Notes

Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor) in Mount Samat, Pilar, Bataan

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The cross at Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor). Mount Samat #Pilar, #Bataan #Philippines

A photo posted by Lakas ng Trip (@lakasngtrip) on

After having Spicy Pork Sinigang for breakfast at a karinderya in Balanga, Bataan and a quick visit to Balanga Church, we were no in Balanga Public Transportation Terminal and were asking around on how do we get to Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor).

I thought that we should ride the jeep to Bagac since it will be passing by Diwa, the jumpoff going up Mount Samat, but we were then pointed referred to jeepneys going to Cabog-Cabog. The reason why the jeepney drivers to Bagac refer people to Cabog-Cabog when they are going to Diwa because they can pick up passengers after they pass by the town of Cabog-Cabog. This makes both jeepney routes have significant income when they get home.

Balanga Public Transportation Terminal

Balanga Public Transportation Terminal

At around 8AM, our jeepney to Cabog-Cabog left and after 17 Pesos and 20 minutes we got down at the intersection going to Mount Samat at Diwa.

There were tricycles waiting on the intersection and they were offering 100 Pesos/person for a one-way trip to the top of Mount Samat. Unfortunately, we only had 1,000 Pesos all-in for our budget around Bataan so we kindly declined their offer.

Tricycle at the intersection to Mount Samat at Diwa, Pilar, Bataan

Tricycle at the intersection to Mount Samat at Diwa, Pilar, Bataan

According to the tricycle drivers the walk would take us about 2 to 3 hours but the locals doubtedly told us that it would only take us 1 hour. Frankly, I thought the tricycle drivers were trying to exaggerate the time so that they could convince us to pay for them. There were a lot of literature also on the internet that says it would only take 1 hour.

After drinking a bottle of softdrink just to jumpstart my blood and a brief relaxing moment inside the CR we started walking to the top of Mount Samat at around 8:45AM.

Walk to the Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor) at Mount Samat, Pilar, Bataan

Maui starting our walk to the top of Mount Samat

We passed by some people drying barbecue sticks on the road.

Island Hopping in Port Barton, San Vicente, Palawan

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Since the jeepney from Roxas arrived a little past 1 PM from Roxas, Palawan there’s really nothing that I could do in Port Barton but to walk around, sit on the beach and talk to locals. One of the locals that I have talked to offered me an island hopping tour. Originally the prices of the island hopping tour for 2 pax is 1,200 Pesos and for 3 or more pax it’s 500 Pesos each. Since, I was alone I agreed so that I would not pay the hefty amount of 1,200 Pesos all by myself. He said that for the 500 Pesos per person to proceed he will look for other people to join me. We exchanged numbers and I went back to my lodging. Night came, there was no message that the tour will proceed. Next day around 7AM came, there was still no message so I texted him back to confirm of the island hopping tour. I decided if he does not message me at 8AM, I would have to take the offer of another local who offered me 800 Pesos for a boat for island hopping. I got word that on off-peak season, the boats could go that low. 8AM came, I texted the other local and he replied that the boat will be ready at 9AM.

Beach at Port Barton

Went to meet the local at 9AM and turns out he was not the boatman. So he referred me to my boatman and first things first, we needed food to eat. We looked for fresh fish so that we could cook on the islands. Though the front of the beach of Port Barton has been filled with accommodations Port Barton is still a fishing village so what we did was we went to people who they knew buys fish from the fishermen and sells them again at the market. Unfortunately, their fishes has either been reserved by the resorts or had been delivered to Puerto Princesa or Roxas via their public jeepneys. We saw a woman peddling some fishes and since it was either too big or too small, we decided that we’re having squid for lunch. Bought some onions, tomatoes, kalamansi, snacks, water and some cooked rice. Just when I thought we were going to start, he suddenly said that he’ll get some utensils from their house so we can use it. I think that’s good service. Around 9:20AM we road the boat and it was time to visit the islands of Port Barton.

