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Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Rizal Series: The Charming Countryside of Tanay

Laguna de Bay sunset  


February 11, 2012
Tanay, Rizal

Sometimes we don't really have to travel too far, board a plane or cruise in a ship to experience the stunning feeling of being away from the urban jungle. Sometimes, we can find it lurking somewhere near, somewhere within our borders.

This was exactly what I realized on my recent trip to Tanay with Cha, Janet and Kidd. After putting off and postponing this trip several times, we finally  decided to push through, and what a wonderful time we had there! 



This trip was the final leg of our one-day-Rizal-art-and-nature-appreciation series. See posts about Angono and Binangonan. :)

Tanay, a first class municipality, is about two hours and 57 kilometers away  from Manila. 

When we arrived, my friend Kidd led us to a restaurant near the parola. It was already noon and we had a hearty meal -- devouring shrimp sinigang, liempo and  sipping buko juice -- courtesy of our gracious host!

After lunch, we rushed off to our first destination. From the highway, we passed by a dirt road which could be a pain for smaller vehicles like the one we had. We had to get off the trike several times and hike a bit on our trip from Daranak to the town proper. After about 20 minutes ride from the poblacion, we arrived  in Barangay Sampaloc, where Daranak Falls is located. 

Daranak Falls

There is supposedly an entrance fee (P20) to this government-owned park, but for some reason, we got a free pass!  We passed by a suspension bridge which offers a great and relaxing view of the river gliding through the massive rocks down under and the lush green scenery that provides canopy to visitors. Then as I got nearer, I could hear the sound of the raging cascade. And in no time, we saw Daranak Fall's water plunging straight into the blue catch-basin. Oh what a beauty! Daranak Falls is open daily from 8 a.m to 5 p.m.. No overnight. :)

Carlo, our guide, ushered us to another cascade located just upstream Daranak. We paid P50 for the entrance to the now privately-owned Batlag Falls. Cottages and tables are also available for tourists (P200). For those staying overnight, there is a P150 fee per person. 

Both Daranak and Batlag may be familiar to some movie-goers since both have been the shoot location for some local films and TV series. During our quick stay there, we saw props used from the last shoot.


I could only hope that the visitors and the local government can keep cleanliness around these two vibrant waterfalls. 

Batlag Falls

After about an hour, we headed back to the town proper so we can still shoot the San Ildefonso Church before sundown. Built from 1573 to 1582 using forced labors, this 405 years old church is the second oldest church in the province of Rizal. In 2001, it was also declared a National Cultural Heritage by the National Commision for Culture and the Arts along with 25 other churches in the Philippines. *Wikipedia.


The church still keeps its old charm. I noticed the massive belfry, the pulpit, the antique religious stuff, and the high ceiling inside the church. 

the 405-year old San Ildefonso Church is at the heart of the town of Tanay

Probably the best part of our quick trip in Tanay was the picturesque sunset at the Parola, the lighthouse of Tanay. The silhouette of the spiral staircase of the lighthouse, the rowing boatman making his late afternoon rounds in Laguna de Bay, and the flash of orange from the sunset sky offered an almost nostalgic view. The whole scene was picture-perfect and I could not resist   capturing the moment through Nika's lens. 

The Parola

And to end our art and nature trip in Rizal, Carlo drove us to a chic coffee shop and restaurant for dinner. 



Roll call: Janet, Cha, Kidd, Ivy, Carlo



Commuting to Tanay:


Ride a jeep or van to Tanay from Araneta Center or in front of StarMall (Edsa cor Shaw Boulevard).


Side trip: Check out Kidd's music box collection! Visit her youtube channel for more! :)


38 comments:

  1. OMG, bake sidetrip lang ang music box ko!!!! I demand a refund!!!

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    1. Haha naalala ko nga na kidd was expecting for 1000+ words about her music boxdito sa backpackingpilipinas. :D :D :D

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    2. Kidd!! naubos na superlatives ko!!! basta ang music box collection mo is pure awesomeness!

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  2. che nag commute lang ba kayo? o me dala kayo car? wow nice blog,,, I became a fan ^^, keep it up!

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    1. Hi Onin! nagcommute kami papunta sa Tanay. Pwede ka sakay sa van or jeep sa Araneta Cubao or sa tapat ng StarMall (Edsa cor Shaw Boulevard). From Tanay Proper, nagrent na kami ng tricycle papunta sa Daranak and Batlag Falls. Salamat for visiting! I followed your blog. :) excited to read your travel stories!

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  3. hi...

    im interested to visit daranak falls too...but with a minimun budget...
    how much should i save for the trip? include the fares and the meals for the whole day trip...please... thank you...

