ADVENTURE AWAITS

This scenery will require additional Adrenalin, don't go without a tour guide, trail is confusing and you might get lost if you are not familiar with the place. No wonder that some of mountaineers did misunderstood that they have found already the Panigan falls. Don't be misled, the main source of this river is actually came from the area where there has a cave and the water is coming from its orifice and the main falls is situated there.

Expect to be wet while trekking going to the falls.

This river have evidence of multiple layered of waterfalls along the way, varied in different height and width. Panigan waterfalls measures with an estimated height of 3 meters and 5 meters width side to side. The source of this system was not yet been known and where the water originated. The opening of the cave has an estimated portal of 1.5 meters height and 4 meters width.

THINGS TO KNOW

• Language
• English
• Can able to understand and speak since most of schools and local offices use it as medium language.
• Tagalog 
• Can do speak and understand
• Cebuano
• Good Morning - Maayong Buntag
• Good Afternoon - Maayong Udto
• Good Evening - Maayong Gabi-i
• Let's eat - Mangaon ta
• How much? - Tag-pila?
• Hilonggo
• Good Morning - Maayo nga Aga
• Good Afternoon - Maayo nga Udto
• Good Evening - Maayo nga Gab-i
• Let's eat - Kaon ta
• How Much? - Pila?
• Manobo
• Good Morning - Mefion Nekebugsang
• Good Afternoon - Mefion Mafun
• Good Evening - Mefion Sigef
• Let's eat - Kemaen Ki
• How much? - Fila Ine?
• Tedoray
• Good Morning - Fiyo Gefuwen
• Good Afternoon - Fiyo Temegen
• Good Evening - Fiyo Kelongonon
• Let's eat - Mama tom
• How much? - Firoy Keni
• Transportation
• Air
• From Manila to Davao vise versa
• From Manila to Gensan vise versa
• From Manila to Cotabato vise versa
• Land 
• Jeep/Multicab (Isulan-Esperanza)
• Tricycle (Isulan-Esperanza)
• Van (Gensan, Isulan via Tacurong)
• Bus (Gensan, Isulan via Tacurong)
• Motorcycle (Habal-habal) (Esperanza-Marawir)
• Foods
• Well known fast food chain can be found in Isulan, Tacurong and Koronadal City.
• Ihaw-ihaw (Grill house) and other fast foods can be found at Esperanza.
• Where to stay
• You can either stay at Esperanza proper or Isulan.
• Financial Establishments
• Banks are available in the nearby town.
• Remittances can be found in the town proper.

Thanks to Mr. Renato Sambrano for helping to provide Lumad translations... More climb to come...

More about Esperanza Here >>>

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KAWASAN FALLS

Kawasan waterfalls is situated in Southern part of Cebu, an accessible and easy to go, just need to pay a little exercise  for 1.5 km hiking to see this spring waterfalls located at Brgy. Matutinao, Badian, Cebu province. Way that goes to the falls is already developed but not yet concreted. Cars and medium vehicle may pass until to reach the parking area, you can also leave your car at the entrance near the church. On your way up there, road is fully canopied by a lush of greenery and trees that gives a shed for the excursionist, Just pay P 10.00 for entrance fee.

It was not my first time for this place, I have been here several years ago with a friend. Two of us ventured this place and had a wonderful experience, we have had numerous of fall down due to slippery and muddy way upon approaching the main source of water, our camera were also nearly got wet upon crossing the river as our feet slipped from a muddy stone, funny it was. 

CRYSTAL CLEAR WATER

One I have observed, the water is blueish, comparable to some waterfalls I've been through the source of this waterfalls is came from a spring, unlike from the other waterfalls that located on the stream of rivers that the source is from a water reserve of the lake. 

You can spend your vacation here, kawasan have rooms good for overnight stay, you can also find a fastfood but expect much pricey that standard since the place is in remote area. You can also rent a cottage and bring foods where you can spend your whole day near the waterfalls.

Unlike before, I truly appreciate now the beauty of this waterfalls. The last time we were here, water was brownish due to maintenance schedule, residence and other volunteers  were on its clean up drive to get the extra mud that flushed along the area cause by a typhoon that hits Cebu.

Kawasan have multiple waterfalls you can venture, you can go up to its water source a spring. Every waterfalls has its own characteristic, some are just small, some are wide. All are definitely beautiful, complete the vacation by ending an adventure, make sure be safe always and extra double careful upon wandering the entire waterfalls for sometimes the way is slippery, avoid mishaps, it is better to get home without body ache and bruises. 

