Daraitan Adventure – A Travelogue

By Nina Dumlao – Photographer, WAFP Admin and Events Organizer

I first saw the beauty of Tinipak River in Daraitan, Rizal, from a friend's Facebook post. Since then, I told myself that I will go visit this place one day. So I decided to ask a mountaineer friend, Roberto Labaniego,  if he could accompany me and my daughter. I was so glad he said yes. We went twice, the second one being with a bigger group during a  FUNLakwatsa Adventure with 21 members of We are FUNtastic Philippines. 

Photo by Nina Raymundo Dumlao

The day finally came and all 21 of us were raring to go. The first two hours of the trip was an easy drive but getting closer to Brgy. Daraitan was an approximately nine-kilometer stretch of major rough road with sharp rocks. The place is protected and maintained by the local govt. of Brgy. Daraitan, every visitor is required to pay P20 for the registration fee and P500 tour guide fee which is good for eight people. 

Photo by Nina Raymundo Dumlao

A few minutes into the trail, you would see beautiful river scenery with rocks and boulders, trees, and clear, running water. It took us twice the time of the usual 20-minute hike because of the photo stops and breaks. We descended down going to the major point of Tinipak River by way of narrow wooden (seemingly rickety) bridge and ladders, climbing down the huge, white boulders by the riverbank, which in itself was already quite a challenge for newbies like us who are not familiar with hiking.

Photo by Art Soriano

We were all amazed at how awesome this place is (even for the second time around, I still marveled at its beauty). We found a spot near the entrance of Maytuntong Cave (commonly called Tinipak Cave) where we settled, ate our packed lunches, dipped in the brook nearby (with clean drinking water) while chit-chatting the time away.  

 Photo by Nina Raymundo Dumlao

At 1 p.m., it was time to go spelunking. The first time I went, I wasn't able to go in the cave and I promised myself I will not fail the second time around. The entrance of Maytuntong Cave is different from the ones I've seen; you need to climb down into a hole on the ground which is approximately 20 feet deep with the rugged rocks as stepping stones/ladder.

As we went deeper into the cave, we saw glittering stalactites on the walls and ceiling scattered all over.

Farther on, we heard the sound of gushing water. Soon enough, we have reached the cave's natural pool. The water was so clear and cold, but it sure was refreshing. At first glance, there seems to be a deep black hole in the center but it's actually black sand and it was only waist deep, so no worries there.

Photo by Art Soriano

Photo by Art Soriano

 

Photo by Nito San Luis

At 3 p.m., we started our hike back. We were made to pass a different route with no paved trail – we, newbies, were literally bouldering! It was difficult and it took us almost two hours to get back. Thank, God, nobody was hurt except for a few scratches and a dead toe nail – not mine.  Nevertheless, the experience was really awesome and memorable… new friendships were born among us and our Daraitan Adventure never fails to bring a smile on our faces and so off we look forward to our next adventure!

*** Tinipak river is a hidden paradise of Brgy. Daraitan in Tanay Rizal, which is located  at the foot of the Sierra Madre mountains. It offers a perfect outdoor adventure from trekking, mountaineering, spelunking and swimming. Join us in our next adventure!
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HISTORICAL VIGAN Part 2

The first bite of Vigan happened at Granpa's Inn restaurant called Kusina Felicitas. A place of tasty sumptous meals that is just right for the price. That is where I first tasted bagnet and crispy dinuguan, a delicacy that is really Vigan! Although most of the foods are pork base, you can also find vegetarian foods like poqui pogui. You cannot miss this place when you go visit Vigan specially because the staff can also describe you old century bricks and authentic Vigan antique pieces that are part of restaurant.

After that gastronomical adventure, it's time to explore Vigan by foot in attempt to shake off the calories and of course discover more of what this place can offer. We headed back to Calle Crisologo and walked all the way to both ends. And then a quick visit to the well lit St. Paul's Cathedral for a night shot. 

The phone alarm rang at 4:30 a.m., it's time for the famous "walk at dawn" in Calle Crisologo. As we stepped out of our hotel, we saw an army of tourist already walking around taking photos, like it was the night before, as if they never went to bed. It was a pain taking a slow shutter shot as the tourist don't really care about you and they end up like ghost in my photos. I gave up taking photos after a few shots, I just enjoy the place and waited for the crack of dawn. The blue hour with dark blue skies lightening up against the backdrop of this Spanish structures is simply magical!

Back to Cordillera Inn for a nice breakfast, we went up the 3rd floor that opens up to a veranda overlooking the street of Calle Crisologo on a different perspective :)

 The blue hour

It's a fun filled day visiting several places of interest around Vigan. We started off with Syquia Mansion, toured by a descendant of the Syquia's, he told us the history,secrets and showed us things we can't photographed. Then we travelled a few minutes to Burnayan (potteryshop), where they have a live session on pot making, you can even try it yourself.

 Next stop is the Crisologo Museum, which almost same as the first one. And then lunch! This time we went out of the busy street of Vigan and drove towards the airport where a famous garden is hiding.

