SPELUNKING IN CALBIGA CAVES

5TH SPELUNKING IN CALBIGA CAVES 2007

2007-11-05T04:50:00.000-08:00

SAMAR ISLAND GUIDE: EXPLORER JONI A. BONIFACIO TEL: 055-2512301
CELL:09192943865 / 09053233572
WEBSITE: www.bonifaciojoni.blogspot.com

5TH SPELUNKING IN CALBIGA CAVES
THE LANGUN GOBINGOB CAVES
CALBIGA,SAMAR
OCTOBER 26-28,2007

PARTICIPANTS:

1. JONI A. BONIFACIO - TREXPLORE/CAVING ORGANIZER CATBALOGAN CITY
2. RICKY ROELS - AMERICAN, FLORIDA
3. ELISABETH BASBAS - CATBALOGAN CITY
4. ISABEL PACAMPARA - CATBALOGAN CITY
5. GARY HELE - AUSTRALIAN, SYDNEY
6. CHERYL HELE - PALAWAN, NARRA
7. OLIVER ORSOLINO - CATARMAN N. SAMAR
8. ARCHILUS PIODOS - CEBU, BALAMBAN
9. WILLIE C. PRADO - MANILA
10. LYN RIVERA - NORTHERN LUZON
11. JEANRA S. BOMETIVO - CAPUL N. SAMAR
12. RHEA S. SAURO - CAPUL N.SAMAR

PHOTO BY: RICKY ROELS

(PHOTO BY: ARCHILUS PIODOS)

PHOTO BY: JONI BONIFACIO

PHOTO BY: RHEA C. SAURO

PHOTO BY: JEANRA S. BOMETIVO

4TH SPELUNKING IN CALBIGA CAVES 2006

2006-11-06T18:34:00.000-08:00

SAMAR ISLAND GUIDE: EXPLORER JONI A. BONIFACIO TEL: 055-2512301
CELL:09192943865 / 09053233572
WEBSITE: www.bonifaciojoni.blogspot.com

4TH SPELUNKING IN CALBIGA CAVES
OCTOBER 27-29,2006
THE LANGUN- GOBINGOB CAVE
CALBIGA,SAMAR PHILIPPINES

PATICIPANTS:

1. JONI A. BONIFACIO TEAM LEADER/TREXPLORE CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
2. SHERWIN S. ORBETA TREXPLORE/EXPLORER GANDARA,SAMAR
3. BELINDA B. MORILLO TREXPLORE/EXPLORER MATUGUINAO,SAMAR
4. DODONG MABANSAG TREXPLORE/DENR CATBALOGAN,SAMAR
5. NELSON L. LABRAGUE TREXPLORE JIABONG,SAMAR
6. DIOVANE B. CABAGNAN TREXPLORE JIABONG,SAMAR
7. RONELO M. HIDALGO BABATNGON,LEYTE
8. NELSON B. ABIADA PO / BALANTAC RESORT BASEY,SAMAR
9. DANIEL M. CALO CAD/PGO/ TOURISM OFFICER BUTUAN CITY
10. SEMEON B. BERGOZA,JR CAD/PGO TOURISM STAFF BUTUAN CITY
11. ERIC D. ADA LAOANG SPELUNKERS LAOANG N. SAMAR
12. JEROME A. DEANANEAS LAOANG SPELUNKERS LAOANG N.SAMAR
13. ARTHUR I.CUI LAOANG SPELUNKERS LAOANG N. SAMAR
14. DILODILO,MICHAEL L. LAOANG SPELUNKERS LAOANG N. SAMAR
15. POSO,BARON A. LAOANG SPELUNKERS LAOANG N. SAMAR
16. GENE DOGADOGA EUROPHIL PALO,LEYTE
17. DONNA DAÑ0 EUROPHIL TACLOBAN CITY
18. ZEILA CZYRA YENOGACIO EUROPHIL TACLOBAN CITY
19. MARTI RUIZ FAMILY TOURS TACLOBAN CITY
20. MARY ROSE CRUZ TOURIST MAKATI CITY
21. JOSHUA VINCENT CRUZ TOURIST MAKATI CITY
22. NIMFA CRUZ PATAWARAN EXAMINER/MEDIA TACLOBAN CITY
23. IHREE MICHELLE CAREER LNU/TOURISM STUDENT DULAG,LEYTE
24, LARRY A. PORTILLO EXAMINER/ MEDIA TACLOBAN CITY
25. ALLAN C. CALOOY EXAMINER/MEDIA TACLOBAN CITY
26. ALMA A. FABRA MANILA
27. EDISON HUSANA CAVE BIOLOGIST/RESEARCHER/TOKYO MUSEUM JAPAN
28. JOHN BARGH CANADIAN TOURIST SAN JOSE N. SAMAR
29. MARIGOLD CASTAÑARES ALPS MOUNTAINEERING CLUB PINTUYAN SOUTHERN,LEYTE
30. REMY JACLA LOCAL GUIDE CALBIGA,SAMAR
31. JIMMY GABONADA LOCAL GUIDE CALBIGA,SAMAR
32. BENJIE MENDOZA PORTER CALBIGA,SAMAR
33. LOUIE SAMAR PORTER CALBIGA,SAMAR

