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Pamitinan, more than just a meeting place

Location: Mount Pamitinan, Rodriguez, Lalawigan ng Rizal, Philippines


"Let us rendezvous in Rodriguez." Where is that? In Montalban... It's where the Katipuneros wrote "Viva la Independencia Filipina" on the cave walls using charcoal to  declare independence from Spain. 

After hiking Mt. Pamitinan, I get to read the lore of this little rich town renamed. Along the way, the name gets confusing for a noob traveler, especially when people still use the old name Montalban. I get the impression that renaming a town to celebrate a politician is a bit of a whim (but IDK, my complaint is a bit of a personal whim).

Mama Sierra Madre is quite vast. My first encounter with her beauty was hiking Mt. Pamitinan. I was in love with her landscape. Its slowly declining beauty is a bit bothersome to observe but again what do I know?

A much needed short break after resuming to work again in Metro Manila was just all that I truly know. Rizal became my home again and Sierra Madre was such a healing place. I was so amazed by how close it was from my new apartment in Cainta. It’s quite accessible and easy to hike on DIY, on any day. Just don't arrive earlier than 4:30AM or too late like past noon. 

It's a shame I didn’t know about this place earlier. If I meet newbie hikers, I definitely recommend this one first to tick off their list.  Enjoy and cheers to October hikes.

Sharp rocks!

Buwis Buhay! Char!

Beauty, money... rich history

Wawa Dam

Marikina River

Gorgeous Gorge


The Pamitinan Cave was closed when we visited. 😑

BREAKDOWN OF EXPENSE: (October 2019 Travel)
Jeep - Cainta->Sta Lucia - 12
Jeep - Sta Lucia->Montalban( Luvers Market) - 28
Trike - Montalban->Wawa - 15
Guide + DENR + Barangay fees (600+100+40 / 2) = 370
Bangka - 50
Shower - 25
Trike - Wawa->Montalban - 15
Van - Montalban->Sta. Lucia - 40
Jeep - Sta Lucia->Cainta - 12
= 567

Lunch @ Carinderia  ->55 each
Dinner (Mang Inasal @ Sta. Lucia Mall) -> 230
Nuts + Banana Chips + Water

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