A Mother’s Stuff

Northern Sierra Madre National Park

The Northern Sierra Madre National Park is the most extensive area of preserved rainforest in the Philippines at 359,486 hectares. It is the larger of 2 remaining areas of intact primeval forest in Luzon, the other being a much smaller wooded area in the Cordilleras. The Northern Sierra Madre National Park was designated a protected area on March 10, 1997 under Presidential Proclamation No. 978, to protect it from the logging industry. Combined by presidential decree with the bordering Peñablanca Protected Landscape and Seascape in November 2003, it covers a protected natural landscape larger than Switzerland. It is also known as the Palanan Complex or Palanan Wilderness Area after one of its highest peaks, Mt. Palanan.

The park consists of 287,861 hectares of land and 71,625 hectares of marine areas. Its landscape is hilly to mountainous, with the Sierra Madre Mountain Range running through it. While many parts of the forest cover of the Northern Sierra Madre Mountains have been heavily logged in the past, the interior still consists of lush virgin forest. There are several peaks in the north to south mountain range area rising higher than 1,000 meters (2,743.2 feet). These include Mt. Divilican (1,311 m or 3596.34 feet), Mt. Cresta (1,672 m or 4586.63 feet), and Mt. Palanan (1,184 m or 3,247.95 feet).

The park is home to a large number of endangered and protected animal and plant species which are indigenous to the Philippines. As much as 45 % of all plant species native to the Philippines and more than 50 % of threatened local wildlife may be found in these forests. The lowland areas are covered by lush undisturbed dipterocarp rainforest while higher altitude areas are covered by montane forest. Along its coastline are estuaries, mangrove and beach forests, bed of sea-grass, and coral reefs which serve as important ecosystems.

Consisting of forests in the northern half of the 1.7-million-hectare Sierra Madre mountain range, the park lies in the east of the province of Isabela. To its north is the Diktayan River while Disabunga River forms its southern border. To the west is the Cagayan Valley. In the east, it reaches the coast of the Philippine Sea.

The park is home to rare bird species, including most of the 6 species of eagles found in the Philippines such as the endangered Philippine eagle and the Rufous-bellied eagle. Rare species of reptiles found in the park include the Philippine sail-fin water lizard, the estuarine crocodile, and Gray’s monitor lizard. At least 12 new species of reptiles and 15 new species of amphibians that are unique to the Philippines have been discovered in the park.

Caves of Alaminos City

Alama Cave [L=62.70m, W=4.50 to 12.0m, H=1.20 to 8.0m]

Cave still intact, consists of stalactites, stalagmites, columns and draperies.  It is rich in guano or bat manure.

Nalsoc Cave [L=81.25m, W=3.50 to 6.00m, H=3.0 to 8.0m]

This cave is intact consisting of stalactites, columns and draperies.It is rich in guano since it is home of to a large number of bats.

Nalsoc Cave [L=104.30m, W=8.0 to 12.0m, H=3.0 to 8.0m]

This cave is considered exploited because of diggings and discoloration of walls and ceilings although some stone formation are still present. Bat manure or guano is found on floors and ceilings

Simmimbahan Cave [L=82.50m, W=16.0, H=1.20 to 8m]

This cave resembles a subway or tunnel. It is considered intact with its unique stone hydrological formations. It is also rich in guano.

Milagrosa Cave [L=25.00m, W=0.5 to 0.6m, H=2.0m to 10.0m]

The cave floor is composed of white sand which makes potential for recreation. It also consists of intact limestone formations. Activities recommended in the area are swimming and picknicking.

Cuenco Cave [L=30.00m, W=0.5 to 0.7m, H=2.0m to 10.0m]

It is in the form of a tunnel with intact limestone formations e.g. stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, etc.

Cathedral Cave [L=20.00m, W=5.0m, H=20.0m]

This is similar to the St. Paul Subterranean Cave whose stone formations are still in their original shape.

Century Cave [L=40.00m, W=0.6m to 0.7m, H=0.8m to 10m]

This dome-shaped cave is home to thousands of various species of bats and other cave dwellers. It is rich in guano or bat manure and its dripstones are still intact except for some digging on the floors.

Quirino Cave [L=30.00m, W=8.0m, H=6.0m]

Limestone formations (draperies and dripstones) are still intact. It is ideal for cave enthusiasts.

