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Rizal
Posted by Dave Ryan A. Buaron on Jul 22nd, 2009
Filed Under: Featured, Luzon, Rizal

Rizal
RIZAL TRAVEL GUIDE
 Why Not Go
 Why Go
 Best Time to Visit
 Where to Stay
 Where & What to Eat
 Nightlife
 To Do List
 Stay Away From
 Getting There
Right at the doorsteps of Manila and perched at the southern end of the
Sierra Madre, Rizal holds many secret natural and cultural treasures- from its
beautiful waterfalls and stunning rock formations, Spanish colonial churches
to thousands of years old artworks and a passionate dedication to arts- truly
a surprise treat for travelers who often overlook this wonder of a province.

J ust 20 kilometers east of Manila is the Province of Rizal – so close that it

is often dismissed by a lot if not most of the travelers as another surrogate to

the capital city. In part, this is true- for the cities and towns that are close to
the metropolis, one wonders where Manila ends and where the province of
Rizal begins as the outskirts of Rizal are heavily industrialized and
commercial in nature and seem to be an extension of Manila thus creating an
impression that Rizal has nothing to offer but just another industrial suburb
of Manila. And, man, that statement could have never been so absolutely
wrong.

Batlag Falls
Photo by Spumpie
Rizal began as a territory when the provinces of Tondo and Laguna were
created by the Spanish government with the towns of Pasig and Parañaque
(now part of Metro Manila), Taytay and Cainta- bustling towns during the
Spanish colonial era with a decidedly cosmopolitan mix already,
intermarriages between the Tagalogs, the Chinese and Arabs were prevalent
long before Spain came to colonize these shores. Encomiendas were
established with Moron (Morong), Passi (Pasig), Taitay (Taytay) and Tagui
(Taguig-now part of Metro Manila) under their respective jurisdictions under
the provinces of Tondo and La Laguna. In the succeeding years, further
political subdivisions were dissolved and created with the town of Morong
eventually becaming the capital of La Laguna and then later changed into a
Distrito Politico-Militar de Morong. During the tenure of the revolutionary
government of General Emilio Aguinaldo, who also served as the Philippines’
first Philippine President, Mariquina (Marikina) became the capital of the
Province of Manila.

After all these confusing fusions and dissections of Manila, on 11 June 1901
the province of Rizal (named after the Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal as
suggested by Dr. Trinidad Hermenegildo Pardo de Tavera- a creole and
derided as one of the first American “buttkissers”, who’s Parisian house at
one time received Jose Rizal and other prominent Filipino intellectuals and
revolutionists in Europe) was finally created by virtue of Act No. 137 by the
first Philippine Commission (was acting as the unicameral legislative body for
Luzon at that time) headed by United States of America President William
Howard Taft and composed of Commissioners Luke E. Wright, Henry C. Ide,
Bernard Moses and Dean C, Worcester during a meeting at the Pasig Catholic
Church and with 221 delegates in attendance through a heated debate.

Originally composed of 26 towns (most of which are now part of Metro

Manila), the former dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos by virtue of Presidential
Decree No. 824 took away the 12 towns of Rizal namely the towns of Las
Piñas, Makati, Taguig, Pateros, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Malabon, Navotas,
Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Pasig and Marikina to merge them with the newly-
created Metro Manila leaving Rizal with the remaining 14 towns.
Right now, Rizal is bordered by Metro Manila to the west, with the impressive
rugged mountains of Sierra Madre and the province of Quezon to the east,
Bulacan to the north and the Laguna and the Laguna de Bay – one of the
largest freshwater basins in Asia-Pacific, to the south. This diverse geography
now plays host to a kaleidoscope of spectacular natural wonders. Although
struggling between sounding too cliché and its rather charmless concrete
view decks and an obvious but seemingly manageable trash situation, the
waterfalls of Hinulugang Taktak in Antipolo- a popular tourist destination for
Manila-folk in the past, is unarguably stunning in its own right and probably
the closest waterfall you can ever get to from Manila. There is a minimal
entrance fee, one can reach it by a tricycle and it is pretty close to the
important pilgrimage church of Antipolo – the Antipolo Domed Cathedral. The
cathedral is home to Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (brought to
Antipolo on November 26, 1626 by Archbishop Michael O’Doherty) whose
apparent miraculous image sailed back and forth between Manila and
Acapulco eight times- not an easy feat since the waters of the Pacific could
be treacherous and unforgiving to the galleons with the oceanic storms,
pirate attacks and British and Dutch blockades eyeing to seize the
Philippines that time. Of course we now know that the British succeeded in
occupying Luzon from 1762-1764 (although Philippine History books seem to
skim through this bit of history). By the end of the occupation, British Indian
troops called the Sepoys mutinied and decided to live, intermarry with the
locals and settle in the town of Cainta, thus, it is not a wonder that you would
see descendants of people in Cainta have Indian facial features and there is
cuisine influenced by their Indian ancestry. During the Lenten Season, scores
of pilgrims and devotees flock to Antipolo Church, walking all the way from
Manila barefoot. Do not be surprised to see people around early morning
during the week of Easter walking barefoot on Manila’s main drag- EDSA,
chances are they are headed to Antipolo for this annual sojourn.
 Hinulugang Taktak, Antipolo
Photo by Dave Ryan Buaron

