Just inside the Marilag Eco-park in Sta. Maria town of Laguna, Three Falls is a cascading three waterfalls with cold water of Sierra Madre mountain range.

To get there, you need to drive about an hour away from the the highway (Manila East Road) boundary between Siniloan, Mabitac and Sta Maria then trek another 30 minutes to get to the actual park



About 30 minutes trek from the park entrance





my Snadugo trekking shoes got wet again :)

Details:

Marilag Ecopark
Three Falls

Entrance fee/Admission

adults: PhP20.00
children PhP10.00
cottage rentals: PhP250.00

bringing of food/drinks allowed. no alcoholic drinks
overnight camping is allowed (bring your own tents)

How to get there:

about an hour from Manila East road, set your phone to Marilag Ecopark on Google and you'll get there, weak mobile signal at the site

by commute, from EDSA crossing, ride a jeepney going to Tanay, Rizal. in Tanay, transfer to a jeepney going to Sta Cruz but ask to be dropped off in Sta Maria. Ride a tricycle in Sta Maria going to Marilag Ecopark


Related post:
List of Waterfalls in Laguna

Labels: Calabarzon, Laguna, Waterfalls

Updated information for DLTB bus with bus station on Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue near corner Taft Avenue


Pasay Taft/LRT/Buendia to Santa Maria, Laguna

Fare:
Sta Cruz: PhP166.00
Paete: PhP211.00

Schedule:
Pasay to Sta Maria: 4pm and 6pm daily
Sta Maria to Pasay: 4am and 5am daily

Route of Pasay to Sta Maria

Pasay, Buendia (Gil Puyat), Osmena Highway/SLEx, Calamba (Crossing, SM Calamba, Pansol), Los Banos (including UPLB College junction), Bay, Calauan (highway only, Isdaan), Victoria, Pila, Sta Cruz (DLTB bus station in Pagsawitan), Pagsanjan, Lumban, Kalayaan, Paete, Pakil, Pangil, Siniloan, Famy, Mabitac/Sta Maria

Sta Maria to Pasay, just reverse the order above

Labels: Buses, Laguna, Public Transportation

It was Good Friday and with nothing to do in the morning, drove from Paete all the way to Liliw to look for this hidden organic strawberry farm in Liliw, Laguna, owned by barangay captain Mario Cortez of barangay Ilayang Sungi Upon arriving at the place, accessed by a narrow farm to market road, you can see several rows of strawberry plants, sweet basil, tomatoes, broccoli and other fruit trees, including a coffee tree.

Tough luck though that there were a few visitors to the farm the last following days that's why not much ripe berries were available but still managed to get hold of a few ripe ones including several seedlings with ripe berries to show.






you can buy strawberry seedlings with ripened berries to take home for PhP25.00 for a small one and PhP50.00 for a medium one. There's free entrance fee/admission to the farm but very limited parking space along the narrow road

This farm deserves another visit by Tutubi and will probably try to visit the mini-waterfalls in the area, at the foot of Mt. Banahaw one of these days. Here's hoping there's less need to go to Baguio, specifically La Trinidad, Benguet to do strawberry picking activity where you pay per kilo of the berries you picked if the farm and adjacent areas can be developed.


How to get there:

from Manila, drive through Slex, take Calamba exit then head towards Sta Cruz, Laguna all the way to Jollibee Pagsanjan where you turn right (the area called Sambat). COntinue towards the old church in Liliw then take the service road going to Ilayang Sungi about 4.1 kilometers from the church as measured using a car's trip meter.

By commute, take DLTB, HM Transport or Green Star bus to Sta. Cruz, Laguna. In Sta Cruz, take a jeepney going to Liliw. ride a tricycle to take you to Captain Matio Cortez's farm in barangay Ilayang Sungi.

Labels: Calabarzon, Farms, Laguna, Southern Tagalog

Tourism sites often list the Homma - Yamashita Shrine in Los Banos, Laguna as a tourist spot yet you cannot really find any information about it, even asking supposedly tourism personnel at Laguna Tourism went for naught several times.

Tutubi, in typical spur-of-the-moment fashion, en route to Paete from Makiling Onsen Hotel suddenly thought of finding Yamashita's treasure along the national highway and turned to Jamboree Road going up to Mt. Makiling and UPLB and asked several people and tricycle drivers where to find the long, lost treasure of Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, the Tiger of Malaya, conqueror of the "impenetrable" Singaport and commander of the defense of the Philippines during the closing months of World War II in the Philippines



After a few hits and misses, Tutubi was led to a narrow that was too narrow for Scarlett (his ride) to enter so they went on foot. Further asking around from locals led him to the caretaker of the shrine who opened the locked gates for him

the locked gates of the execution site of Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, with contact number posted on the sign

the arch of the Memorial Monument of General Yamashita

Yamashita came to the Philippines on October 10, 1944, a few days before Gen. MacArthur landed on the beaches of Leyte (in a scripted and heavily practiced landing actually for propaganda purposes) and surrendered to the Americans in Kiangan, Ifugao (a future destination of Tutubi) then was tried in Manila from 29 October to 7 December 1945 by an American military tribunal for war crimes relating to the Manila massacre (that Tutubi thinks really was not his fault at all)

On 23 February 1946, at this site in Los Baños, Laguna Yamashita was hanged. His final words were “As I said in the Manila Supreme Court that I have done with my all capacity, so I don't ashame in front of the gods for what I have done when I have died. But if you say to me 'you do not have any ability to command the Japanese Army' I should say nothing for it, because it is my own nature. Now, our war criminal trial going under your kindness and right. I know that all your American and American military affairs always has tolerant and rightful judgment. When I have been investigated in Manila court I have had a good treatment, kindful attitude from your good natured officers who protected me all the time. I never forget for what they have done for me even if I had died. I don't blame my executioner. I'll pray the gods bless them. Please send my thankful word to Col. Clarke and Lt. Col. Feldhaus, Lt. Col. Hendrix, Maj. Guy, Capt. Sandburg, Capt. Reel, at Manila court, and Col. Arnard. I thank you."

the simple, minimalist shrine for Gen. Yamashita where he was executed.

Closing up with the tomdstone marker, it's amazing that Tutubi can stillr read basic kanji he learned in Nihongo class in college after all these years. The third kanji character means "Yama" which means mountain in Japanese and the fourth character was "Shita" which means under or below in Japanese. Yamashita in Japanese loosely means "under the mountain" or at the foot of mountain.

