The epic tricycle ride for roughly 100 kilometers to get to this waterfall will always be one of my most unforgettable experiences. 📍Mag-aso Falls, Kabankalan City
🇵🇭NEGROS OCCIDENTAL ADVENTURE PRIMER🇵🇭
✈️🛳🚌 How to get to Negros Occidental:
⏺ Take a plane from Metro Manila to Bacolod-Silay Airport (e.g. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific).
⏺ If you are coming from Dumaguete City, ride a bus bound for Bacolod City via Kabankalan/Mabinay (travel time: 5 – 7 hours depending on traffic condition and number of stop-overs).
🏄🏝🚴 Sites to explore/Activities:
⏺ Perth Paradise Resort, Punta Ballo Beach and Tinagong Dagat Island Resort / Latasan Island Resort of Sipalay City
📌From South Terminal in Bacolod City, ride a van bound for Sipalay or bus bound for Sipalay/Hinoba-an.
📌Alight at the city proper of Sipalay (travel time: 4 – 5 hours).
📌Hire a tricycle that will take you to these tourist spots.
📌If you are coming from Dumaguete (travel time may take 4 – 6 hours due to a number of transfers and waiting time), ride a bus bound for Hinoba-an then transfer to a bus bound for Sipalay City. If there are no available buses that will take you directly to Hinoba-an, you may take the bus going to Bayawan City, transfer to another bus bound for Hinoba-an then ride a bus going to Sipalay City. If you are pressed for time, you may hire a tricycle from Hinoba-an that will take you to Sipalay.
⏺ Mag-aso Falls of Kabankalan City
📌From South Terminal in Bacolod City, ride a bus bound for Dumaguete City via Kabankalan/Mabinay.
📌Tell the bus conductor that you are going to Mag-aso Falls in Barangay Oringao (travel time: 2 – 3 hours).
📌Hire a tricycle/motorcycle to get to Mag-aso Leisure Camp.
📌If you are coming from Dumaguete City, ride a bus bound for Bacolod City via Kabankalan/Mabinay (travel time: 2.5 – 3.5 hours) and alight at the jump-off where you can rent a tricycle/motorcycle to get to Mag-aso Falls.
⏺ Malatan-og Falls of Don Salvador Benedicto
📌From South Terminal in Bacolod City, ride a bus bound for San Carlos City via Don Salvador Benedicto.
📌Ask the bus conductor to drop you off at “Lantawan” (travel time: 1 – 1.5 hours).
📌Register and secure guide/s.
📌The trek to get to the waterfall takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on your pace.
⏺ Mayana Peak of San Carlos City
📌From South Terminal in Bacolod City, ride a bus bound for San Carlos City via Don Salvado Benedicto.
📌Tell the bus conductor to drop you off at Sitio Punod/Mayana Peak (travel time: 1.5 – 2 hours).
📌Charter a motorcycle that will take you to the jump-off.
📌Register and secure guide/s.
📌The trek to get to Mayana Peak takes about 15 – 30 minutes.
⏺ Pulang Tubig Falls of Silay City
📌From North Terminal in Bacolod City, ride a bus or jeepney bound for Silay City or bus bound for Victorias City (travel time: roughly 45 minutest to 1 hour).
📌Alight at Prince Mall in Silay.
📌Ride a jeepney bound for Barangay Patag and tell the driver that you are going to Ladlad Resort which serves as the jump off (travel time: approximately 1 – 1.5 hours).
📌Please take note that the jeepney schedule runs from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and it only leaves when it is full.
📌If you are pressed for time, you may hire a tricycle from the city proper that will take you directly to Patag.
📌Once you arrive at Ladlad Resort, hire a guide who can take you to the waterfall.
📌The trek to Pulang Tubig Falls takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on your pace.
📌Please be reminded that leeches or “limatik” are present along the trail and they might not allow you to visit the waterfall during rainy season due to landslides.
⏺ Kipot Twin Falls, Busay Ubos and Busay Miren/Lunao Falls/Maragandang Falls of Bago City
📌From South Terminal in Bacolod City, ride a bus bound for Ma-ao (travel time: approximately 1 hour).
📌At the bus terminal in Barangay Ma-ao, charter a tricycle/motorcycle that will take you to these falls.
📌The trek to get to each of the waterfall takes about 15 – 30 minutes.
📌Always check the weather first before visiting because they might not allow you to get to these falls during rainy season due to landslides and strong current since you would be required to cross rivers to get closer to the waterfalls.
