BAGUMBUNGAN CAVE | Spelunking Adventure in Marinduque

At Bagumbungan cave. Cong Lord Allan Velasco with his adventure team back then.

10 years ago and now

Thousands of spelunkers have been mesmerized by Bagumbungan Cave since this blogger posted the very first video feature on this cave July 15, 2009. It was discovered by a team from the provincial tourism office, part of their initiative to discover, develop and promote existing sites unique to Marinduque to make the island-province known as a prime ecotourism destination in the region. 

In the beginning, the said cave was to be promoted as 'San Isidro Cave' being located in the barangay with the same name. Excerpts from my blog:

To the old folks of the village of San Isidro, the cave is referred to as 'Bagungbungan', a place avoided even by the curious, as it has been associated with phantom stories reinforced by actual accounts of persons who have gone to the cave periphery and, without a trace, disappeared.

Two weeks ago, provincial tourism chair Allan Velasco together with the tourism team, revisited San Isidro cave and conferred with the village chief (who hadn't been to the cave, himself), on the importance of community involvement to preserve the state of this natural treasure.

The very first video on San Isidro Cave/Bagumbungan Cave, found on the Internet with a modest 42,287 views:

Many videos and articles have since been posted on numerous websites and Facebook pages about this wonder of Marinduque. The most recent one appeared in Angelo The Explorer, a travel blog which aims "to promote the best of the Philippines and the World".

Excerpts below, full story could be browsed on this link.

BAGUMBUNGAN CAVE | Spelunking Adventure in Marinduque

Angelo The Explorer

Out of so many things to do in Marinduque, one adventure you should not let pass is a spelunking adventure at BAGUMBUNGAN CAVE in Sta Cruz. I was  so pleased when I found out that a cave adventure was included in the itinerary. I always long for extreme adventures and I think this is one of the best that you could get in the Heart of the Philippines!

After our enjoyable breakfast at Balar Hotel and Spa, we immediately went to Barangay San Isidro and Barangay Punong in Sta Cruz where we were going to start our caving adventure. Oh! If you are thinking of where to stay in Marinduque? You won’t be disappointed with Balar Hotel and Spa.

How to get to Marinduque? 

1. Fly by air via Cebu Pacific

Manila To Marinduque (Terminal 4)

Monday – DG 6007- Departure 15:25 – Arrival 16:25
Wednesday – DG 6007 – Departure 6:00 – Arrival 7:00
Saturday – DG 6007 – Departure 5:45 – Arrival 6:45

Marinduque to Manila (Terminal 4)

Monday – DG 6006- Departure 16:45 – Arrival 17:45
Wednesday – DG 6006- Departure 8:45 – Arrival 9:45
Saturday DG 6006 – Departure 8:45 – 9:45

If you want to know more information, you may visit www.cebupacificair.com

2. Land/ Boat Travel 

• JAC LINER Buendia to Dalahican Port in Lucena
• RORO BOAT to Balanacan Port , Mogpog

Bagumbungan Cave Rates

To participatein the caving, each one is required to pay Php 300.00 per person for the TRAVERSEcaving which includes the Entrance Fee, Environmental , Guide and other fees all included in the price. I would advise giving an extra tip to the guides of course.

If you plan to only reach the FALLS inside the cave, you only need to pay Php 150.00 per person. In my personal opinion, I pretty much prefer the traverse because you see a lot more inside and it was a different achievement to be able to traverse this beautiful underworld.

If you want a hassle-free tour  around Marinduque Islands, you can also get in touch with the only Department of Tourism (DOT) Accredited Tour Operator on the Island which is the DREAM FAVOR TRAVEL AND TOUR. Based on experience, they are excellent and highly recommended! 

Dream Favor Travel and Tour Phone Number

0918 933 1605

Before we started our adventure, we then our helmets on and made sure that torches worked well inside. We also had a briefing by our guide on the Do’s and Don’t once we were inside the cave. It is very important that you listen well since they are the ones that are very familiar with the trail and make sure you wear proper clothing and shoes because you are going to get wet and some parts of the cave can be slippery.

