Tag-araw sa Tuguegarao: Callao Cave

It was the third week of June when we travel north- part of Luzon. We were a little indecisive with this trip for two reasons, financial and weather. But I think this addiction has outgrown us, that no matter how tight the budget is and how bad the weather can be, we cannot be contained.

Originally, there were just the two of us, me and my other best travel buddy, Mommy Earl. I remember telling her that I will only join the trip, if the budget will be 2000 pesos only. Indeed, she came up with one. Then days before our flight, three more wanderer expressed their will to go with us, even if it meant an exasperating long land travel for them. And when I say long land travel, I mean, 12 hour-butt aching bus ride or make it, 15 hours for them, because of the traffic caused by massive road construction along the way. Told you, we cannot be contained. Haha.

So there, three of my friends had to leave Manila, Tuesday night via Victory Liner in Pasay – and endured the tiresome journey. The next day, mommy Earl and I took the pleasure of travelling with ease benefited from another seat sale last year.

We arrived in Casa Ludivina around 10am. It’s near the terminal of Victory Liner, so that’s little convenient for our friends who we expect to be arriving a little sooner. We took a double bed room that costs 1000 pesos. The casa may look very ancestral outside. It can be an ideal location for another Shake, Rattle and Roll movie. But it’s one of the cheapest backpacker lodges in town and the rooms aren’t bad at all. We loved the clean, spacious bathroom. And, it’s near to Brickstone Mall, near to several bus terminals, and you won’t be having a hard time looking for a traysi in the area.

Just about lunchtime, our three long suffering friends arrived from their 15-hour ordeal. And to reward their patience, we ate our lunch at Jomar’s where you can find the town’s specialty, the most appetizing pansit batil patung (naiinis ako sa part nato, kasi natakam ako bigla! Grhh! Haha!)

It was this regretful moment that I realized I forgot my camera back in Casa Ludivina. 

We first checked out Gretchen’s, the other restaurant that serves the best pansit batil patung, but it has been closed down since March.

Jomar’s offers pansit batil patung in three different servings – regular (50pesos), special (60pesos), and the super special (70 pesos). Because we’re too excited about the famous pansit, and we were really hungry, we ordered the super special – yes, each one of us. It was too late when we realized that we cannot take them all. We were astonished how plentiful our plates were. Believe me when I say, the serving is really huge. One super special order can be shared by two, even three, if you’re not heavy eaters. And the taste? Ah, it’s very delicious, except for the part that it has a lot of atay because I’m not fond of it but other than that, I think it’s something worth the 15hour-bus ride! Haha!…(natatakam na naman ako.. grhhh!) After the pansit batil patung eating challenge, we headed to the main event of our trip in Tuguegarao – the Callao Cave.

We hired a trike to Penablanca, for 280pesos. I think it was at least 40-45 minute ride. Then we paid our registration fee of 10 pesos each, and another 20 pesos for the roundtrip boat ride. Callao cave seems to be on the other side of the world that you need to cross the serene beauty of Pinacanauan river, one of the beautiful and maybe the calmest river I have ever seen so far. Its blue-greenish colors are very enticing that would make you want to dive yourself into the cold waters. The chirping of the birds that compliments the deafening silence of the place washed away all our weariness caused by the unbearable temperature.

***Callao cave strictly implements the No guide, No caving policy. They do not have guide rates, but an ample donation will surely appreciated.

Just few weeks before this trip, I was able to watch an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya featuring Andoy, one of the brilliant young guides of Callao cave. I have read about him before in some blogs, and I cannot hold back my excitement upon seeing his story on national TV. So when we reached the reception area of Callao cave, I was silently hoping to see him there. Apparently, he was in school that time.

But it’s not something I need to be disappointed about, because we were welcomed by another guide who’s personality seemed to be just like Andoy, perhaps a little older. His name is Gerald. And yes, his story has been featured on TV as well – Wish Ko Lang. Curious what Ms. Vicky Morales gave him? Well, apart from the goods and other stuffs, he was also given full scholarship from elementary and high school. He finished High School early because he got accelerated, thus we tagged him AXEL. Now, because of what he called financial breakdown, he stopped schooling for the meantime, and work as a guide in Callao cave.

