THE RUINS OF TALISAY CITY (NEGROS OCCIDENTAL)

Location: Talisay City,Negros Occidental, Western Visayas, Philippines Postal Address: Hda. Sta. Maria, Zone 15, Talisay City, Negros Occidental, 6115 Philippines Coordinates: 10°44′N 122°58′E Descriptive Summary: The Ruins of Talisay City is ranked 12th of the most fascinating ruins of the world (of more than 1,000 known ruins) in Oddee at http://www.oddee.com/item_96671.aspx is a blog with over 2.5 million visitors worldwide a month that “features the odd, strange and bizarre things of our world, Be amazed!”, its home page says. The rankings are as follows: 1-Machu Picchu (Peru), 2-Babylon (Iraq), 3-Palenque (Mexico), 4-Ruins of Ayutthaya (Thailand), 5-The Colosseum (Italy), 6-Tikal Ruins (Guatemala), 7-Chichen Itza Ruin (Mexico), 8-The Parthenon (Greece), 9-Jesuitical Ruins of Trinidad (Paraguay), 10-Copan Ruins (Honduras)and 11-Palmyra Ruins (Syria) .

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

The Magnificent Ruins taken at 6:30 P.M.

The Ruins is awarded to be the best landmark in the Philippines and is considered to be the Taj Mahal of Negros. It is just 10 kilometers from Silay International Airport. Talisay City where it is located is a part of the Metro Bacolod along with two other cities, namely: Bacolod City and the historical Silay.

The romantic fountain with the Mansion's ruins at the backdrop

Visiting this place early in the evening where it closes at 8:00 P.M. daily and likewise opens at 8:30 A.M. is such a rewarding experience as the whole place turns to be romantic. After all, Mariano Ledesma Lacson, a sugar magnate, built this mansion in 1911, where he designed it to be a monument to his enduring love to his wife, Maria Braga, a Portuguese lady from Macau. Mariano met Maria in Macau in some of his travels and deeply fell in love with her. Their marriage gave them 10 children and in 1911, while Maria was nearing the full term of her 11th pregnancy, she met an accident where it led to her death as well as the baby in her womb. Heartbroken and inconsolable, Mariano decided to build a mansion in remembrance of Maria, right in the middle of his 440-hectare sugar plantation here in Talisay City.

This is how The Ruins looked like when it was taken at 6:00 P.M.

How come that this magnificent mansion just ended up to be a ruin? Actually, this mansion has been the residence of Mariano and his 10 children where he set the rule that as soon as his children are married, they should leave the mansion. Mariano himself would abide by it, moving to a cottage nearby when he decided to remarry years later. But not until the eve of the World War II that it was burned down by the recruited guerilla soldiers so that it will not be used as headquarters by the Japanese forces.

The Ruins as taken at 9:00 A.M.

It has been recounted by the eyewitnesses that this mansion in the middle of a sugar plantation has smoldered continuously for three days, but the fire would not consume all of it leaving behind reminders of a glorious past.

As seen from the pictures above, the mansion has European architectural influences as introduced to Mariano by his father-in-law, who is a ship captain. Its over all design has an Italianate inspiration to the shell details on the roof. The structure of the house was of solid concrete and the interior floors were dressed either in tiles imported from Spain or 20-meter-long hard wood planks that were cut a meter wide.

The imposing and elevated side entrance of the mansion

After it was consummated by fire in 1942, it remained to be totally abandoned and served to be the place of refuge at day time for some sugarcane farmers while having rest from work as well as some livestock animals who made this as their shelter at night. It was only then when Mariano's great grandson, Raymund Javella, has initiated to rehabilitate the the ruins so that it can be opened to the public as part of a monumental museum in January 2008. This realization has been triggered by some of his travels abroad particularly in Europe where ruins are preserved and made to be tourist attractions.

Lovers find this place very romantic

As the place has been rehabilitated, some amenities were put in place as additional perks for visiting guests like a fine dining restaurant which sits 70 guests comfortably with Chef Michelle Lynn Lacson and Chef KC Lacson whipping up palatable family recipes, Mediterranean dishes that date back to the time of Mariano and Maria; 18-hole mini-golf course, laden with blue grass; a 500-square-meter garden of fruits and vegetables which afford the guests with freshly picked organically-grown produce without pesticides; plants and ornamental flowers shop; a souvenir shop that sells items such as t-shirts, key chains, memo magnets, hand-painted fans, postcards, eco-friendly bags and many more; and the luscious Spanish Garden equipped with tramvia for guests to move around the place.

