Bulacan is never short of places to go and fun things to do! Look at my Top 5 Tourist Spot in Bulacan:
1. BIAK-NA-BATO
Biak na Bato is a national park. It was declared so by President Manuel L. Quezon in 1937. History has it that Filipino revolutionaries like Emilio Aguinaldo used the numerous caves of Biak na Bato as refuge when they fought against the Spaniards.
The caves of Biak na Bato are no ordinary caves. The caves are beautifully lined with gigantic stalactiles and awsome rock formations. Some are even teeming with wildlife. And, there are so many caves to explore! Aside from the dozen or so famous caves, the guides estimate that there are nearly a hundred caves in Biak na Bato.
Tourists and nature enthusiasts can go caving by arranging for any of the cave tours that are managed by Biak na Bato guides and the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources). There are namerous cave tours. Tours are limited to a maximum of 10 persons per guide.
How to get there by bus
Take the bus from SM North in Quezon City en route to San Miguel Bulacan and ask the river to let you off at the park entrance. You may also rent a private van or FX from here and be prepared to pay more or less P2000.
2. MT. MANALMON
Part of the historical Biak-na-Bato National Park is an outdoor destination called Mt.Manalmon, in San Miguel, Bulacan. Although merely a hill, strictly speaking, Mt. Manalmon possesses novel landscapeds, including those of Madlum River, whose rock formations compensate for an otherwise unmarkable environ. Also, nearby sites such as the Bayukbok Caves (a 2-hr exploration from the River) and Madlum cave (historical due to an 18th century relic) can be coupled with a trip to Mt. Manalmon is another elevated ground called Mt. Gola; instead of turning right at the bifurcation, going left would lead to this peak, which is also a good vantage point.
Mt. Manalmon is located in the town of San Miguel, province of Bulacan Not only it is known for its historical background as part of the Biak-na-Bato National Park, it has always been a favorite destination of outdoor enthusiast seeking for a thrilling experience. As part of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, this hidden paradise offers a variety of outdoor activities such as swimming at the Madlum River, crossing the Monkey Bridge, river rafting, spelunking, diving, rappelling, rock climbing, and more!
How to Get There
Reaching Manalmon is commenced by taking a bus to Cabanatuan, and then alighting at Brgy. Kamias, San Miguel, Bulacan. From here, a tricycle ride can take you to jump-off a Brgy. Madlum. From here, the entire trek only lasts for 2 hours. You will first pass through the Madlum cave (also called Manalmon cave); and then the rest of the highlight of the trek. Camping may be done either after the river, or within the summit area. At the peak of Mt. Manalmon, you can see the Sierra Madre range to the east; and Mt. Arayat to the north. Still, it will be the rocky formations, the river, and the caves that will make Manalmon a memorable adventure.
3. MADLUM RIVER
Madlum river is the first thing you will notice as soon as you arrive Sitio Madlum Brgy. Kamias, San Miguel Bulacan. It is the starting point for cave exploring Mt.Manalmon and Mt. Gola climbing. Even those who are not into those activities can just go for a cold plunge, a sweet escape from humid weather. Also, another exciting activity can be found Monkey bridge crossing over the river and zipline over the Monekey bridge.
Madlum is located near the northern boundary of Bulacan. It is about 90 km from Manila(form Balintawak Cloverleaf intersection).
For those who like swimming in rivers, Madlum River has clear waters anad a good sandy riverbed that slopes gradually(making it ideal for swimming for all ages). It is surrounded by interesting rock faces that have several exploitable caves that are less than a hundred meters from the river.
The Monekey Bridge over the Madlum River was built not as an attraction for tourists, rather it is a bridge used by the locals to cross the river especially when they are chasing time. It is composed of two other is where you walk to move yourself to the other end.
Traversing through the width of the river hanging several feet above it while carefully balancing yourself between the two unsteady wires is extremely difficult. Consider also other factors such as the gustiness of the wind and the wobbling wires, crossing the bridge is really frightening!
