THE CENTRO OUTDOOR SPORTS UNLIMITED

The CENTRO OUTDOOR SPORTS UNLIMITED

CENTRO's History:

As what has been posted at our homepage, we are Samar-based journalists who endeavored into coming up with an institution that can contribute on its own way in providing alternative livelihoods to Samarnons.

The concept was authored when the anti-mining advocacy in Samar Island spread with enormous support from different sectors of society, thus making some Samarnons asked Why mining should not be permitted? What are we going to do with our mineral resources? What livelihood then can we expect if we won't allow mining?

Our effort unbraggingly has succeeded at its initial stage in the Municipality of San Jorge, Samar - thus, we decided for it to continue due to the request of those who witnessed CENTRO's contribution in alleviating Samarnons livelihood condition - but of course in our own right.

We have here, our AFFILIATES and NETWORKS:

1. The Philippine Caving Society (PCS) - One of the only 2 grottos of the National Speleological Society (NSS-USA), and serves as our Cave Guiding Training Partner. http://www.caves.org

2. Samar Adventure Service (SAMAD) - Our partner and ally in promoting Samar's Tourism Industry, Rommel is a Documnetor of this private company.http://www.samad.com

3. Baktasi Adventures (BAK-AD) - Our Northern Samar affiliate headed by Oscar Melkie who works at the N. Samar Capitol Tourism Office, the 2006 host of the 4th National Congress on Visayas Caves.

4. Pro-Cavers Cebu - Our over-all consultant for our various events and activities headed by Bruce Ragas.

5. Adventours Unlimited - Our Manila-based network, a private travel company specializing mainly on Adventure Alternatives.

6. Tribu Hibatang Mountaineers - based in Calbayog City, Samar.

Today, CENTRO is a registered owner of the yearly activity NATIONAL CONGRESS IN THE VISAYAS CAVES (now on its 4th year) and the key initiator of the SAMAR-NEGROS TOURISM CONNECTION last year.

And with your future help and support in our pursuit to reach more Samarnons and providing them more training (in ADVENTURE TOUR GUIDING), we are inviting you OUR FRIENDS to make use of our services, and you will be assured of an exhilirating yet the safest ADVENTURE in Samar; plus you help our beneficiaries earn a decent living.

Please take note that professional tour guiding, does not simply mean navigating the guests to a particular sight, but likewise it involves excellent planning and coordination with the community and other entities that the guest will probably come across into, and most of all pleasing the guest to best of a tour guide's capacity.

The CENTRO OUTDOOR SPORTS UNLIMITED is an organization of experienced tour guides, from adventure to a simple R&R package, and beside, it is the only group in the Province of Samar that offers the cheapest package rates, you will know the answer why?

Click on this link for further details: http://www.centro-sports.tk

Please don't forget to sign in the guest book, and leave your request, comment or suggestions, as we are more than willing to assist you to the best we can.

For Love of OUTDOORS!

CENTRO - Ricky

Blanca Aurora Falls secures packaging from DOT

By Centro Outdoor Sports Unlimited

INTRAMUROS, Manila – As an off-shoot of the ongoing Wow Philippines festival featuring the Eastern Visayas region at the walled city of Intramuros, the Department of Tourism (DOT) top brasses recently cast an iron to focus on the viability of Blanca Aurora falls in the town of San Jorge as a major tourist destination in the province of Samar.

DOT Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab and DOT-EV Dir. Norma Morante informed San Jorge Mayor Joseph Grey during the opening of the Eastern Visayas Food Festival on December 6 held at the Manila Pavillion Hotel here that the DOT have already enlisted the Blanca Aurora falls as one of their priorities for promotions and packaging.

“Community empowerment however is a must for the plans of the DOT to materialize, and the role of the local government units to make the community living - within a particular site - ready for a full swing tourism development must be realized first”, Dir. Morante stressed.

The DOT is looking forward for a community based participation in their tourism programs, expressing hopes that the initiative will lessen the financial burden from the confines of concerned LGUs, which is usually beset by lack of funds intended for tourism development.

As this developed, San Jorge mayor Joseph Grey told that he will be laying out a comprehensive tourism agenda for his municipality, and emphasized to the media present here that his administration is focusing on development of eco-tourism.

“Our town is endowed with rich and beguiling eco-tourism sites, and this resource once tapped will surely be of big help to augment the san jorgehanons economic conditions,” Mayor Grey explained, but pointed out that the DOT should by all means assist them giving consideration to their lack of funding being classified as a 5th class municipality.

Mayor Grey likewise emphasized that this early, the LGU is already apt into empowering the town of protecting and preserving these natural resources, expressing hopes that someday, eco-tourism will give the San Jorge town a complete turn-around on its economic profile.

Bumming around in Basey: An eco-tourism experience

by Gina Mission
http://gina.ph/CyberDyaryo/features/cd1999_1007_005.htm
Photo by Centro Outdoors Sports Unlimited

The flight attendant is announcing that the airplane is landing at the airport of Tacloban City. Out of habit, you look out the window for one last look at the sky. Just when you start feeling in your gut the quick descent of the aircraft, you see the clouds quickly disappearing, flying away, to reveal the breathtaking, if fleeting, view of Eastern Visayas’ seemingly endless rugged coastline, its numerous islets, and verdant mountains.

