Bumbongan Falls of Luisiana

Hundreds of years ago, Luisiana was part of a place called Terreno de Nasunog. Old Luisiana was called Ibabang Nasunog ( Burnt Lowland) because ashes used to cover its terrain. Volcanologists were able to find out that the town lies on top of lahar and is composed of pyroclastic materials from a volcanic eruption. Luisiana also belongs to the “Kasumuran Region” where water abounds its surroundings. And because the town lies atop a plateau of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges, numerous waterfalls are present in the area.

 Bumbongan falls is located at sitio Alima, in barangay San Buenaventura, southeastern remote part of Luisiana. It has two water drops coming from a clean water stream though strong water turbulence due to its height caused the water to be a little misty. Bumbongan twin falls is majestically standing about 40-45 ft in height with a large basin. Bumbongan falls is a haven for Luisiana’s town’s folks. A popular destination of the barangay intrepids during holidays especially during summer. Anyone will definitely appreciate ”Bumbongan twin falls” because of its obvious and undeniable beauty. Another natural treasure that is yet to be popularized.

Trivia:

The 2 kilometers distance of the falls from the sito’s kabahayan was made easier to reach by the help of a foreign military battalion who cleared and bulldozed a dirt road towards the mountainous slopes of Sierra Madre. Together with our local troops this foreign military battalion conducted a “Balikatan” military exercise several years back and somehow helped the community providing water wells and the much appreciated dirt road for the barangay folks.

"Simbahang Bato" Luisiana, Laguna: A Rediscovery

Not much have been written about “Simbahang Bato” cave in Luisiana, Laguna, a sleepy town atop Southern Sierra Madre Range. Luisiana is blessed with numerous natural attractions mostly of waterfalls and some caves. One of them is a limestone cave popularly known by the locals as “Simbahang Bato”.


The cave is named for its natural limestone formation which is likened to an old chapel along the river. About thirty feet in height and about twenty feet width naturally formed as a passage from one side to the other, it is located in a shrubby fold somewhere in the midst of the hilly terrains of Luisiana near the forested areas of the municipalities of Sampaloc and Mauban in Quezon province. Several meters across the river is another cave with its opening going about 40 feet deep with a water way that needs to be crossed to finally reach the other end. Though popular to the town’s folks, it is not frequented by outsiders for its challenging terrain going to the spot.

Once in a while there were some visitors from as far as Montalban, Rizal who for some unknown reason explored the place for prayers and pilgrimage especially during the Holy week season.

Friday, October 12, 2012 and so goes my “Simbahang Bato” rediscovery:

Waypoints to “Simbahang Bato”

1. 51 P UR 46610 MGRS 69410
2. 51 P UR 47546 MGRS 69446
3. 51 P UR 47696 MGRS 69312
4. 51 P UR 47987 MGRS 69150
5. 51 P UR 48066 MGRS 69104
6. 51 P UR 48048 MGRS 69040
7. 51 P UR 48196 MGRS 68929
8. 51 P UR 48350 MGRS 68902
9. 51 P UR 48526 MGRS 68844
10. 51 P UR 48685 MGRS 68805
11. 51 P UR 48761 MGRS 68909

Our Mt. Kanla-on talk

boehoewwww! I wanted to climb that!! nice! i can go back to climb with you. Maus. So when can it be? Not in a while I guess =/ The plan was to climb this with Amaya, I think we told you right. Had slots and everything...but then...the earthquake Well, I guess I should be thankful that I was not there during the earthquake or landslides. Glad you made it though

Thanks. This was taken few days ago at the height of the storm Sanba. Several meters away from the crater, we persisted and made it!! Wow...you went up there anyway. Was that even allowed? You got some more pictures?

There was no danger warning when we started the climb Friday though rain hasn't stopped several days prior to our climb. We pushed to the saddle camp the fastest we can and wished to dry ourselves. But more rains up there, no more visibility and crater assault is impossible. We waited till the following day but still no visibility. When the rain somehow mellowed down around 9am, we immediately pushed towards the crater, took some photos and went down. Will post more photos.

Hahaha, yeah I wish! Comie back, Maus. Amaya told me you have a permit. The volcano is waiting!! I'll be back but I'm not sure when yet... Amaya, hold that permit! I'll be back but I'm not sure when yet...

Talon Maimpis a.k.a. Bukal/Kilangin Falls

"mahika ng kalikasan" Sa pagsapit ng katanghaliang-tapat, parang ilusyon na bumusilak ang tubig na lumalagaslas patungo sa batya ng talon Malasutlang nagniningning at tuloy nagbibigay tanglaw sa kailaliman ng dalisay na tubig. Nakamamanghang pagmasdan.

Nature's treasure hiding along the northeastern gorges of Mt. Banahaw which the municipalities of Majayjay ( they called it "Bukal" or Maimpis falls) and Liliw both claimed it as their own. Unfortunately, neither of them doesnt want to make any viable compromise.

