SICALAO FALLS, LASAM, CAGAYAN

HIDDEN ELEGANCE

Considered as the last ecological frontier of Lasam, Cagayan, discover the still undiscovered and hardly seen glamour of Sicalao teeming with exquisite wildlife hidden deep in the jungles. 

Life here is undisturbed, serene, tranquil and abundant; the kind of life we as humans are longing in perpetuity.

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EXPLORE THE BEAUTY OF SICALAO, LASAM

THE WAY TO THE LOST FALLS

The more than 800-hectare of the protected Fuyot Springs National Park in Ilagan, Isabela houses the lost, mystical waterfalls named Pinzal. On the average, it will need you to walk an hour or more to get the splash of the 20-meter cascading spring falls. Like Dora the Explorer's "Map", you need to pass several obstacles before reaching your destination. Somehow, your reward will be fantastic.

THE HANGING BRIDGE

A steel cable bridge hanging 10 meters above the huge trunk of trees, such as molave, mahogany, narra and ipil, this will lead you to the entrance of the Altar cave, so called because of its nearly perfect intricate designs ranging from a Holy Sto. Nino, an angel, a saint, and other religious shapes.

THE THICK FOREST

Sunlight hardly penetrate the forest floor due to the thickness of vegetation. Ferns, vines and epiphytes suffocate trees along the way. 

Traversing the forest, you will likely hear different chants of birds, monkeys howl, leaves whisper, and possibly a wild deer's bleat.

The canopy is home to birds of prey such as hawks, eagles and other raptors.

Don't forget to bring your amenities: water, flashlight, candies, compass, waterproof watch, among others.


THE CAVERN

Sta. Victoria cave system is known for its sparkling rocks, dripping stalactites and living limestone formations that change dramatically in a short time.

On the other end of the cave, a rocky forest road awaits your feet. Bring your hiking, waterproof shoes.

THE MAINSTREAM

If you're a novice hiker, a tour guide may help. They do not receive salary from LGU and they do their job voluntarily. Somehow, they may touch the generosity of your heart.

A kilometer of clear, alkaline spring water coming from the pinzal falls will bless your feet as you hike. There is no way not to get wet unless you back out. At some point, the water level will reach up to above the knees.

Mang Freddie Allauigan who accompanied me to the Pinzal falls was my tour guide. You can contact him at 09268766914. During the trek, we got hungry and we shared one piece of a bavarian Crossini at Pandolino. bring your rice if it does not bother you.

Live shrimp, forest crabs, bunog fish and edible snails, locally known as agurong and leddeg, fill up the stream undisturbed.

The native Dumagats and Agtas or the Aetas used to drink the alkaline spring water. It prevents cancer. Well, at some point, maybe because cancer cells thrive in an acidic environment.

My guide told me that this area was once a Japanese fortification. Many of them hid inside the cave to elude the Allies. If you are new to the area, you better hire a guide. Who knows you'll lose your way to enchantment?

Above a huge rock, I can clearly see how this squad enjoyed the cooling waters of  Pinzal as we went through our way with my guide.

THE VAST CORNFIELD

As far as the eye can see, all you see is corn. No wonder why Isabela Province is the corn capital of the Philippines.

Behind that mountain as you pass through the cornfields, you'll reach your destination: The falls.

THE MOUNTAINS

These rolling hills will be your last obstacles along your way. Still far from Pinzal, at least the picturesque will give you some relief of serenity, peace of mind, away from the stressful city life.

A solitary waiting shed awaits visitors to stop over on its shade. If you reach this mark, you're now halfway to the grand rapids.

You may opt to use bamboo rods as your walking stick so as to avoid being slipped into the muds and huge rocks along the way.

Climbing this slope, like the north face, is at last! ...the source of life! The falls.

THE PINZAL FALLS

Finally, Dora the Explorer's map has been exhausted. The timid falls teach us a lesson. A lesson that tells us to be humble and be contented for what nature could give us. For the one who loves nature, he will find this beautiful. It was again proven that beauty is not elegance. It's appreciation.

BIRD WATCHING

The Philippines, endowed with lush and rich tropical jungle boasts of several vertebrate species such as birds, only found in the country. Palawan, dubbed as the last frontier in the Philippines is being abused and exploited as human population spreads wide within forest boundaries. Now gaining the reputation as the "last of the last frontiers of the Philippines", the Sierra Madre mountain range in the Northern Philippines has been protected by laws for poachers, illegal hunters, miners and loggers.