On my last visit here, it was pouring and there was so much water inside so we were not able to complete the traverse because of the rising waters, but this time, since it was summer time and had not been raining we were told that it was safe to do a traverse this time. We were so excited! After the short briefing about what to expect inside the cave, they also introduced the guides that would be joining us inside the cave. 

After some question and answers during the briefing, we then started our 5-minute walk towards the mouth of the cave.Before entering, we turned on our lights, tightened our helmets and made sure everything was working. Once checked, off we went on our 4 hour spelunking adventure in Bagumbungan Cave.

Compared to the other caves I’ve explored such as in Samar, the mouth of Bagumbungan Cave isn’t that big at all. You hardly see what is inside because of the darkness which adds more mystery to to this whole adventure.

We started our descent right after some final instructions, and as I looked back, I was so captivated and couldn’t help but take photos of this beautiful cave entrance from below. J

Just remember that spelunking would require some upper body strength as you are going to climb some boulders using ropes. As we descended deeper inside the cave we were amazed by the different rock formations found inside. Just make sure to not touch them as they are living and still growing.

Aside from the columns, stalactites, stalagmites found inside the cave, you will also find streams that you are going to walk through making the whole spelunking so much fun. Oh, make sure to also bring a dry bag just to make sure your camera and other electronic devices will stay dry. Some of the chambers are big enough to walk but also expect that some of the chambers will require you to crawl adding more excitement to the whole adventure.

Approval of govt agencies concerned for preservation and protection of built heritage ignored in Marinduque?

Protection of sight line with regard to built heritage, cultural properties and cultural landscapes. Alteration, renovation or demolition of heritage buildings and open spaces declared or presumed to be important cultural properties i.e. monuments, fountains, parks and plazas, fortifications, lighthouses, bridges, public hospitals, etc. shall be undertaken only upon prior approval of government cultural agencies... to be administered by the NCCA.

Is the relevant law/s possibly being ignored in the province of Marinduque, one that projects itself as a culture and heritage conscious society?

Potential sites/properties that have gone alteration without prior approval of authorities concerned and may be in violation of RA No. 10717, include:

Luzon Datum Origin national landmark and ecotourism site (Datum Station Balanacan).
Now being developed as pilgrim site of 'Mama Piat' with Stations of the Cross.

Luzon Datum. Photo: Kara Santos

Marinduque National High School Gabaldon Building.
A school building is now being built too close adjacent to this building. Preservation of the ability to have an unobstructed view of this landmark as focus of view will no longer exist upon completion with sight line apparently not considered.

MNHS Gabaldon Building. Photo: HabagatCentral

Fontana de Boac of 1914.
Moved to another location. Damaged. Needing preservation efforts.

Fontana de Boac 1914. Photo: Eli J. Obligacion

Are there more of such built heritage/open spaces around us presumed to be important cultural properties that may be included here?

Relevant excerpts from Republic Act No. 10717 – General Appropriations Act 2016. It is prohibited to use government funds from GAA (i.e. DPWH projects) to destroy heritage:

DepEd-OSEC, Special Provision No. 20, “Preservation of Gabaldon and Other Heritage School Buildings”, Volume II-A, page 271

20. Preservation of Gabaldon and Other Heritage School Buildings. The existing Gabaldon school buildings and other heritage school buildings shall not be demolished. The DepEd shall endeavor to preserve and restore said buildings as part of the preservation of the country's cultural heritage.

General Provisions, Section 43, “Protection of Built Heritage, Cultural Properties and Cultural Landscapes”, Volume II-B, page 796

Section 43. Protection of Built Heritage, Cultural Properties and Cultural Landscapes. Alteration, renovation or demolition of heritage buildings and open spaces declared by government cultural agencies or presumed to be important cultural properties, including but not limited to provincial capitol buildings, city hall, municipal hall, monuments, fountains, parks and plazas, school, state colleges and universities, fortifications, lighthouses, bridges, public hospitals, train stations, museums, public libraries, stadiums, prisons and government offices, shall be undertaken only upon prior approval of government cultural agencies and proper consultation with stakeholders and cultural groups to be administered by the NCCA. This includes the protection of the sight line with regard to built heritage, cultural properties and cultural landscapes.
In addition, in undertaking major infrastructure projects, the concerned department/agency shall be responsible specifically in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of national roads and bridges as they impact on heritage structures or aspects of heritage conservation pursuant to Republic Act No. 10066 of the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.

