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The Magnificent Marvels of Minalungao National Park: A Creative Journey
Minalungao National Park in General Tinio, Nueva Ecija, is a stunning natural gem that offers a perfect blend of adventure and tranquility. Known for its breathtaking limestone formations and the emerald waters of the Peñaranda River, the park is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
On October 20, 2024, we set off from Eastwood City, eager to explore the natural beauty of Minalungao National Park in Nueva Ecija. The journey was an adventure, filled with winding roads, picturesque landscapes, and the thrill of the unknown. As we crossed bridges and passed through small villages, the scenery shifted from urban sprawl to lush greenery.
However, our trusty Waze led us astray, directing us towards an inaccessible road in DRT Bulacan. Faced with this unexpected detour, we had two options: abandon the car and trek for an hour and a half or return to San Miguel Bulacan and find another route.
Just as we were contemplating our next move, fortune smiled upon us. Col. De Guzman, the friendly owner of a nearby farm, offered to guide us to Minalungao National Park. His willingness to help turned our potential setback into a memorable encounter.
Before continuing our journey, we enjoyed a simple yet hearty lunch—four eggs, two pieces of Canton noodles, and fresh ladyfinger vegetables, all expertly prepared by a local store owner. Refueled and ready, we dropped Col. De Guzman off at his home and set out once more.
As we navigated the bumpy Barangay Bungo Road in Gapan, the thrill of adventure was palpable. We opted to sit in the back of the pickup truck, where the fresh air and stunning mountain views surrounded us. Every bump and jolt only added to the excitement as we embraced the beauty of the ride ahead.
A Glimpse of Minalungao National Park As we arrived at Minalungao National Park, we were immediately captivated by its lush landscapes and dramatic rock formations, which created a stunning backdrop for our adventure. The park's beauty is undeniable, even if the conditions were not exactly as we had imagined.
While we had hoped for the crystal-clear waters the park is known for, the Peñaranda River greeted us with a brownish hue during our visit. Yet, this didn’t deter fellow tourists from diving in and enjoying the refreshing swim. The towering cliffs surrounding the river provided an ideal setting for photography, and we couldn’t resist capturing the moment against such a breathtaking natural canvas.
Despite the river's unexpected color, the park's allure was undeniable. We wandered along the banks, marveling at the unique rock formations and vibrant greenery. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and excitement, as families and friends made the most of their day in nature.
Activities to Embrace at Minalungao National Park At Minalungao National Park, there’s no shortage of activities to keep visitors engaged and entertained. The hiking trails beckon adventurers to explore, leading to stunning viewpoints that reward every step taken. Each trail offers its own unique perspective of the park’s breathtaking landscapes, making it a haven for hikers of all skill levels.
For those seeking a thrill, river activities like rafting provide an exhilarating way to experience the Peñaranda River. The rush of the water and the stunning scenery create an unforgettable adventure that’s perfect for groups or families looking for some excitement.
Nature enthusiasts will also find joy in birdwatching and exploring the park’s diverse flora and fauna. The rich ecosystem is home to various species, making it a paradise for anyone interested in the natural world.
A must-visit highlight is the cave, which holds intriguing stories from the locals. It’s said that before experiencing an earthquake, the cave could be accessed to another mountain approximately four kilometers away. Though the access may have changed, the cave still draws visitors with its mystique and beauty, making it a fascinating stop on any tour...
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I have nothing but great memories of our fun and beautiful experience at Minalungao. We went there on a weekday, a perfect time to have less people to compete with for rafts. Almost everything was simple and straightforward.
Parking and Entrance: It was a bit of a walk even though we walked via shortcut on the right side (assuming you're walking downwards to the numerous huts). Some manual vehicle drivers placed big rocks behind one or two of their tires just to make sure their cars were secure on slanted ground. Others parked along the street, also slanted. As a driver, I got free entrance and my companions were charged the low rates we expected (100/adult, 50/senior or child). "Low" is purely subjective so I'll add the words "in my opinion."
Bamboo Raft Rental and Experiences: We rented a bamboo raft for P800 good for a maximum of 8 people. It's fair enough, in my opinion. :) Thanks to other reviews, we set our minds on being parked on the sides of the river, and it was totally okay especially when we were in the moment. What moments would these be? Clean water, weak current, stepping on smooth rocks of various shapes and colors in knee-to-belly deep water (depending on what part though), beautiful limestone formations, tolerable water temperature, fresh air, innocent and harmless tiny fishes, more bamboo rafts...these are a chunk of the overall experience.
