Ambon- ambon sa Pangil

             In Laguna, a town which lies in the southern most part of  the province, wherein its name is derived from a teeth, is a peaceful and historical town as well. The town was named "Pangil", there are two legends or history were the name was possibly derived from. First is from the town's first leader, Gat Panguil.

             The second one is a legend of a wild boar the land named, "Pangil", because it is there where they detached its "pangil" from its jaw. As you can see, Pangil, is rich in history, Pangil was once a home of a prince of Spain; Prince Carlos who became king when his father, King Philip V allowed him to return to Spain.The reason why Prince Carlos is in Pangil, because he was in exile and his father had banned him to go back to Spain until he lifted the said ban. The church's convent served as the home of Prince Carlos all throughout his exile and the people of Pangil have served him well.

The facade of Pangil's church.

The church's nave.

              Pangil is the home of Our Lady's Nativity, she was declared their patron saint when Prince Carlos commissioned a gift to be sent to the people of Pangil, this gifts were the images of Sto. Nino dela O and Nuestra Senora dela O. Legend says that when the images was brought to a wrong town by the emissaries, the images cannot be lifted and moved. The emissaries knowing that it is not the right town they immediately located Pangil and from there the people welcomed the images in a rainy day, while wearing blue bandanas and waving leaves as the two gifts approaches. Hence, this is were the Bandana festival came from or locally called as "Pag- OO".

The current replca image of Our Lady of dela O
and the original image of Santo Nino dela O,
 both owned
by the Pangil parish church.
Photo from: Nuestra Senora de la O Parish
- Pangil, Laguna's
official facebook page

             Our Lady of dela O is the patroness of those who are soon to be mothers, that's why the image is a pregnant Virgin Mary. While the image of Sto. Nino dela O is enclosed in a circle signifying the womb of Mary and a garb beneath it signifying that Mary's womb is beneath that garb. Unluckily, during the World War II, the original image of Our Lady of dela O was a victim of it, making the replica image as the original while the Santo Nino dela O was spared. 

The original image of Nuestra Senora dela O,
 that was destroyed/ lost during the World War II.
Photo by: Bren Aldy Cabatec Andre

Aside from being historically significant, Pangil is famous for falls, there are two falls that can be found in the town they are, Buntot Palos and Ambon- Ambon falls. 

              The adventure starts here, as our barkada's annual getaway we decided to have our outing in several tourist destinations here in Laguna. In the end, we ended up here in Pangil, and our choice is worth it, this outing of us happened last May 21 this year. Our call time is 8 o' clock in the morning so for us to escape the scorching heat of the sun.

            We all came from Lumban, we were complete at around 9 o' clock so we immediately hailed a jeepney. From Lumban to Pangil we paid 28 pesos, we said to the driver that our destination is in Barangay Natividad. From Barangay Natividad, you will ride a tricycle going to the eco- park, the tricycle terminal is located beside the church, we paid 25 pesos, (we are 7, the tricycle is 7 seater, 5 pax inside the sidecar while 2 pax at the back of the trike). We arrived at Pangil around 10 because the jeepney we rode took "bayan- bayan" route, meaning it will pass through inside the town's of Paete and Pakil.

            At long last, we reached the eco- park, the entrance to the eco- park costs around 65 pesos per head (if I remember it correctly, I lost the receipt, HAHA). The cottage on the other hand costs around 150 pesos, we rented one so that there will be a place for us to eat and leave our belongings. We availed the trekking to the falls which costs 75 pesos, they advise us that we should immediately trek, we said to the clerk, we will just eat our lunch first. After we've eaten our lunch we changed to our swimming clothes, then at around 11:30 we started our trek, the reason why they advised us to do the trek during lunch time because that is the time wherein the trek is not crowded, meaning there are only few tourists who do trek during lunch time (you probably know the reason why).

Here are the photos:                                                      

This is the cottage worth 150 pesos which is good for seven people, you may ask someone in charge to look after your belongings as long you took your gadgets with you if you have a waterproof case if not you should hide it at the deepest part of your bag,

We are on the first landmark on our trek, this part of the trek

 is called."Lambingan bridge", I don't know the reason

 behind why it is called like that.

