Last April 2, 2016, we went back to Tanay to explore the beauty of this province. The place may be underrated when it comes to tourism but it really amazed me when I did some research on what to expect in touring the province. They may not have the fine white sand beaches, but this place has more to offer for intrepid travelers.
Few days before the trip, we have prepared an itinerary.
CALINAWAN CAVE
The Calinawan Cave is situated in Brgy. Tandang Kutyo, Tanay Rizal, and serves as the venue for historical event where Filipino Katipuneros agreed to revolt against Spanish rule. Fittingly, the Tagalog word “linaw,” which means clarity, embodies the purpose served by the place during a crucial moment in our history (the Visayan word "kalinawan" means "peace" suits very well too). The Hill where the cave is located is called Rawang, which have been a stronghold of Filipino resistance fighters against the colonizers. Exploring the cave will take about 30 minutes of walking through narrow passages and ducking/crouching for low ceilings. The cave has five levels which can be explored inside.
The Calinawan Cave of Tanay, Rizal will provide a spectacular experience inspired by the view of bountiful natural rock and mineral formations which can attract tourists and adventurers. The very step of its dark claustrophobic corridors gives a thrilling feeling. For spelunking enthusiasts, Calinawan also offers a treat. It is a true gem within the mountains of this nature-favored town.
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| The starting point of Calinawan Cave exploration |
The cave is a private property of the Piging-Matalino group and it is one of the attractions of Tanay. Amid the late 1800's it turned into a safehouse of the Katipuneros where they strategized against the Spanish forces. It additionally serves as a home for the Tanayans amid the World War 2. Nowadays, it was made acclaimed by the nearby and remote film and TV chiefs and makers where they shot a few scenes for their fantasy themed program. Among those are "Dyesebel", "Lobo", "Buhawi Jack" and the Vic Sotto motion picture "Enteng Kabisote". Latest is FPJ's Ang Probinsyano ABS-CBN 2016 teleserye by Coco Martin. Jackie Chan was one of the foreign artist who took some scenes at the caverns of Calinawan.
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| Entrance of Calinawan Cave. |
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| Before entering Calinawan cave |
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| Before starting the cave exploration, everybody is required to register their names and pay 20php for the entrance fee. |
From Tanay public market, we rode a tricycle going to Calinawan cave which cost us 50php per head. At first I thought the price was too high for a 15-minute ride. But as we go on, I realized that the 200php they earned for the trip is not enough for the tricycle's maintenance cost. The road going to Calinawan is unpaved and rocky.
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| Photo taken in the tricycle while going to Calinawan cave |
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| Unpaved and rocky road going to Calinawan |
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| Brief orientation about house rules in exploring the cave |
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| Natural grotto. This is the last phase of visibility. |
Exploring the cave doesn't require technical skill or special skills as the trail are generally easy. It's just like walking inside a dark pathways. There's a big space for human to walk through. It is required to accompany a group by a guide. The guide fee is 200php for a group of 10 persons.
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| Bringing your own headlamp would be better |
They will provide you flashlights but it would be better if you provide yours since at some phases in the cave is already zero visibility. They limit the time interval to 10 minutes before they allow the following guest to come in the cave.
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| Inside the cave |
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| Heart shaped rock formation. Can you see it? :) |
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| Prepared to be mesmerized by amazing rock formations |
The management prohibited to touch the stalactites and stalagmites. These are rock formation that looks like shining crystals. The rock has the tendency to die when touched or disturbed and it took about thousand of years before regenerating back to its original beauty. Let us just follow the simple rules so the next generation of travellers after us would also enjoy its beauty.
The tour inside the cave will only took you 20-30 minutes. For those craving for more adventure, the guide may also tour you at the cave's level 3, 4, and 5. At these levels, crawling in the holes must be done, those are the trails which seldom explored. Bat houses are also located in those levels.
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| Near Calinawan cave's exit |
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| Photo captured before exiting the cave |
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| Exit hole of Calinawan cave |
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| Outside Calinawan cave |
After the cave exploration, the locals heard that we're heading to Daranak falls. They offered us water trekking in Calinawan riverside which we agreed without thinking twice. If you're not that adventurous type of traveler, you may also opt to ride a tricycle going to Daranak falls for only 50php per head.
CALINAWAN RIVERSIDE
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| Going down to Calinawan riverside |
Expenses would be the same whether we ride a tricycle or water trek going to Daranak falls. A guide is required to cross Calinawan riverside. Guide fee is 300php. Trek will only took about 30 minutes including picture taking.
