Hangover in Minalungao National Park

Where I stand: Minalungao National Park

"A place is considered beautiful not only by its scenery but with the stories created in it" 

Welcome to Minalungao!

Minalungao National Park is in Sitio Minalungao, Barangay Pias, Gen Tinio Nueva Ecija. It is located some 100 kilometers east of Manila. This park was established in 1976 by virtue of Republic Act 5100 to be a protected area covering 2,018 hectares centered at the scenic Peñaranda River. Minalungao National Park is bordered on both sides by 16-meter high limestone walls in the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain range.

Panorama of Minalungao National Park

Cliff Diving Spot at Minalungao National Park

Within and Beyond the Canyon Like Minalungao Limestone Walls

Our Konsehal taking a Time Off 

Boulders of Rock in Peñaranda River

16 Meters High Limestone walls of Minalungao National Park

Tourist enjoy the shade of the towering limestone walls

Do you see a Giant Man staring down at you?

You can take the bamboo boat to get to this area 

OR

Walk to the newly cemented path at the right side wall.

Unexpected Twists

Our original plan was to visit Biak Na Bato National Park and camp in Mt. Manalmon in Sitio Madlum in Brgy. Sibul, San Miguel, Bulacan. These two are still closed as of February 2015.

Biak na Bato National Park

Temporarily* Closed 

So we opted to go to our next day stop, Minalungao National Park, and camp there. 

BTW, we had our own car going there sponsored by our very congenial "konsehal" looking boss Raf. Thanks heaps!

Under the Tree Parking Space for us

If you want to go there, you can follow Mr. Kirk Anatomy Itinerary

How to get to Minalungao National Park

6: 00AM – ETD of Five Star bus bound for Gapan (Bucana) from Cubao. Fare is 150Php. Most likely travel time is around 2 - 3 hours. 

9:00AM – ETA in Bucana, Gapan, rent a tricycle going to Minalungao National Park for round trip for 500Php.Travel time is 1 hour and 15 minutes ( route is passing through the municipality of General Tinio popularly known as Papaya).
             *You'll save time and money if you rent your trike here instead renting tricycle to General Tinio and another tricycle from General Tinio going to Minalungao National Park. 

10:15AM – Arrival at the Minalungao National Park

• Pay 20 Php/person for the registration and 20 Php for the entrance of tricycle and / or car.  
• Hire a local guide. Give any amount of tip after the trail that relatively will help them. 
• Stay as long as you want but make sure to have a proper arrangement with the tricycle driver for they will wait for you. Offer lunch / food if you opt to stay longer.
• Cottage is available for big groups who opt to stay whole day. 
• Floating cottage is also available, rate varies depends on the season ranging from 800php – 1500php which is good for 8 – 10 pax. This season they offer it to us for P800.

source: http://www.kirkanatomy.com/

Talk about Luck!

Looking for a place to camp near Peñaranda River, we talked with Mang Tasyo if we can spend the night there. We were told that you can only camp at specific areas so we waited for confirmation since General Tinio's very own Mayor is visiting the construction projects within the national park, they are all busy. 

Holy Cross a top Minalungao National Park

On our way to the Cross atop the limestone mountain of Minalungao, we had a personal encounter with Mayor Virgilio "Ginto" Bote Jr. We were honored that he welcomed us and shook hands with us. 

My theory was, Boss Raf emits the "Konsehal" (politician) vibe, so the Mayor was very welcoming to us. naka- Long sleeves ba naman. kagalang galang!

Columns, flowers going up the Holy Cross

For Her

The Cross built from Mirror-like Façade

Go Pro Moments

On our way down the 1000 steps of the Holy Cross, we were greeted by a spectacular sunset!

Can you Mt. Arayat beyond the hues?

Sun sets in Nueva Ecija

Using our charms (mostly boss Raf), we asked permissions for ourselves to Mayor Bote. kapalan ng mukha!

To our surprise, he even offered us to stay within the "restricted areas" set by the locals for camping! Kami ang Unang nag Camp dito!!! #maliitNaBagay

The first Campers of this river side

This tree is famous in Minalungao since it withstood the flash floods every now and then

Our Boat for the day

Setting up camp with Jose De Guzman our Kid Guide

Night Socials - Boss Raf

Night Socials - GerGer

Night Socials - All Around Adik and on her side, the legs of our Master Photog Van

Jose Cuervo and Empe

Adobo for dinner anyone?

Dawn 'Till Dusks

Light plays well in the picturesque Peñaranda river. For star gazers, camping in Minalungao will not disappoint you. The vast sky showcase glimmering stars with the Moon rising beyond the horizon.

Dusk 

Acacia Tree

Setting sun

Moon Rising credits to @traveladik

The Northern Star credits to @traveladik

Fishermen of Peñaranda River credits to @traveladik

Master Van's Shot! #LupetShots

Credits to Van Navarro for these epic shots!

Nature's Best

Camping 101

Highlight of the night: STEEL WOOL!

Holy Cross Glass Facade

Stars in the waters! Galing mo master Van!

Special mention to sir Danilo Paras for your stories and to our very own Jose (pronounced as hoo-ZAY) De Guzman. Thanks kiddo and keep studying!

with our Kid Guide: Hoo-Zay

Tabing Ilog Cast