Also read:

Datum Station Balanacan claims 

Old Fontana de Boac 1914, an Important Cultural Property

Rep. Velasco's bill on Judges-at-Large approved by both Houses of Congress

On June 3, 2019, Senate Bill No. 2065 or the “Judges-At-Large Act of 2018” was finally adopted and was approved by both Houses of Congress.  Rep. Lord Allan Velasco was one of the original authors of said measure which aims to address the worsening docket load in the Judiciary with the establishment of new positions for “roving” judges with no permanent salas.

As envisioned by Rep. Velasco, Judges-At-Large can be temporarily assigned to court salas with records of low disposition rate of cases.

“This proposal seeks to build trust and confidence in the judicial system. Since my father is a former justice of the Supreme Court, I know firsthand that our courts should be provided with innovative remedial measures that will speed up the judicial mill,” Velasco said.

Cong. Velasco would like to thank and congratulate all his counterpart legislators in the Senate and his fellow representatives who pushed and supported the Judges-At-Large proposal. With its adoption and approval, the measure will now be sent to Malacañang for the signature of the President.

Dagdag na kaalaman tungkol sa Gaspar ‘Heritage Island’ sa Gasan

Markado ang Marinduque sa kasaysayan ng archaeology sa Pilipinas. Dahil sa islang ito naisagawa at naitala ang kaunaunahang archaeological excavation sa ating bansa.

Isa sa mga naunang scientific excavation ay naganap noong Abril-July 1881 sa pagbisita ni Alfred-Antoine Marche, isang French explorer na kinomisyon ng French government sa gawaing ito.

Isang French postcard na nagpapakita ng isang karanasan ni Marche sa iba pang lugar

Bahagi ito ng kanyang naisulat tungkol sa Gaspar Island (Los Tres Reyes):

“Kabilang sa mga alahas na aking nakuha dito, ay isang pulseras na katulad ng nakolekta ko sa kuweba ng Los Tres Reyes. Ang isa ay isang spiral tulad ng isang pulseras na parang ahas, parehong disenyo ng  mga ginagamit pa rin ngayon ng mga eleganteng tao; ang iba ay tinusok, na tila ginagamit ng mga ito na nakalawit sa mga tainga o sa paligid ng leeg; isa sa mga ito ay tinunaw sa isang shell ng pagong…

Katulad ng pulseras na nahukay sa Gaspar Island (Tres Reyes Is.) ang nakuha rin sa Pamintaan Cave (Torrijos)

“…Tulad ng mga bungo na matatagpuan sa isla ng Los Tres Reyes ang mga ito ay deformed. Nagdala ako ng halos 40, karamihan sa kanila ay walang panga at isang dosenang kalansay o higit pa…” (Luzon and Palawan, AA Marche, English translation from the French by Pura Santillan-Castrence)

Dito nagmula ang Philippine Archaeology

Sa pag-aaral ng kung kailan nagsimula ang archaeology sa Pilipinas, nakatalang una itong naganap sa isla ng Marinduque base sa mga panulat ni Alfred-Antoine Marche, tulad ng nabanggit na.Nagsagawa siya ng paghahanap noong 1881. Sa Marinduque, napuntahan niya ang maraming kuweba kasama na ang ilan pang kuweba sa 'Los Tres Reyes' (Gaspar Island) at Pamintaan Cave na pawang ginamit ng mga sinaunang tao bilang libingan.

Ilang nagkalat na mga kalansay, basag na mga banga (ang ilanay glazed), mga bahagi ng bagang ng tao. Gaspar Island

Mga kalansay na magalang na pinagsama-sama na lamang ng mga taga isla.

