Twenty seven years have already past from the tragedy that does not just struck Pampanga but almost the whole of Luzon. Mount Pinatubo eruption have been a life changing tragedy to Filipinos covering a huge amount of damages that are still being seen until today. The eruption is considered as the second-largest terrestrial eruption of the 20th century after the 1912 eruption of Novarupta in Alaska. It was too devastating that the eruption have made the Global temperature dropped by about 0.5 °C in the years 1991–1993.
Eventually, residents of Pampanga stood up and embraced the scenery. Establishments have been re-built, farms have been cultivated, and residents made a way to make used of what was left from the eruption and created a living out of it.
Today, the remnants might give us tragic history, but people from the modern society is now appreciating it more and see it on a different way. Just like what we visited a few days ago.
Keep on reading will tell you more about this hot spring situated in the middle of nowhere.
I’ve been hearing about this hot spring/spa in Pampanga ever since but I wasn’t really able to have time to paid a visit. I once had a chance to do an ATV ride in the magnificent Pampanga river that now looks like a dessert like place but I never really had a sight of this hot spring. There was also a time that I was able to hike Mount Pinatubo but didn’t really got a chance to spot the spa. I realize, the ash covered area was really vast that I wasn’t really able to spot the places I formerly visited.
Wearing: Sprint Shoes, Owndays Eyewear, Memo Shorts, SM Surplus Top
Comes a few weeks ago, Pampanga Tourism Board have invited me over to have a taste of the place through its food and exploration. Through its campaign Itz a PIE (Pampanga, Inspiring and Exciting) with a vision to drive Pampanga to be the next megacity of the country giving the fastest and most convenient destination either for business or leisure.
One of the highlights of our visit is called PUNING HOT SPRING AND RESTAURANT.
PUNING Hot Spring and Restaurant
PUNING Hot Spring and Restaurant is a unique destination that you can visit and explore in Angeles City Pampanga. With a minimum amount of Php 3,500/person (minimum of 3) you can enjoy a whole day activity like the 4×4 ride, sand steam and hot spring.
PUNING is located at Sitio Target, Brgy Sapang Bato, Angeles City (Pampanga). The journey in Puning is consist of three stations, the Base Camp (Restaurant), the Hot Spring area and the Sand Steam. With that said, spending a whole day in the place could really give you the satisfaction you are looking for. For an amount of Php 3,50o, for a whole day adventure, I guess it is truly worth to try. Here are the things you would need to know about the package;
PUNING HOT SPRING
Package Price: Php 3,500/person
(minimum of 3 persons)
Day tour trip only – 8:00 am – last trip 2:00 pm
Inclusions:
– Hot Spring Entrance (15 Pools)
– Food / Lunch (buffet style) – Rice, Pork BBQ, Pork Adobo, Fried Chicken, Fish Fillet, Pancit Canton, Chopseuy, Vegetable Salad, Mixed Vegetable and Chicken Soup.
– Use of 4X4 Jeepney (7 seaters)
– Sand Steam (Hot Sand)
– Services of Local Guide Tour
– Cottages (Open Air Type)
– Brgy. Entry fee and Conservation Fee
-FREE Use of Tower, T-Shirt, Short and Gown
– Whole Body Mud-Pack
HOW TO GET THERE?
Commuting to towards Puning Hot Spring is difficult for it is situated in a very far rural area of Angeles City. Having a vehicle or private service would be the best way to get there.
THE BASE CAMP
The Base Camp is the first station at Puning Hot Spring and Spa. If you are bringing a vehicle with you, this is were you should go first. Located here at the Base camp are the office (receiving area), the restaurant, an Aeta village and the station for the 4×4 Jeepney ride.
We arrive in the area 10 in the morning. A few vehicles have already been deployed on that moment. The place looks like a huge garden with cottages on both sides. After having our buffet brunch, we were then been told to get a special shirt and short to be used in the journey. You have the option not to used it, but if you do not have extra clothes with you, availing it would be ideal. I was wearing a rubber shoes in that moment and also forgotten to bring a spare slippers. Good thing, Puning also made slippers available in the area priced at Php 100.