Let us support conservation efforts!

The red turtle dove of the Philippines sits bashfully on a huge Tamarindus indica tree. We hope this will not become extinct like the dodo bird and the passenger pigeon. (Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park)

http://ibc.lynxeds.com/photo/red-turtle-dove-streptopelia-tranquebarica/perched-rock

ASIA'S SONGBIRD

The sweetest,  most calming tune yet does not come from divas. It comes from nature.
Long ago, God created nature paradise for humans. The paradise has been designed to last in eternity as humans shall live forever. But doom came in humanity as the first couple diverted ways away from God. Either way if we live that short or forever on earth full of stress, nature is still the best medicine for serenity.

Once the Philippine national bird until replaced by the Philippine eagle, this little songbird sings merrily but shyly, turning its back away from the camera. (Caraballo Mountains, Solano, Nueva Vizcaya)

SIERRA MADRE BIODIVERSITY

WILDERNESS -
Endemic to the Philippines, the Philippine oriole is found wildly in the thick forest of Sierra Madre, part of Ilagan, Isabela. This vast forestland located northeast of the Philippines is considered a national park by decrees, a protected land, under the management of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Let us all act to save the Earth now. Illegal logging, destructive mining, exploitation of natural resources contribute to the dwindling species of plants in animals. If we don't stop abusing mother nature, revenge will rage us all, and these beautiful creatures will soon pass to extinction our loving children will never see again.

Perching cautiously atop a gmelina tree in the heart of Sierra Madre, a Philippine oriole stands high keeping a panoramic view of its surrounding. (Ilagan Sanctuary)

ENDEMIC BIRDS OF LASAM, CAGAYAN

Cagayan Province is the most picturesque place in northern Philippines. It is also a center of rich biodiversity, both fauna and flora. With its mighty forests arching on its back, the northern Sierra Madre is yet to be the last frontier in the country to be explored. The province is therefore a haven for biologists, conservationists, spelunkers and travelling scientists.

The Philippine blue mountain bird (Sialia currucoides) perches hideous amid alibago leaves. Captured in the canopy forest of Bantay Kulian at Brgy. Malinta, Lasam, Cagayan, it was a living evidence that Cagayan Province possesses a place in biodiversity conservation.

CAMOUFLAGED

In life, most of the time we see clearly other people's small faults, weaknesses, failures and flaws without considering how big is the person's good side. Nobody's perfect. But understanding is the key to appreciate one's dark side. Don't force people to change. They will.

A juvenile short horned locust, sits prettily amid the greenery, avoiding predators. One wrong move, this little creature may turn into a meal.

THE RIVER KNOWS THIS: NO NEED TO HURRY. WE CAN GET THERE SOMEDAY

Even the river knows that in everything we have to accomplish, we need not to be in a hurry. Take it slowly and we can someday get there. Our vision is what makes us go further. Our hope is what makes us strong. And our faith is what makes us continue. Yet, God does not promise us an easy path but He assures us that He will direct our ways.

We may not be as successful as the way other people see us, but yes we are! If only we can see ourselves the way God sees us.

A remnant of a hermit crab shell, locally known as "komang" rests among the huge rocks that was part of the mountain range of Cordilleras (Ifugao - Isabela boundary).

FIND BEAUTY IN DISASTERS

We as humans are imperfect. We are continuously being bombarded by sins, problems and disasters. More often than not when under these circumstances, we often forget our refuge - the Lord God. We resort into solving such problems by our own understanding and limited capabilities. The book of 1 Thessalonians (Ch. 5 v. 17) teaches us to "pray at all times", so that whatever circumstances we are into, we can still see beauty from the aftermath of every catastrophe.

It's not actually the circumstances that make us sad, it is how we view them wrongly. Remember that in every worse thing that happens, there is still beauty concealed in it. See it instead. The brighter side. Appreciate it.

July 5, 2015 typhoon Egay hit northern Cagayan. It left a beautiful rainbow arching the hut of Tata Abat Cadoy of Malinta, Lasam, Cagayan. Not a common scene.

A FRIEND IS...

A Friend is...
Sonnyboy P. Pacursa, RPh.
 