The aircraft brings you to the coastal airport, which is mysteriously quiet. Walking to the arrival area, your mind filled with images of unexplored mountains and caves, exotic wildlife, cloud-hidden lakes, islets sculpted by harsh weather conditions, all those things you see in glossy tourism flyers, you wonder whether it will be worth the trouble getting there.

Even before adventure travel fever hit the country, the islands of Samar and Leyte, collectively known as Eastern Visayas or Region 8, were already popular destinations for people interested in Philippine history. Nowadays, these islands exude a wonderful combination of history and mystery, its tourism potential spelled out in the words ‘adventure’ and ‘fun’, for the thrill-seeking traveler.

Even with local tourism slowly picking up, however, there’s still no mistaking its trademark rural charm.

According to the 1995 census, some 3.4 million people live in Eastern Visayas‘ 21,562 sq. km land area. The population is growing at an annual average rate of 1.8 per cent. The average annual income of the region’s 700,000 families is around P50,000. According to the census, the average annual expenditure in the area is P37,500; the remaining amount goes into savings.

But like most statistics, these figures hardly reflect the living standards of the locals. A look at the people’s lives tells a story of poverty and want in a truly rural setting.

Adventure seekers and accidental tourists, however, do not find the region’s "rural-ness" a problem. Samar and Leyte offer opportunities for action sports, romance with history, and scenic strolls. And for the travel nut, the region’s isolation only means you’ll have everything all to yourself. Like Basey town in Samar, and its many splendors.

Rich, rich Basey

From the airport, you take a Tamaraw FX to Basey. You pay P15 for the 30-minute trip across the 2.16 kilometer San Juanico Bridge that connects Tacloban City in Leyte with Basey in Samar.

Basey is a third-class municipality whose glory days date back to colonial times when it was the population and trading center of the island. It now lags behind its former sitio, Tacloban City, which is the regional capital. But the local government of Basey is trying to catch up with its more developed neighbors by offering visitors what it has in abundance: its rich natural resources.

Basey is home to the grand Sohoton National Park (SNP), an 840-hectare natural park, made up of high and broken ridges of hilly-to-moderate rolling terrain. It has a maximum elevation of 107 meters above sea level. Three main geologically-defined land types exist in the area: an upland plateau, an intermediate karst-limestone block, and lowland areas.

The park offers a great deal of natural wonders. There’s the Sohoton Natural Bridge, a magnificent stone bridge connecting two mountain ridges from which the park got its name. Sohoton" is a Waray word, which means "to pass through." Underneath the bridge is the Sohoton Natural Swimming Pool. " Inside the park is an exciting array of caves, waterfalls, and rare flora and fauna.

Panhulugan Cave I is the largest and most spectacular cave found in the park, with an estimated floor area of 546 square meters. This cave is geologically active, as evidenced by the constant dripping of water from stalactites and the large accumulation of material beneath its chimney holes.

Panhulugan Cave II is a long scar, about 50 meters high, that cuts into the face of the Panhulugan Cliff, a steep rock formation.

Sohoton Cave is a very large cave situated in the eastern portion of the natural bridge. It has a high cathedral-like dome with a parabolic arch-type entrance about 15 meters high. Inside are spectacular limestone formations that approximate the shapes of a eagle’s claw, an image of the Sto. Niño and the Virgin Mary, the Banaue Rice Terraces, and musical instruments, among others

Another attraction in Basey is the Cabungaan Waterfall, about 50 meters high, the base of which has a fantastic tunnel-like passage leading to the Sohoton Natural Bridge.

It takes around four hours to tour the park, one and a half hours (around the lifespan of two petromax lamps) of which is spent spelunking in the area’s gorgeous caves.

To ensure its protection and management, the park was placed under the National Protected Integrated Areas (NIPA) in 1989. According to the local NIPA representatives, visits to the park have not increased significantly since then.

A visit to the Sotohon Park involves taking a native outrigger for an hour and 45 minutes on the Basey Golden River, passing through small, picturesque villages. Rawis, a riverside barrio, houses the still unexplored Rawis Cave, which, according to the locals, is even better than Sohoton.

Basey teems with many caves still waiting to be explored. But the town seems to be in deep slumber, oblivious to the wealth of adventure that it can offer tourists. And though its local government is promoting Basey’s many attractions, it might still take a while for the people of this town to achieve, if only because of its sheer vastness, of their area’s full tourism potential.

WONDERS NEVER CEASE FROM SAMAR NATURE

By Vicente Labro
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Page A16, June 24, 2006 issue

THERE seems to be no shortage of natural wonders on Samar Island. New eco-tourism sites rise almost every year to accommodate nature lovers and adventure seekers who want to relish nature’s world.

Last summer, a mountain resort operated by the local farmers’ community was inaugurated in Basey and this immediately caught the attention of nature lovers. Located about 20 kilometers from the Basey town proper, the new place boasts of a tranquil and cool atmosphere beneath tall trees and beside a stream whose clear water comes from a waterfall. And it is being run by a group of villagers.

Since its opening last April, the resort has attracted a host of people who came either to just be in touch with nature or to enjoy their excursions or picnics amid the stately trees, the cool stream and the marvelous Balantac Falls.