Isang piraso ng banga. Hindi Ming kundi inukit ng katutubo.

Ang kanyang nahukay na mga artefacts dito ay naitala bilang "isang masaganang ani ng Chinese urns, vases, gintong ornaments, mga bungo at iba pang mga ornaments na pre-Spanish origin". (Archaeology in the Philippines, the National Museum and an Emergent Philippine Nation, CO Valdes)

Ang malaking koleksyon ng antiquities na nahukay ni Marche sa mga isla ng Marinduque ay nakatago sa Musee de l'Homme sa Paris at ilan pang mga museo sa France at U.S. (Smithsonian Institution)

Sa bahaging ito ay may isa pang kuweba.

 “Imagine these fragile jarlets traveling from China to the pre-colonial Philippines. Buried in a cave in Marinduque for centuries, they were excavated in the late 19th century, brought to Paris and eventually ended up in a museum bodega outside Washington, D.C. Part of our history lies in museums abroad and it will take sometime to analyze these artifacts to piece together our pre-colonial past” (Ambeth Ocampo, dating chair ng National Historical Institute)

Ngayon pa lamang sa ating panahon nagsisimulang mapagtagni-tagni ang mga kabanatang hindi naitala noong ang Pilipinas ay sakop pa ng Espanya.

Ang ilan sa mga bagay na natagpuan sa Gaspar Island ay napag-alamang panahon pa ng Ming. Ang iba naman ay mas maaga pa kaysa rito. Marapat lamang na ipagpatuloy ang pananaliksik sa tulong ng mga panulat tungkol sa panahong iyon na matatagpuan sa ibang bansa, lalo na sa China.

Bahagi ng Gaspar 'Heritage Island'

Subalit higit sa lahat, dapat ay mauna ang mga tubong Marinduque sa pagpapalaganap ng kahalagahan ng lugar na ito. Para sa pagpapayabong pa at pagmamalaki sa mga pamana sa atin ng ating mga ninuno.

Next speaker must come from Duterte party, contender says

President Rodrigo Duterte greets some guests after delivering his third State of the Nation Address at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives on July 23, 2018. A new speaker will be elected in July 2019 when the 18th Congress opens. King Rodriguez, Malacanang Photo/File

MANILA – The next Speaker of the House of Representatives should come from President Rodrigo Duterte's PDP-Laban to ensure support for his priority bills, one of the contenders, who is also a member of the party, said Monday.

At 84, President's party will have the most number of seats in the 18th Congress, which will open in July, said Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales.

"Kami ang pwedeng makipaglaban, magtuloy sa mga programang pinaghirapan na magaganda ng Pangulong Duterte,” Gonzales told ANC’s Headstart.

(We are the ones who can fight for and continue the good programs started by President Duterte.)

Gonzales is one of three PDP-Laban contenders for speaker alongside Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez.

Gonzales said the PDP-Laban would have to choose who among himself, Velasco, and Alvarez will seek the top post in the House.

Duterte's daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, who campaigned for a pro-administration sweep of the senatorial elections, once described Velasco as the "next speaker."

Source: ABS-CBN News

House ratifies ‘Murang Kuryente’ Act

MANILA — The House of Representatives on Wednesday ratified the proposed “Murang Kuryente” Act which seeks to reduce electricity rates by allocating the net government share from the Malampaya fund to clear the huge debts of the National Power Corporation (Napocor) being charged to the monthly electric bill of consumers.

Under the consolidated version of House Bill 8869 and Senate Bill 1950, some PHP208 billion from the net government share of the Malampaya fund will be allocated to cover payment for stranded contract costs and stranded debts of Napocor.

Stranded contract costs refer to the excess of NPC’s contracted cost of electricity with independent power producers (IPPs) over the actual selling of the output.

On the other hand, stranded debts refer to any unpaid financial obligations which have not been liquidated by the proceeds from the sales and privatization of Napocor assets.