THINGS TO KNOW

• Language
• English
• Can able to understand and speak since most of schools and local offices use it as medium language.
• Tagalog 
• Can do speak and understand
• Cebuano
• Local dialect use
• Good Morning - Maayong Buntag
• Good Afternoon - Maayong Udto
• Good Evening - Maayong Gabi-i
• Let's eat - Mangaon ta
• How much? - Tagpila?
• Transportation
• Air
• From manila you can do access only by plane, in Mactan airport take a taxi cab to South Central terminal for an estimated cost of P250.00 to P300.00
• Land Bus
• Ceres Bus
• P131.00 make sure to remind the conductor that you have to drop off to Kawasan falls.
• Non-aircon Bus
• P115.00 if you are not that much looking for comfortability and up for a budget, non-aircon bus is also serves the area  
• Foods
• You can find foods along the way on the drop off stations, expect a little pricey on the Kawasan proper. there's no class "A" restaurant here but the foods are good.
• Where to stay
• Kawasan falls have rooms to offer for an overnight stay good for two persons just add for an extra if more than two. Price budget is P1,500.00 to P2,500.00.
• You can also find lot of accomodations along the way near kawasan, along beach side.
• Financial Establishments
• Banks is in Cebu proper, Remittance centers are anywhere in nearby town.
• Local Tour Guide
• P 150.00 to P200.00 depends on how you negotiate
• I highly recommend this guy since he was my guide going there, you can go without a guide but if you intent to wander in most waterfalls it is therefore to recommend to get one to assists you.
• RICKY LUAGUE - 09262824060
• Just tell him you have read my blog (LAKAT) and you can ask him a guide fee for as low as P100.00

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ASIK-ASIK OR PAGURAN FALLS

It was once belief a fairy haven nature, hidden in a vast of forested, greenery and mountainous area of Alamada, North Cotabato. Above is an agricultural land with corns, vegetables, coconut trees and upland rice as their major crops, well maintained and valued by both Christians, Muslims and natives who are original settlers of the area. This paradise was totally hidden and difficult to reach due to limited access, communities along the area believed that it was an enchanted place where the fairies have lived long before. Until such time that the nature naturally opens itself to share its wonder to the public and for all who love nature. Wonderful nature, a one of a kind and only can be found here. A panoramic views of spring curtain waters that gives amazing experience to those who have witness for this beautiful paradise in the midst of mountains.

Amazingly the source of water is not coming from a stream or cause by a river. It is a spring water gush flow through the stone crust of the mountain wall. A crystal clear cold water and its finest taste of natural and rich of minerals is quite good and rewarding to your thirst during a long trek and adventure, aside from what you might have experienced in this paradise.

Asik-asik was named after the visayan term of ilonggo as sprinkler of water, where the constituents are mostly an Ilonggo hiligaynon and ilonggo karay-a. Before it was called Orantimor in Muslim dialect and changed to its name as Paguran, later on it was changed to its name as Asik-asik. There was also a proposal from the President of the United of Idelman Tribe Association in the Philippines Bai Rebecca Alamada-Buan, renaming Asik-asik to Lamihan that signifies meaningful description to the natives. No matter what they call it, it is still majestically sacred sanctuary and a truly blessed with wonderful nature.

ADVENTURE BEGINS

We traveled way down from South Cotabato to North Cotabato, coming from General Santos City. I woke up as early as 4:00am to prepare my things and hit Bulaong Terminal by 5:00am. I took my breakfast in the terminal and started to travel by bus for Digos City. From Digos City took another bus  for Cotabato City and dropped in Midsayap. My contact was already waiting along the terminal, it was past twelve noon we arrived at Midsayap. We took our lunch while our friends were waiting with their motorcycle. We started to travel with single motorcycle riding in tandem and hit the road to Alamada. It was a rough ride, most of the road is not yet cemented, totally an adventure happens always to test your perseverance for this mystical nature. I timed our travel before we started from Midsayap, it was more than 3 hrs. It was about 4:00 pm we arrived at the area, the Barangay Tourism Officer Jude Magbanua, welcomed and approached us as we signed and registered our names, he also introduced us the honorable vice-mayor Leo Nigildo "Toto" Calibara of Alamada Municipality, who were also an advocate for nature preservation. For his love of nature Vice-mayor is constantly supportive to all the activities of Asik-asik. We had a short conversation and interviews for the brief history of Asik-asik and how it was discovered. The generous Vice-mayor accompanied us down with his staff and the Brgy. Tourism Officer who are dearly almost dedicated his time and effort to support the Asik-asik conservation and protection program to attract more tourist and to promote the hidden paradise of Alamada.