With many people already coming to the resort, the management has given an assurance that they would never allow the place to lose its natural grandeur. In fact, their foremost concern is to protect and conserve the environment even as they continue to attract excursionists and tourists into this nature resort.

“Actually we did not plan to open the place this early, but people just kept on coming that we have no choice but to accommodate them,” said Nelson Abiada, member of the board director of Rawis Community-based Resource Management Association (RCRMA), referring to the newly opened 6-hectare Balantac Resort.

According to Abiada, Samar Gov. Milagrosa T. Tan provided a funding of over P1 million for the initial development of Balantac Resort. The municipal government, headed by Mayor Vic Labuac, initiated the release of funds for the mountain resort, he added.

Tan and some provincial and municipal officials attended the inauguration of the resort’s Phase 1 last April 19 and since then, Abiada said, people have kept on coming to the RCRMA-managed Balantac Resort.

Minimal fees, future plans

Though the construction of their single and duplex cottages is not yet finished, and they still lack guest cabins, beddings and electricity, the resort is now operating regularly, charging an entrance fee of P5 for each child and P10 for an adult, and a kiosk rental of P100.

Guests would fill all of the resort’s 14 kiosks, especially during weekends, that some of the visitors would just have their picnics on grassy spots beneath the trees.
Abiada said visitors could also hold seminars and even stay overnight at the resort’s two-story Tourism Center, where native products are also displayed for sale.

The Tourism Center, kiosks, and the unfinished cottages are all made of native materials. The kiosks line both sides of the stream, from near the waterfall upstream down to the lower level where a big man-made pool is located. The latter is a favorite of visitors who want to splash and swim in the cool, spring water.

Abiada said they would continue developing the Balantac Resort. In fact, he added, they plan to put up a camping site on a grassy clearing near the trees and across the stream, to put up a “green area” planted with vegetables and ornamental plants, and to construct a 1.5-km pathway leading to two unexplored caves and a hot spring.
“All these will help in the promotion of environmental awareness to our visitors,” he said, referring to their planned projects.

The problem, however, is funding for the next phases of their development project. “We already spent a part of the association’s money during the first phase of the project and we need to replenish that first before we can finance other projects,” he said.

Abiada, however, made it clear that the RCRMA is managing the mountain resort not just for income but more importantly, to preserve and protect the environment. He emphasized that natural resources are perishable and even irreplaceable once lost that they would do their best to safeguard the place.

The venture

The RCRMA was organized in 2000 with 76 members, both males and females, coming from Sitio Rawis, Barangay Guirang, Basey town. Their first venture, he said, was a 246-hectare agro-forestry project in Rawis. They had a coffee plantation and had availed of the government’s carabao dispersal program.

According to Abiada, it was in the 1960s or 1970s when logging firms were still operating in the area that the Balantac Resort was initially developed as a mountain resort where logging officials could relax.

Last year, some municipal officials and RCRMA members thought of redeveloping the place.

Balantac Resort became the second eco-adventure tourism undertaking of the village association, after the Rawis Cave. The cave could be reached from the town proper of Basey by a one-hour motorboat ride along the Golden River of Basey to Sitio Rawis. Its main entrance is located just about 600 meters away from Sitio Rawis.

Years ago, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources regional office based in Tacloban City wanted the Rawis Cave to become a protected area. The cave boasts of unspoiled and exquisite stalactite and stalagmite formations.

But some residents of Sitio Rawis had decided to manage their natural resources by themselves. In a public consultation about the cave, they voted overwhelmingly against the plan to declare the cave a protected area, for this would mean that the management of the cave would fall on the government through a protected area management board.

The RCRMA now manages both the cave and the mountain resort, and they share the income derived from entrance and other fees with the municipal government.
Sitio Rawis is located about 3 km downhill from Balantac Resort. In the 1960s until the 1980s the village had served as a campsite of one of the big logging firms then operating in Samar. Logging operations in the area ceased in 1989 when the government declared a moratorium on the cutting of trees on the whole Samar Island.
About 600 meters from the Rawis village proper is the entrance of the Rawis Cave. Despite the cave being near a logging campsite, only a few people dared explored the cave and this was already in the 1990s.

Villagers believe that supernatural beings inhabit the cave. According to some of the locals, early residents of Rawis saw a “bulalakaw” or a burning meteorite fall from the skies and soar along the Golden River before finally entering the cave. Since that incident no one dared come close to the cave until the early 1990s.
But if there’s something strange inside the cave, it’s about how nature was able to mold those beautiful and gleaming stalagmites and stalactites that are of different shapes and sizes.

Iluminado Duran, popularly known as Mano Lume, 59, is one of the guides available to those who want to explore the Rawis Cave. Before entering the cave, Mano Lume would first knock on the wall to announce the group’s arrival. Then he would offer a sort of prayer for the “unseen dwellers” of Rawis Cave.

The first things that cave explorers would notice inside the Rawis Cave, however, are the bats. There are of two kinds of bats in the cave, the tiny bats and the larger ones. The small bats occupy some small holes on the cave ceiling while the larger ones hang upside down, also from the ceiling.

Mano Lume revealed that thousands of bats occupy another cave not far from Rawis. This bat cave was featured in a TV show, together with another nearby cave that is occupied by hundreds of snakes.

