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Photos of Hulugan Falls have spread like wildfire all over social media and so tourist and adventure-seekers alike started flocking in Luisiana, Laguna. I, too, decided to join the bandwagon.  Countless features and blogs have been written about this newest gem (and this has to be the nth) but I'm pretty sure that each of them are still worth reading for each experience, no matter how similar to others, is still unique on its own. With that, allow me to share my own.

Luisiana, Laguna, home of three lovely waterfalls: Talay, Hidden and Hulugan Falls, is roughly 4 hours away from Manila, depending on the traffic. (A quick shoutout to Barefoot Travels for a hassle free adventure.) I'm not just talking about water which happens to drop from rocks here, no. These waters beautifully cascade through what seemed to be carefully carved rocks. How often do you get to visit three lovely falls in a day? Carpe Diem, indeed.

From the registration area, we rode a tricycle for (insert number) minutes to the jump off point. T'was quite a ride, steep roads that somehow reminded me of Baguio. Our first stop was Talay Falls. The trail was muddy but not as muddy as Mt. Romelo or Daraitan on a rainy day. It's fairly easy, no ascends whatsoever. At this point, one could already think that this would be just another walk in the park. Roughly thirty minutes and we're already at the first level of Talay Falls.

Isn't it cute? Haha. Took a quick dip here just to cool myself out but most of us just took some pictures and went straight on to the second level. Just under five minutes and you're already there. Going there was quite a challenge for some, though, since you have to go through a short but steep and muddy trail and cross a makeshift bamboo bridge. It was so much for some that they just chose to wait for us in the picnic area. Well, at least they had the first level to themselves.

The second level's nice and sheek. Haha. I like that it's framed by thick wall of rocks and that its basin is surrounded by huge rocks. It looked quite man-made actually. The kind of garden waterfalls that professional landscapers make on lifestyle channels. :)

Chill hike, you say? Not so much going to the next falls as it involves hugging of boulders and a bit of rapelling. Personally, I found it challenging. Even experienced mountaineers are no match for mossy rocks. I'm more scared of the idea of falling and bumping my head on these rocks than falling per se. It should take you about fifteen to twenty minutes to get to Hidden Falls. Just follow exactly what your guide tells you to do and you'll be safe.

If you think the two-leveled Talay Falls is lovely then Hidden Falls is even more so. Its water cascades over beautifully stacked boulders that resemble bricks. Most in our group opted to be up close and personal with Hidden Falls but honestly I was satisfied with the view from where I was, so I passed. Plus by the time that we reached the falls it's already crowded. So while they're struggling with the buwis-buhay rock climbing just to get close to it, I took advantage and did quick long exposure shots of the falls. I was done when they got close to it so I'll save that up close and personal for my next visit. :)

And the main event of the season... drum rolls please... Hulugan Falls. Yes, saving the best for last.

The trail to Hulugan was mostly descent. I found that kind of weird, actually. Usually the main events are full of ascends. The path's clay and grass all throughout. Good thing it wasn't raining yet otherwise it would be like a mud slide though the thought of it kind of excites me. Anywho... The trail's pretty straightforward, just one fork that either way would lead you to the same trail.

Our guide said it should take us about twenty minutes to reach Hulugan but I didn't keep track, just savored every step. As soon a we heard the gentle running waters, we knew we're almost there. Then we saw a glimpse of the falls, it was captivating even from afar. It thrilled us even more.

It was lunchtime when we reached Hulugan. Quick photo ops while the others were still on their way. It wasn't as crowded as I expected. Perhaps because the weather was quite unexpected these past few days, whatever it is, lucky us.

See that beautiful drop? Quite dreamy and rather picturesque, like it's flowing in slow motion. However, such a small basin for such a towering waterfall, don't you think?

