Off the Bucket List: Cliff Diving at Sugong Cave, Bagac, Bataan

Most people have a bucket list which is a number of experiences which they hope to achieve within their lifetime. The things on the bucket list can be as simple as 'learn how to bike' and 'bake a cake' or they can be quite challenging like 'climb the highest mountain peak' or 'go cage diving with great white sharks'. Some people try to complete their lists intentionally, especially if they have the luxury of time and the stash of money to start off with. But sometimes, opportunities to check off something on the bucket list come by unknowingly and the decision to do it relies on your willingness to just grab it.

Pride in the past, hope for the future. Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is a must-see in Bataan.

The latter just happened to One Valenzuela and she was grateful to check off  'cliff diving' in her bucket list through a side trip at Sugong Cave, Bagac, Bataan during their organization's annual seminar and team building at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. Located at Bagac, Bataan, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is a great place to stay in. The marriage of Filipino history through the houses built in the place and the beauty of the West Philippine Sea will make you proud of your roots and comfort your tired soul as well (You can check out more of the beautiful photos that One Valenzuela snapped here on this Instagram account).

Clear waters of the West Philippine Sea

Boats in Sugong Cave, Bagac, Bataan

Some bloggers described Sugong Cave to be a '20-feet up' high cavern and as a cave 'where in you can cliff jump non-stop'. One Valenzuela thinks that it is a perfect cliff for newbies like her to jump from. Not too high which will make many queasy and not too low to say that it is just a piece of cake.

To jump or not to jump?

Swim in the clear waters of the cave after taking the jump off the cliff. Always practice precautionary measures when doing such an activity. 

  

Looks low? You'd think twice when you're already working your way up there.

Cliff jumping will make you hungry. You can buy some snacks and cashew nuts from this store.

Celebrating the jump with some ube and gabi ice cream of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar (Php35.00 per scoop).

How was the experience? Well, the climb up the cliff is a bit tricky for people like One Valenzuela who have blurry vision but the climb is achievable without her glasses together with a few helpful friends to guide her on the way up. Looking over the cliff, her heart beat raced a bit. Remembering Will Smith's line 'On the other side of your maximum fear are all of the best things in life', One Valenzuela took a big breath in, jumped, and did the pencil dive (a basic technique where you jump straight like a pencil into the water).

With One Valenzuela still grinning in front of the computer screen, the 'buwis-buhay' experience was worth it.

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How to Get There:

Since One Valenzuela went to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar via rented bus, she looked at other blogs which may help in navigating your way to Bagac, Bataan. From 'In the Eyes of a Traveler', the author mentioned that one has to take a Genesis or Bataan Transit Bus going to Balanga and then take a jeepney or mini-bus bound to Bagac. Ride a tricycle bound to Barangay Pag-asa beach area where you can hire a boat to go to Sugong Cave.

Have a wonderful summer, Valenzuelanos!
#travellocal #travelph #pinasmuna