Daranak Falls: The Pride of Tanay

I've been planning to visit Tanay, specifically Daranak Falls for the past few years. I happen to pass by the narrow road leading there from the highway going to Momarco Resort in 2008 and I promised to go back and see what Daranak Falls look like. I never knew whatever happened and I haven't gone there, not until after 4 years had passed.

It was a Tuesday morning when I arrived and I expected nobody would be there since it's a weekday. I was surprised that there are quite a number of people (mostly families and barkadas) already occupying the picnic tables and cottages, busy grilling meat and sea shells. It is a far comparison though during weekends, the tricycle driver told us guests would reach even a thousand during weekends.

There was a bridge at the back of the small structure where we paid entrance. It's the start of the water system. The water is shallow with rocks scattered on the riverbed. We walked straight to the falls and was amazed. I've seen pictures of Daranak Falls but it still is different when you're seeing it for real. It was nice knowing there's this waterfall just near Manila, a place that somewhat promises relief from the busy streets and lifestyle of Manila. What's best is it's a public area and the government of Tanay only asks for minimal entrance fee intended for the maintenance of the place. I believe they are doing a good job in keeping the place neat.  :)

It rained the day before we traveled to Tanay so the water, although greenish and clean is not clear. I wore my goggles and couldn't see anything underwater. The cascade of the water is strong and I got to enjoy a water back massage towards the end of my stay in the falls. We started swimming at 3PM after the sun was friendlier. That's when most of the visitors packed their lunch boxes and left the place. The water is cold and refreshing, a welcome contrast to the sunny weather. I waddled in the shallow part of the falls and floated in the deeper part of it. It was like I'm glaring at my childhood memories when I was spending my time carelessly and joyously.

Daranak Falls is one of the many reasons why tourists visit Tanay and I understand why. It is a grandeur that can easily be reached from Manila and definitely would offer a day filled with a bit of discovery and fun. :)

How to Go to Daranak Falls via commute:

There are vans going to Tanay parked in front of Star Mall in Crossing. When you're in EDSA facing the mall, you'd find the queue at the most right corner. Fare as of this writing is Php70. It took about 10 minutes to fill the van when we arrived at 9:30AM. Travel time took about 1 and 1/2 hours and stopped at the terminal in Plaza Aldea. Tricycles are available and would take you to Daranak Falls. Usual fare is Php200 per tricycle maximum of 5 people. During weekends,there are tricycle queues in front of the registration area of the falls to take you back to Plaza Aldea but on ordinary days, there's none and you might want to have an arrangement with the driver for a return trip back to the town. We paid Php300 for the two way trip for the two of us.

The Falls hours are from 8AM to 5PM. No overnight stays are allowed. Entrance is Php20 for adults and Php15 for kids. Picnic sheds/tables are being rented for Php100 for the entire day.

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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.

The Delights and Dangers of Mag-aso Falls

If there is a body of water I always find mystical, it is the falls. I am always fascinated of it's magic, that I never fail to include visiting atleast one on my trips. There's something about swimming in the fresh flowing water that makes me feel wonderful. I usually end up in love with the falls I'm visiting and more often than not, I feel truly refreshed after communing with it.

Arriving Brgy. Can Omay in Antequera Bohol, approximately an hour from Whites and Greens Resort in Panglao Island, we paid a barangay fee. A short distance after, we reached the entrance to Mag-aso Falls. A lady is manning the entrance where we paid an entrance fee. I was really excited specially it will be my family's first time to see a falls. It is my sixth. There are long set of stairs going downwards to the falls. It wasn't steep, I found it friendly maybe even to kids. It's a different case though when you need to climb back to the entrance, it might be tiring for people who are not accustomed in doing physical activities. I almost run in the stairs to my excitement of seeing the falls. Then I heard the gushing of the water. A few more steps and my eyes flicked with the beauty in front of me. It was the lovely falls with three cascdes, dropping rapidly into a pool of teal-colored water. Our tour guide mentioned the drop of the falls is even stronger decades ago that it produces a smokey projection at the bottom of where the cascade is dropping, hence the name Mag-aso. Aso is a local term that means smoke.

