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San Miguel Bulacan Philippines
Biak-Na-Bato, just one of the caves.
San Miguel Bulacan
San Miguel is one of the most progressive towns in Bulacan. It was
founded by Miguel Pineda in 1763, the first "Capitan Municipal" of the place. It
was said that Miguel Pineda, a native of Angat, went hunting one day and he
happened to reach barrio San Bartolome, located at the foot of the Sierra Madre
mountains. Finding the place suitable for his purpose, he decided to built a
home and live with the inhabitants. Later on, Pineda was chosen by the settlers
to be their leader.
The general topography of the land is relatively flat with an almost gently
rolling hills. Comfortably above sea level, this terrain is an interweaving of
greenery and concrete road network.
Based on the distribution of rainfall, San Miguel, Bulacan has Type 1
climate, it has two pronounced seasons: wet and dry. It is wet from June to
November, and dry during the rest of the year. The controlling factor in this
case is topography.
Biyak na Bato
Biyak na Bato is a national park. It was declared so by President
Manuel L. Quezon in 1937. History has it that Filipino revolutionaries like
Emilio Aguinaldo used the numerous caves of Biak na Bato as refuge when they
fought against the spaniards.
The caves of Biak na Bato are no ordinary caves. The caves are
beautifully lined with gigantic stalactites and awesome rock formations. Some
are even teeming with wildlife. And, there are so many caves to explore! Aside
from the dozen or so famous caves, the guides estimate that there are nearly a
hundred caves in Biak na Bato.
Tourists and nature enthusiasts can go caving by arranging for any of the cave
tours that are managed by Biak na Bato guides and the DENR (Department of
Environment and Natural Resources). There are numerous cave tours. Tours are
limited to a maximum of 10 persons per guide. As of travelogue time (2001), tour
prices range from P150 to P300.
How to get there
Take the North Luzon Tollway and exit at Sta. Rita/Baliuag (exit 32A/32B). From
the exit, head north along the National Highway towards Plaridel, Baliuag, San
Ildefonso (about 28 km). About 7 kilometers from San Ildefonso, keep an eye for
a Y intersection. It should have a sign that points to Biak na Bato National
Park. Take that road on the right and then, about 1 km farther, there would be
another intersection, and the road on the right (eastward) will lead straight to
Biak na Bato.
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Aguinaldo Cave
Biak-na-Bato - At the lower mouth of the cave, one can sit on the rocks and cool off with naturally chilled air from an underground cold spring. The cave is entered via a higher orifice, and one must clamber down to get to the water's edge. A ten-minute boat ride into this eerie underground river leads to a stalactite-accented cavern where, at its center, a smooth triangular block of marble juts above the surface of the clear emerald water. Local lore claims it to be la mesa de Aguinaldo, the table on which Aguinaldo signed the historic peace treaty.
Bahay Paniqui (House of Bats)
Biak-na-Bato - On the other side of the river along the left trail is a cave, probably the largest in the Biak-na-Bato area, that houses myriads of fruit bats. Visitors are warned against disturbing the bats with their flashlight beams and flash photography, but are encouraged to witness the amazing flight of the bats out of the caves at sunset.
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