Last Request for Summer.. Wawa Dam Please?

Oh my June na sa Pinas..,Last Request for Summer tara sa Wawa Dam Tayo? Naku may kinukuha dun? But the DabPackers Phils. is chosen that place because that area is one hour travel from Manila also that place will be complete on our trilogy this 2017 Summer Edition.

Brief History:

Wawa Dam is a gravity dam built during 1909 over the Montalban Gorge. This was supposedly the only source of water for Metro Manila prior to the construction of Angat Dam. It has since been abandoned but people have been calling for its reopening due to severe water shortage. If you’re driving, you’ll easily find yourself at Wawa just by following M. Del Pilar street all the way to the end of the road. We were only asked for a basic parking fee of Php20, since we were just taking in the sights.But from what I hear, others were asked Php40/head as entrance fee yesterday. Now if you want my honest opinion, I would think there really is no entrance fee and you can question anyone who asks you for one unless they show some proof. There is still very little development in the area, and most people who flock the dam are locals just hoping to cool off and swim. There are a number of sari-sari stores and food stalls lining the river, but a lot of trekkers bring their own food for cooking. The actual dam itself is filled with floating bamboo huts. While I saw hundreds of kids, I really don’t recommend bringing children to Wawa. The path towards and around the downstream face of the dam is steep and not cemented. The bridges, if any, are also in deteriorating, rusty and make-shift condition. I’d tell you to go for the adventure and curiosity’s sake, but leave the kids at home.

June 03, 2017 is the date that will be complete on our trilogy on DabPackers 2017 Summer Edition. This escapade will be give on the Heavy Gats Division. Because this team of DabPackers is the challenging moment for those new neophytes is a contender in our own Biggest Looser Contest. We started by 8:00 in the morning to depart in Cubao, Quezon City

It’s almost 2 hours of travel due to traffic in Marikina and San Mateo. Also thank God kasi yung nasakyan namin na Van is di gaano puno at kami lang halos ang pasahero. And after that finally we reached the Barangay San Raphael, Rodriguez. Rizal.

So this morning were not about to start without breakfast. I’ll take a breakfast with my team while waiting on Namo.

We take the breakfast on a little store at the entrance area. By the way our team is composed of the Heavy Gats Division. For sure I am one of the HeavyGats and two others is Lourdes aka Ryza Mae Dizon and Ate Dhynie from the Team Dantes..., My God Team Dantes she’s our import hahaha., also Renato aka Namo he’s the cook for this event. But I’ve been waiting for almost an hour because he was drunk yesterday.

The walking and trek is about to start for almost 15 minutes of walking going to the dam.

The landmark going to the dam is the anuses swimming pool also makikita ninyo na hindi ka magugutom sa Wawa Dam. Kasi nagkalat ang Sari-Sari Store at ilang tindahan.

Most of the area going to the dam is very historical. Because that area is the previous camp of the Katipunan lead by Andres Bonifacio. Kaya mamangha ka sa mga tunnel nito.

Livelihood of the locals in the area is the renting of cottages, selling some palamig, vegetables , fruits like avocado, banana and cassava. Nakapukaw ng pansin sa akin yung mga batang nagtatrabaho dito to earn para sa pag-aaral nila.

After 15 minutes of trek and walk finally the humble Wawa Dam also known as Montalban Dam or George Dam. Actually nanalangin talaga ako na sana flowing yung water at medyo malakas ang current kasi para enjoy ang swimming namin. And thank God pinag bigyan niya kami.

As you can see the only cottage on the middle is our cottage. I rented this for only Php. 150.00 at the teenager who manage the cottages at the wall area.

Another bonus on our trip in Wawa Dam is the appearing of the Man Made Fall beside of the dam and the bottom of Mount Pamitinan. This falls will appearing if the current is high also if they will have a rain before.

Before we proceed at the swimming they will try to visit the reservoir area. That area was interesting because they will have floating cottage and if you want to swim in the deep area. Then that area is offer the Bamboo Rafting.