Puerto Princesa Do-It-Yourself 4D3N Budget and Itinerary

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Entrance to the Puerto Princesa Underground River

Summary

No. of Pax: 4 pax
Budget: P5,300 – airfare and airport terminal fees not included
Duration: 4 days – 3 nights
Estimated Start: Day 1 – 9:00AM Arrival at Puerto Princesa
Estimated End: Day 4 – 5:00PM flight out of Puerto Princesa
Lodging:  Fan Room
Activities:

  • City Tour
  • Iwahig Firefly Watching
  • Honda Bay Island Hopping
  • Ugong Rock Caving
  • Puerto Princesa Underground River
  • Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour

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Suggested Itinerary

Day 1
0900 AM Arrival at Puerto Princesa
0910 AM Walk outside of the airport premises; Ride tricycle to Underground River Booking Office (P8/pax)
0915 AM Get permits for the Underground River on 3rd day afternoon (P175/pax)
1100 AM Ride arranged tricycle to Badjao Seafront Restaurant; (P150/tricycle)
1115 AM Arrival at Badjao Seafront Restaurant; Tricycle should wait for you
1215 PM Ride arranged tricycle to lodging
1230 PM ETA lodging; Check-in and prepare for City Tour
0100 PM Start of City Tour via Tourism Accredited Tricycle (P600/tricycle)
City Tour includes Crocodile Farm, Rancho Mitra, Baker’s Hill, Butterfly Garden, Baywalk, Cathedral and Plaza Cuartel
0500 PM End of City Tour; Back at Lodging; Rest for a bit and get ready for Iwahig Firefly Watching
0600 PM Ride Tourism Accredited Tricycle to Iwahig for Firefly Watching (P700/tricycle)
0645 PM ETA Iwahig; Register for Firefly Watching Paddleboat Tour (P600/boat; 3 pax/boat)
0700 PM Start of Iwahig Firefly Watching Paddleboat Tour
0830 PM End of Iwahig Firefly Watching; Ride tricycle back to Town Proper; Drop at Kinabuch
0915 PM ETA Kinabuch; Late Dinner; Try Tamilok
1030 PM Ride tricycle to lodging
1040 PM Back at Lodging; Freshen-up and sleep
Day 2
0600 AM Breakfast at Jollibee/Chowking/Dunkin Donuts
0715 AM Ride Tourism Accredited Tricycle to Honda Bay Port (P600/tricycle); Ask to stop somewhere to buy snacks & packed lunch; The tricycle will go back for you when the Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour ends
0745 AM ETA at Honda Bay Port; Register for Island Hopping (P1,500/boat)
0800 AM Start of Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour
0400 PM End of Honda Bay Island Hopping
0415 PM Ride tricycle back to Town Proper
0445 PM Back at lodging; Freshen up & Rest
0630 PM Ride tricycle to Kalui (P10/pax)
0635 PM ETA Kalui; Dinner and art tripping!!!
0800 PM Ride tricycle back to lodging
0805 PM Back at Lodging; Freshen up & Sleep
Day 3

Waterfalls in Sabang, Puerto Princesa, Palawan

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My brother and I was going through the different lodgings at the western side of Sabang in Brgy Cabayugan when a dog stopped us from reaching Alpuerto. We then asked for help on the nearby house and a little guy helped subside the anger of the dog. He then offered to guide us to Sabang Waterfalls.

Brother suggested that since we were on this side of Sabang we might as well visit the falls to conserve our time and energy. He also encouraged me to hire the boy offering to guide us so he could have an additional money for his schooling. So we asked the boy to accompany us to the falls, which did a good favor for us as he knew a lot about the place.

The boy’s name was Marvin, he was 12 years old and still going to school. Good!

As we reached Alpuerto Resort, Kuya Marvin asked us to register before continuing to the waterfalls. According to him this is to monitor how many people are going in and out of the falls. We are also required to log-out when we get back.

We continued and not far from the resort there’s a Buddhist temple.

After taking picture inside of the temple we proceeded to walk on the rocky shore. This reminded me of the rocky walk to the lighthouse of Capones Island in Zambales.

There’s also some teachings of Buddha on the way.