AGLIPAY CAVES AND CAMPSITE OF QUIRINO
The
holes were small and I have to fit in.
Warnings of slippery when wet has never been precise until I found
myself walking (a normal and a duck walk), squatting, crawling and climbing the
mud-covered floors with loose rocks and formations in a cave named Aglipay at
the Province of Quirino.
In
time for our eco-tourism adventures, the heavy downpour of rain became an
uninvited guest. With the current situation, I even thought that this part of
our itinerary will be cancelled. The show must go on, as they say. I have to
admit I am not into outdoor activities that require too much physical strength
but there are times that behind my qualms I surrender for the mere sake of
adventure. After all, I always preach
“Life is short.”
Approximately
ten (10) kilometers away from the Provincial capital of Cabarroguis, off we
went to the succulent forest and hills of Quirino where the cave complex is
situated. My original intention was just
to check the opening of the caves and to abort further exploration. But intentions will remain intentions.
Aglipay
Caves consists of over thirty-seven (37) interlinked underground chambers, of
which only eight chambers have been explored and opened to the public. Tailored to the visitor’s capacity, we were
made to explore four chambers. How did
they assess our capacity? I don’t know.
We
trekked towards the cave’s opening and I saw total darkness. Being unprepared, I had no headlights, a
basic for spelunking. Thus, I have to
depend on my companions. On the first
chamber, there was an instance in the midst of darkness, I suddenly stopped and
talked to myself: “What am I doing here?”
But I have to continue. There is
no turning back.
The
Aglipay Caves is said to be as much as 20 meters deep. It has open chambers and crawl spaces, with a
variety of stalactites, stalagmites and other geological formations. I must admit the rock formations were indeed
stunning.
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| Photo by: Mica Rodriguez |
Since
I have no lights of my own to cover my own pace, I have to hurry yet cautious
of the slippery path, and be with the tour guides and companions with head
lights most of the time. Thus, the only
thing I can remember on the first chamber is the miniature “rice terraces”
formation, sculpted in the chamber.
The misty forest came into view as we exited the first chamber. It was a relief for me. I cared less for being drenched in the rain at this time.
After
a trek in the forest, a small hole was pointed as our entrance with warnings of
being slippery inside. Will I fit in
that small hole? I can. They said so.
Thus, the adventure continues.
The
next chamber is not Chamber 2 but 8. I
am unfamiliar with the cave connections and numberings so don’t ask me why. It is the given.
Chamber
8 started with a slippery path. I
decided to walk barefoot. I was even
contemplating on the idea of crawling than to walk with the possibility of
slipping off and be out of balance.
Chambers 8, 2 and 3 were all connected.
The ceiling was getting lower as well that we were mandated to duck walk
on certain portion.
I
suddenly remember my COCC days during high school (the last time I duck-walked)
with all the trainings to become an officer of CAT and I can manage the routine
back then. But that was so high school
and will only serve as a motivational factor this time around. Since I don’t have headlights and I wasn’t
able to catch the first group of tour guides ahead of us, I have to wait for my
companions while in squat position and suspended for a few minutes. And it was just the start of the unforgettable
exploration of the Aglipay Caves.
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| Photo by: Ferdz Decena |
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| Photo by: Kara Santos |
Entering
Chamber 2 poses a challenge for those quite big in physique. It’s squeezing through a small hole after
all. The tour guides have demonstrated
how to do it properly and we complied.
Unending laughter ensued which lessens the degree of difficulty. If there is one consolation for this
adventure, it would be the opportunity of having to witness the varied
stalactites and stalagmites of whatever formation along with great travel
buddies.
Just
as I thought we have already overcome the difficult parts of the trail, our
exit at Chamber 3 is a death-defying one.
A slippery steel ladder full of mud on a quite high elevation will be
our gateway to end this adventure. On
each step of the ladder, I was told not to look down. My knees were shaking as I forcefully climb
my way out. After a few minutes, I made
it with a huge sigh of relief. And
everyone went out safe.
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| Photo by: Kara Santos |
As
we went out in a forest after the cave connections, I decided to walk barefoot
for fear of slipping off and decided to have it on my own pace – a walk in the
park I told myself. And then I was the
last one to arrive.
Had
the weather been nice, would we have experienced the same? I keep asking myself. It was fun and a thrilling adventure though,
one for the books and a good way to explore the undiscovered Quirino province.
Thank you for making me a part of this discovery.
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