As I'm about to swim, the incident of three boys drowning from this falls due to flash flood suddenly crossed my mind. I almost chickened out but after I got the guarantee from Rene, one of the falls' lifeguards that there had been no rain the past days, I wasted no time. Besides, I didn't see any of Bear Grylls warning tips when there would be a flash flood. I'm sad though that my sister decided not to join us in swimming. Whatever her reason is, I never completely understood but maybe, if someone isn't up to something we better let them be.

Walking to the part where I can atleast play in the water, the big rocks proved to be very slippery. I almost slipped even when I'm very careful walking. Then I dipped and the water is very cold but tolerable. I was really having fun. I floated on my back with Nikko swimming around me. Lush trees surrounds the falls and that added to the enchanting experience. We truly have a wonderful world. Trying to swim around, I noticed that the riverbed isn't flat. In some parts where I'm walking on knee high water, I found out that in just one step I could be submerged into a water that's deeper than my height. There was also an instance when I swam in the middle of the pool that I felt the strong current underwater pushing me with the waterflow. I am not a good swimmer so I decided to wear a life vest, and just floated on the side just to be on the safe side. I'd still want to reach more places and blog about them. :D Nikko on the other hand braved swimming near the cascade then swam back beside me shortly, saying the current is so strong that a lot of water entered his ears while swimming.

Having a bit bored with swimming, Nikko decided to have some more fun by riding the flow of the water  which will eventually drop him to a 10 feet high of water. I got worried and tried being a kill joy by asking him not too. He found an ally when Rene, told us it is safe as long as he knows how to swim well. He urged him to wear a lifejacket though. That's a relief for me. After he did it twice, everybody thought that it was perfectly safe then I just found them encouraging me to do it too. Sounds like fun but I'm scared, hahaha! The current is fast and what if I drink a lot of water? Everybody is cheering on me that it dawned on me, Nikko did it, I'm wearing a life vest and two lifeguards are watching me closely so what could be wrong. With a nervous look in my face, I positioned myself near the center part where it's shallow and let go from holding the rocks after Nikko did it again, just before me. I felt myself being carried by the water freely then I plunged. Watching the video, it seems fast but that time, the moment I dropped underwater felt like eternity, hahaha! I did enjoy though that after overcoming my fear, I did it again. It was something unforgettable and pumped up my energy.



                        - a video courtesy of Jing Seguban -

After two hours in the falls, it was time to leave making sure we'd be able to go to all the other attractions for that day. I had a wonderful experience. Even my parents and sister who didn't swim can't stop marveling with the sight of this falls. I just wish somehow that my sister also swam with us so she had a more joyful time, after all, she sponsored this trip. Other than that, I am really grateful that we were able to savor the delights of Mag-aso falls and did so safely without witnessing the dangers it imposes even if we visited during the rainy season.

Random Reminders


*Besides the entrance fee of Php20 for adults and Php10 for kids, they now charge Php5 barangay entrance fee just before arriving the entrance of the falls. Brgy. Can Omay isn't usually flocked by tourists and the barangay fee they collect is the only way they earn revenue for barangay use.

*Mag-aso Falls open as early as 7AM and closes at 5PM.

*There are now a total of 10 volunteer life guards in Mag-aso Falls. They don't have regular salaries but they are there to lower if not totally eradicate the number of accidents. They know the place better so it would be safer if we listen to their warnings.  I was told there are few occasions when local residents from other towns ignored their warnings and it nearly ended in a catastrophe.We can be considerate enough to give them any amount we can.

*The place lacks clean and functional restrooms.


*I won't be able to share how to go to this place via commute since this and all the other attractions I've visited in Bohol is a part of the itinerary for the whole day countryside tour I designed. We rented a vehicle with a driver that served as our tour guide as well. This is a a family get-away and not my typical backpacking trip so comfort is one of my top priorities arranging this trip. If you need information on who you can contact for renting vehicles, please check this link: Cars/Vans for Hire in Bohol.

