Thursday, November 29, 2012

Reminiscin....Mt. Makiling

by lakwatserong tatay

This is one of my past climbs that i really wanted to share...even though  my draft post as of now is almost a year nah...^_^. I just want to share all of past trekking experiences and let me start with this one......^_^. Here's one of my climbs together with my outdoor group...SPIMC..A tree planting activity inside UP Los Baños grounds. One memorable climb because of the "limatiks". Sidetrip to "mud spring of Mt. Makiling, and a two days of outdoor activity together with other outdoor groups and 100 plus outdoor enthusiast that is headed by Bahaghari Outdoor Group and White Mountains, in part with UPLB College of Forestry.


Prior to this 11th Makiling Tree Planting Activity, the rain from that past few days where kinda notorious and nonstop. Most of us were hesitant to join the event due to the situation, specially on our group most of the participants that time were girls and some is our big bosses...^_^. But the organizers are eager to continue the event and already scaled the difficulties we could encounter.....wahla....in the 8th day of August, our group commenced to UP Los Baños for the said activity.


I packed my bag, tent and necessary things needed for the said event and headed to our office and ride our shuttle service to UPLB grounds which is the foot of Mt. Makiling. As a first timer on this mountain, i felt the excitement that time, my main goal is to summit it, to see the famous limatiks and the mud spring of this mountain, that is said to be a dangerous area...


1st day, the assembly, in one of the building inside UPLB and few meters is the start of the trek to Mt. Makiling. The program commenced and its introductory part, where the organizers, representative from DENR, Dean and Professor of College of Forestry UPLB and some staffs that will assist us on tree planting activity.


the organizers...

Few of the SPIMC group...

me @ the assembly....^_^


Of course, in every tree planting activity, there's always a presentation on how to prepare, plant and to do it proper way, that tree will be sure to grow and be part of the nature.

some of us with UPLB organizers...
But before we start to get into full of muds.....we treks first up hill and up to college of forestry which is located inside Makiling Rainforest Park. Where we will used its grounds to stay at night, having the usual activities such as getting to know each other...(gaano kaya katagal matapos yun sa dami namin nun...^_^), socials and games with prices activities by the organizers.



So as we arrived in the grounds of College of Forestry, all of the groups scattered around and placed their respective tents. Prepare some things for the tree planting activity in the placed named as "Saimsim tree planting site".

trek again....^_^
As we start to enter the forest and few meters to tree planting site. The trail was full of mud, where we sank our shoes and some where already barefooted trekking including me....^_^ into the wet grounds of the path of the Saimsim tree planting site. On our way we saw some trees that was planted years back. Some were already big while some are just feet tall. We planted as many as we can, scattered to the whole site and went straight to the campsite after.




my barefooted mud trek...

done and already tired...^_^
The night arrives, not all of the participants joined the tree planting activity, as for our group there was also joiners that choose to stay at the campsite and prepare the dinner for us....wah...how sweet...^_^. It was fast and the place got darker as the time passed by.....most of the groups were done with their dinners, and after few moments a get together again was formed, few conversations and some games where conducted and of course there prices for each games, all of the items given were for mountaineering equipments and the major price that night was a daypack coming from conquer outdoor shop....(sayang wala ako napanalunan nun...)




2nd day and the last day, our group decided to do two activities, to summit and reach Peak 2, encounter the famous limatiks, and right after proceed to Mud Spring. However some of us contended to see the mud spring of Mt. Makiling. At first i was undecided, because of lack in sleep and a bit drunk that time, i joined some of the mountaineers going to mud spring, called to be Mt. Makiling's crater.



Based from some information, this Mud Springs is erroneously known as the crater of Mt. Makiling. But where all wrong, this site is used to be one of the mud pots left in the mountain. A type of hot spring that is formed when due to volcanic heat, sulfuric acid breaks down to its surrounding rocks into clay. The clay mixes with water to form mud that is very hot (approximately 80°C) and with sulfuric acid, which may vary on its consistency and color of the mud clay.


