When Winston Baltazar, aka JB Nalang first told me that trekking to the Sta. Lucia river and falls at Mt. Banahaw entails going up and down 259 steps…read 259, I felt like backing out of the trip. I’m just not sure I could handle it, but something akin to a magical force nagged at me. I just have to experience this even for just once in my life.

Going down is relatively easy but one has to be cautious. The stone steps are wet and slippery because of the intermittent rains and near the descent to the river, the steps get narrower. Thank God, the exercise program I embarked on a month ago was finally paying off. Reaching the bottom, our group composed of young yuppies and budding photographers took in the serene surroundings.

What brought us all together? A common love for nature and travel and a keen interest in photographing wonderful places, people and events. Most of us are members of Explore Philippines – an online discussion group composed of avid wanderlusts. Tito Basa, one of the moderators of the forum, should be credited for coming-up with the idea of conducting a photography workshop. But it was JB who managed to invite Ocs Alvarez as our lecturer. Ocs is a professional commercial photographer, currently affiliated with Summit Media Publishing. His stunning shots of local celebrities often graced the sleek pages of the firm’s various publications. Ocs has a hectic schedule so getting him as our resource person is a real feat for JB.

There is something ethereal about Mt. Banahaw. I half expected a wood nymph or a water goddess to emerge from the forest or the water. A group of local boys swooped down out of nowhere and plunged into the river, using a huge mossy boulder as diving board. We aimed our cameras trying to take vivid action shots.

This place is truly magical. Far away from the noise and grime of the polluted city, I felt my muscles relaxing, as a deep feeling of serenity pervades my whole being. I watched my son, JM jumping from stone to stone. He is such a hyperactive boy. I recalled bringing him with me on previous trips to Mansalay and San Teodoro in Oriental Mindoro. He was only four years old then, but he gamely hiked with the rest of us. At some portions of the mountain when the going gets really rough or when we had to cross a swiftly flowing mountain stream, our sturdy Mangyan guides bore him upon their strong shoulders.

JM was ecstatic, it’s not often now that we get a chance to get out of the city. Traveling is expensive and I’m just semi – active as a travel writer now. So I grab at opportunities like this.

We went under the falls, feeling the shocking impact of the freezing water as it hits our skin. But when we stepped out of the falls, we could no longer feel the cold. We felt refreshed and invigorated. It seems as if it’s not only our bodies but even our minds and soul which were cleansed by the cool water cascading from the falls. JM enjoyed it so much, he was reluctant to leave.

“Going under the falls is the first part of the Mt. Banahaw initiation ritual. After the initial chill from the water, you get a refreshing, invigorating feeling.” JB informed us. He was in his element as photographer cum trek guide. “The falls are also deemed to be sacred, “ he continued.

As I sat atop a boulder, my senses feasted on the beauty of the surroundings and the peaceful stillness all around me. I gazed up at the sky and the pale sunlight streaming through the branches of the trees. During moments such as this, I never fail to be amazed at God’s wondrous creations…this glorious mountain, the majestic trees, this life-giving river and waterfalls.

It’s a pity that man continues to abuse His creations. What was it Ocs said…”we reap what we sow”. We treat nature with respect and care, it shall continue to provide us with what we need but we treat it harshly and everything comes back to us with a vengeance. The problem is we never learn from past mistakes. We just have to keep in mind what happened to Ormoc in Leyte and the once progressive town of Real in Quezon. Entire towns destroyed and countless lives shattered and gone. Illegal logging continues to hound the few remaining virgin forests of our country and I shudder to think of what will happen to us should all our God-given natural resources have finally been depleted as a result of the selfishness and depravity of people who never gave a thought to the consequences of their dastardly actions. People who are supposed to protect us yet are the very ones selling our country short.

Finally, it was time to go. We had to tear ourselves away from such an enchanting scene.

How to Get There

Barangay Sta.Lucia in Dolores, Quezon can be reached from Kinabuhayan Cafe, after a 15 minute jeepney ride. Upon arrival, tourists can browse through various native handicrafts and delicacies sold at the different stalls. I bought a colorful bracelet priced at only 35 pesos and a string necklace for JM. Medicinal herbs and oils can also be bought here. We glimpsed the waterfalls after about 15-20 minutes of trekking.

As added information for those interested in trekking Mt. Banahaw, JB provided these highlights on the legendary mountain:

• Mt. Banahaw is the number one mountaineering destination in the Philippines. Dolores, Quezon is, by far, the preferred entry point for mountaineers.
• Many cults, the largest of which is the 100,000 strong Mystica, call Mt. Banahaw their home.
• Every First Friday, during the Lenten Season, the town of Dolores is jam-packed with catholic devotees. The town church, Our Lady of Sorrows, is officially a National Shrine. The devotees pray to our Lord for healing and visit the church as their “panata” (duty/devotion).

For more information about Mt. Banahaw and Kinabuhayan Cafe, log on to

Web: http://www.klar.us/kinabuhayan_cafe 
Email:  Winston Baltazar Kina_cafe@yahoo.com 
Mobile number: 0917 327 1106.

Photo Credits: Ludy Ferrer for Kinabuhayan Cafe , Joan Ruth Lim of Explore Philippines Group, Sta. Lucia by Toper Porto,

About the Author
Carrie A. Javier is a veteran free-lance travel writer. An affable and gregarious soul who loves writing and traveling, she considers God’s Absolute Gospel as her ultimate guide and inspiration in whatever she does. She also loves her country and prays that the Philippines will emerge as a truly progressive and stable nation in the near future. She hopes that through her articles, she could help promote the Philippines and its unique culture, people and events.