A part of the trek's pathway.

This will be the first part wherein you need to walk your way through water, this is the Biak na bato, unfortunately, there is no water sprouting from the Biak- na- bato. Maybe its all dried up because of the heat.

This part of the trek, this is the part wherein you will ride a balsa because the river's water is somehow high. In order for you to reach the other end, you really need to ride it.

This will be the second balsa ride. During our trek the tour guide discovered that we are from Lumban, he then told us, "edi maalam kayo mag batak?" We just laughed at him, because it has a double meaning to us. From then whenever we will ride a balsa he will then shout, "Batak mga taga- Lumban!".

Riding a balsa is so much fun compared when you are riding a boat, because this involves adventure and excitement as well.

We have already reached the falls, but we still need to ride a balsa in order for us to reach the dock situated near the falls, or you can swim because the water is not that high unlike before. The trek to the falls took us almost one hour or so if I remember it correctly.

As you can see my friends are all lined up in a rocky cliff, this is the part where you can jump, and according to them, it is safe and worth it. The water wherein you will fall from your jump is somehow deep, but since we are wearing life vests there's no need for us to worry.

The Ambon- Ambon falls, the name of it was derived from the feeling when it is raining. According to the tour guide the original name of the falls is "Piit". This is one of the seven hidden falls in the town, it is called hidden because it is situated inside and open cave. The water of the falls is coming from Buntot- Palos falls. The feeling at the basin of the falls is relaxing especially when you positioned yourself under it. You are allowed to stay at the falls until there is no other batch that will arrive. We can say that the falls is already discovered but, for me it seems that it is still untouched because the authorities are doing their best to maintain its cleanliness. 

The tour guide is our photographer. We just position ourselves whenever he calls out for picture. You wouldn't mind the long trek because what is waiting for you at the end is worth it.

This part is behind a covered shelter beside the falls, the cold water gushing through the falls makes you wanna stay there due to the summer heat. 

Once we got down from the trek, we rested for a while and decided to swim in the river.

The river's water is somehow cold.

We didn't have the chance to do the river tubing because the authorities said that the water isn't high enough, the big rocks might cause an accident to tourists. But the fee for the river tubing is made by groups of four, the fee is affordable if you are a group. The route of the river tubing starts at the Barkong Bato and ends under the hanging bridge. 

We decided to leave at around three o' clock, after we cleaned ourselves. There are a lot of restrooms and changing area that are scattered in the park. This hanging bridge is located at the entrance of the park. It is somehow hanging because it is suspended by steel wires.

After our visit to the eco- park we decided to stop by the church, and eat fishball at the plaza just across it. This is also where we waited for a jeepney to pass by for us to go home. 

All in all, since I am the one who planned this outing of us, I asked them if they enjoyed it or not, good thing is they enjoyed it. Ambon- ambon falls is a good place for barkada's and family to spend their outing, you will surely love the place. You may feel tired but its worth it, if you are an adventurous person. I also suggest that you should wear slippers that can withstand the trek, because mine got broken, I advise you to wear Sandugo and not those slipper brands that are in the spotlight.

All photos used are mine. 

Pueblo Amante de Maria

          When we think of Manila, we somehow incorporate it with malls, big buildings and establishments, traffic and pollution. But have you thought of going to Manila finding old establishments that was built during the Spanish period? Well if I am asked, yes I often think of it. One of  the destinations I've listed in my bucket list is to go to Intramuros, Luneta Park and other historical landmarks in Manila, because I haven't been there yet. I've been to Manila a lot of times already but I have not yet been to this famous landmarks, and last Sunday, December 4, I've been to Intramuros, and it was wonderful. 

                The reason why I went to Intramuros is because of one sole reason and that is to witness and be part of the 37th Intramuros Grand Marian Procession. Well festivals and fiestas can be a part of traveling because why would someone go to a certain place when there is nothing held special and worth seeing, right?

