Travel: Tanay – Calinawan Cave (05/25/2013)

(This is the first part in a series of five entries for Tanay – Daraitan)

Climbing mountains is always fun. You get to leave the hassle and bustle of the Metro and get the opportunity to breathe fresh air and drink clean water. You also get the chance to know your workmates more. You also get to interact with locals, know their food and customs. Lastly, you also meet and greet fellow climbers and adventure seekers.

Geof, Jovie and Lester

Larry, Thomas (Me) and Jomer

Meet the Gang

Jovie and Lester are from Supply Chain Manufacturing, now Supply Chain – Midrange

Geof, Larry and I are from Supply Chain Logistics, now Supply Chain – Mainframe

Jomer is part of the Supply Chain – WISE project.

Essentials / Must Bring

My Travel Backpack

1. Backpack and waterproofing equipment

2. 2L-3L Water and 1.5L energy drink (for cooking and drinking, potable water source is during the 2^nd day at Tinipak River)

3. Insect Repellent Lotion / Sun block

4. Lightweight clothes / trekking clothes preferably long-sleeved as there are blade grasses along the trail

5. Tents

6. Camera

7. Flashlight / Headlamps (for spelunking / night time)

8. Utensils / Cook set / Kitchen ware / Butane canister

9. Food for dinner, breakfast and lunch

10. Trail food (nuts, M&Ms and the like)

11. First Aid Kit

Start of the Journey

Our journey started at Junction Area in Rizal where the team started to gather and then bought supplies for the two-day adventure. We then rode a jeepney to Tanay which took about 2 – 3 hours of travel. Upon reaching Tanay, we ate our lunch before we depart for Calinawan cave. Lunch was a sumptuous meal and only cost us about 50 pesos each. Geof even got the chance to sing at a videoke booth.

Chow Time

Geof – Mr. One Voice

After lunch we hired 2 tricycles (3 person each) to get us to Calinawan and then Daraitan proper. Part of the trike trip is bumpy but what compensates for this is the scenery. A view of vast rice fields and the occasional sight of Laguna de bay on one side and the Sierra Madre range on the other is breathtaking.

Our Trike

Good road, Good Scenery

Bumpy Road

The cave

Calinawan, which is an underground cave system, is dry and is relatively short in terms of length. Flashlights and head lamps are a necessity to traverse it.

Cave Entrance

The cave is usually chosen as a shoot location for various movie and television series due to its relative proximity to Manila. Unfortunately, the production crew of these big network companies destroyed part of the cave system. They placed glitters / “silver dust” at some of the stalactites and stalagmites to make them appear shinier. Also, they placed wooden structures along the way. I hope they would not alter the cave system in their next productions.

Skylight / Chamber light

The Cave and the Team

The cave is not in its pristine condition anymore. Nevertheless, the local community started to impose rules and regulations so that what’s left of Calinawan remains intact.

RA 9072 – Cave Conservation Code

Another attraction near Calinawan cave is Daranak Falls where you can take a refreshing dip after. We did not go to the falls but instead went to Daraitan Proper ask we plan to reach its peak before sun down.