http://www.visitmyphilippines.com/ RSS feed en-us Copyright (C) 2014 visitmyphilippines.com Aguinaldo Cave San Miguel, Bulacan Three prominent caves exist along the banks of the Balaong River that circumscribe the historic barangay of Biak-na-Bato, namely Bahay Paniki Cave, Aguinaldo Cave and Bukal Cave. The most notable of these is the Aguinaldo Cave where the late hero, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, once took refuge while leading the resistance movement against the Spanish and American colonizers. Militarily, its narrow but long entrance coupled with the existence of secret chambers can way-lay intruders. The enemy has to literally crawl through the low portal and would ran smack against the waiting defenses of Aguinaldo's men. Aside from the presence of stalactites and stalagmites which come in various hues and sizes, the cave also boasts of palisades or rows of columns (stalactites and stalagmites which have united in the course of time) which local residents refer to as the Cuarto-Cuarto Cave or cave of many chambers. Some palisades have developed into walls, partitioning off the cave area into several rooms. The cavern has two long, branching natural tunnels: one extending from the portal to about 130 meters horizontally lain; the other descended by a vertical crevice about 10 feet deep which situates the various chambers. To reach several of these, one has to wiggle, waggle, wriggle, squirm, push and pull to get to the inside. At the lower mouth of the cave, one can sit on the rocks and cool off with naturally chilled air from an underground cold spring. The cave is entered via a higher orifice, and one must clamber down to get to the water's edge. A ten-minute boat ride into this eerie underground river leads to a stalactite-accented cavern where, at its center, a smooth triangular block of marble juts above the surface of the clear emerald water. Local lore claims it to be "la mesa de Aguinaldo", the table on which Aguinaldo signed the historic peace treaty. HOW TO GET THERE: Take the North Luzon Tollway and exit at Sta. Rita/Baliuag (exit 32A/32B). From the exit, head north along the National Highway towards Plaridel, Baliuag, San Ildefonso (about 28 km). About 7 kilometers from San Ildefonso, keep an eye for a Y intersection. It should have a sign that points to Biak na Bato National Park. Take that road on the right and then, about 1 km farther, there would be another intersection, and the road on the right (eastward) will lead straight to Biak na Bato. TRAVEL ADVISORY: THE TRAVELING PUBLIC IS ADVISED TO REGISTER WITH THE LOCAL BARANGAY AND LGU PRIOR TO VISIT. IT IS ADVISED NEVER TO TAKE THE TRIP DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. MAKE SURE YOUR TOUR OPERATOR, TRANSPORT COMPANY AND TOUR GUIDES ARE DOT ACCREDITED. Ambush Cave Biak-na-bato National Park, San Miguel, Bulacan Located at San Miguel Bulacan, Biak-na-bato National Park, this cave is two hours and a half ride by land from Manila. Its flora such as G. Melina, teak, buho, tibig and vines are found outside the cave and a few stalactites and stalagmites, and stone formation are found inside the cave, with column and pool. It is also open even to inexperienced cavers. Aroma Beach Hagonoy, Bulacan A sandy beach with aromatic plants, it is frequented by local picnickers during summer months. Bahay Paniki Cave (House of Bats) San Miguel, Bulacan The cave located some 300 meters south of the Aguinaldo Cave is a bit risky to penetrate, considering the tons of debris filed by torrential flood-water (more conducive to cold-blooded snakes and poisonous scorpions). Beneath the gigantic portal, which stretches to about 30 meters up forming a large dome, are big boulders the size of a two-storey building and the way up the narrow and brittle natural bridges that lead to the inside is truly very dangerous. The cave is home to millions of bats. Tourists are treated to a rare and astounding display of natural beauty as the mammals fly overhead and out of the cave - aligned in two fronts and to converge some 200 meters into the sky on a single formation, only to disappear in the darkening horizon. In exactly 3 minutes at 6:15 p.m., the daily phenomenon ends. Bakas Norzagaray, Bulacan Located on this site are giant limestones at the core of a river, formed like giant footprints. Townspeople claim these were actually the footprints of legendary giant Bernardo Carpio. Bayokbok Cave Sitio Madlum, Brgy. Sibul, San Miguel, Bulacan Located at sitio Madlum, Brgy. Sibul in San Miguel, Bulacan, or some 7.5 kms. from San Miguel town proper, this cave may be reached by any motor vehicle and hiking. Madlum river is adjacent to the cave with shrimps and biya. Species of fauna can be found on the river, while insectivorous bats and few stalactites and stalagmites formation are found inside. This cave is recommended for inexperienced cavers because of its high tourism value. Biak-na-Bato Nature Park San Miguel, Bulacan Biak-na-Bato, nature park located 12 kilometers from the municipality of San Miguel de Mayumo, provides a unique eco-adventure steeped in history. It is