SidetripTrips#4: BULACAN │ BAYUKBOK CAVE II: Nice Historical Cave Exploration, "My First Spelunking Experience".

Bayukbok limestone walls.

There are two segments of the cave that you can explore. The first one I described above for me is just a warm up. But if you want a real adventure like in movies finding treasure and chased by their enemies, you should try this one. Your guides will ask you if you want to have just one or both. According to our cave guides, this second one requires a lot of endurance and bravery! lol, it has lots of cliffs, smallest holes and openings compared to other caves. In this picture, this was the moment we saw the light  after sight of darkness from cave one.

Climbing up on this boulder.

This is one of the hardest part. You have to climb here carefully because of the cliff around you. Just a wrong step and die from falling from like a 5 storey building.

A very high cliff on our right!

There it is, a very high cliff on our right side and still stayed beautiful in this stressful moment.lol. Our cave guide said that this area is just like the seen from the "hidden treasure" movie. :)

Rock formations after the cliffy area.

Dock walking upon entering the cave again.

After long walk and putting ourselves on the smallest hole in the whole cave, we finally again saw light. :)

Then you will be at the "baging" or vine area. If you want, you can swing through that long vine and move like Tarzan. haha

Entered again on a very narrow passage.

After descending via vine, we took trail to another cave entering a forest-like area. During our walk, we saw two coal-makers along our way lifting their finished product. With one very huge sack of coal with both hands holding on it, I was amazed! I always tend to hold anything every time I feel uneasy on the ground, but them they're able to cross a tree trunk bridge without anything to hold with just rubber slippers on their feet!

Cave's ceiling and walls.

Compared to cave I, first cave explored, ceilings and walls were quite different. Here they're smoother and much brownish in color maybe because it's the uppermost part amongst caves where water drips down from the trees above, evident with the roots (right).

Getting out from the narrowest hole in the whole cave ever!

This is the narrowest and the hardest hole I ever entered among the caves. Its like about 12 inches in diameter. Weew, would you imagine how he able to get out from there? look at the evidence from his shirt and you will know.:D



After that cool hole, we were having a break. Our guide "Tatay Tunying", the one who's wearing orange was checking if that upward path is easier or can be used by that time. Well unfortunately, "kuya Mel" said that that area was too slippery that time (because of rains due to Typhoon Bebeng) so they decided to choose to another path. Oh by the way, see that beautiful Stalagminte pillar? It's like a...pillar. :)

Mineral formation along the way out.

Spider on the right side of our way.

We noticed this huge spider, about size of a hand, silently watching us from the corner. Also from here, we noticed a lot of snail shells all over the cave's floor. Wonder how it got there? Well, this is the proof that the whole Bulacan, Philippines was then submerged in water billions of years ago.

Success, finally out!

Due to kinda wet stones and floor, our guides look for a better way out. One suggested to climb to the adventurous wall of rocks but unfortunately it was slippery even if they'll put a rope to assist, so we tend to choose much safer path. Because we came from a higher part of the cave, we descended from a flight of rocks.

Bamboo area.

This is the last area where you have to dock underneath the bamboos and crawl under a gigantic rock. A piece of cake compared to what we did on the caves.

Huge rock blocking our way out.

After the last challenge of the huge rock, went off to the jumpoff and took our lunch. Going there isn't difficult, just follow the trail and you will reach the Madlum river and jumpoff safely.

July 29, 2011:

I totally suggest Bayukbok caves if you are planning to visit Bulacan or hike mountains around the area like Mt. Gola and Mt. Manalmon. You will surely enjoy it. It is not just a simple cave where you can just walk through it, strike a pose then post it on your FB profile, it's a matter of endurance and strength of your arms to pull yourself up and make your self shrink to pass through holes you can't imagine how you went out of there. So if you are an adventurous person, you must try this! :)

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SidetripTrips#3: BULACAN │ BAYUKBOK CAVE I: Nice Historical Cave Exploration, "My First Spelunking Experience".

Limestone formation on Bayukbok caves' wall.

The Bayukbok Caves are one of the historical places in Bulacan which can be found at the territory of Biak na Bato National Park. Based on Philippine history, these were used by the guerrillas to hid from Japanese colony. Later you'll realized how they put their selves in the narrowest and the darkest holes of the caves just to hide and save their lives

The Map.