Aside from the newish-looking Antipolo Cathedral, Antipolo also boasts of

another very romantic looking church of Boso-boso (Nuestra Señora de la
Anunciata- Our Lady of the Annunciation) which was established as a church
mission by the Jesuits in the 17th century. The church was destroyed by an
earthquake on 18 June 1880, and almost got buried underwater when a dam
project in 1930 was proposed. The church was vacated. Fortunately the
project did not push through and the church was saved. While it narrowly
escaped by being drowned, the church was not immune to fire. It was burned
down in 1943 during the height of World War II and eventually turned into a
ruin. In 1995, its devotees finally rebuilt the church in its original state.
Antipolo is also known for its dramatic, sweeping views of the Manila skyline.
There are restaurants that sit on its ridges overlooking the sprawling
megalopolis we call Metro Manila. Pretty good views I say. During early
mornings, watch as the dawn breaks, watch the bed of clouds and fog creep
in and hug the ridges of Antipolo.

Other historically and architecturally significant churches would be the

churches of Baras, Tanay and Morong. The Saint Jerome Church of Morong
was built by Chinese artisians in 1615 with stone and mortars with the
distinct architecture that reflects Chinese touches on Baroque style as the
two Chinese lion sculptures stands guard at its entrance and the feng shui
symbolism of the octagonal bell tower. The church was also the site of a
fierce gun battle between the Filipino revolutionists Katipuneros and the
Spanish Guardia Civils during the latter part of the 19th century as its walls
bear pockmarks and bullet-scarring. The Tanay Church meanwhile boasts of
beautiful and ornate retablos (altars) and the 14 ‘Via Crucis’ or Stations of
the Cross curved in bas relief of wood. The church was the first that was
made of stone in Tanay and was first built in 1680 in what is now the present
location of Tanay Park. The current church was rebuilt in 1773 and
completed ten years later. Tanay Church is the best example of early
Renaissance Architecture in the Philippines and is famed for being one of the
very few churches in the country that features Rococo Artwork, a popular
style during the 18th Century characterized by curves and goldleaf. Saint
Joseph Church of Baras, another fine example of Baroque Architecture,
meanwhile was built in 1686 and like the churches of Boso-boso, Tanay, and
Morong have the same romantic feel. The altar and its lectern were
constructed with stones that were unearthed beneath the site of the church.
 Daranak Falls
Photo by Spumpie

Aside from the more famous Hinulugang Taktak, Rizal also has another two
beautiful waterfalls- Daranak Falls and Batlag Falls of Tanay. Daranak is
owned by the provincial government of Rizal and there is a minimal fee of
PhP20 per person to enter, and compared with the Hinulugang Taktak in
Antipolo is a little bit cleaner. During the rainy season, these two falls gush
ebullient cascades of water which is made quite mesmerizing by the fact that
these beautiful waterfalls are so close to Manila! Batlag Falls (Entrance fee-
PhP50 per person), which is further up from Daranak and is privately owned
by the Felix Family (and reportedly Philippine boxer Manny Pacquiao offered
to buy the entire estate for PhP90 Million- the family refused) is even better
and even cleaner than Daranak. Batlag Falls is actually composed by two
waterfalls each looking like a bridal veil. Both falls were refreshing and
beautiful although it is constantly being threatened by the stupidity of some
of its visitors – since picnicking is allowed, some visitors are insensitive and
dumb enough to leave some of their trash around. Good thing the trash
situation at these waterfalls is manageable and hopefully it will not reach
alarming levels. At Batlag Falls we even saw someone etched their name on
one of the stones! I wish that the local government of Rizal and the town of
Tanay would do something to preserve the beauty of these places – which
incidentally are used frequently by Filipino filmmakers to shoot some of its
fight scenes. For fans of Philippine Cinema, are you familiar with the requisite
scene where our hero jumps off from the top of the waterfall? You guessed it
right, it was all filmed here. There are some small huts available for rent, but
the main falls area of Daranak itself closes at 5PM. In Taytay, there is a
smaller and apparently harder to reach waterfall, the Tres Escalon Waterfalls
as well as the Maharlika Falls.
 Mount Masungi Rock Formations, Tanay
Photo from Official Website of the Provincial Government of Rizal

