The destination posted at Sosyal Klaymers facebook was:
MT. KALISUNGAN
Calauan, Laguna
Jump-off point: Erais Farms, Brgy. Lamot, Calauan
LLA: 14° 08.790N; 121° 20.683E; 760 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2.5 hours
...Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-2
Looked like an easy climb - this mountain straddles the municipalities of Calauan and Nagcarlan - one of the the 8 mountains of Nagcarlan but is not as known as Mount Banahaw or Mount Makiling in Los Banos. “Minor climb” was behind the choice since the rainy season had already started, thus, only six responded. The weather is fickle...sunny mornings but expect downpour at anytime during the day. But the weather was not the only problem to hurdle...first was finding the Duck Junction that will lead to the Jump Off point. The driver they hired didn’t know where the place is and the only way was ask, ask again until they got to the place, unmistakably so...there were so many ducks! What do you expect to find at Victoria aka duck industry center of Laguna? To Erais Farm from this junction, but they were not allowed to enter Erais Farm which is the direct trail to the Mount Kalisugan because there were fruits on the trees that still had to be harvested. This also was the case with the other property close by. The only way (so they thought) was to go to the barangay hall of Lamot but as helpful as the tanods were, the directions were vague nor could the barangay provide them with a guide. Notwithstanding, they were determined to make the climb even if they had to rely on the locals on the for directions. Off they went and began their ascent...they caught a view of a mountain – it is a “baby Mt. Banahaw” and happily they trudged on.
Climbing Mt. Kalisungan
Along the way, they rested by a nipa hut, suddenly a heavy downpour...so off came the raincoats...they were prepared! A lady passed by and talked to them giving directions but she could not go with them because she was to bring food to her husband working in the mountains. The rains continued and even got stronger but off they went armed with the directions...they found the trail and was easy trek inspite of the rains. Now another roadblock... by a mango tree was a NO ENTRY sign that they noticed as they approached. They turned back looking for another way but could not find any in the vicinity. They had no recourse but to go on, ignoring both the no entry sign and the heavy downpour.
1st Stop - At the Nipa Hut
No Entry Sign
The group continued on their ascent but had to stop (again) when they came to a juncture – but whichever route they took resulted to a dead-end. At this point, the group decided with much ado to give-up...sulking, re-traced their steps to the nipa hut where they decided on “Plan B”...a big help from Mitch and her map! While there, another group of climbers came around,urging Sosyal Klaymers to go with them and continue with the climb...this group had a guide! The Sosyal Klaymers declined...could it be that the mountain is known by some other name to the locals?
With the Other Climbers
Plan B - from mountain climbers to backpacking tourists...they took the jeep to San Pablo where they visited the cathedral that houses some of the life-sized images that are used during the Holy Week processions. San Pablo, known for its 7 lakes but one of its attractions is Good Friday procession of life-sized images depicting the life of Christ on lavishly decorated carozas owned by wealthy locals, like the Escuderos who own a class A resort, Villa Escudero. The procession has attracted onlookers from nearby provinces and Metro Manila, filling the streets or are invited to houses along the procession's route to watch these carozas go by.
Cathedral of San Pablo
Time to look for a resort to spend the night, they stopped by Liliw, a town known for its tsinelas or slippers, especially those with intricate beadwork that our lolas wear. They checked out Batis ng Liliw...highly recommended by a co-passenger in a jeep they were riding. Aside from being unattractive, the batis is not a natural flowing stream, only a man-made pond! Change venue...next stop Nagcarlan...to see Villa Gregoria and all agreed to stay...eat...as usual carouse & swim...and sleep. For tomorrow was a big day...sight-seeing around the western part of Laguna – a visita iglesia in July.
Having fun at Villa Gregoria...swimming & eating
Day 2 - while in Nagcarlan, they visited to St. Bartolome's Church and the underground cemetery and walked around stopped by the old municipal building.
Church of Nagcarlan
Gate of Underground Cemetery The underground cemetery is an attraction, built around the 18th century by Franciscan Fathers, circular wall like the Paco Park which was a cemetery during the Spanish times (where Jose Rizal was buried after his execution). The underground cemetery has an arched entryway of bricks and is well maintained unlike in the late 70’s (when I first saw it)...grounds were unkempt, musty and eerie as you step inside...now, it has been beautified; the brick walls and the floors cleaned. It is in the inner brick walls where the tombstones are placed. Some historical accounts say that it is at the crypt of the cemetery where “Katipuneros plotted against Spanish rule.”
Steps to Underground Cemetery
Chapel at the Crypt
Next stop was Majayjay...where St. Gregory Church is located, one of the oldest parishes in country; unique to this church is the belfry with one big bell and 4 small bells. The marker states that the first church was built by the Augustinian friars in 1571 but has undergone changes not only in structure but also the diocese was transferred to the Franciscan fathers in 1578. The present structure in stone and bricks was built in 1616 and several renovations in the 1800's were undertaken due to damages caused by storms hitting the country. It was used by the Americans during the Fil-American War; the Americans fixed it in 1912. Pity that the church was closed when the Sosyal Klaymers got there.
Church in Majayjay
It was not even midday, they decided to go to Lucban...merely 2 hours away, by public transportation going through Luisiana (not the US state). They were looking forward to their
The Pieta at Kamay...
Kamay ni Hesus is a park both formidable and different where religious statues are bigger than life. There's the Sacred Heart for all to see and below it are images of the crucifixion planted in circular pattern. Interesting are the tall statue of the Virgin and Child, the garden of the last supper displaying the apostles and Jesus, and the Pieta on an altar in a glorietta. There is also a chapel where one can pray after strolling in the grounds...their eyes have feasted on religious grounds...and a most fitting finale to an aborted climb...Kamay ni Hesus!
Jesus with Outstretched Arms
