| WAWA GORGE (MONTALBAN)
LOCATION: Rizal Province
ELEVATION: not available
LEVEL: Minor Climb, Level I, Easy
JUMP OFF POINTS: Rodriguez (Montalban) Rizal
INFORMATION:
The Wawa gorge or simply and popularly known as Montalban
is one of the legendary as well as historical places in the
country. It is also a popular action-adventure destination,
more popular as a rock-climbing destination due to its limestone/marble
cliffs and formations. It is also the jump-off point to Mt.
Irid and the Matulid river system. There are also mountain
biking trails as well as a potential whitewater routes for
rafting. This itinerary focuses on trekking and camping rather
than the above-mentioned activities but some information on
rock climbing are also listed in this itinerary.
On the way to the main Cave
The Wawa Gorge is located at the town of Montalban, which
is presently renamed as Rodriguez. In terms of geology, the
Wawa Gorge has been declared a national geological site since
the place offers a rich way to study geological phenomenon.
In fact a bronze marker is attached in one of the stones within
the front yard of a house giving brief description of the
Wawa Gorge geological history. In terms of history, the place
is also a popular site particularly one of the main caves
where Bonifacio and some Katipuneros secretly met to declare
their sentiments against the Spanish Colonizers. It was befitting
since the site is also legendary known as where the legendary
folk hero Benrnardo Carpio was imprisoned and the declaration
is somewhat a parallel to the upcoming freedom of the Tagalog
King from bondage. The place is also a pilgrim place for local
sects wherein they flock here during the Holy Week.
LEGENDS:
The legend of Bernardo Carpio was about a man who has supernatural
strengths. Even during his childhood day, his parents noticed
something different from him. He has powers extraordinary
from boys his age. His appetite was also huge he can eat three
chickens and a kettle full of rice. He was able to beat men
older his age on arm wrestling and because of that he became
popular. He went to the mountains of Montalban to live as
a hermit where his powers even grew. He was acclaimed as the
"King of the Tagalogs." But there are other people
who are envious of his strength and one of them is another
enchanted man who claims himself as the King of Montalban
(maybe the one who courted Sinukuan in Mt. Arayat). He challenged
him to a fight but he lost against Bernardo. He didn’t
gave up and instead carried a devious plan to get rid of Bernardo
so he will remain as the King of the Montalban. He invited
Bernardo to visit him in his cave as a peace gesture and when
Bernardo was entering his cave, the man suddenly covered the
cave with two gigantic boulders of rock entrapping Bernardo
for life. When there are earthquakes, people living within
Montalban claims that it is Bernardo trying to free himself
out of the cave. The two boulders are one of the popular natural
attractions in Montalban.
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