SICALAO, TI MAUDI A PARAISO

Iti Lasam, Cagayan

SICALAO, TI MAUDI A PARAISO

Ni SP Pacursa

AM-AMMO ti ili a Lasam a kas “sarusar ti akinlaud a Cagayan” saan laeng a gapu kadagiti inek-ektaria a kataltalonan daytoy no di ket gapu ta maysa ti ili a kas kangrunaan a paggapuan dagiti irik a maibibiahe manipud Cagayan a mapan kadagiti kabangibangna a probinsiya iti amianan a Luzon, Manila ken Bulacan a pakaipabayuan ken pakaiprosesuanna.

Iti laksid ti kinalawa dagiti kataltalonanna, awan ti mangipagarup nga iti lauden ti ili a bumdeng iti probinsya ti Apayao, iti puseg ti rumiet a kabakiran, adda aglemlemmeng a libnos ti nakaparsuaan- ti barangay Sicalao, ti maudi a paraiso.

Maysa a kannaway a madama agkaan kadagiti ararawansekto iti kataltalonan ti Sicalao.
Isu ti kadakkelan ken kaseksekan a barangay a sakupen ti Lasam ket addaan laeng iti 1,812 a populasion maibasar iti 2015 sensus. Naparaburan iti nabaknang a rekursos naturales. Parte daytoy ti nabileg a kabambantayan ti Cordillera. Malaksid iti Sierra Madre a naibalangat manipud iti probinsiya ti Quezon iti abagatan agpangato agingga iti amianan a daya iti Luzon, ti Cordillera ti addaan kalawaan a nabatbati pay a kabakiran iti intero a pagilian iti sakupna a 777,000 nga ektaria kas nairekord iti 2015 Forestry Statistics a datos ti DENR-FMB (Department of Environment and Natural Rosources-Forest Management Bureau). 

Dagiti primera klase a tarikayo a masarakan iti kabakiran ti Sicalao, Lasam.
Napuskol, nasamek ken makuna a birhen pay dagiti kabakiran ti Sicalao a pakasarakan pay laeng kadagiti primera klase a tarikayo kas iti narra, sagat, ipil ken kamuyaw. Naberde ti aglawlaw. Natayag dagiti bantayna a namsek iti nababaked a kaykayo nga immaruy-oyan dagiti agtatali a lanut ken orkidia. Mangngegan dita ti ariangga dagiti sunggo, nadumaduma nga uni dagiti tumatayab ken ti makatitileng a parasipis ken ayus dagiti babassit nga ubbog ken burayok nga isu ti ungto a paggapuan ti karayan Zinundungan a nangbeltak iti ili ti Lasam. Maysa daytoy a sanga (tributary) ti karayan Cagayan.

Maripar ti nadumaduma a klase ti tumatayab apaman a madanonmo ti bakrang ti kabambantayan ti Sicalao. (Agassawa a billit tuleng).
Agarup nasurok a sangapulo a kilometro no pagnaem manipud iti Sicalao-Peru Brgy. Road, iti seksek ti kabakiran, masarakan dagiti nakalemmeng a dissuor. Maysa kadagitoy ti maaw-awagan iti Sicalao Falls. Saanna nga opisyal a nagan daytoy ta manmano pay laeng iti nakadap-aw iti nasao a disso gapu iti kinawatiwat ken kinapeligrosona a danonen. Naapres ti pasaray umal-alinuno a danum-waig, nagalis dagiti nababaked ken natitirad a batbato a nakaptan ti lumot. Napuskol ken nasiit ti kasamonan a daliasatem ket kumpetka kadagiti agrungrungarong a ramramut ti kayo tapno masagpatmo dagiti nabato a bakras. Nadiskubre daytoy dagiti Aeta a mangnganup ken nagangayanna, nadanon dagiti legal nga atsero ken sumagmamano pay laeng a lokal nga agindeg.

Surotem ti desdes nga agpalaud ti arsadanan ti kabambantayan ti Cordillera iti ungto ti napegges a waig-bakir tapno magtengmo ti dissuor iti agarup tallo wenno uppat nga oras depende iti kapartakmo a magna.

Nababaked dagiti dalumpinas a batbato iti surong ti karayan Sicalao iti puseg ti kabakiran.

