Standing about 324 masl, Mt.
Lansay is the most accessible and easiest hiking venue among the 8 mountains
surrounding the municipality of Nagcarlan.
It has a 360 degrees great view of Laguna Lake and Mt. Bayaquitos (North);
the towns of Liliw and Nagcarlan (Northeast); Mt. Banahaw (South); Mt. San Cristobal (Southeast) and
Mts. Malauban, Mabilog, Nagcarlan and Atimla (Nothwest).
“Pinagbanderahan” as it was previously called by the locals as Americans proudly raised their national flag after the Spanish-American War. During the American occupation, cavalry of Americans frequented the place for some recreational horseback riding activities.
Some people claimed that the pleasure of getting on top of Mt. Lansay gratifies anyone the visual summation experience of how beautiful Nagcarlan is.
After enjoying Mt. Lansay’s view of its surroundings, an easy descend on its western slope will lead to yet another nature’s treasure waiting to be unveiled: “Sagilala” falls. About 18 feet high and a catch basin of about 20 feet wide and 2 feet deep, it is fed by three springs which converge into one stream some meters away before the falls. Calm, pure, pristine and still remote from public encroachment, its water has remained the way nature has made it.
You haven’t experienced the best of brgy. Banilad if you
missed tasting a local “tablea sa batidor”.
From cacao beans that are dried, roasted, ground and then formed into
cubes, “tablea” is traditionally used in the Philippines to make hot chocolate
using a manual blender called “batidor”. Interesting to know that some local folks
still choose to continue and enjoy making such Filipino traditional favorites
even at the heights of modern times’ “instant” beverages.
Second half of the hike is equally enjoyable taking the
Northward Banilad exit towards Brgy. Palayan.
Taking the “Manukot Trail”, we will get to cross 4 streams; a rice field
with uncluttered view of Mts. Banahaw and San Cristobal then walk along an
irrigation system that supplies water on nearby rice fields. A gratifying 20 minutes hike is just as
exciting as we get to see the reserved beauty of Nagcarlan eagerly waiting to
be rediscovered and appreciated by its people.
From our assembly in front of the Nagcarlan Municipal
Bldg participants will take public transport to Brgy. Malaya. Then Brgy. Malaya
to Brgy. Banilad proper. When all
participants have arrived, we then start our quick ascend to Mt. Lansay passing
a cacao orchard. In just about 30
minutes or less, hikers can reach its summit with ease. We will stay at the summit for some 20
minutes so everyone will have enough time to enjoy Mt. Lansay’s view and get a
chance to take good photo composition as souvenirs.
After our traditional group picture, we will descend on
its western slope towards Sagilala Falls traversing the “Manukot trail”. Everyone should be reminded of the ideal
distance between each hiker to avoid getting lost. As soon as we approached a
huge “kawayanan” area, the sound of rushing waters from the river can be
clearly heard. “Tubig Pook” stream is about 30-35 width and about 2 feet
deep. To make it more exciting and avoid
getting wet, participants can cling to the sides of the riverbank using
branches and roots of trees while stepping on some protruded rocks by the
stream. Several meters ahead will lead us to the pristine beauty of Sagilala
Falls, a visual reward for everyone’s delight.
Another 20 minutes of stay for participants photo
shooting fulfillment and then we ascend towards a ridgeline and get to “Tansa”
trailhead to the center of brgy. Banilad to end the 1st half of our
hike.
Participants will then take a break trying-out “tablea sa
batidor at suman” at a local’s house.
Thereafter we will continue our exit hike taking the “Manukot” trail towards
Brgy. Palayan.
When everyone is ready, we then proceed northward passing
“Malahigin” and “mag-asawang tubig” landmarks.
