Chasing Waterfalls in Moalboal: Taginis Falls - Town's Hidden Gem

Like, chase literally because all we did was follow the flow and listen carefully to the sound of the water flowing so we can reach this hidden gem.

As you all know (or at least those who’ve already known), Moalboal is a small town in Cebu known for its sea paradise beauty, captivating a lot of worldwide tourists. But only a few knew that this place branded with dive shops, resorts, and beaches also have hidden treasures up in the mountains. It's about time to open the curtains of “Taginis Falls”.

As far as I know, there are two undeveloped waterfalls here in our town. The other one is located in Batad-Batad, Moalboal Cebu. I was there a few years ago. It has no clear trail. But I’ll try to explore it again soon and see if it has any developments this time.

Okay. It’s a no-work Saturday for me so I got myself busy with destroying turrets, launching attacks and smashing enemies on Mobile Legends. In the first place, I woke up with plainly no plans at all. I thought the day is going to be an awesome me-staying-at-home-doing-nothing day. But life has its own way of handing me one of its splendid glories.

While focusing on the game, my Messenger started to pop up messages and it's really quite annoying since I was already hooked up in raising my rank for the day. Little did I know that it was a message from a friend with a shared link of Taginis posted on Facebook. And another friend even mentioned me on the comment box. That's how this whole trip started. The next thing I knew, we're on our way heading to explore its magnificence.

Blessed enough my friends have wheels this spontaneous trip was made easier.

Disclaimer: You'll experience "ice cream road" along the way. No, not the squishy-mushy pathway, the rocky road one. If you're driving on your own, just be safe. Also, don't expect much. The place is not yet developed by the local tourism government. So, nobody can properly guide you. But you can actually ask the locals who lived nearby. Just ask politely and they'll tell you where to make the right turn. Explore differently. 

How to Get There?

There are actually a lot of options on how to get there. And the entry points are either the town of Alcantara or Moaboal. It depends on which is more convenient for you.

From Moalboal:

First Option. If you're away from Cebu South, you ride a bus with Bato-Barili signage at South Bus Terminal. There's also another bus line - Librando Trans. just across South Bus Terminal. Ask politely the bus conductor to drop you off at Gaisano Grand Mall in Moalboal. From there, you look for a habal-habal or a tricycle perhaps and tell the driver you're heading to Sitio Budlot in Bala. Fare varies depending on the negotiation. It would normally take you 50 pesos or more.

Second Option. If you have private wheels, the first landmark to look for is Petron Gas Station in Moalboal Cebu. From there, you make a turn at a small street next to it heading to Brgy. Bugho. Brgy. Bala is next to Bugho, just don't forget to ask politely the locals you pass by if you start to feel a little lost. Read the road signs and look for the one with Sitio Budlot written on it. The key here is to "politely ask" so you won't get lost.

From Alcantara:

First Option. If you're away from Cebu South, you ride a bus with Bato-Barili signage at South Bus Terminal. There's also another bus line - Librando Trans. just across South Bus Terminal. Ask politely the bus conductor to drop you off at the town of Alcantara. From there, you look for a habal-habal or a tricycle perhaps and tell the driver you're heading to Budlot Spring. Fare varies depending on the negotiation. It would normally take you 50 pesos or more.

Second Option. If you have private wheels, the first landmark to look for is "Eskina Halik" in Alcantara. From there, you make a turn to Brgy. Lawaan. Brgy. Bala is next to Lawaan, just don't forget to ask politely the locals you pass by if you start to feel a little lost. Read the road signs and look for the one with Bala National High School written on it. Again, the key here is to "politely ask" so you won't get lost.

Why are you all wearing black? 

As for me and my friends, we choose the second option from Alcantara. We've been to Budlot Spring already a few years back so, it was easier for us to go this way. But even so, we still got confused and asked politely the locals there. We know we're on the right way when we made a right turn going to Bala National High School. And continued a little further until we reached the sign with "Sitio Budlot" written on it. Choose the left way going uphill.

If you feel that you're not there yet and you seem lost, find someone to ask. Lucky for us we found few kids playing alongside the street. So, we asked them. They excitedly told us to go straight ahead, Budlot Spring is the dead end of the road. (Explore pa more!)

Budlot Spring

Budlot Spring | Bala, Moalboal, Cebu | Side trip from the main attraction.

You can actually take a quick dip here if you feel like it. A lot of people leaving nearby also enjoy doing so. I got lucky to take a picture without the place being crowded. The last time I was here, this mini natural pool is filled with some group of friends enjoying the cold spring.