a mountain gorge sliced by the Balaong River that flows from Calumpit in Bulacan and empties into Candaba Swamp in Pampanga. The river trail winds through Aguinaldo's former natural fortress and leads to caves of natural and historical significance, observation outposts and ruins of stone fortifications. Near the end of the trail is a stone cliff with carvings, possibly over a hundred years old. HOW TO GET THERE: Take the North Luzon Tollway and exit at Sta. Rita/Baliuag (exit 32A/32B). From the exit, head north along the National Highway towards Plaridel, Baliuag, San Ildefonso (about 28 km). About 7 kilometers from San Ildefonso, keep an eye for a Y intersection. It should have a sign that points to Biak na Bato National Park. Take that road on the right and then, about 1 km farther, there would be another intersection, and the road on the right (eastward) will lead straight to Biak na Bato. TRAVEL ADVISORY: THE TRAVELING PUBLIC IS ADVISED TO REGISTER WITH THE LOCAL BARANGAY AND LGU PRIOR TO VISIT. IT IS ADVISED NEVER TO TAKE THE TRIP DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. MAKE SURE YOUR TOUR OPERATOR, TRANSPORT COMPANY AND TOUR GUIDES ARE DOT ACCREDITED. Bukal Cave San Miguel, Bulacan The Bukal Cave (the name is vernacular for "spring") is situated on the approach of the Aguinaldo Cave. From the mouth of the cave flows crystal-clear icy waters emanating probably from a major groundwater recharge reservior. Marvelous stone formations like stalactites and flowstones deck the small dome of the cave. Faunal dwellers like mudfish, tilapia, biya, eel, freshwater shrimps, minimal bats and bivalves teem the undergound river. Bird species like kingfisher, layong-layong, tree sparrow and green doves are noted. Cuarto-Cuarto Cave San Miguel, Bulacan Biak-na-Bato - A cave with many rooms or cuartos, it is accessed by crawling through a low entrance with a downward slope about seven meters long. Swifts and swallows nest in the nooks and crevices of this cave. These birds' nests are havested and used as the main ingridient on the popular Chinese bird's nest soup. Dona Remedios Trinidad Natural Wonders Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan Because of its altitude, the town of Dona Remedios Trinidad has a cooler and moister climate than the rest of the towns of Bulacan. Its natural features include rivers, waterfalls, forests, springs, limestone formations mountains and hills. Magnificent and well-preserved caves can be found in Barangay Bayabas one of which is called Puning Cave with a spring running down a mountain. Another beautiful cave is the Baras-Bakal spring cave located at Barangay Pulong Sampaloc and Madlum Cave in Biak-na-Bato National Park. It has several breathtaking waterfalls like the Tumutulo Falls in Brgy. Bayabas which drops from a height of fifteen meters into an attractive setting of white stone formation and marble and cascades further into an old stone formation called Simbahan ni Lapud (Brgy. Kabayunan), Mount Bato Falls (Brgy. Sapang Bulak), Verdivia Falls (Brgy. Talbak), Talon ni Eva (Brgy. Kalawakan) are ideal places for group picnics and outings. Preferred ecotourism activities include: mountain climbing, bushwalking, rock climbing, camping, mountain biking, bird watching or simply enjoying the majestic view and landscape of the Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges. Hilltop Norzagaray, Bulacan Also known as the Baguio City of Bulacan, this place mesmerizes tourists with a scenic view of the Sierra Madre Range. It is host to the Angat River Hydroelectric Plant of the National Power Corporation. Hospital Cave Biak-na-bato National Park, San Miguel, Bulacan Located at San Miguel Bulacan, Brgy., Biak-na-bato National Park, this cave is two hours and a half ride by land from Manila, with few stalactites and stalagmites formation inside. Generally safe to inexperienced visitors and may also be utilized for economic purposes such as guano extraction and edible birds nest collection. Open to inexperienced cavers. Liputan Islands Meycauayan, Bulacan Surrounded by fishponds, these islands are accessible only through water transportation. Madlum Cave San Miguel, Bulacan Madlum Cave is a prominent feature in the Angat Limestone Formation which occupy most of the whole reservation of Biak-na-Bato National Park and is considered a shrine by the people of San Miguel, Bulacan. There are three giant portals to the approximately 50-meter long cavern. An entrance to the right, which is about 30 meters from the water level of the Madlum River, is a statue of the Virgin Mary. It is the place where the town's patron saint, St. Michael, was found. It is located in Sitio Madlum, Brgy. Sibul Spring. It is only 5 minutes ride on a private vehicle from the Poblacion or in an hour or so from the North Luzon Expressway by bus plying the Manila - Tuguegarao route. This place which offers a scenic view of the natural environment delights excursionists and nature lovers. TRAVEL ADVISORY: THE TRAVELING PUBLIC IS ADVISED TO REGISTER WITH THE LOCAL BARANGAY AND LGU PRIOR TO VISIT. IT IS ADVISED NEVER TO TAKE THE