HULUGAN FALLS AND ALIW FALLS DAYTRIP _ Part 2 – Aliw Waterfalls

With tummies filled, we continued our jaunt to the nearby Aliw Waterfalls.  The flurry from the earlier Hulugan Falls adventure still loiter in our psyches. 

Aliw Falls though part of Brgy. San Jose was less than a kilometer away from Brgy. San Salvador of Hulugan Falls.  The two are actually within strides, just note of the gate of a deserted housing project which served as the jump-off of Aliw Waterfalls.  Earlier on, we informed our guides that we will explore two waterfalls.  They’re the one who suggested what to visit first.

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HULUGAN FALLS AND ALIW FALLS DAYTRIP _ Part 1 – Hulugan Waterfalls

Laguna is famous not just for Pagsanjan Falls but of other waterfalls as well and we’ve visited quite a number already.  So when we heard of gigantic waterfalls in Luisiana, we wasted no time and organized an instant daytrip…

It was 5am when we took off for our Luisiana adventure with a two waterfalls goal, Hulugan Falls and Aliw Falls.  We had a quick breakfast at Paviola in Siniloan and even punned of Buruwisan Falls instead.

Hulugan Falls

We nearly missed Brgy. San Salvador being the first Luisiana barangay after the municipality of Cavinti.  Thanks to the Hulugan Falls poster for directing the way.  At the barangay entrance is an information area where you will first secure your guide.

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A Quick Dayhike to Buruwisan Falls

The New Year day slipped barely and I yearned for an adventure that early.  Exactly 10 years ago, we did a New Year’s Day climb and now, a January 2 hike would not be bad.  With a wide smile, I persuaded hubby for a quick hike...

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SNAPSHOTS | DIGUISIT FALLS - Baler, Aurora

Diguisit Falls is a series of cascades that joins Diguisit River.  Also referred to as Cemento Falls by the locals, the waterfalls is located along the highway between the Cemento and Diguisit Beach.

A short hike up and you’re at the main flow.   The rocks splitting the stream adds charm uniquely Diguisit.

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The Hagimit Waterfalls of Samal Island

For hubby and I, the highlight of our Samal Island tour was the visit to Hagimit Falls.  With the non-stop downpour brought by Agaton storm in the past days, Hagimit, though not as raging as Tinuy-an Falls, was of choco-like look.  Although not at its purest, the beauty of Hagimit’s cascade is still beautiful in brown.

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In Transit from Hinatuan to Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig to Samal Island

I awakened with my head heavy and a giddy feel.  The cold breeze reminded me of last night’s ordeal.  The rain hasn’t subsided but we need to keep moving amidst the unwieldy state.  The commuting us was first to cross to land then will meet up with the rest at Bislig who’s travelling by van.  Of course, we secured our stuff to keep dry.

The first boat was just right to fit us four with buttocks nearly touching the sea.  As we willowed ashore, the downpour severed leaving pure white vision at sight.  We slowed down but as the saying goes, when it rains, it pours… the engine stalled.  The boatman had several futile attempts and his assistant was of no help busy dipping the water out.

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HINATUAN – BISLIG – SAMAL ISLAND TRIP

Despite the impending Agaton storm at CARAGA on the weekends, here we are, the brave we for our Hinatuan-Bislig-Samal-Davao trip… We arrived at Davao where the earlier Mt. Apo climbers were nursing their limbs.  I so much wanted to revisit Mt. Apo but with our Year 2010 Sibulan-Katagan surmount, large preparation and training should be devoured.

As this is a sidetrip after a major climb, we had a flexi-itinerary, sort of come-what-may … But hubby and I should be back at Davao by Sunday night for our return flight.

With Agaton and the time bounds, we were afforded short stops at the major sights.  Here goes our actual route…

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Sadsad Falls of Guimaras

Whenever we plot our itinerary for places of first time jaunt, we rivet in a bit of history, architecture, nature, culture, and so on…

So during our Guimaras Island visit, we have already considered waterfalls in the itinerary, Sadsad Falls however outwit expectation.  Thanks to Kuya Roque, our trike driver guide, for making this possible.

So here we are, the adventurous us always in seize of unearthing natural wonders/beauties be it waterfalls, summit or the up-above and hopefully soon the deep-under….

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Day 3 A Day Around Guimaras Island – The Smallest Plaza, Museo Guimaras, Trappist Abbey, Sad-Sad Falls and Guisi Lighthouse

I barely slept as hubby kept calling from time to time.  He’s flying to Iloilo to join me for the next three provinces in the itinerary.  Well, we need to ensure that he makes it to his flight.

I left my hotel at 530am for my 6am trip to Iloilo.  I was greeted by gloomy skies and ruggedly looking seas as I toddle towards the ferry.  Memories of my late father reminded me to trust the seas… trust the waves… as it will not cause you harm.  

