BURUWISAN FALLS / MT. ROMELO

Brgy. Macatad

Siniloan, Laguna

Our two friends from Manila came to visit us, so we were thinking of where can my wife and I will take them. It was raining Saturday afternoon so we can't really decide, until my nephew gave us an idea.. BURUWISAN FALLS! His friends already made it a couple of times to Mt. Romelo where they stayed for a couple of days around 2 to 3 days, imagine they have to have food for 3 days, they have to pack canned goods, rice, water etc. which they will have to carry on their way up.

Sunday morning, we were decided, we will climb Mt. Romelo regardless of the weather, as the saying goes "Bahala na si Batman."

The day of the hike

Sunday at exactly 9:00am in the morning, we were at the foot of the mountain. It's still raining when we reached the nipa huts where we will pay and have our name registered. We have to cross a swamp before we set our foot to the actual start of the trek. The trail was muddy, really muddy because it was raining a couple of days already. It was my first time experience  to climb a mountain, as well as my wife so we really don't know what to expect. It took us 3 agonizing hours to make it. We were really amazed not just because of the scene, not just because of Buruwisan Falls alone, but we were amazed because we actually made it! It was really hard, I can't even take out my camera in my bag because the trail was really steep plus the fact that it was really slippery, and muddy.

One mode of transportation is the horse. You have an option to either walk or rent a horse for 300 pesos to carry you and your luggage so as to make the climb easier. Imagine the mud you have to set your foot into was near our knees already. It will take a lot of patience and endurance for you to make it to the top. A lot of mountaineers were also heading to the falls because it's Holy Week. They will stay a couple of days to the camp site just beside a promptly flowing river on top of Buruwisan Falls. 

There are cottages, toilets, sari sari store located but the price is really expensive because they also rented a horse for their goods. So pack light and just bring what is necessary.

There is Buruwisan Falls, the beautiful and majestic God's creation. Not everyone had that chance to be amazed by nature. It gives you the feeling of serenity because of the sound of cascading water from the falls. It makes us forget the arduous hike. The falls cascades smoothly against the long vines on the falls itself. It is a good spot not only for photography but for rappelling as well.

It took us 3 long hours to make it to the top but we just stayed for 3 hours to capture photos, rest, eat and bathe in its catch basin, then we start our trail again downhill. It was a very tiring, muscle engaging hike but it was really worth it, to be able to be awed by its beauty.

We were really awed by the vastness of the forest, the falls, the nature. I came to realize that how many mountains were sacrificed to give us civilization. The subdivisions and the shopping malls we were all enjoying. Man moved the mountains for civilization but lets not forget that the mountains have the power to move man.

for more pictures, please click the link:

Flickr

BUNTOT PALOS/HIDDEN FALLS

Brgy. Balian, Pangil Laguna

Entry Point: Pangil River Eco Park

It took us exactly 1 hour and 50 minutes to climb Buntot Palos Falls. It was a hot Sunday morning, 8:00am sharp when we were at the foot of the mountain ready to start our climb. Due to the good weather, the trail was dry and the air was humid which is far better than a muddy trail. But as expected in a slight drizzle of rain, the trail will surely be muddy. In my estimate, it will take you 3 hours to 3 and a half hour to climb the mountain when its muddy before you see the grandness of it, the grandness of God's creation. In the first 30 minutes of the climb, expect to climb literally so better practice those cardio muscles. But it should not daunt the "would be explorer " because it is worth the wait. Descending from the cliff to fall on sharp deadly looking rocks called " kawa kawa". The cascade of water is tall and straight, it further descends to form a catchbasin that  is big and deep perfect for those who want to ease the burning heat of summer for the water is really cold. It is also called Hidden Falls due to its location up in the mountains, it is locally known as Buntot Palos which translates to "EEL's TAIL".

Ready to take the plunge

We were about to go downhill  to see the falls.

No complaining of how hard the hike was, because this little boy doesn't even complain.

Simple life of the villagers

For more pictures, please click the link:
Flickr