3 PASUKULAN FALLS: Mt. Natib's Perfect Sidetrip; A Natural Wonder of Bataan

Bataan is a province known for its history, and it is also hailed with natural wonders like Corregidor Island, Bataan National park, and soaring mountain ranges. Aside from Corregidor Island, this peninsular province has Mount Samat National Shrine with a white cross at the summit. That cross known as Shrine of Valor, dedicated to fallen Filipino and American during the second world war.

And speaking of natural wonder, this peninsula is also surrounded with hilltops. Three main mountains are Mounts Samat, Mariveles also known as Tarak Ridge and Natib. Among the three Mt. Natib is considered as the roof of the province which offers three hundred sixty degrees view of the entire Bataan and neighboring provinces. You will also noticed that this province walled with different mountain summits. Metro Manila also visible from afar.

Not just its majestic view but also a unique side trip. Side trips are most common when climbing mountains, but not all mountains have it. Most common side trips are rivers, falls, and beaches. And this mountain has a magnificent falls that you should pay a visit. Thanks to our leader that pushed and forced us to go down to this stunning hidden wonder of Bataan.

I understand that this falls is in the itinerary but due to some drawbacks, like only left with limited amount of water and in fact no more rice to cook that’s why I decided or voted not to visit the falls. What a shame. Thankfully our guide offered himself to get some water since it would be couple of minutes away from the water source.

So we took the downward trail without burdens on our backs. We left our bags at the trail and hid it somewhere so it would be easy for us to get to the falls. Going down will take you two hours. The trail is stress-free maybe because it’s heading down. However upon reaching at the river before coming to the bottom of the falls is where the challenge started.

It is I guess almost on a right angle position with small rocks and sands trails. So holding on the roots and vines is necessary. It is a kind of trail that needs precautionary measure, slowly but surely. Because with just one step of vagueness will surely give you an exclusive prize of pain and receive some gift of sweetness. Especially sands trail is not so caring enough, and I suggest if it’s needed to just sit and slowly crawl down, please do so.

And of course after these wholehearted challenges is always a pleasing prize. Upon reaching at the spot where the wide and towering Pasukulan falls is right before your eyes. It’s stunning and beautiful. The sound of the falls feels like serenading your ears. The place is getting colder. And my eyes entertained and relaxed into running waters with rainbows at the bottom. I feel like pampering myself into a not-so-common-place which you really love to experience. 

We rested for a couple of minutes and can’t wait to plunge my worn-out self into a freezing point waters. I’m not sure how deep and cold it was but all I want is to dive my worn body. And when it first touched on my foot fingers, darn the icy feeling will help you decided not to go. But no, so I quickly dump myself so I can no longer feel when you are at the bottom of the water.

We stayed at Pasukulan falls for more than an hour and decided to go back after before it gets dark. I feel dizzy because we were drinking some alcohol and thanks God I still managed to climb up the most challenging hill. Going up will give your three hours of trek - an addition of one hour because everything is assault. And before it gets too dark we arrived where we left our backpacks.

7 Buntot Palos; Kick Start 2014 with First Day Hike of the New Year.

Courtesy of Pala-Lagaw. Group Shot before leaving the beautiful Hidden Falls.

Not every hike gives a perfect summit view, hiking not necessarily means a zenith of the uplands. Sometimes it’ll just be an ordinary ramble to interconnect with nature, to seek for an innermost peace. That’s why I’m thinking of doing a solo hike to breathe easily coming from topsy-turvy metropolis.

Reinante Mina of Adventures of Manong Unyol invited me to join day hike for Buntot Palos. When I googled about it, it gives me a stunning photo of a falls. Without hesitation, I pinged Mina telling him that I’ll be joining the event. And glad that he still gives me a spot even though it’s already full as the event is only open for limited number of participants.

Registration at Balian Barangay Hall, Pangil Laguna.

Buntot Palos would be a kick start hike to start the New Year, not just for in the hobby and in photography perspetive but for those whose resolution is to stay fit and healthy. Every hike is a physical test so it will surely give a wide frequency of physical exercise. And I’m glad that I started coming to gym again before the event so I think I’m ready emotionally and set physically.

Hired Jeep from Mandaluyong to Pangil.

