3RD EXTREME CAVING

SAMAR ISLAND GUIDE: EXPLORER JONI A. BONIFACIO TEL: 055-2512301
CELL:09192943865 / 09053233572
WEBSITE: www.bonifaciojoni.blogspot.com

3RD EXTREME CAVING
LANGUN-GOBINGOB CAVE
CALBIGA,SAMAR
MAY 22-23,2007

PARTICIPANTS:

1.JONI A. BONIFACIO - TREXPLORE GUIDE - CATBALOGAN CITY
2.SHERWIN S. ORBETA - TREXPLORE GUIDE - GANDARA,SAMAR
3.MARIA ANGELMAE P. ROLDAN - SFC - CATBALOGAN CITY


BEYOND LIMITS
by: Angelmae Roldan

People are amazing because of the differences it bears. By nature, God made us to be unique and distinct from one another. We have personal identification which becomes a mark of our personality. But what is amazing is our desire of going beyond our limits; of being highly extreme which makes up a one of a kind personality.
Most often, we are the one who put limit into our capability as a human being. We easily put a wall into something we don’t usually do or we feel that we cannot make. But, we never realize how this can be beneficial to us.
I am Maria Angelmae Pegarido Roldan; an ordinary government project worker; 25 yrs old; four feet and eleven inches in high and not that physically fit conquered the Langun-Gobingob Caves 2nd Largest in East Asia Karsts Formation.
It was May 22, 2007 when I get the chance of joining the 3rd Extreme Caving in Langun-Gobingob Cave of Calbiga organized by Trexplore headed by Joni Bonifacio and Sherwin Orbeta a friend of mine. Unfortunately I was the only participant who happens to come to the invitation. But fortunately it was an advantage because I got the chance to have with me two wonderful persons who patiently guided me throughout the activity. I called them The Hunks! And it’s a must for you to meet this two exciting people.
I started the day with a very wonderful morning praying to God for guidance and a safe adventure. I had mixed emotions because I was thinking of my expectations and outcome with the exploration I am going to. But facing with two brave and joyful people was truly inspiring. You will never have a dull moment with them.
It was also my first time riding on a habal-habal ( a single motorcycle ) being in front of the driver. God! It was the start of my adventure because it almost turned my entrails upside down. But the trekking was fun because you’ve got to feel the real excitement. You will be figuring out how gorgeous would be the cave paving the very long and hilly road of Barangay Panayuran. But the viewing deck is a thirst quencher for it truly pays the long walk and the liters of sweat it produces. It was a perfect site to see the whole entrance of Gobingob Cave. You will be amazed how God formed this creation with a perfect arc. You’ll going to thank Him for the long walk you had
But the most awaited and exciting portion was the chance of being inside the cave. There was a throng of limestone formations. It was a never ending moment of great appreciation and thanksgivings for you’ve got to witness God’s own lineage of stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones formations. It was a long walk of figuring out how it was formed and how great it was having the chance of being united with these creations.
When twilight comes, I got the chance to see the birds coming out from the cave. It was a perfect moment having the time of your life below the cave and watching them flying around as if they are feasting for a good weather and good harvest. It was indeed a relaxing and pressured breaking moment. It was also the time for us to fix our campsite and regain some energy for another exploration, The Langun cave.
One of my greatest fears in life is an acquaintance with a snake. It causes gas pain in my stomach every time I think of a snake coming into my way. But I have to condition my mind because a minute after might be the best time of conquering that fear. We have to pass on an opening wherein you really have to crawl by means of your shoulder and it is called The Snake room for there is a snake watching on the corner as if he is the guardian of the chamber. But fortunately the snake might be on hunting for some food to eat that he was not present on his throne. But still my eyes were as vigilant like a predator watching out for a prey. Bursting out your body from the hole was like a new formed butterfly ready to fly on the garden of great expectation. The chamber was like another dimension of life. For on this chamber you will experience a variety of adventure from rock climbing to underground swimming. It was my first time seeing a blind fish for real. I am lucky for I had a long moment watching it and take picture for documentation. For this moment I got the chance of being left behind on a corner for The Hunks would be exploring the other side of the cave which could be hazardous for me. I should feel to be frightened by the darkness and the idea of being alone but it turned out to be another conquering of fear. I managed to be alone in the corner and just sing songs of praises for the moment of going beyond my set limit to myself.
But what is great was the wonderful waking moment of my life. I am with two wonderful people whom I shared the same passion in life; the wonderful view above plus the free air-conditioned room we have inside the Langun cave and the wonderful music the birds produces flying back and forth inside the chamber.
Going back to civilization was another challenge for me. It was again another going beyond my limit moment for we will be climbing a mountain like of those skyscraper buildings in Makati. Whew! Praise God for there are stop over’s and patient gentlemen waiting for me. Plus the wonderful sceneries you’ve got to came across with. But the only fear I got in my mind was the idea of preserving the wonderful resources of Calbiga upon seeing the logging area. Would that be a beginning of destruction? Was it a responsible logging operation? Could the local government of Calbiga implement laws on the preservation and protection? Could the wild life be restored or destroyed? It might be a nightmare for the people living in the area. Bearing the fear that in near future could I still see or share the wonderful experience I have, was the heaviest load I’m carrying upon walking to Brgy Mapaso. Hoping and praying that one day I could bring along with me my loved ones to witness the great experience I had.
And you know the prize of that great adventure? A relaxing cleaning-up on a cool spring ; a bowl of rice; a palatable native viand from a local carenderia in the town of Calbiga and a sleep on a very old house feeling safe under the rainy evening.
Personally, going beyond is a great opportunity for me to taste another level or dimension of life. It helps to know myself more and experience unexpected moments of life. It is a manifestation that I should not treat myself as mediocre because God has is his ways of pouring His boundless blessings. What we should bear in mind is the idea that God wants us to enjoy those blessings. Going beyond our limit is not bad, nor it is ironic, but it is a gift. It is not just a gift but a blessing from God.
Every time we go beyond our limits, we give ourselves the chance to grow and to inspire other people to take another step in their lives. And what is most important is our pure intention and it fulfills our soul having the feeling of a genuine joy.