Legend in English: Daanan:way, Yungib:Cave, Bahayan:Residences, Tulay na Kable:Cable Bridge, Palanguyan:Swimming Area, Piknikan:Picnic Area. As you can see here at the Map there are lots of "Yungib".

To start the activity, we crossed the river because we came from Mt. Manalmon (right) then entered a forested area (left).

We climbed this limestone formation.

Then we climbed up on these rocks..Actually, I slipped here because of wet marble rock I stepped on. haha. Thank God someone catched me :) After this area we settled first for an orientation and rules for the activity. This is a very unforgettable experience. You will then realize that the whole area was totally submerged in water billions of years ago because of the sedimentary rocks around. Would you imagine that the whole Bulacan Philippine land area wasn't existed before? Amazing!

Entrance to the cave.

This is the entrance of the first cave that we had entered. We all piled up here coz our cave guides, "Tatay Tunying" and "Kuya Mel" are fixing an exciting appetizer! :)

I used rope in here to decent.

Tadaah! Descended using a rope. Biceps activated! I think this is about 20ft high and the stones are quite slippery so we have to really use this.

Inside the cave.

The Music room

It is called the "Music Room" because it produces different sounds or beats through percussion of those mineral formations.

After descending using a rope, crawling under the stones and went through small tunnels we never knew how we went out of there, now here's another challenge! Simple yet enjoyable.

Oh we're not like fell on a trap here! There's a small opening at our lower left side, about 50 inches in diameter. The guy whose wearing black with orange stripe is actually assisting others to enter the area, but unfortunately we were almost full there, so everyone should climb up one by one to have enough space.

Beautiful  stalactite and stalagmites (left). Small hole entered again over here (right).

Great limestone formation, coral-like on the left and ceiling of heaven on the right.

Bayukbok cave exploration doesn't stopped here. Our cave guides told us that there's another cave that can be entered aside from here, which is much harder.

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SidetripTrips#2: BULACAN │ MADLUM RIVER: Get Wet After Mt. Manalmon/Gola Climb.

View of Madlum River from the other side before crossing the river.

If you have plans to climb Mt. Manalmon, you have to go to the other side by crossing this part of the River. People there will help you cross via "Balsa" (bamboo raft in English) for free. But if you want something exciting, you can cross using the Monkey Bridge which is

also free.

Panoramic shot from jumpoff before we crossed the river.

Kids fishing, I wonder if they got a catch coz they kept on pushing each other onto water. hehe. 

The Children fishing for "tilapiang tabang", ("St. Peter's Fish in freshwater"). This is the view from the other side of the River after we've crossed. Well as you can see, the water is not that clear. Because of typhoon "Bebeng". The waters from the mountain, hills and forest are all directed to the the said river making that cloudy color. But the residents assured us that it'll be clear as soon as the rain stops and the sediments settle.

After crossing.

There are tables and seat if you want some place to put your things and eat your food for P50/table. Be sure to use the one that you just want to rent and do not leave your things on other tables. You might end up paying for all of those, like us!hehe.

Mini store.

I named this store as "all-around store" because of it's duties. Well first, you can buy anything you need here such as toiletries, food and drinks. Also, if you want to rent the "balsa" in your swimming, you'll just pay for P100/whole day. For the use of Comfort Room or taking a shower, just pay here P10/use. Oh, just in case you want some homey food to eat, you can ask them to cook it for you. But of course the price might be doubled due to extra charges like for transpo and catering service. Plates and utensils are included. Basically, they served well and after we eat they gave us the list of all the ingredients and fees of our order.

Part of the river after exiting Madlum cave.

I was amazed with the rocks, how did those huge rocks got there and beautifully arranged like mini white mountains? Well, they're marble rocks same as the rocks found around at the jumpoff.

Amazing rock formations beside the river.

You have to cross this segment of Madlum river when you hike going to Mt. Manalmon and/or Gola.

In this part of the river, where you have to cross to reach Manalmon's and Gola's summit, stones are same as other river has, smooth and regularly round, "batong buhay" for Filipinos. 

Crossing the river after our Mt. Manalmon hike.

Viewing from higher point at Mt. Manalmon, you can appreciate how the river surrounds the mountains and the bush.

Madlum River from Mt. Manalmon's summit. One step cliff behind (left).

Swimming and traversing over the river.