How Tutubi wishes to read the whole inscription but can only read two kanji characters. Tutubi intends to also visit the Yasukuni Shrine in Japan to find the "Yamashita treasure" buried there based on maps used by treasure hunters

Gen. Yamashita was buried at this ssame site but was later transferred to the (in)famous Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan where Class A war criminals of Japan are interred.

Coming up:

the execution site of Gen. Masaharu Homma, the man hanged for the atrocities of the Bataan Death March

If you need a map of the shrine, Tutubi already updated OpenStreetMap for your reference. You can just set your GPS to the site and avoid the difficulty (yet fun) of finding it. It's near DOST Region 4 Office and Los Banos Community National High School and at the end of Yamashita Road

How to get there:
Take a DLTB or HM Transport/GreenStar Express on EDSA, Cubao or Taft Avenue, Pasay City with signboard Sta. Cruz/Calamba. Request the conductor to drop you off at Jamboree Road and new Los Banos Municipal Hall (munisipyo) then take a tricycle to the shrine.

lastly, Tutubi thinks the Yamashita Treasure is an urban legend, a hoax. even the Golden Buddha supposedly found by Rogelio Santos and later acquired by Ferdinand Marcos. There's just no proof of its existence, only gossips. The golden Buddha too, if real, should've been reported as a lost treasure by an asian country.

Related Post:
The Daring Raid at UPLB in World War II

Labels: Calabarzon, Laguna, World War II

Another waterfall in Laguna conquered by Tutubi recently, opened for tourism just last year, even if Tutubi's been aware of its existence for some time now. In this case, a trek to the now famous waterfall in Laguna, a majestic falls about 90 meters high, was another spur-of-the-moment decision the day before the May 2016 national elections.


Here's a hastily-written (and unedited) Hulugan Falls travel guide written by the busy blogger for those who wanted to visit the place:

1. How to Get to Luisiana, Laguna

Either take an HM Transport bus or DLTB on EDSA, Cubao or GreenStar Transport or DLTB bus on Taft/Gil Puyat/LRT bound to Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

In Sta. Cruz, transfer to a jeepney going to Lucban, Quezon but request to be dropped off in Barangay San Salvador in Luisiana (after passing the road going to
Cavinti poblacion)

for those with cars, ample parking space available near the registration area (guarded), parking is free


2. Get a guide

To get to Hulugan Falls, you need to secure the services of a tour guide (for a voluntary fee but be a bit generous here)


3. Register and pay Hulugan Falls "entrance fee"

pay PhP20.00 "entrance fee" to Hulugan Falls. Senior citizens need to sign a waiver

Hulugan Falls is majestically high but a just trickles in summer, best to visit during the typhoon season

4. Take a tricycle or walk about a kilometer to the jump off point. Tricycle fare is PhP10.00/person

5. Trek down to the falls in about 15-30 minutes. the path is a bit steep yet has bamboo/wooden handrails

6. Enjoy the falls

There's also Talay Falls or Aliw Falls nearby for about another 40 minutes trek but Tutubi didn't go there as it may be hard for his septuagenarian father.

Notes:

1. You can eat at various eateries near the registration area (e.g. Aling Ganda's eatery with tapsilog and pancit habhab for PhP60.00/order).
2. You can take a shower at some homes there for PhP15.00
3. Ample parking available, no parking fee
4. you can buy Luisiana style bibingka with nice pandan basket priced at PhP100.00 for three pieces of bibingka about 5 inches in diameter
5. The best time to visit the falls is during the months of November to February. The falls is more majestic though during the typhoon season yet a bit dangerous
6. On your way back, you can take a tricycle back to the registration area or the main road for PhP10/person
7. There's a first aid station along the trail; the nearest hospitals are in Pagsanjan town

Do you know why it's called Hulugan Falls?
Tutubi asked this question to Aling Ganda (a friendly local and owner of a tapsilogan) who told Tutubi it's probably due to the place used as hulugan ng kalabaw.
Not sure about it though :(

Labels: Calabarzon, Laguna, Southern Tagalog, Waterfalls

A refreshing dip in the water of Bunga Twin Falls in Nagcarlan, Laguna.

The twin waterfalls of Narcarlan, lesser-known compared to Taytay Falls in Majayjay moreso with the popular Pagsanjan Falls, was visited by Tutubi quite some time ago.

The waterfall features a twin fall "design," quite similar to Kalayaan Twin Falls but has more nature-ish feel to it due to absence of concrete development.


the twin falls, height can be estimated from the people added to the frame to add scale

the natural rocks and boulders of the river and sample of cottages for rent

siesta time on a waterbed?

there's an area where you can pitch tents and cook, ideal for backpackers


Bunga Falls Information:
Entrance Fee: PhP5.00/person (yes, barya lang, even for overnight camping trip)
Cottage Rentals: starts at PhP200.00 (quite expensive though)
Overnight Accommodation (cottage rent): PhP400.00 (free if you have your own tent)
Activities: hiking, trekking, swimming, camping, water tubing, glamping (?), sleeping :P
Parking Fee: PhP20.00 (vehicles), PhP15.00 (motorcycles)

How to Get to Nagcarlan, Laguna:

Take a bus to Sta. Cruz, Laguna (Green Star Express in LRT Gil Puyat Station, HM Transport on EDSA Cubao or DLTB bus.

In Sta. Cruz Laguna (Pagsawitan), transfer to a jeepney to Nagcarlan. In Nagcarlan town proper, take a tricycle to Bunga Falls

Related Post:
List of Waterfalls in Laguna

Labels: Calabarzon, Laguna, Southern Tagalog, Waterfalls

On February 23, 1945, American forces aided by Filipino guerillas conducted one of the most successful rescue operations in modern military history, almost a month after the successful rescue at the POW internment camp in Cabanatuan (later dubbed Raid at Cabanatuan and made into a Hollywood movie "the Great Raid").

Following the American forces landing on Leyte Gulf to begin the liberation of the Philippines, the Japanese Imperial Army massacred Prisoners-of-War internees including those at Plaza Cuartel in Palawan.

Gen. MacArthur was worried that other POWs would suffer the same fate that he devised plans to rescue thousands of them interned at various concentration camps including those in Cabanatuan, University of Sto. Tomas and in UP College of Agriculture in Los Banos, Laguna (now the University of the Philippines Los Baños or UPLB).

