Mt. Pamitinan & Wawa Dam

Mt. Pamitinan Summit

Pamitinan Cave. In the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain range lies the Pamitinan cave. It is located in the San Rafael barangay (near Rodriguez, Rizal) in the Philippines. It is also near the Wawa Dam. The cave was formerly known as the '"Cave of Bernardo Carpio"'. Its former name was derived from Bernardo Carpio, a figure in Philippine mythology who was rebuked by the gods because of his insolence. Legend states that he was chained forever in the Montalban gorge, cursed to keep two mountains from colliding with each other.

On April 12, 1895, Andres Bonifacio along with eight other katipuneros declared the Philippines independence from the Spanish empire inside of this cave.The walls still bear inscriptions of "Viva la Independencia Filipinas" from the time of the Philippine Revolution. On June 21, 1996, Pamitinan cave was declared a historic site by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

During World War II, Japanese soldiers occupied the cave and used it as a camp. (Wikipedia)

Wawa Dam

Wawa Dam (also known as Montalban Dam) is a gravity dam constructed over the Marikina River in the municipality of Rodriguez in Rizal province, Philippines. The slightly arched dam is situated in the 360-metre (1,180 ft) high Montalban Gorge or Wawa Gorge,[3] a water gap in the Sierra Madre Mountains, east of Manila. It was built in 1909 during the American colonial era to provide the water needs for Manila. It used to be the only source of water for Manila until Angat Dam was built and Wawa was abandoned. Due to insufficiency of water supply for Metro Manila, there was a strong clamor to reuse the dam. (Wikipedia)

Hey fellas! This is my 4th climb together with the "BUTO Team". Planning this climb really got me feeling excited. Because the place have many side trips. As you can see above the picture, there are 5 mountains, the MMC proved that you could climb it all for just 1 perfect day! Isn't it challenging?! :)

We had 3 groups going to Rizal. Two of our friends brought their car for a convenient travelling. So the other group will take a bus or a jeep, but luckily they got aboard on fx which is routing also to Rodriguez Rizal. 

Before we start trekking we had our lite lunch first. Then some local guides confronted us. We are too many to have only one guide since we are all first timers here in Pamitinan, we decided to divide our group into two & hired another local guide. First group proceed to registration area then followed by the second group to avoid crowded place from the area. 

Welcome to Pamitinan Protected Landscape

The bridge

Signage. We haven't got the chance to visit the Pamitinan Cave & bat Cave. (next time ^_^)

Stopped beside the Cagbalete tree! Amazing tree! :)

This mountain behind me were used for rock climbing especially foreigners.

The First stop over going to Mt. Pamitinan summit. This was actually the first time wherein we didn't brought our hiking bags. (which is favorable for me! haha!).  

The local guide of course share stories. You can see above that there is a form that looks like a feet. 

The local guide also shown as the legends of this shape that also known as Bernardo Carpio's BU..TO, if you know what I mean. (bu..to is a word known mostly in provinces ^_^)

The last stop over. The moment were you have to wear your gloves because of sharp rocks. (wearing gloves is optional but its really a must for some)

When I saw rocks that we have to climb, I was thinking if is this really passable?! Am I going to climb without rope?! because the rockies we have to climb is elevated/high. But yeah! I did it! We did it! haha! (medyo kinabahan tlaga ako dun. haha!)

Also know as Twin mountain. We are on the other twin side so.. :)

We're now close to summit of Mt. Pamitinan

Speechless! :))))

How it looks like. 

CONQUERED! Thank you Lord for this wonderful creation! :)

The campsite. We reached at the campsite late that's why some of us walk with headlights on because there are no lights along the way. To reach through here, you have to walk for about 20 minutes from the registration office. Along the way is a market, you can buy fruits, vegetables even fishes and meat. then there are also many residents bound here. Going here is you'll pass by the Wawa Dam. Lastly is you'll have to get on a boat for 5 minutes only just to surpass the river, P5.00 per ride per pax. There are also residents approximately 3-4 families living  there. They are the care taker I think because we paid them for our stay and used the bathroom & hosed water near their houses. 

The so called twin mountain. In front of the campsite photo taken early in the morning that's why you can see fogs. 

After the breakfast. Chikahan galore! haha!

There's a falls near the campsite. Approximately it's just a 10 minutes walk going there.

Groupie! We just stopped by. There are vendors here & a mini cottages for people who would spend more time & like to stay.

The plan is we will go back for another mountain to climb after our breakfast but we all get tired & thought that the view on top are just the same like the summit we have been. We got back at the parking lot after we have our lunch. But the rains still pouring that's why the boys think of an effective way on how we will able to set off our tents & prepare our things orderly. Good thing they have a great idea & teamwork! (tahimik lang kaming mga girls haha) 

And then all of us got the chance to take photos along the way back to the parking & registration offices. This are some of photos taken :)

My kuyas & ates behind the Wawa Dam

This photo is kinda foggy because of rain.

Still raining. But thank you God we survived this adventure! :)

Mt. Romelo: Siniloan Laguna

Lanzones Falls

This was my third climb with the team. This group joined the least but still manage to carry on with the plan. The team decided to go for Mt. Romelo at Siniloan Laguna, 2-3 hours travel time from Manila. So here's some information about Mt. Romelo. 

The Siniloan River (Tagalog: Ilog ng Siniloan), also known as the Romelo River, is a river system that runs through Siniloan, Laguna on the island of Luzon, in the Philippines. It is one of 21 River tributaries of Laguna de Bay and is regularly monitored by the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) through of its 15 river monitoring stations.