After meeting the bats, Mano Lume would lead the explorers to the underground wonders of Rawis Cave. The formations found inside the cave include a giant stalactite, a “picture frame,” a statue of the Virgin Mary, a natural bathtub, and a statue of the Madonna. Other formations resemble a miniature of the rice terraces and of the Great Wall of China. There are also plenty of cave pearls inside Rawis Cave, and this shows that the cavern is in pristine condition.

Already, many people, including foreigners, have visited Rawis Cave. Some of them said the boat ride along the snaking Golden River of Basey was already an experience by itself, and that the trek inside Rawis Cave was an ultimate experience.

The town of Basey, however, is more popular as the site of the 840-hectare Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park, which is located about 5 km upstream of Sitio Rawis.

The WORLD LONGEST SALT CAVE

By Martin Sluka
The longest cave in salt is in Iran - island Queshm in Hormus - the name is "Cave of three nudes" - the first explorers were naked there first time because of large and deep salty lake in entrance. It is longer than former longest salty cave - Malham in Israel - 5685 m. The overall lenght is more than 6000 m.

The cavers from Czech Republic conected the ponor cave with main system.

The coordinates of entrance : 26 deg xx min xx,xx sec N 55 deg xx min xx,xx sec E - try Google Earth - the dark area is salt block Namakdan in which the cave is developed.

Link to map and pictures (only in Czech) but you may find more link if you look for "Cave Namakdan, Namak" in Google (there are articles in English too).

http://aktualne.centrum.cz/domaci/zajimavosti-a-veda/clanek.phtml?id=52459

The BLANCA AURORA FALLS in San Jorge, Samar

If you arrange travel adventure with us, this is our jump-off and take-off point to various adventure offerings of San Jorge, Samar. This site offers us a refreshing splash, before and after indulging exciting adventure trysts.

MOST REQUESTED PHOTOS IN THE 4TH CAVE CONGRESS

Most, if not all, participants of the 4th National Congress in the Visayas Caves requested and blow-up these pictures. They assured of joining the Congress in 2007.

1.5 kms "wild river tubing" in Las Navas

ALL CAVERS READY for their unforgettable tubing experience in the 1.5 Kilometers distance Sag-od River in Las Navas, Northern, Samar.

KM 3 CAVE EXPLORATION

IN PHOTO: Cavers' participants of the recent 4th Annual Congress in the Visayas Caves held in Las Navas, Northern Samar took a rest after hours of navigating 'muddy' chambers of the KM. 3 Cave.
_________________
Sitting at the center is Mr. Bruce N. Ragas, our prolific training partner, based in Cebu City.

In his last lecture, he brought to our awareness the topic "CAVING: The Subterranean Adventure."Here's some inputs of the lecture.

Basic Caving and Safety - Caving is the exploration of subterranean and underground passages for purposes of:
1.Adventure/sports/fun (horizontal, vertical, wet, dry, extreme, and technical)
2.Scientific studies and researches for cultural/social, ecological,hydrological, geological, eco-tourism,and anthropological/archeological values)

Caving is a potentially dangerous sport, but it can be made as safe as you want it to be. Meaning, unavoidable accidents are extremely rare; people make mistakes and they, or others, can get hurt because of those mistakes.

GENERAL RULES OF CAVING SAFETY.

1. Never go caving alone.
2. Take 3 sources of light.
3. Wear a helmet with a chin strap which will release under load.
4. Use rubber soled boots.
5. Dress warmly.
6. Take some energy food along.
7. Don’t go caving when you are sick.
8. Tell someone where you are going and your estimated time of return.
9. Minimize body/personal accessories.
10.Start caving with experienced cavers.

BASIC CAVING EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST:

*Lighting
1. A helmet mounted headlight of some kind, either carbide or battery powered.
2. Two heavily constructed, water-proof flashlights.
3. Alkaline or lithium batteries and spares for each flashlight, and your headlight, if electric (otherwise, spare carbide and a ziploc for spent carbide).
4. An extra bulb for each light (a repair kit with tip reamer if using carbide).
5. Short pieces of nylon cord for flashlight wrist loops.
6. A thick candle and waterproof matches or cyalume light stick.
*For Your Head
1. A knitted pull-over type hat.
2. A hardhat.
3. Something to tie up your hair if it's long.
*Clothing
1. Appropriate attire (Light weight, quick dry, non-sagging, durable)
*Footwear
1. Sneakers are marginally acceptable. Hiking, climbing or combat boots are much better.
2. Heavy socks. Wool is best.
*Miscellaneous
1. Plastic garbage bags
2. Swiss or lock blade knife
3. A liter or more of water in tough container
4. Food
5. A small bag to carry junk
6. Knee pads
7. Camera equipments
8. whistle

GOOD MANNERS IN CAVING:

1. Ask permission from the cave owner if it is located in a privately owned lot.
2. Keep to established routes, both underground or on the surface.
3. Do not litter or deface any cave.
4. Do not disturb the wildlife; salamanders, snakes, crickets, spiders or other forms of life.
5. Do not touch or damage cave formations which may have taken thousands of years to form.
6. Things brought in must be brought out.

BASIC CAVE GEOLOGY AND FORMATIONS:

Types of Caves:

Solution Caves
… are the most common type. This type of cave is formed very slowly by water in limestone or gypsum. The water actually dissolves the rock. As the passages get bigger and there is a faster water flow, water erosion becomes a factor. These are formed slowly and collapse rarely. The wide variety of rock formations and passages also make this type of cave the most popular.