After taking some photos, me and my adventure buddy Vanni had our lunch. I wasn't that hungry but I finished my lunch as fast as I could 'cause I wanted to make the most of our stay. Quick yosi break (be responsible for your trash), sat by the cave beside the falls, breathe in, breathe out, and admired its beauty. Few minutes later, I couldn't hold it anymore. Thinking how can I let myself get soaked by the rain (yes, its already drizzling) yet not take a dip in its basin? I'll get soaked either way so might as well jump in. I had to. I had to swim. I had to feel its icy waters wrapped around me. I find a certain comfort when I'm in the water, so. :)

I know how to swim but my weight could only handle so much of the current. Good thing they have this buoy tied by the foot of the falls. The good souls at the other end would throw it whenever someone wants to go under the falls and just pull them closer. I hope I didn't cause the person that was pulling me much trouble. I threaded as much as I could, I promise. :)

Halfway through, it started to pour heavily. We didn't mind it. After three minutes, perhaps, the heavens started trembling and the what used to be dreamy drop of the falls had started gushing. In my mind, I think we should get back. I glanced over at our group at the cave and our coordinator's already signaling me to go back (Yes, they didn't join me so I joined the other group. Haha). There goes my cue and I obeyed. The weather worsened by the minute. Voices in my head went "Houston, we got a problem", "This is the real deal. This is not a test".

Such a relief to have reached the shallow part of the basin. It was time to trek back to the jump off point and yet it's still raining cats and dogs. Much to my surprise, the "descend" was actually an ascend, an all assault trail. Wait, I'm I missing something here? The ascend was a descend and the descend was an ascend. Mind boggling. Here's the thing, I enjoyed it and by that I meant a lot! Yes, it was an all assault trail but the heavy rain kind of worked. I imagined myself taking the same trail but on a sunny day, that wouldn't have worked for me. I would have sworn with every step. Pointy rocks, steep assault, but I almost didn't noticed it since the rain was very relaxing. It's like you're being massaged while climbing. That's how good it was.

So there. Hoping for the same weather on my next visit. Check out my IG @jasiticer for videos of this trip. :)

TIP BITS:

1. Waterproof all your stuff. As you can see, the weather's very unpredictable.

2. Drop by Aling Taleng's at Pagsanjan on your way home. "The best halo-halo in town". :)

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I met Nice and Sarah a few years back when I was still working for a Korean company in Clark, Pampanga. We haven't seen each other since I left the company and it felt like it was about time we reconnect. Since I'm already based in Zambales and Nice and Sarah were both based in Pampanga, we thought we could meet halfway. We were all looking for some peace and quiet as we reassess ourselves so... our destination --- Oyster Island.

Formerly known as Playa La Caleta, Oyster Island is an islet approximately 30 minutes away from the crowded shores of Bagac, Bataan. I learned about this through Bataan Nature Adventures. They offer packages on the island and its nearby cove. We availed of their 2D 1N package for 1600.00 PhP per head inclusive of tent accommodations, toiletries, island tours and  eat-all-you-can buffet (breakfast, lunch, dinner, plus snacks and socials), booked through Sir Mike. I mean come on, how can we say no to this?

DAY 1

I got to Balanga earlier than Nice and Sarah so I took the liberty of exploring the town while I'm waiting for them. Picked up a few items from the local convenience store and returned to the Balanga Central Bus Station just in time for their arrival. From there we were picked up by Kuya Glen  to join the other campers who were already at Jollibee Plaza. After a few chitchats,  we're off again to the Central Bus Station. Haha. Kuya Glen, really? We didn't mind, though, since we were all excited. From the terminal, we rented a jeep to Bagac. Then from Bagac, a speed boat was already waiting for us. Interesting boat, seats were not arranged like the usual island hopping boats do. Seats were arranged like that of a bus' and surprisingly comfy, too.

After some 20 or so minutes we were greeted by clear waters and a lovely cove in sight. Touch down! The sand was not white and sure, it could be finer, but what matters is that the shoreline is clean.

Our tent was already set up for us with each of our team names attached to it. Ours was Team Ja, that's me. :) Our tent was huge, I think you could fit six persons in it. I'm loving this whole Survivor-themed escapade so far.

We were welcomed by Sir Mike's team with fresh mango juice and singkamas on a stick with alamang. Talk about merienda ala probinsya. Wait there's more! I wasn't expecting much of the buffet lunch but boy oh boy, was it a lot! Half of the dishes, I haven't heard of but they look so inviting, I couldn't resist. This was the first time I had rice after how many months. Haha. That in itself was worth the price. I couldn't believe that was just our first meal. Haha.

After lunch, sunlight's already painful. We took a nap. After which, we had a few beers and resumed swimming and photo ops until sun down.

(my photo)

Thank you Sarah G for this. :)

SOCIALS

It's mandatory. Worry not my introvert friends, I'm anti-social most of the time too but I have to say, the socials was pretty darn genius. I have always wondered, how can one be in such a large group tour yet not share a single word with his or her tourmates? Well, this might be the answer to that.

