MAMBUKAL MOUNTAIN RESORT

Location: Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental, Philippines Elevation: 366 MASL (1,200 feet) Descriptive Summary: Mambukal Resort is the gateway to Mount Kanlaon Natural Park. It was originally developed by a Japanese architect named Kokichi Paul Ishiwata in 1927 which started its operation as a bathhouse and picnic garden providing cool haven for Negrenses and their guests. It is currently maintained and managed by the local government of Negros Occidental. Its vast expanse of more than 23.6 hectares is dominated by verdant landscape and refreshing beautiful natural features which includes a big mountain stream fed by several tributaries, descends in a series of seven waterfalls which cuts through the center of the resort that feeds the water holes and boating lagoon.

View Mambukal Mountain Resort in a larger map

This is a part of my April 11 – 15, 2014 Mount Kanlaon – Negros Occidental Trips which includes: Mount Kanlaon Climb; Bacolod City Tour; The Ruins of Talisay; and Balay Negrense .

The Warm Sulfur Dipping Pool which is closed for operation every Tuesday for maintenance

Guests can avail of many types of accommodation facilities like the Villas, LGU Cottages, Family Cottages, Tourist Lodge, Dormitory, Picnic Huts/Trellis and Conference Hall which is entirely versatile with audio-visual, lighting and meeting equipment for seminars, conferences and banquets. It also has a food court which offers catering services with set meals and buffet choices.

The Japanese Ofuro Hot Pool – a Mikawa Onsen River View Rotenburo Outdoor Bath Hotspring

The entrance fee of P100 a day in the Japanese Ofuro Hotspring is not that much as its medicinal waters provides a therapy particularly for highly exhausted bodies. While dipping on this pool, one may see the resident bats of different species on top of the trees which totally arch the totality of the pool. In fact, guests can also enjoy bat watching with species to include: the golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon Jubatus), the large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) and the common island flying fox (Pteropus hypomelanus). As of this writing, there are more than 4,000 fruit bats around the area.

The resident bats in Mambukal Resort

Aside from hot spring pools, guests can also enjoy recreational activities like: the challenging slide for life and wall climbing; boating; canopy walk, butterfly watching on is butterfly garden and have the trekking to have a close encounter with the seven water falls. The Canopy Walk can be done through interconnected hanging bridges.

Enjoying a dip in the Japanese Ofuro Hot Pool

It was my August 26, 2013 visit to the resort that my group of six including Connie Vasquez, Marie Jane Gumba, Dr. Cesar H. Garcia, Rome A. Frias and I enjoyed for almost four hours at the Japanese Ofuro Hot Pool but we missed the seven water falls trekking then. Thus, in this recent visit, April 14, 2014, I only accommodated the latter activity.

The standard swimming pool (not a hot spring) just adjacent to the LGU Cottages

Trekking to the seven waterfalls will take just for two hours back and forth with an almost cardiac assault trails though the trails are already concrete equipped with metal railing. The time may exceed if you guests will enjoy a swim or a cool dip. The location of the Canopy Walk precedes the Seven water falls trekking. Engaging into this forest trek, one may see the slopes and dips forming interesting rock formations and lush forests of tropical and semi-tropical trees. The first three water falls are just for viewing and dipping or bathing is not allowed. The fourth water falls is not accessible as there is no trail to view it. The fifth water falls can be viewed only on its top and guests can only enjoy it if they know how to dive from atop its viewdeck. The sixth water falls is the only water falls where guests can enjoy a swim but it is surrounded by shanties which sells food and snacks. The seventh water falls is not accessible as the trail towards it is being inhabited by private residents who might cause trouble to tourists as per the tour guide advice.

The lagoon where guests can enjoy boating

Boats for rent are available for guests for P30 per head which is only good for 30 minutes. After the boating, the next activity is to visit the adjacent Butterfly Garden to see the abundant species of butterflies in their splendid and marvelous colors.

The thrilling Canopy Walk over the hanging bridges

Guests can enjoy the resort either through a day tour or an overnight. Entrance fees vary from: Adult – P50; Kids 11 years and below – P20; Light Vehicles – P15; and Trucks and Buses – P30. Regardless of a day tour or overnight, guests will pay these fees. It would be convenient if a reservation for accommodation is booked at (034) 213-2715 before the day of intended visit to avoid problems.

