Mt. Arayat
Arayat, Pampanga
Rising above sea level by 3,300 ft., this legendary wonder of Mother Nature boasts of lush green vegetation and wildlife sanctuary. Visitors to the area are welcomed by its envigorating mountain air coupled with nature's serenity. At the foot of the mountain, visitors are prone to take a dip and experience the rejuvenating effect of cool mountain spring at the Arayat National Park. An extinct volcano, Mt. Arayat is a sight one will not miss, since it stands alone in the open plains. Not to be missed is the so-called White Rock which is said to have formed about 600,000 years ago during a prehistoric eruption and that it was used as a sentinel by Filipino patriots in the early revolts against Spanish rule. Take the two-hour climb from Magalang side (via Pampanga Agricultural College), then go down to the Arayat side where one can take a dip in the cool spring water at Bano Resort.
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The Legend of Mt. Arayat
This is an excerpt from a mimeographed book entitled “Philippine Folk Literature” found in the library of the Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University. The footnote to it says: Retold by Anastacia Villegas, College Folio, III, 2, October 1912, 46-51.
Mount Arayat is often called Sinucuan because it is believed that an old fairy named Sucu lives in its center, in a splendid, golden palace. Formerly, this mountain was situated at Gapang, Nueva Ecija, but when the natives determined to get the old mines of the fairy, he transferred the mountain to San Miguel, Bulacan, where he remained till the night he quarreled with his wife, Mingan. Sucu (the aged) shouldered the mountain, and away he went with his three children. How the earth shook! What a surprise to the Arayat people when the next morning they saw a mountain in what had been a swamp. They called the mountain Layas meaning “wild” or “stranger.”
The names of Sucu’s children were unknown, but because sometimes they were charming maidens, or handsome youths, while at other times they were ugly old men, the people called the oldest Platon, the second Saton, and the youngest Mangon. These three fairies used to go to the town, especially on Sundays, but nobody could see them. People knew these creatures to be in town, for wherever they were present, the quantity of goods sold was enormously greater the usual.
These fairies once revealed themselves to a certain you girl. More than one hundred years ago, there lived in a small barrio in Arayat a beautiful maiden named Catalina. She was the daughter of a poor farmer, so she had to wash the clothes of her family, iron them, pound rice, cook their food, get water from the river, and clean the house. She was very obedient to her parents and was as good and kind as she was beautiful. In spite of her poverty and her much work, she was always happy. On account of her goodness, she became a close friend of the three beautiful fairies.
One day, in her fifteenth year, as she was washing clothes with her friend Francisca in the river, she heard some laughter, and sweet angelical voices, but she could not see the persons who were talking or laughing. She continued in her work, and paid no attention to the wonderful voices. But when she and her friend were finished, they found that the clothes they had washed were soiled. They wondered who had done the mischief. They rewashed them, but the same thing happened. Francisca was very angry, but Catalina did not show any wrath nor even impatience, so the three invisible fairies began to help her, and in an instant her work was done. She then aided Francisca, and when they were finished, they went home. Catalina put her clothes in the sun to dry. Strange to say, as soon as she finished hanging them on the line, they were ready to be used.
In the afternoon she pounded rice. But while she was at this work, three beautiful ladies suddenly appeared before her. She was surprised to see such pretty maidens in the flower of their youth, especially when they asked her for her friendship, for never before had she seen such beautiful creatures nor has she ever dreamt that such royal and fairy-like princesses would demand the friendship of the daughter of so poo a family likes hers. Catalina then said to them hesitatingly, If it pleases your majesty, tell me who you are and from what country you came.”
“We are the children of Sucu, and we came from the kingdom of Sinucuan,” replied they.
Little by little Catalina lost her timidity. The fairies looked kind and friendly. They helped her pound her rice, then they disappeared.
One beautiful afternoon the three fairies, riding in a magnificent carriage, again visited Catalina. They invited her to take a walk with them, but she declined the request in spite of the promise they gave her. The three fairies disappeared.