After soaking selves on a humid hiking, it's really refreshing to dip into river's waters! :)

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SidetripTrips#1: BULACAN │ Madlum Cave: Mt. Manalmon Side Trip

Madlum cave entrance when your coming from Mt. Manalmon.

Anyone who's planning to climb Mt. Manalmon or Mt. Gola will definitely pass through this part of the Madlum Cave. First, From the Jump off you have to cross the Madlum River via "balsa" (bamboo raft) or Monkey bridge.

Station-of-the-cross-like area going to the cave coming from jump off.

Entrance if you are coming from jumpoff (left). Inside the cave (right). 

It was really dark upon entering the said cave, I advise to use your headlights and flashlight to keep you safe walking especially in the middle of the cave until you reach the end. Also, be careful stepping on the marble rocks because it's really slippery esp. when wet, like during rainy season, water drips down the cave from it's ceiling.

Huge dripstone out right (left) . Exit to the cave (right).

Basically, this Cave was very easy even for beginners. Just open your eyes, lamps and your cameras! Whether you like it or not, you will pass through this cave if you are planning to have Mt. Manalmon and/or Mt. Gola climb.

July 29, 2011

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HikingBlahs#2: BULACAN | MT. MANALMON: Here's an Easy climb!

Madlum cave entrance when your coming from Mt. Manalmon.

Mt.Manalmon part of the historical Biak-na-Bato National Park in San Miguel, Bulacan, was the second mountain I conquered, weeee!

My newly gained friends from my Bf's friend(beside me).

From Cubao, we took Cabanatuan-bound bus to Brgy. Kamias San Miguel, Bulacan  (Five Star busterminal near Cubao MRT station) P114/person. From there, we took tricycle to dusty road leading to jump-off, Brgy Madlum for P200/tricycle which is approx. 45mins. Don’t worry it’s really worth it. 





BTW, there’s a mini market about 15 mins away from the jump-off, drop there if want to buy something. On the other hand, if you want to be fetch after your hike, you can just tell your tricycle driver and have their numbers.

To start your trek, you have to ride a "Balsa" or bamboo raft to cross the Madlum river (above). After crossing, huge limestone rocks will greet you. I was standing on huge rock with jumpoff as my background, we were we came from after crossing river (lower left). Site where monkey bridge was suspended (lower right).

From the jump-off, just ask the locals for a guide (P60/person) who’ll take you to the mountain’s summit. The trek started by crossing the Madlum River via balsa (free for hikers) or Monkey Bridge (free) if you want.

After crossing the River and taking pictures of limestones there, we passed by a station-of-the-cross-like area then the Madlum Cave. Be careful because its really slippery. Stones are not just ordinary stones, they are marble!

Passed mini chapel (left) and climb the stairs of station of the cross to the Madlum cave entrance.

Entrance to Madulum cave (left).  Crossed two segments of Madlum River (right)

Bushy and muddy area, trek to summit.

After that, you’ll pass bushy areas and other side of the Madlum River. In the trek, you will notice a boulder in the middle of the way. If you decided to go to Mt. Manalmon’s summit, you turn right but if you want to go to Gola’s you turn left.

The Campsite. The cemented-like (start of rock part of the summit) path on the left leads to summit.

After 3 hours of trekking, campsite surprised me, a beginner, that the summit was just 5 meters away from the campsite as to compare to other mountains we already climbed.

Panoramic view at the summit.

The view at the peak was so amazing. Majority of it is a huge rock, the only ordinary rock I noticed in the whole area, not a marble nor sedimentary rock. From the top, you’ll notice how Madulum River run beside the mountain. Likewise, the surrounding mountains like Mt.Gola, Mt. Arayat and Mt. Buntis.saying hello.

Mt. Gola (left). Madlum River (right)

Here's another interesting part at Mt. Manalmon's summit, a certain point where cliff is just one step behind. From here, you'll get a perfect backdrop of the Madlum river and Mt. Gola.

Mt. Buntis view from zenith.

March 29, 2011:

Yey, this was my 2nd mountain to conquer. It's an easy climb, fit for beginners like me. Trail was ok, and i haven't notice any trash along, good points for the guides and locals who're taking care of the mountain! Ooops I also we had spelunking experience on Madlum Caves, traversed monkey bridge, zipline and swam on the river after the hike!

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