The First Water Falls just after the Canopy Walk

One thing I like in Mambukal is the availability of food services which are affordable. It is like a food court located in one part of the resort accessible to some other facilities. You can afford to have sizzling and grilled food with rice at a rate of P150. You can also have a pork belly of P85 with rice. Fruits shakes are available at P50 only. Eating breakfast is like dining in fastfood chains like McDonalds at P75 per order. You can also have the option of having your food delivered to the convenience of your room.

The modern LGU cottages with spacious car parks and concrete pavements

Parking lots are spacious not to mention that roads inside the resort are also wide with well-developed pavements where joggers can enjoy. The whole place is just so shady with lots of trees and ornamental plants around.

Marie Jane Gumba on her way to the refreshing Blade SPA

If the guest is not contented with the hot pools, he may avail of the services of the Blade Spa just adjacent to the Warm Sulfur Dipping Pool and the Japanese Ofuro Pool. Here, the guest is assured of a refreshing massage to invigorate himself from an exhausting city life.

The vendors of flowers and ornamental plants

Guests may also have the chance to buy a variety of flowers and ornamental plants at affordable prices. These includes a variety of pines, ferns and orchids that thrive on its cool climate and rich soil known as Mambukal clay.

Mambukal Resort Amenities Map

The map above will help you visualize the whole picture of the resort so that you can plan out the activities you will have depending on the location and accessibility of the facilities.

So far, this is my second time to visit Mambukal Resort but I am considering to go back to witness its annual Mudpack Festival – a unique event which celebrates the harmony of man and nature which features Mambukal’s distinct multi-colored clay to stir the people’s awareness of the importance of our environment.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Take any daily flight from Manila to Bacolod (Silay International Airport). Then take a minibus going to Mambukal for P35 only (one way) with a travel duration of 55 minutes from the city of Bacolod. You can also hire the services of chartered vans from Bacolod to Mambukal or vice versa. You may either contact Mr. Charles Ea at 09173092985 or Mr. Dante Nono at 09394494041.

FOR RESERVATION:

Contact the following numbers: Mambukal Reservation Office (034) 213-2715, (034) 433-8516 and (034) 709-0990; Mambukal Resort (034) 473-0610

MOUNT TARAK CLIMB

After a long absence in mountaineering activities since November 29, 1999 or 2 years, 2 months and 24 days to be exact, I rejoined again PNB Mountaineering Club’s climb with so much enthusiasm and excitement. The said climb was in the 3,700 feet Mt. Tarak in Mariveles, Bataan dated February 23 and 24, 2002. I felt then, it was my first time to climb a mountain. We were consist of twelve participants, namely: Fellow Philnabankers: Arthur S. Tagle and 14-year old son, Christian Dominique (also an inducted member); Ricky N. Eslao; Enrique “Ike” S. Abad; and Tony M. Alcaraz; former Philnabanker Jenny Ferrer; Erwin C. dela Cruz of Angelus Medical Center as the Expedition Leader; Eduard “Jun” V. Mangyao, Jr. of USAID as Lead Man; Jing V. Gumba of Bank of Commerce; Menchu B. Segovia; Connie Vasquez and I. I considered this climb as one the finest since it gave us an excellent weather condition, ideal group size, perfect and scenic campsite; good camaraderie as all the participants were seasoned regular members who has been together in previous climbs and the logistics were fairly good.

We first boarded Mt. Samat Ferry Express in CCP Bay Terminal at 8:30 A.M. of the first day (Feb. 23) and arrived in the Port of Capinpin, Orion, Bataan at 9:32 A.M. From the port, we boarded a chartered jeepney at 9:55 A.M. and arrived in Alas-asin Barangay Hall of Mariveles at 10:51 A.M. We started our trek at 11:00 A.M. and we reached the Gate Point of the mountain at almost 12:00 noon where we had our lunch. Gate Point is a grassy clearing with two big shady trees grown apart and the point where trekking cardiac assault starts. We resumed trekking again at 12:35 noon heading for Papaya River and stayed there for a rest for more than 30 minutes. An almost two hours cardiac assaults followed and reached the scenic campsite where we pitched our tents at 4:45 P.M. Hours followed were fun-filled even after our dinner and had socials until 11:00 P.M. This evening affair personally marked a spectacular night for me. We endlessly sang songs, talked and laughed as my companions drank bottles of gin diluted with pomelo. The moon then was right above us; full and simply huge.