Food and Beverages: We brought our own food viands, rice because we're soo Filipino, sweets, disposable plates and utensils, and cooler with ice and beverages. You can buy ice there at the sari-sari stores where the huts are or arrive prepared so you can go straight to your planned activities. Apparently they sell alcohol too but you can't bring them to the river. It might be the same for smoking because of the ashes and/or sticks though vaping seemed easy for some people that floated by us. You can bring cloths to hang on the raft, making it look like a sailboat of sorts to block too much afternoon sunlight. Thick garbage bags are provided. If they're not proactive in offering, you can ask for one. It's free anyway and good for trash control.
Tips and Tricks: Be mindful when rafts or kayaks are nearby to avoid possible injury. Security will be watching everyone from the shaded limestone. Be responsible and wear your life vests. Diving areas are deep and the slopes near those are sudden. I used goggles to verify this myself. Be mindful of the current; it's a one-way stream the whole time so attempting to walk to the big rock (for jumping) won't work. Furthermore, if you're walking towards the hanging bridge, that gets deep somewhere in the middle too and the current can push you towards it. Sorry if it's confusing but always wear the life vest anyway.
The Next Times: We didn't get to try the zipline, hanging bridge, caves, or 1000-stairs climb to the big cross because one of us was afraid of heights. Your activities would really depend on your group's needs and wants altogether, but not doing everything can leave you excited to return and try the untried with other groups.
Restrooms: Okay these were the least satisfying of our stay. Getting dressed there was challenging because there were many people and I had a windy curtain "covering" me occasionally. For some reason, 3 women went out of the male restroom 3 times! I verified our restroom sign 3 times! I looked back and fourth 3 times! I went in and it was still ours after all. :) The stench of urine was typical and unpleasant. I got dressed quickly and went right out. Taking a bath at home made a whole lot more sense that time, no, probably for all future visits to come. :)
Ender: That's pretty much everything. Go prepared, go as early as possible, choose weekdays over weekends, use loose change for tips maybe, and probably bring a camera. I used a smartphone but had no zoom so I was forced to shoot as if with prime portraits lenses.
I hope you enjoy your trip as we have! If you go to Nueva Ecija, this should be at the top of your list, in...
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PURONG SINGIL! If I only drove a short distance for this day trip, I would have left! Municipality of Tinio "environmental fee": ₱50/head. Paid to a official on the road to the river. Minalungao park "environmental fee": ₱100/head. Parking: ₱50
That is ₱350 for a husband and wife on a day trip, and all we did was take pictures for 30 minutes.
No doubt it is picturesque, but they need to reduce charges for people who just want to take pictures and maybe eat at one of the carendarias. Tinio Municipality needs to get out of there completely, or take a percentage of the entrance fee for themselves. THEY ADD NOTHING TO THE PARTY! The bridge is still one lane on the road in, and the new bridge has been "in work" for 5 years or more with no opening in sight! The rest of the road is in need of repair as well!
Let's face it. A National Park should be inviting to high level domestic tourists and even international tourists. The best this place will do for the foreseeable future is lower middle class domestic tourists, and maybe they bring along a token foreigner, a Filipino vacationing from abroad to see family, or some returning Filipino OFW.
The reality is, the place is a typical under-developed and under-funded local water hole where locals come to play in the water, eat budol-fight style, get drunk, sing bad karaoke, and do all sorts of unregulated unsanitary things. The people living out there, and even some who visit, are bathing (soap, shampoo, etc), doing laundry, and of course other things meant for bathrooms. Would anyone concerned with proper hygiene do more than maybe put their feet in the water? No. Even the public bathrooms are unsanitary!
In comparison, a place like Bolinao has various waterfalls with crystal clear water. ₱20 environmental fee, and ₱20 entrance fee, and maybe a ₱30-₱50 parking fee.
I've been to Minalungao four times in the past. Small fees for entrance, no municipal "environmental" extortion (really this is a leftover from Covid days as a way for towns to make money), and a small parking fee.
No way in hell is it worth ₱350 even for a picnic and sightseeing. My suggestion would be to eliminate the municipal fee, reduce the entrance and parking by half, and add a little more to the water equipment and floating kubos for rent there. If not, you will lose the people who just want to enjoy the beauty of the park, take pictures and leave. Think about the people who own carendarias who want to sell a meal to day trippers. Most who come out there probably bring their own food for a...
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