The Reward of Finding Tukuran Falls, a Hidden Paradise

When I was planning for our Puerto Galera trip, the said Hidden Paradise located some 35 kms away from the town never left my mind. I saw few tours offered by hotels and travel companies online but there's no way we can afford the fee. Price ranges from Php2500 to Php 4500 per person with other inland attractions included. I searched high and low over the net on how we can possibly do it on our own but I never found a clear instruction on how to go there. I just know that it is on the same way going to Tamaraw Falls.

The adventurous in my blood worked its wonders on me and the lack of information didn't stop me from wanting to reach the place. So on our second day of stay in Aninuan Beach, Nikko and I left mid-morning and was transported by Tamaraw Beach Resort's tricycle service to the town where we took a jeep going to Calapan City, the capital city of Oriental Mindoro.




We first reached Tamaraw Falls in 30 minutes and after spending some time marveling at the high cascade, we decided to leave for Tukuran Falls. We asked a local, who seemed to be a tour guide in the area since he was holding brochures and offering different tour packages, the way to the said falls. He offered a jeep to take us there and back to the town for Php2000 instead. I explained that we don't have the budget for that so what he did next is speak with the driver of a multicab who was there and about to transfer other tourists to thesame place, then we would just need to share with the transportation fee. We agreed to pay hp250 each but at the end, we were told that the group pf local tourists wouldn't want to share their ride with us. Since that didn't work out, I ended up asking if there's a way we can commute to reach the falls. He then said, it's probably just about one or one and  a half kms from where we currently were. Nikko and I had hiked several mountains in the past and we both agreed that less than two kms is just a walking distance. I remember asking him how we would know that we should be turning from the main road to the falls and he replied that there will be an obvious sign at the highway. We then started walking.

It didn't feel like walking in a highway at all. I could count the passing vehicles in just one hand. It felt more like I'm trekking on a tropical forest. On our right side  is the unending range of mountains dotted with lush greens. On our left is the view of the sea. The climate is pleasant and breezy. While walking, a dead bat fell from a tree and we don't understand what happened but it fell dead.

The light mood changed when after walking for about 40 minutes, we still didn't see the sign the tour guide told us. We we're figuring out that in that span of time, we should have seen something already. We continued walking until we saw a basketball court and a barangay hall near it. We stopped and asked the locals for directions. I told them what the guide told us and everybody seemed to be confused. They were saying that the hidden paradise is still quite far, just right after the town of San Teodoro and we would still need to  hire a vehicle that will take us to the foot of the mountains, then ride a carabao cart afterwards. As confused as them, we thanked them,  left and continued walking. When a jeep passed by, we asked the driver who didn't seem to have an idea how to go there as well. We were then called by the locals who happened to have overheard our conversation and they told us Tukuran Falls is really far and is not possible to reach by walking specially it was already 1 PM. They instructed us to ride a passing jeep, alight in the next town of San Teodoro then make arrangements for a tricycle ride. This time, the concern in the locals' faces assured me that they know what they are talking about and it's time that I trust their words over the tour guide's.

We walked for another 15 minutes yet jeeps are scarce and nothing passed by yet. Maybe it was the heaven sending us some help when an empty tricycle appeared from nowhere and I hailed it to stop. I asked how much is the fare going to San Teodoro. It was Php20 per person. I then asked if he knows how to go to the hidden falls. He offered to take us there for Php200.  Knowing we probably wouldn't be able to travel back to our hotel that night without a vehicle that will take us back from the falls to the highway, I tried making an arrangement for him to wait for us. He willingly agreed and he just asked for Php350 - that's for everything. We agreed right away. :)

Michael, (the driver) drove for probably another 15 minutes along the highway then turned right into a narrower road. We continued traveling, passing through rice fields and with the road going uphill. In about 35 minutes, we reached the parking area and we were advised we either take a cart pulled by a carabao (fee if I remember it right is about Php350 for 6 pax) or just walk to the falls. We did walk, thinking that way, we'll do it with our own pace and we could stop as frequently as we wanted to take pictures.