TRIP DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. MAKE SURE YOUR TOUR OPERATOR, TRANSPORT COMPANY AND TOUR GUIDES ARE DOT ACCREDITED. Mt. Lumot Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan One of DRT's municipal parks, this mountain offers a wide array of eco-tourism activities like rock climbing, camping, mountain biking, mountain climbing, bushwalking, bird watching or simply enjoying the majestic view and landscape of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Pandi Mineral and Bath Spring Resort Pandi, Bulacan This natural attraction is famous for its mineral water which is found to have medicinal and curative effects. Pinagrealan Cave Norzagaray, Bulacan This major cave in Norzagaray is a natural refuge used by Filipinos during the struggle against Spain and the Americans and during the last world war. Floral species observed on the hills encompassing the cave are limited to shrubs, vines, cogon and some types of plants that thrive on limestone with very thin soil substrate. A few unidentified birds are noted flying over the loose canopies of the thicket. Inside the cave, which averages about 4 meters by 2.5 meters in height and width, is a quite and crystal-clear stream which extends to some 200 meters to a point where the ill-equipped team can no longer penetrate due to deep water. Fauna observed include shrimps, biya, and bivalves. Sounds of nocturnal bats, which are few as characterized by unnoticeable guano excretes, are also heard. Stalactites and stalagmites abound after passing through two passages 10 meters from the portal, which converges some 20 meters to the underground stream. Numerous sinkholes, columns, uneven vertical fractures, domes, flowstones and fossilized flora and fauna are embedded in the limy sand-stones that form some parts of the cave wall. This subterranean network of caverns was the site of secret meetings of the Filipino revolutionary forces during the war against Spain in 1896. The Katipunero Revolutionaries during the war against Spain used it as a camp in 1896 and again during the Filipino-American War in 1898 as hideout of General Emilio Aguinaldo (the First President of the Philippines). It was also used as a sanctuary by the Japanese Imperial Army when the Philippines was liberated by American Forces. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: It is composed of 85% limestone; its layering color varies from pink, brown and white. Its resource is studded with different speleothems travertines with vaying sizes and shapes and the unique rock formation and crystal clear stream and series of waterfalls that can be only found there. Peripheral areas are covered with privately owned properties and two mining lease contracts. The area is only used for mass tourism with the presence of circular sinkholes that serves as swimming pools for the visiting public. The northern portion is a good site for spelunking for both novice and expert cave enthusiasts. Pug-pog River Norzagaray, Bulacan A river with clear water coming directly from the Sierra Madre Mountains. Puning Cave Sitio Tumama, Brgy. Bayabas, Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan Located at Sitio Tumana, Brgy.,Bayabas in DRT, Bulacan, the cave's physical features are mostly intact with few presence of dripstone and flowstone forms and stalactites. Flora like anabiong, hauili, kupang, narra,ipil bamboo and balete are seen outside, as well as birds (migratory & endemic), fish & shrimps. An estimated population of 4,000 fruit bats and insect bats are found inside the cave. Open only during dry season and it contains sensitive geological, archeological, cultural, historical and biological values or high quality ecosystem. The cave is open to experienced cavers or guided educational tour/visits. Santol Cave Biak-na-bato National Park, San Miguel, Bulacan Located within the area of Biak-na-bato National Park in San Miguel Bulacan, this cave is two hours and a half ride from Manila. Flora may be found outside the cave namely pakiling, buho, tibig, vines and santol. Insectivorous bats can be seen inside the cave with geological features such as columns of stalactites and stalagmites formation inside. This cave is highly recommended as an open cave to inexperienced cavers. Sibul Spring San Miguel, Bulacan The crystal-clear water that springs from this natural wonder is famous for its medicinal effect. Tilandong Falls San Miguel, Bulacan A natural fall which is now tapped as a source of electric power as well as for irrigation purposes. Tumutulo Falls Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan Located at Barangay Bayabas, this breathtaking waterfall drops from a height of fifteen meters into an attractive setting of white stones and marble and cascades further into an old stone formation called Simbahan ni Lapud. Verdivia Falls Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan Located in Barangay Talbak, this splendid waterfall is an ideal venue for group picnics and outings. http://visitmyphilippines.com/index.php?title=Natural&func=all&pid=4563&Page=1&tbl=0&view=rss Sun, 12 Aug 2007 20:12:20 +0800