Growing up in San Narciso, Zambales,  I've heard stories after stories from our elders about a waterfall nestled in the mountains of Omaya but since means of transportation was still scarce at the time, no one,  (or at least, we didn't) dared to chase it.

Two decades later, the area was re-evaluated as a possible hiking destination in San Narciso. The local tourism office had conducted an ocular inspection just a month ago but details on how to get there and who to coordinate with is still a blur. Since then, numerous nature-seeking groups from different parts of Zambales have been flocking in. So did we.

Name confusion. According to the locals and contrary to some posts circulating on Facebook, the name of the waterfall is Veto Falls and not Palacapac. Veto Falls is a three tier waterfall. Locals refer to them as V1, V2 and V3 respectively. Palacapac is a plateau above the three waterfalls. There's a small creek in it instead of a waterfall. The jump off point to Palacapac is at Omaya. 

Trail et.al . Trekking Vito Falls should take around one and a half to two hours only and not four hours as earlier posted. Jump off point is at Brgy. Paete , thirty minutes from San Narciso town proper, in a privately owned land by the Sabangan family. Although the jump off point is at Paete, Veto Falls is geographically a part of Omaya. 

First half of the trek is fairly easy with only a few ascends and steep descends. The trail is mostly sand, similar to what can be found in beaches. It's loose when dry and it gets too soft when wet, so mind your steps especially near the slopes.  Good thing, most part of the trail is covered by bolos and bamboos which you can cling on whenever you're unsure of your steps.  

Second half consists mostly of river trekking, rock and boulder hugging. The rocks are mossy, an indication that the trail's not used often, if not new. Despite being slippery, the boulders and cascades under towering trees are picturesque.

The main event. After almost two hours of non stop trekking, we reached Vito Falls. It's a plunge type waterfall with a small shallow but rocky basin. The safe enough to take a dip and enjoy the ice cold waters. 

Penny for my thoughts. Overall, the trail is beginner friendly but still can be challenging even for experienced trekkers. The local guides are still on constant search for a much safer trail but all in all, Veto Falls is definitely worth it. It is not something every true blooded Narcisenian should miss. Would I visit again? A hands down YES. 

(Sorry for the lack of photos. It was raining the entire time so we're soaked by the time we reached the falls.)

HOW TO GET THERE:

1. Ride a bus going to Iba/Sta.Cruz and get off at San Felipe town proper.

2. Ride a tricycle going to Paete (same route when going to Anghalo Falls). Drop by the Paete Brgy. Hall first to inform them of your intent to trek so they can assist you in getting guides and permission from the Sabangan family. (UPDATE: Here's the contact details of Paete Brgy. Capt. De Dios - 09493045099)

3. Get to the jump off point (Sabangan property). You'll pass by Mabato Elementary School. It is on the left side with an improvised bamboo gate. 

TIP BITS:

• Do not trespass. Seek permission where its due.
• Don't be hesitant to ask for guides. The trail can be tricky and who knows them better than the locals. 
• Practice LNT (Leave No Trace). Be responsible for your trash.
• Waterproof your belongings, just in case. 
• Enjoy! ☺

###

A month after our Maculot hike, we found ourselves at the foot of Mt. Romelo located in the depths of Siniloan, Laguna to chase some waterfalls. Mt. Romelo is the home to seven waterfalls. However, due to time constraints we aimed only for two waterfalls: Buruwisan falls and Lanzones falls. 

It has a refreshing contrast to the warm beachy climate we have at our hometown. Gloomy weather, cool breeze, and afternoon drizzles. Somehow reminded me of our fieldwork days in Mt. Makiling and Mt. Cristobal. All those morning hikes, data gatherings and rewarding waterfall jumps. Ahh, nostalgic.

Compared to the mountains that I have dared to conquer, Mt. Romelo thus far has the most confusing trail. There’s just so many diverging paths. Really, the mountain is like a buffet of forks. Ha-ha. Confusing, yes, but advantageous as well. Forks and or alternative trails can be  efficient trail traffic minimizers and time savers. If you know what I mean.  i.e  When we went, more or less a hundred high school students were also off to the falls that day, so as to avoid traffic, we used an alternative trail.

