Asik-Asik Falls

Hiding in the mountainous area of Upper Dado, Alamada, North Cotabato is a spectacular-curtain-like waterfalls called Asik-Asik Falls. Its unique landscape and breathtaking beauty spread online which captured the eyes of the world. Who says "no" to its majestic walls covered with lush green vegetation, such as moss and ferns, highlighted by the hardwood trees and the clear blue skies. And in between these hanging ornaments are cold and crystal clear rushing water naturally falling on a shallow rocky pool surrounded by artistic rocks and boulders. Such a perfect place to relax and distress.

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LIST OF WATERFALLS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Libuacan Cold Spring | Surigao

Libuacan Cold Spring (photo above) is part of our Must Visit tourist destinations in Surigao del Sur. We felt sad because the famous Enchanted River was closed due to its renovations but its fine, there will always be a perfect time for us; anyways, let’s go back to Libuacan Cold Spring. It is a river system with cold and crystalline water, free flowing, and surrounded by relaxing greens. Since the area is surrounded by trees, so the ambiance is really cool and relaxing; everything seemed to be fresh. More photos from Libuacan Cold Spring, Click Here>>>

Searching for the Hidden Falls | Laguna

This is part of our Buntot Palos Adventure

Looking for a place to relax and enjoy the goodness of nature? THIS IS FOR YOU! Our journey here wasn't planned; if I am not mistaken, I only replied to our private message just twice and those were: Where's the meeting and what's the time? After the complicated shift at the office, we proceeded to our journey.

Buntot Palos and the Hidden Falls is situated in Brgy. Balian, Pangil, Laguna (3-hours travel from Manila). It is one of the eye dropping water falls located in the province. The area has a great environment plus the locals are friendly.

Before trekking, we registered and talked to our guide (guides are necessary) at the Baranggay Tanods quarter along the highway then proceeded to the drop off point. Another registration plus the collection of registration fees (30 Pesos for overnight) and started trekking. The first part is trekking; the trail is simple but trekkers must be careful because the stones and boulders are slippery, especially when wet. You also need to expect for a muddy trail since horses pass on the same way. Trekking Attire is advisable!

photo of my TravellingCup and my rainbow HeadGear

Eel's tail is the original name of Buntot Palos and the hidden falls, this name was given because of the winding trail before reaching the natures goodness. From the registration area, it is about 2-3 hours trekking (but we got it for 1 hour, so trekking time will depends on you) to the camp site. A clean camp site is provided for those who wants to stay overnight and it is surrounded by flora and fauna. The relaxing sound of the water falls can also be heard. Camp site is just 5-10 minutes trekking to the hidden falls.

Hidden Falls is measured approximately 80-meters high from its base and in 90-degrees angle. The mist of the water falls spread in the area, thus, it is surrounded by green and thick vegetation. The area is guarded by the enormous boulders which are covered by mosses, a proof that it has a balance ecosystem. The current of the water falls is strong but you can find an area where it massage your tired muscles.

If you're looking for extreme adventure, you can also enter the cave located at the back of the water falls (photo above). According to our guide, the water of the residents of Brgy. Balian are from here. Before, the water basin was deep but because of the force of nature, a huge part of the boulders collapsed and spread on the basin. There was also a man made grotto here but due to typhoon, it also collapsed. Based on the photos that you're seeing, this water falls is friendly, but as per Kuya Sanny (our guide) the water reaches few meters from the basin. Want to read our journey? More photos and itineraries, click here: Laguna, Buntot Palos.

How To Get Here? Here's what we did:
From EDSA, we rode a jeepney going to Tanay Terminal (approximately 2-hour travel)
From Tanay, we rode a jeepney going to Siniloan, Laguna (approximately 2-hour travel)
From Siniloan Market, we chartered a trycicle going to Brgy. Balian, Pangil, Laguna (approximately 15 minutes travel)

Going Back to Manila:
From Brgy. Balian, we rode a tricycle going to Famy Market, in Laguna.
Rode an FX at the terminal near the gasoline station, we rode an FX going to the Metro.
(Same area,  you can also take a bus ride - but buses are scheduled)

Buntot Palos and the Hidden Falls | Laguna

Lahat kami busy sa trabaho, pati ang mag-usap ng itineraries ay wala; subalit may hangaring mag-lamyerda sa kung saan-saan, maibsan lang ang pangangati ng aming talampakan. Minsan lang napag-usapan ang lugar at oras subalit natuloy parin.