Talus Caves
…are literally piles of boulders. They tend to be very confusing and are easy to get lost in. Also, the predominance of broken rock makes them very hard on your body. They tend to occur in mountainous areas, especially near cliffs made of a very strong rock, such as granite.

Ice Caves
… are generally restricted to glacial areas. They are so cold that they could be dangerous. However, ice formations of extreme beauty and delicacy are often found.

Volcanic or Lava Caves
…can be found near some volcanoes. They are passages which formed around and finally over flowing lava. Once insulated by the surrounding rock, the lava stayed hot enough to drain out when the eruption ceased, leaving a cave. These caves tend to be extremely jagged, and they can cut your clothes to ribbons.

THE CAVE FORMATIONS:

The different types of features that decorate the cave are collectively called cave formations or speleothems.

Samples of Cave Formations

Stalactites, Stalagmites, Columns, Soda Straws, Helectites, Bacon, Curtains/Drapes, Chandeliers, Cave Pearls, Flow Stones, Gypsum Crystals.

SINGLE ROPE TECHNIQUE (SRT)

…. is a skill employed with the aid of a singles rope and climbing hardwares to go safely up and down the rope.

… used mostly in vertical related works (e.g. caving, mountaineering, rock climbing, industrial works, etc)

ASCENDING TECHNIQUE

Prusik – The Basic
Classic Three Knot Climbing System (employ 3 knot systems)
Texas System (employ 3 knot system)
Rope Walker System
Mitchell System (employ 2-3 hand ascenders or jumars)
Frog System

TAKE NOTHING BUT PICTURES, LEAVE NOTHING BUT FOOTPRINTS, KILL NOTHING BUT TIME.


   

SAMAR-NEGROS TOURISM CONNECTION 2005

IN PHOTO: One of our 'comrade' Ms. Goldie doing a dangerous descend on the cascading waterfall in one of the Negros Caves.
___________
Inspired by the possibilities of economic benefits of the Tourism Industry – but marks a fact of being a neophyte in the industry -, the Municipality of Guihulngan has invited a selection of outdoor enthusiasts to help the town explore and assess its potentials relative to Adventure Tourism.

A 10-man group was formed by CENTRO OUTDOOR SPORTS UNLIMITED, a Samar-based event-organizer, to answer the exploration call.

The Negros-bound group was hopeful that they would be able to explore a sizeable number of natural caverns that can be recommended to be turned into “natural” tourist attractions, and be complimented with man-made developments for the purpose of conveniency and safety to visitors – cavers and non-cavers alike.

The exploration which is on a mini-inventory format – was granted by the Samar Selection Team – is FREE of service charges, with the exploration team even has to shell out funds from their respective group/individual coffers for their fare from their respective places of origins to the Municipality of Guihulngan, Negros Oriental, and back.

In exchange, the HOST (LGU-Guihulngan) provideD our food and exploration supplies, including the on-site transportation and accommodation expenses that will be incurred by the exploration team during the entire duration of the activity.

HERE ARE OUR CAVE ASSESSMENT & INVENTORY RESULT:

1.SAYAW CAVE = is an underground water system with no traces of eye catching cave formations, it is a muddy horizontal cave and not ideal for cave tourism, but the cave can be used for caving sports (Sports Tourism) but the unpredictable rise of river flow inside should be taken into consideration to avoid any fatal incidents.

Appropriate trail to the Sayaw cave is the TINITIAN CAVE TRAIL, and not the other way around, the Tinitian cave trail is more proximate to the suggested Mag-aso Cave Campsite.

2.TINITIAN CAVE = is an elevated horizontal dry cave, and is ideal for cave tourism, but the LGU should take into consideration the depleting status of this cave – prospected visitors of this cave should be well-briefed of the “no’s” inside the cave to preserve the remaining white rock formations inside.

3.MAG-ASO CAVE 1 = is a wet cave, with more or less 50 meters vertical entry. This cave is the most beautiful cave the exploration team has visited in Guihulngan, to mention the fact that a cave exit is offered to possible guests.

It likewise offers an excellent camping area, proximate to a running potable water supply inside the cave or within the area of the Mag-Aso Cave 2, its proximity to the main road make the potential of this cave enormous relative to the tourism industry of the town.

However, the Mag-Aso Cave 1 is a hydrology cave, and therefore must be offered only to guests who are not new to caving, guests who insist of entering and exploring this cave should have the right caving aptitude and attitude.

No life jackets, no local guides (TRAINED) to assist a guest – NO ENTRY, make this policy mandatory for the Mag-Aso Cave 1.

Vertical Entrance of the cave should be cleaned-up, fence should be built around it to avoid accidents. If funds is available foundations for rope trysts can be installed to make it more convenient to guests, you can tap the help of the engineering office to lay-out the appropriate development of the area, to include possible resting areas made of indigenous materials..

Other man-made attraction can spice up the caving tourism activity in the area, such as horseback riding or trekking – this will solely depend to private individuals who maybe interested in sharing their resources and at the same time earning with it…

Mag-Aso cave 1 can be the carriers of other tour packages that can be offerred and promoted by the municipality of Guihulngan, it is a feasible site for any caving or adventure events, this will however depend on the kind of promotions and marketing that can be developed by the tourism office of the municipality.