This is a part of the spacious and verdant Spanish garden

By the way, there is of course an entrance fee to The Ruins. As far as I can recall, I paid P40 using my student ID but adults have to pay P80. I just don't know with the kids and senior citizens. Cars and vehicles brought inside are also charged with an entrance fee.

Relaxing at the cool Spanish Garden

When is the perfect time of the day to visit the place to capture perfect pictures? Personally, I was advised by the in-house guides that I have to be there from 5:00 P.M. until at least to 7:00 P.M. My first visit was around 6:00 P.M. Thus, I did not see the scenery of the sunset picture which gives a golden sky background to the mansion. With this, the following day I visited again the place but it was around 9:00 P.M. and I have no choice because I have to be timely for my flight in going back to Manila. This time, my four friends where with me in the name of: Rome Frias, Alan Valenzuela, Cesar Garcia and Benedick Manalang.

This is still a part of the Spanish Garden

If you visit Negros Occidental, do not miss to visit this amazing ruins as you can not claim you have been in this province. Either as an amateur or professional photographer, your sense of sight will really feast on its magnificent scenery. No wonder, it is becoming a favorite location for photography and filming, whether documenting special occasions, sharpening a skill, or just enjoying a hobby. Other interesting sights to include in your photography subjects are the original fixtures of the property like the four-tier water lily fountain and the muscovado sugar mill smokestack.

My in-house guide called this tramvia? where guests can ride around the Spanish Garden with a fee

The abandoned muscovado sugar mill smokestack was erected outside the mansion compound since this large hacienda ran then its own maquina de vapor de horno economico or steam-powered muscovado sugar mill or simborio where it clearly proves that once this technology has existed and now it just remains to be a relic of the past.

HOW TO GET THERE

First, if you are coming from Manila, you can take any daily flight to Bacolod via Silay International Airport. While in Bacolod City proper, you take a cab ride with a sign board of "Bata" for P8 as of this writing which will take about 30-45 minutes depending on the traffic. Ask the jeepney driver to drop you at the tricycle terminal to the ruins which you will pay for P15 per head and you will be dropped there. In going back to Bacolod City proper, just reverse the routes you have.

Alternatively, if you are driving then you can proceed to Bata (PEPSI bottling plant) and turn east. About 600 meters, you will see a cellsite above a two-storey building on the left. Opposite that building you will see a big sign that reads as "THIS WAY TO THE RUINS". You will enter that narrow street leading to Rose Lawn Memorial Garden. Follow the small red and yellow signs on the electrical posts which will lead you all the way to The RUINS.

MOUNT KANLAON CLIMB (GUINTUBDAN-GUINTUBDAN TRAIL)

Location: Negros Occidental, Philippines Entry point: Guintubdan, Ara-al, La Carlota City Exit point: Guintubdan, Ara-al, La Carlota City Coordinates: 10°24'44"N, 123°7'55"E Elevation: 2,434 MASL (7,989 feet) Days required / Hours to summit:2 days / 8-10 hours Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 8/9, Trail Class 4 Descriptive Summary: Mount Kanlaon ranks 6th among the TOP TEN "TOURIST GEMS" of the Philippines as shown is this link. It is the highest mountain in Visayas and is considered to be the Philippines largest active volcano. It has two known craters, one is the old extinct crater called Caldera with a crater lake in Margaja Valley just below the Makawiliwili Ridge with the size of 2 by 0.8 km (1.24 by 0.50 miles) and the second one is the active Lugud crater which already killed 7 mountaineers on its deadly eruption in 1996.

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

This was my second climb in Mount Kanlaon where the first one was recorded on August 24-25, 2013 but due to Low Pressure Area (LPA), our group was not allowed to go beyond the Pagatpat Campsite for safety reasons. It was during my second attempt to climb that we succeeded to conquer its summit on April 13, 2014. To make sure that we get the scheduled we desired, our group climbing permit request was sent to DENR-PENRO addressed to Mr. Angelo Bibar on September 26, 2013 through LBC. Our group consisted of eight, namely: Peter J. Zabala, Alan A. Valenzuela, Benedick I. Manalang, Cesar H. Garcia, Rome A. Frias, Timothy E. Mislos, Jonathan L. Reales and I. DENR-PENRO only approves a maximum of 10 climbers for a day excluding the guides and porters. I was the Expedition Leader of the group for the second time.