From the jump off, we started to descend from its 375 concreted stiff steps down as counted, along the way you can see the 360 degrees of panoramic view of entire North Cotabato. The concreted stairs were constructed through the joint effort and funded by local government unit, communities and non-government organizations for the development of eco-tourism.

HISTORY

Before it was discovered and opened to public it has been told that some people who might have already known this place long time ago, but due to accessibility problem no one interests to go further. Alamada is a highly difficult terrain and a hilly place, both mountains has a 90 degrees cliff where the waterfalls in the middle is located. The potential way down there were blocked with a huge balete tree, which they believed an enchanted sanctuary, who might guarding the waterfalls. Until such time when the heavy rainfall by typhoon frank naturally uprooted the said huge tree and there amazingly revealed the true beauty of once hidden and now shared to everyone that we should be proud of, we have this only kind paradise. 

On the record it was officially discovered last April 4, 2012 and officially opened to the public last September 20, 2012. Inaugurated with some provincial and municipal officials and its benefactors.

SITIO DULAO, BRGY. DADO, ALAMADA, NORTH COTABATO

A panoramic view of Alamada and its neighboring provinces, Lanao del Sur in the North, municipality of Libungan in the South, Municipality of Banisilan in the East and Municipality of Pigcawayan and Buldon province on its West. It is totally elevated and hilly place.

SAFETY

Most of us when we have heard Mindanao it is like a virus that everyone must have to avoid and pre-judged as full of bad influences or packed with negative expectations. Arm conflict in this area is just an isolated cases, not all part of Mindanao are war zone. Way up there from the recommended jump off places is totally safe, here Christians and Muslims are harmoniously living together with respect for each other's cultures.

Once and for all, a brief and short visit to this falls gives me unforgettable and wonderful experience that forever be treasured.

In case you want to visit Alamada, North Cotabato I recommend a friend of mine who serves as our local guide going to Asik-asik. They are very accommodating and approachable you can contact him through his CP no. 09196161124 just call him Pastor "Toto".

THINGS TO KNOW

• Language
• English
• Can able to understand and speak since most of schools and local offices use it as medium language.
• Tagalog
• Ilonggo
• Hiligaynon
• Karay a
• Greet everyone as
• "Maayo nga Aga" - Good Morning
• "Maayo nga Udto" - Good Noon
• "Maayo nga Hapon" - Good Afternoon
• "Maayo ng Gab-i" - Good Evening
• "Migs" or "Migo" - Calls for a friend
• "Pila ini or pila ni?" - How much is this?
• Cebuano
• Greet everyone as
• "Maayong Buntag" - Good Morning
• "Maayong Udto" - Good Noon
• "Maayong Hapon" - Good Afternoon
• "Maayong Gabi-i" - Good Evening
• "Bay" or "Bai" - Calls for a friend
• "Tag-pila" - How much
• Muslim
• Maguindanaoan
• Maranao
• Transportation
• Sea
• You can do access by boat but only from Cotabato City, Cagayan de Oro, Davao City and General Santos City port.
• Air
• There is no airport serves in the area the nearest airport is in Cotabato City but you can go another options in Davao City and General Santos City Airport.
• Land-Tricycle
• P8.00 in short distances in Midasayap Municipality.
• Take Haba-habal or passenger single motorcycle type from Alamada proper to Sitio Dulao, Brgy. Dado, Alamada, North Cotabato.
• Land-jeep
• From Midsayap or Libungan you can take a jeepney ride to municipality of Alamada.
• Land-Bus-Van
• From General Santos City two routes going to Alamada
• 1. From Bulaong terminal take a bus to Cagayan de Oro via  Koronadal City, Isulan and drop off to Kabacan.
• Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. bus
• From Kabacan terminal take a bus to Cotabato City and drop off to Midsayap.
• 2. From Bulaong terminal take a bus to Digos City.
• Holiday bus and Yellow bus
• From Digos City ride a bus to Cotabato City via Kidapawan, Kabacan and drop off to Midsayap.
• Weena bus
• From Davao City
• From Ecoland terminal take a bus to Cotabato City via Digos City, Kidapawan, Kabacan and drop off to Midsayap.
• From Cotabato City
• Take a bus and you can drop off to Libungan or Midsayap.
• Weena bus
• Foods
• There are plenty of restaurant you can find at Libungan and Midsayap since this is already considered as first class municipality, favorite fastfoods can be found in the town proper, but for the budget travelers take our recommendation to look for carenderias or Turo-turo.
• Where to stay
• check hotels here http://www.maplandia.com
• Financial Establishments
• Banks at the town proper as well as ATM
• Remitance centers are also available here

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KASABANGAN FALLS

Kasabangan falls is located at the Municipality of Cabucgayan a mountainous area of Biliran, with a concreted road that access to the entrance of the falls with fee of P 10.00. There you have to walk in a monkey bridge, along the trail you have to pass a multiple layered of small cascading waters from the main falls itself. It has been told that this waterfalls is just only part of the 13 waterfalls along the stream. Local guides are available with in the area in case you want to venture the forest area, the 7th waterfalls is what they called a "Saug"" falls a bigger and higher than Kasabangan. We were running out of time to take the adventure just to see the other falls, contented already for this accessible one.

