Bulacan - Bayukbok Cave

Bayukbok Cave
Sitio Madlum, Brgy. Sibul, San Miguel, Bulacan
Spelunking Time: 2-3 hours

One of the should-not-miss-destinations that the Biak-na-Bato National Park shelters is the Bayukbok Cave. Played a big role in history, the eight series interconnected cave called  Bayukbok Cave was one of the shelters that our Katipuneros have used during revolutionary period back at Spaniard colonization times.

Spenlunking Bayukbok cave is really quite a challenge, thus patience and determination is needed. Yours truly are not familiar with the cave difficulty ratings,  but with some readings, this may fall under the Level 3 or Moderately easy since it falls with it's description, a li'l crawl, climb and squeeze. Going there needs a little uphill trek, but during rainy day carefulness is needed as trail are slippery when wet since they are made from limestone. Limestone here are sharp and even slightly pointed making them very risky giving you no room for a slip, cause an accident will surely cause you wounded. Continuing, visitors of Bayukbok Cave will have to pass by an open passage and soon face a narrow entrance. Moving forward, the spelunkers of Bayukbok Cave have to descend via a ladder made of rope and bamboos(slippery on rainy season). Next is the crawling and squeezing part, but the crystal like at the stalactites and stalagmites will now be visible. Then the greatest challenge! Visitors have to pass a slope with a pit on the side. Looking down below will surely bring your nerve as it is deep and pointed stalagmites are waiting to any who'll fall. Soon, it's vine swinging at the exit.

There have been reports of mysteries at the Bayukbok Cave, but there are no solid proofs other than testimony of some. Fortunately, yours truly have no personal encounter with the said and still suggest the Bayukbok Cave a worthy destination to those who have brave hearts.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

From Pasay or Cubao, there are buses enroute to Cabanatuan (yours truly have taken 5 star bus at Pasay at the back of Winston Hotel) were you can ask to drop you off Brgy. Camias. From there, you can ride a tricycle to Sitio Madlum.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

*Visiting Bayukbok Cave is best to be along with Mt. Manalmon, thus suggest to refer to it's itinerary.

Bulacan - Mt. Manalmon

Mt. Manalmon
Sitio Madlum, Brgy. Sibul, San Miguel, Bulacan
196 MASL
Difficulty: Minor 2/9
Trail Class: 1-2
Trekking Time: 45 minutes - 1 hour

Mt. Manalmon is one of chill climbs that Luzon offers. Lying at the historical park of Biak-na-Bato in the town of San Miguel, Bulacan, Mt. Manalmon serves as an eye for chill campers as it no offers not more of a hike challenge but a relaxation offered by it's river. A large group can camp at the side of the river where you can fish and hunt sum shrimps, but if you want view, you can camp at the summit.

Mt. Manalmon is also eye for cave lovers and spelunkers as the mountain covers nearby caves, such as Bayubok Cave, Madlum Cave, Victoria Cave and more. Also, a neighbor mountain can also be climbed, the Mt. Gola.

Trekking Mt. Manalmon does not requires much of a preparation since it does only require a short trek as mentioned above. The only challenge one has to face at Mt. Manalmon is crossing an up-to-knee-river with a very strong current. Also, visitors have to pass a river before reaching the registration proper which swells up during rainy season, but one can rent a wooden raft for a small price.

Guide in Mt. Manalmon is mandatory and they charges another fee if you want to climb Mt. Gola too, thus making the destination an expensive climb. Although, taking the Bayukbok Cave spelunking is a li'l cheaper compared to taking the other mountain.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

From Pasay or Cubao, there are buses enroute to Cabanatuan (yours truly have taken 5 star bus at Pasay at the back of Winston Hotel) were you can ask to drop you off Brgy. Camias. From there, you can ride a tricycle to Sitio Madlum.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1

08:30 ETD to Camias
10:00 ETA Camias, take tricycle
10:30 ETA Madlum, Secure guide & register, Start trek
11:00 ETA River, set camp, cook lunch
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Swimming time
17:00 Head to summit
17:30 ETA Summit
18:00 Head back to camp
18:30 Cook dinner
19:30 Dinner and socials

