Wakeboarding at Deca Clark, Pampanga

Wakeboarding is a surface water sport which involves riding a wakeboard over the surface of a body of water. It was developed from a combination of water skiing, snowboarding and surfing techniques.

Deca Wakeboard Park is part of the Deca Clark Resort Residences located in Margot, Angeles City. Its close proximity to Clark Freeport Zone ensures access to other amenities that the area can offer such as parks, restaurants, hotels.

Deca Wakeboard Park is a man-made lake which is surrounded by a series of masts that hold an overhead cable. The overhead cable rotates in a counterclockwise motion around the lake. Along the cable there is a number of carriers. Riders are pulled around the lake by the ropes attached to these carriers.

Today, Daniz has a chance to wakeboard. It's her "day-off from school" as she fondly called school holiday...her school is celebrating Parish Priests' Day.

Father and daughter took advantage of the opportunity to maximize the use of the wakeboard park, since not all schools will be on holiday...which means Daniz and a few others will have the wake park to themselves.

It's her third time today. The first was last April 30. The second was last July 29, during the celebration of Eid’l Fitr (End of Ramadan). All these 3 sessions were courtesy of a very good friend of the family...

Kuya Coach is refreshing Daniz with the basics of wakeboarding:

• Toes up.
• Crouch. Bend your knees and remember to maintain an upright body position.
• Hold the handle knuckles up.  
• Use both hands, arms straight. Right hand to control, Do not pull too hard, just enough to counter the force of the cable.
• Put weight on the back leg.
• Most important so as not to fall; SMILE

A good start...

Flat on the face...because she stood up. she forgot the crouch position.

Waiting for the tow line and for Kuya Coach to remind her again the right thing to do.

Off she goes in proper form....toes up, crouched, arms straight.

Not pulling too hard, just enough to counter the force of the cable.

Weight on the back leg...

This is the first time that she tried knee boarding...and she like it better than wakeboarding. Please click here for the video.


This water park is for more experience riders with obstacles, sliders and kickers for making tricks.

An overhead cable system run by electric motors.

The long queue of riders during weekends and holidays...

How to get here:

For more information, please visit http://www.clarkwakeboard.com/

Please also read:

• Surfing at San Juan La Union

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10 Things To Do in Clark and Angeles City in 4 Hours

Yesterday, Jonjie had a visitor from Malolos, Bulacan...Ms. Icecycles Florentino. She was one of the members of Mapua Dabarkads. She took a UV Express Van from Malolos and Jonjie picked her up at Dau Bus Terminal. She arrived at around 10:30 am.

At 12:00 pm, we had our lunch courtesy of Jonjie and Ate Bev in our humble abode: Baby Back Ribs, Baked Stuffed Green Bell Peppers, Potato Salad with Raisin Bread and Fruit Salad in Light Syrup for Dessert.

At 2:00pm, we left the house and then the start of the 4 hours countdown…

1. Sightseeing inside Clark

We started with showing her around Clark through the Mabalacat Gate.

• From Gil Puyat Ave passing the Clark Jeepney Terminal on the left.
• Clark Picnic Ground where the Dinosaur Island is located and little ahead is the El Kabayo.
• Turning right to Panday Pira Ave are two of the biggest manufacturing companies: Texas Instruments and Phoenix Semiconductor Philippines, then Clark International Speedway. 
• Turning left to Prince Balagtas Ave along the Clark Perimeter, we passed Fontana Leisure Parks and FA Korea CC Golf Club
• Left again going down to Jose Abad Santos Ave and left to CP Garcia are the Clark Development Offices and 
• Then to R.C. Santos, left of the Clark Parade Ground are the restaurants,The Red Crab (not in the map) and Cafe Mesa and turning right are the Clark Museum and Rendezvouz Restaurant.
• Crossing the street to S. Osmena is the Clark Public Safety Department and ahead are Starbucks, Jollibee and C' Italia.

