BICOL │ St. Francis de Assisi Church

St. Francis de Assisi church.

San Francisco Church is one of the oldest churches in Bicol and the oldest in Naga City. I noticed that it is surrounded by so many establishments like mall, market, hotel, restaurants and park, "Naga Park"

Church interior.

Because of so many commercialized establishments over the area, it has lot's church goer's here. Once you've entered, you will notice it's nice ceiling and area space. Of course it is much smaller compared to other churches  we visited at Naga but it has unique characteristic.

It's ceiling.

The Altar.

I so love much the ceiling. It is like a pool of water above the Altar. It adds to the solemnity  and tranquil feeling of the place. So unique.

Colored panes and columns on the sides.

St. Francis of Assisi and the historical tablet.

Outside the church, the statue and church's history tablet is situated and can be viewed.

July 29, 2011:

St. Francis church was our last church to visit in Naga City before we push to our next stop, Caramoan Islands. :)

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BULACAN │ Madlum Cave

Outside Madlum Cave.

Anyone who's planning to climb Mt. Manalmon or Mt. Gola will definitely pass through this part of the Madlum Cave. First, From the Jump off you have to cross the Madlum River via "balsa" (bamboo raft) or Monkey bridge.

Station-of-the-cross-like area

Other end of the Cave.

It was really dark upon entering the said cave, I advise to use your headlights and flashlight to keep you safe walking especially in the middle of the cave until you reach the end. Also, be careful stepping on the marble rocks because it's really slippery esp. when wet, like during rainy season, water drips down the cave from it's ceiling.

Huge dripstone on our right side.

Heading out the cave.

Basically, this Cave was very easy even for beginners. Just open your eyes, lamps and your cameras! Whether you like it or not, you will pass through this cave if you are planning to have Mt. Manalmon and/or Mt. Gola climb.

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BULACAN │ Bayukbok Caves

Bayukbok Caves map.

Legend in English: Daanan:way, Yungib:Cave, Bahayan:Residences, Tulay na Kable:Cable Bridge, Palanguyan:Swimming Area, Piknikan:Picnic Area. As you can see here at the Map there are lots of "Yungib".

Spelunking started from crossing the Madlum river and entered forested area after our Mt. Manalmon hike. However if you just came for this exciting activity, no need to cross of course and just ask locals for guide. 

The Music room.

The Bayukbok Caves are one of the historical places in Bulacan which can be found at the territory of Biak na Bato National Park. Based on Philippine history, these were hidding spot of guerrillas from Japanese colony.

Music room bottom view.

Because of its formation, locals named some part of the cave with unique features like the "Music Room", where one can percuss it's longitudinal columns on the side which can produce different tone of sound.

A coral-like limestone formation

Bayukbok caves have so many rock forms to offer, from sedimentary to limestone. Its slippery ground and small opennings made cave explaration more exciting, revealed by lights from lamps striking it's rays on sparkling minerals.

Cave's ceiling, looks like a scene in heaven.

From cave 1, we went to another cave, much harder, steeper and narrower. We had to rock climb and entered again forested area just to get there. After continuous darkness from the first cave, light was finally seen upon start of the second.

Sedimentary rock from cave 2

If you are observant and differentiate the two caves, you will notice the difference from it's ceiling; rougher and tree roots are all dangling above.

Cave 2 cieling.

Rough limestone from second cave.

Size of a hand spider silently watching us from a corner.

Another unique feature in a certain part of this second cave is scattered snail shells all over the ground, not to mention that it is several meters higher than the first one, which signifies that waters flowed along that area before.

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