A day off to Minalungao National Park - A Natural Wonder in Nueva Ecija

Shallow area of the Peñaranda river recommended for swimming and picnicking

Night-shift work left us feeling exhausted and tired, so we took a day off to regain and refresh our energy. A dip to a cool clear water and a relaxing natural scenery is enticing us, so here we go.

Our destination? Minalungao National Park.

As we only have a day to spare, we decided to visit and explore Minalungao National Park since it is just a few hours travel north of Manila. The National Park, from the basic information we were told, is located in the Municipality of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija, Philippines and is an ecotourism destination known for its clean flowing river, and breathtaking scenery of the high limestone walls and unique rock formations in both sides of the Peñaranda river. The best time to witness and experience the greenish clear water is during summer time.

Limestone walls, rock formations and greenish clear water

Activities we did? We crossed the river via Bamboo raft ride and enjoyed the stunning beauty of the natural scenery. Hiked the concrete stairs which lead us to the cross and savored the peaceful moments with the lush greens. Dipped and waded in the cool and clean shallow water, and picnicked with our classic adobo baon. A whole day of fun and relaxation that have truly restored us.

We also tried trekking the limestone path which lead us to a small cave with glittering stalactites.

The limestone wall cave. Inset - glittering stalactite inside the cave.

How did we get there?

• From Cubao Bus Terminal, we hopped in to a bus bound for Cabanatuan City and have requested the bus conductor to drop us in Bucana, Gapan, Nueva Ecija.

• From Bucana, we hired a tricycle bound to General Tinio Municipal Hall. The trip is about 45 minutes.  (btw, Gen. Tinio is also known to the locals as Papaya). Since we are new to the place, we decided to drop by at the Municipal Hall to ask for additional information and guidance.

• We then hired a round trip tricycle ride from the General Tinio Municipal Hall to Minalungao National Park.   

The trip from Cubao Bus Terminal to Gapan is about 3 hours, from Bucana to Minalungao National Park is about 1 ½ hours. 

Travel story and photos contributed by meldbackpackmom

How to enjoy a day tour at Alaminos Hundred Islands

Service boats parked at the Marcos Island

How we enjoyed a day tour at the Hundred Islands?

First of all, of course, we started the day by visiting the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag to hear mass and pray for thanksgiving.

From the parking lot, we got access to the wishing well, museum and parish offices, rosary garden, candle gallery and blessing area.

In photos: the Shrine's wishing well, museum and parish offices, candle gallery and blessing area

 Upon arrival at the Hundred Islands National Park -Lucap Warf, we proceeded to the Tourism Information Center to register for the tourist manifesto, pay environmental and parking fees, and rented a service boat. We have also rented sets of snorkeling gears, life vests, and swimming shoes.

Hundred Island National Park - Lucap Warf

The day tour service boat took us to several islands and to the Corral Garden with no time limit. We opted to rent a service boat for a slight additional cost as the regular boats will only take visitors to three major islands. Some of the islands we hopped in are the Governor's Island, Old Scout Island, Marcos Island, Children's Island and Quezon Island.




We had fun experiencing the fine sands, clear water and clean beach fronts. The day was filled with exciting and thrilling activities such as snorkeling, swimming and exploring the islands. While the kids are playing with the fine sands, the bravehearts had a leap at the Imelda Cave and zipline rides.

We also enjoyed the breathtaking panoramic view of the islands from the view deck of Governor's Island after a hundred plus steps stair climb.

 photos: courtesy of ikoy de guzman

Tengang Daga: Fresh from the Garden

Tengang Daga (Auricularia Polytricha) or Cloud Ear Fungus is an edible jelly fungus often used in Asian Cooking. Tengang daga is also known as black fungus, wood ear fungus or tree ear fungus. Tengang daga is usually sold dried and needs to be soaked in water before use (about 15 to 20 minutes). While almost tasteless, it is prized for its slightly crunchy texture (crunchiness persists even with a long cooking process) and potential medicinal properties, including its newly discovered  anti-coagulant properties.

I have found these fresh fungus clustering on a branch which have grown naturally under a malunggay tree (moringa oleifera) in our garden. 


Several varieties of edible mushrooms such as paddy straw (volvariella volvacea), oyster (pleurotus ostreaatus), milky (calocybe indica) and ganoderma mushrooms are grown in some parts of the Philippines. Mushroom growing is a viable agri-business that generates income and provides livelihood in the urban and rural areas.

Filipino farmers are being assisted by the Bureau of Plant and Industry through training in mushroom culture and production and distribution of spawns and cultures. 

An e-course on Straw Mushroom Growing is also offered free by the Agricultural Training Institute. 

A Very Relaxing Accommodation in Surigao del Norte

I took these photos during one of the workshops I have attended which was organized by the Department of Agriculture - National Livestock Program in coordination with the department's Regional Field Unit in Caraga. It was in mid-November, so we expected a rainy and cloudy trip as the wet season in the region is from October to February.

The venue of the 3-day workshop was in Almont Beach Resort located in Lipata, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte. 

To get there, we took the early morning Manila to Butuan flight and dropped by at the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit XIII in Butuan City Capitol Site for a courtesy call to the Regional Director.

We then took a van ride from Butuan City which have passed through the long and curvy national road surrounded by mountains bound to Surigao City. We also had a refreshing and enchanting stop over at the Lake Mainit for a short lunch cruise that had toured and explored the lake via a restaurant boat that have accommodated an approximately 40 participants from various regions.

The lunch served to us was grilled gourami, tilapia, carp, eel (kasili), mudfish (dalag) and catfish (hito) that were freshly caught from Lake Mainit, one of the largest lakes in the Philippines, and a habitat of diverse fish species, plants and animals which provides food and livelihood in the region. Curious of the lake's name, I inquired for some information and was told that the first inhabitants of the lake named it mainit (hot) literally because some parts of the lake's water is hot. This is caused by a hot sulfuric spring waters flowing from the nearby inactive Paco Volcano located north of the Mainit Lake. We were also told that there is a nearby tourist spot named Mapaso Hot Spring which is frequently visited for its therapeutic and wellness effects.

After more than an hour long ride from the lake, finally, we arrived at the workshop venue. Since we arrived a day before the scheduled workshop, we spent the rest of the day at the pool side overlooking the breathtaking view of the Surigao Strait and enjoyed the delicious seafood dishes served by the hotel's Cafe Maharlika.

Alupihang Dagat: Fresh from Surigao

Surigao's Alupihang Dagat or sea centipede: tastes like lobster, almost same size with an 8 inches food tong. Other names: Tatampal, hipong dapa and mantis shrimp.

One of the seafood dishes served to us when we stayed at the Almont Beach Resort in Lipata, Surigao City was the steamed mantis shrimp.

Healthy Pinoy Meals: Salmon and Tuna

Sinigang na Ulo ng Salmon at Crispy Tuna Buntot, served with steaming hot rice. A very affordable, healthy and delicious meals available in all Davao Tuna Grill Outlets.

Davao Tuna Grill is open to serve you at SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM Fairview, SM Sta. Mesa, SM Makati, Robinson's Galleria, Robinson's Place Manila, LandMark Makati, LandMark Trinoma, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Gateway Araneta Center and Tiendesitas.