For mountaineers or just fans of beautiful rock formations, one is stunned by

the numerous colossal rock formations of Mount Masungi covering hundreds
of hectares. In some areas, at certain times of the year, with the right angle
of sunlight and viewed from the top, the formations looked like tall spires of
orangey-colored rocks that look like a fusion of the limestone karsts of
Palawan and the vermillion colored rocks of the Grand Canyon of the United
States of America. At the very least, the formations are an impressive sight
to behold that seemingly go on for miles with its spiky tops poking through
its thick vegetation. The Masungi Park and the Daraetan River of Tanay
which are both located at the Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges are a hiker’s
paradise with their countless caves (check out the newly-opened Sungib
Cave with an apparently navigable river inside) and natural springs. The
Daraetan River, awarded as one of the cleanest rivers in the Philippines and
where Tanay River originates, has splendid naturally sculptured marble
formations that look like they have been chiseled or blasted by a machine
(sometimes known as Tinipak na Bato – Chiseled Rock) – a favored place for
fans of 4×4 drive and trekkers. You may find caverns in this area where you
can enter and paddle a canoe if you wish to go exploring (find a reliable local
to guide you in this case).

For spelunking fans, Calinawan Cave is spelunking fastfood – quick, easy and
value-added. Used to be a meeting place of Katipuneros of the region where
differences were talked over and threshed out (thus Calinawan – “to make
clear”) and subsequently became one of the staging posts of Philippine
revolutionists against the Spaniards, Americans and the Japanese occupiers.
Sadly, some idiots have vandalized the walls of this cave with graffiti (Yes,
we now know your name is Ken!), it is not too late though if the locals in the
area start cleaning up the walls and preserving the area. A guide is required
for a minimal fee- you may buy candles from the small store outside the
cave or you may just bring your torch/flashlight with you. The spelunking
takes probably about 20 minutes maximum and with the slippery mud, you
may want to take appropriate footwear with you, a helmet won’t be so bad
either.

Whilst in Tanay, you may want to visit the former Philippine President Joseph
Estrada’s rest house which is now converted into a museum and some sort of
a zoo. The former President was overthrown during massive protests in the
wake of failed impeachment proceedings against the former President’s
alleged involvement in the illegal numbers game called jueteng in 2001.
Estrada was then placed under what was then called “rest house arrest” in
his 15 hectare property in Tanay where he was detained for 6 and a half
years. There’s a vegetable garden and a menagerie of ducks, pigs, chickens,
horses, swans and ostriches as well as an old chapel and a Muslim-inspired
pavilion called the Maranao Village where he entertained guests. He also had
a marble tomb constructed for his future use. There is a minimal entrance
fee required.

Meanwhile in the town of Rodriguez (formerly called Montalban) you would

be able to find Mountain of White Rocks (two white rock mountains of
boulders with a very steep gorge in between) that look like a mountain split
into two. According to a famous Philippine legend, mythical strong man
Bernardo Carpio had an extraordinary strength, strong enough to split the
mountain in his time. On the Montalban Gorge, white rocks and boulders are
scattered along the river banks. Also found in Rodriguez is the Pamitinan
Cave, an important historical site where Andres Bonifacio, the founder of the
revolutionary group Katipunan along with 8 other Katipuneros declared
independence from Spain in 12 April 1895, a year before the Philippine
revolution officially started. The cave still bears the Bonifacio inscription:
“Viva La Independencia Filipinas”.

The town of Cardona on the other hand plays host to an interesting

geological site, the Cardona Rock Garden- big boulders of rocks cascading.
Cardona also serves a jump-off point to the dagger-shaped Talim Island in
Laguna de Bay.

Between the Angono and Binangonan boundary, National Artist, acclaimed

muralist and Angono native Carlos “Botong” Francisco discovered 127
drawings of animal and human figures engraved in the rock surface along
with fragments of earthenware, shells and obsidian flakes carbon dated to
circa 3000 B.C. and what has come to be known as the Angono Petroglyphs,
a cultural heritage site certified by the National Museum (there is a branch of
the National Museum onsite). The site was discovered in 1965 and the
Angono Petroglyphs represent the oldest known Filipino relic and artwork.
The Angono Petroglyphs have been included in the World Inventory of Rock
Art under the support of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO), International Centre for the Study of the
Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) and International
Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and declared as a National
Cultural Treasure by virtue of Presidential Decree 260 and in 1996, it was
nominated as one of the ‘100 Most Endangered Sites of the World’ under the
World Monument Watch List. Entrance is free, and the site is just before the
swanky Thunderbird Resort, there is a small sign that says Angono
Petroglyphs, turn right and you will see an old warehouse, follow the dirt
road to the right and then when you see the tunnel drilled through a
mountain, you may either walk straight through it or ride a tricycle or you
may drive your car.
 Angono Petroglyphs
Photo by Dave Ryan Buaron