Limmakasa ken dalumpinasan dagiti malabsam a batekan ken dimmalem a batbato bayat ti panangsursormo iti karayan a nataraigidan kadagiti naamnut a way ken pakpako a napattopattokan ti anibong, bungro ti bulo, tanglar ken an-anito. Nalitnaw, nadalus ken nalamiis dagiti lipnok a pasaray pakakitaam ti salaksak a sumippayot ti pamigatna a bukto, buntiek wenno igat. Iti kinasin-aw ti danum, malnaagam dagiti aglalangoy a laglagsit.

Ti nagpaiduma ti marisna a salaksak a madama aguray iti pamigatna a dalag iti sikigan ti karayan.

Naulimek ti aglawlaw malaksid kadagiti uni ti nakaparsuaan. Nupay makapaal-al ken makapaskel ti luppo ti naunday a panagdaliasat, anian a nagngayed ti tunggal malabsam a buya ti nakaparsuaan. Pudno la unay a paraiso. Ket dagus met la ti pannakainanam no pumul-oy ti nabannayat nga amian a danggayan ti anasaas dagiti bulbulong bayat ti ikakarab-asmo iti rabaw ti maysa a dimmulang ti karakabna a bato iti igid ti waig. Malipatam ngarud a mamimpinsan ti bannogmo. Iti kasamekan, masirpatmo ti ubing pay a sinamar iti babaet dagiti aringgawis a kimmawiwitan dagiti kappa-kappa ken orkidia’t bakir. Agsasallapid met dagiti ar-aruy-oy iti ngatuen ti sapal dagiti nataengan a kayo. Kadarato nga iti sanga dagiti nangato ken duogan a kayo, madarimusmosam dagiti atap a tumatayab kas iti baratiktik, kakok wenno alimukeng. Adda pay abuyo. Nadumaduma ti maris dagiti billit-bakir.

Addada lumabaga, dumuyaw ken umasul-berde. Iti di unay adayo, maripar ti lapayagmo ti ungik ti burias ti alingo a kagiddato ti ungak ti agmaya nga ugsa iti asideg a kasamekan.

Kalpasan ti panangkalipkipmo kadagiti arisadsad ti bantay ken ti panangintarmo ti waig iti puseg ti kabakiran, maibaskag iti imatangmo ti agsangapulo a metro ti kangatona a dissoor. Maikkat ti bannogmo a masaprian ti nalamiis a parasipisna.

Naganas man ti agdigos iti nakalamlamiis a burayok ti nakaparsuaan.

Makakayaw met ti rikna ti bullalayaw a mainaw tunggal agsabat ti sinamar ken dagiti krimmistal a parsiak bayat iti panagtinnag ti danum manipud iti batbato iti ngatuen a paggapuanna. Kas man la malipatam ti amin a problemam ken susik ti biag iti ikikidemmo ket imasem a denggen ti dayyeng ti awan patinggana nga agus ken pitik ti biag ti nakaparsuaan. Iti aglawlaw ti dissoor, awan sarday ti panagpusuak dagiti babassit nga ubbog. Sumam-it a pumait ti raman ti danumna gapu kadagiti naibinggas a mineral nga aggapu iti bantay. Alkalino wenno saan nga asidiko ti danum dagiti ubbog ket naimbag ngarud para iti salun-at. Umanayen tapno pasalibukagenna ti namagaanen a karabukob.

 Naganas ti agdigos iti dissuor. Makapagin-awa ti lamiisna. Pukawenna ti laladut ken samsamuyengmo ‘ta ilutenna ti bagim a mangriing kadagiti ur-uratmo tapno naannayas ti panagtaray ti daram. Isublina ti pigsa a nabusbosmo iti nawatiwat a pannagnam ket maikkat a mamimpinsan ti stress nga inggapum pay laeng iti nariro unay a siudad. Makuna ngarud a ti pay laeng nakaparsuaan ti kasamayan nga agas para iti talinaay ti panunot.

Da Norly Lebantino ken ti gayyemna a ni Fred, dagiti mannaluad ti nakaparsuaan iti Sicalao.

