Iligan Waterfalling Adventure Tour – Dodiongan Falls, Iligan City

Because I’ve already seen Maria Christina FallsTinago Falls and Mimbalot Falls a thousand times over, I decided to skip Day 2 and just continued the waterfalling adventure tour on Day 3.

For Day 3, we were set to conquer Dodiongan Falls together with an iconic mascot of a popular fast food chain (can you guess who it is?).

I’ve only visited Dodiongan Falls once before. Here’s a quick throwback on my first visit there together with my family…

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I can’t remember when this was…

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but I’m guessing it’s around 2007. Yes, I used to have very short hair back then. 

Dodiongon Falls is located at Barangay Digkila-an and remains untouched by human hands. Going there is only more or less 30 minutes on foot from the designated drop-off point.

It is of utmost importance to slather on some sunblock and to bring more than enough drinking water to stay hydrated while walking under the scorching heat of the sun.

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As a self-proclaimed (sort of) “glampacker”, I like to trek in style. 

My idea of a trekking outfit is a floral crop top and DIY distressed shorts for mobility, a panda cap for added sun protection, a cute backpack that fits everything I need and a comfy pair of amphibious slip-ons designed for wet and dry paths… ‘Coz that’s how I roll.

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Along the way, streams and shallow rivers need to be crossed. 

The trails were not as I remembered them to be anymore. Some pathways were destroyed because of Sendong..

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However, the trek is still relatively easy and very manageable for the most part. 

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Almost there… Even from afar, you can already tell that the falls and its surrounding area is still in its pristine condition even after Sendong.

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Standing about 65-feet high, this stunning twin waterfall resembles two folded angel wings as it slides off the gorgeous rock formation before plunging straight down to a large pool of water.

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Ta-da! Told you we were trekking with a mascot and it’s Jollibee no less 😉

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Photo op time! 🙂

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Locals who live within the vicinity of the falls actually call it “Abaga Falls”. “Abaga” literally translates to shoulders.

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The plunge pool is only about 10 feet in depth. 

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Feeling like a kid again, my boyfriend enjoyed treading in the water. The look on his face said it all. 🙂

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I could only watch them in envy as I took photos of them having fun since I had my period that day and therefore could not join them. Womp womp.

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A paparazzi shot of me being the designated photographer that day.*

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Not wanting to miss out on all the fun, I decided to climb this rock on a whim while I ignored the voices in my head telling me that I’d slip off and die.

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It was so worth it! The feeling of being up there was so liberating and empowering. I felt like I truly conquered Dodiongan Falls! 😀

And that’s a wrap of our WAT 2.0! Excited for more waterfalling adventure tours in the future 😀

Photo credit: 
Fredda Ruth Rosete*

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Iligan Bloggers Society (IBS) for organizing this event. 

As well as to the following WAT 2.0 partners for making this possible: 
Iligan City Government, IHARRA, Iligan Chamber and sponsors – Jollibee IliganUnilabJacko’s Kan-ananSilvestro’s BistroCalda Pizza, Red Planet Grillers, Rent.ph, Tatay’s Grill, Greenwich IliganJasmine Pensionne Home, Kopi Luwak, Keepsakes Iligan, GTC, Aruma, Tedts Diner, Iligan Paradise Resort, Linamon’s Best Buko Pie, Piaya de Iligan, NPC Nature’s Park, Third Team Media, JCreations, New Horizon Travel and Tours, Perfect Wedding, Jesbey’s Diner, Delecta, Bob NY USA, Councilor Freddie Siao and Councilor Michelle Sweet

Iligan Waterfalling Adventure Tour – Pampam, Kalubihon and Dalipuga Falls

The year 2013 has finally come to pass and now it’s time to welcome a new year and start afresh.

New year means new battles, adventures and milestones. But before I speak of everything new, I’d like to talk about my Waterfalling Adventure Tour (WAT) 2.0 that happened back in September 2013. I know this post is way past its due… But better late than never right? 🙂

The WAT 2.0 was a 3-day tour here in Iligan together with other bloggers from all over the Philippines.

On Day 1, we started our tour at Barangay Dalipuga and our drop-off point was at Kalubihon Elementary School. From there, we asked locals to walk us through the series of pristine waterfalls running through the wooded hills.

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Trekking difficulty varies from one falls to the other. Others are particularly tricky to go to especially if you’re not used to climbing up and down hills and slippery rocks. So to navigate with ease, wearing of proper footwear and attire is strongly advised.

