Camiguin: Katibawasan Falls

by lakwatserong tatay

Right after our Pastel Eating while riding on our rented multicab, together with our big backpacks, we then proceeded to our 1st waterfalls sighting in Northern Mindanao. We actually targeted to see the two falls of Camiguin, Katibawasan and Tuasan, but sad to say due to time constraint we passed it out and decided just to see this very accesible falls. So Kuya Chris, suggested better to see Katibawasan because it was accesible from the Town of Mambajao at the foot of Mt. Timpoong not like Tuasan where you will have to travel to the west coast of the island and drive to Brgy. Catibac or Compol or Mainit and hike for more or less 20 minutes just to see the majestic falls.

Katibawasan Falls

Katibawasan falls is one of the majestic falls can be seen in Camiguin, although already been developed. Not like Tuasan Falls that is untouched and located up in the mountains. Katibawasan has its unique beauty. Infact as you will enter the premises of this falls, you will be greeted by a wild monkey that is been chain and place in the trees branch with kawayans. Please don't get near with this monkey because it might scratched you, as per its caretaker.

this monkey will greet you as you enter to Katibawasan falls

As you walk to the cemented grounds down to stairs to Katibawasan, you will the chance to see the glimpse of this majestic falls towering up 250 ft high, cascaded to a rock pool surrounded by trees, boulders, wild ferns, ground orchids and different flower fauna's.

Glimpse of Katibawasan Falls

The start of the cemented path going down to Katibawasan falls, be careful and watch your step because few of the cemented paths has some moss or "lumot", so be sure to watch your step specially when the path is wet.

I do not know if this is the comfort room where you could change dress to swim, but i just hope this place could be repaired by the city government of Camiguin, for the tourist have the chance to really enjoy the place. Aside being a favorable place or jumpoff by outdoor enthusiast to trek the slopes of Mt. Timpoong.

comfort room (?)

As we get near to the ground, a green pool that was been created by the city government, which waters falls rushes down, splashes of water will really refresh you and invites you to go and swim. Just like what we did...^_^ Giant ferns decorate the surrounding, aside from the huge trees and dropping vines that surround the cascading waterfalls of Katibawasan.

Photo opps with Katibawasan..

Upon asking the caretaker on entrance section of this park, and asking how the name of this falls derived, he wasn't able to give me a concrete answer, but based from other story entries, in a ilonggo dialects it means "to have overcome", (based from hiligaynon dictionary) emancipation, to act of setting free from the power of another.

the green pool....

where the water continues to flow...

Of course, we will not missed to have our photoshoot...^_^ and the chance to go swimming on the ice cold waters of Katibawasan.....here are some of our photos while having fun and exploring Katibawasan falls.

Xplorerboyz @ Katibawasan Falls

Lakwatserong Tatay @ Katibawasan Falls

Upon its amenities, rock picnic tables, seats and some cookout facilities are available to use. The falls is maintained by the city government of Camiguin and has a minimal entrance of php 15 (adult) and i'm not sure if 7 years old below is php 6.00 only ...^_^

Welcome....^_^

Aside from this majestic falls and its park....Just right outside the park is one of the most favorite part of tourist and travelers alike, the souvenir shop, right on this alley of souvenir shops, one of the unique dessert in Camiguin, Kiping can be found.

Lakwatserong Tatay @ Katibawasan Souvenir Shops...

Done with our 1st waterfalls " Katibawasan Falls" encounter in Northern Mindanao....Next stop....visit to Camiguin's Provincial Animal Breeding and Ostrich Production Center in Town of Mahinog, Camiguin.....^_^

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 second stop is Camiguin Island , that is known as the "Island Born of Fire", the 2nd province of Northern Mindanao.

Food Trips:
Food finds: Camiguin's Unique Dessert : Kiping
Food finds: Vjandep Bakeshop : Camiguin's Famous Pastel

Accomodation:
Pabua Cottages

Tours & Activities:
Having Fun at Sto. Niño Cold Spring Resort
Bura Soda Pool Resort
Walk to the Old Church Ruins
Trek to Walkway to the Old Volcano and Station of the Cross
Sunken Cemetery
Relaxation at Ardent Hot Spring Resort
A Glance with Katibawasan Falls
Camiguin's Ostrich Farm
Snorkeling at Giant Clams Sanctuary
Glimpse of Tanguines Lagoon