In summary here is what to expect at the Base Camp.
BASE CAMP (1st Station)
– Office (receiving area)
– Restaurant
-Aeta Village
– 4×4/ Local guide starting point
PUNING HOT SPRING (3rd Station)
After changing outfits, we then went out to ride the 4×4 Jeepney outside. The Jeepney can carry 7 people. I you would want to take some nice photos I would suggest for you to ride at the front or at the sides. Bring a waterproof bag as well so your gadgets wouldn’t get damage from the splashes of water or dust along the way.
The bumpy ride took us 30-45 minutes to get to the Hot Spring. It was an awesome ride that felt like riding a rollercoaster with splashes of water and dust along the road. It was raining on the moment we left so we were not really able to open up the cover of the jeepney. Nevertheless, the sight of the dessert like area, the tunnel like roads we pass through, the river and the falls is something you should not missed in this journey. I documented everything through a video I will be uploading really soon.
Puning Hot Spring is considered as the 3rd station but is the second place we visited on that day. When we arrived, I was stunned to see this huge place located in somehow nowhere. I was thinking how the could have possibly created and maintained such a place located in a far distance.
I wasn’t really able to ask where the hot spring is coming, but as I tried and notice it, the more you go up, the hotter the water you can experience. Puning Hot Spring had 15 pools in total in hot, warm and cold. There are also cottages and rest room in the area. A shower area can also be found and open sauna steam you could also try. One can stay here for hours but should also mind to think about the others who would want to move to the next station for the Jeepney ride going back usually serves a first come first ride basis. Remember to always think about your way back.
In summary here are the things you could try at the 3rd station.
HOT SPRING (3rd Station)
– 15 hot/warm/cold pools
– Cottages/rest room
– Shower area
– Open sauna steam
PUNING SAND SPA (2nd Station)
My original seat mates at the Jeepney ride went earlier to the second station so I ride a new one going back. After filling the right amount of people, we went back to the second station located at the end of the concrete road.
The Steam Spa or Sand Spa consist of two areas; one is the sand and the second would be the area for the mud pack. I went first at the Sand spa. I was given a gown to be used for the spa. The area was like a large bed space that can accommodate more or less 30 people. They uses ash remnants that absorbs heat easily. Guest will be buried at the sand for 15 minutes. Once done, you’ll actually realize how it felt being buried under the ground or maybe eaten up by a quick sand (This of course in a good way). It was heavy, but very relaxing at the same time. I could actually sleep on to it.
After the Steam Spa, I went to try the whole body mud-pack. Here they creatively uses the volcanic ashes mix with eucalyptus.It will then be spread in your face and body. Let it dry for a few minutes or you can even go back at the first station with it on your body. As said, the whole body mud-pack can tighten skin and pores.
Here are the things you can avail at the Sand Spa area:
SAND SPA (2nd Station)
– Sand steam area
– Mud pack area
– Use of gown
– Shower area
– Rest room/locker
Going back at the Base Camp (Restaurant)
With the mud on, we drove back to the base camp and went straight at the shower area. A complimentary soap and towel were also given for the bath. After taking the shower, remember to return the clothes you have borrowed. A snack was also waiting for us on the table before heading back to our hotel.
It was a worth while experience that is combination of both fun and relaxation. My favorite part was the 4×4 ride especially if the trail becomes a bit difficult and splashes or water are reaching us in the vehicle. You can even ask the driver to stop in any particular places for photo session, which I wasn’t able to do for I barely did not know the people I was riding with. I guess this adventure is something you could really share with your family and friends. Will tell you more stories about my Pampanga adventure soon, but for now if you would want to inquire or do reservation at the place do check out the numbers and email below.
FOR INQUIRIES AND RESERVATIONS:
call: 0947-897-3007
0908-820-3483
email: puninghotspring@gmail.com
