GUIDE & TIMELINE: How to go to Mt. Pico de Loro and Parrot's Beak Monolith (Budget-Friendly Hike)

We were a group of 8 when we went here. Most of us are first time hikers. Our leader, Sir Ben Chavez is a mountaineer (also our IT supervisor during my cross training at work, he's 60 years old but his very fit) so everything went well. 

He told us that Mt. Pico de Loro is not for beginners but it's doable if you're in good health/condition. 

TIMELINE:  GUIDE & TIMELINE: How to go to Mt. Pico de Loro and Parrot's Beak Monolith (Budget-Friendly Hike)

• 4:00 AM - Meeting Time

• 4:30 AM - Rode a bus with a signboard "Tarnate, Cavite" at Coastal Mall Terminal Rd, in Paranaque, Metro Manila. 

Transportation fee is 86Php. 

• 6:30 AM - Bus stopped as we reached Pico's tricycle terminal. 

Fee for the tricycle going to Mt. Pico de Loro is Php 85.00

 (Take note: Drivers require 3 people inside the tricycle, so if you are only two, you have to pay another extra 85 pesos) 

• 6:55 AM - Registration of names/ group that were about to hike.  

• 7:30 AM - Start of Climb. Every 20 minutes, we had a 5 minutes break. We were a total of 8 people. 

• 11:30 AM - We reached the Summit of Mt. Pico de Loro. Super scary because it was slippery & steep going up. You literally have to crawl your way up and hold on to very little rocks because the gravel soil tends to erode. 

Alayssa & I. That's the Parrot's Beak behind us. 

           THE SUMMIT!! 

• 11:40 AM - From 8 people, only 4 of us decided to continue going to the Parrot's Beak Monolith of Mt. Pico de Loro as it was dangerous just even looking from afar. 

          The four of us! 

This is separate from the summit. 

You have to go down the summit first and then this time, climb there very carefully since its all rock formation.The rocks were uneven.

• 12:30 PM -   We fell in line for almost 2 hrs since the space going there was very limited. 

While waiting.. that's a precipice behind us. One more move and we're close to falling off. 

• 1:00 PM (ALMOST) - YES!!!! We reached the Parrot's Beak of Mt. Pico de Loro. 

That's us at the top! Sir Ben, Ate Beth, Kuya Ram and I. 

Here's a picture of mine:

View at the top: SURREAL!!!

THE FOUR OF US WHO MADE IT: 

They let people climb one by one as it was very dangerous. It's a precipice so you're honestly facing a "bangin" while going up the rock formation. One slip and you're a sheer drop dead, so this is not advisable for people who have a fear of heights. Max of 15-20 person are allowed at the top of the Parrot's Beak Monolith.  

~We were only here for about 10minutes.

 ~It took around 20minutes to go down the monolith because we were waiting for 10 people to work there way up.

 ~Another 30minutes going back up the summit. This was the most exhausting part as it was very hot. i feel like I'm about to faint of dehydration although I ate and drink from time to time. 

• 3:00 PM - Time we got down the Summit's lowland. We ate our packed lunch and rest for another 20minutes.

• 5:00 PM - Time we finally reached the foot of the Mountain. We saw a very clear stream so we decided to chill there for a little while. 

• 6:15 PM - rode another tricycle going back to the Pico's bus terminal. Transo fee is Php 85.00 pesos

• 6:30 PM - we rode a bus with a "Baclaran" signage in it. Around Php 55-100. 

• 8:30 PM - Finally home!!

VERDICT:

It was definitely a "buwis-buhay" adventure to remember. I almost cheated death going up the Parrot's Beak because it was a very steep rock face/cliff. I'm thankful to God that I am still alive despite all my bruises.

This was only a One-day budget friendly hike. All in all I think I only spent nearly Php 400 for this hike since I have packed lunch. 

(Im a big spender when it comes to food so I went to the grocery beforehand, spent a whooping 500pesos for food which included nuts, energy bars, chocolates and a 1.5 liter of water. 

This was actually too much because I honestly did not eat all of them because I bought alot. I even gave some to my co-workers/ hikers LOL. You could buy food for as low as Php 200 and it would be enough. ) 

So for those (like me~ a first time climber) whose bucket list is to reach The Parrot's Beak of Mt. Pico de Loro, you could honestly do it!!! :) 

Just alway be careful and don't play around when climbing this risky rock formation because this hike is precarious.