Happy for those who cheer
Patient for those who care
Faithful for those who hear

Shameful for those who fear
Jealous for those who dare
Selfish for those who never share.

But for those who love,
a friend is FOREVER.

Yenyen and Maiah in Nanang's Garden, Malinta, Lasam, Cagayan

SECOND CHANCES, NEW BEGINNINGS

We are a human being. In our blood runs the immortal seed of failures and ordeals. We stumble upon, we fall back, then we rise again. And in that stumble, we'll find the real ones to count on. In that fall back, we'll find the only One to lean on and in that rising, we'll find our one life, never be the same again.

Second chances, new beginnings.

Our life.

When we stumble, we do not go back from the start but instead, we pick ourselves up then run again forward.

LOVE IS STILL TRUE EVEN IN THE FACE OF SAYING GOODBYE

A POEM - This is a story of a man who, over the years, has kept for a long, long time a photograph of his demised girlfriend. Whenever he sees the picture, it brings so much pain and melancholy, ripping his heart. Read the poem to continue the story. I have written it in my mother tongue. 

Sunset at Matabungcay Beach, 4:00PM

A SHOT OF APPRECIATION

A CLICK ON THE SHORE - There is beauty everywhere as long as you know appreciation. It is felt in the heart because most beautiful ones are not seen. They cannot be captured by the most sophisticated cameras. They  cannot be recorded by the most advanced camcorders.They cannot be photo-shopped by the most technological software. They cannot be drawn by the most famous artist of these times.

They can only be felt in the heart.

Maricaban Island, just northwest of Puerto Galera Beach in Mindoro is a haven for nature lovers. If you love nature, you'll find beauty everywhere. (The author is taking snap on the islands near Puerto Galera. It is visible in the island's southern part).

FORGET ABOUT SINGAPORE

RAINBOW AT NIGHT - This is not in Singapore nor in Hong Kong but the bright colorful shower of lights reminds us the 1997 historic turnover of Hong Kong back to China after 100 years of British colonization. So I never wondered one of my dad's stamp collection from HK bears the image of Queen Elizabeth!

Every Sundays, you'll see families around the Philippines gather here at Rizal Park, the largest and the most famous leisure park in the country. The park is as large as the country of Vatican City.

NEWEST ATTRACTION

NEXT CITY? - Lasam is considered as the rice granary of the entire Western Cagayan thus produces the most luscious and aromatic "tinupig", a variety of glutinous rice cake charred in a burning-hot coal. Though the second youngest town of Cagayan Province, its leap into progress is inevitable.
I remember back in 2003 when I was still in secondary, our municipal mayor said "BAKA AGBALINTO PAYEN A CITY TI LASAM!" (maybe Lasam will become a city sooner!), conceived from his slogan "oneness to progress".

Lasam Resort is the newest attraction in town. An Olympic-sized pool offers a two 8-meter high slide to quench your thirst to plunge. Kids won't be out of place with its kids-friendly smaller pool. Landscape, modernized and natural!

FROM THE NORTHERNMOST POINT OF LUZON ISLAND

STANDING NORTH - Right here from the rocky edge where I stand, is probably the point of Luzon Island where the North Pole is nearest to it!

 

The Lakay - Lakay Rock Formation is a group of ancient rocks extending into the open sea resembling an old man ("lakay" is the Iloco term) from afar.

On the other side of this rock is a steep, very deep ravine part of the sea where huge and relentless waves eternally banging the old man's body. The old man has curse so you better keep silent while having him a visit!

                           www.traveltothephilippines.com

THE SAPPHIRE SKY

ONE LAST SHOT - As we drive back to Manila, I was fascinated with the emerald-blue sky cuddling with the cumulo-stratus clouds blended by the autumn-hued sunset. A perfect mix in the sky. The scene attracts my appreciation.

Greetings from the coast of Claveria, the cleanest and greenest town of Region II (Cagayan Valley, Philippines). Or should I say the cleanest, the greenest and the bluest?

THE CROC SWALLOWING THE SUN

BITING THE SUN - The silhouette of a giant crocodile seems fiercely tearing  the Midas sun into half as it sets. The scene is a common picturesque on that part of Babuyan Channel,  merging the potentially resource-rich South China sea on the west and the deep, blue Pacific ocean on the east.