Ang Buntot Palos ay isa lamang sa mga kabundukan ng Laguna na kung saan natatago ang magagandang tanawin at water falls. Ito ay matatapuan sa Brgy. Balian, Pangil, Laguna; higit kumulang tatlong oras na byahe mula sa magulong buhay sa Kamaynilaan.

Kaming apat ay nagkita-kita sa Valley Gold sa Rizal at doon ay sumakay ng FX patungong Tanay, Rizal (ang byahe ay nasa 1-oras). Bumaba kami sa Terminal ng Tanay, Rizal at namili muna ng aming mga kakainin para sa gabi at agahan sa susunod na araw. Pagkatapos mamili, sumakay na kami ng jeep patungong Siniloan, Laguna (ang byahe ay mahigit isang oras). Bumaba kami sa Pamilihan ng Siniloan at sumakay muli ng trisikel patungong Brgy. Balian.

Bago namin marating ang drop off point ng Buntot Palos, tinawag muna kami ng mga tauhan ng barangay upang mag-lista ng aming pangalan (wala  pa pong bayad). Dito rin namin naka-usap ang aming magiging guide sa pag-akyat. Pagkatapos maglista ng pangalan, dumeretso na kami hangang sa marating namin Registration Area. 4:48PM nagsimula na kaming mag-lakad sa sementadong kalsada pa-angat.

Ang Kabayanan ng Pangil, Laguna

Ang unang parte ng aming pag-trek ay may hingal factor, siguro dahil medyo matagal na nung huli kaming umakyat (siguro mahigit isang buwan na). Ang trail ay maputik at mabato, kaya napaka-halaga ng sapatos sa lakarang ito. Pag-katapos ng 30-minutong pag-lalakad, nakasalubong namin ang isang grupong kinabibilangan ng mga babae at mga lalaki at kasama ang kanilang guide. Malayo palang, nauulinigan ko na ang kanilang mga boses, sabi ko: "mukhang may mga foriegner ata kaming makakasalubong ah."  Ngunit nung nakita ko na si Ma'am, ay Pinay pala, englesera lang pala at nag-tatagalog din.

As usual sa mga hikers at trekkers, "Good aftie, or Good Day!" Greetings kumbaga. Tapos nag-tanong sila: "Malapit naba kami?" Sagot din naman kami ng: "Mga 30 minutes nalang siguro, Eh, kami po?" Sabay sagot: "You still have a long way to go," with conviction talaga sila Ma'am, pero walang imbyerna factor kaming naramdaman. Kaya push lang, may mga statements pa silang: "No Regrets! Move On!" hahaha, aliw factor sila Ma'am eh. Pero sa totoo lang, medyo naawa kami sa kanila, base kasi sa kanilang outfit, hindi sila well-prepared. Shirt with jacket, shoulder bag sa kanilang shoulder, kaya mga shoulder bag diba? Leggings, sneakers at doll shoes naman sa pambaba. Kaya puro sila putik, siguro dahil palagi silang nadudulas. REMINDER: Kapag kayo po ay pupunta sa isang lugar, mag-research muna online kung involve ang trekking, kung may trekking IWASAN ang sneaker at pang-mall na attire. Kailangan po ang outdoor attire, para maiwasan ang sakuna.

Narating namin ang Camp Site ng alas-6 ng hapon. Naabutan namin ang isang grupong may apat ma miyembro kasama ang kanila guide na nag-hahanda ng kanilang hapunan, subalit imbes na tumabi kami sa kanila, mas pinili naming mag-camp sa itaas na bahagi.