4.MAG-ASO CAVE 2 and 2-A = Just a short walk from the Marg-Aso Cave 1, is another twin-cave system, with a sloping entrance. The same with the cave 1, this cave is a wet cave, but not as forceful as the cave 1 – it is a host to large or cathedral type chambers with mountains of rock debris to climb.

Its potential is for side-trip caving adventure, especially the tunnel type
chambers that runs deeper with the water flow. Its entrance however should be cleared-up with debris and litters, and safe trail down the slopes should be established to avoid slipping.

5.CAN-TAYSON CAVE = One of the most promising natural caverns in the town of Guihulngan, again – courtesy of an exit. The cave is not as big as the other caves found within the perimeter, but this one offers a mini-extreme caving tryst that will surely test a cavers aptitude on the sports. Its narrow and wet passages are one of a kind that makes it unique from the rest.

A more visible trail to the entrance should however be established, and if ladders is needed to ensure the safety of the guest, at the cave entrance, – it must be installed as well.

Neophyte cavers can enter the cave provided a trained guide should accompany them.

6.LAOS CAVE = is a muddy cave and is suitable only for extreme caving, and must be offered not to neophyte cavers due to the danger of lose rocks by the entrance which is of vertical type – though rock climbing skills can be used.

Based on the geological formations found inside, the cave has the tendency to be flooded on the 1st chamber during rainy days, which was confirmed by the local residents in the area, thus, extreme caution relative to the weather conditions should be observed before entering this cave.

7.KINAYAN CAVE = is the most appropriate cave for all type of guests, and can be developed even for student field trips, etc. This is possible because of its proximity to the main hi-way and to the Kinayan Waterfalls which is ideal for washing-up after a caving adventure.

The cave however is extremely damage, with a lot of paints graffiti inside; though, the cave is not yet dead, but preventing further damage to it must be put into consideration.

We recommend for the closure of this cave from anybody – most especially to the locals within the area – for it to regenerate its beauty and grandeur. You can seek the recommendation of the DENR people on how to clean-up the mess inside.

In totality, the activity was successful – averaging to at least 2 caves per day – is not bad despite the unavoidable circumstances that occurred during the preparations and the start of the exploration.

For future explorations, the Special Rescue Team should be in standby status and should not go along with the exploration team, to save their energy just in case untoward incidents occurred; or they can join as participant of the exploration same with the rest of the team for personal experience or training.

In choosing a base camp, the presence of water must be taken in for consideration, either for drinking, wash-up or for cooking. Likewise, a base camp should be proximate enough to the majority of the priority routes of the exploration.

For tour guiding events, support staff should be limited according to their compacted functions – this will minimize expenses and sped-up mobilization, a local guide for example can act as the porter as well, while the LGU or Professional Tour Guides can help in the food preparation with the guests. In most cases, the local guide would act as the navigator inside the cave, or whoever who has the extensive knowledge of the area inside the cave, while the LGU or Professional Tour Guide can act as the sweeper, to see to it that nobody of his or her guests are left behind.

PROMOTIONS

Since Guihulngan’s Tourism pursuit is at its infancy stage against the unavailability of substantial funds from the LGU coffers, investments on marketing and promotions should be well planned and executed with utmost precision, and must directed towards a productive market or target.

TV Plugs or Prints Advertisements can be powerful in terms of promotions but they are the most costly form of promotional projects, with no specific or assurance of absolute returns, hence the following suggested promotional strategies:

1.Event Organizing = using a cost-sharing scheme, you can start promoting your tourism sites to the local based outdoor groups, by inviting them to join your various planned activities. This will enable your Tourism Office to establish a network who can help and assist you in the disseminating information regarding the potentials of the town’s various tourism sites.
Once ready for a bigger event, you can go Nationwide using the earlier network you have established with the local groups, still focusing on the same category of participants – Outdoor Adventurers – since they are the most sought after individuals for queries here and abroad, and most likely, they could easily impart information and experience, if they themselves got a grasp of the adventure you have offered.

2.Race/Competition Organizing = though quite complicated for starters, considering the manpower required, this promotional strategy is as effective as the other events. Though this, a lingering desire in the participants to be back with their group, peers, friends, contacts etc. usually lingers – this time not to compete, but to enjoy the adventure sites that they have gone through.
This was imminent to the International Elf Endurance Competition held in Samar last 1999, where foreign participants of the competition, keeps on coming back, not to compete but this time to enjoy the adventure route they once competed for a prize, of course, with their outdoor comrades this time; the strategy can reap a multiplier effect.

3.Internet Posting = the most needed medium of promotion that you should maintain, 100% of adventure tourists rely on information that is being offered on the net. In most cases, LGUs at this era maintains a website as mandated by the Local Government Code, but this websites become useless due to lack of interest to continuously update its contents. The tourism Office can re-format such websites, giving focus on the tourism potentials of the LGUs, and establish linkages to various travel and tour facilitators on the net, or any established tourism websites.

4.Ready-Made Tour Packages = Tour Packages are important, and must be available anytime. There are thousands of tourism destinations in the country, giving prospected tourists a variety of choices where to spent their money, letting them wait due to the absence of Tour Packages, will mean loosing your chance to have them in your place, and without you knowing it, your tourism industry will just die its natural death.
These ready made tour packages can be posted on the net, or printed on leaflets and distributed to Travel Agencies – or at any other outlets with connections to tourism, travel etc.
Tour packages must be rated minimally, for it to become competitive in the tourism market.

