In pursuit of helping to boost the local tourism which will eventually flourish small scale businesses and helping to grow more developing municipalities all throughout the entire Philippines, this is my way in motivating unique individuals, partners, friends, and even families to embark on a journey that increases the value of life and will be treasured for a lifetime.
Allow me to share in full detail how you shall consider taking on the Philippine Loop Adventure Tour challenge.
1. Why take a Journey on Philippine Loop Adventure Tour?
Check if the adventure loop is aligned with your goals in life. If the "Big Why" is NOT there, it is not for you.
These are the points to ponder before embarking on the journey,
(Love of Country) Promoting local tourism by encouraging Filipinos to embark on a journey that will cover more than half of the country's total provinces, the smallest of the traders and merchants called "tinderos" is reached out. That alone provided the local source of income for families and their children that often forced to help and work with their parents to suffice their basic needs.
(Maximizing Coverage) Covering at least 45 provinces in 16 Regions - and that's awesome for everyone to take almost the same routes.
(Expanding Contacts) Encouraging camaraderie among finishers (Conquerors), this group of people who happens to complete the same journey become closer to each other.
(Guided Tour) Roaming around without a grand plan will cost you more time, excessive effort, and wasted resources.
If any one point above suits your own will, maybe you are ready to take the challenge anytime soon.
Please watch the late Ms. Che Lopena explains some of the most important points - please click here.
2. The Estimated Total Cost.
The registration fee valid for 1 year to complete is PhP3,400 (as of August 2023) inclusive of the following,
Passport (for use only by the aspiring looper in the form)
Philippine Looper T-Shirts, 2x pcs.
Philippine Looper Stickers, 2x pcs.
Philippine Looper vest is optional by highly encouraged (PhP600)
The estimated expenses for the entire loop is ranging between Php50~100k (for motorcycles), depending on how well you can save your money and against your comfort.
Mandatory expenses include,
Ferry transfer fees (PhP12,354.00)
Gasoline expenses (PhP14,329.00)
Overnight stay (PhP9,950.00), and
Food
The first 2 items in the list above are fixed costs that you cannot get away with - the rest, you can save by sacrificing comfort over expenses.
3. Mandatory Land Checkpoints and Ferry Ports.
These are the mandatory checkpoints (meaning, you have to pass, pics, and vids), and the basic ferry ports (meaning, you shall take no less than six sea crossings),
North Leg (6x mandatory land checkpoints)
(Land Checkpoints)
Subic, Zambales,
Alaminos, Pangasinan,
2nd Highest Point,
Atok, Benguet,
Laoag City, Ilocos Norte,
Aparri, Cagayan, and
Baler, Aurora
(Ferry Ports) None
"Participant can do the loop in stages as long as he completes the loop within a year."
South Leg (2x mandatory land checkpoints + 6x ferry crossings at the minimum)
(Land Checkpoints)
San Juanico Bridge, Tacloban City, Leyte,
General Santos City, South Cotabato
(Ferry Ports)
Matnog, Sorsogon ~ Allen, No. Samar;
Liloan, So. Leyte ~ Lipata, Surigao del Norte;
Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte ~ Dumaguete, Negros Orr.;
Bacolod, Negro Occ. ~ Dumangas, Iloilo;
Caticlan, Malay, Aklan ~ Bulalacao, Orr. Mindoro
Calapan, Orr. Mindoro ~ Batangas City
"The participant can do the loop in any sequence (clockwise or counterclockwise) provided he passes thru all the land and ferry/ports checkpoints listed."
The above ferry crossing is just a sample - you can go any direction and anywhere as long as you pass the 2x land checkpoints (fixed) + 6x ferry crossings (accumulated) - and end on the same spot where you started the South Leg.
4. Create Your Own Loop Itinerary (Routes)
Consider the following when creating your itinerary (plan route),
"The participant is encouraged to visit other islands, cities, towns and tourist destinations OUTSIDE THE BASIC ROUTE. In case the participant decides to rest, shop or stay a few more days in a destination to explore, tour etc, these sightseeing days are EXCLUDED from the computation of his number of riding days."