But a few days later, they again came. Their carriage now was even more magnificently decorated than before. They invited her to go with them, and after many entreaties they persuaded her to follow them. Platon said to her, “Hold to my dress.” Catalina had no sooner obeyed the advice than she was put in the fairy’s splendid chariot. In a wink she found herself in an enchanted palace, a very large cave made of gold, inside Mount Arayat. The hall was very large, and was splendidly decorated with gold and precious stones. The tapestries and curtains were of silk fringed with diamonds, pearls, and gold.
The chairs were of pure gold. All the furniture was of precious metal, and magnificently curved and decorated. Catalina’s beautiful hostesses showed her their animal pets, which were very fat, and their birds, whose wonderful voices charmed her. There were many Negritos taking care of these animals. They used to go to town to exchange a basket of gold for a basket of rice meal, to feed the fairies’ pigs with. These Negritos always went to Candaba for rice meal so that town became rich. To return to Catalina, despite such a heavenly scene, she was felt lonely when she remembered her home. Her grief was not passed unnoticed by her friends. They said to her, “My dear, what makes you sad?”
Catalina answered, “The remembrance of my poor mother, left alone at home.” The three fairies were moved by her sorrow, so they told her to touch their clothes. In a wink she found herself at home with her mother. (Credit: Sun.Star Pampanga, July 28, 2009 by Fr. Edilberto Santos)
Puning Hot Spring and Restaurant
Sitio Puning, Porac, Pampanga (via Sapangbato, Angeles City)
Geothermal exploration following the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption indicated that the volcano hosted a hydrothermal system which today manifests varying degrees of temperature (some even reach close to boiling point!). Some of these are the thermal springs along the Sacobia River in Sitio Puning, Brgy. Inararo, Porac, Pampanga where temperatures range from 40 to 70 degrees. Surging waters on these mountain springs were tested and were found to have zero couliform and 7.5 pH level which indicate their curative and healthful qualities and effect on bathers and frolickers. Incredibly, cold springs and waterfalls are also found in close proximity to these thermal manifestations. WHAT TO SEE: Spectacular views, towering lahar canyons, hot and cool mountain springs and cascading waterfalls make this trip a rewarding experience. HOW TO GET THERE: Drive up north towards North Luzon Expressway and onto Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga (exit Magalang or Dau). From Clark, proceed to Sapangbato Gate along Quirino Ave. and continue driving past the Brgy. Sapangbato to Sitio Bliss and finally towards Sitio Target - the jump-off point to the thermal springs. Experience a sweltering though exciting off-road adventure (onboard 4x4 workhorse)for an hour along Sacobia River up to Sitio Puning where the intrepid explorer is bound to soak up or bathe for a rejuvenating bath minus the tub. Total travel time is 2 1/2 hours from Manila to the hot spings. TOUR PACKAGE COST: Php750/pax includes use of 4x4 vehicle (good for 5 pax), conservation/ barangay fees, guide fee or US$30/pax (all of the above plus use of resort spa services and facilities plus meal)
For further details, pls contact Puning Hot Spring and Restaurant, c/o Pull Travel Destination Corporation, Clark Office: G/F Oxford Hotel, MA Roxas St. cor N. Aquino Ave., Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga Contact Myra del Pilar / Joseph Lozano Phone (63 45) 499-0629 / 499-0630 Mobile 0928-623-7669 / 0908-885-8479 / 0928-623-7669 Fax (63 45) 499-0630 Email [email protected] / [email protected] Website: www.mtpinatubotour.com Manila Office: HanaTour Philippines, 2/F Damon Bldg., Financial Center Area, D. Macapagal Ave., Pasay City, Tel. No. (63 2) 551-6741 / 6743 Fax (63 2) 551-6740 / 832-9572 Website www.hanatour.com Note: Rates may change without prior notice. Pls contact tour operator.
Sito Palakol Resort
Floridablanca, Pampanga
Located in the northeastern part of Floridablanca, about 8 kms from the town proper and 31 kms from the City of San Fernando, Sito Palakol along the Gumain River is simply known as the ’summer place’ to the local community. It is blessed with a continuous crystal clear water that does not drain even during summer months. Its source of water comes from Mount Abu atop the Zambales mountain which is believed to have a large natural water reservoir.
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