Grill sets were arranged at the dining area per team. Sausages, smores, junk foods and even fondue. Yes fondue, smores and fondue, someone pinch me. Quick roll call and team introductions and the socials began. During the socials, different teams (the one clipped at your tent) compete against each other. I won't spill the game for you guys, sorry, find it out for yourselves. Lol. The losing team at the end of each round had to take shots of the island mix prepared by Kuya Mike himself. Our team was very competitive, we lost only once that other teams shared their shots to us just so we can taste it. Lol. T'was such an awesome experience. We stayed at the tables even after the games and shared stories with new found friends until midnight over a bottle of vino Shout out to Sir Edwin and co. 

DAY 2: ISLAND TREKKING

After a hearty breakfast, we're off to explore Oyster Island--- the very core of this entire escapade so this should not disappoint. Plus we were told that we will be cliff diving/jumping so you can only imagine how excited I was. The terrain was easy, it should not take you more that 30mins to reach the island by foot, yep you heard me. Very accessible as you can just walk through the stone bar (see what I did there? ) to reach it. Of course, I preferred to be at the back of the pack so I can snap photos whenever I want to without worrying the person after me. 

The landscape was just beautiful. Next to Palawan, this has to be the clearest waters I've ever laid eyes on. Yes that was me after the jump. I honestly wanted to tell you more about this island trekking experience but no, I'll just leave to it you guys, discover this gem on your own. I tell you, it doesn't disappoint, totally worth the try. See the photos for yourselves. :)

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They say that every great story should be told so as not to be forgotten even years after, but I'll say some of the greatest stories are just too great to even start telling and be best kept treasured in our memories. Same is true for this one. So allow me:

What happens in Daraitan, stays in Daraitan. 

Worry not, though. I may not give you the gist but I'm known for my generosity in giving previews. Trolling. 

1. This is my third time joining Barefoot Travels.  Also, my third time to be in their pioneer batch (quick trivia, we're one of those who requested for a Daraitan climb) but second time to be in an all girl group. 

2. I've never camped in the mountains before, so this is my first ever. By the looks of it, definitely won't be my last. :)

3. There's something ethereal with Tinipak River. Take the photo above as reference, doesn't it look Game of Thrones-ish to you? :)

4. I'm not sure whether this one's considered as major hike or not but whoever told you that the trail is difficult, believe them 'coz they ain't kidding you. I thought to myself, sh*t got real, man. To think that we took the (relatively) easier but longer trail.

5. Always. Always. Always expect the unexpected. Weather at the summit may be quite unpredictable. It was a perfectly good weather when we reached the summit but when it was already our group's turn for photo ops, it started raining cats and dogs, thus zero visibility as seen in the pictures. Really an iyak-tawa moment but it was epic!

Kudos to the Barefoot team for another amazing climb. Can't wait for the next! :D

xxx 

Barefoot Mt. Maculot pioneer batch (c) Ms. My

In an earlier post, I've made it clear that I'm not a mountain-climbing type of person. Last January, however, I decided to give it another try. What changed you ask? Well,  Mt. Maculot happened, that's why. As simple as that. 

I fell in love as soon as I saw a photo of Mt. Maculot on the internet. It's nothing like I've seen before, really. Located at Cuenca, Batangas, it is one of the few mountains in the Philippines overlooking a lake, or water for that matter. 

With months of inactivity, an all-ascend trail (well, most if not all) is certainly not the first thing you'd like to try, which otherwise happened to me. Bummer. So to divert my attention from  the challenging trail and the pain that's starting to linger in my thighs,  I let my mind wander from time to time. Thus, I give you eight of my realizations (which are applicable both in real life and in this climb)  in Mt. Maculot. For the record, I was supposed to give you guys ten, believe me, I tried to make it ten but I guess eight's all I got. Ha-ha!

En route to the Rockies.

Anywho, let's begin with the obvious. (1) There's no glamorous path to success. Figuratively and literally. There's are no easy paths and shortcuts to anything. One has to work hard, in one way or another. The same applies for this climb.

(2) Strangers are not the strangest people you'll meet on earth. Another thing that I noticed from this experience was that whenever hikers come across each other on the trail, they greet each other regardless if whether or not they're from the same group. I don't know if its customary or those people are just courteous.