With the discovery of the ancient drawings, the town of Angono solidified its
reputation of being the Cradle of Philippine Art. Angono is a proud home to
artist families where a visit to the Blanco Family Museum (Ibañez
Street/+63.926.6730805/[email protected]) on Angono Town is a
must- whose museum houses the paintings of the entire family from the
youngest (7 Children- all painters) to the patriarch of the family. Some of the
paintings can be so detailed that they almost look like photographs and their
recurring themes are the travels of the family as well as the pastoral scenes
of Angono and Laguna de Bay. Unfortunately some of these paintings were
stolen and have yet to be found. Indeed, the museum is extraordinary in how
so much talent can be found in just a single family. Museum Hours- : 9-11am,
1-5pm everyday with minimal fee which includes a guided tour. Another
must visit place in Angono is the old, and preserved studio of famed
Philippine muralist and National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco (The Second
Gallery, Doña Aurora
Street/+63.917.9531104/www.secondgallery.blogspot.com) who was known
for his historical pieces and being one of the first Filipino modernists along
with Victorio C. Edades and Galo Ocampo (known as the Triumvirate
amongst the local art circles) – a rebellion from another National Artist
Fernando Amorsolo which is more known for his romanticist works of
Philippine scenes. His works include the Bayanihan, Blood Compact, First
Mass at Limasawa, The Martyrdom of Rizal, Magpupukot, Fiesta, The Invasion
of Limahong, Muslim Bethrotal, Sandugo and Portrait of Purita. These murals
have been replicated in bas reliefs on the street where the former master
lived. Botong Francisco’s grandson Totong, a visual artist in his own right
now maintains a gallery of his own attached to his gramps’ restored studio.
Buzz in, they are usually open even during Sundays, entrance is free. A visit
to Angono would not be complete without dropping by Toti Argana’s
workplace on Manila East Road corner Don Benito Street. Argana is a known
Higante maker- giant papier mache human figures that are usually paraded
around town during the Higantes Festival celebrated every November 23rd.
 A Happy Carabao, Blanco Family Museum
Photo by Dave Ryan Buaron

Why Not Go
Rizal does not have any white sandy beaches as the only shoreline that it
has is found along the coast of Laguna de Bay.
Why Go
Perfect for quick weekend getaways, Rizal offers a good number of natural,
cultural and historical attractions. Most likely you will be the only foreigner
traipsing in its waterfalls as this province is pretty much shunned by most
Filipino and foreign travelers- for whatever reason, your guess is as good as
mine. Hey, even a certain “well-established” travel guide skipped the entire
province altogether!

Best Time to Visit

The best time to go and check Rizal is during the drier months and during
the summer months, however, rainy season is the best time to check out the
waterfalls as there should be more water and the waterfalls will be lovelier.
Check the local weather with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical &
Astronomical Services Administration (www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph) for weather
forecasts.

Where to Stay

Save up to 75% on hotels in Philippines

There are a lot of places to stay in Rizal from budget inns to posh resorts.
Our personal favorite would be Thunderbird Resorts
(http://www.thunderbirdresorts.com/info/philippines/en/resorts.rizal.aspx) on
the boundaries of Binangonan and Angono towns and about 45 minute drive
from Manila. The resort is a swanky retreat perched 210 feet above sea level
with spectacular and panoramic views of one of the largest lake in Southeast
Asia. Currently its international hotel has 43 beautifully appointed rooms,
themed restaurants (Vegas Buffet, Pool Bar, Cabana Bar and Nueva Laguna-
the only Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in the area) and of course for the
region’s high rollers- their very own playground- an international casino. The
resort also offers access to an 18-hole, all-weather, championship golf course
designed by the renowned developer IMG.

Thunderbird Resorts, Binangonan

Photo credit Thunderbird Resorts

What we love about the rooms- they are just spacious, and tastefully
decorated with subtle Filipino touches and the view from the balcony on the
second floor is just gorgeous (one can see as far away as the cities and
towns down on the other side of Laguna de Bay). Just be careful with the
balcony door latches, we were almost locked out of our room when the latch
locked from the inside.
Ryan: One of the managers of Thunderbird Resorts told me yesterday (3rd
August 2009) that he will have the Engineering Team looked into the
problem of the room in question and will have the matters resolved as soon
as possible.

