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
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
posted by Trexplore at 12:43 AM
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