Kapangan, Benguet is home to numerous natural tourism sites. One of which, the historical Bulalacao Cave (Bolinsak Cave), boasts not just amazing rock formations inside but also served as a haven to the locals in the past world wars.
Contents
Location
- Taba-ao, Kapangan, Benguet
DENR Cave Classification
Not yet assessed or result not yet published.
The Amazing Historical Cave of Bulalacao/Bolinsak
The Amazing Bulalacao Cave (Bolinsak Cave)
Bulalacao Cave, otherwise known as Bolinsak Cave, is a natural attraction found in Taba-ao, Kapangan. It is hidden in between the road on the mountain side and the Bolinsak creek.
Like Dangwa Cave, one entrance is also close to the Taba-ao view deck and about a hundred meters walk from the main road. Accordingly, it is aroung 2 hours drive from Baguio City and 36 kilometers away from La Trinidad.
The names of the cave, Bulalacao and Bolinsak, have an ineteresting history. According to the Provinve of Benguet’s official website (www.benguet.gov.ph), the more popular name of the cave was was taken from bulalacao, a bird that dwells within which appears only during the night making a sort of scary sound and noise.
Moreover, the best that the cave has to offer is found inside. The stalagmites and stalactites are intact as the locals have preserved it. According to Agshan Online website (agshanonline, 2016), there are also crystal clear pools of water inside which is supplied by the continuous drips from above. This cave is also connected to Dangwa Cave.
The following embedded images are taken by tourists and posted in social media.
Bulalacao Cave (Bolinsak Cave) as a Valued Historical Place
The cave is also deemed of great historical value for the locals of Kapangan. It served as a mute witness to the struggles of community dwellers during the past wars.
Bulalacao Cave was a key place in keeping meetings secret of the famous 66 Infantry Guerrillas during the Japanese invasion on 1941 to 1945. This place also became a regular den of Majors Bado Dangwa and Dennis Molintas for meetings and planning, and receiving and exchanging information vital for the war (Tuazon, 2008).
Within this haven the local fighter were able to evade, rattle, and eliminate their Japanese foes in the area (Bensalves, 2011). This has led to the opening of the north for the allied forces to reclaim the region (Tuazon, 2008).
Contact Person/Group
- Kapangan Tourism Facebook page
- Municipal Tourism Office address: Lomon, Paykek
- Municipal contact number: +63 998 577 6058; +63 907 705 4401
- LGU: (074) 619-0120
Registration/Guide Fees
- [Will be updated once information is available.]
How to Get to Bulalacao Cave (Bolinsak Cave)
- From outside Cordillera [lowlands]
- Get to Baguio City: Commute going to Baguio City thru a bus, though vans and jeepneys are also available among nearby municipalities. Fare depends on your origin. There are a lot of buses going up to Baguio City such a Victory Liner, Partas, Genesis, Joybus, minibuses from Region 1, etc. From Baguio City, transfer to a bus or PUJ bound to Kapangan.
- Baguio City to Kapangan: Commute either using bus or jeepney.
- Dakiwagan Bus and Dangwa Bus: Both are stationed at Dangwa terminal at the back of Baguio Centermall. Of the limited trips in a day, the earliest trip for both buses is at 5:30-6:00AM. Dakiwagan’s next trips are 10:30AM, and 3:00PM. Dangwa’s succeeding trips are 9:00AM, 10:30AM, 12:00NN, and 5:00PM. Both buses and PUJs are stationed at Dangwa Station at the back of Baguio Centermall.
- If you are in La Trinidad, you may want to wait fort the above buses in their stop overs in Marosan’s Restaurant and New Moon Restaurant (not sure which bus stops at which resto though) in Shilan at least 30 minutes interval from their departure time in Baguio City.
- Inform the conductor to or PUJ driver to drop you near Taba-ao barangay hall. There, a guide will be assigned to you.
Any fees, scheduled trips, routes, or facilities mentioned here are subject to change according to existing and current government, private, or association rules.
Notable Nearby Caves
- Longog Cave
- Dangwa Cave
- Kibatay Cave
Reminders
- Be early in going to Kapangan if you plan on going back to Baguio City on the same day.
- Get in touch with the local government unit and to verify any changes in transportation schedules, fees, temporary closure of sites, etc. This will also give them time to prepare especially if you are going there as a group.
- Be courteous to the locals, tourism and local guidelines, the culture, and of the place itself.
- Always practice leave-no-trace principle. I have to highlight to please not leave anything inside, do not vandalize, and do not take any physical memento from the cave. Whether it is under the protection of the DENR or not, treat nature with respect.
- DO NOT TOUCH the stone formations inside so that their growth will not be disrupted.
- Wear appropriate and comfortable non-slip, close-toed rubber shoes.
- Water! Yes, you’ll need it especially if you go there during summer time.
References
Agshanonline. (2016 May 29). Beauty within: Kapangan’s hidden wonders. Retrieved on 14 Aug 2019 from https://agshan.wordpress.com/2016/05/29/beauty-within-kapangans-hidden-wonders/
Bensalves. (2011 March 04). One sided development. Retrieved on 14 Aug 2019 from https://bendian4.blogspot.com/2011/03/one-sided-develpment.html
Cordillera Conservation Trust. (2014 April 14). Things you can do before or after Globe Cordillera Challenge [Facebook status update]. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/Cordillera.Conservation.Trust/photos/a.167828803256862/746630555376681/?type=3&theater
LGU-Kapangan. (2017 October 5). BULALACAO CAVE Sitio Bolinsak, Barangay Taba-ao, [Facebook status update]. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/lgukapangan/photos/a.1297973286995236/1297973830328515/?type=3&theater
Province of Benguet. (n.d.). Municipality of Kapangan Attraction. Retrieved on 14 August 2019 from https://www.benguet.gov.ph/index.php/municipalities/municipality-of-kapangan/attraction
Tuazon, G. A. (2008 October 29). Hidden crypts of Kapangan. Retrieved on 14 Aug 2019 from http://northphiltimes.blogspot.com/2008/10/trails-up-north_29.html
Disclaimer: As much as we want to give the most accurate information for the readers, change will always occur (e.g., contact number, transportation, fees, etc.). With this, please do comment below any updates as well as corrections on the content, anything amiss, or any information that you think is crucial to the readers. Iyaman!