CALBIGA CAVE RECORD HOLDER:

1. JOSHUA VINCENT CRUZ 8 YEARS OLD - YOUNGEST PERSON TO EXPLORE CALBIGA CAVES
2. OLEGARIO B. MABANSAG 60 YEARS OLD - OLDEST PERSON TO EXPLORE CALBIGA CAVES

4TH SPELUNKING IN LANGUN GOBINGOB CAVES
OCTOBER 27-29,2006
CALBIGA,SAMAR

By Nimfa Cruz Patawaran
Larry A. Portillo
Allan C. Calooy

Three staff members of the Eastern Visayas Examiner took part in Langun-Gobingob Cave 4th Spelunking in Calbiga Cave, held last Oct. 27 – 29, 2006 in Calbiga, Western Samar.

The 4th Spelunking was sponsored by the Trexplore Adventure Club spearheaded by the team leader Joni A. Bonifacio. The Langun-Gobingob Cave is the biggest karst cave formation in our country and believed to be the 2nd largest in the Southeast Asia.

The three EV Examiners staff members who joined the rest of the participants from the different parts of the country, were Nimfa Cruz Patawaran, Allan C. Calooy, and Larry A. Portillo. It was a 3-day and 2-night cave exploration inside.

According to Joni A. Bonifacio, Trexplorer leader, “Our goal is to promote the great potential in the ecotourism of Samar Caves at the same time, our awareness is to conserve and protect its archeological importance.”

The said cave has an estimated area of 2,968 hectares and the cave system is composed of 12 caves with wide underground spaces. As we passed thru its rocks formations, we found it muddy.

The karsts have an estimated total surface area of 900 sq. kilometers, and the main cave Langun has a chamber that could easily fit in three football fields. As we went further to the cave we saw different cave creatures like bats, crickets, white crabs and the blind fish which they call “CAECO-GOBUIS CRYPTOPHALMUS,” first hipogeans fish found in the Philippines and first gobinee known in the world that was discovered in 1987. The fish’ name originated from the total absence of any external traces of eyes.

The other chamber known as the Gobingob Cave is approximately two and a half kilometers in distance compared to Langun which measured three kilometers.

“The 4th spelunking trek to the 2nd largest cave in Southeast Asia (Langun-Gobingob) continued to attract foreign and local tourists, mountaineers, cavers and the nature lovers who crave to witness and discover the natural God’s gift beauty to humanity,” he added.

One of the main purposes of the exploration was to witness the secret beauty of Langun-Gobingob, such as the giant stalagmites formation, giant flow formation, the subterranean watercourses, stalactites, giant chandeliers, numerous stalactites, beautiful flowstone formation, mud mountains, waterfalls, the mother of all chambers, guano mountain and many more.