Payments for stranded contract costs and stranded debts are covered through the universal charge, a pass-on rate to consumers that is also used to finance missionary electrification and the environmental fund.

According to Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, chair of the House committee on energy, the implementation of the measure will translate to a savings of PHP172 per household that consumes an average 200KwH per month.

“At least 16 million households will stand to benefit from the measure,” he said.

“More importantly, this will lighten the burden of Filipinos from the high cost of electricity without hurting the government coffers,” Velasco said.

Besides paying the huge debts of Napocor, the measure also seeks to further lower electricity rates by authorizing the use of Malampaya funds to finance further exploration, development and exploitation of other energy resources.

With the Senate ratifying the harmonized bill Tuesday, the Murang Kuryente Act now only needs the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte for the measure to be enacted into law.

Source: Philippine News Agency/Jose Cielito Reganit

LOOK: Duterte meets with House Speaker bets in Japan

President Rodrigo Duterte met with some of the candidates for the House Speakership race during his four-day trip to Japan.

In photos posted by Senator-elect Christopher "Bong" Go on his Facebook page, the President was spotted with Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, returning Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, and incoming Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano.

Aside from the three candidates, reelected Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, 3rd District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales, incoming Antique Rep. Loren Legarda are also eyeing the post. Meanwhile, the President’s son, incoming Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, has quashed rumors that he will run for Speaker. The President also threatened to resign if he gunned for the speakership.

Duterte previously said he will not endorse any candidate vying for the speakership — a key position leading up to the 2022 presidential elections.

"Sa speakership, wala akong kinakampihan," he said in a speech on May 27.

Malacañang said that it is all up to the House to pick its next leader.

Source: CNN Philippines

Surprise Reyna Elena in Brgy. Balaring wows three barangays: Boac Mayor-Elect Armi Carrion

Reyna Elena Armi Carrion and her Constantine

The role is often reserved for the most beautiful or most important maiden in the community. That of Reyna Elena in the traditional Santacruzan, held in many Philippine Christian towns and barangays on the last day of Flores de Mayo.

Reyna Elena is the personification of St. Helena, a Roman empress who was reputed to have discovered Christ’s cross. Many subsequent legends developed, and the story of the finding of the cross, enhanced by romances became a favorite throughout Christendom, especially in the Philippines where it is commemorated through the Santacruzan. Others call it sagalahan.

From Brgy. Balaring in Boac, an unexpected call came from the barangay Captain to the new Mayor-Elect of Boac, Armi de la Cruz Carrion. She’s the wife of the late Marinduque governor Bong Carrion and she has just won the recent election over five other candidates - by an astounding landslide. 

Armi Carrion's recent proclamation as Mayor-Elect of Boac

Her five opponents' votes added together couldn't even exceed her total number of votes.

The barangay leader conveyed his urgent request: “Ma'm, our barangay is making a collective request – you are our choice as Reyna Elena this time because this is the very first time that a Carrion has won an election in our barangay after so many years...”

The startled Madame who was in Manila for a much needed rest could not say ‘no’ and accepted the Kapitan’s demand for her extraordinary presence in the Santacruzan to be held in just a couple of days.

And so it came to pass, the Reyna Elena’s identity was revealed to others. The news apparently spread that in no time residents of the nearby barangays of Ihatub and Caganhao demanded that the Santacruzan procession should pass through their barangays also.

After a rush decision on which gown and what shoes to wear, Mayor-Elect Armi DC Carrion joined the procession that passed through three barangays - all of 6 kilometers back and forth. 

She reportedly wore 3-inch shoes for the unexpected 6-km walk

They only told her the last minute of the extended route. And she gamely agreed having no choice but to accede to the people who have lined up the main seaside road. The aching feet as result could be soothed later, anyway.

She was escorted by a smart-looking young Constantino who carried a cross.

Many from the Boac town proper who’ve heard of the news also trooped to the seaside road to watch and cheer their Reyna Elena 2019, Mayora Armi.

