The playground of the gods

MANILA, Philippines - From Monday to Friday, 27-year-old Allan Jay Quesada is known to the world as architect Quesada. But when the weekends arrive the architect ditches his white collar, takes up his camera, and turns into Jay Quesada, backpacker/photographer-par-excellence.

Quesada and his all-corporate first-time-climber friends went on their mountain trip in March. They took the Ambangeg trail and reached the summit after four hours.

Quesada’s main motive for this climb was to complete his portfolio. But once he got to the site, all practical motives fell aside and the mountain’s enchantment took over. “Aside from the view, I really enjoyed camping on the coldest mountain in the Philippines,” Quesada said. “The night sky there is incredible. I was so sorry I didn’t bring my tripod – I could have taken better shots of the Milky Way. Never in my life have I seen the Milky Way so clearly as there in Mt. Pulag,” Quesada enthused.

To reach the Ambangeg start-off point in Bokod, Benguet, Quesada and his friends took a first-class bus from Victory Liner. Although Quesada admitted being affected by news of road accidents, he explained that bus rides are inevitable for him since he travels so much. He minimizes his risks by choosing his bus company well. “Victory Liner has the safest record that I know, and they provide passenger insurance, so among all bus companies, it is the one I trust,” Quesada said.

To get to the Ambangeg Trail, travellers can take Victory Liner’s bus to Baguio, then take a public utility vehicle to Bokod, Benguet. Aside from regular aircon buses, first-class Baguio buses are also available, with spacious one-by-two seating and onboard restrooms. All Victory Liner buses provide their passengers with free Wi-Fi Internet signal so they can go online during the trip. Travellers can also book and pay for their tickets online to secure their seats and avoid terminal queues. Online booking should be done at least eight days before the planned trip date. Tickets will be delivered to the specified address via door-to-door courier.

For Victory Liner bus schedules and terminal locations, or to book a trip online, visit www.victoryliner.com.