Suggested
Itinerary:
Day 01
Ditumabo Falls
Balete Park
Hanging Bridge
Ermita Hill
Sabang Beach
Day 02
Quezon Memorial Park
Museo de Baler
Baler Park
Baler Church
Aurora Aragon Quezon
Pasalubong Center
Ditumabo Falls
Be mesmerized with the crystal-clear water
as it flows among the boulders and rocks downstreams. It is 140 feet high
surrounded by rugged mossy cliffs, shrubs, and vines making it a perfect place
for picnics and nature tripping.
This attraction can be found in the province
of San Luis. In fact, it takes roughly half an hour on foot to reach the site
from the jump start area; on the other hand, for some it may be longer
depending on your pace. Expect that the water is terribly cold, so it’s
advisable to wear rashguard with long sleeves which may somehow make you warm
after dipping.
Reminders:
* Do not wear any jewelries or accessories
you think you don’t need during the visit.
* You can just leave your extra clothes in
the car. There is a changing room or shower room near the parking area.
* You may bring your camera or mobile
phones to capture this natural attraction. Just make sure that it’s properly
protected or covered.
Balete Park
Balete Park was built as it preserves one
of Asia’s most gigantic Balete tree also known as Millennial tree. Yeah, you
heard it right. It is, in fact, 500 years old which stands as tall as 60 meters
or like a 3-story house. The diameter of its trunk is approximately 6 meters
which needs 60 people in order to embrace the entire tree. Fortunately,
tourists can climb up among the sturdy vines up to 3 meters high to have a
nicer camera shot.
According to the legend, many believe that
Balete trees home mythical creatures such as gnomes, tikbalang (half human,
half horse), white lady, kapre, and many more. Thus, whoever tries to distract
or cut the tree, will face his misfortune with no known cause. Also, people are
advised to pay respect on them by whispering and asking for permission before
climbing up or entering the hollow part of this tree.
Apart from this huge attraction at the park, you can buy pasalubong here particularly the rice cake or ‘suman’ in
Tagalog, specially-made here because of its organic brown rice.
Hanging Bridge
This bridge is located not too far from
Zabali Road. It is made of steel cables and wooden flatporm spanning to a approximately 200 meters in length over the green moss Tibag-Sabang River in Baler. The river flows out to
Baler Bay, south of Sabang Beach and the Pacific Ocean.
Ermita Hill
Ermita Hill is a 2-hectare plateau
overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is believed that this elevated area used to
be the refuge and temporary resettlement of more or less 6 families who only survived
from a tsunami occurred in 1735. Later on, some pirates rummage the entire town
and captured more than 400 villagers.
Tip:
* Visit some small cottages nestled by the
cliff to have a panoramic view of Sabang Beach and the ocean.
* You may as well purchase your pasalubong
here.
Sabang Beach
This place is a long shoreline of grey fine sand, a very famous spot for surfing and other water activities. It is highly condensed with variety of accommodation from inexpensive lodging inns to 3-4 stars hotels and resorts, sprawling bars and restaurants with their own attractions when dusk begins. Some of these quite amusing gimmicks include bands who can perform different genres of music.
Quezon Memorial Park
The park was made to commemorate the
President Manuel L. Quezon. It has some attractions that you should not miss
including a steel statue of the late president, a replica of the nipa hut where
he was born, and a museum.
Museo de Baler
Aurora Aragon Quezon is the wife of the
former Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon and the museum houses her
family’s several important memorabilias and town’s cultural heritage. Everybody will surely enjoy this place because
it’s fully-airconditioned.
Baler Park
A few feet from Quezon Memorial Park is
Baler Park where most travelers/tourists came by and take some photos with the iconic
huge signage and its 4 pillars behind it representing the 400-year momentous
history of the province.
Reminder:
* To make the flow of the people more
organized, please do cooperate to queue properly. There’s nothing wrong in
showing a fraction of your discipline as the locals manage the people to line
up to avoid the traffic on the road.
* You may give some tips to the locals as they
assist you on taking better photos.
Baler Church
This church had become the shelter of the
33 surviving Spanish soldiers for a year even though the Philippine
Independence was already declared. Finally, it was on June 2, 1899 when they
marched out of the church and headed to Manila, ending the so-called Siege
Baler. President Emilio Aguinaldo treated these survivors as friends instead of
being prisoners.
Dona Aurora Aragon Quezon House
A few feet from Baler Church is a small
nipa hut, the birth place of the late Dona Aurora Aragon-Quezon. She is the
wife of President Manuel Quezon.
Tip:
Keep your ticket from Museo De Baler to
have a free admission on this site.
Pasalubong Center
Your visit to any tourist destinations here in the Philippines won't be complete without visiting the local Pasalubong Center. The Pasalubong Center here in Baler is somewhat small compared to other provinces. The products sold outside are a bit cheaper than the ones inside the center.
Your visit to any tourist destinations here in the Philippines won't be complete without visiting the local Pasalubong Center. The Pasalubong Center here in Baler is somewhat small compared to other provinces. The products sold outside are a bit cheaper than the ones inside the center.
