Caving adventure is not new in the Philippines. In fact, we have the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River now being one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. We also have Sumaguing Cave of Sagada and the Callao Cave of Tuguegarao. Count also the Tabon Cave where we find the believed-to-be first man in the world. Now, Bulwang Caves are yet another cave to explore.
Mabinay, Negros Oriental is home to more than 400 caves that’s why they also earn the label, the “Cave Town”. It also has the second longest cave system in the Philippines, the Odloman Cave, that reaches up to more than 8 kilometers. Hardcore cavers may also feast on these challenges yet what I am going to share to you is my experience as a beginner.
Bulwang Cave Tourism Office offers caving activities according to category. They also have three caves available for beginners; Panligawan Cave, Pandalihan Cave and Crystal Cave. Other caves are also for the experienced mountaineers and hardcore cavers.
We arrive in Bulwang Caves at 8am from Dumaguete. There are no other people in their office and is still close. After few minutes of wandering around the area, one guy arrives and opens it. It turns also out that he is going to be our cave guide.
We get inside their office, register and pay the corresponding fees of Php 400. They also provide headlamps and helmets for our protection. Maximum time to spend on the beginners cave will only be 2 hours. So we also expect to be back at the office before 11am.
At the back of their office is a trail leading to the caves. We also walk along the rocky pathway passing through a farm. It is also raining when we start walking, good thing it stops. Despite the rain, we still continue walking up to the first of the three beginners caves, the Panligawan cave.
Panligawan Cave
It is a short cave forming like an arch. It is also 100% dead cave. The evidence of its glory is the wonderful formations of stalactites still hanging at the portion of its ceiling. It is also 143 meters long and 22 meters deep. Its shape is like a dome and also on the inside is the big hole where you can see the trees, the sky and the natural light coming in. There is also one stalactite in the inner portion of the cave that creates a sound when you tap it, and it’s interesting.
They also call Panligawan from the Tagalog word “ligaw” means courtship. This cave also used to be a favorite venue for courtship by the locals in the area.
Pandalihan Cave
A short distance from Panligawan Cave. It is 60%-80% alive. At the entrance, you can also see that it’s already dead but as you continue walking towards the structures inside. There is also one door-like hole in one of the columns that serves as an opening to another chamber of the cave. You will knock three times before coming in and once before going out. The very good thing is they also provide a guarded walkway inside the cave. This will also serve as safety to visitors as well as preserving the naturally forming minerals inside.
As per our guide, this cave has been a home to miners before. You can also see the burnt wood inside the cave as well as the diggings made. They leave it as is so as to remember what had been done that caused massive damage to the cave. Now that it’s under their care and preservation, the cave also starts to rehabilitate.
Another challenge is that we go out of the cave lights off. Literally, we hold each other while slowly walking towards the entrance of the cave. It is also so dark at first, and as we walk further, we also see the light from the outside. Our guide asks us if we see the half of the heart, and yes the light also forms half of the heart. When we arrive outside, he also asks us where we see the heart; we cannot answer him because as per our guide, the heart is in the inside and not from the outside. That’s his trivia, and I cannot forget it.
The Pandalihan name also comes from the word “Nadali” means engagement.
Crystal Cave
This cave is 90% alive. They also protect the cave so well. They have fences at the entrance and mounts some lights inside. Walkways are also constructed inside to provide safety to visitors as well as protection to the forming minerals and crystals.
Inside the cave is so amazing. There are also many stalactites, stalagmites and columns. Our guide also shows us the gypsum rock. I am so amazed on the natural formations inside the cave. Even the railings of the walkway which directly hit by the dripping waters, minerals also start to form a stalagmite.
One thing I learn from this activity is to never touch the live stalactites because they are so sensitive. Any impurities coming from our hands will eventually stops them from growing. It will also rehabilitate after a minimum of three months. It’s also best to leave them alone, never disturb their natural activity. In the end, when it grows (for so many years) we can see the beauty of it.
Been here: November 20, 2015
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