This boiling pots of mud produces very strong and distinctive sulfuric smells (warning to those person who have asthma or other respiratory diseases). Thick smokes also coming out from its sulfuric vents. Getting close to these boiling muds can burn your skin. Camping near this area is highly prohibited and the area is a danger zone. Always follow the instruction, do not go beyond on its fence area. For us travelers/mountaineers alike, just be content in gazing on its mystical scenery and don't forget to have photo opps...^_^

DANGER ZONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!

a water stream before to mud spring...

group photo opps...^_^


Right after our visit to Mt. Makiling;s mud spring, i've decided to go up to Peak 2, but only few responded, because there were a bit tired and some just want to have rest and prepare to break camp early. So were just down to 4 persons who braved to follow the others, luckily we conquered it and reach the Peak 2, and even faced the famous limatiks, that's the first time i've bitten by a blood seeker limatik, as far as i remember, i got it thrice...^_^. The SADDEST part was i was the only person who got camera on our group that time and my digicam got drained while were up to reach Peak 2....huhuhuhuhuhu...wala man lang ako souvenir pics pataas and sa Peak 2.....So i said to my self i will go back and had a revenge photo opps on this mountain...hopefully a MAKTRAV or even this Los Baños Trail.....so who ever read this post of mine , if you have a climb on this mountain, i would be great, if you will include me in your list of invitees...^_^.


So, i would end this outdoor trip, with a bang!!!!. With all of those muds, the stroooooong winds that we encounter that afternoon while pitching our tents, the broken tents, the notorious limatiks, the prizes won, the happy trees that were now been planted, those memories will be keep forever, and the new friendships we found, added and formed. Hopefully, i could joined the upcoming events for Makiling Tree Planting !!!!

Lakwatserong Tatay @ Makiling Forest Park Grounds....^_^

How to Get There:

By Commute: Ride a bus coming from Buendia or Cubao going to Sta. Cruz, Laguna. Likewise if your coming from Alabang, ride a bus going to Calamba, and then ride a jeepney going to Los Baños. Get off to Los Baños Crossing, walk towards to "El Danda St." (beside Robinson's Mall), take another jeepney ride to UPLB Forestry. If you have big group, it is better to rent a jeepney from El Danda that will take your group straight to UPLB Forestry all the way to the jump off of Flat Rocks and Mud Springs.

By Private Vehicle: If your coming from Manila, drive through SLEX, take the Calamba exit. Go to UP Los Baños College of Forestry and find the Makiling Rainforest Park.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Travel Guide: 6-Day Northern Mindanao Adventure: Summary, Itinerary and Expenses

by lakwatserong tatay



This 6-Days of Northern Mindanao Adventure with X-plorerboyz is a series of blog post during our visit to the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Bukidnon and Lanao Del Norte last year. One of my so many draft post.....^_^

Day 1: (September 28)
Our flight schedule is quite late afternoon by 4pm via Cebu Pacific flight and estimated time of arrival in Lumbia Airport is at 525pm. Sad to say the time we arrived it was quite raining at Cagayan De Oro. We hailed a taxi from the airport to our Victoria Suites.

Itinerary:
Day 1:
1300 Meet - up place (Office BGC)
1330 ETD to NAIA Terminal 3 (via Taxicab)
1430 ETA Terminal 3 (check-in procedure & wait for departure)
1600 ETD to Lumbia Airport (Cagayan de Oro)
1725 ETA Lumbia Airport (Taxicab to Victoria Suites)
1800 ETA Check-in Victoria Suites
1900 Dinnertime (Stroll and Beer Session @ Hammertime Grill & Bar)


Blogs:

Expenses: (where 5 persons on this trip, expenses is based per person)

Taxi to Terminal 3 (from BGC)                       Php 25
NAIA Terminal Fee                                              200
Taxi to Victoria Suites                                           60
Victoria Suites: Family Room (Php1500)               300
Dinner (Carinderia)                                               60
Hammertime Grill & Bar                                       156
Mineral Water & Chips                                         50

Total                                                            Php 851 

How to Get There:

From Cagayan de Oro City Airport to City Proper
Two modes of transportation is available via Taxi's or PUJ's,  Taxi's could range php 250-300 going to the city proper. PUJ's, Carmen bound jeepneys are available outside the airport, php 17, travel time is about 30 mins. From Carmen, take jeepney bound to Bonbon and tell the driver to drop you off at Plaza Divisoria, travel time is around 15 mins.

From City Proper to Cagayan de Oro City Airport
Best mode of transportation if your group is Taxi, like we did...^_^. But if your tight in budget, take jeepney bound to Carmen and get off at KSY. From there, take a jeepney bound for Lumbia which passes by the airport, fare is php 18 and travel time is around 30 mins, all in all.

