Naambon Falls, Laiya, San Juan, Batangas

Naambon Beach Resort

I bought two (2) new motorbikes and I had to conduct my break-in of the first 500 kilometers for both bikes. The choices were Lemery, Batangas; San Pablo, Laguna; Los Banos, Laguna; Tagaytay, Cavite; or Laiya, Batangas. We were supposed to be three in this adventure. Unfortunately, my nephew, Dale, had a last minute task to accomplish and so only Edison Molina was able to join the joyride.

And I chose to go to Laiya, San Juan, Batangas.

From Tanauan City, we sped off towards San Juan, Batangas, passing Lipa and then Padre Garcia and cruising at the speed only of 50-60 kilometers per hour. Originally, the plan was to leave 11:00 am but we had to change the plan and we left past 9:00 am.

We arrived at Laiya, San Juan past 11:00 am and though it was not part of the plan. I asked Edison if he was interested in seeing Naambon Falls in Laiya and without hesitation, Edison nodded.

the barangay shed where I parked my ride (Sitio Biga, Brgy. Hugom, Laiya, San Juan, Batangas)

  We arrived the jump-off point (the barangay waiting shed) at made the necessary inquiry.

How to get there

Ride the bus going to Batangas City or Lemery. Bus terminals are either at Cubao or Buendia, Pasay-Taft. The bus companies servicing the route are Alps, Ceres, Jam, DLTB, and Batangas Express (Starex). Alight at Lipa City, fare is around P150. Travel time is more or less 2 hours. Then, take the van or jeepney ride to San Juan, Batangas, fare in the van is P70. Travel time is more than an hour. Alight at Barangay Hugom. Then, take the tricycle ride to Sitio Biga for P100. Alight at the barangay waiting shed.

Going back to our inquiry, we found at that the spot is also the jump-off point to Mt. Daguldol. But we went to Laiya not for hiking but for its water falls. Hike to Mt. Daguldol is 4-5 hours depending on your pace. Professional hikers can take the trek in 3 hours.

Entrance fee - P35/pax

Guide fee - P400 (overnight at the mountain is P800)

Again, we went to Laiya for its falls and we were able to get a discount of only P200 for the guide after asking many times for a discount. According to our guide, the hike is good for 30 minutes.

And it was 12:15 pm when we left the barangay shed and started our trek towards the falls. It was really hot that day and the sky was painted blue.

My companion, Edison, was not in a habit of climbing mountains but he was able to get use to it in a couple of minutes.  

Along the trek, we encountered several groups of mountaineers who spent the night at the top of Mt. Daguldol. 

NAAMBON FALLS

After 25 minutes, we reached our destination. Good thing we went on the month of February because according to our guide, during summer season, there is hardly any water flowing from the top. Best time to go here and see the might of the falls is during rainy season.

Though the water of the falls was not strong enough, I still enjoyed the adventure! I've been planning so many times to go to this falls and finally, it happened. 

Going back was more difficult! I did not even have any hat to protect myself from the heat of the sun. We took our lunch at the barangay shed and then went to Candelaria, Quezon to continue our break-in.

It was past 3 pm when we reached Tanauan City. Another adventure in Batangas, Quezon and Laguna. Joyride! =) 

Ambon-Ambon Falls and Ulan-Ulan Falls

In my travels around the Philippines, I have seen various falls in the country and one of things that interests me is the name of the falls. The name "Ambon-Ambon" and "Ulan-Ulan" caught my attention. The name Ambon-Ambon means mild or little shower of rain in Filipino. And being a nature lover, I have explored and seen these falls named "Ambon-Ambon."   

Here are the various Ambon-Ambon Falls in the Philippines.

Ambon-Ambon Falls in Laurel, Batangas

60 meters high

link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2014/03/ambon-ambon-falls-and-malagaslas-falls.html

Ambon-Ambon Falls in Panguil, Laguna

link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2014/02/ambon-ambon-falls-natividad-pangil.html

Ambon-Ambon Falls in Bagac, Bataan

60 meters high

link - http://www.waypoints.ph/detail_gen.php?wpt=ambon

Naambon Falls (also means Ambon-Ambon) in  San Juan, Batangas

link - http://lakbayinpilipinas.wordpress.com/2010/10/21/naambon-falls/

Ulan-Ulan (also Ambon-Ambon) Falls in Biliran

link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/04/top-10-falls-in-philippines-for-tourists.html

Only the Ambon-Ambon Falls in Bagac, Bataan remains to be explored and in the near future it will surely be included in my itinerary.

See the water falls in the Philippines!   

Twin Falls, San Juan, Kalayaan, Laguna

I have seen so many water falls in the Philippines but I had to see the falls in Rizal and Laguna. Once you see one, you simply cannot get enough of it and you crave for more!

