38 MT. ROMELO: MUDDY AND TRAGEDY

Mt. Romelo is the best practice ground for newbie hikers. It is situated in Siniloan, Laguna standing 300 MASL. The elevation may not be as high as other mountains around the province yet it is famous with multiple falls like Buruwisan Falls, Lansones Falls, Sampaloc Falls, and Batya-Batya Falls. It’s a series of mountains lies in Sierra Madre mountain range. The reason why it is popular for newbie mountaineers because of a 2/9 difficulty rate per Pinoy Mountaineer. This mountain is considered as minor climb yet the difficulty come to be higher due to its muddy trail especially during rainy season. I would recommend hiking this mountain during summer time because trail is less muddy however rainy season would be the ideal if you want to see waterfalls on full blast. 

In connection to rainy season, it was Saturday night when horrendous weather terribly clatter entire Luzon. Storm "Jose" has just entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and it will continue to shower the entire region with isolated thunderstorms. I was troubled if I will push through the scheduled hike. Safety is top priority but my trail buddies were definite pushing the climb rain or shine. In result, from thirteen confirmed people now down to seven. I wasn't surprised and I can't blame them either, weather was extremely bad.

I have no problem whether few or huge company, I can do solo. However we already contacted hired jeep so how in the world we carry the expenses? We decided to talk to driver about what happened, and it’s up to him if he could reduce the cost or otherwise we will just pay him as “panconsuelo” then take public transpo. We're all glad he accepted our favor.

HOW TO GE THERE:

Speaking of public transpo. What would be the options getting to Mt. Romelo?

The best option is by taking Raymond Bus Lines bound to Infanta, Quezon. It is located in Sampaloc, Manila. You can ride LRT Line 2, and then alight at Legarda Station. It will just a few minutes walk getting to bus terminal. Raymond Bus Lines is the only bus company that passes thru the jump-off to Mt. Romelo. It is wise to say that you will be going to Buruwisan Falls and they already know where to drop you off. Your landmark would be the KIA3 Restaurant on your left side and Buruwisan Multi Falls signage on the right. Travel time is about 2 – 3 hours, fare is Php110 for non-air-conditioned and Php130 for air-conditioned.

Another option is from Crossing in Shaw Boulevard, take jeepney going to Tanay, Rizal then take another jeepney going to Famy in Siniloan. From Famy, you can ride trike to Brgy. Macatad or let them know that you’ll be hiking to Buruwisan Falls and driver will bring you right at the jump-off.

But if you want more convenient then you may contact jeeps or vans for hire. You can call our contact, Joel at 0922-321-4698. Your meet up will be at McDonalds in Starmall (Shaw Boulevard) then they will bring you right in front of the registration hall in Brgy. Macatad.  Travel time is about 2 hours.

KIA3 Restaurant. This will be your landmark on your left side.

BURUWISAN Signage. This will be the jump-off to Mt. Romelo.

Registration Hall of Mt. Romelo (Buruwisan Falls).

We arrived around 8AM right in front of the registration hall. If you’re bringing private cars then you can also park there. Everyone has to register and required to pay Php50 per head. Before commencing on the trail we decided to take breakfast first. Glad that they have freshly cooked Sinampalokang Santol with Alamang. The taste is good, authentic Siniloan cooking; just make sure to mix it with rice because it’s really sour.

TIPS ON HIRING GUIDE:

Arriving at the jump-off before heading to registration hall expect that there would be group of locals waiting for you that offer guide services. Their rate is Php300 going up and another Php300 going down for dayhike only. I would recommend to call these numbers, Divina at 0908-982-2183 and 0946-130-8769 so they will arrange you guide on Php500 package rate. This number is come from the officer who facilitates the registration. I forgot his name. You also have an option not to hire guide especially if you’re with colleague that already know the trail or been there once. After all the trail is not confusing nor misleading, you won’t get lost.

Sinampalokang Santol with Alamang! Delicioso.

When everything all set, our adventure started to conquer Mt. Romelo and the multi-falls of Siniloan. I was guessing of slippery and embellishing muddy trail due to continuous rains the previous days. That’s why I was geared with trek shoes and groundzero saddle shorts. The trail started with river crossing, so expect that you will get wet at the beginning.

Mt. Romelo | River Crossing

Let the trail begin.

Evidence! The mud-covered trail.

After that river crossing you will start an ascent trail, a good start to wake up your veins and blood streams. No worries it’ll just quick but enough for your skin pores to produce body fluids. As expected, it was mud-covered trail and so much slippery. You also have an option to ride horse for Php500 if you don’t feel like walking and just experience the beauty of the falls. Or otherwise you can ask to carry your luggage back and forth for Php300 so everything would be easy without the hefty weight on your back.

Someone gave up the trail and decided to ride horse. No. His sandals gave up.

The pink sneakers won. :D

Minus the thick-mud, the trail is beginners-friendly. There were resting areas scattered along the trail with makeshift chairs made of bamboo. Also they have plenty of santol trees planted everywhere that’s why you’ll notice santol fruits just scattered on the trail. You can ask your guide also if he could get some. Vendors also do sell fresh buko juice and cold sodas with waiting sheds that you can take rest.