The following day (Feb. 24) at 7:10 A.M. was our summit assault for 30 minutes and was back in our campsite after an hour. Early morning at the campsite has a soothing cool wind that inspired us to cook our breakfast and for our packed lunch. The magnificent morning scenery offered us an irresistible invitation to have some pictorials. We started descending the beautiful mountain at 8:50 A.M. and took our lunch in the Gate Point where we stayed there for almost two hours and had siesta time until 1:30 P.M. The group left me at 4:00 P.M. in Alas-asin Barangay Hall for Port of Capinpin while I proceed to Bataan Export Processing Zone in Mariveles alone.

MOUNT NAPULAWAN CLIMB

It was indeed a very memorable climb not only because of its side trips but because it was my first major climb in which I was inducted a regular member of PNB Mountaineering Club. The said climb was in Mount Napulawan in Hapao-Hungduan which is a part of Mountain Province dated November 28 to December 2, 1998. Climbing to the breathtaking summit of this mountain was really an endless trekking as we passed through several mountains. Notably, these mountains were all exciting and dramatic and immediately overawe myself as an onlooker. But I was prepared for this by all that I’ve known from the accounts given by the club’s members who already climbed this mountain. And I was keyed up to respond to that kind of beauty.

I was inducted along with 12 others as the club’s Batch 14 on its summit called Camp Dunuan at 7:45 in the morning on November 30, 1998 by Policarpo Gregorio Osmundo N. “Ding” Capunitan assisted by Rolly Villanueva. It was freezing then and all of us male initiates wore only short pants and our upper body was bare. The night before induction was extremely freezing and there was light rains. When I rested in my tent together with Roy Pison and Jun Galang, I wore two thermal jackets, with two t-shirts inside, two socks, hand gloves, muffler and bonnet and I could not sleep well because I kept on chilling. We were all thirty-two with thirteen members, thirteen inductees, two guests and four guides. The members were: (1) Rolly Villanueva – expidition leader; (2) Jun Galang – lead man; (3) Manny Llesol – sweeper; (4) Ding Capunitan; (5) Sandy Alhambra; (6) Sandra Reyes; (7) Chika Vite; (8) Norie Jacala; (9) Elmer Daus; (10) Tony Sundiang; (11) Fidel O. Mendoza; (12) Noel Dollentas; and (13) Abet Zapanta. The inductees were: (1) Noemi Amador; (2) Roy Pison; (3) Chris Ballon; (4) Jenny Ferrer; (5) Marie Jane V. Gumba; (6) Benjie Autencio; (7) Jun Banela; (8) Victor Victorino; (9) Jesie Sayas; (10) Neil Raymundo; (11) Janet Lazarte; (12) Henry Salazar; and (13) I. Lito Capuz and Judith Palero were the guests. Our group of inductees was Batch 14 and we were simply the best batch ever that PNB Mountaineering Club has produced.

After we descended from the mountain which was the eve of November 30, we stayed overnight in Hungduan Municipal Hall. In same venue, a cultural show was prepared by the folks of Hungduan for us hosted by the lady vice mayor. The show was an age-old Ifugao ritual entitled “Mumbaki” in which medicine priests offer animals like pigs and chickens to their gods for good harvest and good health. Dinner was served out of the animals offered in the ritual. The following day, December 1, we had a side trip to Banaue and Sagada. This was the second time I have been in this place since April 17-19, 1998 together with some PNB Makati Avenue officemates. In Banaue, we visited its Museum and Terrace View Deck. We also visited the Bontoc Museum and proceed to Sagada where we stayed in two separate groups in Country Inn and Restaurant and Masferre’s Lodging House. We visited the following: (1) Sagada Weaving, (2) Hanging Coffins, (3) Sagada Parish Church, (4) Sagada Cemetery, and (5) Echo Valley. I joined dinner with the group but slept early and did not join the evening socials because I was mad with Rolly Villanueva and besides I was sad because my favorite buddy, Abet Zapanta did not join the Sagada side trip together with Henry Salazar, confidante Neil Raymundo and Judith Palero.
The following day, December 2, I decided not to join the Sumaguing Caving and persuaded Jenny Ferrer and Janet Lazarte to join me instead in roaming around the place. Our group left Sagada and proceed to Baguio City and had a memorable evening socials in Fondue Café and Folk House. That same night, we pushed for Manila and reached home at almost 5:00 in the morning of December 3 but I managed to report to work just a little bit late because I washed first my dirty clothes in the climb.