Transportation:

Since Cagayan De Oro is the city center, there are several modes of transportation. From jeepney or motorela when going around the city or take a bus when going to Camiguin, Bukidnon, Butuan, Iligan or as far as Ozamiz, Pagadian, Davao or Dipolog.

Three Integrated Bus and Jeepney Terminals are available in the city:

Agora Market City Bus Terminal - regular land trips from and to Davao City, Malaybalay, Valencia, Butuan, Gingoog City and Balingoan.

Bulua-Westbound Bus Terminal - regular land trips from and to Western towns of Misamis Oriental, Iligan City, Marawi City, Tangub and Ozamiz City, Pagadian, Zamboanga and Dipolog City.

Gusa-Eastbound Jeepney Terminal - regular land trip from and to Eastern towns of Misamis Oriental, Camp Phillips, Manolo Fortich, Libona, Valencia and Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

Accomodations:

There are number of accommodations available in the city, from expensive once up to cheapest hotels, resorts and affordable hostels, guest houses and inns and lodging facilities.

Notes: Get your accommodation that is near to Plaza Divisoria, so can more utilize your stay in Cagayan De Oro. If you wish to have walk tour and near to city center.

For more additional list of accomodations, click here or here.

Tourist Spots:

For more attractions to see and to visit in the city, click here.

City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office
Grd flr. Tourism Hall
Tel. no. : (088) 857-3164

For more information about where to go, where to shop, where to eat, what to do, look for accomodations, guide and travel agencies in Cagayan De Oro city, you may click here or here.


Day 2 and 3: (September 29 and 30)
Early check out at Victoria Suites, but we will back again after two days of exploration at Camiguin.

Itinerary:
Day 2
0600 Checkout to Victoria Suites
0630 Breakfast time
0700 Agora Bus Terminal (bus transfer bound for Butuan / get off at Balingoan)
0830 ETA/ETD to Balingoan and walk to Balingoan Port
1030 ETA Benoni Port (pick up via Multi Cab / Kuya Chris)
1100 ETA to Pabua Cottages (Owner: Kuya Poloy Pabua)
1130 Lunch time @ Carinderia
1200 Start of the Tour
1800 ETA Pabua Cottages
1900 Dinnertime (room near Pabua Cottages)
2100 Chillax time, and drinking session again...^_^

Day 3
0530 Island Hopping and remaining tourist spots in Camiguin
1630 RORO ride back to Balingoan Port, Balingoan, Misamis Oriental
1700 ETD from Balingoan Port to Cagayan De Oro (GT Express Van to CDO)
1900 ETA Check in @ Victoria Suites
1930 Dinnertime & Beer Session @ Plaza Divisoria (ala Merchato) onwards...

Pabua Cottages
Blogs: (Day 1 @ Camiguin Island)

Blogs: (Day 2 @ Camiguin Island)
Kuya Chris : Camiguin Tour
Expenses: Day 1 @ Camiguin Island: (where 5 persons on this trip, expenses is based per person)

Jeepney ride to Agora Terminal                                                Php 7
Bachelor Express (Butuan bound / Drop off to Balingoan)               84
RORO ride to Benoni Port (Camiguin) Ticket                                 170
Terminal Fee                                                                               2.25
Rayban Shades (nakalimot magdala)                                            60
Lunch @ Carinderia                                                                     73
Sto.Niño Cold Spring (entrance)                                                    20
Fresh Buko Juice                                                                         20
Camiguin souvenir tshirt                                                              120
Bora Soda Pool (entrance)                                                            20
Guiob Church (donation)                                                               10
Sunken Cemetery (entrance and tip)                                              40
Walk to Old Volcano (entrance)                                                      5
Dinner @ Carinderia                                                                      58
Ardent Hot Spring (entrance)                                                         30
The Bar, Red Horse & Chips                                                          30

Total                                                                                     Php 749

Expenses: Day 2 @ Camiguin Island: (where 5 persons on this trip, expenses is based per person)

