(The fresh water is coming from the mountains. It is refreshingly cold.)
My cousin’s wedding prompted a random reunion and outing. Prior to that, our last family outing was in Club Manila East. But since this year was extra special, as we were reunited with relatives based abroad whom we have not seen from five to eight years, we chose a place which is and will forever be important and memorable to us. We did not even think of the fancy resorts in Laguna and nearby provinces.
This place which we fondly call piit has been a backgrounder in too many photographs – from my grandparents’ generation to us. The last time I came here was post-college when there were still crabs (we would cook them), plenty of fish and other pertinent marks inhabiting in and by the river, as most of the members of the family and my gradeschool classmates (we had a very memorable day here) recall. There were no entrance fees for the longest time and in a way, we felt like we will forever be entitled to that because we are the town’s pioneer residents. I remember that more than five years ago, the management (whoever was managing that time, now it is managed by the municipality) wanted to start collecting fees for its maintenance. But in all cases, they were not charging us because we are some of the identified residents. Though it came to a point that I rarely go home and look touristy, then I should at least have someone known to the gate keepers.
(When I looked at the running waters, I heard laughters and saw faces of too many people, including strangers from yesteryears, and I think that they would think and feel of the same way should they kiss the splash again.)
Until last Maundy Thursday, we embraced our old favourite once again. It changed a lot. It is obviously being commercialized now coupled by improvements. Maybe I am just one of the old patrons who is undergoing a phase of resistance because we loved it for its innocence (and I admit, for some sort of exclusivity). The hanging bridge that made me walk like a drunkard (forgetting about my fear of heights) and was swaying excessively especially when there are more than two people crossing by, was newly introduced.
Before the bridge’s existence, we needed to cross through the batuhan and river. Also, I missed the hiking obliged from the main gate until we are taken to first glimpse of running water. I did not see our favorite spots anymore where there are humongous group of stones where we used to place our stuff. Most of them are gone and replaced by the many cottages. There are washrooms now as well. When we were much younger, we changed clothes at our own risk/strategy (hello, malong!). Oftentimes, we went home with the same wet clothes.
And well, the school of fish and crabs are gone.
But just the same, it was a fun-filled day graced by chatting, camera and video shutters, cards and comfort food which were mostly inihaw and cooked there (grilling spots were steps away from the cottages). I just realized that I forgot to take photos of that (more important) part. Probably I was too busy catching up on stories with my relatives and that we were eating kamayan style (eating with hands).
(Originally uploaded by Pinoy Mountaineer)
I am happy though that the hiking (and going through the long stretch of running water) is still necessary to reach the hidden falls (buntot palos) at the far end. The challenge really matters. Somehow I still feel some sort of exclusivity because not too many reaches that area (or only known to few). But I noticed that the hardwork is lessen by the availability of tour guides this time, armed with bamboo raft and vest.
And wow, our very own piit was renamed into Panguil River Eco Park. The big changes are destined. But whatever happens, some things never change. I will always remember it the way it used to be.
witsandnuts 
0 thoughts on “Panguil River Eco Park”
kayni
i understand the feeling of “resistance”. it’s the same feeling i got when i saw Baguio after ten years. i wasn’t too happy because it wasn’t the Baguio of my childhood days.
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Photo Cache
I guess I would feel proprietary too if I have a place like this that I have enjoyed and my family have enjoyed for years and years. I really feel that resistance is an expected reaction. I hoped that they (mgt) would keep the outdoorsy/woodsy feel and not make it feel more like a theme park with a lot of trees.
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CandyQ
It’s always a little sad to realize that your old childhood haunts have changed but you’ll always have the good memories so it’s not too bad. 🙂
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PM
i guess nothing stays the same, no matter how bad we wish to. the place looks wonderful though!
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docgelo
i guess most families have a usual vacation spot that always bring back memories.
despite the changes you’ve sited, the place still appears inviting to me. thanks for sharing.