MOUNT MANABO CLIMB

In celebration for the birthday (March 8) of our fellow member in PNB Mountaineering Club, Marie Jane V. Gumba, one of my favorites, she organized the Mt. Manabo Fun Climb in Lipa, Batangas dated March 9-10, 2002. Our group of 23 participants was divided into two as to the day (first batch) and night (second batch) trekkers. I was with the first batch which left Pasay City through three separate service cars at 1:00 P.M. I hitched with Ding and Noemi’s Capunitan’s white Nissan pick-up together with Dee Molina of Allied Bank, Jenny Ferrer of Yuchengco Group of Companies and Janet Lazarte of PNB. In separate cars were: Jun Banela and Arnold Enciso of CIBI and Philnabankers: Manny Llesol, Roy Pison, Ike Abad, Anton Alcaraz and Ricky Eslao. We met in Fiesta Mall in Lipa City of Batangas at 3:20 P.M. and started our uphill trek at 4:12 P.M. where we reached the peak at 5:33 P.M. and settled there for an overnight stay in a very breathtaking and scenic campsite. Founding member of PAL Romy Antonio and sweetheart Philnabanker Je Parina arrived at almost 6:30 P.M. who initiated the socials with a drinking spree.

We already finished our dinner and was starting our socials when the night trekkers of eight arrived at almost 9:00 P.M. The ever vibrant and charming birthday celebrant, Jing Gumba paraded to our campsite equipped with food and liquors for her birthday celebration. She was chanting with excitement though she felt tired then. She was accompanied by our equally excited members, namely: Jun Lee of Colorite Photo Center of Olongapo City, Menchu Segovia of Frameworks establishment of Malolos in Bulacan, Melanie “Lani” P. Santos of BPI Savings Bank formerly from Development Bank of Singapore (DBS), Connie Vasquez of Jianshe Motorcycle Industries Philippines Corporation, Elmar Portento of Raco-Haven Automation Phils., Inc. , Alona C. Beliganio of Soundtechs Hearing Care Professionals and Jose Martin F. Duyala of Center for International Trade Exposition & Mission (CITEM). Socials continued until 2:00 dawn of March 10.

The peak was cold and we needed to have thick wears in the form of jackets and sweat shirts. The cold temperature was comparable to that of Mt. Natib in Orani, Bataan and Mt. Cristobal in Dolores, Quezon. To wake up early in the morning was really rewarding since the enchanting scenery was just as fascinating as it was. Our cameras were endlessly grinding in order to capture the best shot possible. A few of us remained in their tents to experience an extended soundly sleep. We had our breakcamp on the morning of March 10 at 7:30 A.M. while a few descended at 8:00 A.M. Our group consisting of Jing, Connie, Jenny, Ike, Dee, Anton, Janet, Martin, Mechu and Ricky was left and had our breakfast. We started the downhill trekking at almost 9:00 A.M. and was at the jump-off point at passed 10:00 A.M. We arrived in Manila at 1:00 P.M.

BUNDOK NG SUSONG DALAGA CLIMB

For the first time, I had a chance to set foot in Lipa City for my seventh climb under PNB Mountaineering Club which was in Bundok ng Susong Dalaga in Brgy. Talisay, Lipa, Batangas last November 2, 1998 and another workout and day climb. It was not worth remembering as there was no remarkable scenery in this place. We just did this in preparation for our major climbs. We were all fifteen with five members, nine initiates and a guest. The members were: (1) Marrita Gregore – expidition leader; (2) Jun Galang – lead man; (3) Sandy Alhambra – sweeper; (4) Norie Jacala; and (5) Susan E. Angeles of Energy Regulatory Board. The initiates were: (1) Benjamin “Benjie” G. Autencio, Jr.; (2) Roy Pison; (3) Janet Lazarte; (4) Jenny Ferrer; (5) Noemi Amador; (6) Maricris “Chris” Ballon; (7) Jesie Sayas; (8) Marie Jane “Jing” V. Gumba of Bank of Commerce and (9) I. The guest climber a who is a friend of Marrita Gregori was Judith C. Palero of China Bank and a member of U-Trek Mountaineering Club. It was the first climb of Jing Gumba and she suffered so many falls for her chubby frame increased more the degree of pull of gravity, I suppose.