Coffee                                                                                    Php 10
Banca Rent (5 pax - php400)                                                         80
White Island (entrance)                                                                  20
Swaki                                                                                           20
Kuya Chris (Camiguin Tour - php2500)                                           500
Pabua Cottages: Family Room (php1000)                                      200
Camiguin Souvenir tshirt ulit...^_^                                                  100
Katibawasan Falls (entrance)                                                         15
Ostrich Farm                                                                                free
Mantigue Island (entrance)                                                             20
Banca Rent (5 pax - php550)                                                        110
Tip tou our Eco Tour Guide                                                            20
Softdrinks @ Mantigue Island                                                        10
Giant Clams Sanctuary (entrance)                                                  25
Snorkeling Activity @ Giant Clams Sanctuary (super discount)       100
Lunch near Balingoan Port                                                             57
RORO ride ticket to Balingoan port                                               170
Van ride to Cagayan De Oro                                                         100
Dinner @ Plaza Divisoria (street foods)                                          124
Family Room: Victoria Suites (php1500)                                        300
Beer time @ Plaza Divisoria (street life)                                          60

Total                                                                                     Php 2041
 
Me w/ Kuya Poloy Pabua
How to Get There:

From Cagayan De Oro City to Camiguin
From your hostel take jeepney ride to Agora Market Terminal, take a Bus(Bachelor Express) bound for Butuan and get off Balingoan Bus Terminal, fare is php84, travel time is almost 2 hrs. Few minutes walk coming from bus terminal Balingoan Port is located and take ferry ride to Benoni Port in Camiguin, fare is 170, and travel time is almost an hour.

Transportation:

Camiguin Island is can toured in a day via its circumferential road. Public transportation is available but sometimes limited. It is recommended to get a habal-habal (single motorcycle) or rent a multicab to go easily on all tourist spots in Camiguin Island. Great thing in Camiguin, transport service is systematized and well organized, it has standard rate so tourist alike wouldn't get fooled by operators who tend to overprice.

Accommodations:

Since we stayed in Camiguin Island for two days, and most of the time we spent on the road, it is better to get a homey type accommodation which has reasonable and very friendly prices....^_^. But there are number of accommodations available, from expensive resorts, hotels, guest houses and inns. For more list of accommodations, you may get here or here.

Contact Details:
Kuya Chris (Camiguin Tours) -  09215637788 / 09069272420
Kuya Puloy Pabua (Pabua Cottages) - 09064152557


Tourist Spots:

For more attractions to see in Camiguin Island, aside from our adventures, you may click here or here.

Camiguin Provincial Tourism Office
Contact nos. : (088) 3871094 loc. 119-120 / 09057895640
camiguin.tourism@gmail.com


Day 4: (October 1)
This day is one hell of adventure day, we will have our zipline adventures at Dahilayan Adventure Park and stop over at Del Monte Pineapple Plantation at Camp Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. By lunchtime, back at Cagayan de Oro, a sumptuous meal and eat all you can treat at Mindy's and afterward, one wet ride in an advance course rafting in Cagayan de Oro river. Below is our driver/tour guide/photographer and additional friend in Cagayan De Oro...^_^

Itinerary:
Day 4:
0700 Pickup from Victoria Suites
0730 ETD to Dahilayan Park Zipzone, stop to Del Monte Pineapple Plantation
0900 ETA Dahilayan Park proper, 3 stages zipline rides....^_^
1230 Eat all you can @ Mindy's
1400 Kagay's Advance Course Rafting @ Cagayan De Oro river
1800 ETA to Victoria Suites
1830 Dinnertime via Plaza Divisoria (ala Pancheto naman...^_^)
2200 Sleeping time daw.....^_^

Blogs:

Expenses: (where 5 persons on this trip, expenses is based per person)

Family Room: Victoria Suites (php1500)                   Php 300
Package Adventure (Zipline and Rafting)                         2400
Zipline Cert and photo souvenir                                       150
Ref magnet souvenir                                                       35
Dinner @ Plaza Divisoria                                                 94

Total                                                                    Php 2979  


How to Get There:

From Cagayan De Oro City to Dahilayan Adventure Park
From your accommodation go to Agora Market Terminal, take a van going to Camp Phillips, travel time is almost an hour. Hire a habal-habal that will take you to Dahilayan Adventure Park, trip is almost 30 mins. It is better to talk with your habal-habal driver so to fetch right after your activities at the park.

