The Pinay Solo Backpacker

The province of  Laguna abounds with majestic falls, the most famous is  Pagsanjan Falls and perhaps the next is Buruwisan Falls. One common misconception is that Buruwisan is found in Famy but it’s actually located in Mt. Romelo which is part of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges under Siniloan along with 4 other falls.

Sunday morning, just one of my ordinary weekend off, I packed my small backpack and slipped on my new travel buddy –>my new Dupe slippers! Hopped in a bus off to Sta Cruz , Laguna which takes roughly 4 hours.

Then at St. Cruz bus terminal, I crossed the street and took a jeep to Siniloan passing by the other beautiful towns of Laguna like Pagsanjan, Lumban, Kalayaan, Paete, Pali and Pakil.

San Pedro de Alcantara Church in Pakil, Laguna

Then at Siniloan a kid driving his tricycle offered to take me to the jump-off point in Famy for Php70.  I agreed as I know it’s gonna be a pretty long ride and I always have sympathy for those who are working at an early age.  (Going back I learned that the tricycle rate is : Php 60 to the jump-off point or Php 10 per person).

At the jump-off point in Brgy. Macatad, Famy, there’s a small street leading to the barangay.  I got lost when I followed it. A woman asked me where I’m headed and directed me back to what seems like a small canal.  I stumbled upon a kid wearing a torn shorts, a black boots and holding a bolo, he’s playing with his lil brother when i asked him for the direction towards the falls.  The kid smiled and said, ” I can guide you there.” But because I arrived past noon already and I don’t plan on camping overnight, we will only be able to get to 1 falls, which is the famous Buruwisan Falls.  The trek takes 2-3 hours one way and he gave me a cheap rate of Php 300, adult “legal” guides cost Php 600 he said.  Altough my guide is a timid boy, he is very helpful, he offered to carry my bag, I refused at first but because I was so tired, I had to let him carry it for me.  Never mind the labor law, it’s a Sunday anyway, there’s no class, let the kid trek while earning.

my guide is patiently waiting for the slow me

For  those who doesn’t want to trek  & for those who have heavy  backpacks and gears, horses are available for rent,  that’s aside from the guide,  just ask the locals.

horses for rent

We passed by a small kubo where visitors needs to register their name and pay Php 20 each. This is required just in case somebody gets lost.  Visitors can hire a guide there.

I was lucky that the land is dry so I didn’t experience walking with mud all over my feet & being bitten by leeches.  From what I read, it’s just an easy trek  that’s why it’s a famous site for neophyte mountaineers…but not for me!

My guide said that I don’t have to buy drinks or food because there’s a store along the way.. only to find out they’re closed!

Some parts of  the trail were  already developed to make the climb easier

I was really mesmerized by the view…

I met some travelers along the way

it’s overlooking the rest of the  Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges..

the evergreen mountains  beneath the skies…

the lush vegetation…

the grassy trail…

and colorful dragonflies .

After  1 hour & 15 minutes of trekking without food and water, I made it at the campsite! It’s located on top of the falls with a couple of stores run by the locals. I was so thirsty and hungry but there’s no rice or ulam, I thought they we’re selling one when I saw pancit bihon being served to a group of guys. But then I they told me, “Pinaluto” lang po yan. The store owner was kind enough to give me one full plate for free which I shared with my guide.

The locals at Siniloan are pretty nice and accommodating, and thus, it’s not right to abuse them by leaving your trashes anywhere like some campers do. We should all be responsible for our environment.

After satisfying my tummy.  My guide together with another kid guide we met at the campsite then lead me to the falls  just below the campsite.

The path down is slippery and  full of roots  of huge trees and rocks  so be extra careful. I even slipped but good thing I was able to hold on to one of the roots otherwise, if I fell, the other kid guide below me will fall as well.

But once you made it down,  you’ll be rewarded with a majestic view of the falls…

the clear cold water…

and its lush vegetation.

a river leading to another falls

There’s no people at the falls when we got there, just me  and the 2 kid guides, they just left and headed to the other falls.  It’s nice to have a conversation with the 2 kids, the other kid is already a father at the tender age of 15. He stopped studying, and just like in some remote sitio in the country, they told me its just normal for the kids  in their barrio  not to finish college or even high school.  He then borrowed my digicam and started to play with it and saw the pictures of my sister at the mall.  Both of them haven’t been to the city yet, so they’re impressed to see the pictures of it while I was in so much awe with the beauty around me at that time. I guess  just like most of us , the 2 kids are getting tired of the routine, and there comes a point that you wanted to explore what’s out there, it’s not a really a sin just never forget your roots.

the bridge to the Mountaineers stop over to clean myself before going back

How to Get to Buruwisan Falls:

You have 2 options to go to Famy & Sinoloan, Laguna.

via Rizal province at the other side of Laguna de Bay

You can ride Raymond bus that’s bound to Antipolo and ask the driver to drop you off at the jump-off point to Buruwisan which is Famy.

Via South Luzon Express way to Sinoloan Laguna

If u are living near Cubao, there is a HM transit terminal near the Victory liner terminal near the overpass. And if you are near Taft, there is a Greenstar and HM transit terminal bound to Sta. Cruz, Laguna in Buendia. Or you can also take a Raymond buss going to Infanta-Real Quezon, just ask the driver to drop you off at the jump-off point in Famy, Laguna. If you are near Alabang, there are many buses that passes by fronting Metropolis.

Then from Sta. Cruz bus terminal, cross the road and you can just take the jeep that passess by going to Sinoloan.

At Siniloan town, you just take a tricycle ride from the poblacion going to the drop point in Brgy. Macatad in Famy,just tell the driver you are going to Buruwisan falls. The fare is only ten pesos per head. Special trip is Php 60-70.

Jeeps going back to Manila is open till 7:30pm. And the bus from Sta. Cruz going to Manila or Cubao is open till 8 – 8:30pm.

Tips :

Bring food and enough water!

The trail is muddy and slippery during the rainy season

Be responsible for you own garbage and don’t use soap for washing or bathing at the river.

Going back, you can clean yourself up at the Mountaineers stop over for Php 10.

Be nice and polite. Greet or smile at  the locals you meet along the way. That’s the least we can do to thank them for preserving the majestic falls and their environment.

Aside from trekking, rappelling is also one great activity you can do at the falls. University of the Philippines Mountaineers (UPM) offer such guideship services and may be contacted at their website.

Pinay solo backpacker wants to thank her kid  guide.

@ Buruwisan falls

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2010 Gael Hilotin

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