A CLOSER LOOK OF WHAT REAL TOWN IN THE PROVINCE OF QUEZON CAN OFFER

Municipality of Real, Quezon Province, Philippines

Rainy season has already started and in fact, there were sporadic rains and showers as we traveled from Mandaluyong City of Metropolitan Manila to the municipality of Real in Quezon province. On our way, we had a drive thru to Pililla Windmill Farm in the province of Rizal which was a kilometer away from the highway. Our destination was to spend an overnight at Real Surf Camp which was more than 3 hours drive from our point of origin to celebrate the 26th anniversary of Philippine National Bank Mountaineering Club (PNB-MC) where I am a member since 1998.

Nonok Water Falls

THE REAL SURF CAMP

The Real Surf Camp

It was still raining when we arrived at the Real Surf Camp. We had booked for 1 big cabana and 1 small cabana where they are located in separate locations on the camp. We were equipped with tents since were more than 30 and the big cabana can only accommodate 8 people and 4 for the small cabana.

The camp's cafe where guests can comfortably dine or chat

The cafe's dining area serves as the movie theater at night showing very recent movies with such a very wide screen giving a feel that you are really inside a movie house.

The small cabanas accommodation

Beach view captured from the cafe

Surf trainers are available upon request of the guests equipped with surf boards. There are enough shower and comfort rooms inside the camp always cleaned by the staff to make it tidy and clean all the time.

Small cabanas are on beach front

The small cabanas are strategically located fronting the beach and since we had one reservation for its kind, we stayed there for our socials. We cooked our food near our big cabana accommodation since it was close to the kitchen.

The beach front scene

The surf camp is not blessed to have white fine sand but the waves has its nature of giving the surf lovers what they desire and look for most particularly on seasons that the swell is as its best.

Capturing a subsiding swell

Swimmers and surfers while on wait for a good swell of waves

Swimmers battling the force of the swelling waves

The post swell effect

The surf trainer in action

A late afternoon swim

Preparing for the evening socials with my close friends at the small cabana

Evening socials is at its best at the Real Surf Camp. Our group which celebrated its 29th Anniversary of Philippine National Bank Mountaineering Club (PNB MC) has chosen the venue for this beach overnight party. In the picture above from left to right are: Lani Santos, Mary Jane Gumba and Connie Vasquez.

During our evening socials at the small cabana

With me in the above photo are: (standing) Alfred Garcia, (seated from left to right) Ed Rojas, Maria Jeannie Mendoza and extreme right is Jun Lee.

In the photo are: (standing) Jhun Banela; (seated from left to right) Lani Santos, Connie Vasquez and Rina Falcis Lee

Our group in our siesta moment fronting our big cabana accommodation

Jenny Ferrer Tan (seated) with her dog, Budoy was with us

A SIDETRIP TO NONOK WATER FALLS

Nonok Water Falls registration site

Just after lunch, I decided to have a walk to look for buco where I wanted to sip the juice and eat its raw fruit. It was a long walk maybe 900 meters away from the Real Camp Surf. On my way back to the camp, I saw a billboard with the pictures of the tourist destinations of the place. I was amazed with the water falls and so I asked a local. He told me that the first water falls named Nonok is just 2 kilometers walk.

A directional board leading to the water falls

The local told that I can ride in a tricycle in going there at P10 one way going there. Unfortunately, there was none and so I just walked and finished the 2 kilometers. While walking, I see the picturesque rocked coastline. Anyway, it was not at all exhausting because I was amazed with the view of the beach at the right side and the green mountain slopes at the opposite side of the road.

The river that flows coming from the water falls

The registration site can be seen from the highway. The signboard was so visible that you don't have to ask somebody. The registration fee is P20 per head for the adult and P10 for the children. From the registration site, I trek and cross a stream. I continued the trekking. You can see houses along your way.

The water falls covered by the rich flora

From the highway to the water falls is just barely 5 minutes and there is no need for a guide. A varied flora species is visible on your way to the water falls.

Finally, the Nonok Falls

There are cottages around the water falls. Comfort rooms are also available to take shower and change clothes. It was raining that time and so the crystal clear waters of the falls looks brown. However, during non-rainy days, the water is really crystal clear.

ANOTHER SIDE TRIP TO BALABAG WATER FALLS

Approaching the entrance of Balagbag Water Falls

After I had exited from Nonok Water Falls registration site, I continued walking which the local told me another 1 kilometer to reach Balagbag water falls. True enough, I counted 1,910 steps wherein for each 2 steps is roughly estimated at 1 meter. If this is the case, it was less than 1 kilometer going to the place. I walked because I can't see any transport available.

Finally, the signboard of the Balagbag Water Falls near the entrance

The entrance of the water falls is dotted with sari-sari stores selling food for the guests. You also have to pay P20 for the entrance fee per head.

The parking space opposite the road to the entrance

These landmarks can be seen when you are at the highway. I can see some guests parking their vehicles in this area as they trek to the water falls.

The friendly trail

From the entrance to the water falls is barely three minutes trek. It is just a gradual and narrow trail. The trail is parallel to the river flowing from the water falls.

The trail descending to the water falls lagoon

There a few cottages around the water falls but just the open nipa type where food and guests stuff can be stored while they are on a swim. The comfort room/changing room is only limited to three of unisex use.

The majestic view of Balagbag Water Falls

Like Nonok Water Falls, Balagbag Falls is situated also in same barangay. Cottages costs P300.00. To get more information, you may contact Mrs. Elecinita Aceboque at 0912-229-4894 for the resort reservation.

The totality of Balagbag Water Falls

It was raining then, thus, the water was brownish. The pond or the lagoon is too small to accommodate guests. Guests can also have the alternative to trek up to the second level.

The mini cascading falls as part of the mother falls

HOW TO GO THERE

Option 1 (Via Antipolo - Shorter Route):

Using a private transportation vehicle, the route is shorter via Antipolo/Tanay/Siniloan which is more than 3 hours drive. For a group of 10 to 15 pax, it is convenient to hire a van thru Bong Rosales where you can contact him at 09228235781 with an overnight rate of P6,000 all in via Antipolo or P6,500 via SLEX for a capacity of 14 pax.

Option 2: (Via Lucena - Longer Route)

Ride the bus going to Lucena either in Cubao or Buendia. In Buendia, the bus companies available are Lucena Lines, Jacliner, DLTB or Jam. Travel time from either Buendia or Cubao to Lucena is approximately 4 hours. Fare in Cubao to Lucena is P218.00 and it is 132 kilometers. Fare in Buendia is P209.50 and it is 127 kilometers. Alight at the Lucena Grand Central terminal,and then ride either AH bus or the van going to Infanta, Quezon. Fare in the ordinary bus from Lucena to Real is P158.00 and travel time is 4.5 hours. While the fare in the van going to Real is P200.00 and travel time is 4 hours. (Source: Smart Backpacker)

OTHER SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION

The town of Real in the province of Quezon is also the gateway (port) to Jomalig Island (5-6 hours), Cagbalete island (4 hours) and Polillo Island (2-3 hours).

Globe subscribers has no network access in Real, Quezon, just the Sun and Smart subscribers. Totally, no internet access.