Anyway, back to Callao Cave…

It was said that Cagayan is the caving capital of the country, because it has a more than 300 caves in the province. One of the famous and most explored is Callao cave. It has seven very accessible chambers that can be enjoy by everyone without dropping a sweat … oh well, expect from the part that you have to climb 100+ steps to get to the entrance of the cave. But as our guide said, the area is oxiginated, so there’s enough supply of fresh air that will enlighten your bodies from the short climb. 

Stalagmites and stalactites will immediately welcome you at the entrance of the cave.

The second chamber houses a small chapel. Here, you can say your prayers with utmost silence. Mass can also be celebrated in the chapel on special occasion and with special permits. Axel told us that just weeks before our visit, actors John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo exchanged vows in the chapel (for their upcoming movie). There’s a skylight from the top of the cave that gives light to the tiny chapel.

It was said that the best time to visit the cave is in the morning until high noon, when the light from sun creates illumination inside the cave and produces hair raising, heavenly effects – best for photos.

I mentioned there are seven chambers in Callao Cave, but we got to explore only five, because the grounds were slippery and a little dangerous that time. So after finishing the first five chambers, we went back our way to the entrance for our exit. 

We actually brought our headlamps during the exploration, but there was really no need for it, because unlike other caves, parts of the Callao Cave is open to skylights and there were also electric lights provided in different areas for the comfort of the visitors.

*thanks to Inch Datuin for the photos*

Tagana-an: Agoho Island

May 31, 2012

I may have lived in Tagana-an, more than half of my life, but I never heard of Agoho Island before. At dahil bago ang aming snorkeling gears at hindi pa namin masyadong naenjoy gamitin, I didn’t think twice when our pastor, Pastor Nat invited us for another swimming outing.

And J? He was suppose to go back to Cabadbaran after Mapaso hot spring, but just the thought of swimming and snorkeling in an island rich with corals, made him inform his mom that he can’t go home that day. Haha.

We took one of our church member’s boat and head off to the island.

Agoho Island is a 20-30 minute ride from the town port. It’s an uninhabited island so you can’t expect it to be well maintained. It has one dilapidated cottage that you can take shelter on, at least, against the heartless sunshine.

My words won’t suffice how beautiful the creatures under the waters of Agoho Island, kung sana may underwater camera kami, may ebidensya sana  ako… I can let this one pass, this is my hometown anyway, I can still come back here, maybe next summer.

Summer defined: Mapaso hot spring in Mainit

*umaapoy na title… haha*

May 30, 2012

I grew up in Tagana-an, but I was born in Mainit, and my precious middle name will speak for itself. I remember, when I was in first year high school, my grandfather won’t accept any of my suitors (parang andami) because according to him, all of them are our relatives. Even up to now, I’d like to think that if you’re a true blooded Mainitnon, you are, without a doubt, a relative. Haha.

These days, Mainit is more than just about the prominent lake. It has its own Kasili Lakeside Resort which according to my mom is always fully booked. Few fine dining restaurants. And the aspiring tourist spot – the 

Mapaso hot spring.

It used to be just an ordinary hot spring, that locals do not seem to mind because of its natural hotness.  But thanks to the so-called modernization, now it has become one of town’s revenue generating sites and of course, the pride of every Mainitnon.

There’s one pool open for everyone. Even on a weekday, it can get crowded. Also, don’t be surprised if the pool be surrounded by senior citizens, it’s good for the health daw kasi. Haha. If you wish to have some privacy, you can rent your own mini pool with cottage worth 500 pesos.

Because of its natural, unbearable hotness, you’ll see some outlet of natural warm water added to the pool to neutralize the boiling temperature of the hot spring. And if you feel bored being hot, you can transfer to the super cold spring nearby.