(3) No matter how prepared you think you are, life always has its way to surprise you. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. For this climb, I wasn't physically prepared, as I have mentioned earlier, but some of us were. To my surprise though, they too found the trail challenging. 

The next one hit me as soon as we reached the so-called 711 in Maculot. (4) Sometimes the best things in life are the simplest. Don't believe me? Try having pancit canton (instant noodles), halo-halo (shaved ice with milk, fruits and sweet beans), or even a humble buko (coconut) juice after a tiring hike. Trust me, you'll get a taste of heaven. 

(5) Learn when to hold on and when to let go. I'd like to take this opportunity to apologize to dozens of tall grasses and yards of vines that I pulled just to keep myself from rolling downhill. Haha. 

Earth, Air and Water

(6) Keep your gaze forward and never look back. Things are behind us for a reason. Focus on what's ahead and not what's behind you. Remember this whenever the past hunts you or when you take your final ascend to the Rockies.  :)

(7) When you're one with nature you'll never be truly alone. Of course, I'm not really alone during the hike but you get the gist. 

Ms. My of Barefoot Travels doing her headstand. 

(8) The hardest paths are the most rewarding. Inhale. Exhale. They are not exaggerating. The view is truly breathtaking! All those ascends are totally worth it. 

We survived the rockies! Well done! (c) Patty Platon

Note:

For this climb my cousins and I joined  Barefoot Travels day hike to Maculot. This, I must say, is the best public group tour I've ever joined. They truly deliver a hassle free trip and their coordinators were sooo accommodating and fun to be with. Are their group tours solo friendly? Yes, actually we had three solo travelers in the group. Would I join their group tours again? Definitely! For more details and destinations, please visit their page.  xxx

With almost two years of not seeing my long lost batchmates slash blocmates slash sorority sisters, we seriously needed some catching up and what a better way to reunite with them than to go on a quick getaway?  After months and months of planning and rescheduling, finally we were off to somewhere.

If, like us, you're looking for alternatives to beaches then might as well put Tanay, Rizal to your list. Tanay is just two to three hours away from the Metro making it great weekender for nature trippers. 

We reached Tanay around three in the afternoon due to unforeseen circumstances. We didn't pre-book so it took another half an hour before we could check in and another half waiting for our tricycle tour.

First on our itinerary is Daranak Falls. This has to be the most accessible falls I have been to. If you're feeling a bit active, you may opt to walk, of course. Manong trike dropped us off by the fall's ticketing booth, just in time before they close. 

The place is already commercialized, resembling that of an ordinary resort, except that its a waterfall. The path's cemented so worry not if you haven't hiked before. Tables and small huts are also available to rent. Their toilet and showers are quite decent, too. 

We only got a few minutes to enjoy the place so no time to orient ourselves. We dropped our bags and hit the water. The water's icy cold, I think I swore the entire time we were in the water. LOL. The brain freeze was worth it though. After a dizzying trip (yes, I have motion sickness), the refreshing water was really rewarding. 

We took a quick shower as the "resort" was about to close the headed straight to the Tanay Parola just in time for the sunset. I wasn't expecting to see a lot of people there actually but who could blame them? Lovely landscape, lovely sunset, lovely colors. See? It's a nice place to food trip while enjoying the sunset.

The following day we're supposed to go to Tinipak river, Daraitan and Calinawan cave. Unfortunately, we only have until lunch to spend as we are bound back to Manila after lunch. Hence, we had no choice but visit Calinawan cave and groto instead, since they are the most accessible from where we stayed. 

Calinawan is just a small cave, perfect for spelunking virgins. There aren't much to see but our guide kept us entertained with her fun facts. She also told us that the cave is a popular shooting site to most movies, which became evident as we went deeper to the cave. The cave walls were painted gold and glitters. Probably as an added effect for the movies. Its a shame that they tolerate such actions.  

TIP BITS:

1. Just a heads up, some tricycle drivers can be quite aggressive. They horded us as soon as we got off the van, insisting their services on us in such a demanding manner, or creepy if I may say so. 

2. If you're planning to stay far from the hustle of the town proper, make sure to buy supplies or food before it gets dark. Most restaurants and stores are in the town and transportation is quite scarce in the evening, so. 

3. Tricycle tours are pricey even with how much charm and haggling skills you have. Most of the usual tourist destination in Tanay are accessible so try to compress your itinerary as much as you can to save time and money. 