Day 2

06:00 Wake up call
07:00 Brakfast
08:00 Breakcamp 
08:30 Start Descent
09:00 Spelunking Bayukbok Cave
11:00 ETA Jumpoff, washout
11:30 Head to Camias
12:00 ETA Camias, Lunch
13:00 Head Home

Quezon - Mt. Banahaw

Mt. Banahaw
Brgy. Kinabuhayan, Dolores, Quezon
2158 MASL
Difficulty: Major 5/9
Trail Class: 3
Trekking Time: 6-7 hours

The Mt. Banahaw stand tall at the middle of the provinces of Laguna and Quezon. Having at total height of 2158 meters above sea level, Mt. Banahaw has the crown of the highest in Southern Tagalog region. Being the highest, it is not unusual to have testimonies of sightings of many floras and faunas such as Sampinit. Although, the sad part is Mt. Banahaw is a popular hiking destination not just for ordinary hikers and mountaineers, but also to cults and Rizalistas, thus creating a great impact and destruction to the mountain. It is the folklore and beliefs that caused Mt. Banahaw's fame. Known as the Holy mountain, devotees, pilgrims and cults often visit this mountain especially during Lenten season. This became an eye for the authorities who are concerned to the mountain's welfare, making them to decide to officially closed the mountain to ANY of the hikers, unless given special permit. This is to give way to her rehabilitation or self healing. 

Mt. Banahaw is not just known for it's height but also with it's mystery. It not just stand next to Mt. Cristobal, but also have lots of it's own version of mysteries and ghost stories, thus creating a prominent figure in the Philippine folklore. Stories about this very mountain that is unproved but believed are still alive, such as the story of a cave named "Husgado" translates as Judgement wherein passage will get narrow when an evil person goes inside trapping him/her in the cave. Another story is the miracle of waters found in the mountain that is said to heal every injury or diseases.

Trekking Mt. Banahaw will have to start in Brgy. Kinabuhayan, Dolores, Quezon (same as Mt. Cristobal), then choose a path to either via Cristallino Falls or Tatlong Tangke. From Cristallino falls, you will pass by Kweba ng Dyos Ama, then Kweba ng Espiritu Santo, then Finally the Unang Durungawan. From Tatlong Tangke, you will pass by Kapatagan, then the Durungawans.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

From Buendia or Cubao, you may take buses bound to Lucena and ask them to drop you off San Pablo City, where there is a terminal of jeeps bound to Dolores. You may ask the driver if you can just add some amount to bring you to Brgy. Kinabuhayan or you may rent a jeep all the way to Brgy. Kinabuhayan.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

*Authorities suspended all hiking activities at Mt. Banahaw and still currently closed up to now, thus will be posting itinerary once the Mt. Banahaw opened in public in respect to the said closure.

Mountain Province - Sumaguing Cave

Sumaguing Cave
Suyo Road, Sagada, Mountain Province
Spelunking Time: 2-3 hours

Yours truly is not much familiar with the rating system of difficulty with regards to caving, potholing or spelunking, but regardless of your knowledge, one can easily determine that Sumaguing cave is one of the easiest cave to explore (except maybe for some). This could be the main reason why the Sumaguing Cave became the most popularr destination in visiting Sagada, that's aside from it's natural beauty.

Made of gold-like limestones, the Sumaguing cave can be explored for about 2-3hours walking into a sponge like texture of the limestone with waters flowing all over the place.From the entrance, the visitors of Sumaguing cave should pass a long stairs going down (ofcourse you'll have to climb it to get out the cave later). Then soon the second level where visitors are advised to take-off their footwear to avoid destructions of the limestones. The most beautiful stalactites and stalagmites formations will appear from this stage. The guide will now choose your safest and nicest path in consideration with all guests. Then, the level 3 of the cave which is optional for guests to continue, it will be a higher level of challenge going to that level. And woohla!congrats, you've conquered Sumaguing cave! :).

Sumaguing cave guides, are guests oriented, as they are familiar to entertain even foreigners. And for every limit of guest, add'l guide is required. Lamps are provided by the guides to ensure the light in spelunking the Sumaguing Cave.