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    Replies
    1. Hello,

      budget on a day trip to Daranak actually depends on the number of people going. but here's a sample budget (5pax) that may help you:

      Fare from Manila (starmall or crossing) to Tanay : P60-70
      From terminal/tanay market, arrange a special trip to and from Daranak: tricycle fare may range from P100-300
      entrance to Daranak: P20
      picnic shed/table: P100
      food: depends on you. :)

      Batlag Falls entrance:P50
      cottage: P250

      Group of 5: P500-700/person budget would be enough. :)

      Have fun! :)

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    2. Pwede po ba mag overnight dyan? Salamat. ^_^

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  4. hi che tomorrow baka punta kami tanay ^^ pero sana di na maulit yung bad experience dati sa batlag falls,,, they charged us too much and ayaw nila dslr :(

    http://onin45.multiply.com/journal/item/48/WHAT_THE_Batlag_falls..

    thanks for your detailes blog and more power sa iyong backpackingpilipinas :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Onin!

      eto po pala ang rates sa Batlag Falls:

      Entrance fee:
      Adult- P50
      Children -P25

      Cottage- P250
      Table- P200
      Overnight- P150

      Di naman nila ako sinita nung gumamit ako ng DSLR pagpunta ko dun. hopefully mas maganda na experience niyo dun this time! You guys enjoy! :)

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  5. che im sadden sa sight ng mga falls :( http://onin45.blogspot.com/2012/04/daranak-batlag-and-hinulugang-taktak.html thanks for your help narating din namin ang daranak and batlag

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    1. nabasa ko blog mo onin. very pitiful sight nga. i dont know if ganun kadami ang tao kasi summer or holiday. pero the trash and the soap suds are just too painful to look at. thanks sa post mo. nakita ko difference ng past and current situation dun. the people managing these falls have to make sure that cleanliness is kept within the area.

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  6. hi! i heard so much about daranak & batlag falls, are they open the whole year??

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  7. hi! ask ko lng how to get to the lighthouse? and daranak falls?and for the budget. thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Hello!

      budget on a day trip to Daranak actually depends on the number of people going. but here's a sample budget (5pax) that may help you:

      Fare from Manila (starmall or crossing) to Tanay : P60-70
      From terminal/tanay market, arrange a special trip to and from Daranak: tricycle fare may range from P100-300
      entrance to Daranak: P20
      picnic shed/table: P100
      food: depends on you. :)

      Batlag Falls entrance:P50
      cottage: P250

      Group of 5: P500-700/person budget would be enough. :)

      If you want to go to the parola, you can either walk (ask for directions from the locals going to the dike) or take a trike.

      Enjoy! :)

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  8. hi. is there a lodge close to this site if we would want to stay for couple of nights?

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    1. The last time I checked, there are cottages available for overnight stay at Batlag Falls. Overnight stay is not allowed in Daranak Falls. There are resorts/lodging in Tanay, but I'm not so sure if they're close in these Falls.

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  9. There are several mountain resorts in Tanay such as the Pranjetto Hill Resort, Sierra Madre Valley Resort and the Sacramento Valley Resort. Lodging houses are also available in the town proper. :)

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  10. hi!!! please give me sketch how to get there by a motorcycle? thanks!

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  11. hello !! pwede po bang mag camping ng 2days sa daranak want kase ng mga katrabaho ko na mag camping ng 2days ?? salamat !!

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  12. is it advisable to go there alone? thanks

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  13. Hello,

    pwede po ba magcamp 2 person only and ganun pa rin ang expenses per individual?

    Thank you.

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  14. We went to Tanay last 2003 for a casual weekend getaway and we were awed by the scenery and very cool climate and fell in love with the place. We like it so much that we bought a piece of property in Sampaloc, Tanay to be part of the culture and tradition of such wonderful place . Tanay have the views of Sierra Madre mountain ranges and Laguna Lake and have the climate of Tagaytay without the traffic jam.

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  15. Hi che! Thanks sa blog mo. I got an idea. Do we really need to hire a tour guide to batlag and daranak falls? Thanks

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  16. plan want to visit Tanay this week w/hubby by public transpo. Hindi ba mahirap. Saan kami sakay from Malate kami galing. Is it a good time? Hindi ba problema pag may kasamang dayuhan? Yon lagi ang problem namin overcharging salamat.ano pabang nice place malapit sa Tanay pwede combine for 2 nights thanks

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    1. Hello! May van po sa Star Mall - Crossing papunta sa Tanay. Pwede rin po kayong mag jeep. Meron din pong mga jeep sa Crossing along Shaw Boulevard. Pagdating niyo ng Tanay, marami na pong mag-ooffer na tricycle sainyo going to Daranak falls. Pwede pong balikan lang ang Tanay dahil malapit lang. Maganda ring puntahan ang kanilang centuries old church and Regina Rica. Generally, safe naman po sa Tanay. :)

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  17. hello there.. we're looking for a summer getaway this may. Tanong ko lg po if mga how much lahat mgagastos sa trip to daranak at batlag falls. pwde po ba maligo dito sa falls?and yung sa food po pwde rin ba magbaon?
    thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Hello! More than enough na po ata ang P500-P1000 per person. Pwede pong maligo doon. Hindi ko lang po sigurado kung pwedeng magdala ng pagkain. Have a safe trip! :)

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  18. Hi. ask ko lang po kung pwede pmunta sa parola ng maaga. parang mganda mag sunrise watching dun. tsaka malapit lng po ba to sa daranak? Thanks.

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    1. Medyo malayo-layo rin po ang Parola sa Daranak falls, kailangan pong sumakay. Pwede rin po kayo pumunta doon ng umaga. :)

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    2. Magkano po kayo magagastos kapag mga 2-4 persons lang pupunta dyan this weekend? Salamat. ^_^

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  19. Pwede po ba ang overnight camping sa batlag? We're using tent sana para makamura. Thanks

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    1. hmmm. last time i check parang di ata pwedeng mag-overnight dun. not sure ngyon kung pwede na

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  20. Devouring shrimp sinigang, liempo and sipping buko juice -- courtesy of our gracious host!travelling Moldova

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