Panguil River Eco-Park (Pangil, Laguna)

After experiencing two great waterfall trips, since it was still a rainy season, I proceeded to explore my third waterfall, the Ambon-Ambon Falls inside the Panguil River Eco-Park (formerly the Piit Resort) in little-known Pangil, Laguna, on July 2, 2014. 

Plying along the Manila East Road and the National Highway, coming from Metro Manila, passing through Rizal provincial areas namely, Cainta, Angono, Binangonan, Cardona, Morong, Baras, Tanay, and Pilillia, turn left after a sign visible on the highway after passing the junction of Siniloan, Famy, and Mabitac. 

Arriving at the place, you would then notice a small historical monument of a cannon signifying that this area was once a place for manufacturing gunpowder for the Spanish Military during the latter 1800s. 

Polvorista Monument

Entering the Admin Office, since we would be trekking to the Ambon-Ambon Falls, we paid a total of Php 400.00, which is the minimum rate for 5 persons or less. The complete list of the rates and the area diagram can be seen below. 

Admin Office

Fees & Rates

Area Diagram

After entering the gates of the eco-park, wherein you could now park your vehicle, there is a wooden directional marker pointing to the various sites that you would encounter in the main activity area. 

Welcome Poster

Venue Gate

Directional Marker

We passed by the hanging bridge, wherein you could view the various cottages below and a shallow swimming area right in front of them. Arriving at the main activity area, we were provided with life vests that we would be needing soon, and then followed a cemented rocky trail towards the falls. 

Hanging Bridge

Cottages & Swimming Area

Main Activity Area

First that you would encounter would be the so-called Barkong Bato, a huge bed of rock protruding from the side of the mountain that looks like a ship. 

Barkong Bato

Next spot would be the “Biak Na Bato” rock, which literally is a rock split in half with water flowing in the middle. 

Biak na Bato

Traversing on several uneven terrains, we arrived at the first balsa to hop on. The life vests would now be needed on all three short balsa rides. Be prepared to be submerged waist-deep sitting down while on the balsa. 

First Balsa

Second Balsa

Third Balsa

Riding the third balsa, in a few seconds, you would now be astounded by the Ambon-Ambon Falls at a short distance. 

As the balsa docked several meters from the falls due to protruding rocks, we then alighted the balsa and proceeded directly to the falls, but to arrive at the falls proper, one should swim on deep water or use the long rope to cross to the other side where the falls is located. 

The exhilarating experience is when one goes right underneath the falls. Super cold water rushing at your back…..wow! 

Ambon-Ambon Falls

Arriving back at the main activity area, we dipped into the shallow swimming area in front of the cottages, and the spillway. 

Swimming Area

Spillway

Departing from the venue, with rumbling stomachs, we dropped by Manay’s Eatery in Fami, Laguna for lunch, which satisfied us big. 

Manay's Eatery

Bon Appetit!

Pangil, for me, is such an underrated place in Laguna maybe because it barely appears in tourism-related media, but it is a great place for nature lovers. 

The Eco-Park is really worth the trip. 

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Bunga Falls (Nagcarlan, Laguna)

During rainy seasons, most of my trips would center on places where rain incidences would not pose as a major hindrance in enjoying the preferred destination. 

Last June 22, 2014, just a week after my Taytay Falls experience, we travelled to Nagcarlan, Laguna to check out the so-called twin falls, the Bunga Falls. 

Departing from the Cubao area riding a Lucena-bound bus, after two hours, we alighted at the San Pablo junction near Jollibee and rode a tricycle towards the jeepney terminal located at Inocencio Barleta Street near the San Pablo City Plaza. 

We then took a Nagcarlan-bound jeepney and were dropped at the Nagcarlan Town Hall compound.

Nagcarlan Town Hall

As we sped off towards the Bunga Falls area, riding another tricycle, we passed by two road entrances with directional tarpaulins, and arrived at a large parking area near our destination. 

First Road Entrance

Second Road Entrance

TIP: Make an agreement with the tricycle driver to pick you up at a certain time due to the fact that the parking area is far from the highway. 

Entering the Bunga Falls compound, you will be required to pay an entrance fee of only Php 5.00 before descending towards the falls proper. 

Entering the Compound

Registration Area

Descending towards the Falls area

If you want a place to keep your stuff and stay with convenience, there are several cottages to choose from, with rental fees ranging from Php 200.00-300.00. 

Several Cottages and a Bamboo Bridge

As far as the water is concerned, it is naturally cold since it came from a waterfall. The water near the waterfall is very deep, so for those who are not that skillful in swimming may opt to stay at the shallow areas.  

Bunga Falls

Bunga Falls and the deep portions

The shallow area

Submerging Bliss!

Together with famous travel blogger Jun "Smart Backpacker" Villegas

After the refreshing dip, we then climbed back towards the parking area. You can change clothes and refresh yourselves at the Barangay Bunga Hall. 

Climbing back towards the Parking Area

Barangay Bunga Hall

Riding a trike towards the Nagcarlan-Rizal Road, we then ate our lunch at the Ralphjoy’s Restobar. If time still permits, you could visit the famous Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery which is a stone’s throw away from the restaurant. 

Ralphjoy's Restobar

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