Scammed and Lost

"Groufie muna bago maligaw." | with Ariz, Annalie, Michael and Leira.

We continued our way to find Taginis after we asked the locals who happened to be there and were busy doing their errands. We remembered every detail they said. Pass the bridge. Follow the trail.
But... but what we found looked very far from what was on the picture.

Actually, they told us the right direction. There's a misconception going on, that's why. It turned out that the Taginis these locals have known here is not the one you see that goes viral on Facebook. Taginis looked like this. (See the picture the below)

Photo Credits to Annalie Sanchez.

We laughed so hard and kept asking each other if this is the right place. Nope. We checked the picture a couple of times and looked around the place. Ariz and I even explored a little further and found out this is going nowhere. I found disappointments in their faces. This can't be happening.

We all went back to Budlot Spring, asked the locals again. We asked if Taginis is the one with water pipes made of bamboo. And yes, they confirmed. We even let them see the picture so they can identify it. We then show them the one that went viral on Facebook.

"Ayyyy, sa salog man na", we heard one of the locals.

Thank God it's here somewhere. The thing is, the falls still has no name yet. So for now, let's just call it Taginis Falls. Shall we?

Follow the Flow

Even with life directions, we still found ourselves making the wrong turns. I guess that's how life really works sometimes, right? Us, getting lost and confused which way to go. I hope you can still find the right way and reach where you should be. 

Amazingly, each one of us on this Taginis adventure was so determined to find it. I even found Leira heading the way now. And still heard touches of laughter from all of us along the way. It's actually fun to get lost in the right place with the right people.

Each is heading which way. Haha. Kuwang nalang blindfolds para Birdbox feels.
Follow the sound of the waters dayon.

I don't want you to get lost in the middle of the woods. This is for you: From Budlot Spring, head your way to the short bridge. You will pass by Villa Budlot along the way and continue following the trail. You will reach the second bridge but don't go down to the bamboo water pipes. Instead, continue the trail until you can see the Chapel. At the right side of the Chapel, there should be another trail - follow it until you reach another trail heading to the woods. Listen clearly to the sound of the flowing water.

You should be fine as you reach this part (see pictures below).

(Basta kay ingun tos manong nga, "Subaya ra ninyong tubig dai. Di ra mo mawala.") So, I'm passing it to you. Follow the flow and you'll be fine.

Unfolding Taginis Falls

If there are mountains and rivers, there are probably waterfalls around. Exposing Taginis means allowing it to be open for other explorers like us. It's always free to those who wish to seek it. But, we should always remember that we are just travelers of this place and we don't own it. It is necessary to respect the place and not to abuse it.

Taginis Falls, everyone!

Taginis Falls | Bala, Moalboal, Cebu

There's more to explore in Moalboal than what you've already known. Taginis offers a great reward after a not-so tiring hike. Not unless you make a couple of wrong turns along the way. Heading to this place is a totally different experience far more than mind-blowing sea paradise.

If you have that sense of adventure in you, 2019 might be the perfect year to take your wanderlust self to the next level. Especially if you need a break away from your daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. routine. In a span of 30 to 45 mins time, you can reach this hidden gem in Brgy. Bala, Moalboal, Cebu.

Isn't this relaxing?

Ignite your adrenaline pumping and do some falls sliding! "Look for a palwa and make padidit." *You know, English can be sometimes hard. Haha.* I've heard the locals do that hear. But always do the extreme with extra caution. If you're quite unsure, then don't. This is only for those who seek thrills in their adventure.

Who would not want to experience this once in a lifetime?

If you're that someone who also want to escape the busy streets and the loud crowd, you will surely love the solitude you can find in this place. But if you're afraid to get lost, I suggest you ask some locals to guide you and do negotiation. Pay them of course.

I will surely go back to you Taginis.

More photos on the link below.
http://bit.ly/2YQWRWF

Villa Budlot Spring

The reason why Bala, Moalboal is a perfect place to go is also that there's a mountain resort located nearby, where you can stay overnight. When you're done reconnecting yourself with nature, you can enjoy the amenities offered at Villa Budlot Spring.

Indeed a great place to escape life's chaos and unwind. What's amazing is that they have a swimming pool inside the resort, which fits perfectly with your kind of vacation. The cellphone signal is almost impossible, you'll be expecting no calls from your boss or anyone from your office.

I was here last May 2016 and until now the place still looks amazing.

Always remember in all your travels to leave the place much better than the first time you saw it. Leave No Trace. Wander at your own risk.

✏

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MALIPAYONG JOSEFINA

@happyemzey

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To God be all the glory and praise.