               The 37th Intramuros Grand Marian Procession or IGMP as other calls it, is one of the biggest Marian event in the Philippines. This is because delegates and Marian devotees from different parts of the Philippines took part in this said event. 

The Immaculate Concepcion of Manila Cathedral

            The Intramuros Grand Marian Procession is already on its 37th year, it started way back 1979. The procession is always organized by the Cofradia dela Inmaculada Concepcion and the Intramuros Administration and with the help of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The event is always held every first sunday of December every year.

          Since its my first time to go to Intramuros, I basically have little knowledge how to get there. First, is you will ride a bus bound to LRT, the fare costs around 72 pesos from Calamba then once you reach LRT, ride a jeepney with a signage of Luneta, Kalaw, the fare is 12 pesos, the jeep will pass along Taft wherein you will see different colleges and universities such as PWU, La Salle, Philippine Science High School, Colegio de Sta. Isabel and other known schools during the past. Ask the jeep to stop by the Andres Bonifacio monument, from their you will walk few meters and you are in Intramuros already. 

Intramuros welcome arch

             Inside Intramuros are famed schools such as Lyceum of the Philippines- Manila, Colegio de San Juan de Letran- Manila and Mapua. You will also see markers as you wend your way to the cathedral, markers which says what building was situated there during the Spanish era. I asked people on which way is the cathedral they said, "sundan niyo lang po yun pader", then that is what I did, and in no time I saw the cathedral's dome and I attended the mass. 

Lyceum of the Philippines University- Manila

Colegio de San Juan de Letran- Manila

The 2 pm mass which was presided
 by the Bishop of the Diocese of San Pablo

             After the mass was the procession that starts at around 4 o' clock in the afternoon which includes different Marian images privately and parish owned which came from different parts of the country. The total of images that participated was 112, and the route of the 3 kilometer procession is around the walled city itself.

             "Pueblo Amante de Maria" as they say if translated in Filipino, "Ang bayan na sumisinta kay Maria", this event just proves that most Filipinos are devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and through this event they can show her how much they love her. Intramuros serves as the sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception that's why the procession is held there every year.

Manila Metropolitan Cathedral|
 Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Concepcion

             The Manila Cathedral according to history was destroyed several times due to bombings during World War II, strong earthquakes that hit it, that make it turn to rubble, and fires during the past. The church structure was rebuild and change for three times, making it stronger and transforming its structure in order to stand the test of time. Although the structure was changed, some features of the cathedral remains the same. Manila Cathedral was also closed to the public for several years because of cracks that was seen in some parts of the church. 

                 The following Marian images are the ones that caught most of the attention of those who are watching;

       

Santa Ana de Hagonoy| 

National Shrine of Saint Anne| Hagonoy, Bulacan

Our Lady of Assumption|
Bulakan, Bulacan| This year is its
 first apperance in the said procession.

Nuestra Senora de Porta Vaga|
San Roque Parish| Cavite 

Nuestra Senora dela O|
Our Lady's Nativity Parish|
Pangil, Laguna

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary
 La Naval de Manila| Santo Domingo Church
| Quezon City

Our Lady of Charity| San Agustin Parish|
Bantay, Ilocos Sur| This year is its
 first apperance in the said procession.

Nuestra Senora de los Dolores de Turumba| San Pedro de Alcantara Parish|
 Pakil, Laguna| The image has been joining the IGMP for 19 years already
 and it has the biggest delegation every year. 

Nuestra Senora de los Remedios de Pampanga|
 Archdiocesian Shrine of San Fernando| Pampanga

Nuestra Senora Divina Pastora|
Three Kings Parish| Gapan, Nueva Ecija

                All in all my first experience going to Intramuros is a memorable one, sadly I have not given the time to explore the other parts of the walled city, if given a chance to go back here, I will surely explore this place and write a follow up about Intramuros and its history. This just proves that Manila is still travel worth for those who wants to relive the past, Manila isn't all that bad and I can't wait to go back here.


Photos used are all mine. (Jerus Ladanga)