It was at Baker Hall, now UPLB gymnasium and named after Charles Fuller Baker, the former Dean of Agriculture of UP which housed more than two thousand prisoners.

the historic Baker Hall, now a gymanasium where events and parties are held, also has ghost stories told by students and teachers alike

If the Great Raid at Cabanatuan was executed by crawling soldiers under the cover of darkness and a P61 Black Widow as decoy, the raid at Los Banos was executed with the help or paratroopers as the POW camp is located on the hills of Mt. Makiling with reinforcements also from Laguna de Bay.

If the Raid at Cabanatuan was made into a Hollywood movie titled "The Great Raid," the raid at Los Banos was also turned into a movie in 2004 called "Rescue at Dawn: the Los Banos Raid"

A little girl plays football on Baker Field, a football field lined with huge trees with the chapel and carillon bell tower in view

After a few days, Japanese forces arrived at the camp and found it empty of prisoners. With the help of MAKAPILI (Makabayang Katipunan ng mga Pilipino), they rounded up and massacred about 1500 men, women and children (including people who sought refuge in a chapel) and burned their homes.

The people of Los Banos felt betrayed when the Americans left them behind to feel the wrath of the Japanese but soon learned to forgive them years later.

Labels: Calabarzon, History, Laguna, Southern Tagalog, World War II

Hot spring resorts are best on rainy days, not during summer!

Laguna is blessed with natural hot spring resorts, claimed to have therapeutic properties, with hot natural spring water heated by Mt. Makiling, a dormant volcano.

After a friend of his father tipped him off about a "secret" hot spring resort in Sta. Maria town, north of Paete, and very near the public cemetery of the town, the home of Three Sisters Falls, Tutubi thought of visiting it when the opportunity presented itself thus another unplanned discovery trip successfully accomplished.

the simple, "secret" hot spring resort in Sta. Maria, Laguna:

a net partially covers the large swimming pool. very good cover when it rains, you don't need to get out of the water

a small children's pool is also nearby, well, for kids

coconut trees and palms surround the area, still under development, giving the rustic feel

a group from Tanay, Rizal doing water zumba

By the way, this is just a warm spring resort, not really hot water. Tutubi finds laguna hot springs as too hot, particularly during summer, this is just right temperature to dip in the whole day even if it's raining.

Tutubi, in his probably senior moment, forgot the name of the resort but remembers the following details:

Entrance Fee: PhP50.00 (cheap, isn't it?)
Free use of tables (there are cottages too but they didn't charge, no idea on price though)
Parking is free but inadequate. The service road leading to the resort may get flooded
Toilets/ Shower room: relatively clean, don't expect five star amenities at the cheap admission fee
Food: bring your own food and drinks
videoke: the omnipresent Filipino entertainment at resorts
Overnight accommodations/room rates: not available at this time, planned though
Night swimming rate: P100.00

How to get there?

Follow this Commute to Laguna guide for starters

From Siniloan public market, take a tricycle to Sta. Maria and tell the driver about the resort using the access road that goes inside Sta. Maria public cemetery.

If you have your own vehicle, coming from Rizal province, turn left on reaching the junction of Sta. Maria and Mabitac towns on Manila East Road then turn right on the service road of the cemetery. follow direction signs, you won't get lost :P

Related Posts:
Hot Spring Resorts in Laguna
Asin Hot Spring Resorts Benguet

Labels: Calabarzon, Laguna, Laguna Resorts, Resorts

The Paet Taka Festival is a reincarnation of the defunct Ukit Taka Festival a few years ago showcasing the art of carving of Paete in various media from the traditional wood to the present ice, vegetable, fruits, chocolate , butter and others. The date of festival celebration is reckoned from the birthday of Mariano Madrinan, a local town hero of the arts.

The street dancing pictures were taken on September 28 during the festival parade where floats from Paete's nine barangay participated.

Pictures from the Street Dance competition Paet Taka Festival, Paete, Laguna:


Next: the gigantes (giant paper mache), floats and beauty queens


Related Paete posts:
How to Get to Paete, Laguna
Tatlong Krus
Map of Paete, Laguna,
Paete Wood Carving
Salibanda

Labels: Calabarzon, Festivals, Laguna, Paete

UPDATED August 2019

Laguna can arguably be called the Waterfalls capital of the Philippines, beginning with the world-famous Pagsanjan Falls and numerous waterfalls from Mt. Makiling, Mt. Banahaw and the Sierra Madre mountain range that separates the province from the provinces of Rizal and Quezon

List of Waterfalls in Laguna:

Cavinti:
Bayakan Falls, Brgy. Tibatib
Kipot Falls, Bgry. Tibatib
Magdapio Falls, Brgy. Tibatib and Anglas (popularly known as Pagsanjan Falls)
Nakulo Falls, Brgy. Tibatib
Subok Bakid Falls, Brgy. Labayo
Talon ng Talaongan, Brgy. West Talaongan
White Rock Twin Falls, Brgy. Sumucab

Kalayaan:
Twin Falls: Developed, near highway

Los Baños:
Dampalit Falls, Brgy. Lalakay

Luisiana:
Bumbungan Falls
Hulugan Falls
Talay Falls
Hidden Falls
Talay Falls

(Note: Talay Falls, Hidden Falls and Hulugan Falls can be visited in one day)

Liliw:
Kilangin Falls (same as Bucal Falls of Majayjay)

Majayjay:
Bukal Falls, Brgy. Bukal
Taytay Falls, Brgy. Taytay: Developed, with access road and short trek down

Taytay Falls, Majayjay, Laguna with a person swimming on the pool to add scale and estimate the height of the waterfalls, popular for camping and day trip (picture courtesy of Tutubi's cousin who recently went there)

Nagcarlan:
Bunga Twin Falls (Brgy. Bunga): Developed, with access road and short trek down


Paete:
Talon (named Matabungca Falls by self-serving politicians), Mt. Humarap (Sierra Madre)

Pagsanjan:
Pagsanjan Falls (the same as Magdapio falls)

Pangil:
Ambon-Ambon Falls, Pangil
Buntot Palos Falls (or Hidden Falls), Pangil

San Pablo City:
Tarak Falls, Brgy. Sta. Veronica, San Pablo City

Siniloan:
Batya-Batya Falls, Mt. Romelo
Buruwisan Falls, Mt. Romelo
Lanzones Falls, Mt. Romelo
Sampaloc Falls, Mt. Romelo

an old picture of Sampaloc Falls in Siniloan, Laguna but with jump-off point in famy town (photo taken using Canon Ixus 30)

Sta. Maria:
Three Sisters Falls (or Three Falls)

Related Posts on Laguna:
Laguna Jeepney Routes
Bus to Sta. Cruz, Laguna

Labels: Calabarzon, Laguna, Waterfalls

Probably the second most famous waterfall in Laguna is Taytay Falls in Majayjay, next only to the world-famous Pagsanjan Falls. This falls was visited by Tutubi thrice in the past, when digital cameras were not yet the "in" thing, including a birthday treat to his now departed mother, giving it some sort of nostalgic value to the sentimental Tutubi.

