Here I go again... wandering around wherever my feet and money will take me :) !
But anyway, my main purpose for visiting Baler is for my new BF's cousin's wake. Yeah, it was sad that I am going to visit there not for a getaway, but because a person whom I don't even had a chance to meet who also loves traveling and exploring and enjoying had his life cut short by a genetic disorder...
This is my 3rd time to visit Baler, one of the places in the Philippines I love most!!!
We left Manila at around 2:30AM riding an SUV-Adventure. We took the usual root NLEX - SCTEX - Pan-Phil Highway ! Since almost all of us are very sleepy during the trip, we got a little lost with the usual route from Cabanatuan to Baler. We weren't able to take the Pantabangan Route and took the Bongabon route instead.
What a surprise! The nueva-ecija road via Bongabon is not as we were all expecting (a shortcut they say). Upon entering the route, we decided that there's no turning back! We already took a long road only to get stuck in a mountain drive range and rough roads that looks impassable. It was a very scary route like that in the movies Wrong Turn and other creepy gruesome movies where people suddenly get lost and someone appears in front of them, torture and kills them (this is just to exaggerate the eery feeling I had that time).
On top of it, it was also a bit rainy that time. Glad we're riding on an SUV . Along the way, we saw one Kia Pride struggling on the road (I hope they survived the road and got out safely). This is the longest 3 hours of my life on the road! I can feel that almost everyone of us were thinking of the worst possibilities that might happen. At first, I took some photos to kill my boredom and lessen my fear but as we go along, I'm no longer in the mood of taking pics.
This is the first time that I appreciate looking into kilometer markers to make sure we're having progress on the road. Hahaha, thinking that we might have been played by "engkantos" and got totally lost in circles!
After the long winding road, it was a relief when we finally reached San Luis, Aurora... we can already see a little civilization. Thank God!
I advise that the local government of Nueva Ecija should warn people passing in this route as it looks not so safe and especially when it's raining. I advise that small cars shouldn't try or anyone trying to get to Baler normally shouldn't take this route!
But anyway, my main purpose for visiting Baler is for my new BF's cousin's wake. Yeah, it was sad that I am going to visit there not for a getaway, but because a person whom I don't even had a chance to meet who also loves traveling and exploring and enjoying had his life cut short by a genetic disorder...
This is my 3rd time to visit Baler, one of the places in the Philippines I love most!!!
We left Manila at around 2:30AM riding an SUV-Adventure. We took the usual root NLEX - SCTEX - Pan-Phil Highway ! Since almost all of us are very sleepy during the trip, we got a little lost with the usual route from Cabanatuan to Baler. We weren't able to take the Pantabangan Route and took the Bongabon route instead.
What a surprise! The nueva-ecija road via Bongabon is not as we were all expecting (a shortcut they say). Upon entering the route, we decided that there's no turning back! We already took a long road only to get stuck in a mountain drive range and rough roads that looks impassable. It was a very scary route like that in the movies Wrong Turn and other creepy gruesome movies where people suddenly get lost and someone appears in front of them, torture and kills them (this is just to exaggerate the eery feeling I had that time).
On top of it, it was also a bit rainy that time. Glad we're riding on an SUV . Along the way, we saw one Kia Pride struggling on the road (I hope they survived the road and got out safely). This is the longest 3 hours of my life on the road! I can feel that almost everyone of us were thinking of the worst possibilities that might happen. At first, I took some photos to kill my boredom and lessen my fear but as we go along, I'm no longer in the mood of taking pics.
 |
| Slippery Mountain Side Road |
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| Bongabon Route |
This is the first time that I appreciate looking into kilometer markers to make sure we're having progress on the road. Hahaha, thinking that we might have been played by "engkantos" and got totally lost in circles!
 |
| River Cross at Nueva Ecija-Aurora Road |
After the long winding road, it was a relief when we finally reached San Luis, Aurora... we can already see a little civilization. Thank God!
I advise that the local government of Nueva Ecija should warn people passing in this route as it looks not so safe and especially when it's raining. I advise that small cars shouldn't try or anyone trying to get to Baler normally shouldn't take this route!
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We also tried that route by accident going to baler (oh well we trusted our very own GPS so much) and we're first timers on that area. Kinda creepy and scary coz we can see some landslides and big rocks along the road. We also crossed on a running fresh water from the mountains. Haha.
ReplyDeleteHaha, wouldn't dare to pass through that route once more.
ReplyDeletenext time plan your trip guys do research tru net and ask direction...better safe than sorry
ReplyDeletewas there yesterday took the pantabangan road its less tricky and well paved road
ReplyDeleteWe appreciate your post about this road and conditions. This is very useful for those who are planning to go to Baler and might take this road that will have the same experienced like you guys. We are grateful that you were able to made it to your destinations. Instead I will take Rizal-Pantabangan Road via Maria Aurora, a friend of mine usually take this route and he recommend this route which is safe according to him. I have to experience it personally. Thanks.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing your experience with this route, I thought this route was a great ride yeah it was great for off road I guess and not for vacation type route. Are there any bad elements here like rebels etc...?