There are other caves available in the Sagada and some of them are interconnected, such as this very cave and the Lumiang Cave, wherein you can ask a guide to have an interconnecting exploration for a different rate.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

Take Ohayami Bus at Corner Fajardo St., & Lacson Ave., Sampaloc, Manila going. Then from Banaue, there are vans going to Sagada. OR Take a Sagada Travel Package.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Pls take note that Sagada Travel Package is best in taking this destination as there are other nice destinations available in Sagada, thus no suggested itinerary is available since it varies on the package. Better to check if you can customize the destination included in the package for a worthy package.

Flora & Fauna - Tawilis

Tawilis is the only fish of Clupeidae family or Sardinella (Sardines) that exists in freshwater. Scientifically known as Freshwater Sardinella, the Tawilis is exclusively found in the Philippines. Found only at the 3rd largest lake of the Philippines, a lake of a volcano called Taal, the Tawilis is believed to be an evolution of a marine specie that adopts a freshwater environment. The history tells that Taal lake used to be an extension of Balayan Bay which is purely marine in nature, but a major eruption of Taal volcano in 18th century sealed the lake from the sea, trapping many species is the lake. Tawilis is suspected as one of them.

Growing up to 15cm for about 30g, the Tawilis had became common to the Filipinos especially in the CALABARZON area, thus delicacies for this very fish have now lots of varieties. From tuyo or dried fish, to paksiw (stewed/simmered in vinegar) and to deep fried, wherein it is cooked until it became very soft to the point of what do Filipinos say as kain lahat or everything is edible even the fishbone.

The only sad part is, the Tawilis is slowly becoming to be an endangered specie, as fishpens in the Taal lake that fastly increasing in number is causing a big impact on our very fish. The fishpens creates competition between the natural residence of the lake and the new comers bred for commercial purposes, not just in foods but also in air, thus creating lots of fish kill incidences. Also, the unregulated commercial trading could be a huge cause of decrease in numbers of Tawilis. Sad but true, all we can do is pray that authority will soon open their eyes and realize that they have to control and regulate the reasons of Tawilis' threat.

Batangas & Laguna - Mt. Makiling (Traverse)

Mt. Makiling (Maktrav)
Entry: Brgy. San Miguel, Sto. Tomas, Batangas
Exit: College of Forestry, UPLB, College, Los Banos, Laguna
1090 MASL
Difficulty: Major 6/9
Trail Class: 3 w/ ropped segment
Trekking Time: 7-8 hours

Mt. Makiling is one of the prominent mountain found in the Southern Tagalog region. It's ranges extends from Bay, Laguna to  UPLB, Laguna and even to Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

Visitors of Mt. Makiling via UPLB trail already enjoys the biodiversity of this very mountain, but the Sto. Tomas side can be considered as it's window and backyard garded as it offers more of a view that hardly seen at UPLB trail even at the summit or Peak 2, and more Floras and Faunas such as Pitcher Plant, Sampinit and even the Limatiks here are more abundant compared to the former. Although, this side offers more of a challenge, as it requires longer trekking time, more crawling and climbing, even rope climbing, and ofcourse more patience and determination. This is the main reason why more mountaineers want to climb Mt. Makiling via Sto Tomas, not to mention that this serves as training climbs for mountaineers planning a Major climb that requires much preparations. Tomas side which they often refer as Maktrav, a shortened term for Makiling Traverse.

There are two trails existing at Sto. Tomas side, the Sipit trail and Palanggana trail. However, during early 2012, there are news that Makiling Center for Mountains Ecosystem (serves as PASU for Mt. Makiling) has designated Sipit trail as main trail, thus reinforcing its establishment and training guides via this route.

Trekking via Sto. Tomas side starts with the Brgy. hall which also collects an amount as registration. From there, various forks will be present but a right trail will lead you to an abrupt ascending trail. Then a well guided trail(fenced both side). Then, the merging point of your trail and Palanggana trail, soon the grassland. Next will be Palanggan campsite, and soon it's peak, continuing you'll soon find the Baring bato, where on top is a nice view deck with lots of Pitcher plants. Continuing will be the Melkas ridge and soon Peak 3. From Peak 3 to Peak to will be a long trails with lots of crawling and climbing plants and trees along the trail, the so called Wild Boar trail. Then, finally it will be the Peak 2.   

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

From LRT-Buendia, take buses bound to Sto. Tomas where you can ask a tricycle to drop you off at what they call "Bundok".