I started ticking off these spots in Negros Occidental on my third day in the island of Negros. I allotted Days One and Two for Negros Oriental. 📍Tinagong Dagat Island Resort / Latasan Island Resort, Sipalay CityIt was supposed to be a one-week trip with my college blockmate but he got confused with our schedule so he was not able to plot the exact dates for his vacation leaves. I had reservations at first whether I should push through with my plan but my wanderlust won in the end. 📍Perth Paradise Resort, Sipalay CityAfter my waterfall adventure in Valencia, Negros Oriental, I washed up then had a quick nap at the lodge before I went to the bus terminal by 1:00 the next morning. Unfortunately, there was no bus bound for my destination. There were only a few people waiting. Before 3:00 AM, my prayers were finally answered. I quickly put my ginormous backpack in the bus compartment and went inside the vehicle. I didn’t mind even if it was a non-aircon bus. “What choice do I have?” I told myself. It was the only bus bound for the town of Hinoba-an during that time. There was no room to be a spoiled brat wishing for an air-conditioned bus anyway. 📍Tinagong Dagat Island Resort / Latasan Island Resort , Sipalay CityForget air-conditioning. The cold breeze slicing through the dark made it seem as if I were in Northern Philippines. I was wide awake while the bus passed by the sleepy municipalities of Negros Oriental en route to the western side of the island. There were only a handful of passengers inside the vehicle. It was my first time traveling alone in this province but the solitude I felt on that road trip at dawn was definitely memorable. 📍Perth Paradise Resort, Sipalay CityThe bus arrived in Bayawan City by 5:00 AM. Unfortunately, I was the only passenger en route to Hinoba-an so I was left with no choice but to transfer to another bus that will go directly to this town. Luck was not really on my side because the next Hinoba-an-bound bus would leave by 6:30 AM. I think I was the happiest boy on Earth when the bus finally left the terminal in Bayawan. It took another hour to reach the terminal in Hinoba-an. My tricycle driver/guide from Sipalay City already decided to just pick me up in Hinoba-an so he was already waiting at the terminal when I arrived. He knew that it would take time again before the bus bound for Sipalay leaves. I quickly had my breakfast at the city proper of Sipalay before heading to our first destination. 📍Tinagong Dagat Island Resort / Latasan Island Resort, Sipalay CityAs we were on our way to this awesome resort, I asked my guide how Sipalay became a city. Just like the not-so-urbanized Guihulngan City which I visited the day before, Sipalay is pretty much the same. My guide told me that this place was promoted to a city because of the earnings contributed by a mining corporation to the city’s IRA (internal revenue allotment).As soon as I entered the premises of the resort, I realized that I was the first visitor that morning. I paid the entrance fee and hastily climbed up the stairs going to one of the most photographed infinity pools in the country.The first thing I noticed was the size of the swimming pool. It looks quite big in photos online but it is actually small in real life. Boy was I so glad that the resort was deserted or else I would need to wait to have my solo picture taken.I initially planned to just take photos but then I thought of how lucky I was that there was no one around so I took advantage of this moment of having the place all to myself. I totally dipped myself in the pool while my guide climbed up to a higher spot to capture this picture.I would have wanted to swim and stay longer but I needed to strictly follow my itinerary so we headed next to Punta Ballo Beach. I just took a quick peek before we proceeded to this resort. 📍Tinagong Dagat Island Resort / Latasan Island Resort, Sipalay CityWe parked outside the entrance of Tinagong Dagat Island Resort then walked towards this bridge separating Tinagong Dagat from another resort, Latasan Island ResortMy guide and I crossed the bridge while taking photos along the way. I was lucky that the place was virtually empty during my visit.We reached Latasan Island Resort and I noticed that the construction of some rooms was still underway. We climbed up to this spot with this great view. I walked towards the other side overlooking the hanging bridge and had an epic idea.I asked my guide to stay at the view deck while I went down and posed by the bridge so he could take a picture of me as if it were a drone shot. Kudos to Kuya Guide for being my drone so I could get awesome bird’s-eye view shots.We walked back towards the gate of Tinagong Dagat Island Resort and my guide asked me where I was headed next. I would have preferred to take the van or bus bound for Bacolod and just alight at my next stop for the day. But I would need to wait before the van leaves once it’s full. On the other hand, buses have speed limits so it would really take time.My tricycle driver offered to take me to Mag-aso Leisure Camp where this waterfall is situated. I was hesitant at first because it would be too expensive but it was almost lunch time. And considering what I’ve experienced with all the cutting trips and waiting times since 1:00 in the morning that day, I accepted my guide’s offer. It would be costly but it would save me a lot of time. After all, I needed to be in Bacolod City in the evening. 