Pagkarating ng camp site, nag-pahinga lang ng ilang minuto at nag-simulang mag-tayo ng tent. Pagkatapos ng mga iyun, nag-handa naman kami ng aming lalantakan sa hapunan (larawan sa kanan). Si Kuya Sonny (guide) naman ay nag-hanap ng kahoy na pinag-lagyan ng kanyang hammock, ito ang mag-sisilbi nyang kanlungan sa gabing iyon.

Sino ang may pinaka malinis na sapatos?  Since wala kaming mapag-usapan sa trail, nag-karoon kami ng "The Battle of the Branded Shoes." From left to right: Columbia ni Onah, Salomon ni Meym (ako yun), Salomon ni Alfie at Merrell ni Te Bing. Pilit kasing pinapantayan ng Columbia ang kakayanan ng aming Salomon. Dito nasubukan ang tatag ng mga brands sa putik, dulas at mabatong bahagi. Kayo na ang mag-judge kung sino nanalo.

Alas otso palang ng gabi, lights off na kami at kanya-kanyang tulog na habang ang isang grupo ay busy parin. Pagkatapos ng ilang oras, nagising kami ulit dahil may isa pang grupong dumating, nasa 14 silang lahat. Tulog ulit. Nagising na ako ng alas-4 ng umaga at ayun gising parin sila. Alas-5 ng umaga, nag-simula na kaming lumabas ng tent at naghanda ng mainit na kape at breakfast.

Time Check: 8:42AM, iniwan namin ang camp site. Bago namin iwan ang camp site patungong "Hidden Falls," nag-pakuha muna kaming larawan sa may matayog na punong ito. Left to Right: Meym (ako ulit yun), Te Bing, Onah at si Alfie.

Lima hanggang sampung minuto ang lakaran mula camp site hanggang sa "Hidden Falls." Mas pinili naming dahil ang aming full pack kesa iwanan ang mga ito sa camp site, iwas problema kung meron man. Ayun sa aking pananaliksik (lakas maka reporter no?) nasa 80-90 metro ang taas ng water falls na ito. Ito rin ang pinang-gagalingan ng tubig sa kabayanan.

Larawan sa Kanan: Pamilyar ba sa inyo ang pose na yan? Yan ang tinatawag na Jake Cuenca pose, alam nyo ba kung bakit? Hanapin nyo lang po sa google.

Nag-stay kami sa water falls ng higit kumulang dalawang oras. Kami ang unang nakarating sa water falls kaya mas nagkaroon kami magagandang larawan na kung saan walang mga taong kasama kundi ang falls at ang magandang kalikasan lamang. Sa lugar na ito rin kami kumain ng aming tanghalian habang umiihip ang presko at malamig na hangin, kaya medyo naparami ang kain namin.

Narating namin ang Camp 1 ng alas 11:30 ng umaga at nag-karoon pa kami ng oras magpapicture kasama ang mga lokal na nag-hahanap ng mga dahon at niyog na kanilang magagamit sa pag-luluto. Ngunit sa kasamaang palad, naabutan kami ng hindi kalakasang ulan, kaya medyo challenging ang aming pag-baba dahil mas naging maduls ang mga batong aming dinadaanan. Original plan talaga, dederetso pa kaming Ambon-Ambon Falls, eh since umambon na at nakapag-falls narin, tinamad na kami dumeretso.

Nakarating kami at nag-simulang mag-linis ng katawan ng alas-12 ng tanghali. Ang kalangitan ay makulim-lim parin na parang nag-sasabing wag na kayong tumuloy sa Ambon-Ambon Falls, kaya tama lang ang aming desisyon na wag dumeretso. Sarap buhay sa lugar na ito.

Mula sa Brgy. Balian, sumakay kami ng trisikel patungong Pamilihang Bayan ng Famy Laguna. At sa lugar na ito kami sasakay ng FX patungong siyudad.

Habang nasa kalsada, makikita ang gandang itinatago ng Probinsya ng Laguna. Makikita rin ang mga preskong paninda gaya ng Lanzones, Rambutan at iba pa na nasa gilid lang ng kalsada.