Virgin Cave [L=25.00m, W=2.5m, H=1.5m]

Some of its naturalness have been lost due to the use of torches by visitors. It is note-worthy that young stalactites have been cleared

Giant Clams or Taklobos of Alaminos

A part of the diverse marine ecosystem that was largely affected by the depletion of the coral reefs in the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) was the Giant Clams, locally known as taklobos. This marine resource regarded as the world’s largest bivalve mollusks, their shell length extending over a meter and can weigh over 225 kg, is the faithful ally of the coral reef in supporting the marine life in the Park. Its massive size and interesting hues that gleamed underwater proved to be a magnificent attraction, marveled at by visiting tourists who either dive or snorkel in the area. Its soft flesh is coveted the world over for its delectability.

Sadly, they began to be wiped out through the indiscriminate harvesting of people who intends to profit from selling them as delicacies, and as decorations in aquariums and home ornaments. This was made even worse by illegal fishing.

A new surge of hope dawned on HINP through the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMSI). They greatly help the City in rehabilitating this vital marine gem, replanting them in parts of the park, which is currently strictly protected. No diver or snorkeler is allowed in those parts. With this revitalization, valuable marine food resources are given new lives, ensuring a continuing dynamic marine ecosystem for the Park. With the joint efforts of UPMIS and Alaminos City, the Giant Clams would soon flourish and aid in the City’s goal of a fully restored Hundred Islands National Park, with a thriving marine life and ready to thrust forward the city’s economy and tourism potential.

Coral Reefs of Alaminos

The Philippines is blessed with a thriving marine ecosystem, supported by reefs and mangrove forests. And the Hundred Islands National Park, the first Natural Park in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, is no exception. Its alluring cerulean waters strewn with 123 islets, is also home to the fragile and diverse jewels of the Philippine Sea – the Coral Reefs. They shelter, feed and protect a copious number of sea creatures of the Park. They also aid the 123 islets in protecting the city’s coast from the impact of waves. Their hard and soft corals with awe-inspiring forms and interesting hues that glistened mystically in the deep, creates a magical underwater vista. Divers and snorkelers can have the time of their lives gliding over it and beside the many magnificent fishes and other sea creatures.

Sadly, these gems became endangered in the Philippines and some parts of the world and started to sink in a deplorable state, a trend that local and foreign scientists believe maybe irreversible. With the onslaught of dynamite and cyanide fishing, aggravated by neglect and increase in population, the Park finally met the same plight.

However, decisive programs that target the rehabilitation and restoration of the splendor of these beautiful and vital water resources have been implemented. Artificial reefs were introduced in parts of the Park, where the corals are quite depleted. Hope became strong at the frequent visits of fishes, which eventually settled in or near the area of the artificial reefs. Just like the natural reefs, they will serve as vital breeding grounds for the sea creatures, so they could again flourish and replenish the Park’s resources. And the City is committed in securing the protection of these new treasures.

Now, the Park is on its way up to recovery and tourists who would immerse themselves in a diving or snorkeling underwater exploration beneath its revitalized waters, would find it beginning to breath in the scent of its old health and magnificence, supported by both natural and artificial reefs.

Hundred Islands National Park

The Hundred Islands National Park (Pangasinan: Kapulo-puloan or Taytay-Bakes) is in the province of Pangasinan in northern Philippines. It is located in Alaminos City, Pangasinan. The islands (124 at low tide and 123 at high tide) are scattered along Lingayen Gulf and cover an area of 18.44 square kilometres (4,557 acres). They are believed to be about two million years old. Only three of them have been developed for tourists: Governor Island, Quezon Island, and Children’s Island.

Sparkling like diamonds, the waters glisten as the sun’s golden rays touch the pristine sea. Delightful in one’s eyes is the powdery blue sky casting a bright gleam beneath. The spread of white sand shimmers against the stream that changes hue—from emerald green to turquoise and azure—as the briny deep goes unfathomable. A stroll along the beach ends up with a dip into the soothing warm waters. Colorful tropical fish glide in somewhat orchestrated manner among a many coral gardens. Out of the water, is a discovery that envelopes not only one isle but a throng of numerous islands ambling along each other.

Public bus lines, namely Victory Liner, Five Star, and Philippine Rabbit have scheduled rides from Manila, Baguio, Dagupan, Subic, Tarlac, and Zambales bound straight to Alaminos City and vice versa.

Paoay Lake National Park

Near the famous Paoay Church is the beautiful, placid Paoay Lake.

It is a land-locked freshwater lake, shaped like a horse, with an area of 470 hectares.

Legend has it that the whole area used to be an affluent town punished for its obsessive attachment to wealth and power. Torrential rains flooded and drowned the entire town. Some local folks say fishermen caught fish with gold rings, a testament to the extravant lifestyle of the submerged village.

In 1969, the lake was declared as a National Park by the late President Marcos.

The Malacanang of the North, a sprawling golf course and a sports complex (the biggest sports-resort complex in the north Luzon) were built around the National Park.