A total of 30 participants coming from the different parts of the country participated in the said event.

The giving of certificates of achievement, souvenir kits, and t-shirts sponsored by Hon. Gov. Mila Tan, conclude the three-day spelunking activity.

3RD SPELUNKING IN CALBIGA CAVES 2005

2005-10-31T17:48:00.000-08:00

SAMAR ISLAND GUIDE: EXPLORER JONI A. BONIFACIO TEL: 055-2512301
CELL:09192943865 / 09053233572
WEBSITE: www.bonifaciojoni.blogspot.com

3RD SPELUNKING IN CALBIGA OCTOBER 28-30, 2005
LANGUN GOBINGOB CAVES CALBIGA, SAMAR

THE PARTICIPANTS:

1. JONI A. BONIFACIO TREXPLORE / CATBALOGAN, SAMAR
2. MAX DAQUILANEA, JR TREXPLORE / CATBALOGAN, SAMAR
3. SHERWIN S. ORBETA TREXPLORE / GANDARA, SAMAR
4. ARON GARCIA TREXPLORE / CATBALOGAN, SAMAR
5. NELSON LABRAGUE TREXPLORE / JIABONG, SAMAR
6. TETTET DOCABO TREXPLORE / CATBALOGAN, SAMAR
7. JEFREY CUAYCONG TREXPLORE / CALBIGA, SAMAR
8. ANTONIETTE YU CARO ------ / METRO MANILA
9. JACK MASCARENAS ------ / MALOLOS, BULACAN
10. CARLOS S. GOMEZ WHITE MOUNTAIN / BINAN, LAGUNA
11. ROSANNA J. GOMEZ WHITE MOUNTAIN / BINAN, LAGUNA
12. ANALYN H. LANORIAS ------ / TACLOBAN CITY
12. TROX SALAZAR LGORA / TACLOBAN CITY
13. UBALDO QUEROLIJICO KATOPIS-SORBA / CALBAYOG CITY
14. MARLON PALMASO KATOPIS / CALBAYOG CITY
15. GEORGE M. PLECERDA ------ / BILIRAN, BILIRAN
16. SHERALYN C. RACHO ------ / CABUCGAYAN, BILIRAN
17. KAREN JOY LLARENAS ------ / CATBALOGAN, SAMAR
18. ANNE Q. MAGBUTAY TBCMW INC. / CEBU CITY
19. MARLON A. TANO HEXA MEDIA PRODUCTION / TAC. CITY
20. EMMIE Q. MAGBUTAY DYMS / CATBALOGAN, SAMAR
21. EDWIN R. TORRES LEYTENO PERYODIKO / TAC. CITY
22. SOCRATES LASAGA ------ / CALBIGA, SAMAR
23. 2ND LT. MELLYN NONES 62ND INF PA. 81D / CALBIGA, SAMAR
24. PTC. JEFFREY ROJAS 62ND INF PA. 8ID / CALBIGA, SAMAR
25. CPL. ROMEL COLANTA 62ND INF PA. 8ID / CALBIGA, SAMAR
26. PTC. NINO VASQUES 62ND INF PA. 81D / CALBIGA, SAMAR
27. TSG. PASCUAL BULIC 62ND INF PA. 8ID / CALBIGA, SAMAR
28. SGT. PABLO VICTORIA 62ND INF PA. 8ID / CALBIGA, SAMAR
29. REMEO HACLA LOCAL GUIDE / CALBIGA, SAMAR
30. LODI BATOLA LOCAL GUIDE / CALBIGA, SAMAR

Largest Karst Cave in East Asia explored

By: Marlon Necito A. Taño
Lady Camelot

Catbalogan Samar- The dreamed come true… with physical endurance determination, self-discipline once again the second largest cave in East Asia has been successfully explored by more or less thirty (30) spelunkers who discovered the inner secret of Langun- Gobingob Cave in Calbiga Western Samar last October 28-30 2005. This after the President founder of TREXPLORE Joni Bonifacio spearheaded the most arduous trek to Langun-Gobingob Cave to wander the most intriguing hidden treasure that had been kept million years ago in the Municipality of Calbiga.