Pagdating ng Famy, Laguna, chibugan time muna sa Manay's Eatery Famy Branch. Syempre, mawawala ba ang kape, pancit, kanin at lechong kawali? Syrempre hindi! Ay may phone-in question pala: "Ang lechong kawali ay kailangan bang niloloto sa kawali? Panu kung walang kawali, at kaldero lang meron? Tatawagin ba natin itong: Lechong Kaldero?" May point naman yung tanong diba? Pointless lang talaga. Hahaha, sana lang natawa kayo.

Pagkatapos kumain, lakad lang ng very light patungong FX Terminal na nasa tabi ng gasolinahan, na kung saan dito rin ang drop off point ng Mt. Romelo and Buruwisan Falls. Wag kayong mag-expect ng matiwasay ng byahe kapag nasa FX, dahil kailangang punuin ang sasakyan bago umalis. Pwede rin kayong mag-hintay ng bus na dumadaan sa lugar na ito, pero may oras lang po ang ganun.

MY EXPENSES:

FX from Junction to Tanay, Rizal - 60 Pesos

Jeepney ride from Tanay to Siniloan, Laguna - 47 Pesos

Tricycle from Siniloan Market to Brgy. Balian, Pangil, Laguna - 30 Pesos

Registration - 30 Pesos (for overnight)

Wash Up - 25 Pesos

Tricycle from Brgy. Balian to Famy, Laguna - 35 Pesos

Manay's Eatery - 98 Pesos

FX from Famy to Junction - 120 Pesos.

Guide Fee - 600 divided by 4 = 150

Foods and Other Expenses TOTAL: 600 Pesos

Medyo marami narin akong nadaanang trail at naabot na summit; ngunit sa Buntot Palos at Hidden Falls ako natuwa dahil sa pagiging organize ng Brgy. Balian. Ang guide fee ay nag-sisimula sa 500 Pesos, kung tutuusin mahal yan kumpara sa ibang lugar, pero worth it ang halagang iyun. Bakit? Ang mga Brgy. Tanod talaga ang mag-guide sa mga trekkers. At bawat guide nila dito ay mayroong tig-iisang radyo na nag-sisilbi nilang kumunikasyon sa base nila. Kaya lahat ng guide paaakyat at pababa, nalalaman agad nila. At kung sakaling mag-karoon man ng aksidente, agad itong magagawan ng paraan. Kakaibang saya ang aming naranasan sa byaheng ito.

Mt. Daraitan | Tinipak River

Looking for a great adventure near Manila? Or want to leave the stressful life in the Metro? Mount Daraitan and the Tinipak River in Tanay, Rizal should be one in your list. Its adventure is a combination of trekking and camping. In this spot, you can enjoy the natures beauty such as clean river waters, fresh air, unexplored caves and many more.

Usapang biglaang event ba kamo? Ganitong-ganito ang nangyari dito sa Daraitan-Tinipak River event namin, yung tipong kinabukasan na. Panu naman kasi tong si Hanna eh, andaming arte, sabi sa bahay daw nila tapos malaman-laman ko mag-trek pala. No choice, dahil kelangan ko na ding mag-papawis eh. But in general, travelling is already a great adventure.

Travelling to Daraitan is much challenging then other mountains that we’ve been to, reason? Check the photo above. By the way, we met at Pavilion Mall in crossing. At the rear side of the mall there’s a parking lot for public utility vehicles like jeepneys and FX going to some parts in the Metro. In our case, since feeling mayaman kami nag-FX galore kami for 70 pesos going to Tanay Terminal. Travelling time would be approximately an hour and a half to two hours.  At the rear side of the terminal is the wet market and beside it is the space provided for jeepneys going to Daraitan. NOTE: Punuan ang mga jeep, kaya mas maaga, mas maganda. If you’re searching for something extreme, being ON-TOP of the jeep is an option. Jeepney fare is 70 pesos and travelling time from Tanay to Daraitan is two hours.

Travelling – is really More Fun in the Philippines. Check the photo on the right. Kung ang peg namin eh “Top Load” si Madam panalo ang peg ay “By the Windshield.” Pero in fairness ang driver nakikita parin ang dinadaanan. Anyways, just to set your expectations, the road to Daraitan isn’t a hundred percent concrete, so expect for  a zigzag and “maalog” while on the road, hirap mag-English.