ReplyDeleteBeen there LAST NOVEMBER 2 and our ACCIDENTAL ROUTE WAY BACK TO MANILA.. NEVER GOING BACK TO THAT ROUTE AGAIN!! LONGEST 4 HOURS OF OUR LIVES!!
ReplyDeletei will take that route basta may kasama pa akong 3 barako just incase
ReplyDeleteBEST ROADTRIP EVER! DUH!!!
ReplyDeleteme and my office-mates experienced the same scenario going back to manila from baler.
ReplyDeleteand all i can say is "that's my most DARING, SCARY, BREATH TAKING TRAVEL OF MY LIFE".
thinking if you can get out of that road alive
one of the best thrilling road in Luzon.... next to Halsema Highway....
ReplyDeleteHahaha...I thought it was only us..and mind you were on motorcycle...I convinced myself that I'm a nature lover just to kill the fear trying to surpass...can't blurt it out coz I'm afraid my hubby will be distracted...won't go that way again...pantabangan's the safest...
ReplyDeleteWe also went to that road, not by accident, but my partner chose to take Bongabon route!!! We rode using sportsbike and to think that it's not ideal for rough roads. I almost cried when I felt it has been more than a hour but still we were on that scary route. It took more than 2 hours for us to surpass that route. XD
ReplyDeleteWe also went to that road, not by accident, but my partner chose to take Bongabon route!!! We rode using sportsbike and to think that it's not ideal for rough roads. I almost cried when I felt it has been more than a hour but still we were on that scary route. It took more than 2 hours for us to surpass that route. XD
ReplyDeleteWe travel that road by accident. Because we travel from Manila to Baler at night time. When we are passing that road no one is speaking. We are lucky because another car pass that same road, and they know the way out. I don't want to cross that road again.
ReplyDeleteIm an experienced driver and my driving skills was put on the test traveling this road... based from the comments here i can say we have the most terrifying trip of all... And our story goes..... We travel from baler way back to manila via bongabon rd by accident... our google map bugged down and when it turned up we are on the middle of this road and no way of turning back... the funny thing is when our maps are down we ask the locals if we are on our right track to cabanatuan (since from there i know our way home)... the locals tels us that there's a road but also warned us that it will be a challenging road ahead of us, but it is still passable for light vehicles. They also told us that this will be a shorter rout if we choose to go back... After several hours and a couple of kilometers, around 6pm we went trough this grand cannon like construction site.. from the top you can see a couple of heavy equipment vehicles working with no visible road on the bottom... all you can see is boulders and streams... it was unimaginable how we can pass that site. it was a rough road with two stream to pass on and i think its a 45 degree climb on a muddy stiff road because it heavily rained before we get there. it is very unfortunate that there is a storm during that time... imagine that... You think thats it... its not.... i know all of you who have passed bonabon road knew that it was just the start of our Calvary way out... it was around 7pm and it was totally dark traveling a rough road, zero visibility and several land slides were our scenery during our trip, not to mention the occasionally stream like waters coming down from the mountains. the worst of it is yet to come... when we came to make a or break decision in the middle no where what road to take... there are three roads ahead of us where according to maps theres only one.. we need to decide which road to choose... in front of us before the 3 road is a rapid of stream water coming from the mountain which we dont know if our car can cross the rushing water from the mountain... when we decide which road to choose we have no choice than to crush the rapidly flowing water.. i take a few meter away to make a full throttle crush to the water but as i expected, i got stuck in the middle of mud... how i wish im driving a 4x4 in this kind of times... my pals have no choice than to dig the mud and pebbles on our tires for us to get thru... the water is rapidly rising almost going inside the car unto our cars stepboard when a local from a far end with a flash light came out... at first we were not sure to ask help coz we were skeptic that he might be an NPA (we know for a fact that the place were infected by rebels). but we have no choice.. after a talking to the guy his company appears from the dark and help us get trough... we lifted the car placed woods on the tires.. and continuously push until we get though... i can say i am brave and not easily scared but it was one of the scariest moment of my life.. thanks to those miners who help us... im already minedset that we will be sleeping in the dark, in the middle of no where, on that place, until the water rapid subside in the morning for us to pass the mud we are stacked.. I gave a couple of buck to the people who helped us and continue to travel the dark road ahead of us... form there it was another 1`hour or so of up and down hill, couple of rough roads, land slides, construction cites and streaming muds to the foot of cabanatuan city.... it was the longest 4 hours of my traveling time and swear even that roads are fully ok and finish i will never cross that road again.. the 4 of us were so blessed that nothing bad happen to us... And i would like to congratulate my Eunice... My Hyundai Eon 0.8L that perform like a 4x4 during the duration of our trip...