The Twin Falls in Kalayaan is one of the best tourist spots in Laguna. I did not know that there was such a place until I looked at the tourist spots in the map of Laguna and one of the tourist spots highlighted is the Twin Falls.

How to get there

From Manila or Cubao, board a bus going to Sta. Cruz. The bus ride is more or less 3 hours depending on the traffic in Los Banos. From Sta. Cruz, ride a jeepney to Siniloan and alight at the Kalayaan town proper. Then, go to St. John, the Evangelist Church (the jump-off point) and trek the path towards the falls. The trek is good for 10 minutes and it is an uphill climb.

Entrance Fee

Adult - P40

Child - P20

Cottage - P300 

Room - P500

Overnight starts 4:00 pm - 8:00 am

Minimum P2,000

Parking P10

The first falls

Initially, I was expecting only one water falls. But I was told by the locals that there are so many falls in the vicinity. The last time I saw so many falls was in Lake Sebu. And because of that information, I got excited and hurried my way towards the falls.

The first falls can be seen at the entrance. It was a sight! A sight you should see for yourself.

Falls No. 2

The second falls is part of the twin falls but it is not that tall.

Falls No. 3

The third falls is the source of water of the man-made swimming pool.

Falls No. 4

The fourth falls needs a little ascending trek. 

Falls No. 5

My personal favorite is the fifth falls because it is the tallest and it has a cave. According to my guide, Nilo (0916-596-9523), that aside from the five falls, there are other falls which are hidden and can be reached after hours of trekking. After knowing the information, I told myself that I will explore it the next time I am with my travel buddies.

After 2 hours in Twin Falls, since weather was not good that day, I decided to go home to Batangas. It's really fun in Laguna!

Youtube links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCY-Fi9yL6k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvDKIkZQMyU

Laiya, San Juan, Batangas

Summer 2013
Laiya, San Juan, Batangas

One of those days when you feel like cruising around, not minding where you are going or what's the time and just enjoying the sight-seeing and wandering around. And one of the destinations that day was the beach in Laiya, Batangas..

It took me 1 hour and 15 minutes from Lipa City to reach this place using my motorbike. I remember when I was a teenager, we used to go to Laiya often for our family outing but it never occurred to me before that one day I would be back to this place and write about it.

There are two barangays in San Juan named Laiya, namely: Laiya Ibabao and Laiya Aplaya. Which is better? Laiya Aplaya.. =)

The water, sand, and the scenery are a lot better than Laiya Ibabao.

There are numerous resorts in both places. But I inquired only in Laiya Aplaya since the resorts in Laiya Ibabao are a bit far from the main road.

From Manila to Laiya, it is about 132 kilometers or 2-3 hours of travel.

Here are some of the contact persons and numbers of the resorts:
Lay-Len Beach Resort (Sitio Balacbacan, Laiya Aplaya)

Contact Nos. 0908-556-7144 / 0916-763-3216

Room rates - P6,000 aircon (20 pax) 

                   P3,000 ordinary (20 pax)

Bamboo 1 

Isay

Contact No. - 0949-635-2718

Room rate - P10,000 (20-30 pax)

Alma

Contact no. - 0905-241-9019

Room  rates - negotiable

Should you need a person to guide you in finding your resort -

Andrew 

Contact No. - 0946-522-2015

I stayed only in Laiya for one hour and after that, I headed home...

It's More Fun in Laiya, Batangas!

Top 5 Beaches in Batangas

As a pure-blooded Batangueno, I have roamed around in almost all the beaches in different cities and municipalities of Batangas. And these 5 beaches are my top 5 choices! 

I have scored them based on the following criteria, 5 being the highest.

1. Hamilo Coast, Nasugbu, Batangas

sand - 4
resorts - 5
view - 5
amenities - 5
activities - 5
Suggested resorts - Punta Fuego, Canyon Cove, Munting Buhangin, Pico De Loro

2. Matabungkay Beach, Lian, Batangas

sand - 4
resorts - 4
view - 3
amenities - 3
activities - 3
Suggested resort - La Primavera

3. Bagong Silang, Calatagan, Batangas 

sand - 4
resorts - 3
view - 4
amenities - 3
activities - 3

Suggested resort - Playa Calatagan

4. Balacbacan, Laiya-Aplaya, San Juan, Batangas 

sand - 3
resorts - 3
view - 3
amenities - 3
activities - 3


5. Anilao, Mabini, Batangas

sand - 3
resorts - 3
view - 4
amenities - 3
activities - 5

N.B. - The sand in the beaches of Batangas is not white sand, but close to being a white sand.