Kasabangan was already developed to a resort, near the cascading water have a concreted bench on both side of the stream well covered with roofing for all weather protection of the excursionist and tourists. You can bring your own food and drinks, just make sure be responsible enough to clean your own garbage. We should take good care of this nature as if we took good care of ourselves. I am truly glad when I saw this nature, just one thing in my mind after I left the area, although the government has their own insights on how to maintain but it might good for the development not too close to the area to give more space to preserve its natural areas. Well on the other hand the advantage is there are concern citizens who dearly love natures and maintain the gift of God.

It is easy to access this waterfalls it is well known to the locals. From the biliran municipality you can take a ride for a single motorcycle or what they called a habal-habal and they will take you to Kasabanga, it's a 15-30mins travel time from Biliran proper, traversing a concreted road all the way to the entrance. Where  before you reach the area you have to pass an almost 45 degress up to the top, make sure you hire a motorcycle that is capable with a powerful motor to take you there. I am pretty sure you will love Biliran for its natural and eco-tourism, that not all have already experienced to be there.

More info about Biliran, biliran >>>Here

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SALVACION WATERFALLS

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BUSAY WATERFALLS

Busay waterfalls or others call it the 7 falls, situated at the inner most of Brgy. Busay, Malilipot, province of Albay. We traveled early morning to take advantage from the excursionist, since the waterfalls is already converted into a resort. Cottages have already established along the entrance, some portions of water spillway were duly concreted already for the protection from soil erosion. Riding in a single motorcycle with Klien Garabiles and Ruel Balitian owner of motorcycle and who serves as our tour guide as well, we were able to make it only about less than an hour from the proper of Legazpi, including our side trips in Cagsawa. It was little bit raining and we have to wait until it stopped to afford to shot this photos.

Busay tiered with what they called 7 falls but we were not able to go up there since we have another place to go. Its cold crystal clear water was very inviting, it is  simply amazing to have it photographed, the only thing i can have it back home as a souvenir 

Far from what we have expected since this was converted already as a resort, the area is still lush with greenery vegetation of nearly vanishing forest due to developments. Busay is still way far from some springs and rivers in Luzon. The water is still clear and clean, the province is very much blessed to have it protected, hoping that our next generations can also experience like what we have now, instead of the photos as memory left of the vanishing natures.

From a municipal road along left side of the road you can see an arch to Busay falls. Don't worry to miss the landmark since this is very much familiar to Bicolanos, you can ask somebody and they are very accommodating to guide you to this falls. Or along the highway you can take a pedicab going there, Brgy. road is completely concreted already, side by side is an abundant rice fields.

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KATIBAWASAN FALLS

Camiguin have a lot of nature spots to offer, there are two majestic waterfalls you can visit, Katigbawasan falls and Tuawasa falls. Katigbawasan falls is one of the most accessible you can go with a concreted road that leads you to this site. Go dip into its refreshingly crystal clear cold water, go near in the cascading water and feel the natural massage on your body.

Katigbawasan waterfalls located 5 kilometers southeast of mambajao, measures 76 meters high with a basin shape base, a jewel in the middle of the magnificent mountain and greenery lush forested area of Camiguin, where you can enjoy swimming for the rest of the day. Although, this waterfalls have converted into a tourist spot and already developed, the local still preserves the forested area of Camiguin.

THINGS TO KNOW

Follow here>>>

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MIMBALUT FALLS

Second on my list... Actually Mimbalut is an accessible waterfalls you can visit 250 meters away from the national highway, single motorcycle or habal-habal for hire are available in the area . You don't have to pay more physical effort to see this beautiful cascading waters. It is now developed as a resort, upon entrance you just have to pay an affordable amount good enough for an experience you can acquire.

Developer have already put some cottages and concreted the area to make it a pool. No hassle if you look for a food and drinks, they have short orders to serve. You can also bring foods of your own, if you bring your family for excursion. 

Mimbalut is one of the numerous waterfalls you can find in Iligan, others have required more challenges  and extra effort for it's hard to reach in a remote areas and some are located in the middle of forested mountains of Iligan. This is an evident why this City has been called a City of Majestic waterfalls.

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