                                                                                       SUGGESTED ITINERARY

04:30 Assembly, take bus to Sto. Tomas
06:00 ETA Sto. Tomas, take tricycle
06:30 ETA Jumpoff, Start trek
11:00 Melkas Ridge
12:00 ETA Peak 3, fast lunch
12:30 Resume Trek
14:30 ETA Peak 2, Rest and pictures
15:00 Start Descend via UPLB trail
18:00 ETA Ranger station/jumpoff
18:30 Dinner at Grove or Junction
19:30 Head Home

Flora & Fauna - Jade Vine

Blue-green-colored-flowers is quite uncommon, making them an eye catcher. This is true with regards to a flower that can be seen in the tropical forests of the Philippines, the Jade Vine.Unique not just in colors but also the way it blooms as it is vine, the Jade Vine hangs like a cluster of grapes.

Jade Vine, locally known as tayabak, is a member of Fabaceae or pea and bean family. The claw-shaped-flower that resembles to a stout-bodied butterfly with folded wings, connected in a small stem can reach up to 75 in count and stem can reach up to 18 meters long. It's flowers' color vary from blue-green to mint-green. Jade Vine is a frost tolerant and can live up to minimum temperature of 15 degrees Celsius or 59 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Jade Vine, scientifically known as Strongylodon Macrobotrys, is also known as Emerald Vine and Turquoise Vine. It's plant grows besides stream of a damp forest like the upper river of Buntot Palos Falls and the hidden lagoon at Mt. Makiling where yours truly have seen such beautiful flower.

Seeing Jade Vine in the forest is such a pleasure, thus suggest to take pictures once you see one rather than a petal which never last like the former (never to mention the respect for LNT and creed of the mountaineers).

Laguna - Taytay Falls

Taytay Falls
Gagalot, Majayjay, Laguna
Difficulty: Minor 1/9
Trail Class: 1
Trekking Time: 10-15 minutes

Another body of water that Laguna can boast is this very falls that sits at the southern part of province, the Taytay Falls. Always synonymous from it's location, when Filipinos mention Majayjay, the first thing that comes to their mind is the Taytay Falls. As a matter of fact, Filipinos usually mistake Taytay Falls as Majayjay Falls and the name Taytay Falls have gained less famed than the later.

Majayajay is home for some falls, but the Taytay has the name that sounds even in other places. Maybe it is because that the place has been almost commercialized since one of few falls that does not require much of a trek, although it is a long trip from Manila and the last trip to and from the falls leaves at 17:00.

Taytay Falls, also known as Imelda Falls, boasts it's cold water that flows from the mountain of Banahaw. Plus, the mossy trees and rocks near the swimming pool like catch basin of the falls.
 
With Taytay Falls' commercialism, the locals have thought of a way to attract more visitors and same way earn, the tent rental. Locals have invested tents that can be rented by visitors that don't have tent since it is possible to camp near the falls. There are various of sizes available wherein accommodation varies. But that's not all yet, there are lots of nearby store so campers can enjoy their activities without thinking their supplies.However, the sad part of the commercialism is that this nature's treasure suffers like many other tourist destinations with lots of visitors, the wound created by vandalism and littering.
 

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

From Buendia(LRT) or Cubao, you may take buses bound to Sta. Cruz and have a trip all the way to Sta. Cruz. From there, you can see jeeps bound to Majayjay which you should take. And from Majayjay, jeeps bound to falls are already available.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

04:30 Assembly
05:00 ETD to Sta. Cruz
08:00 ETA Sta. Cruz, head to Majayjay
09:00 ETA Majayjay, head to Brgy. Gagalot
10:00 ETA Brgy. Gagalot, Register, start trek
10:15 ETA Falls, swimming time!
12:00 Lunch break
16:00 ETD for home (trip leaves every hour, last trip 17:00, suggest to take one hour earlier to avoid inconveniences such as short of seats)

*Don't forget to buy Buko Pie along the way at Los Banos, Laguna.