Island Hopping:
White Island
Mantigue Island

Camiguin: White Island

by lakwatserong tatay

For our 2nd day of adventure, we get up to our beds early in the morning, eventhough we had a bit hangover just from out last nights "inuman session",  to have our 1st activity of the day, island hopping that is just few minutes away on Pabua Cottages. Lucky for our group we do not need to travel from other towns just to go in Brgy. Yumbing, because we're just staying infront of one of the famous island in Camiguin. Infact i wasn't remember the exact time, i think it was almost 6am when our contact bangkero/fisherman just near Paras Resort shown.....and the rest is beacheeeeenering time...^_^

group photo opps, while waiting for our bangka..^_^

Just right besides this stone wall is the Paras Resort, i think we just passed by a small eskinita and then we just had our instant jumpoff for our island hopping...^_^

the lakwatserong tatay's...^_^

And then we boarded our bangka, i think 8-10 persons would fit in on our boat, lucky for us we were just 5 persons plus 2, our spotter and the driver, and just for php400 (php80 each), we had the chance to see this island but sad to say i wasn't able to get their names and contact numbers...^_^, maybe because of my excitement to see one of the famous island in Camiguin.

the stone walls of Paras Resort...

one of our bangkero's..^_^

eto pinakaexcited samin actually...si melvin...^_^

Our first sight.....yahoo...excited na talaga kami that time...^_^. Infact the sun was not really up that time, although were thinking that time maybe it will rain but were just really lucky, we had the island freely and were really under the sun in few minutes.

White Island

White Island also known as Medan Island, is one of the two famous island in Camiguin, the other one is Mantigue Island, which we had also to set foot later that afternoon...^_^. This small inhabited island white sandbar, that has generally horse shoe shaped, but due to tides constantly resize and reshape from its exact form. White Island has no trees or shelter but it has picturesque views of Mt. Hibok-Hibok and Mt. Vulcan, is located almost 2 kilometers from the beaches of Brgy. Agoho and Yumbing.

View of Mt. Hibok-Hibok

There are motorized small bangka's located at the Caves Resort or Paras Resort which can be hired to visit the island. You could have some choices, to be waited by your rented banca or you will be fetch back by your bangkero, so you will have more time staying, beacheneering and exploring the whole island.

the other small bangka's

my potrait shot...^_^

According to our bangkero's it is better to set foot on White Island, when it is early in the morning, the sun is just rising above the horizon, since there's no shelter around the island. It better and advisable to bring along with you such as shades, headgears, umbrellas, and sun protection lotion and if you choose to stay longer, it is better that you have your own food and water since there are no vendors around the island....^_^

But, if your more adventurous and seeking for a different kind of food trip challenges, White Island offers one of a kind sea urchin, known as Swaki, just for php 20, you will have the chance to eat this fresh sea urchin.

Sea Urchin...."Swaki"

According to the local, that is offering this sea urchin, it is better if you will partner it with hot sukang camiguin...^_^

the fresh meat of sea urchin...^_^

And then the challenge started, based from our group's name...xplorerboyz...it is part that we have this kind activity...sad to say...i was the leader of this group and had to experience this food trip tasting...kuya prepared 5 Swaki's for us, and had our own photo opps...^_^

johari choses this one...

smile pa daw ako..^_^

eto feel na feel ni melvin..^_^

I wasn't able to take shot for the two because upon swallowing the meat of the Swaki, for some reason, i vomitted...^_^. Moving forward after our Swaki Challenge, we just had fun staying for more than an hour, we became camwhores that time and each section of the island we had photo opps..and swimming all the way under the heat of the sun....here are some of my chosen group pictures....^_^

Waves of White Island.....^_^

the white powder sand bar of White Island

My footprints @ White Island, Camiguin...^_^

Bye.....White Island....

White Island is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, building sand castles or simply do nothing just enjoy and stay right under the sun and have sunbathing....^_^

Getting here: Brgy. Agoho and Yumbing are 4kms. North of Mambajao. A motorela brings you there in 10 mins. The boat trip from the boat stations in Brgy. Yumbing (behind Paras Resort) to White Island usually takes 8-12 minutes or depending on the heights of the waves.
Boat transfers to & from Brgy. Yumbing: Php400 (Good for 4 to 8 pax)
Environmental/Entrance Fee: Php20

Lakwatserong Tatay @ White Island, Camiguin

Next stop for our 2nd day of adventure in Camiguin....Food finds: Camiguin's No.1 Pastel, Vjandep Pastel....and 1st of the three waterfalls that we've seen in Northern Mindanao....Katiwabasan Falls of Mambajao, Camiguin.......

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 second stop is Camiguin Island , that is known as the "Island Born of Fire", the 2nd province of Northern Mindanao.

Food Trips:
Food finds: Camiguin's Unique Dessert : Kiping
Food finds: Vjandep Bakeshop : Camiguin's Famous Pastel

Accomodation:
Pabua Cottages

Tours & Activities:
Having Fun at Sto. Niño Cold Spring Resort
Bura Soda Pool Resort
Walk to the Old Church Ruins
Trek to Walkway to the Old Volcano and Station of the Cross
Sunken Cemetery
Relaxation at Ardent Hot Spring Resort
A Glance with Katibawasan Falls
Camiguin's Ostrich Farm
Snorkeling at Giant Clams Sanctuary
Glimpse of Tanguines Lagoon

Island Hopping:
White Island
Mantigue Island