Saturday, August 31, 2013


Sampao Falls, Talus, Sto. Tomas
Davao del Norte
with two unkown falls 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        We descended Mt. Megatong traversing Tibal-og River to Brgy Talus, Sto. Tomas.
It was not my first river trekking but it was different from my previous experiences.
 I was quite nervous seeing the river afar from the mountain ground.
The river is silent.

We crossed thirteen times and hiked for almost three hours
with another hour ascending Brgy. Talus.

The river is wide, still with unquarried stones .
In most part of our trek, wall of cliffs serve the river curves to its direction.



I was informed ahead that waterfall  destination was out of the way of the planned trek.
I was mentally contend to finished the traverse route
 from Mt. Megatong without seeing a falls.


The air sounds with splash of water from somewhere. It gave me excitement,
the usual feeling waterfalls affects my nerves.
It was hidden from a naked hill. The falls was covered by Bamboo groves.
Happy to see even if it is hidden, every step I take,
I keep on thanking the people who organized the Mt. Megatong Climb
for the impressive rescue team 
present  keeping an eye to each  traversing climbers.

The silent river, 
i feel, is so patient to hold its water flowing
that everybody can cross even in the middle of the two facing cliffs.
A high horsetail cascading water missed my sight
and only after crossing the first waist level water
I sighted the unseen beauty within.
From across I prayed, that in due time,
reforestation  will be initiated to keep the source of life 
alive in the Mountain ranges of Davao del Norte.


It gave me the feeling that nature denied me of a closer capture of the falling water .
But still with no regrets, it boosted my energy to continue  my aspiration
to see more places where water falls.
And with no doubt, a small stream come out of its way from another falls
that looks like a cave from behind.


The river crossing we had was another  waterfalling adventure I may not forget.
My quest for where water falls in Mt. Megatong
may continueto bless its vast agricultural land 
and its people who hosted us with sincere pleasure and hospitality.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Where water falls: Pidlanan Falls, Magpet Cotabato

Where water falls: Pidlanan Falls, Magpet Cotabato: Add caption   Pidlanan Falls , Magpet, Cotabato         Antoher Day of Adventure                                    August 2,2013 5:...

Pidlanan Falls, Magpet Cotabato

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 Pidlanan Falls,
Magpet, Cotabato        
Antoher Day of Adventure                                   
August 2,2013
5:30 AM
JOP - Kidapawan City

I wanted to post my Pidlanan waterfalling but I don't have enough words to describe it.
My last waterfallling was in Lapaan Falls
http://rinapadua.blogspot.com/2013/04/lapaan-falls.html?spref=bl
And it was one of my best solo adventure.

All I can remember  about this day was when I saw vividly the moon and the sun taking its place in the cloudy day sky.

As I try to recall the day I had this adventure, I  keep on wondering how I can best describe it as a tourist destination. It is accessible but  not even amazing, beautiful, nor inviting. From jump off point,  less a hundred steps of concrete stairway with some eroded portion guided me down where water falls. Hailing up with more or less 50 ft cascading water is walled by huge rock formation and a stream door beyond your immagination.

While writing this post, my tour guide coincidentally passed by my shop and had my chance to ask her  what "Pidlanan" means and where did it got its name? According to her, Pidlanan's name derived from the term "Paid Na Tanan" ( "All was paid for") and was formerly known as Pidnatanan Falls which later became Pidlanan. Still I am not contented with her answer.

As I rephrased my question, I told my guide that from all the waterfalls I have been to, I felt stranged, empty, and enclosed. It was a different feeling of adventure. There is a mystery, I believe.

Hesistant, she continued to tell more about what she heard from an old folk working with a logging company more than 50 years ago, that a woma's life was held to offer her blood to the "Diwatahan" ("place or home for the guardian spirits of nature casting blessings or curses upon those who bring benefits or harm to the forests and mountains") to stop road mishaps.

The story behind her explantion is ... yes, a myth. But as years go by,  the story behind its destination is a mystery of one of my adventure.