On the way to the Summit.

After an hour of hiking we finally reached Mt. Romelo’s summit. At 300 meters above sea level, it is not that high compared to other mountains but enough to give you a panoramic view of the neighboring towns, Laguna de Bay and some rolling hills. We stopped by for a couple of minutes to rest and of course take “selfie” “groupie” or “wefie or whatever. We are Filipinos afterall, if not the microphones on videoke, then the lenses of the camera.

Thank God because that day, there was no rain. The sun was brilliant all day. Prayer  works.

After a quick rest we went back again on trekking so we have plenty of time to explore all the falls if time permits. Part of the itinerary is to arrive at the campsite after two and half hours. 

Mt. Romelo | Groupie at the Summit.

Quick rest at the Nipa Hut...and of course, perfect for another photo op. (c) pala-lagaw.com

We finally reached the campsite, it is huge that can accommodate several groups of hikers, it’s just perfect site especially for overnight campers. It is under the rainforest so it’s kinda wet and you’ll hear the wildlife sound of waterfalls. Since we do not have tents we decided to take our lunch right in front of waterfalls. However before heading down, we had some photo op again on top of Buruwisan Falls. The view is so amazing looking down, wondering how high is it. I dunno if I can do rappelling like what I saw on the internet, although I’m not afraid of heights.

Mt. Romelo | The Campsite.

View from above of Buruwisan Falls.

His place. Millipede showed up when I took photos of the waterfall. Thank you dear friend.

Then we resumed our hike down to the falls. And the moment I saw the enormous waterfalls from below I was really amazed. God’s creation is really amazing, no doubt! I can’t control myself taking photos both the camera and my phone. The place is deserved to be posted across social media to showcase its beauty. Buruwisan Falls is the biggest and the tallest waterfall in Romelo. It is approximately 180 ft. tall, and like what I said rappelling is one of the activities you can do here. 

The majestic Buruwisan Falls

And again everyone was busy taking photos with Buruwisan on the background. After a couple of minutes, some were decided to swim into the clear and wide catch-basin. There were another group arrived and likewise, they were all busy taking photos.

I can’t help also but to dip my body in the cold freshwater coming from the mountains of Sierra Madre. We even swim near the waterfalls and climb on the rock at the back of the waterfall until the tragedy happened, a near-heartbreak loss from one of our group.

THE TRAGEDY:

The four of us went at the back of the waterfall. The force was so massive; you can even hear the distinctive plunge of water. After staying there for a couple of minutes, I asked them to go back offshore to take lunch. One by one left the area until this guy, the last person who left the area suffered cramps on his legs. He was running out of breath, so we hurriedly swayed to save him. Swimming in fresh water is tougher, no buoyancy and you can’t swim that fast. Me and two other guides quickly jump and swim towards him. When we near him, he was already drowned in the water, the guide grabbed his neck as I was holding his body. His lips were so dark and I can't see the pupil of his eyes, it was all white. He’s no longer breathing while trying to revive him. Mouth-to-Mouth resuscitation as part of CPR, his girlfriend kept on doing it a couple of times but no answer. She even pumped his heart. After a couple of minutes I dunno how long it was he was coughing and released a lot of water. Thank God! He is alive. Thanks to the guides and the other group who helped us.

PLEASE OBSERVE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHEN SWIMMING AND I DO NOT RECOMMEND SWIMMING ALONE.

Our group in front of majestic Buruwisan Falls.

After our lunch, he decided not join and his girlfriend going to Lansones Falls. We will just meet at the campsite.

Lansones Falls is about seven minutes away from Buruwisan. We just took pictures there and decided not to swim maybe because of what happened, no one dares to swim. We only stayed for a couple of minutes and then go back to the campsite. Our initial plan is to include Batya-Batya Falls but since our guide told us that it requires crossing breast deep water and we were armed with camera and cellphones so we just decided to just go back to the campsite to check our friend who still suffering from headache and cramped legs.

River trekking towards Lansones Falls.

This is Lansones Falls.

Since this is only dayhike and have limited time. About 3PM we decided to go back to the jump-off. Though it only took us about more than hour to reach the registration site but I slipped many times. I conclude that whenever slippery, trailing down is way harder. Thanks to my TOSOC FAMILY, CONCUR FAMILY, especially to Pala-Lagaw himself Sir Francis Balgos. Though something happened, yet it was fun and successful climb. First time to hike in a muddy trail. 


SUGGESTED ITINERARY FOR DAYHIKE
5:00 AM Meet Up Starmall
6:00 AM ETD Starmall
8:00 AM ETA Registration Hall (Register, Breakfast, Prepare)
9:00 AM Start Trek
11:30 AM ETA Campsite, Visit Buruwisan for Lunch.
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Explore all the Falls
3:30 PM - Start Descent
5:00 PM - Back at the Jump-off, Tidy up at the Registration
5:30 PM - Head back to Manila


WHERE IS MT. ROMELO IN THE MAP?

View Larger Map