Arrived around 7AM and went straight to Balian Barangay Hall. Unfortunately it was still close, maybe because 'twas Sunday. Minutes later, our contact; one of the Tanods came and facilitate the event.  And before heading to the jump off point – we had breakfast at Jess Gotohan in Balian.

I’ve been tasted several Goto Batangas in Manila and in Batangas so the taste is kind of usual. But the fried rice surprised me a lot. Fried Rice pa lang, ulalam na.

Jess Gotohan, Goto Batangas, perfect for Almusal.

We were divided into three different groups, one guide per group. Guides are Barangay Police and this is because of continuous robbery incidents. So I suggest when you go up here, make sure to register at the Barangay so they can provide you trained guides handed with emergency walkie-talkies.

I was on the lead group and Mommy Happy is with us. This cheerful mom helped us condensed the stiffness of the hike. And obviously from her name itself the trail turned out full of will and glee. Her real name is Ligaya Cultura but Isabel has this great sense of humor and committed to change last name. It should be Ligaya Calungcutan. Haha..darn, make sense. Good job Isa, plus point ka dito. I recommend her as your guide, full of happiness, very cool woman, and has full of enthusiasm. 

Anyway wondering how she is related to super kiddo Ivan Cultura of Batang Lakwatsero.

Mommy Ligaya, aka Happy, aka Joy. We called her Mommy HappyJoy.

And the hike commenced. First part is difficult ascent in a concrete road; just started a tremendous welcome of the year. The fluid started to burst flowing into the pores of my body, I was expecting for this part but not as early as the jump off. My lungs were already running out of breath and I heard myself gasping. Urgh! I thought I am ready.

Rest with Photo Ops.

Second part is a combination of small and big boulders, though the trail is wide because farm animals and locals are also using the same trail and you constantly encountered them. And also it has tiny streams of water that makes it muddy. However make sure to be very extra careful because one slip-up will result to out of balance and dump out if not your knees, the big booties. Grrr.

The latter part is pretty easy. It’s just like walking along EDSA minus the concrete road. Water is not a problem also. There are plenty of water sources along the trail. What I brought is just a bottle of Gato. The strong winds also helped to ease the climb. So I must say the perfect hashtag for your instagram status is #EasyTrek #HassleFree.

Before heading down to the falls.

Yours truly, taking photos while waiting for the other groups to arrive.

As we getting closer to Buntot Palos, I already heard the thundering power of waters falling into huge-like boulders. It gave a tremendous sound as it goes over and lands into the bottom. We stayed at the campsite for a moment while waiting for the others to arrive which is not that far before heading down. And I was like pretty excited and eager to see the beauty of Eel’s tail.

Trees along the trail.

Powerful Tree Root crawling into the stones.

And as we trek down to the falls; my ears coped up with the unusual sounds of nature, still I can’t hide the excitement. My eyes were flying into the twigs and branches of the trees just to sneak a little view of the falls. That’s how thrilled I am. Heading down is a little challenging because of the mud-covered trail.

A sneak-peak of the majestic falls.

The Amazing Hidden Falls seen  from the trail.

At last after two-hours of easy trek, we finally arrived the majestic hidden falls. I am closer to the thunderous sound of falling waters and it’s relatively cold out there. I picked up some stones and do this a simple piece of art. And before I put down my backpack I must have evidence jumping in front of the falls.

My Piece of Art. Haha..kahit saan meron nito, naisip ko lang.

Whatta Face..wapak!

After which a little rest, I decided to dip my weak body into super ice-cold water of the falls. I just love water and love extreme adventure. So no doubt, I reached up to the nearest lay of the falls with Isabel and had a “plakda” dive. Don’t care about my big belly. I chose not to post it here. Hehe

And finally after more than a year of blogging, I met other respective travel bloggers in the world wide web. Reinante Mina of Adventures of Manong Unyol, Yours Truly as THEKIDWANDERER, Francis Nuñez Balgos of PALA - LAGAW, Mike Laagan of The Traveling Panda and Billy Palatino of Galaero Travel Escapes.

The Travel Bloggers, courtesy of Manong Unyol.

New Friends. :)

And I’m pleased to have this group of strangers and become my new beloved friends. It appears that we share the same passion and will be write the same story in life. Thank you for another experience brothers and sisters. Let’s move the mountain and win the Cup. J

360 degrees view of the Buntot Palos.