Thunderbird Resorts are very close to the Angono Petroglyphs and about 10-
15 minutes away from the main town of Angono which is famed for its art
scene and the Higantest Festival.

For other budgets, you may want to check out the hotels in Antipolo (it is
better that you base yourselves there as it is pretty convenient to launch
trips to other parts of Rizal through Antipolo).

Where & What to Eat

There are a lot of places to eat in Rizal and a wide variety too. The most
popular probably would be the Sanrok sa Kamalig Restaurant and Function
House (691- 5647) in Morong and its branch in Tanay- Basnigan sa Kamalig
Seafood & Saro-saro sa Kamalig Restaurant (639-0403/654- 4822), all
located along the highway and a very convenient stop-over for travelers
around Rizal especially those checking out the sights of Morong and Tanay.
The restaurant specializes in yummy Filipino dishes with Asian cuisine
techniques like its own versions of Bulalo (cow’s bone marrow soup with
vegetables), Bicol Express (pork in spicy coconut milk) and many others. The
restaurant is owned by Mr. Raffy Reyes, himself one of the active civic and
church leaders in Tanay and is also considering in promoting Tanay as a
tourist destination in its own right. It was also through Mr. Reyes’ and his
daughter, my friend Carina’s assistance that we were able to go around and
see the beautiful sights of Tanay by lending us their pickup and the services
of their very knowledgeable driver who filled us in with the bits and pieces of
trivia about Tanay.

In Angono, Balaw Balaw (651 0110) stands out. It doubles as a restaurant

that specializes in exotic cuisine and an art gallery at the same time. Balaw
Balaw refers to fermented shrimp paste mixed with rice gruel and angkak, a
reddish herb. The restaurant serves deer meat, frogs’ legs, python adobo-
style, and duck adobo. The restaurant used to serve wild boar until the
Environment Department called its attention.

The Pool Bar of Thunderbird Resort has a pretty damn excellent view of the
gorgeous Laguna de Bay, the golf course and the mountainside. Try their
Thunder Burger, their own take on the classic favorite. They are open
weekdays from 10AM to 10PM and 8AM-12MN during weekends and
holidays. Sizzling off-the grill specialties every Thursday from 6PM to 10PM
until Sundays from 11AM to 12MN.

Other stuff that you should not miss in Rizal? Cashews of Antipolo City (you
can get them outside Antipolo Church in a covered court area) and of course,
the popular fried itik (duck).

Nightlife
Rizal nightlife is best enjoyed in the ridges of Antipolo viewing Manila from a
distance. Due to its close proximity to Manila, Rizal has wide array of
entertainment from the resorts that dot the province. Others might prefer
camping out in Daraetan River if you plan to rough it out.

My to do List
1. Take a dip at the Daranak and Batlag Falls.*
2. Check out the churches of Tanay, Baras, Morong and Antipolo.**
3. Do spelunking at Calinawan and Sungib Caves.**
4. Trek the Daraetan River, navigate the caverns and check out Tinipak na
Bato.*
5. Try Rizal’s fried itik.*
6. Visit the museums of Angono.**
7. Marvel at the 5000 year old Angono Petroglyphs.*
8. See the rock formations of Mount Masungi.*
9. Have a drink at one of Antipolo viewpoints and see the lights of Manila
from the distance.**
10. Take in the beautiful scenery of Laguna de Bay.*
* – Highly Recommended
**- Recommended by Locals

Saro-Saro sa Kamalig, Tanay

Photo by Dave Ryan Buaron

Stay Away From

1. Mosquitoes! – just bring bug repellent to be sure
2. Dust Mites. – bring Lysol with you, if you think the hotel room is oldish and
not cleaned properly.
3. UV rays – Apply ample sun protection and sunglasses. Ilocos can be pretty
humid and searing hot when the sun is out.
4. Dehydration- bring and drink heaps of water!

