BayukBok Cave: Buwis Buhay Moment

June 27, 2014

Spelunking on rainy season? Not really a good idea unless you are 100% sure of your safety . This June isn't the best month for outdoor activities as it marks the beginning of rainy days in Manila and throughout the archipelago . But who can resist the challenge of Bayukbok Cave? The moment you get to Sitio Madlum and climb its famous Mt Manalmon , you wouldn't think of going back to Manila without dropping by at Bayukbok cave which is situated just few meters away from the river .  It's like missing 50% of the total fun and adventure package if you do that .


As we'd like to think we are brave souls and risk takers , everyone in the group agreed to do spelunking . At first , Yumi was not up for this challenge as she knows how dangerous caves are ; but after given an assurance that Bayukbok is safe , she finally joined the group .

Five brave hearts : Yumi, Ced, Me, Lilit, and Mike

The Cave Opening


Here's the cave opening . The first challenge , one of the hardest actually , is how to get inside the cave without obtaining an injury . Jumping is never an option . From the top to the bottom , I think it measures 4-5 meters and there's no ladder or stairs to use .

Rappelling . There is a rope that we can use to rappel and there's Kuya Vher , our guide , to help us descend as well . As it rained in Madlum a day before we came over for an adventure , the rock was so slippery , and in a hasty miscalculation of body weight and misuse of strength , one could fall off the rope and get killed . Hence , we needed to be very extra careful ,  take it easy , relax and maximize sense of balance .

Then, we're done! We're down the cave laughing ...

We knew we wouldn't laugh for long . As we moved though different sections inside the cave , there were multiple hurdles and difficult challenges to face that would put our patience , physical and emotional strength into test . As Kuya Vher described the passes and different body positioning that we need to do while inside the cave , I was excited  to do spelunking once again . I couldn't help but reminisce my cave connection experience in Sagada which was more than spectacular .  I wish I can bring my team there .  I'm sure they're gonna like it .

So here we go ...

Another challenge is what are we gonna do when stuck in a hole? Take pictures?

Not Really , though we stopped to rest and take photos . Thanks to our guide for being our photographer  . Now , the next action we needed to take is to climb and get ourselves out of the cave . Gladly , there is a bamboo ladder to help us get going . Ladder was shaky and if you would lose grip on the rope , you could fall . This is where we needed to maximize our upper body strength .

Anyways , we continued... but this time around we were more relaxed . I think we already passed through the difficult portions of the cave . Kuya Vher had names on different areas in the cave . He calls it "room" . The only room I remembered was music room and the locals call it as such because when someone would tap the rock , that creates a nice sound of music .

And we made it ! Everyone couldn't stop smiling upon seeing the cave exit ...

But that wasn't the end of the challenge yet because we would need to go down the 90 degree - rock  and there's no rope or ladder to use . But there's Kuya Vher and a tree trunk to help us descend . 

And , yes! We're out!  Yeah , finally !  

Spelunking is one of the activities I'd love to do - it's risky yet fun and I'm so glad this time I've done this with my team . What a happy life !

Ma Cristina "Clue"
July 2, 2014