ReplyDeleteMy co officemate experienced that road too.,last december 2016, it was not really safe to pass that roads.. ,,why is it that there is no sign
ReplyDeletethat it is still under construction?
Thanks for info , we are planning to go there this Saturday night with my ride team , we are using the motorcycle only . But what do you think is the best way to take Baler . We are from Valenzuela City.
ReplyDeletewow! thanks a lot for this blog. me and 2 of my friends will go to baler later tru motorcycle.
ReplyDeletenice trip.... may 1 2017, scary pero ok mlng kelanngan ingat lan at daytime kau mag daan dito sa bongabon baler aurora road... ilove the mountains, the trees, i want to cross the road again basta walang maulan na panahon..
ReplyDeleteThis post of mine was 4 years ago.. Not sure if some of the road were already cemented (hopefully) compared to what we saw 4 years ago :)
ReplyDeleteThough I still think this route is not as safe as Pantabangan.
Just crossed on the bongabon road from Cabanatuan to Baler by accident the other night, in the middle of the night , rain and fog. It's not finished and much more scary than the other, particularly after recent new landslides and earthquake. Had to stop several times to get out of the car to check that there was still a road. Then went on from Baler to Casiguran and that road wrecked by major landslides too. All in all a scary journey but exciting once we arrived. Casiguran beautiful and the weather outstanding.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this! Were going back to Baler the next weekend and I wanted to try the Bongonan route instead of the safer Pantabangan. Im an adventurist but when it borders the red line, i know when to step back.thanks for this!
ReplyDeletehi Zbk101, we are going to baler this coming weekend. did you try the bongabon route? thanks in advance
ReplyDeleteWe have just traversed this road yesterday May 27, 2018 from Baler going to Manila. I can say that the road is about 95% cemented. Scary to travel indeed at night. The road does not have any steep climb unlike the Pantabangan road, although it has a lot of sharper turn corners. I think it is also a much safer road than Pantabangan because there are no speeding Trucks or Buses. We only have come across 2 trucks on the whole trip and they are slow moving and will let you pass them as well.
ReplyDeleteKami din from Suklayin, Baler pauwi na kami sa Manila bandang 10pm. Vios 1. 3 ang gamit namin. Sleepy na kami pero nawala ang antok namin nung sinabi ng asawa ko na mukhang nagkamali kami ng daan kasi hindi na sementado ang kalsada at mabato ang daan. Ang mali namin ay hindi kami kumanan sa Pantabangan rd kundi nag diretso po ang asawa ko sa Nueva ecija rd. Very scary talaga wala kaming nakikitang mga bahay. Nagtanong kami sa naka-salubong namin na truck ang sabi sa amin ng driver ay dumiretso na kami kasi malayo na raw kung babalik pa kami ng Baler. Isang guhit na lang ang gas namin ng oras na yon. Grabe nakakatakot. Yung feeling na paikot-ikot na nakaka-sawa na nakaka-pagod at maka-pigil hininga ang mga nadaanan namin. 1:30am nasa kabundukan pa kami.nabawasan ang takot namin nung may nakita kami na small community nagtanong po kami sa taong gising doon ang sabi nya 1hr pa bago kami makarating sa Cabanatuan city. Grabe takot at ihi ang nararamdaman namin.Pagdating namin sa Palayan city bumaba kami para mag cr sa petron grabe nanginginig ang tuhod namin sa takot. Nagtanong uli kami sa may police station doon malapit ma sa Cabanatuan sabi sa amin lumiko kami kasi may pa-diretso daw na daan na paakyat uli ng bundok. Pag naalala namin ang signs na papuntang bundok ninenerbyos na nman kami. Pag uwi namin sa bahay hindi parin kami makapaniwala sa na-experience namin nakakatakot talaga. Nangyari yon June 15, 2017 from 10pm to 2:30am.
ReplyDeleteI also regret to have taken this road going back to Baguio. I told my husband not to trust google map next time and trust me - the wife instead 😂. I was praying hard all along. I was thinking our safety especially that our kids are with us. I also thought that we were lost in the middle of the mountains with no civilazations at all. Never again to that road I swear!
ReplyDeleteI can still feel the fear when my family took this route back when it was under construction. Pauwi kami from Baler tapos dyan kami napadaan. Yan kasi yung road na tinuro ng isang local. Grabe, hapon na nun, umuulan pa. Nakakatakot kasi wala pang cemented road, kung meron man, ilang metres lang. Nadadaanan lang namin mga trucks and construction workers na gumagawa nung daan. Dalawang sasakyan gamit namin nun, akala namin di na kami makakauwi kasi yung sinasakyan naming van nadaan sa may lubak sa gilid ng bangin. Pero yung experience na yun ay masasabi ko na maganda kasi nakita naman yung parang virgin forest. Ang ganda ng lugar. Scenic roads and beautiful views. Thankful na safe kami nakauwi.
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ReplyDelete