DARANAK FALLS, TANAY

While everyone was busy buying bouquets of flowers and preparing for there valentines dates last Feb 14, 2015. I was also occupied planning of where to head on that day since I don't have someone to meet to. I've been thinking of going to the beach a night before the valentines but I woke up very late so I decided to go nearby the City of Manila.

I've made some research about waterfalls within the neighboring urban of the Metro and I find Daranak a 2 hours FX ride from Starmall, Mandaluyong and a 15-20 minutes trike from Public Market of Tanay. If you are coming from the north, take a Jeepney/FX to Cogeo then take another jeepney bound to Tanay then tricycle to Daranak Falls.

Daranak Falls is a 14 meters high flowing waters directly to the deep azure catching basin that serves as its natural pool. Because of its majestic scene,cold breeze, eye catching and enchanting waterfalls you couldn't defy plunging down to the stream. This falls also offers a very relaxing free hard massage when you get to the mouth of the pouring waters. There are life saving devices (salbabida) available in the area  for those who doesn't know how to swim at a very reasonable rates.  Daranak is jam-packed during weekends and holidays as families and group of people gathered in picnic tables and rented cottages.

Daranak Falls is owned by the government of Tanay which is also a big plus for local residents whenever there are tourists coming in. On the other hand,camping and other activities are not available in the site because this spot only opens from 8 in the morning until 5PM.

If you aren't quite satisfied with this falls, there's another cascade located further up Daranak name Batlag as this waterfalls is set with thick forest and unique rock formations but you need to pay a hundred of peso before getting in. 

Expenses:

FX - 70.00/1 way

Trike- 150.00/1 way

Entrance Fee:50.00

Fees:

daranak cottages

SAGADA, MT. PROVINCE

Hanging Coffins

Sagada is a small town in Mountain Province,a 275 kilometers north of Metro Manila. Sagada is famous for its hanging coffins. This is a traditional way of burying people that is still utilized. Popular activities include trekking, exploring both caves and waterfalls, spelunking, and participating tribal celebrations. (Source: wikipedia).

Last 15th-19th of January 2015 was declared as long weekend holiday when Blessed Pope John Paul II visited the Country as his way of commiseration for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban City. And since I won't do nothing during that particular days I joined an event who will be travelling to Sagada called Trail Madness. Trail Madness is an adventurous team which offers their participants to explore and discover the places away from the hassle bustle City of Manila.They are delivering high-end experiences like mountaineering,spelunking, camping, beach bumming and other extreme activities. I paid an all-In expense package tour from them worth Php4,500.00 since it was a rapid decision. Inclusions are as follows.

--3D2N Accommodation (Room Sharing)

--Round trip transportation

--2 day tour: Kiltipan, Echo Valley, St. Mary’s Church, hanging Coffins, Bomod-ok Falls,Pottery House, Sagada Weaving, Orange Farm, Cave Exploration (Sumaguing & Lumiang Cave)

--All tour guide Fees

--All permits and entrance Fees

--8 meals

We departed at exactly 07:00PM in Manila and almost 01:00AM when we arrived in Baguio City. We've waited for almost an hour at the Bus Terminal for our rental service to come since the temperature was down to 10*C. It was freaking cold when we get there and I am expecting more freezing weather going to Sagada. And I wasn't wrong!

Joining an event like this is quiet challenging especially if you're signing up alone. Firstly, you have no one to talk to(nakakapanis ng laway) and secondly it's a bit difficult to make friends in an instant with  different groups of people. But it's a matter of how will you start & flavor  the conversation. Be gentle and be nice, Mate!  Anyway, It was nearly 9:00AM of Day 2 when we reach the little town and the frosty weather of Sagada welcomes us candidly. We rested for a couple of minutes and ate our breakfast before we headed to our first errand.

BOMOD-OK FALLS

Bomod-ok Falls or Big Falls is located in Brgy. Aguid, Travel time is approximately 20-30 minutes ride from the the proper town of Sagada and an hour and a half trek from the Main road. Information Center going to the Falls is situated in Bangaan where you need to register your names and a required local tourist guide because you can't start the trek without them. 

Registration Fee -  85.00/person

Tourist Guide     -500.00

Bangaan Information Center

(top of the Jeepney experience with Arun, Lorraine, Gochi and Ralph)

(Empe lights session with my new found friends Nikki, Rein, Kim, Jay, Mel, Dan, Ralph & Gochi)

SUMAGUING & LUMIANG CAVE

A trip to Sagada would not be complete without risking the most visited place of the town, the Caving. Caving is one of the main attraction here where you can see the best formations of stalactites and stalagmites carved by nature which thousands of years to form. Sumaguing is connected to Lumiang Cave this is like a test for every individuals of how physically fit you are because you need to mount yourself in tiny holes along the way. And be ready to get wet and chill with your adventure as temperature inside the cave aren't pleasant. 

Getting there:

There are two information centers where you can find local guides, one in SAGGAS beside Salt & Pepper and in Municipal Tourist Hall.

Registration Fee: 35.00/person

Guide                 :400/per guide

Photo Credit: Mr. Francis Ansing

We started our spelunking at 9 in the morning and due to ample of tourists during that days we reached the tail of Lumiang Cave at 4 PM but the normal caving will just take you from 3-4 hours only.

ST MARY'S CHURCH & HANGING COFFINS

We  decided to skip the other places included in our itinerary since we do not have much time to visit all of them. But one thing is for sure I had so much fun with this split second decision trip. 

For inquiries & questions with the event organizer. Please visit

Website: www. trailmadness.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/trailmadness/

Thanks guys!Thanks for the awesome experience Sir Francis!