Getting There
There are jeepneys plying from Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong that go
through the different towns of Rizal- whether Antipolo, Morong, Angono,
Tanay and others. Travel time should be around 45 minutes and an hour
depending on the traffic situation and your final destination (Tanay takes
about 2 hours by jeepney and costs about PhP50-55 Pesos). There are
jeepneys between towns, so it wouldn’t be too hard getting to different
towns. For those with private vehicles, the most convenient way is get a road
map of Rizal beforehand. The locals are generally helpful in pointing you to
the places that you need to go. To go through the waterfalls of Tanay and
other areas, you may rent a tricycle to take you and back (PhP400 from
Tanay Town Proper to Daranak Falls and back) which is a little too pricey,
and a bit unreliable. There are rarely any tricycles coming from Daranak.
Your best bet is to take a car or van if you want get off and head towards the
unbeaten path. Some roads can be pretty bad- like the one going to
Calinawan Cave (there are nary any street signs at all and there are a lot of
twists and turns in an area with very thick undergrowth. You may want to
check with a local before heading out there. Rizal on its own doesn’t have
very convenient tourist information centers- you have better chances of
knowing a particular tourist spot by asking tricycle or jeepney drivers in the
area which we practically did.
When the daily grind of the city begins to weigh down on
you, it's always nice to take a step back and appreciate
nature. Just a quick hour and a half from Quezon City is
Tanay, Rizal, home of the Masungi Georeserve.
Masungi comes from the word “masungki”, which means
“spiked”. This is fitting as one of the prime attractions of
this reserve is a 10 kilometer spine of limestone
formations.
The 1,500+ hectare reserve is a haven for a variety of
flora and fauna and a fun adventure spot for hikers and
ecotourists. Every Tuesday to Saturday, at either 7:30
am or 1:00 pm, thrill-seekers can take the 3-4 hour hike
around the huge georeserve.
Some sights to be seen are: Tatay and Nanay, two
limestone peaks, Yungib ni Ruben, a cave to seek
shelter from the hot sun, and Sapot, a web where you
can lie down and view Laguna de Bay.
However, keeping Masungi safe for all the wildlife in it
has been an uphill battle. “The georeserve is an area we
have been protecting for over fifteen years now. Having
to deal with a myriad of illegal loggers, quarries, and
others, it has been a challenge, but ultimately a
meaningful and fulfilling one. Today, we are excited to
share our love for the place with you. We hope that you
see something special in it like we did.”

Masungi Georeserve
Kilometer 45, Marcos Highway, Rizal, Philippines
E-mail: [email protected]
Facebook: masungigeoreserve
Website: www.masungigeoreserve.com
Instagram: masungigeoreserve
Reservations (Book Here)
Conservation fee is P1000/person (Feb-March 2016), a
price increase of P1400/person (April onwards) for a
group of 7-10 persons.
How to Get There: (from the website)
The Masungi Georeserve is located along the scenic
road of Marcos Highway. It takes approximately 1-1.5
hour from Quezon City, Metro Manila to reach the area
by car transport.
A minimum of seven and maximum of ten people are the
best number of people to hike. The hike lasts about 3-4
hours that can be shortened or lengthened depending on
your preference.
The best months to go are during the dry seasons from
November to April.
The tour is only entertained through private group
bookings. ( Book Online )
The conservation fee is P1000/person (Feb-March
2016), a price increase of P1400/person (April onwards)
for a group of 7-10 persons.
Tip: Book early, we heard they are fully booked till April.
The tour will start at discovery trail, where we will go
through the conservation area and come up close with
the karst terrain.
A park ranger will accompany you throughout the
reserve. We like how they teach us about important
environmental facts that give us a deeper understanding
of the area.
Filipino is the national language while English is also an
option. :)
(Karst Terrain: A landscape formed from the dissolution
of soluble rocks such as limestones. It is characterized
by underground drainage systems with sinkholes and
caves.)
A guest kit is provided with a backpack, whistle,
binoculars, helmet and refreshments.
The first spot which is also our favorite is
the Sapot (web).
The web-style viewing platform is pretty sturdy with a
spectacular view of Laguna de Bay.
It's also the best part for picture taking, we suggest you
take your time here. :)
The trail is pretty easy with a path of rocks and concrete
blocks to help you navigate easily in the area.
But there are still a lot of ups and downs...
going inside caves...
And part of the experience is, of course, climbing the
hanging bridges.
Encounter and learn about the wildlife and plant species.
We were taught that you shouldn't throw trash inside a
sinkhole because it could be a primary source of spring
water.
A mock-up charcoal pit was set-up to show us one of the
problems being faced by the conservation.
One of many cave formations is Yungib ni Ruben part of
the karst landscape, it served as a cooling and rest area
for the team.
Ditse, a beautiful garden full of cacti and other flora and
fauna.

