Mt. Gulugod Baboy Itinerary: 2 days

Gulugod Baboy, literally translated, means 'pig's spine'

Hiking, Mountain Climbing | Mt. Gulugod Baboy Traverse
Gulugod Baboy, Mt. Panay via Barangay Gasang to Anilao, Mabini, Batangas
499 MASL (info taken from waypoints.ph)
Hours from Manila: around 3 hours
Specs: Leisurely trekking, camping, view of Calumpang peninsula and optional island hopping side trip.
Trek time: About 2 hours to campsite

Public transportation/Buses to Batangas city:
(here is a list of buses traveling from Manila to Batangas city)
. Jam
. Tritran
. Ceres
. Batangas Starexpress
. RRCG
. ALPS

Notes:
. Mt. Gulugod baboy is one of 3 peaks in Mt. Panay of Anilao, Mabini area. The other peaks are Torre and Pinagbanderahan.

. The easiest way to get to Gulugod Baboy is to take the bus trip going to Batangas City or Batangas Pier via Calabarzon. These buses will get you to the diversion road in Barangay Bolbok (the one with a flyover) faster since the buses ply through the Star tollway.
. The mountain is easy to climb, but I recommend climbing it in the afternoon because there are no shady trees to protect you from the heat of the afternoon sun.
. There is no water source at the campsite, so bring enough water for hydration and cooking.
. Since this is a small mountain, expect grazing cattle, horses and some dogs roaming around the campsite.
. The first few meters of the climb involves walking up a rising paved cement road. The trail is the same towards the end when descending to Anilao side.
. You have 3 ways to get to Gulugod baboy’s jumpoff point in Barangay Gasang coming from Mabini market—A. Hire a jeepney to take you directly to the jumpoff point; B. Take the regular public jeep trip to Barangay Gasang; or C. Take a trike.
. Hiring a jeepney will set you back about P1000-P2500, depending on your haggling skills. I recommend this for a big group to save you the hassle of pooling the people. The jeep can take you as far vehicles can get up the mountain to shorten your trekking time.
. Taking a regular jeepney trip costs around P30-P40.
. You can ride a trike for about P100 and it will accommodate up to 3 passengers- totaling to about P35 per person. Don’t forget to give your driver a tip, especially if you think you gave him a hard time with your huge backpack!
. There is no official registration point in barangay Gasang but prepare a small amount just in case their Barangay already has one.
. Remember to be courteous to locals when passing by private property on your way up the mountain.
. Gulugod baboy’s campsite gives you a 360-degree view of Anilao, Batangas Pier, Balayan bay, Maricaban Strait, Maricaban Island and even Mindoro.
. You are required to pay an entrance fee plus a cottage fee at most of the dive resorts in Anilao. You will have to use their facilities to wash up anyway.

Options:
. This 2-day itinerary can be condensed into a day hike by adjusting the assembly time earlier and eliminating the Mabini market stopover.
. The Gasang trail is known to be the easy trail up the mountain.
. Taking a private car will shorten travel time by about 1 hour. You can park your car overnight at Anilao resorts for about P100. But this means you will have to backtrack and not do the traverse anymore.
. The beach resorts in Anilao are more suitable for divers and snorkelers. You can bring your snorkeling gear to get the most out of the beach since the shoreline doesn’t have big sands.
. Philpan Resort is the popular hangout for hikers coming from Mt. Gulugod Baboy. That’s because it’s the one written in most itineraries online.
. You can also book a room online in Anilao Outrigger Resort in Barangay Solo for a cozy stay.
. You can take an optional island hopping trip to the following neighboring islands: Maricaban, Sepoc point or Sombrero island. These islands have a stretch of white sand beach for swimming.
. The islands are about 30 minutes away from the mainland by boat.
. For the island hopping side trip, you need to hire a pump boat which costs about P1500-P2500 and then pay for the island’s “entrance fee” and cottage rental fee. The entrance fee in Sombrero Island is about P200 per person, cottages are P300-P800. The entrance fee to Maricaban Island is about P70.
. Overnight stay is allowed in the islands, but camping equipment is needed since there are no accommodations, not even electricity.

Budget: around P778 per pax (without the side trip).
Budget estimate for 4 people:
666 (166.50) bus fare to Batangas City diversion road
666 (166.50) bus fare back to Manila
240 (60) Beach resort entrance fee
300 Resort cottage rental fee
80 (20) registration fee
160 jeep/tricycle fare
800 food share
200 misc

*Barangay – a small town.
*jeep/jeepney – public passenger vehicle.
*Tricycle – A 3-wheeled passenger motorcycle.

Grassland campsite offers a scenic view of Calumpang peninsula

Thank the cows for the manicured grass!

Descending to Anilao side

Anilao beach area

Itinerary and expenses recorded on Nov 2010.
Credit to Nono Fines of Dahong Palay Mountaineers for the photos on this post.