(Mandatory Checkpoints) Your itinerary must coincide with the land/ferry checkpoints,
(Buffer Time) Allow1~2 days buffer in your itinerary - intended for unforeseen cases and events,
(Start-Stop Point) This is a loop - you shall start and end on the same spot,
(Stop Time) You can do stop-time to places that you wish to stay longer (day/s will not be counted in your loop days),
(Gather Evidence) Consider gas fill, stay overnight, or eat in major cities - take photos and keep your receipts,
(Slice the Pie) You can do North Leg and South Leg on separate schedules if you wish, even months apart;
5. Decide to Register your Tour with ATPI.
Requirements are,
(ATPI Form) Fill up the registration form,
(Proof) Copy of Driver's license, CR of vehicle, and your itinerary (plan route),
(Vehicle) Front and back picture of the vehicle to be used,
(Payment) Pay online to Ms. Jackylyn Ables (GCash# 0917-7990831))
(Proof of Payment) Send your proof of payment to,
- (Email) jmables1102@gmail.com
- (FB Messenger) Jacky Ablas
- (Viber) Jackylyn Ables
(Kit) Wait for the confirmation and the sending of the Philippine Looper Kit,
(Buffer) Register 1 month in advance of your take-off date (to ensure receiving the kit prior to start),
(Wear Vest) Philippine Looper vest is optional but very important during the tour/loop for easy identification of fellow loopers.
You can personally register @ ATPI Office in ATPI Office, #3832 Bermeo St., cor. Emilia St., Brgy. Palanan, Makati City, and look for Mr. Darwin O. Koa.
For online registration, you can send the above requirements to jmables1102@gmail.com, and call Ms. Jacky Ables @ 0917-517-6901 for more inquiries.
For more information on how to register, click here.
To get the registration form, click here.
6. What to Consider Bringing Along.
Consider the following points (although it will all be up to you),
(Lighter is Better) Bring only what you will need - you can re-charge during daily stops, wash Looper shirts, etc.,
(Tools for Confidence) Bring a wireless tire air inflator, tire flat "tusok" repair, and a few basic tools,
(Get Connected) Bring 2x cellphones: 1 for navigation and the other for communication, photos/vids, and posting,
(Safety First) Wear full-face helmets, riding jackets, knee pads, gloves, and (if possible) wear riding boots,
(Clear Vision) Install anti-fog in your helmet visor (pinlock, etc.) to keep you from safely riding even on rains,
(Spare Advantage) Bring extra pair of gloves + lens wipes,
(Cash is Good) Bring cash - don't think of using your ATM's (but bring it for debit payments, emergencies, etc.),
(Food on the Go) Bring water, a few snacks, some meds, and a basic first-aid kit (learn to use it),
(Comms) Install bluetooth intercom for answering calls, etc. - specially if you are riding with a pillion/back-ride,
(Essentials) Brand new rubber tires, sparkplug, chain, filters - you can't easily find replacements along the way,
(Safe Docs) Bring a resealable plastic envelope for keeping receipts and etc. safe and organized,
(Set Safety Nets) Keep in touch with friends along your route (for added confidence) before the take-off.
7. To Start the Tour.
Arriving at the gas station (your Start~End point) consider these points,
(What you forgot) Run in your brain for the critical stuff you might forget (at this point, you can still return home to recover it),
(Location Tag) Turn on the "Location Tag" in your mobile phone's camera settings (to track your locations by photos),
(Recording Details) Take a photos of your odo reading (while you are filling gas), as well as your receipt (for securing your start EGR),
(Full Tank @ Zero Odo) Your tank in full, it is now your starting gas for the loop at full tank,
(ASC) After filling gas, serve a viber request for the Approval to Start Code (ASC),
(Post Take Off) You may post now to the Philippine Loop page and chat group your first ever photo in the tour,
(Navi On) Set your Navigator App (in my case, I use goggle map to track my location to the route I set), and set it using a car (not a motorcycle - so it will not direct you to inner roads),
(Roll Out) You can now start to roll without having to wait for the ACS - it will be sent to you along the way;
8. Stops, Gas Refills, and Mandatory Checkpoints.
Remember that you are capturing photos to create album later for ATPI review, so carefully consider the ff.,
(Capture Details First) Take photos of your vehicle's odometer reading, time, and receipts from gas, hotels, ferry, food, etc.
(The Landscape Photo) Take stunning photos of the landscape that includes the landmark (or signage) and as many as possible,
(The Passport Photos) Portraits and landscape photos of you holding the passport is what's going into the album for submission,
(The Vehicle Photo) Reward your vehicle with nice photo with the landmark set as background,
(Too Many, Too Few) Take as many photos as possible: food, landscape views, people, known structures, landmarks, buildings, ports, parks, etc.,
(Videos of Fun) Take a few short video clips that can also be helpful if you are to make a video of your journey,
(Aerial Perspective) A drone video will give better justice to beautiful scenery - consider bringing a drone if you will;
9. A-must Actions and Daily Notes,
When calling it a day or when you have the chance to take notes and do something,
Consider gas refilling before you check-in in a hotel/transient (this way, you can start the next day more relaxed),
Re-charge your gadgets almost immediately once you unload your stuff,
After changing clothes, check your vehicle with a flashlight - look for obvious defects, leaks, tire pressure, etc.