This travel guide to Taytay falls is for those souls looking at fresh information how to get there, what to expect and the usual entrance fee/environmental fee, overnight camping and parking rates.

Updated: March 2019


Travel Guide: Taytay Falls in Majayjay, Laguna:

Taytay Falls, Majayjay, Laguna with a person swimming on the pool to add scale and estimate the height of the waterfalls, popular for camping and day trip (picture courtesy of Tutubi's cousin who recently went there)

Taytay falls entrance fee: PhP30.00 (some call this environmental fee)
Car parking fee: PhP40.00
Camping: you can pitch your own tent on the best place you can see near the falls

Notes and reviews:
1. The water here is too cold, too cold even for the cold-resistant Tutubi 10 years ago that he wasn't able to swim too long in the ice-cold water from Mt. Banahaw.
2. There are too many people on weekends, much more during Holy Week. It's sad that people leave their garbage instead of bringing them back and personally throw at trash cans.
3. There are toilets available but not for the squeamish, with running water of course.
4. Information and picture of Taytay Falls provided by Tutubi's cousin who recently camped out overnight at the place.
5. You may combine this place with Pagsanjan Falls, Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex and Panguil River Eco-park for your Laguna tour itinerary.

How to get to Majayjay, Laguna:

The street map of Taytay Falls in barangay Gagalot, please click here. You can trace back to Majayjay town proper or from Lucban. If you have a GPS navigator (or even an iPhone/iPad/Ipod or Android device with GPS app), you can point it to these coordinates: 14° 6.618N 121° 30.45E and get there without asking questions.

On Commuting to Majayjay, Laguna, please click this link on How to Get to Laguna to reach Majayjay town.

In Majayjay town proper, you need to take another jeep with signboard Gagalot to take you to Barangay Gagalot where the jump-off point to Taytay falls can be found.

On reaching Gagalot, you need to pay the entrance fee then walk (on concrete pathway and steps) for a few hundred meters to get to the waterfall.

Driving Directions to Majayjay, Laguna:

from Quezon City, it's recommended to take the scenic Rizal route via Marcos Highway, Sumulong passing through the city of Antipolo, the Rizal towns of Teresa, Baras, Morong, Tanay, Pililla, and the Laguna towns of Mabitac, Famy, Siniloan, Pangil, Pakil, Paete, Kalayaan, Lumban, Pagsanjan then you turn left on reaching Pagsanjan Public Market (landmark: Jollibee), pass by the town of Magdalena before reaching Majayjay town proper.

From Makati or southern cities of Manila, take SLEx and exit at Calamba (toll fee: PhP218.00 class 1 vehicle), head towards SM City Calamba then turn right. Follow the highway passing through the towns of Los Banos, Bay, Calauan, Victoria, Pila, Sta. Cruz, then turn left when you see GSIS Pagsanjan and Jollibee, pass by the town of Magdalena before reaching Majayjay town proper.

In Majayjay town proper, follow this map to get there.

On reaching Gagalot, park your vehicle and pay the entrance fee (PhP30.00) and parking fee (PhP40.00) then walk (on concrete pathway and steps) for a few hundred meters to get to the waterfall.

If you noticed, Tutubi is trying to finish all travel guides to interesting places in Laguna :P



Related Posts:
Hulugan Falls
Bunga Twin Falls
Laguna Waterfalls
Kalayaan Twin Falls
Pagsanjan Falls Travel Guide
Taytay Falls, Majayjay

Labels: Calabarzon, Laguna, Travel Guides, Waterfalls

Tutubi first read about this new cave when he read a news article about the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) which classified a certain Kwebang Puti in Cavinti, Laguna as Cave Class 1 but no information can be found online about it until news spread from Tutubi's friends in Paete, Laguna.

UPDATED: April 2014

Travel Guide: Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex

Tutubi knows how to get to Cavinti, either via public transportation or by private car, finding the site is not hard for him come his turn to actually visit the site. Other information will be posted once available and reviewed by his sources of information.

The poster of Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex, good there are people on the image to add scale

Travel Guide: Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex Tour in a nutshell:

1. Make a reservation for an entrance pass to the Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex by contacting Cavinti Tourism office. Email advance booking/reservations to this email address: lgucavinti@gmail.com
Reservations are limited to 10 persons per group. Contact number and official website will be posted once available.

2. Confirm your permit to tour Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex by getting your permit personally, though your authorized representative or package tour operator. You need to pay the entrance fee of PhP10.00/person (called environmental fee) Walk-in visitors are NOT guaranteed visitors entry permit. The visitors permit confirmation and payment can be paid at Cavinti Municipal Hall in weekdays and at Bumbungan Ecopark on weekends.

3. Go to Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex on your reserved date. Bring proper identification cards (school ID accepted)

4. Enjoy the tour but do observe the rules posted at the site particularly do not touch stalactites, stalagmites and columns inside the Cavinti caves

a giant stalactite of Kwebang Puti (stalactites hang from the ceiling, stalagmites are on the ground, and a column occurs when the cave roof and floor are joined together

The Laguna underground river has mini-waterfalls inside gushing with cold natural mineral water

How to Get to Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex

(Tutubi will create the map via OpenStreetMap once he gets to the place and will post waypoint/GPS coordinates later). An interactive map of Cavinti (helped updated by Tutubi with the cool guys of OpenStreetMap Philippines) can be found here where you can trace back to your origin and jump-off point.