We also tried trekking the nearby mountain to see other the natural hot springs.

the sulfuric effects of the hot spring

An hour trek from the resort, you will find the yet to be discovered 90-meter-Togonon falls. But this we failed to do because we didn’t have a guide. Maybe next time.  As of this writing, Mapaso hot springs do not allow overnight stay in the resort, because there’s no electricity yet in the area.

On our way home, we had a stopover at the Kasili Lakeside Resort and Hotel. Entrance fee is 25 pesos. But since, we’ll just have a quick look, the guards let us pass through.

How to go to there:

From Surigao, ride a Mainit or Matin-ao bound jeep/multicab and ask if they can drop you at the junction of Mapaso hot springs. From here, you can hire a habal-habal for 30pesos/one way

From Butuan, ride a bus or jeep bound to Surigao, get off Magpayang. From here, you can hire a trike or wait for jeep to Mainit or Matin-ao, and drop off athe junction then hire habal habal to the resort.

next: Tagana-an: Agoho Island

Summer Vacation 2012: Climb and Swim and Climb again

**bumabacklog**

Travel dates: May 24-June3, 2012

J and I spent our annual sumvac (summer vacation) in our respective towns. We both hailed from the humble region of CARAGA. Since we live in two different towns, we had to travel separately. I booked a direct flight to Surigao, while he had a direct-delayed flight to Butuan. We both have to travel an hour to reach our hometowns.

Normally I like to spend my vacation at home, with nothing to worry but what to eat, which movie to watch, what time to sleep and so on. But since I can no longer contain the wanderlust in me, my supposed rest vacation became a travel vacation. 

We were actually planning to go to Camiguin during our vacation. (Camiguin is at least 5 hour bus and boat travel from Surigao.) But days before we fly to the province, J and I decided to cancel it and just enjoy our much awaited annual vacation. But even when we cancelled out trip, we still did a lot of suroy-suroy.

May 24-27, 2012

J and I stayed in our respective families. Spend a Sunday in our respective churches. Catch up with friends and relatives. I must say, it was one of the few days we had to endure for not seeing each other. Haha. 

May 28, 2012

I travelled to Cabadbaran (his hometown). It’s a three hour bus ride from our place. This is supposed to be the time where I get to bond with his family, but it wasn’t the case. Since his mom was busy with the forthcoming class opening, she’s most of the time in the school. So to make our time useful, J suggested we climb a hill, para pagbigyan ang nangangating paa na makaakyat ng bundok! He particularly mentioned a hill (so maliit or mababa lang sya, diba?) oh, well… that’s what I thought!

see? it' a mountain...

With 10 peso-registration fee, it is a well maintained prayer mountain. With different flower and plants all over the area, and the freshest air your lungs can ever experience, this can be your place of solitude. You’ll barely feel the uphill climb because the trail is supported with bamboo steps. It took us 30 minutes to reach the top, though I must admit, I struggle a bit during the climb, because I am not prepared for it. It was 3pm, the sun was unbearable and we don't even have water with us.  But just like any summits, it has its own way to pacify panting hearts and wobbling knees.

May 29, 2012

From Cabadbaran, we travelled back to our hometown. It’s his time to visit my parents. We joined the church outing in Borongkot beach (the one and only beach in the town proper.) I must say, you’ve never been to Tagana-an, without visiting this one. Haha.

I wasn’t keen taking picture because I was too excited to try on our newly bought snorkeling gears and submerge into the waters. Haha. One of the church members who has a new pump boat brought us to the opposite island where corals and fishes are overflowing.

After the fun filled swimming, we packed our things for an overnight camp in the farm. J could’ve wanted to spend the overnight near the beach but my parents were hesitant to allow us. Instead we drove few kilometers from our house to the Farmville – para muling pagbigyan ang nangangating paa!

Geared up with tent, headlamps, cook set, bolo etc. It was indeed a real camping experience minus the very exhausting trek. Spoiled nga kami kasi we had help from the caretaker of the farm. We were even provided with a pale of water for wash-up purposes. Haha..

Hopefully, next time… we can trek the highest point of Tagana-an, the mythical stone of the Kambaragil.

next: Summer defined: Mapaso Hot Spring