 The Hidden Garden, famous for it's collection of flowers, potted plants and bonsai. The ambience of the place is so relaxing, that you get drawn to lay down in one of the hanging swing made of bamboo sticks. Water fountains, sitting areas and beautiful clay pots are scattered around the place. The famous Lilong and Lilang restaurant serves yet another mouth watering dishes. It was so good that when they asked me how is my meal I responded "it was heaven! will you be nice enough to adopt me here?

After that feast, we decided to visit the "abel" weavers - the famous loom weavers of Vigan. It's a family run business that was handed down from generation to generation. Their products which includes blankets, bags, linens, camisa chino, bath towels and robes, hand towels, placemats, napkins, table runners and fabric materials are sold in Calle Crisologo and are of import qualities.

Rowilda shop is owned by the Panela family with Dominico and Milagros couple. They named it after their only child’s name. Dominico started his loom weaving business in 1977 equipped with his acquired skill from his ancestors. It was stopped for lack of capital and revived it in 1989 when he came back from working abroad. He bought some of the textile weaving machines of his neighbors when they started to move and work abroad. Rowilda has eight weavers that includes the couple.

This article was published in HKLife News February 2015 Issue

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HISTORICAL VIGAN Part 1

Have you ever wondered how is life in the 16 th century? You travel with a horse-drawn carriage, dress up into "Baro't Saya" and live in a Spanish stone house? I do! In fact I've been dreaming about this place for a long time.




Vigan, they say, used to be called "Bee Gan" by the first Chinese settlers, but the Spaniards change it into Vigan during their reign.
After a few attempts of coming for the last 2 years, I finally reached my dream. We arrived in Vigan at dusk and the place is beaming with Christmas decors and lights. The beauty of the place welcomed us as the car turned left infront of the municipal hall facing the plaza. It's a moment where one cannot grasp the scenery, consciously glancing in every corner and buildings that passes our view. We parked our car at a corner street and walked our way to our hotel located in the historical street, the Calle Crisologo.

Photo by Nina Raymundo Dumlao

Calle Crisologo is a street lined with cobble stone, old Spanish houses, Calesa, friendly faces peeking out of the large windows, antique shops, delicacies, restaurants and hotels. A UNESCO Heritage Site and recently declared as one of the New 7 Wonder Cities of the World. It felt like a step into the past. It is as mysterious and romantic like I expected it to be. There's a certain charm, from the lit up street lamps against the Spanish colonial structures and the stillness amidst the crowd of tourist doing the usual stuff. Wooden benches lined the street for people to sit and admire the beauty.





After a mesmerizing introduction of Calle Crisologo, it is time to locate our hotel, the Cordillera Inn. Located in the heart of Calle Crisologo, the hotel used to be an old house of the Crisologo 's turned into a hotel. Most of the main part of the house is still intact, except for the addition of the reception cubicle and hotel rooms. The place felt a bit eerie, as majority of the furnitures and interiors are more than hundreds of years old. I dare not look at my reflection in the mirrors around the place coz I feel like they belong to someone. The elegantly designed antique furnitures shows how well they lived in the old days. Our room is facing Calle Crisologo with the street lamp creating a subdued light on the curtain serves as a night lamp while we sleep, and the clacking of the horse shoe in the street outside, this whole place gives you the feel of history.






This article was published in HKLife News January 2015 Issue


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Bacolod, The “City of Smiles” & Merriment

Masskara, one of the most colorful and upbeat festival in the Philippines. Celebrated on the 19^th of  October, during the charter day of Bacolod City . “Mass” meaning crowd and “cara” for face, originally coined by painter Ely Santiago. Masskara Festival was initially created to uplift the spirit of  the people during the tragic times in the 1980’s. Since then it became one of the most highly anticipated festival of the year because of it's  month long celebration.

The highlight of the festival is the street dancing competition and parade. Each team that represents a dance group wears a mask and costume originally designed for their specific dance moves.

A beaming face with a smile and laughing gesture is a must in every mask worn by performers as well as colorful and exquisite costume. 

I was lucky enough to be invited to witness the festival up close. Armed with our cameras and gears, we followed, danced and took photos of the happiest festival. We dance and groove to the beat and the electrifying energy of Masskara.

It was an amazing experience to witness the highly energetic moves in the midst of heat and heavy headgear they wore and not to mention the highly embellished and grand costume that takes us somehow to a fantasy world . It’s so lively, upbeat and at the same time a feast to your eyes. Kudos to the designers for they really are world class designs! Some of the highlights are Masskara Invasion @ Lacson Street, Lacson Street Night Party, Masskara Queen Coronation night, Dansskara, Electric Masskara, Masskara Fashion Week, Trade Fair, Boodle Fight at thePlaza, Masskara Street Dance Competition,  and countdown to Bacolod Charter Anniversary at the Municipal Hall.

  Absolutely one of the best party that everyone must attend!

 

By Jenni DunganThis Article was published in HKNews October 2014 Issue For more photos visit this linkshttps://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.362375577174009&type=1https://www.facebook.com/groups/we.are.funtastic.philippines/