BALI IN NUEVA ECIJA?

This Hidden
Paradise in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija Is
Perfect For A Quick Escape

by Joemariequeen Del Rosario

Who would have thought that in a province of plains and rice fields such as Nueva Ecija,

there lies a hidden paradise beneath the mountain ranges? Located on the east side of the

province, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija is surrounded by the Sierra Madre Mountain Range.

Known for its twin peak named “Mt. Labi,” Bongabon is also blessed with rivers and

waterfalls where freshwater is naturally sourced from. You don’t even have to travel as

far as Baguio or Tagaytay just to experience the cold breeze as the cold bite of air will

welcome you when you enter the mountainous part of Bongabon.

Bongabon is the place to go whether you are alone and soul-searching, having an

intimate time with your partner, or simply hanging out with the whole barkada. Having
your own vehicle is a plus if you want to get to Bongabon easily, it will only take 30

minutes to one hour travel from Cabanatuan City. But you can also take public transport

by riding an XLT Jeep from Cabanatuan City terminal to Bongabon Proper with a P35

fare.

One of its most sought ecotourism attractions is the free-flowing Labi River located in

Barangay Labi, Bongabon. A good thing about this place is that it has no entrance fee,
that’s why bikers and motor riders usually rest and stop by the river. You only have to

pay a parking fee of P20 for bikes and motorcycles, and P100 for cars.

Labi River | Photo from James Ivan Ceña

It has been developed by the municipality and became a source of income for the nearby

communities by installing cottages for rent, parking spaces, providing food services,
karaoke rentals, and even ring floater or salbabida rentals. For a whole-day stay by the

river, the cottage rental costs P500, and you may request an additional karaoke for P250.

The place is windy and surrounded by mountains so people can freely bathe against the

tides of the river or go with the flow using their salbabida under the sun. There are also

makeshift pools that surround the river, which are made from giant stones with their

water coming directly from the river.

Have you ever heard of little Bali in Labi, Bongabon? Another attraction that will

definitely amaze and make you think you are in Bali, Indonesia is Camp Paraiso Hotel

and Resort located just a few kilometers away from the Labi River. A natural paradise as

they call it combines the beauty of nature with picturesque man-made attractions.

As you enter the vicinity, you can see the cottages around the giant swimming pools with

their water coming directly from the surrounding mountains. For only P60 entrance fee

for kids and P120 for adults, you can enjoy the mountain view and swim along the three

swimming pools which range from 2 feet to 7 feet deep. Visitors can rent the cottages for

P700 good for 10 to 15 people, a bigger cottage for 20 to 25 people is P1500 with free use

of karaoke, Camp Paraiso also has an umbrella table for a small group of 5 people for

only P500.

If you are in for some adventure, you can follow the trail and take countless photos along

the mountain going to the river where the Bali-inspired attraction such as the big bird’s

nest is located. You can also dip your toes or bathe along the river and gushing waterfalls

located in the middle of the mountain.

Can’t get enough of nature’s beautiful paradise? Worry not because Camp Paraiso also
offers overnight accommodation for as low as P1800 for a 1 bedroom Nipa Hut good for 3

people. Camp Paraiso also has an instagrammable Glamping Cabin for P8500 that can

accommodate 6 persons. If you are with a big group, you can rent a whole villa for

P12000 that can accommodate up to 15 persons. They also offer tent accommodation for

as low as P1200 for 4 persons, but visitors can also bring their own tents with

corresponding overnight fees. Visitors who will avail an overnight stay can enjoy the

outdoor movie viewing and bonfire activities at night for free.

Camp Paraiso is ideal for adventurous individuals who love to venture into the middle of

the forest and discover the gift of nature such as the river and waterfalls. But it can also

be enjoyed by those who just want to chill and savor the calming peace that nature

delivers.

While the country is still under strict quarantine protocols amid the 2019 Coronavirus

disease (COVID-19) pandemic, visitors are required to adhere to health protocols such as

wearing facemasks and maintaining the required social distance.

Indeed, there is a hidden paradise in every part of the Philippines and the next thing you

know, it’s just a few hours away from your neighborhood. All you have to do is explore

and appreciate the beauty of nature.

READ: https://medium.com/@upbjourn115/bali-in-nueva-ecija-this-hidden-
paradise-in-bongabon-nueva-ecijas-is-perfect-for-a-quick-escape-3bde623a8c19