The river's headwaters can be found in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, particularly Mount Romelo for which the river is often alternately named. In this part of the river, a number of falls have become popular destinations amongst mountaineers, with a reputation for clear waters and a reasonably easy trek. The river then heads down into the coastal plains, going through the main population area of the Municipality of Siniloan before finally emptying into Laguna de Bay.

Throughout its watershed, from mountains to lowlands, the Siniloan is dominated by coconut and grasses. The mountain areas are also characterized by forests, while the lowlands are also characterized by rice paddies and residential areas. The Siniloan River sub-basin has a drainage area of 74.31 square kilometers.

Kuys Chris brought his car so me & kuys Gatz & his workmate got the chance to rode with him. The four of us drove straight ahead to Laguna & wait for our two more friends there. Our two friends were from Lucban Quezon and they arrived late so we started trekking at around 2-3PM. 

Registration Area

Up up here we go. :)

To kuya who guided us (sorry I forgot his name). He voluntarily bring my bag. Thank you so much I really appreciate it. And to return back my favor, I just gave him a tip after our climb. :)

We stop by from the middle of the trail. The wide view is perfect. Photobombed lang yung baka. :)

The moment I have been waiting for as far as I remembered this was the last stop over to reach the campsite. Ahhh! I was very thirsty & craving for a Buko juice! Oh good Lord! 

Thank you Lord! I got back my energy with the buko juice. 

We arrived at the campsite at around 5pm something that's why we prepared immediately our tent for us to be ready also for dinner.

Preparation for our dinner. (Sinigang na baboy)

Goodmorning! The specialty of Lucban Quezon. "Lucban longganisa" for our breakfast.

Early morning we're now heading first to Sapang Labo Falls.

Groupie along the rocky trail.

"Sapang Labo Falls"

At Sapang Labo Falls. Photo (c) kuys clif :)

Groupie at Sapang Labo Falls.

At Lansonez Falls

Groupie at Lanzonez Falls

The Lanzonez Falls

 A tribute to our LDR love story. I love you KULOT! :)

Hondagua: Lopez Quezon Province

This is in Hondagua Station. From Calauag, Pinagkamaligan up to 45 mins. ride in railway skates back & forth. 

Hello everyone. I made this blog for this place I visit after holy week. You may not be familiar with this place & it's not blog-gable also but I want to call out the people who likes adventure and try to go out of their comfort zone. This place is called Hondagua. My mom is from Calauag Quezon Province. Have you tried riding on their railway skates? If not then what are you waiting for?! :)

Holy week is a very special religious occasion especially in the Philippines. Traditionally a family would go out & have their vacation. We expect of course a massive people would go out to different destination. My family decided to just spend our holy week in Calauag Quezon Province. It's actually a 5-6 hours drive from Manila. We spend our holy week solemnly because we just stayed at home. But after the holy week I've decided to go out because I know people now are done with their vacation. I don't have a plan that time so I just prepared things I want to bring & told my mom that I'd like to go out or explore somehow before we go back in Manila. My mom agreed but she told me to bring with me my younger sister & my cousin. They asked me where we'll go & I told them "bahala na si batman" haha!(whatever just go with the flow). 

Dora the Explorer! OTW "bahala na si batman" :)

My sister & my cousin and other passengers. The rate is P20.00/pax

This man's skates is called "de-tulak" (a thing that is pushed). "De-tulak" are being used by the residents who live beside the railways.

This man's skates have a  motor. This skates usually used as a public transportation. It can accommodate up to 12 person for this kind of skates. Can't believe it? Then you should come & try it! :)

As you can see here they were lifting their skates to the side so that the other way could passed by. (giving way)

A bridge along the railway. 

A bridge and a river along the rail.

A fishpond.

The Philippine Flour Mills.

 This is the Philippine Flour Mills port in Hondagua. 

This is the vintage Hondagua Station. 

A 50 meter away from the station. 

The beach of Hondagua.

An abandoned old parts of train.

This is the Department Offices of Hondagua PNR. (they haven't developed this place yet)

Some of the residence here put up business like this since they live beside the beach. 

They made cottages. The entrance fee cost P3.00 pesos. The cottages rate here cost P200-300.00 pesos. You may also request the owner for a lower rate depends on your negotiation.

Don't forget your hat & sunglasses. :)

Since we're not gonna swim we didn't rent a cottage. So the owner told us that they also rent their boat for P200.00 pesos but I asked the owner if we could rent it for P100.00 pesos, he agreed! :) (strolling near at the Philippine Flour Mills port area only)

The three of us & two kuya who assisted us. I told them to go near the island to stop by for awhile. 

This is the island we went to stop by for awhile to take some pictures. We're still in Hondagua.

We saw this kids collecting shells. 

We saw some awesome creatures. 

There are different sari-sari stores but we decided to have our merienda here. :) 

And yes! we still enjoyed this great adventure. Thank you God for guiding us and bringing us here. It's a great & awesome experience. Ride in a railway skates & strolling on a boat. This is indeed an unplanned exploration. Our foot brought us here. Thank you God! 

My comments:

Don't expect that the facilities here is like the other beach resorts you knew. 

Facilities are not yet developed here.

The stores here are affordable.  

This place need to be developed and can be a tourist destination someday. 

I made a 1:00 minute video of our adventure! :)

SKEACHING

(Skates-Beach-Strolling)