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| Before water trekking |
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| Calinawan riverside |
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| Large rock ahead |
There are locals residing along the way going to Daranak. We also encountered young kids enjoying the cold waters of the river.
The river is safe to cross and is only knee dipped. Our guide accompanied us until we found a vacant nipa hut cottage at Batlag Falls.
BATLAG FALLS
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| Cool and clear water of Batlag falls |
Further up from Daranak Falls is its sister upstream, Batlag Falls. Set in a thick woods, with adjacent tables and houses, this waterfall is determined to an exceptional rock development, with the water taking after its unusual forms. This takeoff from the traditional photo of a waterfall, combined with its more peaceful setting, makes Batlag Falls an incredible sight.
Batlag falls is located just above the Daranak falls. The only way going up to Batlag falls is passing through Daranak which means you have to pay both the entrance fees which is 50php for Daranak and 100php for Batlag.
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| We took this picture after swimming |
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| Hanging bridge going to Daranak falls |
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| Registration area |
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| Friendly reminders |
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| Swimming area at the main falls of Daranak |
We are supposed to take our lunch at Daranak falls but since the place is too crowded, we decided to stay longer at Batlag falls.
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| Registration area for Batlag falls |
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| Rates for Batlag falls |
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| Store at the back of Batlag's registration area |
There's no store at Batlag falls since the place is a privately owned so make sure you've got everything you need before going up to Batlag.
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| Paved trek to Batlag falls |
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| Wooden hanging bridge going to Batlag's cottages |
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| Lunch time |
Much the same as the zone around Daranak Falls there are various shallow, turquoise-hued pools along the stream prompting the falls. There are two falls here actually, lying adjoining each other. The littler falls has a more profound catch bowl at 15 feet while the more extensive pool at the primary falls is shallow to around 5 feet.
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| Turquoise-hued pools |
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| Littler falls |
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| Second part of the falls with 15 feet deep waters |
Don't worry if you can't swim. They have these rubber inflatables for rent so you could enjoy the clear cool waters of 15 feet deep falls. Rent is only 50php but we haggled it to 20php. HAHA.
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| Waist-deep |
Batlag falls is less crowded than Daranak. However, Daranak has wider swimming area.
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| Enjoying the falls |
Batlag is less developed compared to Daranak. Comfort rooms doesn't have sufficient water supply. It only has one shower to share for everyone. We just wash our faces and change our clothes.
DARANAK FALLS
Daranak falls came from the phrase “Dadanak ang dugo”. It's directly translated “the spilling of blood” It is located at Bgy. Tandang Kutyo in the town of Tanay.
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| Daranak Falls |
Tourist Information
Entrance Fee: P50.00 (Children below 3ft. are free of charge)
Picnic Shed: P300
Picnic Table: P200
Operation Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8AM to 5PM
Additional Reminder: In compliance with Municipal Ordinance #2 Series of 2005, PLASTIC and/or STYROFORE ARE NOT PERMISSIBLE in Daranak Falls. Further, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES and PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED.
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| The crowd visiting the area last April 2, 2016 |
After our refreshing swimming and picture taking at Batlag falls, we proceed at Daranak falls for some pictorial. The swimming area is very crowded since we visited at weekend.
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| At the main falls of Daranak |
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| Other side of Daranak falls' swimming area |
Rubber inflatables are also for rent like in Batlag falls, it's 50 pesos for unlimited time use. If you can't swim, I highly recommend to rent an inflatables to enjoy the cool waters.
We were on a rush since it's already 5 o'clock in the afternoon. We still have Pililla Windfarm and Parola lighthouse in our itinerary.PILILLA WINDFARM
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| Pililla Windmills |
Pililla windfarm is about 30-minute drive from Daranak falls. Along the way, you'll passed by an overview of Laguna de Bay. We stopped for a some photo ops.
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| Short stopover for some pictorial in overview of Laguna de Bay |
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| Overview of Laguna de Bay along the way going to Pililla windfarm |
In December 2008, Alternergy Philippine Holdings Corporation (APHC) was awarded by the Department of Energy (DOE) the exclusive right to develop wind power projects in 3 locations: Pililla in Rizal, Abra de Ilog in Occidental Mindoro, and Kalayaan, Laguna. These locations were among those identified under the Philippine Wind Atlas as potential sites for wind farms due to good to excellent wind resources. APHC was subsequently awarded additional wind energy service contracts in 3 other locations in 2009. APHC is committed to implement the wind projects if the wind measurements and site specific studies demonstrate that the power plants are commercially viable.