Epic moment din yung nakita naming sign board, ang sabi “For SALE: Mami with Egg” eh mataba at green minded kami lahat, anu pang aasahan natin sa usapan? Kinuwestyun ko yung naka-sulat, feeling ko kasi mali eh. Panu naman kasi parang mali yung mga phrases eh. “Mami with Egg” daw pero diba dapat diba “Dadi with Egg?” At kelan pa nag-ka-egg si Mami? Aber? Nagets nyo ba? Tawanan lang kami ng tawanan. Kahit pinag-tititigan na kami ng mga tao sa paligid, at pati yung tindera masama na tingin samin.

4:53 PM, we reached the river. After getting off the jeepney, next part would be the river crossing. Dahil tag-ulan, malalim at malakas ang tubig sa ilog, kaya sumakay kami sa bangka makatawid lang sa ilang metrong ilog. Five pesos ang  bayad. Walang makina ang bangka, kaya manual lang na tinutulak nila kuya ang bangka patawid. Pagkatapos ng bangka, sumakay kami sa tricycle patungong Brfy. Daraitan Hall. Tricycle fare was 10 pesos per head. Travel Time is within 15 minutes.

At the Baranggay Hall, we processed registration and paid 20 pesos per head for the enviromental fee, secured our guide (guide fees: 500-day hike, 750 over night) and did the final packing. Weather wasn't still good yet and we already seeing sun set. So trekking was a challenging one. Ascending took us two hours, including photo ops, tsismisan at of course walang katapusang pakikinig sa mga reklamo at sigaw ni Hanah.

Finally we reached the camp site. Prepared our dinner and pitched our tent. At dahil basa ang lupa, maputik at umuulan, tinamad na kaming mag-pitch ng tent, kaya sa cottage lang kaming mga boys natulog. Camping style is highly recommended, there's no such thing as fancy facilities. Hikers should bring a tent or rent a cottage. At the camp site, you have a lot of clean water and wash room. Stores are also available, but please don't expect that they'll sell starbucks coffee - if you know what I mean.

The next day, the weather was still in the bad mood. First thing we did was prepared coffee and our breakfast. Tagal din naming nag-antay sa weather na maging okay, but it didn't came. Nakapag-hugas na kami ng mga gamit namin, pati malinis, na-hugasan narin namin pero walang tigil ang pag-buhos ng ulan. Akala namin nung mag-appear yung Rainbow bubuti na, pero hindi parin. So we proceeded to another gorgeous spot.

After breakfast at makapag-hugas ng plato, since the weather was already good we proceeded to another part of Tinipak River – seeing the gorgeous rock formations. It’s just few meters from the campsite but the trail is really steep and hikers should take care. Ngayong araw ay maulan, maputik, mabasa at madulas kaya challenging ang pag-baba sa mga bato. Tanging mga improvised ladder na gawa sa mga kahoy  ang kakapitan.

Here are some photos taken by the river:

Photo on the right was taken from one point by Tinipak River, as what you can see, limestone rock formation is really good. Ang tubig na umaagos ilog ay malamig, malinis at ang lasgaslas nito’y napaka-relaxing sa aking pandinig.

Nakakalungkot lang talaga dahil may mga taong walang alam kundi sirain ang natural na ganda ng kalikasan sa pamamagitan ng pag-susulat sa mga ito. Naitanong ko sa aming guide kung sino ang may sala,  sabi nya nilagay daw ito ng mga miyembro ng isang relihiyon o kongregasyon. Well, hindi naman bago sakin ang mga eksenang ganun, dahil sa Mt. Banahaw, Mt. Batulao, at Mt. Maculot marami ring ganito. Sabayan pa ng ibang mga hikers at piknikeers na walang iniisip kundi makakuha lang ng mga magagandang larawan at hindi na inisip ang kalagayan ng kalikasan. Sana maisip ng baranggay na mag-conduct ng simenar sa mga guides.