Even the start of the trek is exhilarating! We have to cross a shallow river right away. We did cross the river about six times before we finally reached what we came for. Most of the rivers are shallow, with the deepest part just a little higher up my knee. Be warned though because there are parts where the current is strong.

The trek proved to be refreshing. There are towering coconut trees almost everywhere and the river is crystal clear.

After 45 minutes of walking (which we could have made in just 25 minutes if we didn't stop a lot for pictures), we heard the gushing sound of water and right before our eyes is the clean and green colored pool created at the bottom of the rocks where the water is freely flowing. You wouldn't imagine how I felt when I saw the place, for a moment there I couldn't believe that Nikko and I reached this place. I thought we'd never be able to make it. I thought, we would be going back to our hotel without seeing this hidden paradise. Then I'd probably be sad for the entire night.

We paid the entrance fee of Php20 each. The guide and driver we've talked to earlier that gave us the wrong information approached us and aked in Tagalog, "You're the one from earlier, right?" I said yes. They added, "You made it. " I answered, "yes we did." They even asked how did we make it to the falls and I told them we met a wonderful soul that helped us, in my most pleasant tone. I then smiled and left for a swim. It was my reward for not giving up. :)

The water is cold yet comforting. Nikko started swimming around the pool, diving to check the depth of the pool. He said it's probably about 25 feet. I started floating on my back, barely moving.. watching the trees around me, staring at the blue skies partially covered with cottony clouds... occasionally closing my eyes feeling like in a cradle, gently lulled by the calm water. It felt like I'm really in paradise. After probably an hour, we decided to climb the rocks towards the other side of the falls. We explored for a while then Nikko started frolicking in the waters again. I, on the other hand was contented taking pictures and videos.  There are few local kids who are having fun in the water as well. They were a couple of really good swimmers, not to mention brave since they spent most of their time jumping from the top of the rocks and even from the top of the trees.

I was so conscious of the time though since when the guide approached us earlier, he told us that the last trip of jeeps going back to Puerto Galera from Calapan City is 4 PM. I still am not sure why they kept on giving us false info. It was a good thing I got along with ate (I'm not really good at remembering names but she was a souvenir vendor in the falls that travels back and forth Puerto Galera everyday where she lives) so well and she assured me, the last trip is 7 PM. That gave us a little more extra time to experience and enjoy the place. When the clock turned quarter to 5, I dipped into the water for the last time and in a few minutes, we started trekking back to the parking area where Michael patiently waited for us. He then brought us first to a hanging bridge before dropping us to San Teodoro's town proper.

Overall, it was a wonderful experience, one that I'll surely never forget and definitely is my favorite. I'm writing this blog because I want everybody who's dreaming to have an intimate encounter with nature to experience this paradise. Tukuran may be called a hidden paradise because it's a real heavenly place that's not easy to reach but I also know that a lot of people have already been here, those who are willing and can afford to pay for expensive package tours. Maybe, what I really like to happen is for the beauty of Tukuran not to remain hidden anymore, even to budget travelers, but I do hope that this place will forever remain a paradise. So let's all be responsible and do our share when visiting places like this.

How to Go to Tukuran Falls Hidden Paradise from Puerto Galera


- From Puerto Galera town, ride a jeep bound Calapan City. Pay fare for San Teodoro, amount is Php40. San Teodoro is about 34 kms away from the town and about 19 kms from Tamaraw Falls. (not including the tricycle ride on the narrow road)

- When you reach San Teodoro, alight from the jeep. Make arrangements with a local tricycle driver that  can take you to the falls and is willing to wait to take you back to San Teodoro. There are no public transportation available to and from the falls. You may contact Michael, who drove us to the falls at 0907-3606205. He charged us Php350 for the two of us but we added Php50 when we paid him. It takes about 30 minutes uphill climb from the main highway of San Teodoro to the parking area in Tukuran.

