Pico de Loro

Simply means parrot's bill, that's where this beautiful mountain got its name by the spaniards in 1500s since it looks like the Beak of the parrot. I was there in April and May in 2008 with friends and some kids.

Pictures paints a thousand words that is why I'm putting a lot of pictures in this limited space.

Climbing is easier for young ones, but not for "young once" though it is only 664 meters high, You need to prepare for at least 2 weeks of daily excercise to sustain yourself in a 3 hours walk from jump off point to the peak with a rest of about 15 to 30 minutes in Camp 1, and on the second rest point they call alibangbang park.

I don't have to described how to go there, just read my posting about Boracay of Cavite its with the same route and just on the same area. You may contact me through email (bernarddcforever@gmail.com) I would be glad to explain the details of what you want to know.



You may visit sites that share details about the climb: www.waypoints.ph, www.geocities.com/yosemite/3712/gpicodeloro.html

Boracay of Cavite

Unlike the real Boracay which is highly popular, well developed and explored, Cavite's Boracay is not even known to some of Caviteneos, sad to say, the place is more known as the "marine camp", the only marine training ground in the whole country, the same place where the "Balikatan" (Filipino and US Marines joint training) is being held from time to time.

No public transportation is available, you will need private vehicle to reach the place. But travel will be pleasant, you will be entertained by the beautiful sceneries as  you move along in the smooth asphalt road in the midst of the thick rainforest..... cool breeze.... monkeys by the road... singing of different bird species... distinct sound of an insect especially in the afternoon.... exhilarating experience of a magnetic field slowing down your vehicle.

From Metro Manila to Trece Martires City using ordinary bus fare would be about P55 (over US$1)  per person. From there,  you may hire a Van for about P2,500 ( US$54) for a day in a round trip to the camp and back to Trece Martires City. Hotels nearby are about P1,000 to P3,000 (US$21 to 50) per person per day. If you are in real budget trip just tell me I can offer my hut for about P200 per day, ( that is over US$4)  but i'm warning you, there will be a lot of sacrifice to do with this accomodation. but if you like extra challenge, why not?

Boracay of Cavite is just one of the many tourist spots to visit. I would recommend Shrine of Aguinaldo in Kawit, you can enjoy a beautiful resort like IslandCove also in Kawit, Tagaytay the home of smallest Taal volcano in the world, horseback riding is available in many areas of the town, the cable car in Picnic Groove Resort, you can as well taste the famous amadeo coffee, Bulalo, (Boiled Beef/Bone marrows)  mushroom burger, authentic bird's nest soup for only P400 (US$9) in Balinsasayaw resto in Silang. But this is not my subject matter as of this time, i'll discuss all of these one at a time.  

You may contact Marine camp at: tel nos.
or you may email me at berset30t@yahoo.com 

I would be glad to help.

Nanay Co

Previous postings featured famous and great men of Cavite, but people whom we thought to be ordinary, whom we thought to be insignificant, whom we ordinarily meet everyday has stories to tell as well. Mrs. Feliza Caballero Co, fondly called by friends, "nanay Co", a resident of Sampaquita village, Trece Martires,  is a happy, energetic and contented granma. She was born in February 15, 1943 in Dalagit, Cebu. At 5 years of age, her family moved to the town of Aurora, Zamboanga where she grew, started her own family, then, eventually, migrated to Cavite in 2000.

She used to work in a pebbles stone processing company until 2007. At present she sells biko, hotcake, pansit, bread, bibinka, and puto to her former co-workers in the factory. though she's 66 years old, she worked hard as vendor and served as massuer to anyone who would ask for her service. With her meager earnings from selling and massaging she could earn a living to support some family members and even pay for her memorial plan of Pph650 per month (US$1=Pph47).

Though she experienced some misfortune, as she recalled how her CHDF (Civilian Home Defense Force, organized by government to protect civilians) husband was killed by the New People's Army in 1992, she maintains a happy and light spirit that everyone who meets her would feel the same.

She has been a member of the senior citizens group organized by the mayor where they were taught to sell "basahan" (rags), They were actively participating in a morning exercise scheduled every saturday in front of the capitol building.


She's very contented living in Trece Martires because all her seven children and 19 granchildren are happy and contented having the basic things they needded in life. Besides, Trece is a nice and peaceful place to live in. 

Exploring Cavite

  I started visiting cavite, particularly Trece Martires City since 1993. By that time, I could not imagine residing in a place that does not offer convenience. If you need something the only available place is the public market and the only modern store available is seven eleven. In 2005, We found ourselves transferring from the mega Pasig in metro manila to this quite city, we merged our warehouse and office to cut cost in office space rental in Metro manila.

I still recall having difficulty finding resto or even "turo turo" for lunch during saturdays. Weekends are most difficult times looking for a place to eat. eateries are closed as if owners are not interested to do business, we found the reason why. During the investor's night organized by the mayor, one of the city officer reported that the population of the city during weekdays is around 200 thousand, by weekend, the number decreased to 50 thousand, that is because the city population is only 50 thousand, but by weekdays,  people from neighboring places have to report to work in the city where goverment offices including capitol are located.

In a span of 3 years since we migrated, big names in business industry sprouted like mushrooms, the Mercury and Southstar drugs stores , Jolibee, chowking, Dunkin and Mr. doughnuts,Red ribbon. Banks increased, usually, there's only one ATM for the whole place, now a total of at least 6 were scathered around the city,  other establishments offering good services with airconditioning had grown. The Capitol and other offices were modernized and upgraded. New schools were established such as The New Generation International School, KRISLIZ international school. SM, Robinson Malls and Waltermart were built recently. Korean and Japanese restaurants are finding its place just nearby. The white sand beach which they call "Boracay of Cavite" was opened recently to the public, the place is exclusively used by Philippine Marines in the past. Caylabne, the world class beach hotel/resort, the world's famous Tagaytay, the home of the smallest volcano in the world is just 25 minutes away, the historical kawit and corrigedor island, the beautiful Pico de Loro mountain. International airport is around 2 to 3  hours during traffic time but 45 minutes or less on wee hours. 

Cavite as a whole has a lot to offer and that is the purpose of this blog, I want to explore it and share what I know to the world.