Not for the faint-hearted but all in all, worthy of the adrenaline rush. 

Though I felt like a dead- beat fatigued woman after this climb, I loved and enjoyed the experience so much. Not only did I see God's wonderful nature creation at the top of this monolith, I also made fun memories with friends I'll forever keep.

:) 

Always, 

 Mary 

Review: Pixy Lipsticks

Pixy Cosmetics is a known Japanese affordable make up brand that was launched in the Philippines last Aug 16. 

Review: Pixy Lipsticks

I am a self-confessed make up junkie so lipsticks are just some of the things I collect. I got these babies recently because my sister works in Mandom Philippines Corporation (who launched this oh-so Kawaii products) and they gave each employee a huge bag of these goodies last December '15. So needless to say, I got almost half of what she has, because my sister is so generous :)) 

I know it's kind of late because its been a while since I got hold of these, but I am just inlove with their shades, so lets start!!! 

Their lipsticks are classified into three: 

1.) SM- Silky Fit Semi Matte (with sweet Almond Oil) moisturizes your lips while giving it a still matte coverage

2.) M-Matte (this keeps lipstick intact & provides a bold-finished long lasting look)

3. S- Satin (very moisturizing and colors are well pigmented so it doesn't parch your lips ) 

Here are the swatches on my lips:  

BROWN/BEIGE 

Upper Photo:

•Earthly Beige (M)- looks brown but tends to go beige orange right after u put it. I love this!!

Lower Photo: 

•Autumn Apricot (S)- dark brown with a hint of dark orange tone. This is my favorite shade. Good for everyday use.

ORANGE/NUDE UNDERTONE

Upper Photo:

•Mesaki (SM)-tends to go light orange. It's a summer color but can be used everyday if you put it very lightly. 

Lower Photo: 

 •Nudy Kiss (M) -light nude, good for smokey eyes (Their bestseller)

RED UNDERTONE

U.P:

• Cinnamon Twist (SM)-dark brown red (vampy red look) 

L.P:

• Red Chili (SM) -bright red (good when you want to achieve that "sophisticated" look) 

PINK UNDERTONE

• Puppy Love (S) -almost like a barbie type of pink

•Haruka (S)- tends to go on fuschia pink 

•Pink Smoothie (M)- tends to go pink peach (For everday use if you slightly dabbed it only) Love this shade!!  

FAVORITE: Autumn Apricot, Pink Smoothie (good for everyday use); Puppy Love, Earthly Beige & Cinnamon Twist. :) 

This can be bought in SM Department Stores and Watsons. 

Review: Blk 513 - First Activated Charcoal Enhanced Frozen Yogurt

Manila is now serving the first ever "Activated Charcoal-Enhanced Frozen Yogurt". How unusual yet interesting. I first learned this through a friend who like me, loves to eat.

This ash grey colored infused charcoal fro-yo  has surprising benefits for your health. Made using only US premium, gluten free and all natural greek yogurt ingredients, this healthy dessert helps with anti-aging, bloating, detoxifying and even improves your heart!

Fascinating isn't it? 

So on the first week of January, I finallu tried this odd froyo (located at SM Megamall A, MAndaluyong 2/F) and these are what I had in it.

Crunch: Malt Chocolate Crunch (If you're looking for a fresh, unconventional kind of choice, go for this, honestly one of the best for me) 

Artisan Sauce: Milk Jam (Just like condensed milk but with more consistency & texture)

Fruits: Strawberry & Kiwi (my favorite ofcourse)

Cone or Cup: Cup

Price: 185php

Here's the picture:

Verdict:

-Smells like charcoal. I'm not kidding, but in a good kind of way.

-Doesn't look enticing to the eyes, but its extraordinary ashy grey color would intrigued you to buy it.

-Tastes surprisingly amazing. You know that "big eye reaction" you get from tasting something that doesn't exactly looks like it. That's how good it tastes. Its sour-y taste was just right enough and the texture dissolves gracefully in your mouth. 

-Price wise I think it's not a waste of money because it's big enough to make you feel full but not guilty (since its healthy for the body).

Would I buy it again?

Definitely!! I would actually list it on top of my favorites froyo's :)

Review: Tonymoly Shaking Tint Delight in #02 Shaking Red

The hype about oil based lip tints is incredibly on the rise because of its claim about "moisture". Make up brands all over the world (Like YSL & Etude House) have recently invented oil-based lip tints to make lips healthier. Compared to the usual water and cream lip tints that have been around for so long, they're known to last but makes lip chapped and dry.

