Mt. Mabilog (441+MASL)
Mt. Banahaw as viewed from the summit of Mt. Mabilog
August 24, 2014- With the day’s temperature hitting 37deg.C, my mom and I including some friends (Leigh, Donna, and Dong) started our hike to Mt. Mabilog at Sto. Angel, San Pablo, Laguna. The jump-off point is located on the shore of Lake Pandin, one of the seven (7) lakes of San Pablo. This is another nice day hike as the mountain is just a 2-hr travel from Sariaya, Quezon. Further, one can visit other sites like Lake Yambo, Bunga Falls, and the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery after the hike.
Jump-off point at the lakeshore of Pandin
There are three (3) trails going to the summit. Going up, we used the Sto. Angel trail; going down we digressed to Sulsugin trail so that we can visit Lake Yambo.
The trail- from the jump-off until the summit- is very exposed to the sun. According to Jericho (our guide), the trail was adequately shaded prior to typhoon Glenda which destroyed many trees and houses in the area. What’s left lining the path now are grasses and many fallen banana trees. There was no cloud cover during our hike and the sun was directly above us during the 2-hour hike. It really slowed our pace and we have to take many stops to cool ourselves down in the few areas that offer shade. The challenge then in this climb is not so much the mountain but the almost unbearable heat.
At the trail
We reached the summit at 11:30 am. The summit of Mt. Mabilog is big enough for it to be the campsite as well. Up there, one can see the imposing views of Mt. Banahaw, and Mt. Cristobal- though challenging in its own right, I felt that the mountain we have just climbed is so small (an anthill!) compared to the two giant mountains in front of me. Looking around, one can also see the “lonely” coconut trees battered by the recent typhoon.
We had our lunch under a tree with the beautiful view of some of San Pablo’s seven lakes and many other mountains we cannot name as backdrop. I can’t help but daydream that someday, I will climb all the mountains I was seeing at the summit and beyond. After an hour of idling, we went down the mountain and reached Yambo Lake after a 45-minute walk.
Lake Yambo
Side trips:
Bunga Falls
Bunga Falls offers another relaxing view. The sound of the rushing water is calming as well. However, there were too many people swimming and it is a bit distracting. Since the comfort rooms have been destroyed by typhoon Glenda, we were also worrying how to change clothes after the swim- I think this affected our enjoyment of the place as well.
To get to Bunga Falls, our guide arranged a tricycle for us to ride from Yambo Lake for P40 each person. We travelled for 30 minutes via a serene highway that feels like the road going to Lucban, Quezon. The tricycle left us after the driver dropped us near the entrance to the falls. (Reminder: What we learned is that it is better to talk to the driver to wait for your group while swimming because the wait for another ride going to Nagcarlan town might take too long.)
There is a P5 entrance fee to the falls; there is also a cottage fee of P150.00.
Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery
I love quaint places that exude old world charms. And so, when we arrived at the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery, I was immediately captivated by the worn out brick walls and distinct architecture. It looks so much like a well-cared for park than an old cemetery; nestled at the town center of Nagcarlan- it really stands out from the modern structures around it.
The Underground Cemetery is a 15-20 minute tricycle ride from Bunga Falls for P15 each person. I was tired after the falls and was thinking of suggesting skipping the cemetery. It was a good thing we still dropped-by. It was really worth our time visiting a world heritage site.
The cemetery is best visited at the afternoon (4pm onwards) when the sun is about to go down as the only roofed area is the little church which houses the underground crypts. You do not want the sun beating down on you and spoiling your little trip to the past.
Total Experience
The day hike to Mt. Mabilog with side trips to Lake Pandin and Yambo, Bunga Falls, and the Nagcarlan Cemetery is worth every cent. It is recommended to take the side trips as you are already in the area. Overall, it feels as if we have accomplished many adventures as hikers and travelers in one day. Originating from Sariaya, Quezon, the total cost of this trip is just P370.00 not including food. Definitely, the day hike was a better way to spend the day instead of idling inside a mall and thinking of all the things you want to buy, but can’t.
How to go there
From Sariaya, Quezon
Ride a bus going to Cubao/LRT Buendia and ask to be dropped at SM San Pablo. From there you can ride a jeepney that will bring you to San Pablo Town Proper. Go the terminal of jeepneys plying the route to “Ilog” located near 7/11 at the Plaza. Ride the jeep and inform the driver to drop you off at Lake Pandin.
The jeep will stop at the parking area of Lake Pandin. From there, you have to walk for 10- 15 minutes. If you feel lost, just ask around and the residents will kindly point the way to the Lake.
Buses going to Cubao/ LRT Buendia passes through the town proper sometimes. If this is the case, you can directly go there instead of heading to SM San Pablo.
From Manila
Ride a bus going to Lucena City and alight at SM San Pablo. Ride a jeepney to the town proper and then look for the jeepneys going to “Ilog”. Ask the driver to drop you off at Lake Pandin.
The jeep will stop at the parking of Lake Pandin. From there, you have to walk for 10- 15 minutes.
Ask the driver of the bus if they will be passing at the San Pablo Town Proper or “Bayan”. If that is their route, you can directly go there instead of dropping off at SM San Pablo.