- There's a Php20 entrance in Tukuran Falls.

- Bring your own food. No restaurants in the area. And please don't leave any trash.

- Apply insect repellant. Mosquitoes started biting me at mid-afternoon and I had rashes for a week.

- To go back to Puerto Galera, wait for a jeepney bound to Puerto Galera  in the highway in front of San Teodoro Elementary School. (There's a waiting shed right beside a police outpost) Last trip of jeepneys from Calapan City is 7PM.

- If you're with a big group, you can rent a jeep in Puerto Galera town directly to and from Tukuran. Price is usually Php2,000.

The Blogger Would Like to Share: Tips on Creating Your Do-It-Yourself Travel

A Side Trip to Tamaraw Falls in Puerto Galera, Philippines

Puerto Galera is a gem of the Philippines. It boasts of pristine beaches, rich marine life and green mountains. There's one more natural wonder in that area that surely left me in awe, that is the magnificent cascades of Tamaraw Falls.



Most hotels in Puerto Galera offer a tour package to Tamaraw falls for Php1,500 per person. That idea didn't appeal thrilling to me though knowing that everything will be arranged for me. I always like to do it my way, that is commuting - just the way the locals do it. Besides, I'm really not willing to pay that amount.

From Tamaraw Beach Resort in Aninuan Beach, I asked the lady in the frontdesk how much do locals pay for a tricycle ride from their resort to the downtown. It is Php100 per tricycle for a special trip but we didn't need to take one because the resort provided us a FREE tricycle ride to the town. We're grateful to them and it took us about 20 minutes to reach the town. We didn't forget to give tip to our friendly driver.

From the town, there are queues of jeeps headed to Calapan City, the capital of Oriental Mindoro. The barker told us to hop inside the jeep right away since it's about to leave. Without thinking twice, we did as told and the jeep left. We didn't have any idea that only a seat for one person is available and there are even people sitting at the door and were standing at the back of the vehicle. Wanting to reach Tamaraw Falls early, we decided not to alight and I just sat on Nikko's lap through the 15 km. travel. We passed through zigzag roads with some parts still under construction which made me a bit uncomfortable. It was ok though, I still had fun. We paid Php30 each for the fare and in about 30 minutes, we reached Tamaraw falls, which is right beside the road.

Tamaraw Falls is truly a masterpiece of nature. It is a 423-foot series of differently shaped and sized waterfall flowing downwards then finally combining each drop into a single cascade creating a pool at the foot of it. Thick trees and foliage abound the mountain where the water is flowing. The water then flow downwards under and to the other side of the bridge where it is collected in a man made pool where everyone can take a dip. Entrance is Php20.

Several tourists were already there when we arrived. After we took some photos, we had to leave soon because we also planned of visiting Tukuran Hidden Paradise and we were not sure of how to get there. I glanced at the falls for the last time then Nikko and I continued walking on the highway to Calapan, thinking its just a walking distance from Tamaraw Falls.

To go back to Puerto Galera, ride a jeep from Calapan City going back to Puerto Galera. It will pass right on thesame highway. Last trip is 7 PM.

Mambukal Resort: Home of the Seven Waterfalls

Nestled in the foot of a volcano and the sleepy town of Murcia, Negros Occidental, Mambukal Resort boasts of a wide tropical forest area, cool humid climate and a unique encounter with nature.

We left Pension Bacolod early that morning then rode a jeepney going to Libertad Public Market where mini buses plying Mambukal are parked. During the trip, I met Charles, a young mini bus conductor who amazed me with his sincerity and friendliness. After passing several towns and sugarcane plantations, we reached the resort in an hour. Before the bus left, Charles and I exchanged numbers, he and his uncle driver offered to fetch us after lunch. I was thankful because it seemed that there are no fixed time for buses to pass and leave the resort, after all, it's the low season for tourists.