This La Union trekking-surfing trip was initially planned as another getaway with le cousins but it later turned out that only Jenny and I were available that day. We were ready to travel on our own until our folks learned about our getaway and started nagging to take them with us. We saw the trip as a mini family reunion , so we agreed. We prepared everything, making sure everything will be comfortable for our folks without compromising the thrill out of the trip. We even oriented them about our itinerary and what to expect. Much to our surprise, as soon as we got to the hostel, they started complaining about everything. I don't remember them to be so grumpy and honestly for a minute, I was pissed. The other guests were already looking at us. Oh well, this was not the best idea after all, wasn't it?

"Bad vibes, be gone." I chanted to myself. After series of explanations, our folks were already convinced and finally,  we were able to proceed with our itinerary. Whew! High five, Jenny! This is nothing but another spice added to our adventure!

Tangadan falls is located at San Gabriel, La Union, around 30 minutes to the jump off point from Urbiztondo, San Juan via jeepney. We inquired by the hostel's front desk and decided to join the other groups. The more the merrier, as they say. 

From the jump off point, it would usually take one to two hours of river trekking to reach the falls but it would still depend on your pacing, of course. We went on a rainy season and it was mostly cloudy during the trek but we're still lucky for not being rained on. There were no ascends but don't underestimate the terrain, it's not exactly a walk in the park either. The irregular and mossy rocks made the trek really challenging. 

Me, Cousin Jenny, and Aunt Emy. (c) Uncle Jojo

We had our lunch by the cliff jumping site.  The others rested for a bit then got themselves ready for the jump. As for me,  I got my camera ready for documentation.  I was hesitant to jump at first. Since I came from a night shift, I was only able to sleep for 2 hours. I worry that my body can't handle the fatigue and won't be able to resurface. However, the thought that it's a 25-foot jump, awakened the adventurous in me. The fear and doubts were all worth it, let me tell you. I would've jumped twice or thrice if only we weren't in a hurry. 

Cousin Jenny taking the leap. Way to go! Unlike her, I don't have a photo of my jump to boast. Hehe

By the time we reached the falls, I'm already shivering. It was a bit windy plus we're soaking wet. 

Tangadan Falls has to be the biggest falls I have seen. The vigorous gushing of the waters from the hill was overwhelming. The current was so strong that we didn't even dare to swim near it. On my next visit, I'll make sure to include this again in my itinerary. ☺

TIP BITS:

1. It's better to trek during the summer season as the water level of the river is lower. The current is weaker making river crossings easier. 

2. Start your trek in the morning. First, to save yourself from the scorching heat. Second, in case you got lost, you'll still be able to return before dawn.

4. If you came to LU mainly to surf, make sure to check the surf forecast first. The waves were too flat when we went there but worry not. There are a lot of activities you can do in LU aside from surfing. ☺

3. If you're looking for a cheap and unique accommodation in LU, I highly recommend The Circle Hostel. Truly living up to their motto, "There are no strangers", the staff and guests treat each other as family. Their rates ranges from 350 to 550 PhP depending on what month you'll visit. 

San Antonio, Zambales, home to the lovely coves: Anawangin, Talisayin, Nagsasa, and Silaungin, is just approximately 4-5 hours away from the Metro and is just 30 minutes away from my hometown San Narciso. Whenever people learn that I'm from Zambales I'm often asked if I have been to Anawangin. With much shame and regret I would answer, "No, I haven't". Over the past years, Anawangin and the other coves have gained popularity and became one of the top picks for quick getaways. I intended to know why so I finally gave in.

What started as a drunken conversation eventually turned into an impulsive getaway. While some of us were still terribly hungover, we packed the leftovers from the night's party and hit the road. We didn't have any concrete plans until we're in Pundaquit. Lucky enough, one of my cousins have a friend there who happens to have boat rentals. 

After some discussions and more haggling, we finally came up with an itinerary. Since we went on a sunday and some of us have works the following day, we opted for just a day tour. (Funny that I have to use the term "tour". I sounded like a tourist for a moment there. Hmm. )

Le Cousins at Capones Island.

First off, Capones Island. What others didn't know is that there are two entry points to the island. If you want to see the old lighthouse, just tell your boatman to anchor your boat on that side of the island. Otherwise, they would take you to the opposite side. Just like what happened to us. Another lesson learned. 