Transportation:

There is no public transportation available when going to Dahilayan Adventure Park. The available options are rent a van coming from CDO or commute going to Camp Phillips and hire a habal-habal. We did not actually tried any of these options because we got a tour package from Kagay, which consist of vice versa transportation on each of our activities, eat all you can treat and vice versa transportation on our homestay hotel.

Accomodations:

Since we did not have the chance to stay in Bukidnon. I can't give you any recommended accomodation. However, based from websites there are number of accommodations available, from expensive to cheapest staycation you want. For list of accommodations in Bukidnon, you may click here.

Tourist Spots:

Check out the official site of the province for its comprehensive list of attractions and spots to see in Bukidnon. Click here.

For additional places to visit in Manolo Fortich, click here or here.


Day 5: (October 2)
Our last day of activities, road trip to Iligan City and first time to see one of the mightiest falls of Iligan "Maria Cristina Falls" and one of the hidden treasure falls, known as "Tinago Falls". Although we just seen 2 out of 23 wafterfalls in Iligan, were happy to say...that we had a great and fun filled experiences with falls. Aside from chasing waterfalls, we roamed around NPC's nature park, of course we had so much photo souvenirs on each of these places....^_^

Itinerary:
Day 5:
0500 wake-up call (pero di naman nasunod)
0700 late check out @ Victoria Suites (buti nalang mabait yun manager, wala na extra charge..^_^)
0745 ETA Westbound Terminal (Rural Transit Bus bound for Iligan)
0945 ETA Iligan City Proper
**Supposed to 3 waterfalls, visit Timoga Spring and photo opps @ Macaraeg-Macapagal Ancestral House
1630 ETD from Buru-un to Iligan city proper
1900 ETA CDO West bound bus terminal 
2000 ETA to Victoria Suites (ulit.....^_^)

Day 6
0500 wake-up call (ulit di na naman nasunod)
0700 Check-out in Victoria Suites
0730 ETA check-in procedures in Lumbia Airport
1030 ETA NAIA Terminal 3
1300 ETA Touchdown: Antipolo....^_^

Blogs:
Expenses: Day 5 (where 5 persons on this trip, expenses is based per person)

Tricycle to Vjandep Tiano                                    Php 14
Vjandep Pastel                                                          590
Jeepney ride to West Bound Terminal (Bulua)              13
Bus to Iligan (Rural Transit: Ordinary)                         120
Jeepney to City proper from Bus Terminal (Iligan)         7.50
Lunch @ Iligan carinderia                                            66
Jeepney to Buru-un (drop off NPC park)                      11
Maria Cristina (entrance)                                             35
Maria Cristina (shutle service)                                      10
Jeepney from NPC toBuru-un market                           7
Habal-habal to Tinago Falls                                          25
Back to highways og Iligan                                           25
Life jacket rent                                                            20
Mineral water                                                              25
Jeepney from Buru-un to Iligan city proper                   14
Iligan souvenir tshirt                                                    119
Bus to CDO (Rural Transit)                                          95
Bulua Bus Terminal to Plaza Divisoria                           12
Dinner                                                                        79

Total                                                                Php 1287.50

Expenses: Day 6 (where 5 persons on this trip, expenses is based per person)

Vjandep Pastel (12 buns) 4 box                            Php 520
Vjandep Pastel (6 buns) 3 box                                     210
CDO Souvenir  tshirt                                                   150
Suite Room: Victoria Suite (php1300)                          260
Taxi fare to CDO Airport                                             60
Lumbia Airport (terminal fee)                                       30
Bus to EDSA MRT/LRT                                              20
Lunch @ Crossing                                                      53
Jeepney ride to Antipolo                                              25

Total                                                                  Php 1328


How to Get There:

From Iligan City proper to NPC Nature's Park
From city proper, ride a jeepney bound for Buru-un. Inform the driver to drop you off at Maria Cristina Falls, fare is php12 and travel time is around 20 minutes.

From Iligan City proper to Maria Cristina Falls
From city proper, ride a jeepney bound for Buru-un. Inform the driver to drop you off at Maria Cristina Falls, fare is php12 and travel time is around 20 minutes. Then walk towards NPC complex for about 10 minutes.

From Iligan City proper to Tinago Falls
From city proper, ride a jeepney bound for Buru-un. Inform the driver to drop you off at Buru-un Market, fare is php14 and travel time is around 20-30 minutes. From there, ride a habal-habal to jump off of Tinago Falls, fare is php25. From there you will approximately 20-30 minutes or it will depends.