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dong ho
wow! ganda ng mga shots. pero parang maganda nga ang falls diyan. ive never been there.
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sheng
I’d love to visit this place someday, it looks refreshingly nice.
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Nomadic Pinoy
At first I thought I went to the wrong site – you did some makeover! Very good.
Regarding the other “change”, I share with you this feeling of resistance whenever we see childhood places not looking the way they were. There’s always this battle with development and it’s not gonna end.
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witsandnuts
Thanks. I have been planning to declutter for the longest time. 🙂
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dyanie
ay bago na header mo. the 1st photo reminded me of the show tabing ilog. 😛
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Marian De Ramos-Navarro
I was so impressed by the outcome of newly developed Piit, renamed as “Panguil River Eco Park”. I will always try to visit this place whenever I come home to my beloved hometown, Pangil.
For those who gave negative feedback, I understand your sentiments.
Let just support by sharing our wonderful experiences to everyone we know…
SALAMAT, Pangil ikaw ang aking Inang Bayan.
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HELEN AGUILAR LOPEZ
The place was really nice and impressive, very natural ang surroundings how I wish na ma improve pa ito, by cleaning ng big rocks in the river which have toO many “lumot” AT SNA MAGKAROON ITO NG SHIPLINE.
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tutubi
so this is the new name of piit…also visited this place years ago…was looking for new information on Pangil…also want to trek to that waterfalls someday
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angel_creiz12
haha…being there is one of my favorite vacation even if its not popular vacation site I enjoy trekking,rafting and swimming near the falls…..of course with my friends…bradz
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marissa "jane" cruz
nakapnta na ko dito dati pero piit resort pa xa ganda dito sarap ng tubig…..experience the beauty of nature here !!!!!!!!!! i just love it………
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juhlynn
what a beautiful and such a nice scenery here in piit resort @ pangil laguna 🙂 !. sna mkpnta kmi ulet ng mga old friends ko kan sa pangil love you guys! see you in summer ! 🙂
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bhong
Really nice place… kamiss maligo sa Piit…
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lhouie
sarap, balik-balikan ang Piit Falls!
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Josie Ladines Teo
Can’T believe the “piit” I know while growing up was developed this nice and now attracting outsiders. I’ll make sure I visit the place with my family & once again enjoy the water and think of all the fun memories I had there. I just wonder if the bridge is connected to the place where the falls is located. I have never seen the falls yet though we frequently visited Piit when I was growing up. Avoiding crossing the water with a floating device (salbabida)or swimming and just crossing the bridge by foot to reach the falls is an interesting change & improvement. Cannot wait to go & see the place.
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Yvette
Hi,
Just want to ask po if you have any contact numbers for Pangil, Eco-park – Ambon Ambon falls. I’m planning to take my family there. And is wondering if you can help me with overnight accomodations.
Super thanks : )
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HELEN AGUILAR LOPEZ
I brought there my co-officemates and they were all so impressed with the water na so malamig and the green nature most esp.the ambon ambon falls, Wow! really beautiful,sabi nila sana daw malinis ang mga big rocks and not malumot at sana magkaroon doon ng zipline. More power to the management of the municipality of Pangil.
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susan tolentino
the place is so nice, can we have the contact number of panguil river so we can visit the place?thanks so much po.
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aaalia
piit is one of the best place in laguna for me…..love the water and specially the falls “ambon-ambon” nakakatuwa!
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arcie
paano po pumunta dito kapag galing ng calamba
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Taga_Pangil
I Always remember this place, there’s a lot of beautiful stories and scene i remembered in this place “PIIT” and “Ambon-ambon falls as well as “Buntot Palos” sana lang hindi na pinalitan ang pangalan nito, dahil yung “PIIT” ang kinagisnana nating pangalan at isa sa mga pinagkakakilanlan ng bayan ng Pangil.
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Taga_Pangil
I always remember this place where my teenage time i spent in this area.
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