Hot to get there:
Take the North Luzon Tollway and exit at Sta. Rita/Baliuag (exit 32A/32B). From the exit head along the National Highway towards Plaridel, Baliuag, San Ildefenso then San Miguel (about 40km). At San Miguel, turn right head eastward until you reach Sibul Springs (9+km). At Sibul Springs, turn left at the road right after the old Sibul Springs resort and head northeast toward the road to Madlum.
It's just a small cave but it has awesome rock formations and required some crawling, rapelling, squeezing which made it more challenging.
Once insider the Bayukbuk Cave, we rappelled, we crawled, we ducked, we squeezed, etc. It's just a small cave actually, it took 30 minutes to venture inside. Nothing so special with this cave, except for the part the guide called "Music Hall" - because music can be created buy just tapping the rocks.
Not many heard of Royal Northwoods; blame its relative isolation. It's roughly 80k from Makati; to get there take the NLEX and get off at Sta. Rita. Then turn right and head towards Cabanatuan, NE. When you get to San Rafael, look for the signs to he club. You'll turn right on a small concrete road wich you'll follow seemingly into the middle of nowhere. It's about ten minutes from the highway.
Nestled among the rice fields lies a real gem of a course. Once you see it, its beauty and playablity will quickly make up for the effort involved in getting there.
A Graham Marsh design measuring 6,989 yards from tips, it is short by modem standards. The predominant features of the course are its bunkers. Numerous, often large quite deep in places, the bunkers sit in front of you; intimidating but posing no unpleasant surprises. They are to be avoided at all costs. The greens are a tricky affair; they're not overly sloped but their subtle humps and hollows are precisely the reason they're difficult to read. You have to be aware of the direction of the prevailing slope to properly decipher their secrets (hint: the clubhouse is the highest point on the course; everything falls away from there).
The par-5s are the scoring holes; all of them are opportunities for birdies. The par 4s are your keys to a good round, a mix of shorter, tricky holes and long, brutal ones will add pain and pleasure to your round. Manage yourself well here and a good score is in the bag.
The toughest hole on the course in the par-4 second. The 1-handicap, it measures just 417-yards from the tips. A good drive is the key to the hole and must be perfectly placed. OB lurks just left of the cart path on the left side of the fairway, too far right and a growth of giant bamboo will completely obscure your view of the green. A stream running across the fairway complicates matters further. The green is large and runs diagonally away from you, making it imperative that the approach hits the correct quadrant. Conquer this hole and you're on your way to a good scoring round.
Every course has a tee shot that you look forward to or dread. At Norhtwoods it's on the 5th hole from the gold tees; it plays over the largest of the club's lakes to fairvay running diagonally to the right, daring you to cut the corner witch is guarded by a phalanx of very deep bunkers. If you can achieve that, getting on in two is a breeze and a chance at eagle or birdie waits. The rest of the front side is fairly benign until you get thirty yards longer up the hill and into the prevailing breeze. To the average golfer this will play like a par-5. The back side start with another monster par-4, this one 437-yards that, thankfully, plays down hill. Avoid the bunkers in the dogleg at all cost; they negate any chance for par on this hole.
All in all, this is a very, very good golf course that present something for everyone. It's pleasant to play but can pose quite the challenge from the back tees. It's been a while since I've been there, but on my last trip down, the course seemed to have matured quite nicely and the greens were rolling at about 10 on the stimp; a sure sing that the course was in superb condition.
Madlum is located near the northern boundary of Bulacan. It is about 90 km from Manila(form Balintawak Cloverleaf intersection).
For those who like swimming in rivers, Madlum River has clear waters anad a good sandy riverbed that slopes gradually(making it ideal for swimming for all ages). It is surrounded by interesting rock faces that have several exploitable caves that are less than a hundred meters from the river.
