From Baguio, we took a 45 minute jeepney ride to Balatok. Honestly, I went to the mines not knowing anything. I certainly didn't know that we had to wear the heavy hard hat and uncomfortable boots. Although I didn't voice it out that day, I was nervous exploring unfamiliar territory. I thought that they would take us to the actual mines. Well, they did, but the mines we went to was not a working mine anymore, so it was relatively safe.
The guides carefully explained to us every step of the whole process. First was a showcase of mining machines and tools used in the old days. Apparently, the original Balatok mine company was started by a Spanish firm when they discovered gold in the area. It closed some years ago, and later reopened to be a 60-40% co-ownership thing between residents and the company. I forget her name now, but our tour guide is a third generation employee of the firm. She related that back in the old days, there was a school and a housing complex for the families of the employees.
Entering that deep, long, extremely dark, 500-meter cave was a new experience for me. It helped that they installed a blower inside so it was very cool, but the ground was slushy and muddy so I had a hard time walking.
My biggest fear at that time was that part of the tunnel will cave in while we were inside. Images of movies where people got trapped inside the tunnel for days before being rescued came into my mind. I gradually forgot my fear as we went along, listening to the cool hum of the blower at the far end of the tunnel and taking in all the new sights and knowledge that day. The coolest part for me was when we were inside the lunch area for miners, and they actually blew a dynamite and we personally felt how strong it can be (the whole mine shook). Still, most mine workers don't like putting earplugs as they consider it bothersome (mga pasaway). I also learned that in an actual working mine, there was no blower so the temperature inside is hot, so most miners wear nothing except underwear, while another worker douses him with water using a hose.
At the far end of the tunnel were the carts used to haul all the debris from the digging. We rode that to go inside once again, where I felt like Indiana Jones, and couldn't help but hum the theme inside my head....
I highly recommend those going to Baguio to ditch the usual tours and pay Balatok Mines a visit. Entrance is just P250, including the boots and hard hat rental. Oh, and they give you a certificate of completion and a cool badge engraved with the visitor count. I was visitor no.80, 448...