In an exclusive interview, Bonifacio told that, the 3rd Spelunking trek to the 2nd largest cave in East Asia (Langun-Gobingob) had continued to attract local and foreign tourists, mountaineers, cavers, and nature lovers who craved to witness and discover the natural god’s gift beauty to humanity. “We have to promote the Eco-Tourism in Samar because we the Samareños felt that Samar Island owned the natural gift endowed in us specifically caves, falls and other tourist attractions”.

Bonifacio told further that the success of the 3rd Spelunking trudge to Langun-Gobingob Caves was realized because of the full support of The Provincial Tourism Council thru Governor Mila Tan, Calbiga Municipal Tourism Council Mayor Luzviminda L. Nacario and her staff and with the generous and whole hearted cooperation of the 62nd Infantry Unifier Command under the command and supervision of Lt. Col. Reynaldo Lanuzo.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Lanuzo told that the said cave exploration is just the beginning of government's main thrust in the promotion of eco-tourism in the Island of Samar specifically Calbiga that has a unique natural park. “The 3rd Spelunking cave exploration is one way of introducing the whole world the bountiful natural designs in Samar Island longed by foreign and local visitors, I hope such move done by Mr. Bonifacio would continue to nurture, mold the mind of the good people of Samar that they have such kind of natural secrets that had been kept for decades.

Samar the Caving Capital of the Phils.

French and Italian cave explorers purposely came to Samar just to explore and made some vital survey of the existing caves specifically in the Municipality of Calbiga where Karst Caves (an irregular limestone region with sinks underground streams caverns) are situated. Foreign caves explorers described Samar as The Caving Capital of the country since hundred caves in the Island of Samar had been scientifically recorded.

In 1987 GuidioRossi, Matteo Rivadossi, Tono Vivo Italian speleologists scientifically explored the Langun-Gobingob Caves in Calbiga Samar. “The team believed that there are several hundred kilometers of Galleries waiting to be explored. The karsts estimated total surface area of 900 sq. km. The main cave Langun, has a chamber that could easily fit in three football fields.”

Joni Bonifacio, the only Filipino cave explorer from Catbalogan Samar who used to be with the French caving expedition last 2002 in Calbiga visited “Canyawa” Cave or the (Devil's Cave) was considered the second longest cave in the Philippines which approximately stretch up to twelve kilometers, but the mapping and documentation was temporarily suspended because of high water level that blocked the possible passage of the explorers. The French Expedition team was headed by Jean Paul Sounier.

The visit of the Speleologists in Samar Island purportedly for proper cave documentations, survey and mapping. Bonifacio revealed that Samar had been recorded of having more than 50 caves that had been explored and still hundred are waiting to be explored.

Based on records, Gobingob cave is approximately two and a half kilometers in distance compared to Langun (3) kilometers. The aforementioned caves are part of the cave system in Calbiga which consist of unique tributary of karsts cave complex.

The municipality of Calbiga, fifty two (52) kilometers from the heart of Tacloban and could be reach via national highway. The cave is seven (7) kilometers from the town proper.

4TH EXTREME CAVING 2008

2005-10-30T18:54:00.000-08:00

SAMAR ISLAND GUIDE: EXPLORER JONI A. BONIFACIO TEL: 055-2512301
CELL:09192943865 / 09053233572
WEBSITE: www.bonifaciojoni.blogspot.com

4TH EXTREME CAVING
MAY 16-18,2008
FRIDAY-SUNDAYS
3 DAYS CAVE EXPLORATION
2 NIGHTS INSIDE THE CAVE
THE LANGUN-GOBINGOB CAVES
CALBIGA, SAMAR PHLIPPINES

Dear fellow cavers,

Are you the type of person who wouldn’t dream of littering, exploiting endangered species, offending your environment and natural heritage, or the type of person who simply enjoy the breathtaking sceneries and take pictures of the different extra-ordinary rock formations, or just enjoy being in the wilderness that will momentarily take you away from the buzz ling life of the city?