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This was the first waterfall we’ve seen as we trekked through Barangay Dalipuga. It looks cropped out from a fairytale background. I can imagine sprites and fireflies hovering above the water during nighttime.

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Shortly after that, we then moved on to see another waterfall. I envy how the locals were able to go down with such ease. Whereas I, on the other hand, completely struggled to not slip off from the slippery slope.

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Despite being gripped with the fear of plunging off to my death, I displayed sheer unadulterated bravado as I crawled my way down just to see what it was like down there. And I regretted nothing. The clear, cool waters were too inviting to resist. I took a dip and clearly had fun.*

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I love how my hair color blended perfectly with the water. I felt like a nymph. Hee!

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As we hopped from one location to the next, a number of streams and pools were spotted along the way.

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Photo-op! 🙂

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Pampam Falls

This waterfall fans down on a skull-shaped rock and plunges straight down to a basin of water. Kids love to climb high up the rock and perform death-defying diving stunts.

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Behind us is an intimate cave with a small opening that leads to another secluded waterfall which is obscured from plain sight.

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Because the mouth of the cave is very low, we had to crouch and duck to enter.

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But before reaching the waterfall, we got ourselves wet and swam across a small pool of crystal blue water until we reached a limestone wall – which I’m guesstimating is only about 16 to 20 feet away from the entrance of the cave.

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The water is actually quite deep albeit it may not look like so since we were all standing on a piece of rock. From there, we then climbed our way up on the path where a steady stream of water flowed down from above.

And on the way up, the sound of gushing water only got louder and louder until it became the only thing we can hear as we moved closer to the waterfall.

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Kalubihon Falls**

This waterfall is about 30-feet high and is beautifully tucked in a chasm covered in lush vegetation. We all took turns standing at the foot of the falls for a quick hydro massage.

This was easily my favorite part of the tour.

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Dalipuga Falls

The last waterfall we visited was the smallest of the bunch. It was a rather anti-climactic stop. I would have preferred to see this before the rest.

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Its catch basin is very shallow – only about 3 to 5 feet in depth. This makes it a perfect aquatic playground for kids.

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Me together with all of the IBS WAT 2.0 participants for Day 1:***

Doi Domasian, Jeffrey WongYobz TolentinoLovette Jam Jacosalem, Kate Jumawan, Ferdz DecenaTzaddi EsguerraFredda Ruth RoseteClement DampalGlen Santillan,  Shugah Kang, John Badawi and Marky Go.

Day 1 was super fun! To be continued… 🙂

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Iligan Bloggers Society (IBS) for organizing this event.

As well as to the following WAT 2.0 partners for making this possible:
Iligan City Government, IHARRA, Iligan Chamber and sponsors – Jollibee IliganUnilabJacko’s Kan-ananSilvestro’s BistroCalda Pizza, Red Planet Grillers, Rent.ph, Tatay’s Grill, Greenwich Iligan, Jasmine Pensionne Home, Kopi Luwak, Keepsakes Iligan, GTC, Aruma, Tedts Diner, Iligan Paradise Resort, Linamon’s Best Buko Pie, Piaya de Iligan, NPC Nature’s Park, Third Team Media, JCreations, New Horizon Travel and Tours, Perfect Wedding, Jesbey’s Diner, Delecta, Bob NY USA, Councilor Freddie Siao and Councilor Michelle Sweet

Photo Credits:
Ferdz Decena*
Jeffrey Wong**
Jeffrey Wong***

Revisiting the Majestic Maria Christina Falls

As a native Iliganon, I take pride in the iconic landmark of Iligan City, that is, Maria Christina Falls. 

Did you know that Maria Christina Falls is actually the second highest waterfalls of the entire Philippine archipelago? 

If you want to read the legend of the creation of Maria Cristina Falls and how it got its name, read here

The staggering 320-foot high waterfalls is the main source for power (I’m talking about electricity here) not only for Iligan City but also for most parts of Mindanao.

The Maria Christina (Agus VI) hydroelectric plant which is being operated by National Power Corporation (NPC) has been generating power since the 1950s.

NPC just recently developed Nature’s Park, a family destination that offers fun activities such as tree top zipline and rock climbing.

They also have a botanical garden, a mini zoo, a trekking site and so much more. But much to my dismay, most of the sites were closed for renovation which explains why I don’t have much photos to share. 

Within the park are rows of cottages so you and your family can hang out and have a picnic.

