For the Love of Wild Berries

As you pass along MARILAQUE Road in New Little Baguio, Laguna-Quezon Boundary, you'll notice these vibrant little fruits growing in bushes. Known as Sapinit, these attractive treats are yours for picking. Last Sunday, I was able to spot a handful of red and dark violet ones, kept them when I got home and ate them during breakfast. 

Post-Summer Discoveries: Forest Cottage & Hidden Resort Along MARILAQUE Road

Just when you think summer's over, then come the surprising adventures to be added to your vault of travel moments. We planned to visit Pinlak Falls this morning, when, as we were passing along MARILAQUE road in Little Baguio, we saw Kuya Joseph, a friend who owns a piece of property in that place. He invited us to his cottage where we enjoyed the view, the quietness and the civet cat poops in a nearby space. The area where they are located is home to different kinds of birds and forest creatures. 

We were also brought to the renovated D'Wishing Falls (that's how it's spelled, hehe), which brings a Balinese ambience due to its tropical style. A safe trail which leads to the falls can also be explored here but the path was so long we that didn't reach the top. I'm not into hiking but for documentation's sake I endured the steep stairs and the mosquito bites. ;)

I was the one who invited them to swim but it took looong before I dipped into the pool. The water is really cold (but bearable). We enjoyed these things for free!

Visiting the Dumagat Community in Nakar, Quezon

Dumagat kids with a bottle of Coke. ;)

What I thought as a brief visit to the tribal community turned out to be a whole day adventure filled with learnings and discoveries. This Tuesday, we headed to the Dumagats' dwellings in Brgy. Maligaya, Nakar, Quezon.

I consider this as my first cross cultural missions exposure trip with a team (thank you, GCF-South Metro!). When I was in college, I've got three trips which were postponed due to various reasons. These past years, one of my mentors used to invite me to join them in helping the Bugkalot Tribe and I wasn't able to come as well. This one was a Divine set up.

It took almost 4 hours from Little Baguio Infanta, Quezon (the place where the team stayed) to reach the place. Upon arriving at Gen. Nakar Public Market, we rode the habal-habal for 1-2 hours, then went straight to the place for 15-30 minutes on foot.

A typical Dumagat dwelling.

Upon arriving, I was amazed with their dwelling (plus the nature backdrop!) so I took a photo of the scene right away. I never expected the kapitan's reaction with what I did. I just learned that moment that you need to observe the surroundings first before doing anything foreign to them.

The feeling that I was on a different world totally sank in when the tribe members started arriving. Ka Pepito, the tribe captain, introduced us to his people. Being drunk with lambanog, he repeatedly mentioned that we should have given him a note before visiting his place. Still guilty with what I did, I repeatedly responded with nods and smiles. When we left his dwelling to see the rest of his members, I asked him if it was then OK to take photos and promised to give him a copy if we were able to come back. "'Yan ang gusto ko!" was his response.

We ate on banana leaves with them, talked with the kids and spent the remaining minutes talking with them. Our team leader mentioned the plan to come back and conduct a medical mission this August.

Here are the photos of the trip:

One of the bridges you'll pass through as you head to the Dumagats' location.

Came across Brian as we approached the bridge.

An ordinary food for the tribe members. Some say that they exchange these for cans of sardines.

Kuya Jun approaches the tribal leader and his family.

Eating on banana leaves with the tribe.

Kapitan Pepito and his youngest daughter.

New Testament written in Dumagat dialect.

"Let my heart be broken with the things that break God's heart" — Bob Pierce (World Vision founder)

Little Baguio Trekking Series: Hiking Adventure At The Hulk

Breathtaking view from the restaurant area. 

I have been to Little Baguio several times but as we visited its forest, I realized I haven't explored this place that much. When went here last Wednesday, we were able to trek along two separate trekking paths leading to two different falls. The first one was located around The Hulk's territory, the other was near Jariel's Peak. 

HIKE to THE HULK FALLS

The falls was named as such because it is located just below The Hulk Resort. Since it was the owner who cleared and developed the path leading to this natural site, they decided to name it after the said recreation property. 

We woke up at 5:30, enjoyed the early morning view and had an MSG-filled breakfast. Since we failed to buy bread and coffee while in Santa Maria and the resort's restaurant was closed, we bore eating cup noodles and junk food we bought from the store located 3-4 kilometers away from the place where we stayed. We started to trek the forest by 6 AM, convinced that the whole adventure would be manageable since they mentioned that wooden railings and few stairs were constructed to help hikers thread through the steep terrain. Our first few steps going down were really a challenge due to the steepness of the trail, but thanks to the roots and rails which served as our support. Upon being able to descend the muddy and grassy slope, we landed on a typical forest-y area which led to the falls. Going down from this point was quite easy.  

Befriended another puppy. 

Saw a mountain snail as we were going down. 

One of the difficult paths. 

One of my companions had a great day picking plants he would later grow on his own. 

Trekker-in-awe. 

This is it!

Saw plants and fungi I wasn't familiar of. Told ya' I'm not into trekking, but would
 brave the forest just to see and capture things as these. 

Stayed here for almost half an hour then went uphill. It was the most difficult part of the adventure. 

Aside from trekking, you may enjoy dipping in cool waters flowing through the mountains. Lodging rate is 1500 Php/night. 

Few clips for additional info: 

                

Foggy Engagement Shot

We didn't expect this sight in a summer engagement photoshoot. Due to rain and thick fog, we were wet and freezing. But we had fun. Here are some of outputs we had:

This place, Little Baguio, is located along the boundary of Santa Maria, Laguna and Infanta, Quezon. If you want to escape the blistering heat of summer, better get to this place. Climate is unpredictable. I was wearing a thick jacket when we visited this place last January, but it was not that cold. This time, my friends just came in polos and shirts, and we arrived here welcomed by the fog which made the place hardly visible.