Why not join the 4TH EXTREME CAVING organized by the Trexplore Adventure Club featuring the country’s biggest cave, the Langun – Gobingob in Calbiga, Samar to be held on MAY 16-18,2008 (Friday to Sunday).

Our goal is to promote the great potential of Samar caves in the eco-tourism industry and at the same time, boost awareness in our drive to conserve and protect its archaeological importance.

Maximum of 50 participants will be accepted nationwide on a first come, first served basis of discipline mountaineers, cavers, and environmentalist which will include young professionals, nature lovers, teachers and government employees.

For 3 days cave exploration and 2 nights stay inside the cave, a fee of Php 1,000 per person will be collected by the Secretariat upon registration to cover expenses which will include id’s, certificate of exploration, t-shirst, souvenier kits, transportation within Calbiga, entrance fees, Mayor’s permit, Calbiga local tour guide and Trexplore guide.

We would like you to shoulder your own food for the duration of the trip. Bring also with you caving equipments like caving helmets, suits or clothes, headlights, flashlights, candles, dry bags, garbage bags extra batteries and bulbs, and camping equipments like tents, sleeping mat and sleeping bags, camping stoves and cook set, trekking shoes and trekking sandals, camera etc.,

For RESERVATION. Please inform the Secretariat by mail or by telephone for your confirmation. You can also call or text at 0919 2943 865 or 09053233572 (Joni) or email us at trexplore@yahoo.com or trexplore2@yahoo.com. You can also visit at our office:

TREXPLORE THE ADVENTURE
Abesamis Store Allen Ave.
Catbalogan, Samar 6700
Tel: 055-2512301
Cel: 0919-2943865
Email: trexplore@yahoo.com
trexplore2@yahoo.com

WEBSITE: www.bonifaciojoni.blogspot.com

REGISTRATION: 1,000 PER PERSON
INCLUSION: Id's,Certificate,T-shirts
Transpo within Calbiga,Entrance fee, Mayor permits,
Local guide and Trexplore cave explorer.

For more information you can visit our website :

http://www.bonifaciojoni.blogspot.com/
http://www.freewebs.com/trexplore/
http://experiencecalbigacaves.blogspot.com/
http://3rdspelunking.blogspot.com/
http://gma7calbigacaves.blogspot.com/
http://www.callezaragosa.com/files/Caving.pdf

:CAVING ITINERARY:ITINERARY 4TH EXTREME CAVING

MAY 16,2008 (FRIDAY)

DAY 1
7:00 AM Registration (KAUNAN SA TULAY)
8:00 AM Arrival of Participants
9:00 AM Snack time
11:00 AM Lunch time (KAUNA SA TULAY)
12:00 NN Orientation
1:30 PM Depart Calbiga to Brgy. Panayuran
2:00 PM Arrive Brgy. Panayuran
2:05 PM Start trekking to Langun Gobingob Caves
3:00 PM Arrival 1st Viewing deck (Overlooking
Entrance Langun Gobingob Caves)
3:30 PM Depart to Entrance Langun-Gobingob Cave
4:00 PM Arrival Entrance Gobingob Cave
* Preparing caving equipments
* Pm Snacks
* Safe caving tips
5:00 PM Depart entrance to Gobingob chamber
* Trekking inside Gobingob chambers
* Giant stalagmits formation
* Giant flowstone formation "THE STAGE"
6:30 PM Arrival IST GOBINGOB-CAMPSITE "The Football Chamber
inside Gobingob Cave"
* Set a amp
* Cooking for dinner
* The subterranean weter courses
* Blind Fish,Cave Crikets and Cave Spider
* Gobingob natural pool (Swimming Underground)
7:00 PM Dinner time
8:00 PM Preparing for Caving (Bring Daypack)
8:30 PM Start Caving (NOTE: Advance caver only)
* Explore Upper Gobingob Cave Chambers (DRY CAVE)
* Trekking and Climbing inside the cave
* Bouldering and Rock Climbing
* The Bitong mahangin (Gobingob-Deadends)
* Giants stalagmits formation
* Beautiful flowstone formation
11:30 PM Arrival "Deadend" Upper Gobingob chambers
12:00 MN Depart (Back to Gobingob-Campsite)
3:00 AM Arrival campsite area
3:30 AM Sleep zzzzzzzzzzz