While you are relaxing after eating, try to review your photos, take notes, etc.
Post your day on the Philippine Loop page and chat group (you can ask question/s there for tomorrow's unclear points)
Before going to bed, set your alarm based on your planned route and time sched (do not deviate from your own plan)
10. When Ending the Tour.
These are the things very important to end the tour/loop,
Go back to the same gas station where you started the tour - refill your tank in full there, and get your receipt with EGR,
Same as always, take photos of you with your passport, wearing your t-shirt (or vest), and your vehicle,
The gas you fill is the last gas and part of the tour - unlike your first fill where you had zero odo in full tank,
Post your arrival on the Philippine Loop page and chat group, as if you had gone into the moon and safely back,
You can now go home happily... LoL (or go first to the nearest church to thank God for keeping you safe and alive)
Our last photo after 5,249km of rides, 13 days, 45 provinces, 16 regions, 33 gas refill stops, 221 liters of gas, 6 sea crossings, and zero accident.
11. Album and Proof of Tour Submission
ATPI requires you to send your passport, album of the tour, and pieces of evidence (official receipts) - for confirmation,
Your photos arranged in dates will now guide you to recover all the details to fill up the passport,
The resealable plastic envelope containing your organized receipts is now also very helpful,
The passport requires you to take notes of your riding day details,
date,
starting time,
starting address,
destination,
notes,
starting odo reading,
ending odo reading, and
total kilometer travelled,
The Album (which you have to create and submit) contains your photos in the 8x mandatory checkpoints and your ferry crossings (the port you depart, and the port you arrive) - it has to be at least 6x ferry crossings or 12x ports,
Together with your album, your passport, and the official receipts, send it to
ATPI Office, #3832 Bermeo St., cor. Emilia St., Brgy. Palanan, Makati City
Send it via a trusted carrier in special document package (or deliver it in person to the ATPI Office),
Your courier will inform you via text message once the package is received (if not, go back to your courier)
12. Confirmation and Conquerors Kit.
Confirmations of accomplishment by ATPI,
The ATPI will post a list of confirmed loopers on the FB page by batches (every 15 days),
There will also be some information for those with questionable requirements sent to the office,
The Conquerors Kit will be sent to you once available - always check the announcement,
You will be notified to send the shipping cost when the Conquerors Kit becomes available (or during the awarding)
And finally, there will be an awarding of finishers being announced and held during the last month of the year;
In our case, the ATPI sent to us a door-to-door heavy parcel - then we were informed of the exact amount of the shipping fee that was charged in sending the box, so that we can send the payment via gcash.
They returned to us the passports and the album - the most important.
ATPI sent to us a conqueror t-shirt, custom conqueror wind breaker, and the heavy and thick photo frame for the conqueror's certificate - for each of us.
The custom wind breaker jacket has an embroidered conqueror logo.
The conqueror certificates indicates that we are now legit members of Philippine Looper's Hall of Fame Awardees.
13. The Conquerors Awarding Ceremony
For finishers in 2021 to 2023, the Philippine Loop Awarding Ceremonies was held in the beautiful resort Aquamarine Recreational Center in Lipa City, Batangas last December 3, 2023.
It was a perfectly executed event by ATPI core group for honoring the members of Philippine Loop's "Hall of Fame" Conquerors - together in the party are the elite members of the Adventure Tour Philippines, Inc.
14. The President Message.
The ATPI President Francis Rivera's message,
He is the founder of Adventure Tour Philippines, Inc. (ATPI) which hosts the Philippine Loop Adventure Tour and the Cordillera Adventure Tour, and also founder of the BMW Owners Society of Saferiders (BOSS) which host the BOSS Iron Man.
Just remember, completing the Philippine Loop Adventure Tour does not make you better than anyone else; It is a significant personal achievement that makes you a better you.
Important: I am not an admin or connected to ATPI. ATPI Admins may change/revise/improve rules without synchronizing to the accounts and information presented above.
If you want to learn more and directly read the latest info direct from ATPI, please check,
For more frequently asked questions, click here.
Finally, I hope that this page somehow helps you in any possible way - please comment and give me a heart, thanks!
Byahe lang...!
2023 August 20, Angeles City, Pampanga
I understood that one needs to complete a max of 30 riding days within one year. If you started on Dec 26, 2021 and ended on Jan 3, 2023, did you still qualify even if its over a year?