Its tracks muddy and perilous.
Without the bats that give its nature,
To be dark, creepy and solitary,
One soul may say,
"Ah, the cave is half alive."
-Kris C.
I spent one week to plan and prepare for my trip to this famous cave in Antipolo- the Mystical Cave. I've read a lot of write-ups regarding the cave so I decided to make my own.
It will take you 9 minutes to get to the cave from the town proper. It is advisable that you bring your own bicycle or motorcycle or car because there's no public vehicle available in the place. There's no proper parking space as well so better ask for somebody to look after your vehicle and just give a penny. You can also ask a tricycle driver to take you there and wait for you but it's a bit costly.
A long and breathtaking stairway will take you to the cave. On your way there, you might get fascinated with huge rocks all over the place.
A tourist guide will accompany you to the cave. You have to pay 40 pesos for the entrance fee and the lights inside and 50 pesos for the tourist guide.
I suggest you bring your own flashlight for convenience. The cave is dark, but there are spots where they provided lights. If you're asking if there are bats, there are few. One or two bats only. I didn't encounter a spider or a snake or anything because the cave is protected and maintained by the guides.
The main attraction of the cave is its rock formations which show different biblical images.
I feel sad because Mang Lito, the guide, only gives little information about the cave, but gives a lot of trivia about the different telenovelas held there. It's sad to know and to admit that the cave is already worn out. If you're looking for a real adventure inside a still-a-virgin cave, this is not what you're looking for.
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| This rock is still alive! |
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| Parts of the cave are scarred by candles |
What made me admire the cave is that, it is still breathing. Despite the fact that it is overly used, exposed and all, it is still alive. I saw stalactites and stalagmites that are still living. Most of the rocks inside are dead, but there are new sprouting rocks that are still beautiful, shining against the darkness of the cave.
I wondered, despite the many trauma the cave had received, it endured. In fact, it is surviving. I pictured out if the cave is a person it would have been a beautiful girl who is used, cursed, forsaken, condemned, but manages to stand and remain beautiful.
I realized, humans are just like caves. We may be used, worn-out, 'raped' by this world and the people around us, but we are still living. Inside our core shines our Hope, our last resort, our Savior.
"Mahiwaga ang kuwebang ito," Mang Lito uttered. I believed him. The cave is really mystical, just like life.
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| No one can limit your life but yourself. I SURVIVED! |
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