ON CAVING

SAMAR ISLAND GUIDE: EXPLORER JONI A. BONIFACIO TEL: 055-2512301
CELL:09192943865 / 09053233572
WEBSITE: www.bonifaciojoni.blogspot.com

ON CAVING
THE LANGUN-GOBINGOB CAVE
CALBIGA,SAMAR
OCTOBER 26-28, 2001

PARTICIPANTS:

1. JONI A. BONIFACIO TREXPLORE/ORGANIZER CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
2. TERESITA DOCABO TREXPLORE CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
3. AURORA ESTOLANO U.P. TACLOBAN CITY
4. RONNIE C. MURING USC-WRC CEBU CITY
5. JUAN PABLO YAO VISCA CEBU CITY
6. NAPARI,LUCIAW EDIM LSU KNANGA,LEYTE
7. JON GRACIANO G. RAFOLS LSU CEBU CITY
8. JHUN TY TREXPLORE CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
9. PAUL SARABILLO TREXPLORE CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
10. SARABILLO,JOHN C. TREXP0RE CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
11. RICKY J. BAUTISTA TREXPLORE CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
12. GLENDA BANTANG TREXPLORE CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
13. EKA TREXPLORE CATBALOGAN,SAMAR














































THE WONDROUS EXPERINCE OF EXPLORING COUNTRY'S BIGGEST "CATHEDRAL" CAVES

“Biggest Cathedral Cave in the World”

Just recently the TREXPLORE ADVENTURE CLUB a small tour group based in Catbalogan, Samar had initiated a three days and two night cave exploration. The group compose hardcore and neophyte climbers and spelunkers escorted about 14 all Filipino tourists to the world famous LANGUN-GOBINGOB CAVE in Brgy. Panayunan. Some 7 kilometers from Calbiga poblacion last October26-28,2001.
The visitor mostly from Cebu City and other cities in the Visayas were taken on a wild bumpy ride in old six wheel drive jeepney in a safari-like journey across the dusty expanse of the Japan-Philippine highway from the provincial capital of Catbalogan to the barangay. Panayuran where the hike begins.
The TREXPLORES guided the hands legs and eyes of the adventures to he peregrination inside the “second baggiest cathedral cave in the world that can undoubtedly accommodated about fifty commercial passenger planes put together side by side” one of its component sized as big a Araneta Coliseum. The 3 days-2 night crawling extreme rappelling descending on a 45 degrees vertical cliff and unlimited rives cruising inside the cave forced the team to take rest for every chamber’s activity.
The “spelunkers” namely GRENDA BANTANG, TERESITS DOCABO, JUN TY, PAUL SARABILLO, JHON SARABILLO,GRACE AND MICA could not help but be awed with its pristine and untarnished façade “this is for world class cathedral,” they said.
Plan environmentalist LUCIANO ED M NAPARI- OF Kananga Leyte JON GRACIANO RAFOLS, JUAN PABLO YAO of Cebu City where just excited when they saw the poster-invitation posted in a Habagat office in Cebu almost duetly agreed to say,” this place has a big potential but it hasn’t been exposed much.”

