Akyat Maculot 2011

One of the best attraction of the Batangas is the towering mountain of Maculot. At 830 ASL it one the highest mountain yet an easy climb. The mountain has three destinations, the Grotto , Summit and the Rockies(being the most popular). According to several legends Maculot was named after a giant that saved the a village from the eruption of Taal Volcano. Another tale on the other hand tells that dark skin and curly haired aborigines settled mountain thus the mountain was called "Bundok ng Macuculot" and later simplified as Bundok Maculot.

My fellow climbers. my sister was taking the picture

Majority of climbers go to Rockies, the climb can take about an hour an a half or less. Climbers can choose two trails, the old trail and the new trail. The new trail is considered to be difficult yet adventurous. This trail was created back in 2009 by Philippine Air Force Flying School. But still climbers preferred the old trail. At the camp site there is a Sari sari store called by mountaineers 7-11. Here you buy Halo halo, canned sardines , bottled water , etc.

Rockies is five minute climb from the camp site. Back then the trail going to Rockies had a temporary stair made wood, later this was dismantled probably after the 1994 incident.

Taal Volcano seen from Rockies

View from Rockies

In order for climbers to know if they are on the right path going to rockies here's my guide. First stop at the Barangay out post of Brangay 7 Cuenca, Batangas. Here climber must file there names and pay the P 10 fee. Then proceed to Mountaineers Store this is a ten minute walk from the out post. Then going down the street will be the street sigh of "To Makulot Rocky Road" here is start of the walk going to the mountain. This path is both concrete and gravel. Going down one will see a path going down to the left and the path to the right. The left path is the old trail and the right is the new trail. Since my companions use the old one this will be my analysis.

"Lumang Ilog"

Going left is the old trail as one go down one will see the carved way , then you will see what I call "Lumang Ilog" in my opinion this was originally a stream that later dried out yet during the Monsoon season water runs through. Passing this follow the path going up then turn right, this is what I call "Bato-bato" part is is filled with rocks and ferns. Next is the what I call "Ugat Lupa" this section is literally filled with roots and soil some part have rocks. This is also the longest. Next is the "Bato Cogon" this section is a mix of rocks, soil, and cogon grass. And finally is the "Cogon" this part is covered with cogon grass and mixture of soil and rock. In this segment climbers must take caution, the path is slippery both in dry and wet season. The problem is that there are lose rocks and pebbles. Also when going down there are parts which I call "Biglang dungaw" this are open areas which climber might fall if not taking risk.

"Ugat Lupa"

Rockies

A "Biglang dungaw"

The best time to climb Rockies is during weekends, this is also to have companions in the climb plus meeting new friends. The best time to go to Rockies(the rocky formation in the west) between 6am-8am here one can see Taal Lake and Volcano. In a very clear day the mountains of Mindoro, Tagaytay Ridge, Mt. Makiling. Mt Batulao, and Laguna de Bay are visible.

Anubing Sublian Festival 2011

Last May 1 and 2 the towns of Alitagtag and Bauan celebrated the Anubing Sublian Festival to honor the Mahal na Poon ng Sta Cruz. This festival showcase the dancing of Subli, a dance to hoor the Mahal na Poon. Here are some the clips from the Festival.

Mahal na Poong Sta. Cruz made of Styrofoam

Children of Alitagtag dancing Subli

The Mahal na Poong Sta. Cruz of Bauan

The devotion to the Mahal na Poong Sta. Cruz stated some time in the end of 16th century when a house post made of Anubing, local hardwood, was made into a giant cross. This cross was erected in the place called Dingin, a barrio in lake shore of present day Alitagtag. The cross was erected to protect the natives from a plague of ghost and the impending eruptions of Taal Volcano. Later the cross was place in present day Binukalan.

At that time there was a couple who was living near by whose husband was fierce to her wife. The man treated her like a slave and ask her to fetch water from the lake. Everyday the wife always pass to the giant cross to pray for her husband. One day into her visit she saw a miracle, water came out from the side of the cross, which made for her easy to get water. The husband on the other hand found that his wife gets water in no time that he suspected that someone is helping her. Thinking that the woman has a man with her, he spied on her and saw the miracle of Cross himself. The man became kind to her wife and became devote to the Holy Cross.

Mahal na Poong Sta. Cruz Alitagtag

When the news of the miracle of the giant cross came to the ears of the Friars, they decided to get the cross to their parishes. Time came when to the parish priest of a Taal tried to pull the cross from the ground, yet the cross resisted. Another parish priest took a chance yet thunder and lightning cause him not to continue. When it was the parish priest of Bauan's turn, he prayed first and allow the natives to dance the Subli. The cross was pulled so easy from the ground that the parish of Bauan was declared as the home of the Mahal na Poon. Many miracles has been attributed to the Holy Cross, in fact due to its miracle many have chip of the side of the Poon. It was later decided to cover the sides with silver to protect the Cross.

Magkapatid na Krus of Bauan and Alitagtag

When Alitagtag was separated from the town of Bauan, the people of Alitagtag decided to have a share of the Holy Cross, thus the giant cross was turned into two Holy Cross known as Magkapatid na Krus. Since then a tradition known as Salubong, wherein the the two Crosses meets at Barangay Concordia. Here the Mahal na Poon of Bauan ang Alitagtag are place into a float and heads to Binukalan where a Mass, Lua and the Subli are offered.

"Lua" to the Mahal na Poon

damping water to the base of the Holy Cross of Alitagtag same thing done to the Cross of Bauan

The Mahal na Poong Sta. Cruz of Bauan, standing freely

In the afternoon the Magkapatid na Poon are then place in float to be brought to the Bauan. This motorcade last for hours. In the roadside, devotees awaits for the Poon, when the Two Holy Cross arrives to them they shower it with flowers. At the bridge of Manghinao, the two Cross are brought down and carried in the shoulders of men. This procession goes to the streets of Bauan then to the patio of the Church. Here the dancers of Subli from Sinala awaits, when the two Holy Cross are in place the Subli is offered. Students from elementary and high schools also dance the Subli to honor the Mahal na Poon ng Sta. Cruz. By next day is the Fiesta of Bauan and in May 7 is the Fiesta of Alitagtag. Viva. Sta Cruz!!!

Subli from Sinala, dance to honor the Magkapatid na Sta Cruz