MAY 17,2008 (SATURDAY)

DAY 2
7:30 AM Wake-up Call
8:00 AM Breakfast
8:30 AM Break the Camp
9:00 AM Depart Gobingob Chamber to Langun Chamber
10:00 AM Decending in Vertical cliff (40m deep)
* Rapelling (Advence caver only)
12:00 NN Arrival at Tita Cave (Muddy Chamber)
* Giants Chandeliers
* Numerous Stalactites
1:00 PM Arrival Langun chamber (Muddy Chambers)
* The Mother of all Chambers
* Pothole 300 meter high "DAY LIGHT"
* Guano Mountain
1:30 PM Arrival 2ND CAMPSITE in Langun Chamber
* Set a camp / Cooking Lunch
* Lunch time / Relaxing
* Rapelling / SRT
* Bats and Birds watching
6:00 PM Preparing for Lunchpack and Prepare for
Extreme Caving in Lower Langun Chambers
(Advance Caver Only)
6:30 PM Dinner in 2nd Campsite
7:00 PM Safe caving tips
7:30 PM Depart campsite to lower Langun Chambers
* The Snake Room (THE SNAKE PIT)
* The Natural Water Terraces
* Mud Mountains (Mud Climbing)
* Blind Fish and White Crabs
* The Sub-terranean wetercourses
* River Crossing
( River Trekking and Swimming)
* Water falls and Swimming Pools in langun
* Mud Trekking
8:00 PM Arrival at Langun Sub-terranean river
* River trekking * Swimming
9:30 PM Arrival Lagun WaterFalls
10:00 PM Arrival Deadend lower Langun Cave
10:30 PM Arrival mud Mountain (Mud Climbing)
11:00 PM Arrival Cave pools (swimming)
11:30 PM Mud Tunnels (mud trekking)
12:30 AM Arrival DEADENDS langun chambers
1:00 AM Depart Deadend Upper Langun Chambers
2:30 AM Arrival at Subteranean river
* 200 meters swimmimg (NOTE: Advance caver only)
3:30 AM Arrival 2nd Campsite
4:00 AM Sleep zzzzzzzzzz

MAY 18,2008 (SUNDAY)

DAY 3
7:00 AM Wake-up Call
8:00 AM Breakfast
8:30 AM Break the Camp
9:00 AM Depart Langun Cave to Mapaso Springs
* Jungle trekking * Mountain Climbing
11:00 AM Arrival in Mapaso Springs
12:00 NN Lunch time
1:00 PM Swimming and Washing
2:00 PM Packing
3:00 PM Depart Mapaso Springs to CALBIGA BRIDE
3:30 PM Arrival KAUNAN SA TULAY
* Snacks
* Distribution of Souviner kits,Certicate and T-shirts
4:00 Departure Calbiga Samar
5:00 END OF "4TH EXTREME CAVING 2008"

HAPPY CAVING !!! HOME SWEET HOME....

WEBSITE:

http://www.bonifaciojoni.blogspot.com/
http://www.freewebs.com/trexplore/
http://experiencecalbigacaves.blogspot.com/
http://3rdspelunking.blogspot.com/
http://gma7calbigacaves.blogspot.com/
http://www.callezaragosa.com/files/Caving.pdf

SEE YOU UNDERGROUND !!!!