The Blindfish

Professional caver RONNIE MURRING of the free-launch caving club, who solely spent a day travel from his home town in Cebu City had the chance in his life to personally witnessed the CAECOGOBIUS CRYPTOPHTALMUS, the first hipogean “blindfish” found only the Philippines, and first gobinee known in the world, discovered in the karst cave of Calbiga, Samar. In 1987 by the Italian speleogists. The name originates from the local absence of any external trace of eyes. The presence of some pigmentation thin and tiny scales the deeply embedded eyes indicate that the adaptive process to the cave habitat is still underway. The Length of the “blindfish” is about 7 kilometers.
A discovery channel fan form the university of the Philippines – Tacloban City. Ms. AURORA N. ESTOLANO, who field the 3 days leave of absence in her rigid work just to explore the twelve cave systems remarked. “this could be a great proud of the Samareños in term of eco-tourism industry.”
It is also heartening to note that the local government of Calbiga, thought the leadership of the town mayor MELCHOR F. NACARIO had showed a strong determination to attract more and more international and local tourists so that its local tourism development program could broaden and siphon in cash and investment opportunities that could bolster the town’s bid to became the Waray Region’s alternative trade center.
Yes, it’s true that entering the cave in Calbiga is like going on a trek to the center of the earth Trexplorers compare the experience to the on unborn baby in side the mother’s womb. Total darkness envelops that long stretch of galleries and the huge mysterious underground chambers and rivers of the cave systems. Only dripping of calcium carbonate – laced water, the hurried flight of a few bats and explorers beat of heart could be heard.
The CALBIGA CAVE system occupies 2,968 hectares reaching the unsuspecting public domain under the towns of Paranas, Hinabangan and Pinabacdao in western Samar, and part of the province of Eastern Samar at its south section. It is composed of 12 cave system with wide underground spaces, unique rock formations and wild subterranean watercourses. Some of the biggest interconnecting chambers in this resource system are the Gobingod, Lagun, Teta and Bitong Mahangin Caves. Other names were still undocumented up to now.
According JONI A. BONIFACIO, who had been exploring the entire cave and building tourists since the year 1995, “the enormous size of the Langun chamber could easily fit three football fields”
“The documentation”
way back 1987, a group of Italian spelunkers explored the cave systems. The exploration dubbed “Samar 87,” resulted in the surveying and mapping of about 10 kilometers of the cave system. Explorer report revealed that the limestone outcrops stretched for 55 kilometers within an area of approximately 900 square kilometers. The highland measure an average altitude of 300-400 meters above sea level while mayor peaks reached some 600 meters.
Langun cave has galleries more than 50 meters high and 40 meters wide. The average size of each gallery is 15 meters in height and width. Its main chamber measures 270 meters long 160 meters wide at its largest point.
Gobingod cave, the most explored chamber has a rich forest growth wherein wild species such as cricket bats thrive. It also offers a big “Presidential Hall” with stalagmites, stalactites and stones of shapes and size.
Another cave known as Bitong Mahangin Cave is a swamp and has a single dry tunnel with bottoms rich in “forest- like” formations. Teta cave has muddy formatins of a hall with a “worm like” river around it and huge “chandlier- like” stalactites formations from the ceiling down to the floor of the cave.

2ND ON CAVING

SAMAR ISLAND GUIDE: EXPLORER JONI A. BONIFACIO TEL: 055-2512301
CELL:09192943865 / 09053233572
WEBSITE: www.bonifaciojoni.blogspot.com

2ND ON CAVING
THE LANGUN-GOBINGOB CAVES
MAY 19-21, 2005

PATICIPANTS:

1. JONI A. BONIFACIO TREXPLORE/ORGANIZER CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
2. CHEN MENCIAS MEC/ BLUE WATERS MARIKINA CITY
3. DAVID TAJAN BULACAN
4. KARLO YAP MARIKINA CITY
5. HELLY Y. ASOY IWC-SAN JOSE TACLOBAN CITY
6. EDWARD YAP TACLOBAN CITY
7. HANN ASOY IWC-SJ TACLOBAN CITY
8. GUILLAN ASOY TACLOBAN CITY
9. LINA PALABYAB LSP TACLOBAN CITY
10. LIGAYA PALABYAB RTRMF TACLOBAN CITY

CAVING IN CALBIGA CAVES ( MGB / ABS-CBN)

SAMAR ISLAND GUIDE: EXPLORER JONI A. BONIFACIO TEL: 055-2512301
CELL:09192943865 / 09053233572
WEBSITE: www.bonifaciojoni.blogspot.com


CAVING IN CALBIGA CAVES ( MGB/ ABS-CBN)
THE LANGUN-GOBINGOB CAVES
CALBIGA,SAMAR
JUNE 7-8, 2003

PARTICIPANTS:

1. JONI A. BONIFACIO TREXPLORE CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
2. ISMAEL GONZALES TREXPLORE CALBAYOG CITY
3. MANNUEL D. ROSALES TREXPLORE CALBAYOG CITY
4. SIM JASNRIANO TREXPLORE CALBAYOG CITY
5. VANESSA P. BABON TREXPLORE CALBAYOG CITY
6. RAW YAUSAS TREXPLORE CALBAYOG CITY
7. FORTALEZA, VAL CALBAYOG CITY
8. FORTALEZA, PAUL CALBAYOG CITY
9. POL LLANA TREXPLORE DARAM,SAMAR
10. JEFREY CUAYCONG TREXPLORE CALBIGA,SAMAR
11. VIDA MABUTOL TREXPLORE CALBIGA,SAMAR
12. JANICE GABRITO TREXPLORE TACLOBAN CITY
13. MAXIMILIAN A. DAQUILANEA JR TREXPLORE CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
14. NONI VERDEJO TREXPLORE CALBIGA,SAMAR

CALBIGA EXTREME CHALLENGE

SAMAR ISLAND GUIDE: EXPLORER JONI A. BONIFACIO TEL: 055-2512301
CELL:09192943865 / 09053233572
WEBSITE: www.bonifaciojoni.blogspot.com


THE EXTREME CHALLENGE
THE LANGUN-GOBINGOB CAVES
CALBIGA,SAMAR
APRIL 9-12, 2003

PARTICIPANTS:

1. JONI A. BONIFACIO TREXPLORE/ORGANIZER CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
2. JANICE GABRITO TACLOBAN CITY
3. POL LLANA TREXPLORE DARAM,SAMAR
4. BOY CANEDO TREXPLORE DARAM,SAMAR
5. CANO.LEO S. TREXPLORE CALBAYOG CITY
6. GONZALES, ISMAEL A. TREXPLORE CALBAYOG CITY
7. ASISTORGA,REYNALDO A. TREXPLORE CALBAYOG CITY
8. AGUILAR, JANUARY S. TREXPLORE CALBAYOG CITY
9. CATARUS, MINERVA J. TREXPLORE CALBAYOG CITY
10. AGRAVANTE, FULGENCIO TREXPLORE CALBAYOG CITY
11. JAY, MICHAEL TREXPLORE CALBAYOG CITY
12. VIDA MABUTOL TREXPLORE CALBIGA,SAMAR
13. JEFREY CUAYCONG TREXPLORE CALBIGA,SAMAR
14. NONOI VERDEJO TREXPLORE CALBIGA,SAMAR

1ST EXTREME CAVING

SAMAR ISLAND GUIDE: EXPLORER JONI A. BONIFACIO TEL: 055-2512301
CELL:09192943865 / 09053233572
WEBSITE: www.bonifaciojoni.blogspot.com


1ST EXTREME CAVING
LANGUN GOBINGOB CAVE
CALBIGA,SAMAR
APRIL 1-3,2005

PARTICIPANTS:

1. JONI A. BONIFACIO TREXPLORE/ORGANIZER CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
2. ANALYN M. MENDOZA ABE TACLOBAN CITY
3. TERESITA DOCABO ABE CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
4. SIGZ FERNANDEZ MIT MANILA
5. ROB ZALDUA AYALA MOUNTAINEERS MANDALUYONG CITY
6. GREGGY PICZON SAMAR COLLEGE CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
7. ARESTO ARTIGAS K OF C CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
8. ROISAUD ORALE SSU CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
9. LOURDES, SINGZON SSU CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
10. TRISTAN VALLE YFC TACLOBAN CITY
11. FLORES, ELJUN LGORA PALO,LEYTE
12. TROX SALAZAR LGORA TACLOBAN CITY
13. MONTEJO, ATHENA PALO,LEYTE
14. VALLE,GARRY JOSEPH G. LGORA TACLOBAN CITY
15. AARON GARCIA SSU-COFMAS CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
16. ILUMINADO DURAN RAWIS TOUR GUIDE BASEY,SAMAR
17. CALUTAN,DANTE O. HINABANGAN,SAMAR
18. SHERWIN S. ORBETA YFC GANDARA,SAMAR
19. ELPIDIO V. CABAHIT JR SIBP-PAO CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
20. OCONG ,GIOVIE FELIX SSU CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
21. MACARIOLA,RAYAN SSU CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
22. GEORGE PONTANGIES LOCAL GUIDE CALBIGA,SAMAR
23. EDDI CABINGAYAN LOCAL GUIDE CALBIGA,SAMAR
24. JIMMY GABONCDA LOCAL GUIDE CALBIGA,SAMAR
25. REMIGIO JACLA LOCAL GUIDE CALBIGA,SAMAR
26. VERDEJO, JUNAR CALBIGA,SAMAR
27. CADIONG,MICHELLE CALBIGA,SAMAR
28. ERICSON SABUCO CALBIGA,SAMAR
29. PAOAYRA DUANITO CALBIGA,SAMAR
30. CABRIGAS,JASON CALBIGA,SAMAR

EXTREME CAVING IN CALBIGA ON APRIL 1
BY CANDY C. DABUET
Correspondent:

Catbalogan, Samar Nature has its own way of creating and fashioning wonders that in many cases or instance dumbfound the in credibility of man.
Laying the pathway of an underground stream, brook or river, which take years to carve its own levels, in between rocks, molehills and falls.
It is true that there are rivers and tributaries with wonderful natural designs. But it is also true that there are rivers, falls and cataracts which had been carved underground, hidden within the catacombs of the earth which are more wonderful and intriguing and fascinating as open and expose rivers.
An example of this is the Langun-Gobingob, which is an intriguing cave system found in the interior portion of Calbiga, a town in this province which is approximately located half-way between Tacloban City and Catbalogan, via the national highway.
In an advertisement released by TREXPLORE The Adventure, Langun-Gobingob, cave system. It is the biggest karst (an irregular limestone region with sinks, underground streams and caverns) formation in the country and believed to be the second largest in Asia.
There in 12 known caves in the caves system and the largest of them is the Langun-Gobingob caves complex. It has a cathedral-like dome, estimated to be the size of three football fields. It also features sinkholes, underground rivers and streams and springs.
Calbiga is an exceptional representative karst, where just to consider the southern part of it, more than 20 important water courses get swallowed underground in the contact lines between limestone and nonkarstic rock.
In view of the richness of the caves system with wonders rock formations stalactites and stalagmites, huge caves and domes, tunnel, springs from where water courses begin and where several ends, table-like rocks surrounded with rock chairs, and many others more, the Langun-Gobingob caves system will now become the object of the 1st Extreme Caving, which is a discovery and exploration of the natural secrets of Samar Island buried under the forest-mountain of Calbiga .
The expedition is being undertaking by an organization that identified itself as TREXPLORE. It will be undertaken on April 1-3, 2005 Lead explorer is Joni Bonifacio, with offices here in Catbalogan.
Being organized is an exploration group of 50 nationwide Registration is P800 per persons. Participant are advised to bring along with then the following money for food, snack, transportation, caving equipment such as helmets, head flashlight, stove, sleeping gear, tents, outdoor clothing, tracking shoes and sandals.
Reservation and registration are being accepted now.
“see you underground ”, says the advertisement.

50 CAVERS INVITED TO JOIN "EXTREME CAVING" IN CALBIGA

Asia’s second largest cave formation will be open April 1-3 to enable utmost 50 of the country’s natives and those dreaming to become professional spelunkers one day to discover for themselves and explore its awesome natural secrets that tourists may even be wanting to behold forever.
Self-made explorer Joni Bonifacio is expecting during the next three weeks a continually increasing number of hose who want to join the three day walk-though exploration cum camping weekend event and which he dubbed “ 1st Extreme Caving” which is available for a reasonable registration pee of 800 pesos only per person.
Bonifacio told this writer in an interview Friday that the package “tour” will include photos exhibits and a certificate of cave exploration. Prospective cavers are advised in advance to bring enough money for their own transportation, food and snack, as well as drinking water, lasting for three day and two night, caving helmet and headlight, camping equipment (such as a portable cooking stove), and trekking shoes and sandal.
“1st Extreme Caving ” mainly consists of an exploration of the Calbiga Caves System which is the Philippines’ biggest karst formation, made up by 12 known caves of which the largest is the Langun-Gobingob Cave a miniature of the formed part of last December’s WOW Philippines showcase an Intramuros, Manila.
The Langun-Gobingob Caves is a “Cathedral Like dome, estimated to have the size of three football fields, and with sink holes, and undergourd river, and springs,” Bonifacio explained, as he showed picture taken by him of these natural lures which he visits thrice a year on the average, usually as a tour guide for foreigners or as a caving educator.
“Located at Barangay Panayuran in Calbiga about 55 kilometers north of Tacloban City, the Langun-Gobingob Caves was first explored by an Italian speleologist in 1987,” he said.
The weekend activity is under the auspices of the trexplore the adventure, an outfit which Bonifacio founded years ago and now singly managed by himself trained guides from Trexplore and Calbiga will available for the duration of the exciting adventure.
Interested cavers may register at his office at Room No. 6, 2nd floor, Abesamis Bldg. At allen Avenue, Catbalogan, Samar. For reservation, call telephone number (055)- 251-2303 or mobile phone number 0919-294-3865, or contact the project proponent at his e-mail address: trexplore@yahoo.com or trexplore2@yehoon.com.
Bonifacio, also a solo biking tourist of the Philippines’ historical and natural tourist spots, considers this as his first most ambitious project which aims at heightening interest on Samar’s tourism potentials. (CDD).






































































































