At Brisk: Gunung Nuang

It’s almost 7:00 when we arrived at the airport. After we checked-in our luggages took a quick snack @ Tokyo Café and wait at the boarding gate. As I did my usual travel naps here and there while waiting, partner-wifey checked some more fancy coffee shops for curiosity. Later after boarding, on our respective seats, I readied myself for my only option possible-hibernate.

By 2am we were at our destination airport. Still, recovering from a gobbled vision after a “just-do-it-please”sleep, I have to get it going and land travel with our luggage 80 more minutes to KL City. And as we travel along I could see numerous raindrops hitting the shuttle’s windscreen as I also see wet and shining road pavement ahead: it’s raining cats and dogs. Afterwards, shuttle service dropped us off to our hotel and finally moved-in. At our room, while wifey hunted for the bed, I have to set my daypack, dressed-up and be ready for my days’ activity. Noelet will be at the hotel lobby any minute soon! Windbreaker, head torch, canned lunch, granola bars and going back clothes as I set my gears quickly. The thought of buying some water and breakfast to fill my near empty stomach has not materialized when Noelet arrived telling me we still need to get to another hotel for the car pool. The water and breakfast idea was dumped into oblivion. At the next hotel, we meet Sharva and off we go to Genting Sempah meet-up point.

While my colleagues were busy doing some stretches and warm-ups, I jumped and browsed some local foodchains around. Found one local food joint offering freshly cooked ( and still smoking)breakfast: Nasi Goreng. Swiftly, breakfast at last! Who would have thought that I can eat my breakfast in two minutes, huh! And now, for my immediate water supply----7-Eleven. Then, I was ready to rock!!!

I was welcomed by the group. Alex congratulated me for making it to the jump-off all the way from the airport with little sleep and no breakfast yet (that’s what they thought lol). Everyone jumped in to their respective vehicle and started the one and a half hours drive to Selangor. Sharva’s car is impressive as I listened to his talking GPS system. Later, we arrived at our trailhead. Gunung Nuang!!!

After Alex’s short briefing, we moved out and started the much awaited hike. Everybody was smiling with excitement. One, two, three, four hours. River, foot path, rocks, weedy trail and then muddy scrambling towards the summit. Others gave up, while I patiently waited for the last leg to summit. One ridge after the other, another ridge after another. It seemed to be endless. I just hoped for more patience from myself to get to the top. There was one point that I wanted to stop and have my lunch on the trail but some friendly voices from below told me to go ahead and I’m almost there. “It’s more sumptuous eating lunch at the summit” someone said. Okay, okay….so I went on realizing neither do I have special sumptuous lunch …just a canned Tuna Paella which I brought from home. “Sige na nga lang!” Minutes after……summit. Jesmail was already there. I overheard her earlier before the hike saying she trained well for Gunung Nuang.

And so after lunch and some photos, we decended. I tailed Jesmail this time and locked my distance with her until we reached the last point. By the river, while waiting for the others, I washed my dirty clothes,shoes and later tidied-up. An hour has passed and no one hasn’t arrived yet. As I waited for the rest, I napped on a nearby land tractor parked near the riverbed. It’s almost 6:30 when Sharva finally made it to the river, rested a while, changed clothing and off we go back to civilization. By 10:30 pm I was infront of our hotel room door knocking. There was wifey patiently waiting for me and immediately offered a hot soup treat at nearby downtown street food market. After the soup and glassful of Herbal tea with palm sugar, a soothing hot shower and gone I dove to the bed of oblivion. Zzzzzzzzzz…….

Pulong Dapa

I met tatay Gabby in one of my other weekender adventure trips. An 83-year old local of Mulanay, Quezon who amazed me of his intellect, hospitality and still active all-out adventure spirit, sailing the islands of Luzon all the way down to the far flung islands of Mindanao using his specially made “batil” geared by a second hand GPS system that he said he bought in Lucena City sometime two years ago. He is not a sailor by profession. He revealed that after retiring from his job he just wanted to spend some goodtimes with his new found interest: Sailing. So he spent all his retirement benefits in exchange of a sailing vessel that he still uses today.

In our conversation he mentioned: “Pulong Dapa” in Masbate for him is the most beautiful island he have seen so far. Numerous naturally-shaped caverns abound and crystal-clear water that surrounds as he described the island. The way he depicted Pulong Dapa in his expounding words seems to be very real that believing him right away is the only thing I preferred. Pulong Dapa never left my mind thereafter so I planned of seeing the place as soon as I have the opportunity.

Six months after, my Pulong Dapa sojourn is fulfilled. Tatay Gabby is right. Pulong dapa is incomparable. Now, I have to go back to tatay Gabby and share my experiences with the stunning island and later on talk some more of yet another set of adventure. Wait for me, tatay Gabby!!!