We turn left to Jose Abad Santos Ave and right to Manuel A. Roxas Hwy. We exited Clark through the Friendship Gate.

2. Visit Deca Clark Wakeboard Park

Deca Wakeboard  Park is open to everyone form Mondays to Sundays and even holidays. For details, please visit http://www.clarkwakeboard.com/getting-here.html.

3. Pray at Carmelite Monastery

Mass schedule at Carmelite is 6:00 am Monday to Saturday and 6:00 am and 8:00 am every Sunday. But it is open the whole day for those who wants to pray and meditate.

4. Visit and Pray at Apung Mamacalulu Shrine

Apung Mamacalulu (Merciful Lord) or the Santo Entierro (Holy Burial) of Angeles City, is a statue depicting the burial of Jesus Christ and is enshrined at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Christ our Lord of the Holy Sepulchre in Barangay Lourdes Sur, Angeles City. Thousands flock to hear the special Holy Mass celebrated every Friday. 

To know more about "Apung Mamacalulu", please visit http://jadspiritsfamilylifeadventures.blogspot.com/2014/08/shrine-of-miraculous-apung-mamacalulu.html

5. Pray at the Blessed Sacrament of the Holy Rosary Parish Church




We visited this Blessed Sacrament three times already but I am still in awe...of the peace and serenity that it radiates.  With the calming sound of flowing water and the gentle swoosh of the bamboo leaves just outside the chapel.

6. Shop at Nepo Mall

Perfumes, bags, clothes, shoes...name it and they have it at Nepo Mall. Everything at low prices...and if you are good at bartering then it can still be lowered. 

7. Buy pasalubong at Rosing’s Pastry Shop


  

Yema Balls...one of my favorites. They will only make it upon order...so you have to wait for several minutes or come back later.

We've been introduced to Rosing's pastries four years ago by my sister-in-law, who ironically is from Las Pinas. She said one of her colleagues mention it and together we searched for its location. They have all kinds of pastries which, up to now, are being made the old-fashion way.

8. Pass The Quad at Nepo Center



The Quad at Nepo Center was dubbed as “the biggest convergence of locally grown restaurant brands”. It is the new "in" place among locals and tourists alike as it offers the best of Kapampangans' cuisine. We dined in one of the restaurant named Donwtown Cafe and for the details, please visit http://jadspiritsfamilylifeadventures.blogspot.com/2014/07/just-two-of-us-at-downtown-cafe-quad.html.

9. 40 Kph Leisure Drive at Air Force City

Private cars are welcome to use this road but there is a need to maintain the speed at 40 kilometers per hour.

10. Eat at Creamline Ice Cream House



Creamline was built adjacent to the ice cream factory and serves different types of banana splits, sundaes, smoothies, frappes. They are open Mondays to Sundays and even holidays. The price are reasonable.

• Ms. Icy ordered Chunky Monkey Sunday (P100)
• For Daniz, its Strawberry Stripes (P100)
• For Jonjie and I, Nutty Banana (P150)

One of their bestsellers is the Pinatubo consisting of 8 scoops of chocolate ice cream with chocolate and strawberry syrup with cherry on top and cost only P250.

Footnotes:

• A few minutes after 6:00pm, we dropped Ms. Ice at Dau Terminal.
• 4 hours exclude dinner time. To dine at The Quad would take at least 2 hours.
• All pictures were taken using iPhone4S

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Haduan Falls, A Hidden Paradise in Mabalacat, Pampanga

This hanging bridge is 120 meters long and 1.2 meters wide. It links the Aeta community to Clark Freeport and the rest of Pampanga and Tarlac which is the only way used by the tribesmen to transport their commerce outside their community. For the complete info,please click http://balita.ph/2014/04/02/haduan-falls-in-pampanga-now-accessible-to-tourists/

The first time I heard about it was way back in 2008, when my previous company conducted a community service in one of the barangays in Mabalacat. After the event, some of the members trekked to the falls and the following day shared interesting anecdotes of the trip…of rocky roads…and of chilly waters.