TREKKERS WANT TO GO BACK TO CALBIGA CAVES

CALBIGA, Samar “Extremely enjoyable and memorable.” This sums up the collective experience of at least five of the latest 20 Filipinos who explored on April 1-3 the Philippine’s biggest caves system, the Langun-Gobingob Caves, Southeast Asia’s second largest nestled about 52 kilometers north of Tacloban City and accessible only by legwork through 6 kilometers of trail from the town proper,
Greggy G. Piczon, the youngest at 13 sent on the following text message to “Extreme Caving” organizer 26-year old Bachelor Joni Abesamis Bonifacio of Catbalogan, Samar where the sponsoring organization Trexplore Adventure Club which he heads, holds office for about seven years now:
“ EZXXXTREME? Grabe talaga… pero enjoy ako. Once in a lifetime experience… ganda talaga.”
Greggy , a student of Samar College, hails from barangay 9, Tomalistis, Catbalogan.
From Manila, 22- year old Sigz Fernandez of the Mapua Institute of Technology is thankful for the ‘’hospitality and adventure’’. Joni and his family also hosted his stay Catbalogan. In an earlier text message, he told Joni: “astig ung exploration? Sna maulit next time. d2 me nkituloy kna tistans tacloban salamat sa lahat .’
The caves exploration was tiring A 25- year old female explorer got exhausted from fully engulfing to her curiosity’s thirst the she had to regain her well self at a hospital.’’ Hi am her at hospital na admit… wa na kakaya ak lawas an kapoy Tpos kelangan ko oxygen pg kumaturog ky makuri pg gn Hawa. Rm 6 dd igbaw .’’ said Teresita docabo of ABE International College and resident of San Pablo, Catbalogan.
To Elppdio V. Cabahit Jr. 35, who works at the Samar Island Biodiversity project- PAO at Catbalogan, he found a reason to “share my adventure to my ofesmates & friends to promote our caves in Samar.”
From his home at 11-A San Pedro st., Plainview Subd. In Mandaluyong City, Rob Zaldua, 29 and a member of Ayala Mountaineers Club, had to text in to tell Joni on April 2, “I enjoyed d experience ok tnx 4 organizing. Im wit my eldest bro. Going to Sohoton. 2more wid nep n nice.”
Sherwin S. Orbeta, 25, of Gandara, Samar, wants to keep copies of photographs of his memorable exploration.
Tristan Wayne G. Valle from Phase 2-B V&G, Tacloban City, a member of LGORA, remarked: “8 was very trying but I had enjoyed. 8wld be a hapi memory I wl treasure 4d rest of my life. Thank u very much. 8 was such an experience.” Tristan was accompanied by his brod. Garry Joseph G. Valle, also of LGORA.
Here, too, are the comments of those from the Samar State University (SSU), Catbalogan: Lourdes Ty Singzon, 35, instructor, “the best!”; Engr. Ronald Orale, 28, of SSUCOFMAS, of Guindapunan, Catbalogan,” it was great kaya lang pagod ako. I like d Langun chamber do most saying de ko nakaya 2 see d 3rd chamber”, Ray N. Macariola, 21, student, and of Lasang M., super amazing unbelievable… grabe subra pa adto ha extreme ayos subra- saying la kay ray na ako pcture…. Hudmun ko an films para maka recopy ako iba ka talaga tol blib gud lwat ako imo cge thanks”; and Aaron V Garcia, 40, of SSU-COFMAS, and of Mercedes, Catbalogan, “I enjoy a lot great!!!... super extreme adventure mabalik balik…”.
Others who enjoyed as well even as they found the caves exploration an educational one were Iluminado Duran, 58, of Rawis, Guirang, Basey, Samar; Dante C. Calutan, 24, of Hinabangan, Samar; Eljun Flores, 25, of COAT and ALGORA; Athena Montejo, 25. administrative and finance officer of COMSEND Inc., of Palo, Leyte; Trox Salazar of LGORA, Tacloban; Aristeo Artigas, 30, of Kote, and of P-3 Mercedes, Catbalogan; Giovie Felix Y. Ocong, 20, of Gandara and Red Cross/SSU; and Analyn M. Mendoza, of Busante compound, Mangga, Sagkahan, Tacloban.

The Trek

After being led to a photo exhibits on April 1, the cave tyro cave adventurers left Calbiga poblacion at 2 p.m. and upon reaching barangay Panayuran 20 minutes later, they began their trek the Langun-Gobingob Caves, arriving there one hour and minutes later, to immediately view the caves entrance from the viewing deck several meters away, on a slope.
By 4 p.m., Joni gave them some safe caving tips as they prepared for their first caving experience. Thirty minutes later, they were inside the Gobingob chamber. That gave them their first chance to view and be awed by the giant stalagmite formations and the so-called "The Stage', a giant flowstone formation.