How to Get to Cavinti, Laguna from Manila:

1.0 How to Commute by bus and jeepney

1.1 Commute to Sta. Cruz, Laguna by Bus
From Cubao Quezon City, take HM Transport or DLTB bus to Sta. Cruz, Laguna (Bus Fare via HM Transport is PhP148.50)

1.2 From Pasay, near LRT Gil Puyat station, take Green Star Express or DLTB bus to Sta. Cruz, Laguna
Bus fare:, travel time is around 3 hours. Bus fare via DLTB is PhP132.00 while via Green Star express is PhP140.50 (yes, DLTB is cheaper plus free Wi-fi Internet)

1.3 In Sta. Cruz, ride a jeepney to Cavinti and request the driver to drop you off at Bumbungan Eco-Park (fare is about PhP20.00, travel time about 40 minutes) which is near a bridge over Bumbungan River (the river that feeds Pagsanjan Falls)

2.0 Driving Directions to Cavinti, Laguna

from Quezon City, it's recommended to take the scenic Rizal route via Marcos Highway, Sumulong passing through the city of Antipolo, the Rizal towns of Teresa, Baras, Morong, Tanay, Pililla, and the Laguna towns of Mabitac, Famy, Siniloan, Pangil, Pakil, Paete, Kalayaan.

After passing by the elevated portion of Manila East Road in Kalayaan town, you will need to turn left and pass by Caliraya-Cavinti Road until you reach Bumbungan Eco-park. This route, from Trinoma, takes about 3 hours travel time.

From Makati or southern cities of Manila, take SLEx and exit at Calamba (toll fee: PhP218.00 class 1 vehicle), head towards SM City Calamba then turn right. Follow the highway passing through the towns of Los Banos, Bay, Calauan, Victoria, Pila, Sta. Cruz, Pagsanjan and Lumban. After passing Lumban Public Market (and a police checkpoint barrier), choose the right fork of the road going to Lake Caliraya. Continue until you reach Bumbungan EcoPark which is the jump-off point to Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex

as of posting time, Pagsanjan Bridge near Pagsanjan Municipal Hall is under construction, you need to take the alternate route to Cavinti via Lumban and Caliraya Lake thus the direction provided above.

3.0 To get to Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex from Cavinti, you need to pay PhP1,000.00 fee (inclusive of transportation and lunch) you still need to ride a jeepney (rent one (rental rates vary but about PhP200.00/person) or drive to the caves if you're adventurous and have a 4x4 vehicle) for 14 kilometers on bumpy, dirt road then trek for 2 kilometers (about 30 minutes walk over a dirt road) to get to the actual newly-discovered cave. (this is already easy compared to the previous 4-5 hour trek when the dirt road was not there)

4.0 The final travel part of Cavinti spelunking adventure is a short bamboo raft ride (balsa) to cross the Lalangawan River to reach the cave entrance which is near the boundary of Cavinti, Laguna and Mauban, Quezon

Notes:

1. The road from Cavinti town proper going to the site is not paved, only 4x4 vehicles (for off-road) or jeepneys can traverse it.
2. Bring your own high powered flashlight or gas lamp as it's dark inside the caves
3. At present, this is still undeveloped, tourism facilities are inadequate, guides are ill-equipped, area is restricted to 50 tourists (non-Cavinti residents) but cave entrance fee is now at PhP1000.00/person with transportation and lunch
4. There's an underground river and waterfalls inside but most parts of the cave complex and chambers remain unexplored, wildlife (if there are animals, lizards, snakes, pythons, spiders) taking refuge inside not yet documented
4. There are hotels and resorts near Cavinti particularly Pagsanfalls resorts or resorts in Lake Caliraya for you to spend the night, wash yourself or overnight accommodations.
5. You can take a swim in the Lalangawan River with cold mountain water and huge rocks and boulders

This will be updated from time to time to remain fresh and current. Tutubi's planned tour of this new "place to see in Laguna" last April 20 didn't push through due to the new rule on reservation and with fully-booked place for tour bookings.

Labels: Calabarzon, Caves, Ecotourism, Laguna, Spelunking, Travel Guides

(this unplanned trip happened on December 31, 2012 (new years eve)

If Paete has the Tatlong Krus on top of Mt. Humarap, Pakil has single large cross on top of Mount Ping-as watching over the town of Pakil, which was once part of Paete town. The Crosses share some history as well as past (and long gone) resentment between the two towns on the demarcation line.

Tutubi initially wanted to trek up Tatlong Krus but later thought of Ping-as with his brother but ended up going there with his septuagenarian father, three of his brothers, nephews and nieces.

The Trek up Mt. Ping-as in Pictures:

the only water crossing. see the trail is easy even for senior citizens, much more for children

the last stretch of the trail up Mt. Ping-as has concrete steps going up the viewdeck and rest area

The Mt. Ping-as Rest Area where you can...rest?

Nuestra Senora de los Dolores de Turumba (Birhen ng Turumba) in glass at the rest area

The large cross is visible here, the dog included to add scale

a bird's eye view of Pakil town and Laguna de Bay, Tutubi was able to post this on Facebook due to presence of Globe 3G signal on the mountain belonging to the Sierra Madre mountain range. there was a slight drizzle that time thus the hazy picture

History of Ahunan sa Ping-as and the Krus ng Pakil:

This landmark of Pakil town hosts an annual festivity known as "Ahunan sa Ping-as" celebrated every last Saturday of May, where participants climb up the Sierra Madre mountain to witness the Santacruzan and attend the Holy Mass.

At the foot of the cross, you can see the bird's eye view of the town, which is 500 meters above sea level

The cross was erected there in 1671 in honor of Fr. Francisco Solier who used to carry a wooden cross as a devotion when climbing up the mountain of Ping-as. The wooden cross was later replaced with a concrete one and a 14 Stations of the Cross were set up along the road/trail leading to the mountain top.

When Pakil separated from Paete to become a town of its own, the people of Paete erected three crosses on top of neighboring Mt. Humarap that became the Tatlong Krus

How to get there:

Follow this guide on to how to get to Pakil, Laguna. From Sta. Cruz, remember to request the driver to drop you off just near the boundary of Paete and Pakil (very near Pakil Cemetery) and not reach Pakil Church. There's a road going up the mountain with the words "Ahunan sa Mt. Ping-as" written on it to mark the start of the road/trail going there. (Tutubi wasn't able to plot the trail on his GPS to update OpenStreetMap but will do so in the future to give an accurante map of the trail)

If you came from Rizal via Siniloan, you'll pass by Lerma's halo-halo, Pakil Church, Pakil town plaza, Pakil municipal hall, and Turumba Springs Swimming Pool.

Labels: Calabarzon, Laguna, Mountains, Southern Tagalog, Trekking

Well this is not new as it's been open for almost a year now, making wakeboarding reachable to Manila denizens instead of going to CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) in Camarines Sur or Lago de Oro in Batangas where Tutubi first tried wakeboarding.



