Laguna Provinces
MOUNT MAKILING
Looming over Los Banos is Mount Makiling, noted primarily for its rain forest and many species of tropical trees and plants. One can get to it by going through UPLB, down Kanluran Road. However, public transportation is not easily available. In order to visit, one must either privately rent a jeepney at Crossing for a special fare (over P 100/round trip) or have a private car. The road is steep and winding.
Visitors should note that all of the following places have drivethrough entrance gates which require entrance fees. Hikers and campers are forewarned of the presence of some parasites (leeches) in the area. These parasites thrive well in the damp, lush environment of the rain forest, and become more noticeable on rainy days.
All visitors should take care not to damage, pollute or spoil the environment of the rain forest.
Makiling Botanical Garden (21)
On UP campus down Narra Rd to College of Forestry, then left on Ipil Rd. The university maintains this park and garden with nurseries and plantations of many species of tropical plants and trees. Facilities include picnic tables and a swimming pool. Open 8:0016:30 daily; entrance garden: students/public P 2/3; entrance pool: students/public P 5/7
Boy Scouts of the Philippines (17)
Jamboree Site; at end of the Kanluran Drive, then right to the administrative office or left to the swimming pool; entrance (gate) P 2 All vehicles going to the 'National Arts Center' and 'Pook ni Mariang Makiling' must also pass through the gate. Facilities: camping, conference hall, swimming pool, and snack bar; special interest programs available on orientation; information at the administration office; camping fees: scouts/public P 2/5 per day; entrance swimming pool (8:0016:30): scouts/adults/children P 3/6/3; conference cottage P 800 (200300 pers); requires reservation and 50% deposit
National Arts Center (20)
From UP gate, up to the end of Kanluran Drive, through the gate of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines ground, then left; way to the entrance gate (18) which is under a huge stone arch. A steep, winding asphalt road leads 3km (2mi) up Mount Makiling to the Arts Center.
A pet project of Imelda Marcos, the National Arts Center was built in the 70's. Administratively, it is an extension of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Its edifices are primarily used as the education facility for the 'Philippine High School of the Arts'. Approximately 100 talented young Filipino arts students are selected from around The Country to complete their training here.
The Center is a complex of many attractively designed cottages, nicely landscaped, and well maintained. The cottages serve as class rooms and dormitories for the students. At the end of the main road is an outdoor but roofed arena where special performances are sometimes conducted for the public in conjunction with the CCP in Manila. Behind the arena is a lookout point which offers an impressive panoramic view of the entire Laguna area.
Guest houses and class rooms are available for rent for seminars and workshops. Contact can be made through the CCP in Manila. The restaurant is open during school hours.
The facilities are open daily from 8:0016:00; entrance: car/minibus/passenger bus/tour bus P 15/20/30/40; hikers in groups not exceeding 50 persons have free entrance, large buses, trailers, trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles are not admitted.
Pook ni Mariang Makiling (19)
From UP gate, up to end of Kanluran Drive, through the gate of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines' ground, then left; entrance gate is past the National Arts Center gate about 500m (1640ft) to the right.
Pook was built in 1976, is owned by the Philippine government, and serves as an extension of the Recreational and Sports Complex of the National Arts Center. It is a commercial facility nestled in the tropical rain forest of Mount Makiling. The park largely attracts welltodo visitors on weekend trips from Manila. Fees are higher on weekends. Cottages are available for a short stay or overnight; numerous picnic huts and tree houses are available for day use.
The ground is open 24 hrs, daily, entrance P 5; well furnished apartment style cottages with tb, kitchen, dining room, lofts, basements, wide range of sizes; P 350850; facilities: 1 swimming pool (Olympic size, 7:0023:00); entrance day/night P 6/10; pelota, squash and tennis courts' fees: day/night P 25/50 per hr; skating rink P 5; skates P 10/hr; picnic tree house rental: day/night P 150200/180225; picnic huts rental: P 50100; conference hall, restaurants, snack bars
More on Laguna Provinces:
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