We left the area at 1PM. The weather wasn’t fine yet but much better compared during our ascend. This time, we saw the beauty of that area has to offer. Kahit maputik at naiiwan-iwan ang tsinelas ko sa putik okay lang, it’s really worth it! By the way, on the trail there’s a part where locals obliged us to pay for an additional 30 pesos per head for an Environmental Fee. Before leaving the Baranggay Hall in Daraitan, councillors already set our expectations that someone might collect additional fees – so yun na nga sya. Isa pa ito sa mga nag-papa-kulot ng buhok ko eh. Anu to? More FEES, More chances of Winning?

Nagkaroon kaming chance maka-usap ang isa sa mga taong yun, nag-paliwanag naman sya kahit hindi namin tinanong, defensive masyado si Sir diba? Dapat daw, isa lang talaga ang sumisingil ng fee nayun at SILA daw dapat at hindi ang Brgy. Daraitan. Just to give you info, that exact area is already part of General Nakar, province of Quezon, so anu to territorial dispute? Kahit magastos, wala kaming magawa kundi mag-bayad, ginusto namin yun diba; pero ang masakit sa tenga ko, eh yung mag-sasalita sila against one another. Haaayyysss. Ganun talaga pag usapang pera.

 

Another part of the trail would be the short distance river crossing and hopping on and off the boulders. So, hikers should be very keen to avoid accident. But according to our guide, every summer these parts wouldn’t be a challenge because the water level is low.

2PM, we’re already at the Baranggay Hall of Daraitan. At the Baranggay Hall, hikers can take a bath but we opted to do it at LOME House. Natuwa kasi kami sa spelling ng LOME nila, dapat daw LOMI yun, e namali lang daw talaga ang pag-kakasulat, sayang naman effort kaya pinanindigan nalang daw nila. Anyways, aside from shower you can also order lutong bahay – bonga sila Mam no? Nailuluto nila ang bahay? Anyways, before leaving Daraitan, we logged out at the Brgy. Hall first and we were able to met other hikers. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get the trip back to Tanay, so we waited until 5PM, naki-sakay kami dun sa jeep nung ibang group. In total, there were three groups in that jeep.

 For this event, I spent 500 pesos. With that amount I recommend that you guys try it! The experience we got is pretty much unforgettable.

Mt. Romelo | Buruwisan Falls and the Muddy Trail

The province of Laguna is lying and is part of the southern Luzon region. This province, together with Batangas and Cavity, is one of the centers for mountaineering activity because of its gorgeous flora and fauna; lke Mt. Romelo which is situated in Siniloan, Laguna. This mountain bears a lot in terms of natural beauty and greatness. Let’s start with the amazing and cool ambiance, refreshing green surroundings, fresh air, and the fantastic lashing waterfalls. 

The trail of Romelo is a long, simple but slippery and muddy because it serves as the trail of the hikers, locals and the animals, like horses and carabaos, which serves as the porters in transporting local products, like fruits and vegetables. The trail is long and composed of fork trails with grasses on the sides. If lost, you can ask the locals if where’s the right way. Its trail type got a 2 rating out of 9 in terms of difficulty.

Special Feature | If you’re looking for photo perfect background, relax your muscles and swimming on the cool waters in the pool; this is the right spot for you. If you’re also looking for an extreme and challenge, you can try canyoneering, wall climbing and rappelling on the 180 feet Buruwisan Falls, which is located just few meters from the camp site. Few meters from Buruwisan, you’ll find its extension waterfalls, the 70 feet Lanzones Falls. If the pool in Buruwisan is filled with people, then it’s the perfect place for you.

The campsite in Romelo is a wide, clean area near the relaxing river and the waterfalls. The sounds of the lashing waters give a relaxing feeling while taking a rest inside the tent. During our stay here, there was a store in the area but the supplies are limited. If you’re planning to have a porter or tired to walk on the trail to descend, horses are available, just pay the owner.

How to get here? Here’s what we did | We chartered a van going to the Public Market in Famy, Laguna. Rode in a tricycle going to the jump off. Same area, we rode in a van going back to the Metro.