Will try to do the double sided Dab Shot for our next Signature Shot.

Our team will proceed at the Old Observatory Area to make some MoMoL (Moment Moment Lang) . Because that area is popular for those want the pictorials. But i amazed on the pathway because it looks like a cave.

After we reached the Observatory Area as you can see the reservoir area the depth of this reservoir is 40ft. (Kaya kung hindi marunong lumangoy wag ipilit ng hindi malunod) Much better na lagi tayong safe.

To tell you honestly ang pakay ko talaga dito sa Wawa Dam is to have a picture on the Bamboo Raft with the View of Mount Binacayan and Pamitinan. Because that kind of pictorial is looks like a pictorial in El Nido Palawan while boating. But unfortunately na disappoint ako kasi i thought na Php. 100 yung Bamboo Rafting sa area kaso iba pala ang price ng renting Bamboo Raft at ng Magpapadle ng Balsa. Since we are DIY Trippers hindi na kami nag avail.

We decided to stay at the Wall Area and sobrang challenging yung pagbaba i advise to use the trekking shoes. If you go there sa wall area.

Since nasa first cottage na kami nag decide kami to go dun sa only cottage sa may bandang gitna ng dam kasi nag aalangan kami baka mawalan kami ng gamit. The cottage is worth Php. 150.00 only.

Siyempre hindi mawawala sa Swimming or Outing ang Foodtrip. Our Food is Rice, Pork Adobo, Tinapang Tamban, Indian Mango, Salted Egg w/ Tomatoes and Onion. Yung ganitong kainan hindi nakakasawa. Kasi kahit pagbalik baliktarin mo man ang panahon ang ganyang foodtrip sa outing di mawawala.

We are the DabPackers Phils. We Born from a DIY Travel. We Always do DabShot as Signature Shot. Mawawala pa ba yan sa amin lalo na Elite Squad ang Heavy Gats Division.

And now its time to swim, actually tatanchahin mo ang current ng dam kasi di natin masasabi na bigla pa lang umulan sa bandang itaas ng dam. Kaya advise namin ibayong pag iingat at sana wag maharot sa mga ganitong mga outing kasi di natin alam ang pedeng mangyari. At please sa mga magulang por favor wag niyo na po isama ang mga bata na nasa edad 7 pababa kasi hindi advisable ang Wawa Dam sa kanila. Because i saw some parents na nagdala ng kanilang mga anak na nasa toddler age.

By 2:00 in the afternoon we decided to leave the dam. Due to the strong current our team is concern on our location. While walking going to the MH. Del Pilar Street i’ll buy some avocados for my pasalubong. In Wawa Dam there’s no Shower Room and Comport Room the Shower Area and Comport Room is located at the tourism office. Some of the Resting Place here is offer the Shower Area for only Php. 25.00 and Comport Room is Php. 5-10 pesos. I suggest that you will go to Ulanets Food & Beverages. Because that place is quietly good located at the front of tourism office.

That resting place is offer the variety of services. Mabait ang owner at mga tao nila nakaka-relax sa area. Kaso itong HeavyGats Division masyadong alak na alak. Will take a drink of One Long Neck of Emperador Light and getting some socials. At past 5:00 in the afternoon we decided to leave the Montalban.

Recommendations;

For Rodriguez Municipal Tourism

• Please be strict on the parents who bring his kid 7yrs. old below on that area to avoid any possible accidents.

• For the Steel Bridge please rehabilitate this bridge for the safety of the tourist.

• Additional Prohibited Policy for the Dam to save our environment.

• Deployment

of observer on that area to avoid any accidents.

Budget:

• Food - Php. 400.00

• Transportation to Rodriguez Proper - Php. 100.00 vice versa

• Transportation to Wawa Dam - Php. 40.00 / tricycle or Php. 16.00 / PUJ vice versa

• Cottages - Php. 150.00

• Shower Fee - Php. 25.00

• Comport Room - Php. 10.00

Thank You.