Photo thanks to Ed Avelino & Oliver Mina

Quezon - Mt. Cristobal

Mt. Cristobal
Sitio Sta. Lucia, Brgy. Kinabuhayan, Dolores, Quezon
1,470 MASL
Diffiuclty: Minor 4/9
Trail Class: 3
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours

One of the most mysterious mountain in the Philippines is the so called Mt. Cristobal or Mt. San Cristobal. Lying next to Mt. Banahaw, Mt. Cristobal together with its neighbor mountain, stands a prominent figure at local folklore, as this two mountain represents both positive and negative energy that cancel out in the end. Mt. Banahaw called the "Holy mountain", remits positive energy and attracts devotees while it's neighbor mountain, Mt. Cristobal, is called "Devils' mountain" and remits negative energy.

Mt. Cristobal is a star not just in folklore but also in legends and ghost stories, but yours truly believe its better this way as it creates fear and aloofness to those undisciplined people that recklessly climb and litters in the mountain, thus preserving Mt. Cristobal's pristine beauty.

Fear not if you are well disciplined and respects nature, as the Mt. Cristobal's forest offers a unique scenery as species of animals and plants that are rarely seen could be seen here. And, not to mention that it's dense forest is covered with lots of mosses as moist almost never leave the place since it is a rainforest, thus making Mt. Cristobal worthy to visit even-though there no much view decks in the mountain.

Trekking Mt. Cristobal could be quite challenging as the trail here are classified as class 3 as mentioned above, meaning that it needs a little experience and ofcourse much preparation before one should attempt to conquer the challenges this mountain offers. Back then, Mt. Cristobal is classified as a major climb, but with the new system of rating the mountains, it has been downgraded to minor climb.

The common entry point used by the mountaineers is the Brgy. Kinabuhayan at Dolores, Quezon. From there, visitors may secure guide if they haven't get any yet, then start trekking. Trekkers may take 30-40 minutes on-off road. This road looks flat but steps here are quite heavy, seems like an optical illusion. Then, the house of a psychic named Montelibano, the last water source. From there, trekkers will have to face continuous ascending trails until they reached the cogon line at 1,130 MASL. Then, soon will be campsite.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

From Buendia or Cubao, you may take buses bound to Lucena and ask them to drop you off San Pablo City, where there is a terminal of jeeps bound to Dolores. You may ask the driver if you can just add some amount to bring you to Brgy. Kinabuhayan or you may rent a jeep all the way to Brgy. Kinabuhayan.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1

07:30 Assembly
08:00 ETD to San Pablo
10:00 ETA San Pablo, take jeep to Kinabuhayan
12:00 ETA Kinabuhayan, take Lunch
13:00 Start Trek
14:00 ETA Montelibano's house
17:00 ETA Campsite, set camp, explore the crater
17:30 head back to camp, cook dinner
18:30 Dinner, Socials

Day 2

05:00 Wake up call
06:00 Breakfast
07:00 Breakcamp
07:30 Start Descend
10:30 ETA Kinabuhayan, river swimming, Lunch
14:00 Head Home

Batangas - Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine

Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine
Labac, Taal, Batangas

Another pride of the heritage town of Taal aside from Basilica de St. Martin de Tours, is the Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine. Standing at the banks of Pansipit River, the Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine bears a long story of it's name's origin. Story begins back in 1603 when a fisherman named Juan Manigcad, accidentally fished a small statue of Blessed Virgin Mary of Immaculate Concepcion. The said was then placed under the care of the town's judge's widow, named Dona Maria Espiritu who had made a special urn for it's safe keeping. It is then when the villagers had noticed and witnessed the mystery of the statue the persistently disappearing in the urn and going back to the place where it is originally found. Until one day, the statue was completely lost and was only found after 8 years by two women gathering firewood. The statue was found atop of a bush with candles lit each side and amongst a silvery bird, a kingfisher known is filipino as kasay-kasay. To honor the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the people had built the shrine at the same location it has been found. Visitors can see a summary of the story by paintings on the wall inside the chapel/shrine.

Compared to Basilica de St. Martin de Tours, the Our Lady of Caysasay shrine is much smaller and younger in years, but it's own beauty and story makes it as popular as the former. 

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

From Basilica de St. Martin de Tours, visitors may take a tricycle or opt to walk going down the 125-steps-stairs called,the Sn Lorenzo Ruiz steps.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

It is advisable to visit Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine at sunday together with the Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega and Basilica de St. Martin de Tours, thus pls see Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega for itinerary.