The project consists of 27 wind turbine generators grouped into three clusters with aggregate capacity of 67.5 megawatts (MW). The said project, after completion will interconnect to Meralco’s Malaya-Teresa 115 kilovolts (KV) transmission line located just 10 kilometers from the project site.
We arrived at Pililla Windfarm before 5:30pm. The area is open to public and has no entrance fee. We went up the hill to have a closer shot of the windmills.
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| Going uphill |
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| At the top of the hill |
Feel the cold breeze at the top of the hill. There are these Aoleander, a tall bush with lance-shaped leaves which always seems to be in flower.
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| Enjoying the cold breeze uphill |
At the bottom of the hill near the parking area has variety stores selling meriendas and souvenirs. Locals have these pen holder miniature of windmills for only 100php, available in varnish-coated and plain white-coated.
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| Pen holder for only 100php. Larger size is 150php. |
Parola lighthouse is listed in our itinerary but since we don't have an internet to connect in an online map, we just decided to end the day and go back to Manila.
Good thing is we've already enjoyed the sunset at the top of the hill of the windfarm.
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| Fail jump shot. HAHA |
A huge thanks to our friend Lester for driving us all the way from Tanay to Manila. We contributed 100php/head for the gas for the whole day tour which is much more cheaper and more convenient compared to commuting.
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| Dinner at Savory |
Computing all of our expenses, we've spent:
713php for the wonderful places we've been is ain't bad at all. :)
If you don't have a private vehicle and prepared itinerary, you may also rent a tricycle for 1200php for touring around the province of Tanay. Tricycle capacity is up to 6 person. You don't have to worry if you don't have a prepared itinerary, let the tricycle drivers be your tour guide. They can bring you to Daraitan, Regina Rica, Parola Lighthouse, and other historical churches in Tanay. 1200php for 6 person is a good deal for they will tour you around the province for whole day. Please don't haggle because it's the only source of income of the locals of Tanay. People there are kind and very welcoming.
WHAT TO BRING?
1. Extra Clothes
2. Head lamp / flashlight
3. Toiletries
4. Towel
5. Slippers / sandals
6. Water
HOW TO GO TO TANAY, RIZAL?
There are vans and jeepneys plying from Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong, or in Sta. Lucia in Cainta, also in Antipolo that go through Tanay. Travel time is around 45 minutes and an hour (from Shaw Blvd.). For those with private vehicles, the most convenient way is get a road map of Rizal beforehand. To go through the waterfalls of Tanay and other tourist areas, you may visit the Tanay Tourism Office (or call 7361059) for information and assistance. Tanay Transportation Group (0998.9881590) has vans, tricycles or jeepneys located at the public market, that are available for rent to take you to your choice of destination and back.
Starmall Edsa Shaw
Tanay (FX) for P70. Terminal is near MRT Shaw/in front of Starmall EDSA.
Tanay (Jeep) for P53. Terminal is near Starmall EDSA.
EDSA Central Crossing
Tanay (FX) for P70. Terminal near Unilever/Mandaluyong Police Station
Tanay (Jeep) for P53. Terminal is near Unilever/Mandaluyong Police Station
EDSA Central/Parklea
Tanay (Jeep) for P53. Terminal is near Starmall EDSA.
Santolan (Marikina)
Tanay (FX) for P70. Terminal is near LRT Santolan Station.
From Crossing/United/EDSA Central
Tanay (Jeep) for P53. Terminal near Unilever/Mandaluyong Police Station.
From Araneta Center/Cubao
You can ride a jeepney going to Antipolo). Alight at Ynares Center then ride another jeep going to Tanay (fare is P28 – Antipolo-Tanay). Or from Cubao, ride a jeepney going to Cogeo then Cogeo to Sampaloc.
From Ortigas Center
You can ride a bus/mrt going to Shaw then take item 3/4 or ride a bus going to Taytay (G-Liner) from Robinson’s Galleria, alight at Cainta Junction (Big R as landmark) then ride a jeepney going to Tanay (P40-45 fare).
From Shaw blvd. (Starrmall)
In Shaw Blvd there is a RRCG bus going to Tanay (depends on the schedule).
ABOUT TANAY, RIZAL
Tanay is one of the thirteen (13) towns and one (1) component city that comprise the Province of Rizal. It is located in the eastern part of the province. It is becoming an extension of Manila’s urbanization along with the city of Antipolo, towns of Cainta, Angono, Taytay and Binangonan. It is about 54 kilometers away southeast of Manila and has a land area of 33,466 hectares.