Cave Sceneries

Still inside the caves and guided by their self provisioned lamps, they went forward to reach the “1st CAMPSITE” a football-field-size chamber by 6 p.m. and there nature’s wonders continued to awe them subterranean water courses, blind fish, cave crickets, and cave spiders they walked through and climbed the caves, explored the upper chambers, and went awestruck again by the “Bitong Mahangin”, more giant stalagmite and beautiful flowstone formations. After spending 30 minutes at the “Dead End”, of the upper chambers which they reached by 11 p.m., they walked back to their campsite, reaching it 1:30 a.m. already, there to sleep.
At 9a.m. the following day, they departed for the Langun chambers, descending the wondrous vertical cliff an hour later and reaching the Tita Cave, a muddy chamber with giant chandelier-like formations and numerous stalactites, 90 minutes later. By 12 noon, they are inside “The Mother of all Chambers”, where they watched curiously the so called “DAYLIGHT”, a 300-meter high pothole, then plodded the “Guano Mountain”. All the time, they were reminded not to flash their cameras, and to minimize noises, so as not to surprise the bats that produce the guano which the Samar farmer uses as a fertilizer. Thirty minutes later, they were taking their lunch, then setting up their tents at the "2nd CAMPSITE", and resting for the next hours.

Waterfalls , Swimming Pools

Peregrinating lower down the Langun Chamber of the caves in the evening didn’t matter. Inside, it was pitch dark. Darkness characterizes the cave even in daytime. That made caving more thrilling an suspenseful. The illumination from their lamps enabled them to see their way down, the act called “Potholing”, as they had to descend through potholes, to reach the “Snake Room” somewhere into the center of the Earth, and to go “mud climbing”, as well as to mud crabs and more blind fish, to trek and swim in the waterfalls and swimming pools, and to survey with their curious eyes the “Water Terraces”.
The exploration at Langun entailed more time. It was already 3:45 when they arrived back at the 2nd CAMPSITE, for the second-night sleep.

Jungle Treading

On their last day, they broke camp, after 3 hours of sleep, and
On their last day, they broke camp, after 3 hours of sleep, and headed for the Mapaso Springs which lies on the jungle forest 2 hours away from the Langun Chamber. There they engulfed themselves in jungle trekking and mountain climbing. By 1p.m., they went swimming and did cloths washing at the Mapaso Springs.

Conquerors

Despite the rather exhausting adventure, they made it back to the town hall or Calbiga in only one hour.In the farewell rites, Calbiga mayor Luzviminda L. Nacario gave them their “Certificate of Achievement” from the Calbiga Tourism Council. The certificate, which bears the logo of the municipality of Calbiga, Trexplore the Adventure and the Department of Tourism, recognizes them as a “spelunker”, for their having “successfully explored and conquered with physical endurance, determination and self-discipline the Langun-Gobingob Cave in Calbiga, Samar, the 2nd Largest Karst Cave in South East Asia, during the First Extreme Caving conducted on April 1-3, 2005.”



2ND EXTREME CAVING
THE LANGUN-GOBINGOB CAVES
CALBIGA,SAMAR
MRACH 24-26, 2006

PARTICIPANTS:

1. JONI A. BONIFACIO TREXPLORE/ORGANIZER CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
2. SHERWIN S.ORBETA TREXPLORE GANDARA,SAMAR
3. BAHI-AN,BILLY JACK STA.FE CEBU
4. DOWELA M. DEMENTILLO MINGLANILLA,CEBU
5. NINFA PATAWARAN EXAMINER/MEDIA TUNGA,LEYTE
6. BRAYAN B. MARTINEZ TACLOBAN CITY
7. JEAN L. MONDRAGON ORMOC CITY
8. CHARMAINE L. CINCO CALBIGA,SAMAR
9. REMEGIO HACLA CALBIGA,SAMAR

2ND ON CAVING MOUNTAINEER & SPELUNKER CAVE CONGRESS

SAMAR ISLAND GUIDE: EXPLORER JONI A. BONIFACIO TEL: 055-2512301
CELL:09192943865 / 09053233572
WEBSITE: www.bonifaciojoni.blogspot.com


2ND VISAYAS MOUNTAINEERS AND SPELUNKERS "ON CAVING" CONGRESS
THE LANGUN GOBINGOB CAVES
CALBIGA,SAMAR
MAY 14-16,2004

PARTICIPANTS:

1. JONI A.BONIFACIO TREXPLORE CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
2. FRANCISCO V. TIBE TRIBU HIBATANG ADVENTURE CALBAYOG CITY
3. JUN IGNACIO TRIBU HIBATANG ADVENTURE CALBAYOG CITY
4. TROY ALFORQUE TREK OUT MOUNTAINEERING MANDAUE CITY
5. RAGAS, BRUCE TREK OUT MOUNTAINEERING LILOAN,CEBU
6. TAN IAN GIDIONNI TACLOBAN CITY
7. DELACRUZ FORMOLIZA TACLOBAN CITY
7. JINNIFER BAUTISTA TACLOBAN CITY
8. ARVIN N. CASYAO TACLOBAN CITY
9. RENULFO Q. ARBIOL DENR UEP,CATARMAN N. SAMAR
10. FLORDELIZA C. DELA CRUZ DENR-8 TACLOBAN CITY
11. RAQUEL F. LARIOSA LOCAL GUIDE LAS NAVAS N. SAMAR
12. ROMUALDO G. LARIOSA LOCAL GUIDE LAS NAVAS N. SAMAR
13. RUBEN ORSOLINO LOCAL GUIDE LAS NAVAS N. SAMAR
14. FRANK CORONA LOCAL GUIDE LAS NAVAS N. SAMAR
15. JHUN TY CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
16. RICKY BAUTISTA SAMAD OUTDOORS CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
17. JA MACARIOLA LASAU CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
18. NONOI VERDEJO CBRM CALBIGA,SAMAR





























































16 LOCAL CAVERS AWED INSIDE GIGANTIC CAVES

CATBALOGAN, Samar - “At least were here! Thus, exclaimed one of the 16 local mountaineers and cavers who made it to attend this year’s annual cave congress dubbled as “2nd Visayas Mountaineers and Spelunkers “On Caving” Congress” held in Brgy. Panayuran, Calbiga last May 14-16.
“Prior to this caving experience, I had a doubt that there is such a place like this. A place that in the past I thought it existed only in my mind,” says Bruce Ragas, 31, a government employee in Cebu City whose skills includes ropemanship, cave survey and mapping and vertical caving.
Ragas is just one of the many participants that were amazed of the wonders of the caves in Calbiga, Samar. Others local cavers also made positive statements about the caves.
The 3-day activity started on May 14 which aimed to unite the mountaineers, spelunkers, environmentalists in the Visayas that will help equip and provide means for the public in addressing awareness on Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) and other tourist destination in the Visayas.
This was sponsored by the Catbalogan-based Samar Adventure Service (SAMAD) and the Samar Island Biodiversity Project (SIBP) in close cooperation with the local government of Calbiga and the Department of Tourism Samar Provincial Office.
During the first day, Ms. Evelyn Amit-Corado, the SIBP Co-Project Manager, discussed to the participants the significance of conserving the biodiversity as well as the implementation of the park. In her presentation, she introduced to the participants, especially those from outside the region, how the Samareños fought against mining and illegal logging in the island of Samar.
“We need to do this for the next generation, and we need the help of everybody regarding this certain advocacy,” she said after her lecture, a video presentation on environmental campaign, the experience of the town of Calbiga for winning the “Worlds most livable community” in Netherlands were also shown.
The next day this writer, who is the lead organizer of the event, including his group guided the 16 new breed of adventurist (about 80 percent came from Region 8) inside the promising Langun-Gobingob Cave, which is the Philippine’s biggest cave.
The participants, as they began entering the tiny hole of the cave, agreed to the same observations that 80 big passengers buses, or 50 commercial passengers planes, put together, side by side, can fit the largest chamber of the cave.
“There is a portion that the small hole on the cave wall is enough for an average-sized human body to pass through into one of four entrances virgin world that is perpetually hidden in picthdarkeness,” Ranulfo “Randy” Q Arbiol, a PENRO officer in Northern Samar, who also joined the event said.
“Actually, a week’s stay in the cave is not enough as there are more to find inside the cave. There are guano deposits in many sections, some in mounds which, because human eyes couldn’t detect in the dark, could pull you down when you mistakenly see them for just being a part of the hard cave floor of hard stone,” Ms Leslie Dela Cruz of the DENR Regional Office, Tacloban City told obviously, impressed by the cave, told this paper.
Joni Bonifacio, also shared his experience saying, “there also bats. Continuously drippings stalactites and stalagmities that turn it into golden objects of amazements.”Records obtained by this paper in the documents reports written by the Italian speleologist who explored the caves way back in 1987 disclosed that Langun-Gobingob Caves in Brgy. Panayuran, Calbiga, Samar claims a total land area of 2,968 hectares. Its known entrances are found only in Calbiga, but its enormous size covers the unsuspecting areas under the towns of Hinabangan, Pinabacdao in Western Samar and part of the province of Eastern Samar at it south section.
The participants who vowed after the exploration to join the 3rd Cave Congress that will possibly be held in Northern Samar were Raquel Lariosa, Romualdo Lariosa, Frank Corona and Ruben Orsolino, all tour guides of the DOT Catarman, Northern, Samar Jennifer Bautista, Ian G. Tan, Arvin Casuco, all of Tacloban City, Nonol Verdeje of CBRMP Calbiga, Jhun Ty, Joni Bonifacio, Troy Alforque and Bruce Ragas of Trek Mountaineers in Cebu City, DENR’s Rabulfo Arbiol and Flordeliza Dela Cruz.