SIMPLY Trailing to the City of Falls

Brother Sun’s bright smile to greet the morning tripper/s…

My country happen to be blessed with wondrous natural places and that is something much to be thankful for

I am kind'a an outdoorsy person and I find love by exploring nature. Going to natural spots like waterfalls is a place like-no-other. A true experience, indeed. 

There are many places to go with and I took some time to treat myself in some kind of a trek. And, Tinago Falls would be the best choice to unplug.

Behold the Majestic Water Falls

This is Tinago Falls (the term ‘tinago” literally means “hidden”), a water crystal jewel, I must say. Hidden it may called, but many tourists and nature lovers had came to visit this place more often. I bet most travelers, trekkers and adventurers are in love with the place…

Interested?

This hidden jewel is located at the deep ravine from the outskirt of the City district. No exact words can describe its beauty but truly breathe-taking. "3G" I must say; "God's Great Gift".

Going to Tinago Falls is about 15 to 30 minutes away from the heart of Iligan City. There are two options of stop-over. From the city, you may take a jeepney ride (PUJ) going to Barangay Buru-un or going to the Town of Linamon. Just tell the driver you’ll be dropped to the site’s (falls’) entry point. From then, you'll take a motorcycle ride called “habal-habal” on the way to the location.

Down to the nearly 500+ steps of "winding staircase"

Before arriving at the majestic site, you must trek down the nearly 500 cemented descending steps which also called the “winding staircase”. So to those who wants to visit, prepare your heart and stretch your lungs. If you have heart conditions, don’t be disappointed. You can still hike but with caution: just take your time and take it slowly, rest and enjoy taking pictures while feasting your eyes on the nature’s enticing beautiful panoramic view. Surely you’ll be mesmerized that others need to see. In time, you’ll arrive without catching a breath. It’s best to visit this place with friends and or company. It’s more fun (I guess).  But at this moment, I chose to be in solo-flight. 

a little blue friend's morning greet
down the step of the staircase...

The panoramic view... and tall trees!

Before arriving at the majestic site, you must trek down the nearly 500 cemented descending steps which also called the “winding staircase”. So those who wants to visit, prepare your heart and stretch your lungs. If you have heart conditions, don’t be disappointed. You can still hike but with caution: just take your time and take it slowly, rest and enjoy taking pictures while feasting your eyes on the nature’s enticing beautiful panoramic view. Surely you’ll be mesmerized that others need to see. In time, you’ll arrive without catching a breath. It’s best to visit this place with friends and or company. It’s more fun!

be enticed by the crystal blue H2O

Going near to the falling cold water or cascades is something you must try. By riding on their improvised bamboo-made raft, you may experience the lavishing and rumbling waters over. A rope is tied-up connected from its bank to the waterfalls’ small caves. All you do is to tag it while in the bamboo’s raft. It’s free of charge.

Truly endlessly deep..

How deep is the blue ice-cold basin? According to some local folks, no one ever knows how deep the water level is. It is said that no person recorded that ever reach the deepest trench, not even some professional scuba divers from other countries. Who knows, you might be the one… Anyhow, for safety precaution, hence wearing life vest is a must. That is, if you don’t know how to swim or even if you know, though. 

Sometimes, you'll find to appreciate
the beauty of life in tall trees...

Our World become so busy and time runs too fast. And, that we need to take a quality walk and be one with nature as we swim every challenging life. There are mysteries in life that somehow mother nature only knows the secret. We don't need to feel alone and lost, she runs deep around us. All we need is feel her breathe, embrace her wind, and enfold the flow of water as it caresses our skin. Nature is not something separate us for we alone is also nature. While we seek silence from, we can find peace. So, let's not lost that connection to ourselves.

Me falling deeply into you...

I will always be a stranger in a familiar places like "Tinago" Falls. I’ve been here quite many times but I will never take a second thought on keep coming back. Such a serene and tranquil place to hide. My heart just keep on falling in Love to this water flowing nature's hidden-hub. 

ON THIS DAY 4 YEARS AGO

the day the typhoon arrived in Albuera, Leyte and slashed by gusting winds 

It all began on November 8. The killer typhoon’s landfall lambasted the Philippines without exemptions. Still quite unthinkable remembering the gravity of destruction which took many lives. Who could have known that it would be such a catastrophe. Millions were affected. Thousands perished and died, shocked and traumatized, left homeless, thirst and starved. Many hopes and dreams were shattered and fell apart. Crushed by that fated ramifications. Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) claiming the lives of thousand many, marked history as the strongest typhoon ever struck the Philippines. That, she left behind the stories of great struggle of near-deaths, sorrows, pains and miseries that etched forever in our hearts and minds.

Days after Yolanda

The world felt the grieving of our country. All allied nations unconditionally extended their pledges and assistance in whatever forms. Both local and international volunteers came to aid helping the wounded. Continuously gave relief, support and assistance to those most in need. The aid was extremely overwhelming which gave hope to the weeping victims and despaired survivors. We were overloaded with kindness from every corners of the earth.

Irene, Brian, Peejay

My good friends Irene, Brian, PeeJay and I witnessed the typhoon’s aftermath while we volunteered on a medical mission in a local town, Albuera that was also struck by the mishap. It’s thanks to the efforts, donations and financial assistance of Marichel Igana and Bellou Oclarit-Erazo all the way from Belgium who took the initiative of ”helping their fellow Filipino ‘kababayans’.

Marichel and Belo pleaded for help...

Our own government’s utterly claimed to have had “admirably responded” the aftermath on the first “sixty days” of the calamity (Mar Roxas, DILG 2014). But, what about the next “three-hundred-sixty-five- days?” The years after next? And, until the end of term? As much as I want to state the obvious, I gave to them the “benefit of the doubt“. The officials and authorities, the one responsible on to its efforts at that time were clouded with questions and doubts. 

The present administration carry the burden of the past, doing it's best to end the problems created by the previous corrupt officials and administrators. It was not just Tacloban City, it was the entire Samar Island and Leyte Provinces and other places in Visayas as well. As I was watching the news fed on television, I'm quite astonished by the reports of the Commission on Audit how astronomical the funds and pledges were donated by other countries and other sectors. It's quite frustrating how the previous administration screwed up and bungled the billions of pesos intended for that calamity. Now, by facing lawsuit filed against those corrupts before the court, I hope justice will be served. I have my faith and confidence on this current government to continuously strive a great effort in responding to the calls of those victims and survivors whom still patiently waiting for help from the great misfortune brought by Haiyan (Yolanda). 

The beautiful Balugom Albuera 

We are always students in life. We exist once, however we live every day and aim to survive by learning our existence and true purpose. There are storms in life that sometimes shake our midst. We face trials and challenges day to day, night and day. Somehow, sudden fate changes the course of our life that we never foreseen. Such it happened to our fellows and ‘that’ those known survivors have once known what prodigious defeat, sufferings and struggles are all about. Have known great loss and pain, and they have found a deeper hope dwelling to its way out of the depths and move forward. Who could ever forget “on this day 4 years ago.”