How to Go to Three of Iligan City's Waterfalls in One Day

During the last quarter of 2011, I had a chance of visiting three waterfalls found in Iligan City, also known as the City of Majestic Waterfalls. I only had a day so I tried to maximize my visit and researched on what are the falls located in the same area that is possible to see in justa day. Here's a guide on how to visit Ma. Christina Falls, Mimbalut Falls and Tinago Falls in one day when you're coming from Cagayan de Oro.

How to go to Ma. Christina Falls:

- dried fish stall in Iligan City Market -

• From your hotel in Cagayan de Oro, ride a jeep going to Bulua Terminal (Westbound Buses). Ride a bus going to Iligan City. Fare for an airconditioned bus is Php145 but the lady conductor said because it's their first trip, we only have to pay Php115 as a discounted rate. Not so sure why it works that way.
• The bus will have a final stop at their terminal in Iligan City. Ride a jeep that would take you to the market. There are queues waiting in the terminal. Fare is Php7.50.
• If you didn't bring lunch with you, you can buy it in the market There are local eateries (carinderia) that based on experience sell delicious, cheap and clean food. Bought kilawing tuna and lechon kawali and rice for a total of Php57. 
• Ride a jeep going to Buruun. These jeeps pass right across the street where the carinderias are located. Tell the driver to drop you off Ma. Christina Falls. fare is Php12.
• The driver will drop you on a highway, right after a bridge with a stunning view. From there, walk towards a street on the left that would lead you to the gate of Ma. Christina Nature Park.

How to go to Mimbalut Falls and Tinago Falls:

- the drop off point to Ma. Christina Falls -

• On that same bridge, ride a jeep with the same route (going to Buruun). Tell the driver that you're going to Mimbalut Falls. You will be dropped in a waiting shed where there are queue of motorcycles (habal-habal) that can take you to Mimbalut Falls. The path to the falls is not advisable for a walk, it's quite far.
• Negotiate with the motorcycle driver. We were charged Php125 each for both Mimbalut Falls, Tinago Falls and back to the highway where we can ride a jeep back to the terminal after the tour. 2 passengers in each motorcycle.

Ma. Cristina Falls and the Hydro Electric Power Plant

Every Filipino must surely know or heard about Ma. Cristina Falls. It is included in one of the earliest subjects being taught to elementary pupils.

The famous Falls is located in Iligan City, a progressive city in Lanao del Norte in Southern Philippines. It is a 320 feet falls with very strong water flow that is perfect as a source of hydroelectric energy. It is part of the  Agus River Power Development and is operated by National Power Corporation.

Arriving at the gate of  Ma. Cristina Falls Nature Park, we paid Php35 each for entrance fee and Php10 each for the shuttle that would take us to the top of the park where the spectacular view of the twin falls is awaiting appreciation. The open shuttle passed hilly terrains with a wonderful view of rich flora. The road is too narrow and there is a certain part that was partly blocked because of minor landslide. The ride was short but kind of breath taking. The shuttle stopped at the end of the street where the building of the power plant is erected. We were guided to climb a set of stairs that sometimes lead inside the building. On the third floor, there is an open area designed for tourists to view the falls. This is the nearest point one can get to the falls.

When we just arrived, only one the falls is open but it was already fascinating. A few minutes later, the second falls opened and is is truly strong, it's like the falls wanted everybody to know she's the mightiest falls and it's jaw dropping. Despite our distance, I felt the mist of the falls reach our area and dampens my skin. I can't wait to text my mom to let her know Ma. Cristina falls is right in front of my sight. She used to be a Grade 1 teacher and this is one of the topics she is familiar about. The guard I asked told me it's not all the time the power plant releases water from the dam constructed on the top of the falls, they usually release it during weekends when there's too much water stored thus they open both the falls.

The river where the falls drop has a very strong current that would be perfect for white water rafting. The sound it produces sounds like an adrenaline rush, non stoppable and exciting. It flows downwards where it meets with the sea under the bridge, the same bridge where you alight when commuting to this place.

Ma. Cristina Falls is something you won't want to miss when you're in Iligan City.

