Mt. Humarap | Tatlong Krus | Matabungca Falls
Brgy. Ilaya Norte, Paete, Laguna, Philippines
Mt. Humarap also know as Tatong Krus is a popular pilgrimage site in Paete, Laguna. During Holy Week folks from Laguna and nearby provinces flocks to the peak of the mountain to pray and remember the sufferings Jesus Christ on the cross. Over looking the town of Paete, Mt. Humarap is a great place to reflect and relax away from the crowd of the city.
How to get to Mt. Humarap from Manila :
Coming from EDSA/Crossing, take a GTExpress vans (Starmall) bound to Tanay (70.ooPHP), alight at Tanay Market, ride a jeepney going to Siniloan (43.ooPHP) and upon reaching the market of Siniloan look for bound Paete (20.ooPHP) and ask the driver to drop off to town proper of Paete (Gitnang Bayan). You have two options to walk or take a tricycle up to start of jumpoff which is a residential area of Brgy. Ilaya Norte.
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| Tropang "Mahal Kita Kapatid" |
Before you reach the peak of Mt. Humarap you will see a falls called Matabungca Falls. Its in the area where you will be invited to rest and drink the natural mineral water (where I drank). But there are no signage at the time of our visit so we missed it. When we reached the peak we asked some locals there where is the waterfalls and they described the area and I knew where to go when we descend.
As we ascend the mountain, it gets harder and harder. The steps are steeper and narrower. But still, nothing compares to walking up the stairs with a sight of the abundance of nature. The cool fresh air had made feel relaxed and soothed our sore muscles.
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"And Finally We Met The Three Crosses"
MKK at Tatlong Krus |
Upon reaching the peak of Mt. Humarap, after the one hour trek, you will be amazed by the big three cross that resembles the sufferings of Jesus Christ. Like what I have said, Mt. Humarap is a pilgrimage site especially during Holy Week.
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| The view from the summit was spectacular! |
The three crosses themselves face north, fronting the town of Paete beneath, then Laguna de Bay, and finally Mt. Sembrano. The peak of Mt. Tagapo can also be identified.
In normal days Mt. Humarap serves as picnic grounds and play ground for the locals, pilgrimage site for the devotee and point of attraction for the adrenaline junkie like us. There are cottages you can freely use (it has a 50.oo PHP fee during holy week) but the grass is inviting for a good nap.
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| Picture! Picture! Jessie! |
Matabungca Falls is a must-visit site in Tatlong Krus. It will take approximately 15minutes to reach this medium-sized waterfall. Soaring from 25 meters high with greens all over the place, the basin is quite good for a small group who wants to swim, though we’re not lucky this time as the falls was a bit shallow due to the sunny season. But still we were able to manage our time and take our photo ops, making our stay memorable.
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| Jessie at Matabungca Falls |
After more than an hour of staying and relaxing in the summit of Mt. Humarap, we decided to descend and go to Matabungca Falls (known as “talon”) with the whole group. We reached the waiting shed again, and straight ahead the tubigan, is the way to the waterfalls.
The magnificent falls was shy and blocked by a large rock. We had to pass on the side of the rock to see magic and enchanting Matabungca Falls. The vines created a dramatic effect as the waters from the mountain falls.
The Matabungka falls was definitely a wonder hidden in Paete’s mountain range. Even with a small catch basin, we enjoyed the water with chilling temperature.
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| Jessie at Paete Church "St. James The Apostle Church" |
We also visited “St. James the Apostle church” The Roman Catholic Church, was built during the Spanish time. It has spacious patios in front of it. Repairs were made in the past but the original design was preserved.
TRIVIA:
Famous for woodcrafts and lanzones fruit, the town of Paete is also rich in history, from the time when it was a village ruled by Gat Lacampauid to the present. The name is said to come from ‘paet’ which means chisel. The priest asked the name of the place but the villager thought he was asking the name of his tool. Although the christening is accidental, the name is very appropriate considering that Paete is the ‘woodcarving capital of the Philippines’. Some accounts even say that the world-famous yo-yo had its origins in Paete!
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