This is where all of my mountaineering adventures began.
It was back in 2010, when I was in college taking a Literature subject. My professor decided that our class would create an indie film. The class was divided into two groups, and I was chosen as the leader of the second group.
We came up with the idea of making an Aswang film, which we titled “Takas.” The concept was inspired by a stage play we had performed in Tanghalang Gintong Lahi, where I was an active theater member. The storyline was written by my theater mate, Krista.
There were a few scenes we needed to shoot in the forest, including one at a waterfall where the Aswang performed their rituals.
Then, by coincidence, a friend of mine — Carlos Yao — invited me to join him for a nature trip. He said he would take me to a waterfall. The timing couldn’t have been better for our film project. I immediately informed my actors to pack their things because we would be shooting at Mt. Balagbag in Rodriguez, Rizal. Everyone was thrilled! We left Malabon at 6:00 a.m.
Here’s our route:
From Monumento to Balintawak
From Balintawak, we took a jeep to Nova Bayan
From Nova Bayan, another jeep to Tungko
From Tungko, one more jeep to Licao-Licao — and that’s where the trek began.
This is the "Licao Falls" Locals called this as Otso Falls because of its form. Water falls on 20ft deep catch basin and the excess water flows in a bigger catch basin which is knee-deep only.
Entrance Fee is 10php. There is a fee because they maintain the trail to the falls. The entrance is at "Itakan" At si ate Mary Anne ang nagbabantay dun. Sa ilang beses ko na sa Balabag naging kaibigan ko na siya at ang anak niya at c kuya bert na asawa niya. Its like 30 minutes walk from the jump off after the semented segment.
Photo Taken by Alynna Delgado Dec 2012 visit
The Mt. Balagbag Adventure never ends.
Since our visit here was memorable. Few friends and I decided to do a charity work in here. We had encountered few students of Rodriguez Elementary School along the trail. We interviewed one student and we were touched by his story because he needs to walk for two hours from his home to go to school. He has no money for food at ang sabi niya may pagkaen naman daw sa school pakaen ng mga foreigner. Which we found out that the school was sponsored by a Korean Charity. We visited the school and interviewed teachers there. There were 8 teachers in that school (Year 2010) and 200+ students from grade 1 to grade 6. One of the teacher shared to us different stories of her students. And it made us plan a gift giving.
To raise fund we had organized a choir for a "Christmas Caroling". The money that was collected were spent to buy school supplies.We also collected clothes, toys and goodies. Since the budget is limited we can only cater 150 students. We advised the teachers to choose the most deserving students.
Photos by ELSIE LIMON
To pay the hard work of the group. In our own expense we rented the resort in the middle of the mountain.The Balagbag Resort. Kuya Bert is the care taker of this resort a good friend na rin since ilang beses na ako sa Mt. Balagbag Hindi na mabilang. Its my home kasi even my birthday eh dito ko sinelebrate.
Balagbag Resort is very cheap. Always ko tong ni-rerent when i am visiting Balagbag at maganda ang city lights kapag gabi para kang nasa Las Vegas overseeing Manila. May generator avail dito for 300 per night but you have to bring your own gasoline. One liter of gas is good for 3 to 4 hours to light up the resort. You just need to pay the kubo for 200php and per is 100php. This is from 6pm to 12 noon. Sobrang sulit sainyo pa ung infinity pool..!!!!!If you want to rent contact kuya bert on this # 09272309378- Updated September 2013
Marami pang sumunod na visit dito. Dito lang nag start ang lahat lahat...!!!!!!!!
There are four different falls in Balagbag. Licao Falls, Bathtub Falls, Unexplored Falls at south foot of Balagbag and to the next mountain behind Balagbag the biggest falls named "Maranat Falls" - The twin falls