Republic Wakepark Wakeboarding Rate (from Avida Land):
1 hour pass – P250
2 hour pass – P475
4 hour pass – P595
8 hour pass – P995
Day & Night pass – P1,500
Night riding pass – P595
Private cable rent – P800/hour
VIP pass – FREE!

Nuvali wakeboarding rate is affordable for Tutubi at P250/hour price is ok if you're looking for "sakit ng katawan" that the masochistic Tutubi enjoys.

Republic Waterpark Operating hours: open from 830am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday
No information yet if they're open in Holy Week (Holy Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday and Easter Sunday but probably open for business)

Best to contact Republ1c Wakepark at their official website, telephone numbers, Facebook page or Twitter account for
ticket prices, restaurants, overnight accommodations, promos, discounts, group tours or wakeboarding lessons or summer workshops/classes for kids/children.

Labels: Calabarzon, Laguna, Southern Tagalog, Water Sports

Visita Iglesia traditions are observed by Catholics in Holy Week to visit 7 churches. Herewith is the route map of Visita Iglesia in Laguna featuring old churches though information on churches can be found. Seven though for old churches in Laguna is not enough but it's also a sin if you try to visit even fourteen of them.

Tutubi's first memorable trip that also started his "travel career" was the unplanned tour of laguna with his travel buddies that took them to 13 churches in two days and visited lots of other sites Laguna has to offer.

Laguna Visita Iglesia Route Map

Old Churches of Laguna:

Mabitac Church: Church of Nuestra Senora de Candelaria

Due to earthquakes, only the belltower of the old church of Mabitac remains and no attempt at restoring the old church was made.

Pakil Church

San Pedro de Alcantara Church taken in front of Pakil Municipal Hall

Paete Church
a view of Paete Church's intricate facade and baroque features

Longos Church

the belfry of the old stone church

Lumban Church: St. Sebastian the Martyr Parish (San Sebastian)
Cavinti Church: Parish of the Transfiguration Church
Luisiana Church
Magdalena Church
Majayjay Church
Liliw Church
Nagcarlan Church
Pila Church: San Antonio de Padua (Church of St. Anthony de Padua)
Bay Church: San Agustin (St. Augustine Church)
Los Banos Church
Calamba Church

New church structures:

Sta. Maria Church
Pangil Church
Siniloan Church
Pangil Church
Pagsanjan Church: Church of Nuestra Sra. de Guadalupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Church)
Sta. Cruz, Church: Sta. Cruz Church
Victoria Church
Calauan Church: San Isidro Labrador
San Pablo Cathedral

Suggested Visita Iglesia route in Laguna:

If you're coming from Rizal, you can visit these churches:
Mabitac Church, Pakil Church, Paete Church, Longos Church, Lumban Church, Pagsanjan Church

If you want to visit only the best old churches in Laguna, follow this itinerary (choose 7):
Mabitac Church, Pakil Church, Paete Church, Longos Church, Lumban Church, Magdalena Church, Majayjay Church, Liliw Church, Nagcarlan Church, Pila Church, Bay Church

if you want to visit them all, nobody's against it :P

Note: Tutubi has unposted pictures of some churches here


Related Posts:
Visita Iglesia Laguna

Labels: Churches, Laguna, Visita Iglesia

Formerly the ANILAG Festival but the re-naming is usually political due to change of governors thus there's no continuity and awareness of the brand.
click the picture to see enlarge the schedule of activities of La Laguna Festival 2013

activities from March 8, 2013 to March 17, 2013
fun run, street dancing, beauty contests, boat race on sta. cruz river, trade shows, typical festival activities

How to Get to Laguna Provincial Capitol:

ride buses to Sta. Cruz, Laguna, alight in Sta. Cruz then ride a jeepney back to Sta. Cruz public Market or tricycle and request the driver to drop you off in front of Laguna Provincial Capitol

Sta. Cruz laguna also celebrates the kesong puti festival

Labels: Festivals, Laguna

Laguna is Tutubi's home province, and here's all that he knows about jeepney and bus routes to help you with the question "How to get to Laguna" and getting around Laguna in jeepneys. Note the map of Laguna is updated by Tutubi regularly, together with the cool guys of Open Street Map Philippines so you won't really get lost: just take note of the jeepney signboards.

Should you need driving directions, it's mostly via SLEx or Manila East Road from Pasig, just leave a comment

Future updates will include street route maps

Laguna Tourist Spots/Attractions/Places to See in Laguna:

Sta. Maria: Three Sisters Falls
Mabitac: Mabitac Church, Battle of Mabitac Marker
Famy/Siniloan: numerous waterfalls (Buruwisan, Batya-batya, Sampaloc Falls)
Pangil: Panguil River Eco-park, Hidden Falls, Ambon-ambon Falls
Pakil: Pakil Church, Turumba Springs Swimming Pool, Mt. Ping-as
Paete: Wood carving shops, Tatlong Krus, Paete Church, Talon (Matabunka falls)
Kalayaan: Twin Falls, Longos Church (San Juan Bautista)
Lumban: barong Weavers, Lumban Church
Pagsanjan: Pagsanjan Falls (boatride)
Sta. Cruz: Kesong Puti, Sta. Cruz Church
Magdalena: Magdalena Church
Liliw: tsinelas and shoes, Liliw Church
Nagcarlan: Underground Cemetery, Nagcarlan Church, Bunga Falls
Majayjay: Taytay Falls, Majayjay Church
Luisiana: numerous waterfalls, Luisiana Church
Cavinti: Japanese Garden, Lake Caliraya (shared with Lumban and Kalayaan), Lake Lumot, Magdapio Falls, Laguna Underground River, Bumbungan Eco-Park, Cavinti Church
Calauan: pineapples (pinya), Isdaan
Rizal: Tayak Hill (historic landing point during World War 2)
San Pablo: City of Seven Lakes, San Pablo Cathedral
Pila: old heritage houses, Pila Church
Victoria: kinulob na itik,
Bay: Bay Church, monay
Los Banos: Dampalit falls, UPLB, IRRI, Homma-Yamashita execution site
Calamba: Jose Rizal Shrine, largest Rizal monument,
Cabuyao
Sta. Rosa
Binan: puto Binan
San Pedro:


Siniloan Jeepney Routes: the northernmost transport hub with transport terminal at Siniloan Public Market (click street map here.