5. Participation on Travel or Tourism Fairs = One avenue that the government has initiated is the WOW PHILIPPINES, though this is limited to Provincial representation, LGUs can participate by sending in support representatives to the province booth who can articulately discuss with booth visitors, all aspect of the town’s tourism offerings – and personally distribute fliers or brochures containing tour packages. Other travel fair is Travel Mart – where you can establish direct negotiation and contact to various travel agencies, thus giving you access to their international network.

6. Organizing Local/Campus based-Outdoor Groups = basically, this strategy will give the LGU a chance to impart its destinations locally – and make use of these grottos as a machinery either for tourism manpower or for promotions. It is a fact that students are the most active elements in the society, aside from being idealistic to some extent, and making use of these character will help boost the LGU tourism campaign.

Once again, in behalf of the Samar Expedition Team – I would like to extend our deepest and heartfelt gratitude to the most warmest hospitality you – Guihulnganons – have shared with us.

The RAWIS CAVE EXPLORATION 2005

The Rawis Cave Exploration 2005 was the part of the 3-day Mt. Danglay Summit Expedition last November 4-6, 2005. This event was hosted by the CENTRO Outdoors Sports Unlimited based in Catbalogan, Samar.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION OF RAWIS CAVE:

The marvels of nature can go unrivaled with the beauty this newly discovered cave in Basey offers. Magnificent rock structures providing the perfect setting for truly intense caves adventurer is always a sight to behold.

Area: Rawis Karsts
Surveyed Length: 1, 740 meters
Vertical Range: 68 meters

Description: The Cave is located in Brgy. Rawis, on the shore of the Basey town golden river.

A 5 by 4 meters gallery leads after 200 meters to a chamber lighted only by the daylights coming from its openings. Columns were scattered throught the cave systems. The huge gallery named "Philippine Gallery" with size reached to 25 meters wide. This single gallery alone is 400 meters long. This end in a chamber which opens up on the surface. Two smaller caverns start from this chamber. Their length is 100 meters each.

More photos on Rawis Caves - Nov. 06, 2005

THE RAWIS CAVES - Magnificent stalactite-stalagmite rock formations inside the chambers of the cave located in a community-based 100 hectares ecotourism destination in Basey, Samar managed by a people's association organized and trained by the Local Government Unit of Basey, Samar.

THE CAVE ENTRANCE - Located at the foot of a cliff, the main entrance of the cave can be reach by at least 45 minutes of casual walk from the nearest village of Brgy. Rawis.

THE CAVE CURTAINS - some of the impressive rock formations inside the Rawis Cave includes curtains-like, kneeling 'dragon,' and some saint image-like mystical rock formations.

THE 'BAKED' PAN - If anyone would only look closely on this image, they will really say, this was a 'baked' pan of 'diamonds.' But its not, for some geology experts, this is something only them can explain what is this. As of the moment, i am on research how this formations formed.

THE MYSTICAL FORMATION - The "Mama Mary" like formation inside this amazing cave continues attracting guests and curious visitors throughout the countryside.

OHH, THIS THING CALLED CAVE PEARL - This pearl discovered inside this cave is one of the hnudred reasons of the cavers why caves should be preserved along with other natural resources. The other caves in Samar, that so far, has "cave pearls" is the Guinbag-sangan Caves in San Jorge, Samar.

Mt. DANGLAY PILGRIMAGE CLIMB November 4-6, 2005

DAY 2

SUMMIT CAMPING - On the horizon is the world-famous San Juanico Bridge connecting the islands of Samar and Leyte, and the camping site in the picture is the best place to enjoy the panoramic views of Tacloban City and the longest "Love Bridge," especially during night time.

Wayback in 2005, the Centro Outdoor Sports Unlimited based in Catbalogan, Samar authored by Ricky Bautista and Rommel Rutor organized the "Mount Danglay Pilgrimage Climb 2005 specifically on November 4, 5 and 6.

The event were participated by five local outdoor organizations such the Baktasi Adventures based in Catarman Northern, Samar; Paranas Mountaineers (PARAMOUNT); Tribu Hibatang in Calbayog City and some walk-in nature lovers.

Activities during the 3-day event, which include Beach Camping at the Gloritess Resort, Mt. Danglay Summitting and Rawis Cave Exploration, was in support to the campaign of the local government unit of Basey in promoting Danglay Peak as pilgrimage site, and other tourism sport activities.

Some of the best photos taken in our Danglay Summiting, Nov., 05, 2005

MOUNTAINEERS BUCKLE-UP! - Climbers from five different outdoor groups in Samar Island led by CENTRO Outdoor Sports Unlimited are getting ready for the trek towards Mount Danglay Summit. The weather is not good, making the mountain slopes quite slippery and dangerous, but the show must go on, and up they go!

COMMUNITY IMMERSION - The climbers exchange pleasantries with the villagers halfway up to the summit and do some coconut husking while taking rest.

THE AUTHOR Ricky Bautista, who just celebrated his birthday during a night beach camping in Gloritess, the jump-off point of the trek, raised his two hands up after successfully scaling the slippery limestone and vertical cliffs of the Mt. Danglay Summit.