Accomodations:

Since we did not have the chance to stay in Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte. I can't give you any recommended accomodation. However, based from websites there are number of accommodations available, from expensive to cheapest staycation you want. For list of accommodations in Iligan City, you may click here or here.

Tourist Spots:

Check out the official site of the province for its comprehensive list of attractions and spots to see in Iligan. Click here, here, here or here.

Iligan City Tourism Office
Contact  no.: (063) 2213426
www.iligan.gov.ph

Lanao Del Norte Provincial Tourism Office
Contact nos.: (063) 3415241 / (063) 3415804
www.lanaodelnorte.gov.ph

So all in all, my total expenses for a 6-Day Northern Mindanao Adventures...........

6-Day Total Expenses : Php 9325.50

So what do you think......it is expensive or not?

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

It's Time to Say Goodbye For Now.....Northern Mindanao....

Promise!....I shall return....^_^
by lakwatserong tatay

As Douglas MacArthur, famous line....."I Shall Return", that was our pledge that time too....We have to go back and visit all what we missed, other tourist spots and the Province of Misamis Occidental. As i'm done with sharing all of the behind scenes and stories on each of our adventures on this provinces. Reminds me that i'm one of the luckiest person to set foot on this provinces. The experiences of different adventures is such truly rewarding and will be forever treasured to my mind and also into this blog. Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental and Lanao Del Norte of Northern Mindanao gives us so much....how we could ever say Thank You !!! Even though this would be the last of my Northern Mindanao Series.....surely we will have another journey to you....it may not be this year....but it will be surely coming soon.....^_^


It's time to go back to reality....our real world, back to our families, friends and offices...work mode again!!!
So this will be Goodbye's.....but wait let me share for one last time...Lumbia Airport of Cagayan De Oro, what is i used to share always when i have this backpacking adventures. All of us were first timers on this airport. So what could i say.....its just a typical airport with normal facilities. Four airlines usually flies on this airport...Philippin Airlines, Zest Air, Cebu Pacific and of course...our fleet AirPhil Express....^_^

check in stations....


So after doing check in procedures, we proceed straight to waiting area....we all of the passengers waiting on their designated flights. We arrived quite early on our time, so we had the place like our own...photo opps here, there and everywhere.....photomode fanatics that time...^_^


As the passengers arrived, all of us notice one person who got also on the waiting area....as you all know, all of us loves Basketball...and given the chance to have photo opps with any known players is such a memorable experience. So what happen, we've seen Rodney Santos....one of the Alaska Team superstar known as the slasher...all of us had group shots and of course solo shot together with him....^_^

X-plorerboyz with Rodney Santos

X-plorerboyz @ Lumbia Airport
So after waiting for an hour, our plane arrived and few minutes the boarding procedures started....once again thanks to AirPhil Express, in giving us such a wonderful and pleasant ride....(di po sponsorship toh!..^_^)


Upon entering, and got into our seats....next activity is photo opps parin....adik lang po talaga sa souvenir photos.....so after few minutes...our plane got up...up...up and away....^_^

X-plorerboyz: Johari (newbie daddy) & Jayson ('d eagle)

its me....Lakwatserong Tatay

X-plorerboyz: Melvin ('d tulis) & Regie (Inaki's)
One last look......goodbye Cagayan De Oro Airport....promise.....we shall return....^_^


Wow, at last i'm done with sharing all of the stories on our Northern Mindanao Adventures, a 6 Days of Full Backpacking Trips, had different activities, and fun full memories....Hope you love it and share my links to anyone you know, that wants to experience Northern Mindanao on its finest........^_^

One last thing.....i will include on this saga....Travel Guide : Northern Mindanao Adventure


Next on my bucket of backlog list is 3 Waterfalls, 2 Churches, and 1 Mountain in a 1 Day....^_^

This story is part of: X-ploreboyz Goes to Northern Mindanao

I'm done with Northern Mindanao...san naman ang next?

This is part of our 6-Days Northern Mindanao Escapades. Visited and X-plored 4 Provinces: Misamis Oriental, Camiguin Island, Bukidnon and Lanao Del Norte. Our fourth stop is Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte, that is known as the "City of Majestic Waterfalls", the 4th province of Northern Mindanao.