I'm not sure, though, which trail is easier and and or shorter,theirs or ours. Kuya Paul, our climb coordinator, said that we had a good pacing. Could it be that we took a shortcut? I didn't thought of asking our guide. Or perhaps we were just that excited? Ha-ha.

The trail, in general, is muddy beyond belief. If you've read other entries or heard rants about Mt. Romelo being extremely muddy, believe them, they're not exaggerating. I was fascinated how the mud easily built up on my soles. A few steps and  it already felt like I'm on heels. My companions had to stop once in a while and scrape the mud off their soles but personally I could use some additional weight  so I left my soles as muddy as they are.  The mud would eventually come off on their own anyway when it gets too thick. Also, donkeys serve as porters here so just a friendly reminder, watch your steps. Some poops might be camouflaging on the mud. Haha. I didn't know donkeys to be good hikers.

We assumed that the other hikers would root for Buruwisan falls first so we opted to visit its humble neighbor first, Lanzones falls. Its a small waterfall in a corner of a stone wall. This two-storey high waterfall has a small and shallow catch basin. We had the falls to ourselves. It's like having your own personalized waterfall pool. We had our early lunch here as we watched the falls and allowed the gushing waters so soothe our ears.

Next up is the main event --- Buruwisan Falls. Surprisingly, there weren't anyone there but us. We took our time admiring the surroundings and taking pictures. The place is enchanting! We were all in awe and for a moment thought that we're in another realm. Until the others arrived and ruined the silence. They were all shouting and laughing like they own the place and they looked drunk. Good thing they didn't stayed for long. He-he.

The summit wasn't originally part of our itinerary but since we're still way ahead of it, we decided to go for the summit. It doesn't look as elevated as a summit should and there wasn't much to see but overlooking such a lush vegetation was refreshing to the eyes.

Once again, kudos to the Barefoot Travels team for making this day hike possible. This was Kate and I’s second time to join their day hike and also the second time to be in their pioneer team. As expected, another awesome experience with them. I’m looking forward for more awesome trips with Barefoot Travels. Hopefully, next time will be a camping trip. He-he. 

P.S Try the buko ice candy in the mountain store and the halo-halo  by the registration office, they're soo good. Credits to Ms. My and Aisha for the group photos. :)


 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. 

"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. )

Nowadays, people my age are slowly engaging in outdoor activities. Can't blame them. Hours in the office are, indeed, more tiring compared to hours spent outdoors. Most people find hiking and trekking, exhilarating. Long treks, challenging terrains and breathtaking views as rewards? C'mon, you can't argue with that! As for me though, I found something else. 

This is not known to many of my friends,  but being born and raised in a  mountainous province, I grew up trekking just for the sake of it. I lost count on how many times we have trekked the mountains of  nearby towns. When we were still in high school, we would trek every friday after class. No guides or trails, just our adventurous selves and our instincts. Now that I think of it, I kind of miss washing the mud off my PE shoes. Haha.

We're truly lucky to have experienced these activities while growing up. Its just rather paradoxical that neither of us engaged in mountain climbing after high school despite the fact that we were exposed in it at an early age. Perhaps it is that which consequently inspired us to try new activities as we grew older, to explore more. 

Since I enjoy challenging terrains and I'm in-love with water-related activities even as a kid, my kind of adventure should at least include both. Hence, my love for river/waterfall trekking, cave exploring/swimming or any of the sort. For me, there's nothing more rewarding than swimming in the deep, icy cold waters after a strenuous trek or cave exploration. It's like getting the best of both worlds. The panorama may not be as breathtaking as that of a summit,  but it's just as fulfilling. Plus, if you're up for thrills, go diving off a waterfall or a cliff. The higher and the deeper the water, the better. (For the record, I'm not a swimmer nor am I familiar with the technicalities of swimming. I'm a self-taught one but I can swim enough not to drown.) Diving is just an awesome way to top it off. I cannot justify this enough but trust me it's worth the fall. :)

                 

How about you? Have you found your happy medium?


(Photo credit: Jenny Siticer)