On track: Passing the Halsema Highway, Philippines Most scenic and dangerous

Because of the typhoon that hit the Philippines a week ago, I have made some few minor adjustments to my  trips depending on the weather patterns. The rule was if Southeastern Luzon will be flooded then I’ll head up North and vice versa. But thankfully, the weather started to be better again and my travel blogger friends in Manila started to talk about the sun is now shining and the waters already recceded. Finally, touchdown in Manila and no trace of rains on sight, all clear blue skies.

So I finally made up my mind to head upnorth in the Central Luzon or the Highlands of Cordillera Region. Travelling to Cordillera entails alot of sitting because of the distance and this will be an approximately 13 hours travel. My trip started at dawn, about 4:00am at Victory Liner - Taft to Baguio. Most travellers take advantage of midnight trips because they can save from hotel accommodation and will just sleep in the comfortable coach. However, because I watched the midnight premier of Transformers 3 at SM Mall of Asia, I stumbled on the 4:00am schedule. According to my research,  last bus to Bontoc leaves at 1:00pm in Baguio, so I would still have ample time. 

Upon reaching Baguio, I realized that I’m unpreprepared. I failed to bring jacket for the cold temperature in Cordillera. Good thing SM Baguio had a cheap jacket on sale at Surplus Shop Store. 

The bus that would take me to the CAR was this old non airconditioned bus but who needs airconditioner in this cold region. The earliest bus they say leaves at 6am and runs every hour until 1:00pm. It was about 12:50pm that I realized again that I should be riding the direct bus to Sagada instead the bus going to Bontoc, Benguet. But anyway, this is just part of an adventure. Be ready always for the unexpected turns. The fare was cheap PhP202 from Baguio to Bontoc. 

Finally, we were off to the mountains of Cordillera. We were driving to the Baguio-Bontoc Highway which zigzags dangerously along the mountain cliffs. I didn’t know that the highway was called the Halsema Highway until I had a research from travel bloggers. And boy, it is surely a dangerous place to drive. It requires precision driving because I noticed that we were like inches away to the cliff and huge trucks are also trailing infront of us on the other side of the road. I bet that a single mistake or a faulty wirings in the bus can lead us straight to the great depth below. Please dont drink and drive here. Drivers should take a good dose of caffeine and passengers must really pray for their safety. 

Whats an adventure without a little thrill right? Still going zigzag, I observed that some roads doesnt have a border or protective barrier againts the steep hills. So, if something happens you’ll be on your way down to the bottomless pit. Anyway, thats part of the thrill again. I guess the drivers here are now expert in manuevering the roads. Another deadly factor was he thick fogs hovering the highway, if your not accurate or focused, you can lose your track. 

The rain here had just ended and probably created this cold breeze. It was very chilly that time I had to wear socks and wear extra covering. I should have bought the bonnet and thick hand gloves for added warmth and comfort. 

Finally, we had a short stop from the butt-aching trip to stretch out, comfort room break and have something to eat and drink to beat the cold. Moving on, I can see lots of trucks carrying huge loads of vegetables freshly picked. This vegetables will be sold in the region and towards Manila. 

We passed by another town and saw people selling their produce. Vegetables here are really fresh and cheap. A bagful of brocolli cant cost P25 and in our town, it can reach a maximum of P150 per kilo. 

Moving on, the Halsema Highway is infact the Philippines Highest Highway system that reached 7000ft above sea level. I was truly honored to pass by the highway. For me, it is a Philippine engineering marvel because of its size and complexity of construction considering the height and the weather. Indeed, the Halsema Highway is a destination itself. 

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Philippine National Railways - Home Along Da Riles

One of the first things I want to do in Manila on my 1 week trip this month is to ride the Philippine National Railway (PNR) Trains for the very first time.

My journey to the capital was just in time for the relaunching of the new BICOL EXPRESS trains from Manila to Naga City in Bicol Region the following day. So, I decided to take an introductory ride along the PNR trains that ply in Manila. However, many people I’ve talked to doesnt know about PNR and because I was so excited I hired a taxi to take me to the nearest PNR station but unbelievably, he also doesnt know about it, all he was saying was the MRT/LRT stations  that I was familiar about. So, I looked for another taxi and finally took me to the PNR station from Gil Puyat in Edsa. But it was not easy because I had to explain more about the PNR trains.

Finally, we arrived at VITO CRUZ station near Makati. Im so excited because this is my first time riding the PNR and I heard that their trains are different from the MRT/LRT. From Vito Cruz, my ride will take me to Alabang Station. Trains arrived on time at 5:00pm. Once the train stopped at the platform, I noticed many passengers were standing and holding the rails. It was about to be full. Maybe this was now the beginning of the rush hour. 

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At every station, passengers are filling up more and more and more. The scene inside was OUTRAGEOUS, people were pushing each other. One observation is that people lack the courtesy for the alighting passengers. When the doors open, passengers outside rushed in to the cabin and leaving the departing passengers stuck and fighting their way out. People inside were shouting loudly and pushing the alighting passengers out. Gladly for me, I was in the corner, away from the mob. 

Another station we stopped, I couldnt remember where we were now because there were just too many passengers. When I was in Davao, I bragged about my friends that India’s DELHI MRT is the most crowded MRT ever that I experienced. It was true that when I was Delhi, the cabin was so full or overly packed with people to the 10th level. But here at PNR, it was worst, I could say that PNR Manila is the MOST CROWDED EVER, in fact I had difficulty of breathing already because 1 guy was already pushing me towards the wall. Basta, grabe ang crowd. Adding to that was the airconditioning system was not working at the time. 

Finally, at 6:00pm, I reached Alabang safe and in piece. The station was the last and I hope that my return trip to Tutuban will be more comfortable. 

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