Conquering the summit of Mount Kanlaon

This exciting climb has started with a PAL flight from Manila at 8:00 P.M. and arrived in Silay International Airport at 9:05 P.M. Our pre-arranged chartered van picked us at the airport and we drove to Bacolod City for dinner. Peter, Jonathan, Tim and Rome took the morning flight and so we picked them also from an agreed place and headed to Guintubdan Pavillon for an overnight.

One of the pools I saw in Guintubdan Pavillon Resort in my early morning walk on April 12, 2014

Bong Marcelino, our head guide, met us at Guintubdan Pavillon as we arrived there at almost 12 midnight and we arranged our meals to be cooked by them for breakfast and pack lunch for the following day. The groceries, butane and other necessary items were marketed by Rome Frias as an advance party and these items were equally divided to all our three porter guides.

Our accommodation of two rooms in Guintubdan Pavillon

We had a soundly and tight sleep in a Guintubdan Pavillon where due to its elevation of 900 meters above sea level gives a cooler temperature. The Pavillon is so picturesque overlooking the scenery down the place.

Connie Vasquez having her breakfast in the scenic Guintubdan Pavillon dated August 24, 2013, one of our climbing buddies during our unsuccessful first Mount Kanlaon Climb

Having breakfast in Guintubdan Pavillon is just rewarding as you see lush green scenery of rolling hills and mountains. How we wished, we stayed longer and savored the joy that this awesome sight had delighted us.

Our Climbing Team of Eight

The moment of truth has started as we carried our backpacks and in a moment of silence, our group prayed hard for God’s guidance and presence to give us safety all throughout the climb. The Pavillon serves as the jump-off point. We took the Guintubdan-Guintubdan trail which we believe is easier than the Guintubdan-Mananawin Trail. At exactly 8:00 A.M., we left the jump-off point.

The Busay Buslugan Falls as taken on April 12, 2014 (Summer Time)

We regrouped in Busay Buslugan Falls at 9:15 A.M. and had an endless pictorials. Our guides warned us that at this point “limatik” abounds and we have to avoid them by not sitting on the ground. The water then was so clear and quite inviting for a swim. We stayed in the place at 9:55 A.M. up to the point where we were dropped dead tired in our pictorials.

The Busay Buslugan Falls taken on August 24, 2013 (Rainy Season Time) during our unsuccessful first climb

I still recalled the first time we visited this water falls last August 2013, it was filled with cascading water and the place was foggy and quite cold. By that time, it was not inviting for a swim as the water was freezingly cold.

Taking a lengthy rest at Patay na Suba

We just passed in Patay na Suba (Dead River) at 10:15 A.M. Panoy and I did not stop there but the rest of the group when they passed through this point had a lengthy siesta including a snacks break. As you see, Panoy and I were not in the picture.

Our group had regrouped at Camp 1 for our lunch

We arrived in Camp 1 at 11:56 A.M. just timely for our lunch. As far as I can remember, my exclusive guide in the name of Rexon “Panoy” Pieldad and I being in the lead pack, had only rested for thrice from Buslugan to Camp 1 at a maximum of 2 minutes each. Longer rests made me feel chillingly cold and so I avoided it. Thus, we both arrived first in Camp 1 and the next pack arrived at 12:15 Noon. With our excitement, “limatik” (a sucking leech) was remote in our minds. Before we reached Camp 1, we had to hurdle three long assaults.

A 5-minute rest at Camp 2 with Jonathan Reales and my guide, Panoy

Trekking from Camp 1 to Camp 2 is only 18 minutes all of which are cardiac assaults where we left Camp 1 at 12:55 noon and arrived there at 1:13 P.M. From Camp 2 to Pagatpat Campsite, deep ravines were evident. Cardiac assaults were increasing in number and I have to stop to catch my breath. In some instances, I have to call Rexon to stop for a while and usually for barely two minutes, we resumed.

The first ravine after descending Camp 2

The scenic foliage is becoming richer, thicker and closely intertwined as the we trekked deeper into the rain forest of Mount Kanla-on Natural Park. This park was reenacted into law through Republic Act No. 9154, Series of 2001 establishing Mount Kanla-on located in the cities of Bago, La Carlota, and San Carlos and in the municipalities of La Castellana and Murcia, all in the province of Negros Occidental, and in the City of Canlaon and Municipality of Vallehermoso, both in the province of Oriental as a protected area and a peripheral area as buffer zone providing for its management and for other purposes.

