The Hidden Gem of Nueva Ecija: Minalungao National Park

by lakwatserong tatay

So right after the christening we had attended at Gapan. Next on our itinerary was to visit the hidden gem of Nueva Ecija. Who could have thought that the province of Nueva Ecija, that is known to be as the rice paddies of our country, holds one of a kind secret of our mother nature. A great sculpture of nature that can be found in center of Peñaranda River. Has marvelous limestone that is towering 16 meters high and has calm rivers waters within Sierra Mountain Range, known as Minalungao National Park.

Pristine Calm Water of Peñaranda River

Having heard about this place to my co-bloggers last year. Seeing their shared stories about this park makes me excited to see it up close. However i'm having hard time to schedule a trip on this place, then opportunity comes because of an invite to attend christening. Seeing the chance to have additional side trip and had the chance to first set foot in Nueva Ecija makes me more excited because i'll be seeing the park at last.

The Crowded Park

Crowded Parking Area within rented nipa huts

The park covers 2018 hectares and was recognized as a protected area around 1967. Located in Brgy. Minalungao at General Tinio, Nueva Ecija.

Huge limestone within Peñaranda River

Tourists along the river

A local guide is available to guide you within the park, to the grotto, and to the cave. Our was kid named Felix. Since we have only limited time, we opted to visit the cave and experience the cool waters of Peñaranda river.

a very calm river water..

It is advisable to get a local guide because they know more about the park likewise as you help them too. In touring the park you choose between two options by foot or by boat. So if you want relaxation trip within the park, it is better to choose by boat by renting bamboo raft (please rental fees below). Or you may choose the newly cemented trail path to tour the park. Both trails will lead you to the shallow swimming area with refreshing and cool waters of the river.

the bamboo raft that cruise along the river

awesome rock formations...

our guide felix....

that's how you enjoy its cool waters....

There are so many activities available within the park, that you can choose from. There are ziplines for adventurers, bamboo rafting ride, trekking to limestone to get to the cave, trek to grotto and of course having a picnic with your families and friends.

rocky trail going to cave

one of the shallow part of the river....

As of writing, the local government is promoting this place as one of its eco-tourism destination. Rehabilitation of the road going to the park is on going. The rocky trail before is now established and already cemented path for the tourist which is younger and older ones much enjoy the scenery. The fees was different from last year as i've seen from my co-bloggers.

What i wish on this place is that hopefully when i had again the chance to visit again this place. It will be a pleasant as we've visited it. I know the park will attract more tourist and as the tourist may arise the garbage within the area may also arise. I just hope the local government, locals and tourist alike are more responsible with their own trashes. As i've seen there were actually scattered around the area from foils, plastic and even bottles. Hope that in next years to come the park will stay as is right now or few years before when it was explored and be opened to the public. Moreover, let us help the Minalungao National Park, be placed in map as one of the tourist attraction, be beautiful and as charmed right now, thus it will help more locals to their livelihood, specially to those kids like Felix, it will help them alot with schooling and families financies.

Me with our guide Felix..^_^

XB's - Melvin, Me & Joel

Nature Park Trippin is more fun in the Philippines

Minalungao National Park Rates (as of April, 2015):

Entrance Fee - php 30.00
Minulangao Cave - php 10.00
Cottage - php 200.00
Bamboo raft (small) - php 250.00
Bambbo raft (big) - php 500.00
Comfort room - php 10.00
Parking fee - php 50.00

How to get to Minalungao National Park:

By commute: 
Ride a bus bound Gapan/Cabanatuan. Available bus companies from Cubao/Pasay like Five Star, ES Transport. Travel time may take from 2-3 hours.

From Gapan, you have two options, (1) ride a jeep bound to General Tinio formerly known as Papaya (not sure of the jeepney fare) and then from city proper ride a trike going to park (php50 each as per my conversation with the tricycles around the park) / (2) rent a trike from Gapan to Minalungao National Park. Estimate travel time is 1-1.5 hours (php500-600 per tricycle). This option is hassle free because you knew that there will be a tricycle waiting for you if you want to go back to city in anytime you want.

My First Visit in the Town of Gapan

by lakwatserong tatay

lakwatserong tatay @ Nueva Ecija

This is the first time i've visited the province of Nueva Ecija and had a day tour to two of its town, Gapan & General Tinio. I usually passed by on this province on my way to other provinces. Lucky for me, last April 4, i had the chance to visit it due to an invitation to attend a christening. Since i've heard a lot about Minalungao National Park of General Tinio (formerly known as Papaya) and it is locations was just two towns away from Gapan, where we will be attending christening. I agreed to go with my co-xplorerboyz joel and melvin...^_^.

Our first plan was supposed to go to ecopark first, however due to traffic that we've encountered going to Gapan. We decided to do our side trip after the christening & reception, which came out a right decision..#busogmunch #tipididity...^_^

Three Kings Parish Church

Church's center aisle

Arriving to church, hour earlier the christening, giving us the chance to tour the Gapan Church, known as Three Kings Parish Church, the biggest and oldest church in the Province of Nueva Ecija.

One of the church brick post with Angel's

Church was built in the 1800's by Augustinian friars with Gapanense forced labor, the brick church was once a witness, had been tested and stands the natural and man-made calamities including the 1896 Philippine Revolution, World War II and the Great 1990 earthquake.

Mural Painting at Church Cupola's Ceiling

Gapan Church is a pilgrimage site for two miraculous patron saints, the three kings which is celebrated every January 6 and the Divina Pastora every May 1. Gapan Church was also declared as the National Shrine of the Divina Pastora.

Gapan Church's Main Altar

Gapan Church has a belfry that have four huge bells, (however we wasn't able to check it). These bells where also been part of our history and was made and casted during 1890's. The church interior seen above on my 2nd and 3rd pictures, was renovated during 1980's The stucco coating of walls was stripped out to show the bricks underneath. The church's main altar was also renovated during 1970's and was change to marble and concrete with it's huge crucifix, that is known to be as the second biggest crucifix in the Philippines. Beside the church was also a convento that was converted as Divina Pastora College that was founded in the late 1950's.

Gapan City Public Market

So after giving you a brief history and background about Gapan's Church. We had another tour around on its public market. It's summertime and the heat of the sun was really striking us that time. So we looked for a halo-halo which is best refreshment for summer season. While looking for that, we had the chance see and tour it's public market which has different sections, dry and wet, and way backward was a Divisoria feeling because of wholesaling transaction of its fresh vegetables...^_^

Gapan City Wet Market

So at last, after walking few hundred meters away to Gapan Church and Gapan Public Market, we managed to see a local stall that sells a halo-halo.....^_^ #sarapnghalohalosasummer....^_^

Halo-halo is the best for summer...^_^

So moving forward, after having halo-halo near the public market of Gapan and our tour inside Gapan's Church. The christening started and right after the reception followed which held near the church's vicinity, the church's parish center was used for their reception.

X-plorerboyz @ Gapan Church

And after having photo opps, christening celebration and eating session at the reception. Our most awaited side trip follows. But before that, we will not missed the photo opps on its church facade. ^_^

Me @ Gapan Church

Three King Parish Church (Gapan Church)
"National Shrine of Virgen La Divina Pastora"
Address: Delos Reyes St., Gapan City, Nueva Ecija

next stop: Minalungao National Park, General Tinio, Nueva Ecija