Exploring Sumaging Cave of Sagada, Mountain Province

Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Staunton Rd.,
Sagada, Mountain Province

I headed to Sagada, Mountain Province, last weekend for a possible vocation promotion. It was my first time to visit the place. Later did I realize that the church I visited is an Anglican church!  According to Wikepedia, "Since the coming of the missionaries from the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, the Municipality of Sagada has become the only Philippine town that is predominantly Anglican with almost 95% baptised into Episcopalian Church of the Philippines (ECP)." This faith of the people must have influenced their lives  and community so much that Sagada boasts of its zero-crime rate.  To look for Catholic missions here, kindly visit catholicsagada.blogspot.com.

Sagada is known for its spelunking (caving) activities. Famous of which is the cave connection. This adventure is a 3-4 hour exploration inside the cave, starting at the Lumiang Burial Cave and finally emerging at the Sumaging Cave.  But first, do not forget to drop by the tourist center to register and to pay the environmental fee of 35 pesos. The municipality also requires all visitors to avail of the services of a Sagada local tour guide for a safe, informative and fun tour. Guide fee for the cave connection is 800 pesos for two visitors or less plus 400 pesos each for additional visitor. They also offer a 2-way transportation to and from the tourist center for 400 pesos. Try this one if you have the brave heart.

Entrance to Sumaging Cave

I opted instead the other offer for beginners--- the Sumaging Cave/short course caving. Around 40 minutes to 1 hour trek from the tourist center, Sumaging cave exploration only lasts for 1 to 1.5 hours. Guide fee is 500 pesos for 4 visitors or less. Joseph, our guide, made our tour so  much fun and easy! He guided us carefully to see the depths of the cave. He taught us to face and embrace what's inside the cave.

Reflecting on this experience, knowing oneself is like a caving experience. In order for one to know oneself deeper, he or she needs to fearlessly go down the depths of his or her own heart. Inside this heart are creatures of anger, rejection, traumas or insecurities. One may discover things that are difficult to face and embrace. But as one goes deeper into the cave of his or her heart, with trust in the Guide, one would find the journey truly liberating! 

Pictures courtesy of a fellow explorer Kenneth Galingan. 

Reminders for Caving: *

1. Wear loose t-shirt, shorts/loose pants, rubber sandals/flip-flops/rubber shoes. Gloves are optional.

2. Caving is not allowed after 4:00 PM.

3. Expect waist deep water in some parts of the Sumaging Cave.

4. Do not urinate inside the cave.

5. Do not leave your trash inside the cave.
*Based on the tourist map brochure

More blogs to come about Sagada.