Another deep ravine between Camp 2 and 3

As a background, Kanlaon Volcano, also spelled as Kanla-on or Canlaon, is an active stratavolcano which is the favorite spot for mountain climbers being the centerpiece of Mount Kanlaon Natural Park which was originally established on August 8, 1934. It is a part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Another deep ravine almost near Camp 3

Mount Kanlaon has three hot springs on its slopes: Mambukal Hot Springs on the northwest, Bucalan Hot Spring and Bungol Hot Spring. Its adjacent volcanic edifices are Mount Silay and Mount Mandalagan, north of Kanlaon.

Carefully scrutinizing the trail of a ravine if it is slippery

Left Camp 2 at 1:13 P.M. and was in Camp 3 at 2:05 P.M. We passed through the crash site at 2:35 P.M. where former President Ramon Magsaysay plane had crashed. Panoy and I were at Pagatpat Campsite at 3:40 P.M. and waited for the rest of the group.

The tranquil Pagatpat Campsite

We stayed longer at Pagatpat till 4:15 P.M. to ask the rest of the group if they can still manage to push for the Saddle Campsite for overnight and since it was still early, the rest gave a resounding "yes" to resume the trek to the Saddle Campsite where we reached there at 4:45 P.M.

The sunset at the saddle (photo courtesy by Peter Zabala)

I felt cold when I arrived at the Saddle campsite for I have been wet with perspiration and so after Panoy helped me to pitch my tent, I comfortably had an ample rest and waited for the call for dinner. The rest of the group went out to enjoy the sunset. There was no socials as everybody wanted to sleep but the campsite was so noisy with the LGU official climbers of Negros Oriental who had boisterous laughter until dawn. Our group had barely slept.

The sun sets completely at its rest as viewed from the saddle (Photo courtesy by Peter Zabala)

The night was not so freezing as compared to Mount Pulag but somehow one may not afford to have a comfortable sleep without socks and cold clothing gears as the coldness was really annoying.

Ascending from the Saddle to the Summit (Photo courtesy by Jonathan Reales)

Scaling midpoint from the Saddle to the summit

The wake up call was at 5:00 A.M. for us to witness the beautiful sunrise. And so without anything in our stomach, we headed up to the summit where it took us 40 minutes to completely conquer the summit. We first kissed the big stone on the foot of the summit as first timers to climb the summit.

The Margaja Valley – the old extinct crater of Mount Kanlaon (Photo courtesy by Jonathan Reales)

Scaling up to the summit has given us opportunity to capture the totality of the Margaja Valley where it really looks magnificent. It was so breathtaking and no word can ever describe how beautiful it is.

A closer glimpse of Margaja Valley or Caldera Crater Lake (photo courtesy by Benedick Manalang)

Scaling the summit was quite dangerous as the trail is consist of loose rocks and down to Margaja Valley is approximately a thousand feet below. Thus, how can I afford to miscalculate a step where it will cost my life.

I almost have seen the hole of the active Lugud crater

The summit has an active crater on it but we were advised not to look down for a strong wind can blow us down into it. We have to crawl and the guides were obliged to hold our feet for safety.

The hole of Lugud crater was not really possible to be seen by mere crawling (Photo courtesy by Jonathan Reales)

More or less, this is the only view available to our naked eyes as it is very dangerous to go beyond. We were following closely the instructions of our guides for our own safety. We cannot even stand at this point.

The hole of the active Lugud crater as captured by our camera through extended arms

Though it was scary, I managed to extend my arms to capture what is beyond my sense of sight but I was completely held by my guide in my two feet. This summit has a peak elevation of 2,435 meters above sea level (7,989 feet) and the mountain has a base diameter of 30 km (19 miles) and is dotted with pyroclastic cones and craters.

Our group with the backdrop of the Makawiliwili Ridge taken from the summit (photo courtesy by Jonathan Reales)

Based on what I've learned from my online research, Mount Kanlaon has erupted for 26 times since 1919. Eruptions are typically phreatic explosions of small-to-moderate size that produce minor ash falls near the volcano. In 1902, the eruption was classified as strombolian, typified by the ejection of incandescent cinder, lapilli and lava bombs.

Peter Zabala or Pete Zee provided most of the pictures in the climb

Grateful to meet, Pete for the first time who is a friend of my friend, Jrich Macasero where his artistic inclination in photography has provided me a lot of materials for this post.

Timothy Estanislao Mislos jubilant while at the summit

Another travel buddy made a difference in this climb as I learned some tips from him regarding some photography and IT tips. So glad to meet him for the first time.