A well where you can trade your peso for a wish.

A cafeteria with a viewing area that sits right at the side of the roaring Agus River. 

The viewing area of the cafeteria gives a glimpse of the falls as it drops to the meandering river below it. Say hello to Maria Falls. Christina was rather shy the moment this photo was taken.

But kidding aside, the water flow is actually controlled by NPC and the water gates are opened only on weekends for 5 minutes.

Just a random photo of a tunnel made to look like a real cave. Their sorcery tricked me into thinking that it really is an actual cave. Woe is me, such a gullible simpleton. 

This is a pathway that leads to a different viewing area. 

Finally, the falls on full blast! I don’t know why I like to touch and hold railings with my right hand so much. I digress. This is the best viewing area!

Maria Christina Falls, dubbed as the “Twin Falls”, is truly majestic in its natural state. As it plunges straight down to the mighty Agus river below, it creates a thin cloud of mist at its feet to complete that ethereal feel. I was simply transfixed by its splendorous beauty.

Sad to say, we weren’t able to stay as long as we liked and had to leave ASAP because the rest of the flock was getting hungry (my boyfriend and I were with my family and house helpers again). So till next time Maria Christina. I promise I will be back.

The Niagara Falls of Mindanao: Santa Cruz Falls

After the Cathedral Falls trip with my boyfriend, my father was talking about the mysterious Santa Cruz Falls incessantly.

And so last weekend, we embarked on a family (mis)adventure to Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte. Yes, my boyfriend and I was back to Kapatagan much sooner than we originally expected.

Totally unprepared for what we were about to get ourselves into, we braved practically into the middle of nowhere (Santa Cruz cannot be found on Google maps mind you) with nothing but ourselves.

And when I say nothing, I mean no water, nosh nor sunscreen. And that’s because our house helpers and “habal-habal” drivers (who served as our guides) said that the falls was just “near”.

On that day I learned that the meaning of the word “near” is only relative to the speaker. And so if you come from the city, please don’t trust anybody coming from a rural area telling you that this certain place is “near” because…

To get to the mysterious waterfalls, we had to climb up and down a series of boondocks…

We had to take off our footwear and walk barefoot to cross river bends…

Okay, we had a quick break here from hopping from one fiery hot stone to the other…

Carrying on, we had to trek “for days” through very dense native flora until…

Finally! The mysterious Santa Cruz Falls is a mystery no more! It was an adventure definitely worth my severe t-shirt patterned tan line.

And to cap off this post is a closer view of this beauty dubbed as the Niagara Falls of Mindanao. Be at awe with another marvelous God-made creation!

Revisiting Tinago Falls, Iligan City

Born and raised in Iligan, the city of majestic waterfalls, it’s really a shame that it’s been literally ages since I had my last glimpse of Tinago.

My family used to frequent Tinago Falls a lot when I was still in elementary. I can still remember playing in a zoo, swimming in a pool and riding a choo-choo train in a mini-theme park which is now no more.

So anyway, two weeks ago, in my frustration to have a quick getaway, I called up some of my friends to come with me to Tinago Falls. I was so glad they were totally game.

Meet my friends, Density, Gemima, and Deiniol (apparently he is a cousin of mine). Here they are being funny as they mimic the poses of Mayor Noel Deano, KC Concepcion and Sam Milby in the banner. And no, they are not the only ones who came along with me.

Me with a big smile pasted across my face as I stood before the stairway that leads to the hidden paradise. But lemme tell you, going through these steps was a strenuous workout (especially when going back up)!

So when planning to go here, pack very light, be physically fit and have a bottle of water with you.

More insider tips (also photos) on my boyfriend’s blog here.

The ethereal Tinago Falls beckoning us to take a dip already after the intense cardio workout with the 400-step stairway.

A raft at the foot of the spectacular 240-foot long waterfall that cascades down in great splendor.

My boyfriend, friends, friends of Kuya Ace (the one who took this photo with his awesome camera and lens) and I standing in front of the falls.

By the way, all the photos from this point forward are his.

Me playing with my underwater DSLR casing and CPL filter for the first time!

Testing it out with my friends. It was so much fun!

My boyfriend and I having fun in the water. All smiles.

All of us on a raft. Can you see me clinging on to that rope with my left hand as I was firmly gripping my camera with my other hand? I make it look so easy. Very hardcore. We were right at the very foot of the waterfalls. Another first time moment. Priceless.

And that caps off today’s post. And till next time… Another day, another waterfall!