Tanay, Rizal: Laiban Trilogy

posted on Friday, February 28, 2020

It took us 9 long months to finally come back to the trail after our Mt. Batolusong hike last April 2019. And it was all for a good purpose---to prepare us for our scheduled climb at the end of February 2020. And oh, it was also a promised post-Valentine’s Day akyat by Ling. <3

It was Ling’s choice to conquer Laiban Trilogy in Tanay, Rizal. It was technically our third climb two-gether. Laiban Trilogy is considered a minor hike, with 6 peaks to conquer and 3 out of 9 level of difficulty. You’ll pass by three peaks before reaching the summit of Mt. Lubo, at a height of 488 MASL. The fifth peak at 602 MASL is Mt. Ngusong Kabayo, a rock formation that looks so much like a horse’s head. The sixth and last peak at 625 MASL is Mt. Tangwa. It is a word coined from the Dumagat Remontado tribe’s dialect which means ‘to oversee.’

We started our Sunday fairly early by eating breakfast at Jollibee-Manhattan past 2 am. We then rode a UV Express bound for Cogeo Gate 2 with a P35 one-way fare. The trip took around 30 to 45 minutes. From Cogeo Gate 2, we then headed to Martessem's waiting shed by riding a tricycle costing P500, for two pax. There were no jeeps available during the wee hours so there’s technically no other choice. Brace yourself for a long tric ride at roughly around 45 minutes. From Martessem's waiting shed, we rode a habal-habal going to Barangay Laiban’s Tourism Office. The fare is P100 per pax. It is a 30-minute ride passing through 9 streams along the way. Registration fee at the barangay's Tourism Office is P150 per person. Guide fee is pegged at P500. There are 25 local guides in Barangay Laiban and most of them are part of the Indigenous People tribe of the Dumagat Remontados. Our hike’s assigned guide was Ate Bem.

We started our ascent by 5 am. The Amihan weather during early February made the climb’s condition modestly perfect---with the cool breeze making the endless assaults manageable with ease. Upon reaching the third peak, Mt. Lubo’s sea of clouds was upon us. After countless Tanay, Rizal summits, this was probably the first time we have seen it in its full glory. No fancy V-day date can ever compare to this view. Haha Conquering Mt. Lubo’s four peaks were a challenging warm-up. Mt. Ngusong Kabayo and Mt. Tangwa’s peaks were both close enough to break a sweat. Ling prepped a veggie meal with brewed coffee at our last and final peak. It was no doubt the perfect finale to our three and a half hour climb.

Tip: Aside from conquering the trilogy, there are also waterfalls to visit in Bgy. Laiban. It is highly recommended to include it in your day trip. Just inform Ate Bem. You can reach her at this number: 0948-355-1300.

See also our climb up Mt. Apo, Mt. Ayaas-Mt. Espadang Bato, Mt. Oro-Mt. Sipit Ulang, Mt. Arayat, Wawa Trilogy 1, Wawa Trilogy 2, Maynuba Circuit, Mt. Batolusong, Mt. Binutasan, Nagpatong-Mt. Masungki, Mt. Balagbag and Mt. Tagapo.