Iti sabali pay a barikir, adda singin a dissuor. Napintas nupay nababbaba ngem iti immuna. Iti tengngana, adda dakkel a nailat-ong a bato nga isu ti nangpisi ti ayusna. Napalawlawan ti dissuor kadagiti bulo ket iti babaenna, naintar dagiti kimmunikon ti uggotna a pakpako ken aba-aba. Nataldiapak iti ‘di unay adayo ti agassawa a kalaw nga agkakaan kadagiti atap a bunga. Ngumisit ti marisda ken lumabaga ti ungto ti dakkel a sippitda. Anian a nagtalinaay ti pitik ti biag dagiti agindeg nga ayup iti kabakiran. Naruay. Namsekan. Natalna; ti klase ti biag a kalkalikaguman met ti tao iti unos ti intero a panagbiagna. Nakayubotan ti lanlanut dagiti natulid a nataengan ken nabisked a kaykayo a nagtubuan dagiti namaris nga uong, kudetdet, kuwwat ken laplapayag ti bao. Mangipasimudaag iti kinadalus ken kinabalanse ti ekosistema iti kabakiran. Makaay-ayo ti tunggal paset ti aglawlaw. Kasla arapaap laeng. Kataytayengtengan ti agmatuon ket makaawis ti yepyep ti samiweng dagiti kundidit ken ti dumanarudor a waig. Nagmayaten nga iyilad ti naktangan a bukot iti linong ti lamay a naap-apan ti bulong ti anahaw.

Ket iti panagdaliasatmi manen iti waig tapno agsublin nga agawid, bumalitok ti arinlennekenen nga init. Naiturong ti imatangko iti asideg ti agiina a papa (Philippine mallard duck) a madama agarusibsib kadagiti lasik, annak ti agatol wenno babassit nga agurong.

Pangen ti papa wenno wild duck (Philippine mallard duck). Naatap dagitoy.

Iti dalanmi, mangrugi metten nga aguni dagiti kuriat ken ania ditan a mangrabrabii nga insekto.

Awan naibati malaksid iti tugotmi ken awan naiyawid malaksid iti nakallalagip a padas tapno umaymi met duktalen ti nailemmeng a gameng ti nakaparsuan, ti ekolohikal a rupa ti lumaud a Lasam a naisaleksek iti sellang ti kabambantayan ti Cordillera.

Bassit ti pakakitaam ti panangabuso iti daytoy a lugar. Maiparit kano ti agtroso ditoy no awan ti permit wenno lisensiam nga aggapu iti gobyerno lokal kas kuna ni Norly "Bulldog" Lebantino, ti taga-Sicalao nga agtutubo a nangkuyog kaniak ken nagserbi a tour-guideko. Nupay dakkel ti potensiyal ti Sicalao tapno agbalin nga eco-tourism zone, saan pay a naan-anay ti pannakaduktalna ta adu pay a sulina ti nalabit saan pay a naas-asak ken nadiskubre uray dagiti Aeta ken dadduma pay nga agindeg sadiay. Sabali laeng ti agdindinamag nga “Abot” iti bangirenna a bantay nga asideg iti beddengna iti abagatan, ti ili a Santo Nino iti met laeng Cagayan. Ipasimudaagna ngarud iti kaadda ti rukib wenno kueba. ‘Di bumurong ta nabato ti kabambantayanna. Ket asino ti mangipagarup nga adda paraiso iti Lasam?

Wen. Adda nakailemmeng ket masapul ti andur ken anus tapno magtengmo dayta a paraiso. Kas iti Palawan nga isu ti “maudi a paraiso” (last frontier) iti Pilipinas, makunan a ti Sicalao ti maudi met a paraiso iti Lasam iti laksid ti kinaprogresibo ti ili iti tay-ak ti agrikultura. Adda ngarud iti ima dagiti Lasameňos a kas kaniak ti tulbek iti pannakasaluad daytoy a lugar tapno mataginayon ti saadna a kas maudi a paraiso. ‘Ta ti kinaagpaysona, saan tay’ a tinawid daytoy kadagiti appotayo no ‘di ket binulodtayo laeng kadagiti annaktayo ket rumbeng laeng a maisubli kadakuada nga awanan mulit, dadael ken pannakaabusona.
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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.

Open the link below for more:

https://sonnyboypacursa.blogspot.com/2023/12/sicalao-last-ecological-frontier-of.html?fbclid=IwAR05Aw7YcFH7hujnPD5D_D3EwJDdpDRHxXN1ri5WPQhwh60puEE8Q1rPHaU&m=1

#naturelessons
#SicalaoFalls
#Lasam

Click the photo to enlarge

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!

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