Strolling Around: Touring Tanay, Rizal

Not that far from the Metro, I asked my cousin to go with me to see what Tanay Rizal has to offer. I was happy to find another cave open for public that’s just a few hours jeepney away from Manila (my cousin and I first had Mysticall Cave in Antipolo years ago.)

I checked Google for possible places near Manila where I can have a less-than-a-thousand day trip. I ended up having lists of beaches, but beach bumming didn’t sound appealing at that time. I love the beach and one day wouldn’t be enough. Google also brought me to different galleries and museums, but my cousin was not much into arts. Until I finally hit the perfect place that suited our limited time, not to mention our budget.

Took the PUJ bound to Tanay Public Market for Php 58 per head at Starmall, Shaw along EDSA. Air conditioned van can also be an option for around Php 70. It was Saturday morning and it only took us an hour and a half to reach the PUJ/Van terminal at Tanay Public Market.

Tricycles were everywhere (and there’s even one patiently tailing our PUJ, eyeing for potential riders). Drivers were a bit assertive, but good thing they’re not that annoyingly persistent when you politely say no.

I read from different helpful blogs that for Php 400, we can already have a 6-hour half day tour via tricycle (3-4 passengers can fit inside). But that was in 2015. I was surprised to hear from Kuya Junjun that a package tour would cost us a thousand. Ooopsie, my wallet wasn’t loaded with contingency fund, that’s why it was a relief when he asked how much we can shell out and what places do we want to visit.

Initial places to see: Daranak falls, Daraitan falls Tinipak Rock Formation, Calinawan Cave/River, Regina RICA (Rosarii Institute for Contemplation in Asia), and Parola. But because we’re haggling, I just omitted the first three places and that’s for Php 500. I remembered San Idelfonso church and luckily it’s just within the vicinity. We dropped by there for a couple of minutes before heading to Parola.

Prior to this Tanay day-trip, I was imagining myself enjoying a long air conditioned bus ride to Bolinao, Pangasinan and finally get to see the Enchanted Cave and Bolinao light house (I was deprived to be mesmerized by the light house’s beauty on our Pangasinan trip *sigh*). But since cousin dear’s split rest day, Bolinao may not be a convenient option. So instead of Bolinao light house and Enchanted cave, we’ve got Parola and Calinawan cave instead.

Parola: powered by solar energy. View: top of Parola. Thanks to Kuya for unlocking the small gate. They keep it locked as to keep those children from reaching the top). It would have been better to have it as the last part of the trip to see the sunset, but we’re on a customized and discounted tour, so we allowed Kuya Junjun to draft our itinerary. Anyway, at least we have the Parola for ourselves. Just before the sunset, people would start to occupy the small area.

Next stop - Regina RICA. It’s more like a place for Pilgrimage and a place for contemplating/praying. But unlike Pink Sisters in Tagaytay, ladies will be required to wear a long skirt or use shawl when needed. It’s free of charge at the Registration area. I was wearing sando and shorty shorts. :-P

- My instant transformation - since it's required.

- Orientation first before going up to the Sacred Heart area. Shoes are to be removed and picture taking is not allowed, but there were few visitors who failed to process a simple instruction

- Foot prints for Php 500 (donation) - you’ll get to know about this during the orientation.

On our way to the sacred heart area (but you must listen to that short orientation first)

Roaming around the area after visiting the blessed sacrament:

Last stop after our early lunch (eatery near Regina RICA) – Calinawan Cave. Php 20 entrance fee per head plus Php 200 tour guide fee (our tour guide was a 14-year old boy!)

Calinawan – during the American-Japanese period, this was the place where these two parties had an agreement (nagkalinawan in Filipino) - to set us free??? (if I remember it correctly) – according to our young tour guide.

It has seven levels, but levels 6-7 are already closed. Visitors may explore up to the first two levels and will be asked to give a consideration fee – amount depends on the visitor’s generosity (my cousin gave this boy Php 100 consideration fee) if you want to see levels 3 – 5.

TIP: levels 3 to 5 have areas that are narrow and a few will also require you to crawl or to bend. Better leave your big backpacks at the registration area and bring only your valuables. Visitors who are slender, physically fit, and have flexible bodies have more advantage to try levels 3 to 5.

- Names given to different areas of Cailnawan Cave:

e Sexy way

- Rayuma area

- Tsunami

Baby crawl (if I remember it correctly)

Calinwan Cave used to be a favorite spot of Few local films (as well as international i.e Jacky Chan's movie) like Dyesebel (Alice Dixon) and teleserye makers. It was just too bad that no Cave Conservation Rules were there to protect those stalagmite and stalactite from having glitters years ago.

One of my favorites "rock" formation - <3

Showing off our dirty (muddy) hands

After the cave exploration, it’s not a bad idea to take a dip at Calinawan River. Rainy Season has just started, but we had a fine weather on our trip. My cousin considered it as the huling hirit sa tag-init.