie!
1:50 PM: The 90-degree section. The only time I truly felt scared—the space between my toes and the handhold above felt way too short.
2:20 PM: We reached the summit. Fog everywhere, but for a few seconds, the clouds opened to give us a glimpse.
4:00 PM: As soon as we left, the summit cleared. Painful timing, but we had no choice but to keep moving toward Camp 2.
9:30 PM: 14 hours later — we finally reached Camp 2. It was far too challenging for a short girl like me. Scrambling over stones, leaping onto towering boulders with my short legs, navigating sharp-edged trails and steep corners—it took everything I had. Stones ripped my leggings and scraped my legs. Boulders demanded a grip just to keep me alive and breathing.
Exhausted and battered, I had made it.
That’s 14.5 hours trek.
Day 3 (19. April): The Long Way Down
6:45 AM: We broke camp with no breakfast (no water source at Camp 2).
It turned into a chill hike for me, Kuya Marco, Ports, and our guide Kuya Jesus.
11:00 AM: Brunch by the river—perfect. Coke became the ultimate reward. I skipped the dip in the water, too tired to get wet, but it was still the best lunch spot.
12:40 PM: End of hike. We congratulated one another—it was an achievement.
No summit clearing? No problem. Mt. Guiting-Guiting revealed itself right behind our homestay, as if to say:
Plot twist: only three of us had tickets, while our Davao buddies and I were left without a way back. Luckily, we managed to score Montenegro tickets for the 10:00 AM trip the next day.
That night, Sibuyan felt magical. Beneath a sky scattered with stars, we bonded with Marco, Mark Christen, and Kent—proof that sometimes, one more night is exactly what you need. Looking back, though, I wish I had gone to Cresta de Gallo only if I’d been sure there were tickets waiting for us.
Day 4 (20. April): Homebound
We boarded the ship, and honestly, I knocked out—I slept almost the whole way. Note to self: sailing at 11:00 AM means roasting under peak heat. But when I woke up to those turquoise Romblon waters? Totally worth it. The sea looked so inviting, though it was way too, too tempting. 🙂
That afternoon, we were treated to yet another unforgettable sunset. It was so beautiful that passengers and crew actually gathered in the lobby just to watch. It reminded me of Oia and Fira in Santorini—where people stop everything to see the sun set, like it’s the main event of the day.
21 April 2025, Day 5, 12:30 AM: The Montenegro wasn’t a luxury liner, but it got us home safe. We docked in Lucena right on time.
21 April 2025,: I was back home—just enough time to catch my breath before my 1:00 PM shift.
Exhausted, a little bruised, yet deeply grateful—for the safe journey, the climb accomplished, and the friends gained along the way.
Other Reminders
- Water Sources: Be prepared, as sometimes the only water available on the trail is Bolod Spring.
- Weather Can Change Quickly: A clear sky at 8:00 PM doesn’t guarantee the next morning will be the same. Always be ready for sudden fog, rain, or wind.
- Trail Conditions: Expect muddy, slippery, or rocky sections—proper hiking boots are essential.
- Physical Preparedness: The climb is challenging; make sure you are physically fit and acclimated.
- Essential Gear: Bring rain gear, warm clothing, headlamps, trekking poles, and extra food.
- Waste Management: Carry out all trash. Keep the trail and campsites clean.
- Respect the Environment: Avoid disturbing wildlife and plants. Leave nothing but footprints.
- Navigation: Even with guides, always have a map or GPS, as fog can obscure the trail.
- Communication: Mobile signal is limited—plan accordingly.
Note: This is not G2—please refer to it as Mount Guiting-Guiting.
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