Exploring Philippines 88 - Norzagaray, Bulacan (Post 3 - Pinagrealan Cave)

The path to the cave is a total green.  Even if it was high noon, the heat of the sun could not be felt.  The canopy of trees provide a shield and the temperature is really cool.  Though we did not experience the rush of the blowing wind, the scorching summer heat could not be felt here.

Upon approaching the entrance to the cave, some work improvements and renovation are right away noticeable. The gutter that provides an enclosure to the running water coming out from the cave during the rainy season was somehow built in a manner that is totally alien to the cave.  The steps that lead to the cave as well as those  in the entrance of the cave were not built in order to mimic the texture and appearance of the surrounding environment. These were the only obvious undertakings that can right away be noticed and the rest of the cave remain as they were centuries ago.

Before this trip, I had my first spelunking at Sagada.  From that experience, I had already some idea on what  to expect once inside a cave.  The available posted experiences on the net of some spelunkers who were able to visit this cave gave me more insights.  In addition, I bought a small flashlight and a head light - a necessity for spelunking.

Pinagrealan cave had its part in the Philippine history when Katipuneros were revolting against the Spanish oppressive rule before the end of the 19th century and they used this cave as their hideout.  The first president of the Republic of the Philippines, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo who hailed from Cavite, used this cave as his camp during the Filipino-American war.  And lastly, Japanese armies made this cave as their sanctuary when they were losing the battle during the second world war.

With these bits and pieces of our history, I got more curious how the cave really looked like.  The experience will serve as a time machine where I will be transported back in time and feel the kind of life during those times. I am praying and hoping that I will be able to successfully conquer this challenge and be one with those cave dwellers before me.