Siniloan - Tanay (Rizal): these jeepneys will take you through Manila East Road the Rizal towns of Pililla up to Tanay Public Market where the central terminal is located. (In Tanay, you can take jeepneys or shuttle/vans/fx to EDSA Central, or Starmall on EDSA, Crossing, Mandaluyong City. You can also take RRCG air-conditioned buses here)

Siniloan - Famy: short jeepney route to take you to neighboring Famy town. (note: Raymond Transportation plies the Manila-Real Infanta, Quezon bus route that pass by Famy town (highway near Famy Public Market) in addition to the Lucena - Infanta bus of AH Transport)

Siniloan - Mabitac: short jeepney route to take you to neighboring town of Mabitac (where you can see the old Church of Mabitac on a hilltop (Nuestra Senora de Candelaria) and the Battle of Mabitac marker

Siniloan - Sta. Maria: short jeepney ride to Sta. Maria town

Siniloan - Sta. Cruz: jeepney route that will pass by Pangil town proper, Balian (part of Pangil) Pakil (Pakil Church, municipal hall, Turumba swimming pool), Paete, Kalayaan (where you need to inform driver you're going to Longos loob or Kalayaan town proper (San Juan loob) when most drivers choose highway), Lumban (where the barong shops and barong eavers call home), Pagsanjan (near many Pagsanjan Falls resorts), Pagsawitan (part of Pagsanjan where you can ride HM Transport to EDSA, Cubao; Green Star Express buses to LRT/Taft in Pasay or HM Liner ordinary buses to Alabang, Muntinlupa; or DLTB buses to LRT/Taft or EDSA, Cubao), Laguna Provincial Capitol (on Pedro Guevarra St.) up to Sta. Cruz Public Market where most jeepney terminals are located. (Siniloan - paete jeepney fare: PhP15.00 travel time around 30 minutes)

Pagsanjan Jeepney GTExpress, Shuttle Service/FX Terminal

There is the terminal of jumbo jeepney plying the Pagsanjan - Tayabas - Lucban - Lucena route near the Pagsanjan town plaza, Pagsanjan Church (Our Lady of Guadalupe)
and Pagsanjan Municipal hall (munisipyo)

there's a jeepney terminal plying the Pagsanjan - Calamba route near GSIS Pagsanjan and Pagsanjan Public Market (Jollibee Pagsanjan in an area called Sambat by locals). The jeepney passes by only on the highway of Pagsanjan, Sta. Cruz (another Sambat junction), Sunstar Mall, Labuin, Pila, Calauan (Isdaan), Bay (Kamayan sa Palaisdaan, Victoria (Balite, Masapang), Los Banos (UP Open University, UPLB (college), Calamba (Maahas, Pansol, Halang, Calamba Crossing (SM City Calamba and Calamba Jeepney terminal)

Sta. Cruz Jeepney Routes: transport terminals scattered around Sta. Cruz Public Market (Click here for the map)

Buses to Sta. Cruz from Manila:
HM Transport to EDSA, Cubao;
Green Star Express buses to LRT/Taft in Pasay
HM Liner ordinary buses to Alabang, Muntinlupa
DLTB buses to LRT/Taft or EDSA, Cubao)

Note: DLTB bus serves the Buendia to Sta. Maria, Laguna twice daily at 4pm and 6pm trip schedules to pass by Calamba, Los Banos, Bay, Calauan, Victoria, Pila, Sta. Cruz, Pagsanjan, and the highways of Lumban, Kalayaan, Paete, Pakil, Pangil, Siniloan, Famy, Mabitac, Sta. Maria. Same bus routes leave Sta. Maria town at 4am and 6am daily going to Taft/LRT/Buendia

Sta. Cruz- Liliw: these jeepeneys take you to Pagsawitan, Pansanjan (Sambat (landmarks:Jollibee, Pagsanjan Public Market, GSIS) only not Pagsanjan town proper)), and the towns of Magdalena and Liliw (Gat Tayaw Tsinelas street, Liliw Church and town plaza)

Sta. Cruz - Nagcarlan these jeepeneys take you to Pagsawitan, Pansanjan (Sambat only not Pagsanjan town proper), and the towns of Magdalena and Liliw (Gat Tayaw Tsinelas street, Liliw Church and town plaza) and to Nagcarlan Church and Public Market.

Sta. Cruz - Paete: these jeepneys can take you to Pagsawitan, Pagsanjan, Lumban, Kalayaa, Longos, Paete. They have their terminal in Paete's Plaza Edesan on J.P. Rizal St where many handicrafts and wood crafts and wood carving shops conduct business Sta. Cruz to Paete jeepney fare: PhP30.00 (approximately)

Sta. Cruz - Lumban: these jeepneys will take you to Pagsanjan, and Lumban Town proper and Lumban Church up to their terminal at Lumban Public Market

Sta - Cruz - Pagsanjan: Short jeepney route to Pagsanjan that turn right (when most jeepneys turn left) after Pagsanjan Catholic Church, and town hall, Aling Taleng's halo-halo, and turns left again going to many Pagsanjan Falls Resorts. Fare: Minimum fare (approximate)

Sta. Cruz - Siniloan: from Sta. Cruz Public Market, pass by Sta. Cruz Catholic Church, Sta. Cruz Town Hall, Laguna Provincial Capitol, Laguna Provincial Hospital, Pagsawitan, Pagsanjan, Lumban, Kalayaan (Barangay San Juan and Longos) Paete, Pakil, Balian, Pangil, and Siniloan (Siniloan Church, plaza, town hall and terminal at Siniloan Public Market). jeepney fare: PhP50.00 (approximately)

Sta. Cruz - Victoria: the only jeepney route that will take you to Victoria town proper (where most jeepneys pass by the highway in the area called Balite, where most stores selling Kinulob na Itik, itlog na maalat, balut, penoy at farm prices are located.