Tinago Falls and Mimbalot Falls: My Memories of Iligan City Before the Typhoon Sendong

Last Thursday, I finished my blogs about Tinago Falls and Mimbalut Falls during my break at work. I was not able to publish it because I haven't  worked on the photos yet. The weekend swiftly passed by and I was traveling Saturday and Sunday so I didn't see the news until I got back here in Manila and saw it. As I've watched the TV, my heart sunk to see what happened to Iligan City (as well as Cagayan de Oro) where both Tinago and Mimbalut Falls can be found. Iligan City had been devastated by the recent typhoon that battered the area. A lot of properties were destroyed including hundreds of homes, water supply had been cut and the latest news  says 700+ are already confirmed dead and hundreds are still missing. I'm not a local of Northern Mindanao nor have several friends from there, but the fact that I had just been there two months ago, had the opportunity to interact with kind locals who were very helpful while we're trying to find our way to wherever we were going makes me sympathize with the locals. I really feel for them now.. I almost don't want to see the news anymore because it really is heart-breaking. But no matter how hard the situation  my fellow Filipinos are facing now, I'm confident that they can make it through.

I hope we, who are not affected find it in our hearts to help them by sharing what we can. Even small donations would count. Please check National Red Cross'es link for cash donations. (http://www.redcross.org.ph/donatenow) It would really help a long way. Our prayers for their strength would also mean so much.

I almost don't want to post my entries anymore feeling like it's not appropriate but somehow, seeing the beauty of these falls somewhat makes me realize that life is like a falls, no matter how strong the rapids are, how rocky the path is, LIFE MUST GO ON. I trust that the people of CDO and Iligan feels the same way.

My blog entries on Tinago Falls :

Tinago Falls: A Hidden Majesty in Iligan City 
Mimbalut Fall

Mimbalut Falls

Iligan City is not called the City of Majestic Waterfalls  for a reason. One of the 23 falls found in the city is Mimbalut Falls. This falls is in the same route to Ma. Christina Falls which is probably one of the most famous of all the falls here in the Philippines.

The water dropping from the falls is strong, plumetting into a narrow yet deep basin of water surrounded by big and slippery rocks, thus it is not a suitable area for swimming. The sunlight is directly hitting the flowing water that it looks bright from afar. The boulders surrounding the area are rocky with almost sharp edges. I wonder if it is a landslide prone area.

The water flows downwards, into an open space creating a shallow pool ideal for lazing in the water. When I arrived there though, it was Saturday and the locals use that area for doing their laundry. There are tables and benches set up for picnics but was used by the locals for drying their clothes.

I realized that Mimbalut Falls, more than a potential tourist place, plays a more important role in the lives of the people living in the vicinity. I wouldn't really suggest it as a tourist attraction but it is quite beautiful that my visit was worth it. It's a dreamy place and well, a spot in Iligan city where you can appreciate a part of Iliganon's way of life.

Tinago Falls: A Hidden Majesty in Iligan City

It all started when I saw the commercial for a local movie. There was a scene with a backdrop of a majestic waterfall, with cascades flowing right into a vast basin of emerald green waters. From then on, I was kind of hypnotized by the allure that I only saw in the TV so I won't be able to fully describe how I felt when I finally got to see Tinago Falls.

I started researching on how I could go to the falls. I was then amazed to learn that there are 23 falls just in the City of Iligan City, the capital of Lanao del Norte in Northern Mindanao. My mind was in a wishful thinking mode  hoping to have a glimpse of all the falls. As expected though, I have to wake up from my dream. These falls are scattered throughout the city and our limited time visiting wouldn't do any help. The truth is, I was a bit disheartened but my spirits were suddenly lifted upon reading some blogs giving me an idea that atleast three falls are in thesame vicinity and is possible to visit in just one day. Yey! We've then booked a flight to Cagayan de Oro. :)

The side of Tinago Falls where our habal-habal (a motorcycle modified to seat more than two persons) driver led us is the public side of the falls so we were not asked to pay for any fee. The other side is owned by a resort and they were asking for a Php10 entrance fee. We had to trek down to a series of cement stairs built on a sloping terrain. In about 10-15 minutes of walking, I heard a loud gushing of water and in just seconds, I was seeing the most beautiful falls I've seen so far.

Tinago Falls radiates a magnificent beauty. The main cascade is a towering 240 feet. The water drops strongly producing mists that reaches even up to several meters from the falls. It's like you're in an enchanted place. The sun doesn't fully shine as it is obstructed by the surrounding greens and the weather is always cool.  Swimming is truly refreshing for a soul who is thirsty of relaxation. It's also a good place for bonding with people you love.  They have picnic tables and benches set up although I'm hoping the restrooms can be improved soon. The place isn't just enjoyed by admiring tourists but by locals as well. When I was there, a very brave local jumped from the rocks the height half of the falls. Everybody was applauding after he resurfaced from the water. I almost had a heart attack though.

Tinago Falls is a must-see when visiting Iligan City. For me, it's even my reason for traveling to Northern Mindanao. I love the fact that even if it is called "Tinago" (a local word which means Hidden) it can now be easily reached. This is like a majesty of the Philippines that is just waiting to be visited.