Exploring Philippines 131 - Laguna Loop (Post 2 - Panguil River Eco Park)

The Panguil River Eco Park is being managed by the local government of Laguna.  Based on our pep talk with a lady receptionist of this place, the local government of Laguna loaned some amount at the World Bank in order to develop the place.  When we got there, there were representatives from the World Bank who were inspecting the place.

We went there last August 2011 and the entrance fee was 30 pesos per person.  Other amenities, like cottages, river tube ride, hike to falls, have corresponding rates.  That particular time was off-peak.  Even if it was a week end, the influx of visitors was not huge compared during the summer season.  Besides, it is a rainy month.  And usually in rainy months, only few people are fond of going out for an adventure which is an advantage on our end.

Since our purpose was to explore the place, we simply asked permission from the receptionist to have our bags deposited at her work station which was okay for her.  We asked about the rate for the hike towards the falls, and that time, we were told that a minimum of five persons would form a group for a hike.  If I am not mistaken, the rate per head was 60 pesos.  We paid for five persons and when the receipt was handed to us, the amount written was not the exact amount that we pay.  I then inquired about the discrepancy at the receipt and the receptionist told us that a portion of what we paid, which was not recorded at the receipt, will go directly to our guide and that is their sop.

We brought along our camera and umbrella.  While we were walking, we could hear the distant rush of the water from the river as well as voices of people who were enjoying their take.  We thought that the river is still far from the reception area but it is just below the cliff and being covered by tall trees. 

The moment we entered the park and walked on cemented pavement, the whole place is covered by green.  Tall trees covered the whole place and even the rays of the sun are limited to penetrate the pathway.  And if not for the distant voices and laughter that we heard, the deafening silence of the place is enchanting.

After covering several meters of the concrete pathway, we approached a hanging bridge.  Several steps from the base of the bridge, to its left, there’s a shallow swimming pool.  And several more steps to the bridge, the river comes into a full view.  To the right of the bridge, on both sides of the river, cottages lined up.  As we walked on the bridge, we saw a group enjoying their river tube ride while others were enjoying a good swim in the middle of the river.

We were greeted by our tour guide at the other end of the bridge.  We were right away given a life vest and a helmet.  At first, one may raise a question about wearing a helmet and a life vest for a hike towards the falls.  Eventually, this inquiry will be answered even without asking a question.

Several meters away from the other end of the bridge, there’s a function hall.  That time, we saw some camping tents being assembled by several guests.  Since there are secure cottages to be rented for an overnight stay, guests with tents are allowed to stay overnight with no additional charges.  The place is likewise well-secured for the safety of guests who will spend an overnight stay at the park.

True to its name, the hike to the falls is indeed pure hike.  There is no steep cliff to pass nor high slopes to climb.  It is just a plain hike.  The pathways are already developed and most of them are concrete and with railings.  The design of the pathways follow the natural trails and the improvements do not defaced the real environment.

The hike to the falls follows the course of the river upstream.  The river is just like an arm-stretch away from where you are walking.  With the given view and the shades of the trees, one will not be able to feel the heat of the sun nor getting tired right away.  And the anticipation of what the falls looks like adds more eagerness as you slowly cover the whole stretch of the hike.

After several minutes of walking, the pathway ends near the site of “Biak na Bato.”  I was caught by surprised when I first heard “Biak na Bato.”  From our history, “Biak na Bato” is part of the province of Bulacan and had been part of the revolutionary reforms starting with the Spanish war.  I later found out that the name behind the “Biak na Bato” refers to the boulder that has a crack in the middle where the water is passing through.  Thus, the folks named it “Biak na Bato.”

When we reached the site of “Biak na Bato”, we had to cross the river.  That time, the river’s current was a bit strong and we had to find a good footing on the stones that were laid across the river that act as stone bridge.  A makeshift bamboo railing was also made in order to help keep the balance of the passing tourists.   I guess this is one reason why a helmet and a life vest is a must.

We crisscrossed the river upstream three times before reaching the first part of the river that can no longer be passed except by swimming or by riding a bamboo raft.  I got surprised when our guide suddenly dive to the river and by observation, that part of the river is definitely deep.  Our guide swam towards a bamboo raft at the other side of the river.  Along the way towards this part of the trail, we had not met any visitors coming down from the falls which means there were still tourists on the falls and that was also the reason by the bamboo raft was at the other side of the river. 

The bamboo raft is being tied to a big rope.  Instead of paddling, the big rope is one being used to pull the raft from one side to another.  All the guide has to do is to properly maneuver the raft between a large boulder of stone in the middle of the river and against the wall of the mountain.  Since there were just the two of us and this is his every affair, it is just a walk in a park for him.   When I inquired about the depth of that part of the river, he answered that it was over six feet.  This is the reason why a life vest is a must in case of an emergency.

After a couple of minutes, we were already on the other side of the river.  Since there is only one trail, we just followed it and we reached again to another station where we need to ride a second bamboo raft.  The depth of the river on this part is similar to the first one and once again, our guide had to plunge into the water in order to get the second raft.  The distance of the two stations is just short and can be reached under 20 seconds.  But the moment we were about to be unloaded to the other side of the river, the current was so strong and our guide had to fight against it.   While we were still on the raft, it was a bit scary because we felt that our raft would eventually submerge and we were afraid because we had our camera with us.  When the raft could not be positioned rightfully because of the strong current, our guide dived into the water and he had to manually push the raft towards the right unloading position.

After a careful maneuver by our guide, we were able to set foot on a large boulder of stone which is situated in the middle of the river.  We were assured by our guide that we were just doing fine though the force of the rushing water was a dreaded scenario for us.  We stood there for some time, trying to feel the force of river.

Our next great challenge was to hurdle the force of the rushing water and land safely on the immediate dry land.    Our guide positioned his right foot in the middle of the rushing water and his left on the lower part of the protruding stone.  As he held my hand tightly, he instructed me where to position my step.   My first try was not good because I seemed helpless with the force of the rushing water.  I could feel my foot being dragged down by the current even if I was fighting it.  What added to the difficulty was the camera that was dangling in my neck.  I never thought that it would be that difficult and I failed to provide even a small bag to secure it.  Most probably, without a camera, it would really be not that difficult to hurdle this one especially when you don't care at all about getting wet and crawling your way towards a safe ground.  After several attempts, we were able to overcome the most challenging part of the river.  And after passing a high boulder of stone, the water falls is just another raft ride away.

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