Summer of this year, we are thinking of a one-day trip around Clark…and then “the falls” suddenly pop in my mind. I asked around for somebody who knew about it but only got a vague information that its entrance is in Gate 14 of the Clark perimeter fence. After work, Jonjie and I cruised along the perimeter fence but we could not see any opening except for the entrance to the quarry and to a Korean golf club…and the obvious choice, the quarry entrance. Jonjie was referred to Kuya Nognog, a worker in the quarry and a relative of one of the elders of the Aeta Community.

We set the date for the trip which was May 3, Saturday. A day before the trip, some of my officemates decided to join us and we agreed on a “KKB, kanya kanyang bayad, kanya kanyang baon”, which means “pay for one’s way, bring your own food”

This was taken 6:58 am before the start of our trek. We were 12 + Jonjie (taking this photo) + the 3 guides.

The day arrived. Kuya Nognog with two others waited for our group near the quarry entrance and lead us to Gate 14. We started the trek...and...let the pictures describe the sights along the way to the hidden paradise…

Three Bikers on one of Pampanga Rivers affected by lahar during the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo last June 15, 1991. Taken by my brother Ombs, while he is on the hanging bridge.

My brother Ombs...

Our unofficial photographer...Daday Jonjie

Oops...hold tight...find your footing...

This is the most difficult path. The water on this part of the river is deep so we had to walk along the steep riverside.

After trekking for one hour and 30 minutes, along or on the river, with a relax pace and short rests in between...we reached the hidden paradise. And then there’s the Haduan Falls…

The water is chilly..."tagos" to the bones!

The Mermaid

The Sun Goddess

Our lunch…courtesy of everyone…


Then, it’s time to leave and go back…to civilization.

Words are not enough to describe the sights…the feelings…the experience. And you will not be able to appreciate the beauty and wonder of Haduan Falls…until you brave the difficult path…

Footnote:

• Located at Sitio Haduan in Mabalacat City.
• No available comfort room in the area...so, be ready!
• Make sure to bring enough food and water...do not worry, the Guides will carry it for you.
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes or slippers...and get ready to get wet for the long trek and back.
• Except for the food and drinks...travel light.
• And most important of all, "leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures, kill nothing but time".

Updates as of March 30, 2016 upon checking with Gate 14 Guard-on-Duty:

1. There is no contact number available as there is no specific personnel to answer queries...only Security Guards on-duty manned the gate.
2. Trekkers can go directly to Gate 14...it is open Monday to Sunday.
3. Clark Gate 14 is part of a leased property, the reason for having an "Individual Waiver" before passing through the gate.
4. Waivers can be obtained from the Security Personnel of Gate 14 on the day of your trek.
5. The Guides, who are members of the Aeta Community, are stationed in the Guard House...ready to assists the Visitors...any day of the week.
6. Prepare to pay a fee of Php70.00 per head for the Guide(s). (And if you are happy with their services, an additional amount would be greatly appreciated...just my thoughts:)
7. An entrance fee was not mentioned...just be prepared. (During our visit, we paid Php50.00 per head...)
8. Best time to trek...the earlier the better.
9. For directions going to Gate 14
• Private Transport - Search for Sitio Haduan, Mabalacat, Pampanga on google map. From SM Clark follow Manuel A. Roxas Hwy until Widus Hotel and Casino Clark, then turn left towards Fontana Leisure Park and Casino, going straight passing the intersection, then end of the road. On the left is the Guard House (BB International)...ask the Guard on Duty. They, or the Guides, will also tell you where to park your vehicle.
• Public Transport - Take a jeepney going to SM Clark and tell the driver to drop you at the jeepney terminal going to Clark. At the terminal, ask the dispatcher what route to take going to Gate 14.

If you like this post or you have some concerns, please share your thoughts. Leave your comments...I will reply as soon as I can.

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