Jonathan Lusares Reales – a keen macro-specie photographer

A silent but deep photographer has its own way of documenting every specie he captures with his camera whether it belongs to flora or fauna category.

Cautious of every step I made while descending the summit

While loose rocks are so dangerous for any false move, I made it to a point that I surely locked my feet in every single step I made for me not slip out.

Relaxed as I set foot at the Saddle Campsite

When I was at the summit, I was so worried of the research I made that on August 10, 1996, a group of 24 mountain climbers were on the same summit when the volcano suddenly erupted without any warning killing British student Julian Green and Filipinos Noel Tragico and Neil Perez, who were trapped near the summit. The authorities rescued the 17 others including 10 Belgians, another Briton and six Filipinos. The 17 were identified as Belgians Frederick Carraso, Philipp Couche, Caroline La Grange, Sophie La Benne, Darmien Gaitan, David Rycaert, Florence De Corte, Jean Francois Ossengeld, Caroline Verlinde and Delthme Ferrant, Briton Gordon Cole and Filipinos Pepito Ibrado, Wovi Villanueva and Albert Devarras.

We had then our breakfast as we returned to the saddle campsite and had breakcamp afterwards. The following is my personal record on how I descended the mountain with my guide, Panoy which I made it for FOUR HOURS AND 8 MINUTES to Guintubdan jump-off without taking any trail food and lunch and literally I was non-stop then. Left saddle - 9:20 A.M.; Pagatpat – 9:37 A.M; Crash site – 10:04 A.M. ; Camp 3 10:17 A.M.; Camp 2 – 10:49 A.M; Camp 1 – 11:03 A.M.; Patay na Suba – 12:17 Noon; Buslugan – 12:38 Noon and Guintubdan jump-off – 1:28 P.M.

On the other hand, I scaled Mount Kanlaon from the Guintubdan jump-off point to the saddle campsite for a total of EIGHT HOURS AND 45 MINUTES inclusive of occasional rests due to excessive cardiac assaults, lunch break, trail food and water break and siesta time in Buslugan for a lengthy pictorials. From the saddle to the summit is only 30 minutes if no pictorials are made along the trail.

Below is a suggested Itinerary:

Day 1

08:00 ETD Guintubdan
09:30 Buslugan picture-taking
11:30 Lunch at Camp 2
03:30 Pagatpat Campsite
04:30 Pitch tents at the saddle - There is an option to scale the summit if weather permits
06:30 Dinner afterwards socials
08:00 RON:

DaY 2

05:30 Wake-up call:
06:30 Breakfast
07:30 Breakcamp
08:00 Scale the summit with backpack
08:45 Start descending from summit
09:45 Pagatpat Ridge
12:00 Lunch at Camp 1
04:00 ETA Guintubdan Jump-off point
04:30 ETA Guintubdan Pavillon
04:35 Shower in Guintubdan Pavillon
06:00 ETD Guintubdan Pavillon
07:20 ETA Mambukal Resort

BUDGETARY CONCERNS

The total budget does not include the plane fare which is P3,500. These expenses include the registration of P300; 3 porter /guides for P7,000 including a tip of P1,000 for their extra services for cooking and made us like boarders waiting for sumptuous meals inside our tents; all meals from/to manila airport; all grocery items, butane, bottled water and other climbing supplies; chartered van of P3,200 from Bacolod airport to guintubdan; chartered jeep from guintubdan to mambukal for P1,500; mambukal accommodation of P3,300; guintubdan pavillon accommodation for P1,200; airport terminal fee in Bacolod for P200; hotel accommodation and taxi fares for the advance party in marketing food – P800 and other common expenses which were all divided into eight persons.

OTHER CONCERNS

Porter/Guides have a rate of P1,000 per day. On our part, we hired 3 porter/guides where we paid P6,000 and an additional of P1,000 for our tip. Our porter/guides had served also to be our cooks, photographer and safety advisors.

HOW TO GET THERE

Take any daily flight from Manila to Bacolod. Hire a chartered van from Bacolod airport to Guintubdan Pavillon for overnight so that the following day the climb can start as early as 8:00 A.M. It is cheaper to have a side trip to Mambukal than to hire again a chartered van from Guintubdan back to Bacolod. Chartered jeep from Guintubdan to Mambukal is only P1,500 and the minibus from Mambukal to Bacolod is P35.

Mount Kanlaon Climb is a part of our 5-day Bacolod-Mount Kanlaon Climb-Mambukal-The Ruins of Talisay Trip and I am sharing what we spent in the entire trip which does not include the "pasalubong".

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