Daranak Falls Resort in Tanay Rizal (Talon ng Daranak sa Tanay, Rizal)

My recent trip to Pagsanjan, Laguna was capped with a boat ride to the Pagsanjan Falls. Unfortunately, the view of the falls wasn’t that amazing as I thought it would be.

For more pictures of Pagsanjan Falls in Laguna, check out the photo gallery.

Senator Pia S. Cayetano has joined the campaign to boost the chances of the famed Tubbataha Reefs of Palawan in the ongoing worldwide search for the “New Seven Wonders of Nature.”

Cayetano, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, is urging all Filipinos to support the Tubbataha Reefs, the only Philippine natural wonder nominated to the worldwide on-line poll.

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The summit of Mount Arayat in Pampanga.

Mount Arayat is a dormant volcano with an area of 3, 715.28 hectares situated in Pampanga. Legend says it is the home of Mariang Sinukwan, a fairy who safeguard the mountain’s foliage and wildlife. At the foot of the mountain is Mt. Arayat National Park, a picnic site with lush foliage, natural waterfalls, two swimming pools, and a countless variety of unique and interesting flora and fauna. One would be delighted to experience the cool breeze, natural spring water that fall from the mountains. At this point, even without any infrastructure, busloads of foreign and local tourists regularly flock to several private resorts in Arayat, as well as the government-operated Mount Arayat National Park in Barangay Bano.

How to get to Mount Arayat.

From San Fernando, ride a jeep going to Arayat, Pampanga. The fare would be approximately Php 20.00/person. From Arayat town proper, hire a tricycle going to the resort, fare is only Php 40.00. Resort and park entrance fee is Php 30.00 for adults, Php20.00 for children. The swimming pools have an entrance fee of Php10.00/pool. Cottages can be rented for as low as Php60.00.

Explore Camiguin!

Camiguin is a Tropical Island Paradise in Asia and a sole combination of perfect beauty and old world charm. Often described as the most beautiful island in the Philippines. Camiguin’s insular is regarded as the Philippines’ Garden of Eden. With a reputedly beautiful volcanic island, complete with virgin jungle, exotic orchids and other flora, natural hot and cold springs, majestic waterfalls and black and white sand beaches. It is mainly volcanic in origin and is entirely made up of deposits attributed to its volcanoes. The highest peak in the island is Mt. Timpoong which rises 1,580 meters above sea level. Because of the island’s volcanic form, several hot sulfur springs and geothermal vents exist. Waterfalls thunder down into natural pools sorrounded by wild ferns and orchids. The island has a pristine lagoon, refreshing cold springs, invigorating hot springs and soothing, sparkling soda springs. During the third week of October, the townspeople rejoice and celebrate the famous Lanzones festival. The celebration pays tribute to the gratuity coming from the volcanic soil and the sweet and juicy lanzones fruit.

How to get to Camiguin Province.

To get to Camiguin, one has to travel one and a half hours from Cagayan de Oro City to Balingoan, Misamis Oriental, and take any of the hourly scheduled ferries across the channels of Mindanao Sea, which dock in either ports of Guinsiliban or Benoni. There is a regular sea and air transportation from Cebu to Camiguin and vice versa. Once in Camiguin, one can go around the 64-kilometer circumferential road in just one hour and a half time through public or private transportation

The Roaring Rapids of Pagsanjan.

In recent years, Pagsanjan has become the leading travel destination spots in the Philippines. About 700 tourists from all corners of the world visit Pagsanjan daily (reaches 1,000 on summers). The tourists are ferried to the enthralling Pagsanjan falls in native bancas paddled by expert boatmen. They all experience a exciting memory of adventure, seldom surpassed in their lifetime. It is on this return that one has to shoot the rapids … an unforgetable thrill of a lifetime.

Before reaching the gorgeous Pagsanjan falls, one may behold many mini-falls, especially during rainy days. The first of this mini-falls is the “Talahib falls”. Farther are the “Kaluykuy” falls and the misty “Bridal Veil falls”. The other mini-falls, numbering more than nineteen during rainy months, have no names. Pagsanjan Falls Lodge and Summer Resort is a major launching point for boat rides to the great falls…beginning where most other journeys end. The first resort built in this Laguna town of folk rites and sweet lanzones; it offers first class amenities in rustic surroundings.

Where is It?

About 102 kilometers southeast of Manila, the tranquility of Pagsanjan town is bounded by the Municipality of Lumban in the north, the Municipality of Cavinti in the south, the Grand Canyon of the province of Laguna in the east, and the municipalities of Sta. Cruz and Magdalena in the west.