BREAK CAMP READY TO DESCEND. The mountaineers, all ready and packed posed before going into another hard descend in the dangerous cliffs. After the descend, they immediately proceeded to their next destination - the Rawis Cave Exploration.(The three minors in photos serves as our guide in the trek).

More photos on our Gloritess Beach Camping, Nov. 04, 2005

The Affairs of the Sunset and the lonely Cottage - This site in Gloritess Beach Resort in San Antonio, Basey Samar is one of the most visited "romantic place" ideal for lovers and nature trippers.

The Campers, after celebrating last night's birthday bass of Centro Ricky, rested on their respective tents, taking a rest.

Hey, whatta hell! wake now, it's time to go hiking! Goodness, it's already late!

It's a go for us to climb the Mount Danglay, let's take a pose first! "Where's our guide, huh!?

The mystical Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park in Basey, Samar

THE grandeur of natural resources of Samar Island and of Region 8 is being showcased by the Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park (SNBNP), known worldwide for its natural beauty expressed in its caves, subterranean rivers, waterfalls and unique limestone formations. Really, it is an idyllic place for recreation.

The 840-hectare park is located in Basey, Western Samar and it is just 45 minutes away from Tacloban. When we reached Basey pier, we rode a pump boat rented for R4,400 for 20 persons. The fee inclusive of pump boat rental, a small banca rental, tour guide fee, light men fee and entrance fee.

After an hour ride from the pier to SNBNP, we crossed a bridge whose railways are made of steel and floors made of wood, we reached the entrance of the park. Then it took us just a few minutes walk from the entry point to reach the cave. The opening is deceptively uninteresting, but once inside, the interior is an unbelievable fantasyland.

Our tour guide briefed us first before we entered the cave. That we should never touch any rock formations. Once these stalactites and stalagmites and calcite stones are touched, they turn black. And in respect to the "spirits" that hover around the cave, permission to go inside is done by tapping or knocking the entrance sideways.

After our tour guide, Francisco Corrales, Jr., knocked thrice, we all did the same. Once inside the cave, all of us expressed our mixed feelings of surprise and admiration. One of those who boldly expressed her feelings of amazement was Lalie de Leon of PAC Atlantic Holdings Co., Inc., who said, "My God! How did nature develop all these rock formations as if they were actually chiseled?’’

Easily conjurable are rock formations resembling the Banaue Rice Terraces, the Great Wall of China, a sitting Madonna, a platform with a King’s throne, a harem pavilion, amphitheater with natural built-in acoustical system and seductive courtesan’s boudoir refreshingly cooled by Mother Nature. Some chambers have rock formations suggestion of women’s breast and men’s phallus and other human appendages.

In my own assessment, I saw rock formations resembling the Crucified Christ, Mama Mary, the Three Kings, Seven dwarfs, Chocolate Hills, the moon crater, cascading chandeliers, an angel, the Statue of Liberty, a stairway to heaven, an eagle, ice cream cone and other awesome creations.

But truly, there is a magical world in these subterranean passages that takes one back to a fairyland of childhood years, there are sparkling stones that glitter like jewels in the impenetrable darkness of the caves and pools of clear water that reflect the lights of lamps into multi-colored dancing flashes.

The caves inside the Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park are a must-see. There are three navigable rivers that traverse the park namely: Basey; Sohoton; and Bugasan Rivers. Cabungaan Waterfalls, on the northeastern portion of the park, serve as a natural siphon for Sohoton River. The climactic condition in the area falls under the second climactic type: Wet from July to February; dry from March to June with an annual average temperature of 27 degrees Celsius and a humidity average of 82.4 percent.

SNBNP was proclaimed as a national park on July 19, 1935 by virtue of Proclamation No. 831 primarily to preserve its geological features and natural wonders.

Traces of early habitation dating as far back as the Iron Age and Stone Age have been found in the different caves. They are also believed to have been used as burial sites for the natives and mecca for medicine men that hunt and prepare their potions. The caves were also used as a hideout of Filipino insurrectos during the Spanish-American War. Because of its ancient beginnings, there might be "spirits’’ that hover around the caves.

It was late afternoon when we got out of the cave. We bade goodbye to the Spirits. Low tide seeped in that is why we took a banca, five persons per ride, towards the waiting pump boat.

We had ate lunch afterwards at the Caluwayan Palm Island Resort. Still mesmerized about what we saw inside the cave, the topic of our conversation bordered on the awesome creations we saw and admired. (Manila Bulletin, May 16, 2006)

MOUNT HURAW SUMMIT EXPEDITION 2006 hosted by CENTRO

The Mount Huraw

Considered to be the highest peak in the island of Samar, it stands to a towering 855 meters above sea level, located in the remote San Jose de Buan town.

The site is ideal for neophyte mountain climbers and nature lovers.

The author climbed the summit of this peak wayback in 1994 along with his "buddy" climbers.

This site was also chosen as the host of the Mount Huraw Summit Expedition 2006 hosted by the Centro Outdoor Sports Unlimited based in Catbalogan. It was participated in by 30 local climbers from Paranas, Calbayog, Catbalogan, Catarman, and from Leyte towns.

Stories and photos of the expedition was published in the internet news service and in the local and national newspapers.