There is a Php30.00 entrance fee for adults and we paid Php10.00 each for the kids we're traveling with. I was just a bit disappointed upon learning that the hotspring dipping pool was closed. We went there Tuesday which is maintenance day. Never the less, we can still opt to use the swimming pool but we didn't bother paying the Php50 for that, we decided to do the trek instead that led us to the series of seven waterfalls created by a long stream coming from the top of the mountain.

I started walking and noticed that there are accommodation facilities in the resort. Should we have longer time and were not bound to leave for Manila that afternoon, we might have opted to stay even just for a night to truly experience everything the resort has to offer. Checking on the rates, it ranges from Php600 with an ordinary lodge to Php 4000 with a luxurious family cottage with 2 bedrooms, a living room, dining and kitchen area.

Even at the start of the trek, I'm almost certain that I will love the place and I was not mistaken. What surrounded me is lush vegetation, everywhere is green. The trails are established and friendly except that it's sometimes slippery and uphill but otherwise, it's like a walk in the park. The two kids easily maneuvered their way up to the sixth falls, even on our trek back when we opted to take a different trail. It was also drizzling which added to the communing with nature experience.

Some of the falls are just small cascades. Reaching the sixth falls, we're all euphoric. Swimming isn't allowed in the previous falls we've passed by and we we're allowed to do so in the sixth falls.

There is a deep gorge filled with water coming from the falls where one can jump, that is if you've found enough courage to do so. :D for it would mean jumping from the top of a 15 feet boulder then dropping into another 15 feet deep pool.

Nikko and his siblings enjoyed doing that over and over after overcoming their fear on the first jump. I on the other hand was satisfied playing in the shallow waters, capturing their pictures and taking videos.



The seventh falls wasn't available for viewing when we visited. There had been a landslide blocking the path on the way there so we spent most of our time in the sixth falls. Few hours had passed and we know time is running out so we had our group picture taken before heading back to the resort. We took the trail crossing the stream near the sixth falls.

We continued on an ascending trail until we reach a ridge where we were rewarded with a picturesque view of the lowlands. It was slippery and muddy on that trail and I'm thankful my Ipanema slippers had been dependable enough. :) There's also a tree occupied by hundred of fruit bats. Some flew after I clicked my camera and it flashed, my bad. But it was a site seeing some of them fly in unison. We continued trekking until we've passed by a local village where Nico, the local kid who tagged along in our trek is residing. He also showed us the narrow path leading to their school.

On our way, I happened to see a marang tree, with its succulent fruit I tasted for the first time on our way to Murcia. It looked like a jackfruit, only smaller. The tree only grows in the southern regions of the Philippines.

After passing the last local house, Nico told us he won't be coming with us anymore. When asked why, he told us, kids like him aren't permitted inside the resort, the guard will be furious if he sees him. That's when we understood that maybe, Mambukal isn't allowing guides especially kids inside their property, something we didn't know upon arriving. He pointed us the way back to the resort and we gave him money, something he didn't really ask but we thought he needed especially only his father is earning a living for their whole family. We told him to use it in his schooling. He thanked us by his wide smile.

We continued walking then reached the boating area. The water is cold, it was coming from the stream. Nearby, I saw some parts of the soil smoking and sometimes bubbling, a proof that the resort lies at the foot of a volcano. Few more minutes and we passed by a cemented pathway with lots of trees planted on both sides, then an area where guests who prefer to camp can pitch their tents.

Upon reaching the parking area, I sent Charles a message and was told they are on their way to fetch us. That's perfect giving us time to take a quick shower at the bathroom near the pool area. The water is ice cold which made my quick shower even quicker. The mini bus then arrived and few minutes had passed, we were travelling back to Bacolod City where we had our lunch then dropped by the pension house to get our things before heading to the airport.

Mambukal Resort is a grand finale to our Western Visayas backpacking trip. It isn't anything fancy but it surely is worth a visit especially for nature lovers and adventurers like me. :)