Buruwisan Falls

The first time I went to Buruwisan Falls, I told myself it was one of those places I didn't think I would go back to.

But, I did. Last weekend was, in fact, the third time.

Buruwisan

Buruwisan falls is not hard to get to. You only need to get on one of those Raymond buses going to Infanta Quezon. Get off at KM3 (Trois) restaurant in Barangay Macatad, Siniloan, Laguna. Once there, just ask around for the way to the registration center (a sari-sari store), where you pay 50 pesos to register.
Hiking to the falls is not very difficult. It takes just 2 hours for first-time hikers if you do not take too many (and too long) breaks on the way. There are also stores along the trail, selling Buko juice and other drinks, so no need to stuff your bag with too many bottles of water.

Hiking there in the rainy season could be a challenge, however. It could get very muddy. You may not be able to count the number of times you slip before you get to the camp site. On the other hand, during the dry season, the heat of the sun may be too much for you to enjoy the hike.

Lanzones

Last weekend's weather was very good, meaning, very hot (about 34C). We started our hike at 9am, so from the registration center to the first store, where we took the first break, it was gruelling. But that's also the best part about the hike to Buruwisan falls. You only need to get through the first part. The trail going to the camp site after that is not very steep.

According to the locals, there are supposedly 8 falls that we should be able to see. I have only been able to check out three of them: Batya-batya, Lanzones and Buruwisan. These falls are part of the Romelo river system that hails from the Sierra Madre mountains.
For me, Lanzones is the most beautiful, Buruwisan the grandest (especially during the rainy season) and Batya-batya is, well, cute. 

A sad thing about this place, though, is garbage. People who stay overnight are probably too drunk to care that they are slowly killing this place with the pastic bags, cups , bottles cigarette butts, etc, that they leave behind. Sadder still is the fact that it seems local officals are not allocating a part of the 50-peso registration fee in ensuring that this place's cleanliness is maintained.


Travel notes:
Terminal Location: Legarda Manila
Schedule: There is a bus leaving every hour.
Travel Time: 3 hours from the terminal

Batya-batya

Fare: 110
Note: Going back home, you can opt to take the vans in Famy. The fare is just 10 pesos higher.

Tips:
-You might be able to enjoy the hike better if you hike early in the morning to avoid the heat of the sun. Others trek at night or dawn even.
-If you decide to hike during the rainy season, be prepared for the muddy and slippery trail. 
-There are huts for rent at the camp site if you don't want to bring your tent.
-There are stores there, too, for drinks, canned goods, cooking oil, alcohol, etc.
-Avoid camping too close to the river during the rainy season.



See more of my travels here.

An Eldest's Prayer

The human lungs of an average-sized 60-year old can hold about 6 liters of water. With her lungs one-thirds filled with fluid, it is no wonder my mother has had difficulty breathing.
I am just glad I was able to persuade her to see a doctor, or it would have gotten worse. She was advised to stay in the hospital for treatment until she got better. Since then, I have been asking for updates from my sister who is watching over her back in my hometown.
When I found out about it, all I could think about was the expense. My parents do not have insurance, so surely, I would have to cut down on everything for the next few weeks to be able to send something for her hospitalization.
This reminds me of the horrid palm reading a friend did on me. He said that I am not very lucky with my family. He explained how my palm shows successes, but that my family would be dragging me down. That time, I was at the height of my cynicism, so I just laughed the whole thing off, and told him, who else could define my future but myself. It is impossible to find a correlation between what my friend supposedly saw on my palm and how I would decide my future to be.
Now, however, I can't help but look back on that conversation and wonder, Could it be true? I spent five years sending two of my sisters to school, ignoring my own wants. Within those five years, I thought, if only all the money I earned could be mine alone. I could have gone to places, bought nice watches, gotten a brand new car, or even my own place. Fact is, even after my sisters' graduation, I am still expected to send something back home, not as much as before, but still something.
And now, this.
No, my parents are not forcing me to do this. Perhaps, most parents don't. It is common practice, however, that the eldest be responsible for the well-being of the family, ensuring the siblings finish school, and that everyone is fed.
Most of the people I know- friends and colleagues- who are the eldest in the family have the same obligation. They all support their brothers, sisters and parents, regardless of whether these eldest sons and daughters have already started their own family or not.
I can't help but ask, what about me? Am I fated to learn to ignore my desires and be selfless? Should I start learning to appease myself with the idea that material things are not what can make anybody happy?
What about my dream of touring the entire country for a month? What about my plans of going back to school?
What is more frustrating is I seem to be the only one whining. People I know find some sense of fulfillment from performing all these that are expected of an eldest child.
Maybe, that's the secret.
I have forgotten how I had vowed to help when I was still a struggling university student. My desire to experience the world has blinded me from counting my blessings, from the simple joys of helping. It has made me forget what my parents had to go through just for me to be where I am now. My mother never had any hesitations of spending all her wealth just so I could go to the best schools. She has always supported me. I love my mother and I don't want her sick. Because I have the financial capacity to help, then I can have what I desire most- her speedy recovery.
In the end, my friend might be right about my palm. My family does drag me down, back to the realization of what I truly want.