First of the tallest peak is Tatay, a tall rock formation

composed of rocks piled up on top of one another.
We enjoyed a complimentary fresh calamansi (Philippine
lemon) juice and a sandwhich at one of the rock peaks.
More climbing...
Walk across the Duyan, it's a huge hammock made of
white rope and is a perfect place to relax and take in the
beautiful scenery.
More bridges to cross
even a beautiful air house.
The second peak Nanay features five limestone rock
peaks interconnected by bridges.
Travel Tips:
-Water (provided by tour)
-Wear anything that can protect you from the sun
(sunblock, sunglasses)
-Backpack (provided by tour)
-Casual, lightweight, & comfortable clothing
-Non-slip, closed shoes
-Towel
-Extra clothes
-Eat a heavy meal
-Bring a wide lens camera to capture the sites fully
-Bring your family or barkada for a more memorable hike
:)
Overall, we love the Masungi Georeserve, their initiative
to conserve and educate the people about our forest
We advise kids 13 years and above to participate for
safety reasons, it's a great place to bring your family,
friends and fellow beginner hikers for a unique and fun
experience just hours away from the city.

Masungi Georeserve
Kilometer 45, Marcos Highway, Rizal, Philippines
E-mail: [email protected]
Facebook: masungigeoreserve
Website: www.masungigeoreserve.com
Instagram: masungigeoreserve
Reservations (Book Here)
Conservation fee is P1000/person (Feb-March 2016), a
price increase of P1400/person (April onwards) for a
group of 7-10 persons.

Live an Awesome Life,

Abi, Boom, Sheila, Nico and Sean
Team Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: Our trekking adventure was courtesy of the
Masungi Georeserve. Read Our Awesome Planet
Complete Disclosure Policy here.

THE CONSERVATION POLICIES

The wildlife in the area has called this place
their home far before we reached it. The
simple policies below makes sure that respect
for all living things is upheld and that it
remains to be enjoyable for everyone
involved:
• Absolutely no littering allowed.
• The park is strictly a no-smoking zone.
• Boisterous noise is not permitted.
• No picking of flora, fauna, rock samples
without permission from the park.
• Should you be fortunate to encounter
wildlife, do not feed or touch the animals.
The management has the the responsibility to
enforce the policies, and impose penalties.

OPERATING INFORMATION
•Trail Visits: Trail visits must be booked in
advance (at least three days ahead of the
visit). This requires a minimum deposit. Walkins
are not allowed.
•Group Size & Conservation Fees: 7-10
persons per group; PHP 1,000.00 per person
•Trail Inclusions: A dedicated park ranger,
guest kit, and refreshments are included.
•Days and Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 7:30
am or 1:30 pm. The trip lasts for 3-4 hours
depending on the group’s pace and stamina.
•Operating details are subject to change
without prior notice.

“Take a quiet walk with Mother Nature. It will nurture your

mind, body and soul.”

Tucked in the dense rainforests of Rizal is a well-protected sanctuary

that makes an ideal setting for communing with nature. Masungi
Georeserve, whose name was derived from the word “masungki”
meaning “spiked”, is a conservation area and a rustic rock garden
painted with scenic views and limestone landscapes. Though the
georeserve only opened its doors to visitors last December 2015, it has
long been protected and maintained for over 15 years and counting.

From being under the constant threat of illegal logging, mining and
quarrying activities in the late 90s up to the committed reforestation
and rehabilitation efforts today, Masungi Georeserve has grown to be
an exemplar of environmental protection and conservation.The vast
1,500+ hectares of land serves as an avenue to share the love for
nature, sustainable development and geotourism with guests and
surrounding communities.

The Masungi Discovery Trail

Masungi Georeserve stands out with its 10-kilometer spine of
limestone formations nestled in a variety of flora and fauna. Guests are
allowed to go through the conservation area and come up close to the
karst terrain via the Discovery Trail – a 3 to 4 hour hike full of rock
scrambling, rope climbing, bridge crossing and sightseeing. The trail
may seem easy with all the rock and concrete blocks built to cover the
area. It’s not a mere walk in the park though as there’s still a lot of
challenging ups and downs in the trail.

Aside from its prime attractions, the Masungi Discovery Trail also offers
an informative tour addressing ecological relevance of Masungi and
providing a deeper understanding of the area. You’ll learn about
various plant species and wildlife – and a chance to encounter them –
along the hike. Knowledgeable park rangers will show and lead the
way, sharing facts about the georeserve, its key features and
inhabitants from time to time. Making loud noises – shouting, howling,
the likes – isn’t allowed so as not to scare or disturb the wildlife living
within the area. Masungi Georeserve, with its natural flora,
compelling highlights and picturesque landscape, lets guests commune
with nature and reenergize themselves while taking in the pleasures of
the hike. But that doesn’t mean you won’t sweat. The Discovery Trail
will lead visitors to its challenging elements that would test one’s
presence of mind, balance and fear of heights.

Par
t of the trail’s rocky terrain; some parts are more narrow and challenging.
Sapot
Thick steel cable wires were connected and shaped to form a giant
web-like structure over a cluster of limestones. Sapot was built to
prevent damage of the rocks underneath while offering a 360-degree
view of the surrounding area, including the Laguna de Bay on one side
and the great Sierra Madre mountain range on the opposite.