My lips always tend to parch, whether its hot or cold outside, so I've been on a hunt to find the perfect lip tint that will keep it at bay. I have alot of lip tints but I feel like it's all a waste since whenever I use it, I end up always having cracked sore & rough lips due to its drying formula. But still, I love them because its doesn't eat your time when applying it & it looks far more natural compared to lipsticks.

Last December 2015, I went on to give it a try. During my travel in Hongkong & Macau, I decided to buy this TONYMOLY Shaking Tint Delight in the shade of #02 -Shaking Red, as I was so curious if it does live up to what it says.

Left Photo: (Before Using) You could see the red tint at the bottom, and the oil at the top. 

Right Photo: What it looks like after shaking the lip tint

What it looks like after applying.

How it looks with lip balm and/or moisturizing lipstick and then the Tonymoly lip tint carefully dabbed on the center of my lips

RESULT AFTER 24Hrs: 

Pros

-Instantly felt its moisturizing effect on my lips right after applying it

-Dries fast after using it so there's no waiting time, settled well on lips  

-It's long staying, surprised it's still there after more than 24 hrs 

-Very handy, even without mirror; easy application when on the go; not messy to put on

Cons

-Tint wont stick on my upper lip, just on the lower side of my upper lip and bottom lip. Makes sense? You could actually see it on the 2nd lower collage picture above, that the tint stained there. Even if I used my hand to evenly dab it on the upper lip area, It did not stay. Kind of weird.  

(Maybe thats how they really made this.. so it would look like it's 'just-bitten-Iips' or I just- ate a-red -bazooka-candy -kind-of-lips hahaha)

-Hard to remove even if you use oil base make up remover. How ironic.

-My lips was already dry around an hour or 2 of applying it :( lips beginning to chap after 4hrs or so  (Maybe the cold weather of Macau added to my lips condition) 

-Leaves uneven weird stain at the end of the day that doesnt fade completely

-Stains your clothing and finger; hard to remove when you use them in dabbing instead of the plastic applicator

-Not available from where I live, which is in the Philippines but you could still order it online here http://m.koreadepart.com/item/1411368189/

Verdict: 

Overall, I would still use and repurchase this product, but I suggest you to apply lip balm or a moisturizing lipstick before using this lip tint. 

 I love how it's long lasting but hate that it its lack in moisture power is weak.  

I still recommend this product though if you dont have overly dry lips!!! I would give it 7/10 

Hoping this review helped you :)

Review: Kulpy Chicken at BF Homes, Paranaque

Finally back to blogging after 2 months! I apologize for not updating. Sooorrryyy! :(

Anyways, I wanted to share my review to you guys about this Kulpy Chicken Korean Restaurant at BF Homes Paranaque (Here in the Philippines), located in Aguirre Street, beside Carpe Diem Cafe. 

 My sister & I ate here weeks ago and I must say... their chicken is SOOOO GOOD! 

If you like spicy food like me... this is definitely a Must Try! Its been my favorite since then :) 

Their chicken has three flavors: Soy, Spicy and Super Spicy. 

I ordered their "SUPER SPICY KULPY CHICKEN" (see upper left pic) and I swear its more delicious than Bonchon or Flaming Wings!!!! 

WARNING: It is VERY VERY HOT and SPICY! 

My face, ears and throat throbbed... I was sooo red! That was a first, since I dont usually flush everytime I eat chilli food. My sister even laughed at me because of how I look. Haha! 

The DOWNSIDE: People are actually allowed to smoke inside although its air-conditioned. That was a DEFINITE No-no for me. 

Still, quality wise, their chicken is to die for! 

So spicy food lovers, 

Come and Drive out here!

You wont regret it ❤  

Thats all for now x

Christmas Party 2013 @ Prive Luxury Club

Hi guys! Haven't updated my blog lately, so sorry for that. :( Just wanted to share to you some of the pictures I had taken during the Christmas party with my college friends. 

 

This was at Katsu Yakitori Bar The Fort, were we had our dinner before going to Prive 

@Prive Luxury Club

At Prive Luxury Club, The Fort

Christmas bonding with my Family

At San Antonio Plaza, Forbes Park

With my older siste :) Ate dinner with my family at McKinley Hill after.

Mommy and me at Ayala Triangle