Sta. Cruz - Calamba: from Sta. Cruz Public Market, pass by Sta. Cruz Municipal Hall and town plaza, right to the barangay where lots of Kesong Puti factories are present, right to the national highway in Sambat, pass by Sunstar Mall, Pila (Labuin, and town proper), Bay town proper, Victoria

Sta. Cruz - San Pablo: these jeepneys can take you to Pila poblacion, Victoria (highway only in the aread called Balite by locals), Masapang (part of Victoria where the giant duck statues are located (where the Amazing Race 5 contestants visited), the town center of Calauan and finally San Pablo City

Sta. Cruz - Cavinti: here jeepneys will pass by Pagsanjan (Pagsawitan, Sambat), and Cavinti

Sta. Cruz - Luisiana: these jeepneys will pass by Pagsanjan, Cavinti and Luisiana

Sta. Cruz - Majayjay: these jeepneys will pass by Pagsanjan (Pagsawitan and Sambat only), Magdalena, and Majayjay

Sta. Cruz - Lumot: the only jeepneys that pass by Lake Caliraya and Lake Lumot via Pagsanjan, and Lumban (including the so called Magnetic Hill near kilometer 98)

Sta. Cruz - Calumpang: short jeepney ride to Calumpang town with jeepney terminal at the corner of Quezon Avenue and Manila East Road (the area also called Sambat (means Junction in Tagalog)). They can take you to the road near Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) and San Luis Sports Complex (though it's better to just take a tricycle here from Sambat)

Sta. Cruz - Lucena: jumbo jeepneys that pass by Pagsanjan, Cavinti, Luisiana, and the Quezon towns of Tayabas, Lucban and Lucena City

Calamba Jeepney Routes: Map of jeepney terminal is available here. there's also the SM City Calamba jeepney terminal. This is a tricycle ride away from Rizal Shrine

Calamba - Sta. Cruz: follows the same route described in Sta. Cruz - Calamba above but in reverse order

Calamba - Balibago, Sta. Rosa: these jeepneys pass by Cabuyao then has a terminal in Barangay Balibago, Sta. Rosa (where you can ride buses back to Manila or jeepneys to Tagaytay)

Calamba - Tanauan - Lipa (Batangas): these jeepneys pass by barangay Turbina where there are buses going to Quezon, Bicol (Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon) even Ro-ro buses to Visayas and Mindanao; Sto. Tomas, Tanauan, Malvar, Lipa City

Calamba - UPLB: the jeepney route that can take you to the University of The Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) campus from Calamba jeepney terminal pass by the highway then turn right to the area called college by locals (landmarks: Jollibee, Mang Inasal, Mercury Drug (there's also HealthServ Medical Center nearby). This jeep also can take you to Bagong Kalsada, Camp Eldridge, Orient D'Original Buco Pie and Olivares Plaza from Calamba.

(these lists for San Pedro, San Pablo and Sta. Rosa are not complete as Tutubi only noted what he saw there during his not too many trips there)

San Pedro Jeepney Routes

Pacita - Balibago, Sta. Rosa: from San Pedro to Binan then Sta Rosa

San Pedro - Alabang, Muntinlupa: from San Pedro bayan to Alabang (terminal in front of Starmall Alabang (formerly Metropolis)

Langgam - Alabang Muntinlupa: from Langgam to Alabang (terminal in front of Starmall Alabang (formerly Metropolis)

San Pedro - Calamba: via SLEx Mayapa exit

San Pablo Jeepney Routes: can be best visited from Manila via buses going to Lucena City or even those going to Bicol

San Pablo - Sta. Cruz: these jeepneys follow the same route described in Sta. Cruz - San Pablo in reverse order

San Pablo - Tanauan (Batangas): these jeepneys will take you to Alaminos, then the Batangas town of Sto. Tomas and Tanauan (terminal near Tanauan Public Market)

San Pablo - Candelaria (Quezon): pass through the Quezon towns of Tiaong and Candelaria

San Pablo - Liliw: these jeepneys pass through the jump-off points to five of San Pablo City Seven lakes (lake calibato, Lake Yambo, the pristine Lake Pandin, Bunot Lake and the largest of the seven lakes, Lake Sampaloc), the little known town of Rizal (where there's a barangay Antipolo), the town of Nagcarlan (where the old church of Nagcarlan and nagcarlan Underground Cemetery are located), and finally in Liliw (where the shoes and tsinelas of Gat Tayaw Street, and the old church of Liliw made of red bricks can be found),

Sta. Rosa Jeepney Routes: terminal located in Balibago thus it's called Balibago Transport terminal

Sta. Rosa - Tagaytay: passes by Sta - Rosa Tagaytay Road passing by roads leading to Enchanted Kingdom, Paseo de Sta Rosa, parts of Silang town of cavite, Tagaytay Market (near Rowenas) then turn right on the junction (landmark: Tagaytay Econo Inn), up to Tagaytay Rotonda

NOTE: This is a work actually in progress long saved in Tutubi's Drafts folder. But instead of it not completed, readers and blog visitors can leave comments so as to complete it and weed out errors. an online route map will be added here in the future but not soon :P

you may be looking for:
How to get to Sta. Maria, How to get to Mabitac, How to get to Famy, How to get to Siniloan, How to get to Pangil,
How to get to Pakil, How to get to Paete Laguna How to get to Kalayaan, How to get to Lumban, How to get to Pagsanjan, How to get to Sta. Cruz, How to get to Magdalena, How to get to Liliw, How to get to Nagcarlan, How to get to Majayjay, How to get to Luisiana, How to get to Cavinti, How to get to Calauan, How to get to Rizal, Laguna, How to get to San Pablo City of Seven Lakes, How to get to Pila, How to get to Victoria, How to get to Bay, How to get to Los Banos, How to get to Calamba, How to get to Cabuyao, How to get to Sta. Rosa, How to get to Binan, How to get to San Pedro, How to get to Canlubang, Calamba

Labels: Laguna, Public Transportation, Travel Guides

The Salibanda is a centuries old devotion in Paete, Laguna where an image of the Sto. Niño is paraded around town beginning at Paete Church (on the third and last Sundays of January at 12nn), westward towards Wawa Park and Laguna de Bay lakeshore for a short fluvial parade then winds around town for a "wet and wild" water festival. The parade culminates at Paete Town Plaza where the whole town square full of people gets really wet even with the participation of Paete Fire Station "bumbero."

These pictures of Salibanda were taken using a Nikon D80 with 18-200 VR lens covered with plastic waterproof case to protect it from water. You may notice haze and water on the photos due to this setup

Read this article on Salibanda History for more information and narratives:

The traditional color worn by revelers is red, the use of this yellow color may have been due to the club

a spray of water greets the "party people" en route to Wawa Park





Salibanda actually means "sali sa banda" (join the band)


Dare to join Paete Salibanda next year or in the future?

Salibanda Schedule:
third and last Sunday of January (it coincides with the Sinulog, Ati-atihan)
om January 18, 2015 then with the Dinagyang on January 25, 2015

Related Posts:

Salibanda History Sto. Niño
January Festival Schedule Sto. Niño
Legend of Ati-atihanStar Toll

Labels: Calabarzon, Festivals, Fiestas, Laguna, Paete, Southern Tagalog