Ou
r group enjoying the heat of the sun at the giant web.

Ditse
The area is enclosed with an existing cactus garden and holds a cavern
with a stone-paved monkey on its floor. It is said that monkeys stay in
this cave to keep cool when it’s hot.

Rig
ht under that cavern is a spot to take shade from the sun.

Patak
This ‘air house’ got its name from its shape, which resembles a
raindrop. Patak sits on a rope bridge, suspended high above an
abundant greenery to give a nice view of the cactus garden below.
 Th
ey didn’t call it a tree house because it’s not sitting on trees, but is rather suspended in the
air. Photo by Erik Cajulis

Duyan
This giant hammock made of white braided ropes is an
iconic installation in the georeserve, conveniently connecting one side
of the mountain to the other. Duyan is a great place to just relax and
chill out with friends while enjoying the company of mother nature.
 Chi
lling out or getting roasted?

Yungib ni Ruben
An eerie cave formation in a karst landscape, Yungib ni Ruben was
discovered by one of Masungi’s workers, hence, the name. The cave
lets visitors get up close with its fantastic characteristics or simply take
shelter from the sun.
 Lig
ht peeps inside the cave coming from rock holes at the top. Photo from
www.masungigeoreserve.com

Tatay
The natural sculpture and formation of Tatay stands the tallest among
the other peaks. A heap of big rocks shape this peak, which boasts a
spectacular view of the landscape.
 A
view of Tatay, the tallest peak in the georeserve, from the platform of Nanay Photo by Erik
Cajulis

Nanay
Nanay may be a bit short compared to the tallest peak, but it sure
offers an impressive scene complete with big boulders of rocks piled on
one side of the peak.
 Na
nay is obviously smaller than Tatay but has its own unique characteristics. Photo by Erik Cajulis

Hanging Bridge
There are several bridges within the georeserve, but this one
suspended at the end part of the trail is the longest one. The hanging
bridge is made of steel cables structured together to form a stable
pathway up in the air.
 Lo
ng bridge crossing high up in the air – Masungi Georeserve Experience

Liwasan
An area for meditation and relaxation prior to the final ascent back to
the visitor sheds, Liwasan also serves as a birdbath for birds to cool
down.
 Th
e muddy color isn’t from mud but comes from the flooring. Photo from
www.masungigeoreserve.com

Must-Know Before Visiting Masungi

Before actually going to Masungi, it is important to make a private
booking first. All guests are required to reserve a slot at least four (4)
days prior to their visit. WALK-INS ARE NOT ALLOWED.

Masungi Tour Schedule

Tour is available from Tuesday to Sunday. Time schedules is
either 7:30am or 1:30 pm, with only a limited number of persons
allowed per day.
Masungi Trail Fees
The conservation fee is at P1,000/person for Feb-March and
P1,400/person from April onwards, for groups of 7-13 persons. The fee
includes a guest kit for the trail, park ranger guide, complimentary
snack and refreshments. Guests are required to settle half the price of
the total fee before the date of their visit.

Getting There and Other Travel Info

Going to the georeserve is a winding yet scenic car ride along Marcos
Highway. It’s advisable to bring your own vehicle, preferably a four-
wheel drive for efficiency, due to the lengthy distances through rough,
curving and steep roads. Masungi can be accessed from Garden
Cottages (address below) at the right side of the road right after
Foremost Farms and Palo Alto, coming from Metro Manila.

What to Wear
For the attire, it’s best to wear casual, lightweight and comfortable
clothing, and a pair of non-slip closed shoes. You’ll be walking under
the sun’s heat at certain times so you’d want to feel as comfy and
relaxed as possible. Also, the whole trail is composed of sharp rocks
and limestone formations that can cause injuries and bruises if not
wearing the proper footwear.
Essential Things to Bring:
 Water (included on the tour package)
 Sunblock
 Sunglasses
 Towel
 Extra Shirt
 Trail Food
 Camera

Rig
ht there in the middle is Hari (resembling a king with a crown) where Masungi Georeserve’s
logo was derived from. Photo by Erik Cajulis
It is no surprise Masungi Georeserve’s getting the attention of both
hikers and nature enthusiasts. Like a secret that’s been told, this
outdoor sanctuary is the perfect place to be one with and appreciate
the beauty of Mother Nature while learning about geotourism and
environmental sustainability at the same time.

Masungi Georeserve
Location: Kilometer 45, Marcos Highway, Rizal, Philippines (inside the
vicinity of Garden Cottages)
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://masungigeoreserve.com
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