THE WORLD'S TINIEST VOLCANO

A VISTA FROM ATOP - From the view deck of Potter's Ridge Hotel along Cavite-Batangas Highway, Tagaytay City, the panoramic view of Taal, the world's smallest volcano deserves an amateur shot.

The dormant volcano is sitting silently amid a freshwater lake. It has not erupted for long centuries that its large crater collected rainwater to form another lake, thus the monicker "A LAKE WITHIN A LAKE". So bizarre!

THE LOST PARADISE

RUSHING WATERS FROM A VOLCANO - This stream water cascades directly from the mountains of Banahaw. Its peak is an extinct volcano of long ago.

Whooshing downwards will lead to Liliw Resort, Laguna. The province is endowed with myriads of hot springs coming from the mountains of Banahaw, Makiling and some parts of Sierra Madre, the largest range in the Philippines. Though the province is hot spring-laden, the resort features a chain and series of mini falls with clear, running very cold water!

NO FALL IN BATAAN: JUST SUMMER

BRILLIANT SEASHORE SAILS - Colorful sailing boats pile up along the beaches of Morong, Bataan, a peninsular province surrounded by the prominent-sunset-endowed Manila Bay in the east and the rich but disputed South China Sea in the west.
April 9, 1942 was the "FALL OF BATAAN" to the Japanese Imperial Army during WWII. But April is not a fall but summer.

After about two-hour driving from Metro Manila, you'll find the non-murky and calm waters of Morong Beach. The water is very peculiar! At night, the water is hot, very suitable for night swimming. At moonlight, you can see the bottom of the sea. It's clear below.

THE LAND OF SMILING BEAUTY

CAGAYAN PROVINCE - TRIVIA
Cagayan is the northernmost part of Luzon mainland. Predominantly Ilocano, Itawes, Ybanag and Agtas (traditional tribesmen, yes still here they are!) thrive on its vast plains bounded by the mighty ranges of Sierra Madre  and Cordilleras to the east and west respectively. On the central of the plain snakes the enormous Cagayan river. It is where its namesake was derived. "Carayan", which means river in Ilocano dialect was later transformed to Cagayan, the land of smiling beauty. Topographically and economically, it does not lag behind other provinces in the country. The province is thus unique. (Below, the unspoiled coast of Claveria).

Listed below are just some of the spectacular and rarely or never-heard facts about Cagayan.

• The first and oldest humans in the country (Homo erectus) lived in Cagayan caves and plains, far older than the Tabon cavemen in Palawan.
• Fossils of mammoths, mastodon and other prehistoric creatures have been excavated in Callao Caves, the only known place in the country where they roamed long ago. (Remember the Ice Age when Luzon was still connected to Eurasia).
  
 

• The oldest catholic bell (the Sancta Maria forged in 1595) in the entire  Far East of the globe, just outside Europe can be found in the town of Camalaniugan, Cagayan.
• CNN lists Palaui Island located in its northeastern tip among the top 10 best beaches in the world, the only in Southeast Asia.
• Magapit  Bridge is the first and the oldest suspension bridge in Asia. It traverses the central part of Cagayan river.

                                         

• Tuguegarao, its capital city is also the regional capital of Cagayan Valley (Region II).
• Cagayan is the "Game Fishing Capital" of the Philippines due to the abundance of sailfish, swordfish, dolphins and other big catch within its waters.
• Cagayan, with Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Viscaya and Batanes collectively known as Cagayan Valley, is the "Tilapia Capital" of the Philippines.
• It is the 3rd largest province in terms of land area behind Palawan and Isabela.
• The largest and probably the last untouched, virgin forests in the country lie on the Sierra Madre de Cagayan.
  

• Ludong, a rare fish species sold at P5,000/kg is endemic only to the Philippines and can only be found in Cagayan river. Nowhere else.
• Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) is the largest port in northern Luzon and considered as the "Gateway to East Asia".
• Nueva Segovia (now Lallo, Cagayan) was among the three oldest dioceses in the Philippines created in 1595 during the Spanish Period (Nueva Caceres de Naga and Cebu being the other two).

So much for this. You will have plenty of never-heard real facts if you visit the place this summer.
P.S. It has more than 6 volcanoes. Some are submarine! (Sonnyboy P. Pacursa)