True enough, after two hours of a rocky-ferry ride, we sailed slowly unto Iloilo River.  I was amazed as that was my first time to see a port inside a river.  Slowly, the rough seas changed to a friendly glide and sun started to shine. Then there was hubby waving his hand.  As if we’ve parted that long… ahem…

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Day 1 – Mambukal Falls Saved My Day

I arrived at GoHotels Bacolod at 8am.  To my surprise my reservation was nowhere near as the reservation was booked at GoHotels Mandaluyong.  Since the online reservation of GoHotels is not functioning as it should, the payment was made directly at the Mandaluyong office.  Too late to know that the cashier mistakenly tagged the payment under the Mandaluyong branch… Grrr… What’s worst was that they cannot transfer the booking to Bacolod and previous payment cannot be applied to a new reservation…

Before my day gone dismal, I left for Mambukal Resort.  I badly needed some breather and it was up to the branch manager to figure out a solution.

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Mt. Palpalan and Pulacan Waterfalls

Mt. Palpalan is the highest point of Pagadian City at 684masl.  It houses the satellite transmitters of LCM FM 88.7.  From the Rotonda, Mt. Palpalan is a 30-minute ride by tricycle plus about 10-minute hike to the summit.  It was one of the heart-popping rides I had and I truly admired how the driver managed the bike on various steep ascends.

The view of Pagadian Bay is best seen along the road before the jump-off as compared to the view at the summit which was somewhat covered by trees.

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BUNTOT PALOS WATERFALLS DAYHIKE

BUNTOT PALOS (HIDDEN) FALLS

Pangil, Laguna

This trip was another last-minute spur of the moment adventure for some fresh air and be briefly away from the stresses of the metro… well, regardless of the reasons, alibis and excuses, here we go, just three us, for a dayhike trip to Buntot Palos waterfalls.

The jump-off of Buntot Palos Waterfalls in Pangil, Laguna was nearly 3-hour drive from the metro.  It was already 10:30am when we left the registration area.  Registration fee was at P30 per head while the dayhike guide fee was P300. According to our guide, the average trek to the waterfalls is about 2-1/2 hours and 2 hours more for the return trek.  With a bottle of water each, we pushed through yearning to be back by 1:30pm for a late lunch.

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IN TRANSIT FROM MIDSAYAP TO ASIK-ASIK FALLS IN ALAMADA [Asik-Asik Waterfalls]

Finally at 10am, we were on-board the 1^st trip of a 4x4 jeepney to Alamada.  This Asik-asik tour was all courtesy of our dear friend and her family for the invite, the accommodation, the food and the warm reception.

I was curious why the jeepney resembled the earlier Mt. Banahaw or Mt. Pulag 4-wheel rides until we crossed a river, yes a jeepney crossing a 200-250 meter-wide river because the bridge connecting Barangay Dado and the other Barangays to the town proper of Alamada was still under reconstruction or rehabilitation.

After a 3-hour paved to horsey ride, we reached Brgy. Dado and was greeted by a basket of fruits composed of lansones, rambutan, guyabano and durian… Wow... what more can I ask… It was Filipino hospitality at its best.

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THE ZIPLINE RIDE AT THE SEVEN FALLS OF LAKE SEBU

A zipline ride sealed our Lake Sebu trip… Way up high at 600 feet with a combination of 740-meter and 400-meter lines, we flew above the seven falls.  Flashback of early 2000’s memories during our rescue camp days when we were among the early zipline ride dummy … LOL.. Back then, a 25-30 meters line was already a glory.  Despite the countless fall and stumble, the pleasure of flying and the free-spirit feelings were beyond compare then.

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PAGSANJAN FALLS VIA THE VERTICALS OF CAVINTI

Our trip to Pagsanjan Falls via Cavinti was one of those last minute “call of nature” adventures.  To my dismay, my February ended with no out-of-town trip while hubby had a short Cebu-trip mid-Feb.  So as a relief, he treated me for a Pagsanjan Falls day tour.  He said he read an article featuring a budget-friendly but adventurous way to reach Pagsanjan Falls.

We left the Metro around 6am via Rizal-Laguna route.  Unfortunately, the Pagsanjan Bridge was under construction and not passable to 4-wheel vehicles.  Our option was either to take the other route which will take about one hour or the P2 Balanac River raft-cross then commute to Cavinti.  We opted for the latter and we joked, “an adventure earlier than expected”.

At the other side of the Balanac River, jeepneys bound to Lucban and Cavinti are lined-up waiting for passengers.  We told the driver to drop us at the terminal for Pueblo el Salvador Nature’s Park and from there we took a tricycle for a P70 15-minute Pueblo ride.

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TINUY-AN WATERFALLS

Tinuy-an Falls was the main reason for our Bislig visit.  It has been hailed as the widest waterfalls of the Philippines and among the shortlist of my must-visit place in our dear country.

