We were a lot more positive that the last falls to visit would be also a good one after seeing Macatel Falls. Mang Pedro had to do another round of queries with some locals on the road to find Mabnang Falls. Some locals didn’t even know there was a falls nearby but Mang Pedro was able to get the right information and we got off the main road again into a wide open unpaved road lined with trees and a bunch of kids playing.
We found ourselves on a high ground overlooking the rest of the landscape of Claveria. We saw a pool being constructed on a perfect overlooking spot. Is this going to be a public resort too? I’m not sure. But the guys there doing the work pointed us to the direction of the falls. We had to leave our tricycle to do some hike on who knows how long.
There’s a narrow ascending trail parallel a stream we had to take. Thick vegetation surrounded the trail which was a good sign on how pristine the place could be. The stream was getting stronger and was transforming into a very impressive high fall on the side. I could hardly sort it out from the holes of the vegetation and I could not see a safe trail to view it. We pushed further up.
And there it was, a good looking falls with a wonderful cascade and basin. There were signs of intended development on the area with cemented structures in ruins. But I think it didn’t work out judging from the distance of the hike (which took quite a few minutes) on an elevating terrain and surrounded by thick vegetation. Now plants have grown through the cracks and a lot of bugs in mullti-colored and unfamiliar forms have found their home here. It’s like nature reclaiming what its rightfully hers.
We enjoyed taking photographs of the falls but have to leave as the afternoon is about to end. If the pool at the hike jump-off was an indication of future development in the area, I hope it doesn’t reach up the to the falls or we may never see it the same way as we did.
Ferdz Decena is an award-winning travel photographer, writer and blogger. His works has found print in publications such as Singapore Airlines’s Silver Kris, Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay, Cebu Pacific’s Smile and Seair InFlight. He has also lent his expertise to various organizations like the Oceana Philippines, Lopez Group Foundation, Save the Children and World Vision, contributing quality images for their marketing materials.