This side of the island wasn't that bad, though. It's a long stretch of white sand beach. The sand's not as powdery as the other islands in the country but we didn't mind. The patterns of the wall caught my eye. Mix of browns, greens and some grays, very earthy. On both ends of the island, you'll see an array of rocks in all sizes imaginable. That would've been my spot if we stayed longer. Sadly, we only stayed for half an hour.

Touch down Anawangin! 

Alright, first impressions. The waters looked more inviting to me than that of Nagsasa and Talisayin. Read my post about Talisayin Cove here.  It's a lot smaller compared to the other coves, though. I finally understood why many people refer to this cove as "tent city". I expected it to be crowded but I didn't expect it to be this crowded. 

Carefree weekends, Bro! 

To stray away from the crowd, we went to a quick hike to the view deck. There are no guides for this but  worry not,  the trail's easy. No diverging paths whatsoever. Just follow the path until you reach the top. From here you'll see the entirety of Anawangin, it's shore and the lagoon opposite to it. Mountain, beach, lagoon and agoo trees, I just love the contrast of colors, very vivid. 

The unknown cove on the opposite side of Anawangin

After admiring the view and some photo ops, we started the descent. As soon as we reached our table, we had lunch and of course, some more beer. Ha-ha. Though we only stayed for the afternoon,  I'm guessing that an overnight camping would have been as fun. :)

P.S terrible hangover + tipsiness + 30 mins boat ride = Not a good idea. 

TIP BITS: 

1. Boat rides can be very pricey since the cove has gone overwhelmingly popular to tourists. If you want to save, better be in groups, the more the cheaper. The locals are friendly so feel free to haggle but please, please,  do it humbly and politely. I've seen tourists shouting and even threatening the locals just to get a discount. Tsk.

2. There are small stores in the cove but commodities are sold in much higher prices. Better yet,  bring and cook your own food. Water and coolers with ice are already included in some boat packages. Grillers are free to use, too. 

3. To save more, you can bring your own tent or hammock so you won't need to rent one. Tent rentals costs approximately 300 Php per night. 

4. If you want to push your getaway further, try trekking to the cove via Mt. Pundaquit. Guides are available at the jump off point. If you want to trek but still want to go island hopping, no problemo. Trek your way to the cove then  by boat, take a side trip to the islands on your way back to Pundaquit. :)

Photo Credits to Aunt Emy for our group pictures and Cousin Irma for my solo pictures.

"Seriously? In Nueva Ecija?" That was my reaction when I came across a photo of Minalungao National Park on the internet. Not much was written about it at that time. From there, I knew I had to see it for myself. 

Dubbed as "Nueva Ecija's Well-kep Secret", this  "hidden gem" can be found at Gen. Tinio (formerly known as Papaya), Nueva Ecija, just a few hours away from the Metro. With those abstract rock formations, towering limestone walls and emerald waters, at first glance, the place is to some extent reminiscent of the lakes in Palawan. 

The color of the Peñaranda River was eye-catching but unlike in Palawan, the water isn't really pellucid. The water's actually more of opaque than translucent. Nonetheless, the unique rock formations surrounding the river really amused me. As we explored the place, I took my time admiring the rocks. Some of the rocks were irregularly shaped but smooth, making them slippery. It's like stepping on a bathroom tile, so watch your steps, guys. According to the locals, the water level used to be almost as high as the limestone walls, carving the rocks over time. 

Cliff jumping is a must! Well, it's actually more of jumping off a huge rock because there was no cliff to start with. I did much higher and terrifying jumps before but I must admit, I was a bit hesitant on this one. Probably because of the opacity of the water. I wasn't that comfortable not knowing what's under that water.  He-he. 

(On the left: Sequence shot of my second jump as we failed to capture the first. Ha-ha! 
 On the right: On weekends, most of the guides in Minalungao are children. This is their way of earning for their school expenses. They don't have fixed rates so you can give them whatever you can. They're even polite enough to say "Bahala na po kayo." )

Hard work knows no age. 

In my honest to goodness opinion, I think the place is a bit overrated. It's ideal for picnic goers and lazy weekends but not really for adventure seekers.  Still, who would have thought that something like that lies in the heart of Region III? It's still worth visiting, though. Will I go back to this place? Most likely. 

Tip Bits:  

• It's cheaper to rent a tricycle in Gapan going to the Minalungao National Park than to get another one from Gen. Tinio (Papaya).
• Guides are optional. The place is just small so you can explore it on your own. 

(Credit goes to my father for my solo pictures. )