The Monekey Bridge over the Madlum River was built not as an attraction for tourists, rather it is a bridge used by the locals to cross the river especially when they are chasing time. It is composed of two other is where you walk to move yourself to the other end.
Traversing through the width of the river hanging several feet above it while carefully balancing yourself between the two unsteady wires is extremely difficult. Consider also other factors such as the gustiness of the wind and the wobbling wires, crossing the bridge is really frightening!
Hot to get there:
Take the North Luzon Tollway and exit at Sta. Rita/Baliuag (exit 32A/32B). From the exit head along the National Highway towards Plaridel, Baliuag, San Ildefenso then San Miguel (about 40km). At San Miguel, turn right head eastward until you reach Sibul Springs (9+km). At Sibul Springs, turn left at the road right after the old Sibul Springs resort and head northeast toward the road to Madlum.
4, SPELUNKING THE BAYUKBUK CAVE
It's just a small cave but it has awesome rock formations and required some crawling, rapelling, squeezing which made it more challenging.
Once insider the Bayukbuk Cave, we rappelled, we crawled, we ducked, we squeezed, etc. It's just a small cave actually, it took 30 minutes to venture inside. Nothing so special with this cave, except for the part the guide called "Music Hall" - because music can be created buy just tapping the rocks.
5. THE ROYAL NORTHWOODS GOLF CLUB
Not many heard of Royal Northwoods; blame its relative isolation. It's roughly 80k from Makati; to get there take the NLEX and get off at Sta. Rita. Then turn right and head towards Cabanatuan, NE. When you get to San Rafael, look for the signs to he club. You'll turn right on a small concrete road wich you'll follow seemingly into the middle of nowhere. It's about ten minutes from the highway.
Nestled among the rice fields lies a real gem of a course. Once you see it, its beauty and playablity will quickly make up for the effort involved in getting there.
A Graham Marsh design measuring 6,989 yards from tips, it is short by modem standards. The predominant features of the course are its bunkers. Numerous, often large quite deep in places, the bunkers sit in front of you; intimidating but posing no unpleasant surprises. They are to be avoided at all costs. The greens are a tricky affair; they're not overly sloped but their subtle humps and hollows are precisely the reason they're difficult to read. You have to be aware of the direction of the prevailing slope to properly decipher their secrets (hint: the clubhouse is the highest point on the course; everything falls away from there).
The par-5s are the scoring holes; all of them are opportunities for birdies. The par 4s are your keys to a good round, a mix of shorter, tricky holes and long, brutal ones will add pain and pleasure to your round. Manage yourself well here and a good score is in the bag.
The toughest hole on the course in the par-4 second. The 1-handicap, it measures just 417-yards from the tips. A good drive is the key to the hole and must be perfectly placed. OB lurks just left of the cart path on the left side of the fairway, too far right and a growth of giant bamboo will completely obscure your view of the green. A stream running across the fairway complicates matters further. The green is large and runs diagonally away from you, making it imperative that the approach hits the correct quadrant. Conquer this hole and you're on your way to a good scoring round.
Every course has a tee shot that you look forward to or dread. At Norhtwoods it's on the 5th hole from the gold tees; it plays over the largest of the club's lakes to fairvay running diagonally to the right, daring you to cut the corner witch is guarded by a phalanx of very deep bunkers. If you can achieve that, getting on in two is a breeze and a chance at eagle or birdie waits. The rest of the front side is fairly benign until you get thirty yards longer up the hill and into the prevailing breeze. To the average golfer this will play like a par-5. The back side start with another monster par-4, this one 437-yards that, thankfully, plays down hill. Avoid the bunkers in the dogleg at all cost; they negate any chance for par on this hole.
All in all, this is a very, very good golf course that present something for everyone. It's pleasant to play but can pose quite the challenge from the back tees. It's been a while since I've been there, but on my last trip down, the course seemed to have matured quite nicely and the greens were rolling at about 10 on the stimp; a sure sing that the course was in superb condition.
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