Drum beatings and trumpets sounds filled the air while we were trudging the rocky pathway to our first destination. We got off in Norzagaray, Bulacan, our first stop for our Lakbay Norte 3 media tour after about a 2 hour ride via our Victory Liner bus passing through NLEX and a stop over in Petron gas station. To our surprise, it was a huge and heartwarming welcome from the locals of Bulacan, Bulacan LGU and the Bulacan CVB!
Bulacan is well-known for its caves, the most famous is the Biak na Bato National Park in San Miguel, Bulacan. Our first outdoor adventure was spelunking at Pinagrealan Cave or Kuweba ng Pinagrealan located in Brgy. Minuyan, Norzagaray, Bulacan. This subterranean network of caverns is a historical one. We’re told that during the Spanish colonial period, the Katipunero Revolutionaries used it as a camp in 1896. And during the Filipino-American War in 1898 it was also used as hideout of General Emilio Aguinaldo. It was also a sanctuary of the Japanese Imperial Army when the Philippines was liberated by American Forces. The Shrine is located inside the Ipo Dam Compound.
our cave guide
It was extremely dark inside and again, and although we’re reminded to carry flashlights and headlamps before our trip I forgot to bring one for our Pinagrealan Cave tour. Good thing our good tour guide was kind enough to let me use one of his headlamps otherwise, I might have stumbled inside the cave. We ended up soaked and wet because some areas have waist-deep waters. But we all enjoyed this activity, laughing and taking photos inside.
I was with the last group who went out because we tried the “harder” way out. It was uneasy because the path was narrow and I was having a hard time breathing. But when we finally made it outside and seeing the tempting foods served for us, we had a big smile on our faces! I especially like the kakanin or local delicacies they served us and the pabaon or pasulubong (especially the salabat) that they gave us.
The Pinagrealan Cave tour is an exciting and educational activity for a group of friends or the family. Cavers of all ages can appreciate the natural wonders of these underground chambers.You will be amazed by the many impressive formations created by nature through the centuries. A whole new underground world is waiting for you to discover at these caverns. Formations include stalactites, stalagmites, columns, draperies, columns, curtains, and flowstone. I just wish the local government and its people can protect it from vandalism for the benefit of future generations.
PTB friends Christian, Ed, James, Angel and Marcos (1st stop of the Lakbay Norte 3 bus)
How to get to Pinagrealan Cave in Norzagaray, Bulacan:
From Norzagaray town proper, ride a jeep bound to Brgy.Bigte. Just ask the driver to drop you off at the Bigte circle/rotonda. From Bigte rotonda, motorcycles cab be hired to take you to the entrance of Pinagrealan Cave.
For more information, please contact the Bulacan Provincial Youth, Sports, Employment, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office (PYSEACTO):
- email: [email protected]
- landline: +63 (44) 791-6604
*Special thanks to Bulacan CVB and LGU and Mayor Feliciano Legaspi for their hospitality.
For Victory Liner Schedules, please visit Victory Liner’s website : http://www.victoryliner.com/schedules/
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* Lakbay Norte 3 is an 8 day media familiarization tour of Northern Luzon Philippines organized by North Philippine Visitors Bureau in cooperation with Manila North Toll ways Corporation, Victory Liner, Mc Donalds, Petron and Universal Robina Corporation.