Reyna Elena Mayora Armi

Velasco vows equal treatment for party-list solons if elected Speaker

Rep. Velasco (standing 6th from left) with Partylist representatives

Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco vowed that partylist solons won’t be treated as “second-class” citizens if he will be elected as the country’s next Speaker this coming July. 

“[I told them that] if I get the Speakership you stand as a bloc. I will give you your 20 percent allocation—that means they get the allocation for the chairmanships their vice chairmanships with their members,” said Velasco in an interview with the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) on Tuesday.

Last week, Velasco attended the private caucus hosted by the Partylist Coalition under the leadership of the 1-PACMAN Partylist Rep. Mikee Romero.

The administration solon recognized the capability of the 54-man bloc under Romero’s leadership, adding that they are a “force to be reckoned with” and will play as a power-broker in the highly contested Speakership race which is currently considered a four-way fight between him, former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Taguig-Pateros Representative-elect Alan Peter Cayetano and Leyte Representative-elect Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

“I’m just promising them or I’m just telling them because usually before there’s a connotation when you’re a partylist member the second class citizen that was in Congress. But now I was telling them you know you guys stand as a bloc,” said Velasco.

Earlier, House Deputy Minority Leader Alfredo Garbin (Ako Bicol Partylist) said it was Velasco who earned the loudest applause among the perennial candidates who were vying for the Speakership during the group’s annual general assembly last Thursday which was held at the Marco Polo Ortigas in Pasig City.

“Well applaud siya. Cong. Velasco, the most applauded of the three contenders na dumalo sa aming caucus,” said Garbin.

Source: politics.com.ph

Patok! Velasco, pinaka-pinalakpakan ng mga party-list solon

 MANILA – Pinaka-patok umano sa mga partylist solon si Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, sa mga mambabatas na naghahangad sungkitin ang liderato ng Kamara sa papalapit na 18th Congress.

 Ayon kay Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Alfredo Garbin, si Velasco ang pinaka pinalakpakan ng 54-man Partylist Coalition nitong katatapos lamang nilang annual general assembly sa Lungsod ng Pasig noong nakaraang Huwebes.

  

“Cong. Velasco, the most applaud of the three contenders na dumalo sa aming caucus,” paliwanag ni Garbin sa isang panayam sa Kamara.

Maganda umano ang mood ng mga kongresista sa nasabing grupo na pinamumunuan ni 1-Pacman Rep. Mikee Romero dahil dama nila umano ang pagpapahalaga ni Velasco sa party-list bloc.

Si Velasco at dalawa pang kongresista na nais sungkutin ang liderato ng Mababang Kapulungan ng Kongreso sa darating na Hulyo ay inimbitahan ng grupo nila Romero upang bigyan ng pagkakataon na ilatag ang kani-kanilang mga legislative agenda at iba pang mga plataporma kung sakaling pamunuan ang Kamara sa Hulyo.

Kabilang sa mga imbitadong nag-presinta ng kanilang mga balak para sa Mababang Kapulungan ay sila Congressmen-elect Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (Leyte) at Alan Peter Cayetano (Taguig-Pateros).

Kung masasayang hiwayan at masigabong palakpakan ang ibinigay ng grupo kay Velasco ay nagmistulang Biyernes Santo naman bigla ang mood ng mga miyembro ng Partylist Coalition noong si Cayetano na ang nag-sasalita.

Ayon sa mga mapagkaka-tiwalaang source Abante Tonite, imbes na panliligaw ay pagyayabang at kamalaunan ay pananakot ang mga pinagsasabi ni Cayetano laban sa grupo kung sakaling magpasya silang hindi suportahan ang kanyang balak na pamunuan ang Kamara.

Paliwanag ng mga naka saksi subalit ayaw magpakilala, tila ba nagbanta si Cayetano ng sabihin na magiging masamang kaaway siya ng mga kongresistang hindi susuporta sa kanyang balak.

Iginiit din umano ng dating kalihim ng Kagawaran ng Ugnayang Panlabas na mayroon na umano siyang mandato ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte upang pamunuan ang Kamara. - John Carlo Cahinhinan/Abante

Source: Abante TNT