It’s not often that I find a place that speaks to my heart and soul. As a travel writer for a little more than two decades, I have been to and experienced several destinations here in the country, but I must admit that Kinabuhayan Cafe takes away the cake when it comes to “extraordinary” hideaways.

For one, Kinabuhayan Cafe Bed and Breakfast is more than your typical restaurant cum hostel. “It is a sanctuary that reflects the mystical beauty and natural powers of Mt. Banahaw. Designed by well-known production designer Jay Herrera, Kinabuhayan Cafe has two-story open-air huts and tree-dwellings offering a view of indigenous flora and natural flowing landscapes.”

It is the open-air huts which intrigued me. I guess I’ve been used to resorts with enclosed rooms. The “kubos” here have no walls, the downstairs portion is the receiving area with a hammock, bamboo sofa, cushions with “banig” design, some impressive looking antiques and a television set, which delighted my son. “I thought we’re in a jungle Ma, with no electricity, but look, they have TV here,” he enthused and promptly switched channels to his favorite cartoon network.

The upstairs part is a ceiling space/loft which is actually the sleeping quarters. The kubo’s set-up makes it an ideal haven for families, groups and “barkadas” seeking refuge from their daily grind.

Winston Baltazar and his partner, production designer, Jay Herrera, managed to turn the place into an enchanting repository of art, an oasis of verdant greenery and a gourmet restaurant.

Our group, composed of die-hard wanderlusts and avid photography enthusiasts immediately felt at home in the very relaxing ambiance of Kinabuhayan Cafe. “It’s so peaceful here,” Jessica, one of the workshop’s participants said. Indeed, the cafe exudes a serene stillness. Here, time seems to stand still and we could all forget about work and pressing deadlines. We immersed ourselves in the pristine surroundings while intently listening to Ocs Alvarez’s pointers on photography.

In the evening, I sat at the cafe’s entrance lit by capiz paper lanterns and listened to the night sounds with my senses keenly alive. Rarely do I experience such a peaceful interlude, a reprieve from my usual hectic pace as a working single mother. Coming here was a real treat which shall be part of my treasured memories forever.

Our compliments to the Chef
Jay, we discovered is not only a talented production designer but also a master chef. He whiffed up a delectable array of dishes which he proudly dubs as “Pinoy Gourmet,” read, Philippine food with a European flavor, like Risotto with black mushrooms topped with goat kaldereta sauce and Chesa samosas stuffed with ground pork with chili and oyster sauce. Jay proudly calls this dish ‘chesmosa.’ We also savored the bean sprout salad on the side, together with white wine and buko pandan ice cream with buli palm fruit topped with passion fruit liqueur for our dessert.

Kinabuhayan Cafe serves other delectable dishes, such as, Pork Estofado thickly glazed in pineapple, crispy fried squash fritters wedged on steamed rice, salad of grilled capsicum, eggplant and tomatoes set in a coiled steamed stringbean, drizzled with fresh basil and cheese dressing, manok sa gata with alibangbang and other herbs, and pinaupong manok sa asin and tortellini.

Desserts are sweet potato or yam cooked in pandan and syrup, served on crisp open fried springroll wrapper and topped with cream, and Buli palm fruit with pineapple, lychees topped with mango rum liqueur for dessert.

Getting there:
(Note all kilometer readings are +/- 1 km.)
To reach Kinabuhayan Cafe in Dolores Quezon, Winston gives the following directions:
“Take the Batangas Lucena exit 41 km from the Shell Magallanes station. Follow the road to Sto. Tomas, Batangas. After 7 km, after the long islands on the road, take a left when the road forks where the Laurel statue with the raised clenched fist is. Around three km later, take a left at the large intersection with the Isuzu bldg. heading towards San Pablo, Quezon.

Five km. after entering Alaminos is San Pablo Welcome arch. Six km after is Brgy. San Ignacio arch. One km after is Meralco Building on left side. Soon after, take road on the left with Bato Springs resort sign.

The road ends in a T intersection. Turn left to town of Dolores. Turn left on Dejarme St. Sign is paaralan Central ng Dolores. Kinabuhayan Café is on the right side. The directions are +/- 1 km accurate. There are some forks in the national road where one turns into town proper. Do not enter the towns but follow the national road.

Kinabuhayan cafe is named after Barangay Kinabuhayan which is the entrance to the mountain. We are in Dolores town and if you ask for Kinabuhayan Cafe, you might be directed to Barangay Kinabuhayan which is outside of the town.”

Note: Before coming to Kinabuhayan Cafe, please book with:

Winston Baltazar:
0917 327 1106
0917 524 1106
kina_cafe@yahoo.com

Photo Credits: Lucky Besa for Kinabuhayan Cafe , Explore Philippines Group, Salad by Deo Zulueta, Sta. Lucia by Toper Porto, Treehouse by Paul Martin and Winston Baltazar

About the Author
Carrie A. Javier is a veteran free-lance travel writer. An affable and gregarious soul who loves writing and traveling, she considers God’s Absolute Gospel as her ultimate guide and inspiration in whatever she does. She also loves her country and prays that the Philippines will emerge as a truly progressive and stable nation in the near future. She hopes that through her articles, she could help promote the Philippines and its unique culture, people and events.