Along the way, Kuya Peter graciously answered any inquiries we tossed, even about the trees that we passed by.  According to him, falcata tree is generally a paper tree and the common crop of the locals but some raised the higher class manguim trees which are used best as money paper.  We also saw from afar tall towering trees that the locals dubbed as an “umbrella tree”.   This early wisdom was my companion during the trip that compensated my shivering and awkward seat.

After about 1-1/2 hour of several uphill/downhill bumpy ride and 2 wooden-bridge crossing, we reached Tinuy-an Falls.  As we drew closer, the sound of the raging waterfalls resembled a chant -- “come visit me”, “come enjoy me”.... 

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HINULUGANG TAKTAK FALLS -- Antipolo, Rizal

We visited Hinulugang Taktak Falls in Antipolo for a tree-planting activity organized by hubby's highschool alumni.  We had a Singaporean guest who also has a love for nature and shares the same advocacy in preserving the mother earth.

It was our first time at the falls and we were told by the park attendants that restoration efforts are already on-going.  Though the stench odor is very much present, I can say that the “foams” at the catch basin were fewer than those in the pictures posted online.  But still, presence of trashes surrounding the basin is very visible.  

According to the DENR who's office is located just above the park, the inhabitants surrounding the water line above the falls should be relocated for a successful restoration.  Whew! Hinulugang Taktak faces a tough challenge.  Let’s all hope for the best for all the people concerned and to Hinulugang Taktak Park which can truly be a great tourist destination.  Maybe by then it will regain its mark and be once again the price of “Tayo na sa Antipolo”  tourism campaign.

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KILANGIN FALLS OR BUKAL FALLS – LILIW / MAJAYJAY, LAGUNA

The falls is located at the foot of Mt. Banahaw and borders the towns of Liliw and Nagcarlan  Majayjay.  In Nagcarlan Majayjay, it is located in Brgy. Bukal, hence the name Bukal Falls while for the Liliw locals, it is called Kilangin Falls.  The Liliw trail is said to be more challenging than the walk-in-the-park trail of Nagcarlan Majayjay. 

Our visit to Kilangin or Bukal Falls was made possible by a friend we met during our Mt. Kalisungan climb.  This climb was her birthday climb and we joked that “we’ll take care of your guests” by bringing guests with us... That was our gift to her -- guests of first time acquaintance but hopefully not the last.

From Manila, we took the Rizal-Tanay-Laguna route to Nagcarlan Laguna.  From Liliw, after crossing the bridge for Nagcarlan, we looked for Brgy Bukal then ask for directions to Bukal Falls... We noticed some road signs but the size were not convincing or visible enough as a guide.

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MT. HUMARAP AND MATABUNGKA FALLS - Paete, Laguna

MT. HUMARAP AND MATABUNGKA FALLS

Brgy. Ilaya Norte, Paete
Height of waterfalls: 20-25 meters

The original plan was to ascend through the 1000-step concrete stairs to get to Tatlong Krus, the landmark of Mt. Humarap, but being lost was a blessing in disguise.  We overshoot the jump-off but with the trike drivers instructions, we found out that there is a road all the way to the top.   

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BUNGA FALLS -- Nagcarlan, Laguna

During our Mt. Kalisungan climb, we came to know Bunga Falls by accident.  The other group of climbers that we overtook during the descent asked us if we know where and how to go to Bunga Falls.  Ooopsss... a falls is nearby!  Being a first timer at Mt. Kalisungan, we were not aware that a side trip to a waterfalls is possible.  So we inquired with the team about the falls and were happy to learn that its just a short drive from the jump-off...  A short drive --- ahem... it means a “must go” for us...

In short, we descended ahead of the team to add Bunga Falls in our “should” have been “day hike” itinerary.  As soon as we arrived at the jump-off, no minute was wasted as we immediately hopped on our bike for Brgy. Bunga in Nagcarlan.  The ride of several “stop and go” took about 25 minutes while the trek to the falls was just about 2 minutes. "Stop and go" because of numerous stops to ask for direction and what was a 3 kilometers for the locals actually meant about 8-10 kilometers for us.

Bunga Falls -- Nagcarlan, Laguna

At the jump-off, we paid a P5 entrance fee and P10 parking fee.  Then after a short walk and as we walked down, the beauty of the falls amid the green bushes slowly unwrapped before our eyes.  I also saw bamboo cottages surrounding the area which could mean a favorite cooling haven for tourist and locals alike.

The first impression was that it looked like Taytay Falls with almost the same height and width but what was uniquely Bunga is the big rock hanging at the center-top causing the water to split before it drops.  It also has a big pond where one can freely dive and swim in the cold water.  I even saw someone diving from the top of the falls which denotes that the depth of the pond is safe for diving.

For other destinations at Nagcarlan, visit Nagcarlan Travel Guide.

Travel Date: June 2012 

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