MARIA CRISTINA FALLS

The last waterfalls I have visited for that day. A gigantic beauty, that's how I described this Majestic waterfalls. Visitors are highly prohibited near the falls as I planned also to ask for permission to take photos near the falls but the authorities didn't allowed me, as they explained that some how when the dam releases, water gets bigger in volume and deeper. The area is now under development, a plan to put more tourist attractions in the area. Both ecological diversity and development have already on its plan on how to make it a protected.

HYDROELECTRIC PLANT

Powered and flows by Agus river and potentially can produce 200 megawatts of electric, supplied by 130 cubic meter per second of water. This is the main source of the City's electrification and other neighboring provinces. 

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TINAGO WATERFALLS

It was my second time to visit Cagayan De Oro when I decided to take tour in Iligan City. The plan has been made with the help of social media and friends who have been in this place before. When I was in college Iligan City has been one of the favorite destination most of my friends and other travel enthusiasts, for its renowned number of waterfalls in the area. One of those is the most well known Maria Cristina Falls for its gigantic beauty, not only that but a source of electrification majority in Mindanao. That's why Iligan acclaimed its name as a City of Majestic Waterfalls, most of its location are easy to access.

An early rise from bed is one of the most difficult time of my life, but the eagerness made always boost my adrenalin to have another travel and adventure. Very tiring travel from CDO to Iligan City, early morning I have to transact Habal-habal a single motorcycle ride to take me to the South bus terminal, sounds adventure for the start of the day when I ride for this kind of transportation (truth is you can actually save time and money for habal-habal) that if you are tough enough and risk taker without worries. An other option is you can actually find taxis in the City, but I prefer to save money. An expected one and a half hour travel time made me bored when it was became more than two hours drive due to redevelopment of national highway. Bus has to stop to let the other vehicles to pass one by one in a one way a located road while the highway was on its progress of rectification. Upon approaching the City I have met this generous woman working in a Non-government unit civic group, who helped me to made my Itinerary be possible in just one day. She introduced me to her cousin who are a Habal-habal driver and took me to the places of waterfalls.

DID YOU KNOW?

Tinago waterfalls were always a part of Iligan City and this is what most of us known. The fact is majority and the big portion of this waterfalls is a part located among the province of Lanao Del Norte. Why? Tinago waterfalls is located along the boundary of Iligan City and the Province of Lanao Del Norte. The big cascading waterfalls is a big portion of its province. It was under one of Lanao Del Norte's Municipality before the Iligan City has separated from its province.

MAJESTIC WATERFALLS

Majestic as it is! Yes it is... Did you know that why it has been to be called as TINAGO? well, there was a legend and Etymology stories from a local residents. Legend has it that there once lived an influential and powerful Sultan Agok and his wife. They were appointed by their people as their king and queen. But they became too proud of themselves and became selfish rulers of their kingdom. When the sultan's wife was pregnant, an enchantress, disguised as a beggar, begged for their help but instead they exiled and rejected her. Because of this, the enchantress cursed the couple that the child will become ugly but they did not take it seriously and permanently banished the enchantress.

The child did become ugly. The couple was sad and disappointed, expecting the baby to be as lovely as her mother. They hid the child in a cave to avoid embarrassment and named the baby Tin-ag, which means "hidden face". They visited and took care of the baby in the cave.

When the child grew up, she came out of the cave and became amazed at what she saw. The enchantress, who cursed her parents, saw her and made an offer to transform her into something of great beauty and splendor. She accepted the offer and became the Tinago Falls. Wikipedia

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Given its name as a City of Waterfalls, Gingoog is a truly blessed. I traveled from CDO to Gingoog as early as i can, going to this place is not that easy. My 2 hours expected drive became 4 hours travel due to the highway is under rehabilitation. I tried my best to find the easiest waterfalls, I found only three, a small compared to Tiklas, don't know if they are already among the list of their waterfalls. Some waterfalls needs time and very difficult to access, some are in the middle of the forest.

MIMBUNGA WATERFALLS

After my visit from Tiklas, the driver accompanied me to this small waterfalls he named it after the name of their Barangay, this is about 20 kilometers away from Tiklas and 25 kilometers from the City proper. I have to compress my time its already dawn, I waste no time for this, set my tripod and had a shot.

TINABALAN WATERFALLS

Lot of waterfalls to explore here but requires your time, hope to have another opportunity to come back and arrange more travel for another great adventure. Also to know better every corner of the Philippines. Here is one of the most accessible waterfalls of Gingoog that proudly offered Tiklas

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TIKLAS

The land of Gingoog City is truly blessed with lot of waterfalls and earned its named also a City of waterfalls like Iligan. Tiklas in Brgy. Lawit is situated at almost 10 kilometers from the City proper, very accessible but public transportation going there are not easy to find, you can reach the area by private vehicle and public transportation or by "pakyawan" (Hired) like "Habal-habal" (A single motorcycle ride) serves also within the area. The City have series of waterfalls that counted 34 at most, that needs to ventures in some forested and remote areas, a fellow photographer said, whom i met along the way.

This beautiful and captivating waterfalls is now developed as a resort, on the upper left side of the cliff has a swimming pool and cottages for the excursionists.  

Tiklas waterfalls has formed a basin like, where the cascading water strikes the water table, others can plunge to its cool water near the falls, but as of the local there, now it is not allowed everyone to swim near the waterfalls for lots of incidence have happened before.

THINGS TO KNOW

for the other details you want to know on how to get here please follow Here

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EL KABAYO 2

As i mentioned in my earlier post, El kabayo have two cascading waterfalls, this is the second falls 30 meters away from the first waterfalls and for about 5 meters in height.

It is really inviting to take a dip on its cold water, where the water source is coming from the thick forest and preserved mountain areas of Subic, Zambales.

This waterfalls were usually did several events of pictorials and movies within the area, mostly explored by foreigners who love nature.

Inside the Subic there are plenty of waterfalls awaits to explore. Somewhere, somehow if i have another opportunity to come back here, i will spend more time to challenge the adventure of the beautiful nature of Subic. Also i would like to acknowledge and thank my friend Oscar Gador, who accompany me 'til the last minute of this another great travel... First waterfalls Here

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EL KABAYO

After my visit from the work assignment, I was able to take this side trip into El kabayo waterfalls located inside the Subic. It was 4:00 pm I went there, a good time and enough light to take pictures.When i saw this waterfalls i can't help myself but to dip right away to the water and set my tripod, can't wait  to have a shoots. The nature is very inviting...

So far this is one of the most convenient and accessible waterfalls I've visited, it is easy to go here, just a 10 to 15 minutes hike from the jump off or a parking area.

El kabayo have two cascading waterfalls, this is the first falls in about 3 meters high, where you can dip on its shallow dip water.

This waterfalls lays within the heart of forested area of Subic, where u can go anytime of the day. As per the care taker, in order to preserve the area it was converted as picnic ground, entrance fees collected from the visitors is used for maintenance purposes.

HOW TO GET THERE

From Manila you can take a bus in Cubao, Victory Liner serves the Olongapo route via SCTEX, this is fastest way to go Subic it has one stop only via Dau, Pampanga, fare is just P 235.00. As well as Genesis and Saulog bus, but most of it via service road and may take you longer travel time, make sure to ask for via SCTEX route. Within Subic area you can take a cab to El kabayo waterfalls. If you bring your own car, you can safely leave your car into there parking area there's a kubo there, it is just located near the main road, actually it is the entrance where you have to hike for about less than a 15 minutes.

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