LIBSONG CAVE: THE HIDDEN DEPTHS OF SICALAO

LIBSONG CAVE: THE HIDDEN DEPTHS OF SICALAO

Sonnyboy Pacursa

Libsong Cave is the newest cave discovered and photographed by Explore LASAM, Cagayan—one of the six (6) caves found in Brgy. Sicalao, Lasam, Cagayan. It remains relatively unknown because it lies hidden in the heart of a limestone mountain and is difficult to access. Considered the deepest cave in Lasam, it drops through a chasm (depression) approximately 50 meters deep just to reach its entrance. This dramatic descent inspired its name—Libsong, an Ilocano word meaning “deep hole” or “chasm”, named by the first Aetas and locals who happened to get near the hole.

The main hole entrance to the right chamber of Libsong Cave 

To reach the cave’s mouth from the edge of the cliff, one must use a strong rope to descend. The walls surrounding the opening are nearly vertical, with an inclination of 90 degrees, making any unassisted descent extremely dangerous.

This is what Libsong Cave looks like from the outside 

Even from the outside, the cave exudes mystery. Bats swarm around its mouth, their screeches echoing through the forest, adding to the dramatic scene and atmosphere. Inside it, Libsong Cave divides into two main chambers—the left chamber and the right chamber.

Inside the right chamber of Libsong Cave 

The left chamber features delicate, dripping stalactites that are still in the early stages of formation, as this section is shorter than the right. From this chamber, a stream of cold, crystal-clear water flows  going into the right chamber. At the end of its passage lies a plunge pool, whose depth and water source remain unknown.

Examining the source of water from the left chamber

The right chamber extends roughly 200 meters and contains various speleothems such as draperies, flowstones, coralloids, dogtooth spars, helictites, stalagmites, and stalactites. A large dome marks this chamber, with its ceiling covered in dense clusters of stalactites and bat holes. Wildlife documented inside includes bats (kulippato, kurarapnit or panniki), huntsman spiders (lawwalawwa), eels (igat), snakes (uleg), lizards (alibut) and swiftlets (sallapingaw).

Flowstones and stalactites hang from the ceiling inside the cave

At the far end lies a wide plunge pool fed by a stream that connects back to the left chamber. The river’s outlet inside the cave remains undetermined, though it's believed that the water seeps out through the limestone cracks and exits toward the lower portions of the mountain.

You can't enter the cave from this opening

Although the cave was initially discovered by local Aetas, the Explore Lasam Team was the first to document it through photographs taken from the inside. The team first attempted to explore the cave on May 17, 2025, but had to retreat due to a lack of proper safety equipment. It wasn’t until June 29, 2025—which also marks the 29th cave explored by the team—that they successfully penetrated and documented the depths of Libsong Cave. 

Deeper into the right chamber where there is a plunge pool with unknown depth

All praise to God who made this extraordinary creation.

Cave stains such as iron or manganese due to mineral drips

This is the first known visit to the cave in relation to tourism and outdoor activity.

Examining the water's depth from the left chamber

Keep exploring!

The dangerous and precipitous entrance of Libsong Cave

Rediscovered, published and made known by Explore Lasam Team 

Extraordinary cave ceiling 

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