Tours & Activities:
Iligan City Church: St. Michael's Cathedral
NPC Nature's Park
Maria Cristina Powerplant
Lumbia Airport: It's Time to Say Goodbye for Now.....Mindanao..

Chasing Waterfalls:
Enchanted with Maria Cristina Falls
A Hidden Treasure: Tinago Falls

Monday, November 19, 2012

Lanao Del Norte: A Hidden Treasure: Tinago Falls

by lakwatserong tatay



We just had a day tour in Iligan City, so we did not waste any time to see at least two of scenic waterfalls on this city, as we all know that Iligan City is known as "City of Majestic Waterfalls", so right after roaming around at NPC compound, witness its Nature Park, Power plant and Maria Cristina Falls. We immediately back on the highway and ride Buru-un bound jeepney. Together with my 3 co-xplorer buddies, Jayson, Regie and Johari explores the hidden treasure known as "Tinago Falls", a filipino term means "hidden", where the falls is hidden in a deep ravine.

our guides...^_^

Tinago Falls used to have a resort and a vast developed land area for a vacation trips. Unfortunately, the resort has closed down and what is now left is a rundown buildings and cottages structures, its just like a resorts ruins...^_^


The falls is still accesible and open to the public through old resorts property. You may ask some locals for directions or maybe accompanied by a guide, like we have some of the children playing around was our guide to overgrown grasses and bushes of the old resorts.


It was just few minutes of walking inside the old resort's property, if im not mistaken it took us about 10 minutes walking thru, however after this walk thru experience. Trekking to the falls is required, i may say you may feel your both knees shaking after descending to cemented stairs that has more or less 500 steps, called the winding staircase.

start of winding staircase

within the winding staircase...^_^
The falls plunges 240 feet (73m) high from a cliff, with its very cold waters cascading beautifully into a deep and calm basin-like pool ehich appears like a blue-colored lagoon, which reminds me of Small Lagoon in El nido. Under the falls is a small cave where people can enter and just stay, chillax while listening to rumbling waters of Tinago Falls.



A legendary story is commonly heard about Tinago Falls...and here it is....

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.



It was such a tiring trek descend, however the lush green and fresh air scenery greeted us, was a great reward to our aching bodies that time....^_^. Even though the falls and the place that time was quite crowded with fellow tourists and locals swimming around.....we still enjoyed it, got souvenir pictures in each of its corner, and right after the photo sessions.....of course, what we should do.....swimming time!!!!!

the visitors that time...

x-plorerboyz in swimming mode...^_^

tara!!!! ligo nah....sa Tinago Falls...^_^

Entrance and Miscellaneous Fees:

Entrance :  Free or Donation would be fine.
Life Jacket Rental : php20
Bamboo Raft Ride Fee : php 10/per person
Cottages / Tables Fee : php 50-100

How to get there:

It is located 13.8 kms. away from city proper and accesible through two points, Brgy. Buru-un, Iligan City and its neighboring municipality, Linamon, Lanao Del Norte. Tinago Falls is can be found in deep ravine of Brgy. Ditucalan, Iligan City. From city proper take a jeepney bound to Buru-un. Tell the driver to drop you off at Buru-un Market (Talipapa). Fare is php 14.00. From there, take a habal-habal (single motorcycle) ride and ask the driver to take you at Tinago Falls jump off, fare is php 30.00 each.


Done with Chasing Two of Majestic Waterfalls in Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte, "Maria Cristina Falls" and "Tinago Falls". Even though we had limited time, and 2 of 23 waterfalls can be seen, we really had great time and experience, and surely go back if we were given a chance. Next stories are Farewell Time to Northern Mindanao, and Compilation of Itinerary, Accommodation, Expenses and each stories behind Our Northern Mindanao Adventures.


This is part of our 6-Days Northern Mindanao Escapades. Visited and X-plored 4 Provinces: Misamis Oriental, Camiguin Island, Bukidnon and Lanao Del Norte. Our fourth stop is Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte, that is known as the "City of Majestic Waterfalls", the 4th province of Northern Mindanao.


Tours & Activities:
Iligan City Church: St. Michael's Cathedral
NPC Nature's Park
Maria Cristina Powerplant
Lumbia Airport: It's Time to Say Goodbye for Now.....Mindanao..

Chasing Waterfalls:
Enchanted with Maria Cristina Falls
A Hidden Treasure: Tinago Falls

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