📍Mag-aso Falls, Kabankalan CityWe set off for our road trip before lunch time. I would catch glimpses of kilometer markers along the way and it finally dawned on me how far it would be. A short tricycle drive is tolerable but ours is a long one so I would ask my guide to stop from time to time so I could rest my butt. Just like most tricycles, the seat of this tricycle does not really have a thick cushion and the roof of the vehicle was too low for me. I know that Asians are of small stature and I may not be a six-footer but tricycles here in the Philippines seem like they’re made only for children.The sunny feel-good weather that day as we traversed the national highway was engraved in my memory. Even with just this simple gift of good weather from Mum Nature, it’s one of those moments when I would realize how lucky I am to be alive.After covering approximately 100 kilometers, we finally reached Kabankalan. We headed to the city proper first to have lunch before resuming our journey. Unfortunately, the perfect weather was replaced by some rain as we neared Barangay Oringao where the waterfall is. We entered the junction going to Mag-aso Leisure Camp amidst some drizzling. There were a few tricycles and motorcycles parked outside the compound when we arrived. I excitedly walked with my guide towards here at the main cascade of Mag-aso Falls. Boy were my fingers crossed that the color of the water was still as turquoise as it’s supposed to be. Thank the heavens for granting my wish. At least the rain didn’t ruin everything.There was a signage which warns visitors that swimming is not allowed at the deeper portion right below the cascade because of the strong current. A couple of tourists were taking photos when we arrived so we waited until they’re done. There was no reason for visitors to stay that long at the main cascade anyway after they have taken their pictures since no one is allowed to swim. Once the tourists were gone, I savored every minute of my stay here while shooting tons of pictures.We then went down here at the lower cascade with a natural pool where one could take a dip.We also took a peek at the higher tier of Mag-aso Falls with small pools for swimming. This was one of the photos I got here.It started to rain again as if it was our cue to finally end the tour. We waited out the downpour while I changed into dry clothes. As soon as the rain stopped, my guide brought me to the bus terminal in Kabankalan City where I took a bus en route to Bacolod where I would spend the night.
⏰⏳ SAMPLE ITINERARY:
DAY 1
8:00 AM ETA Bacolod-Silay Airport
9:00 AM Check-in
10:00 AM ETD for South Terminal
11:00 AM ETD for Bago City
12:00 PM ETA Bago City
1:30 PM Kipot Twin Falls
3:00 PM Busay Miren/Lunao Falls/Maragandang Falls
4:00 PM Busay Ubos
5:00 PM Wash up
6:00 PM ETD for Bacolod
7:00PM Dinner
DAY 2
1:00 AM Wake-up call
2:00 AM ETD for Sipalay City
7:00 AM ETA Sipalay City / breakfast
8:00 AM Perth Paradise Resort
9:30 AM Punta Ballo Beach
10:00 AM Tinagong Dagat Island Resort / Latasan Island Resort
11:30 AM ETD for Mag-aso Leisure Camp, Kabankalan City
2:30 PM ETA Mag-aso Falls
4:30 PM Wash up
5:00 PM ETD for Bacolod
8:00 PM ETA Bacolod
DAY 3
6:00 AM Wake-up call
7:00 AM ETD for Don Salvador Benedicto
8:30 AM Commence trek
9:30 AM ETA Malatan-og Falls
11:30 AM Head back to jump-off
12:30 PM ETD for Mayana Peak
2:30 PM ETA Mayana Peak
5:00 PM ETD for Bacolod
7:00 PM ETA Bacolod
DAY 4
5:00 AM Wake-up call / check-out
6:00 AM ETD for Silay City
7:00 AM ETA Silay City
7:30 AM ETD for Patag
9:00 AM Commence trek
10:00 AM ETA Pulang Tubig Falls
12:00 PM ETD for Silay City
1:30 PM ETD for Bacolod Airport
💰💶 ESTIMATED BUDGET (for a solo traveler): Php 10,000 – Php 12,000 (exclusive of airfare)
***Expenses may vary depending on the type of accommodation you will avail and personal consumption of food and other necessities. If traveling alone, you will solely shoulder the guide fees and motorcycle/tricycle transfer and tour rates.
I woke up on the wrong side of the bed on Day Four because I was not able to get a decent sleep. That’s because when I reached my booked hotel the previous night, I had to wait because all of their rooms were full although I had already booked mine in advance. So they had to transfer me to another hotel. I didn’t want to unleash the kraken in me and argue with the hotel staff because I was so exhausted. After all, I had been awake since 1:00 AM. The staff booked me a cab that took me to the new hotel (according to receptionist of the previous hotel, the room where I would be transferred was much more expensive than what I bargained for because it was good for four guests with two double beds and a large bathroom). But here’s the catch. It looks like a renovated old house. It’s a big no-no for me, considering I have a sixth sense and I was traveling alone. Don’t get me wrong. I like the old-school rustic ambience of buildings from the past. They produce great photos but it’s not a place I would love to sleep in. No matter how many times you restore and renovate an old establishment, the imprints of the past such as spirits will always linger in its corners for they are bound to the place. As soon as the taxi pulled over outside the gate, I immediately sensed the strong aura emanating from the hotel. Oh gods. This is one of the reasons I pre-book my accommodations and as much as possible, check photos and reviews online so I could decide whether I should pick the place. After all, people with ESP like me could tell even just in photos whether a hotel is haunted. But this time, I was caught off guard with this surprise of the night. I could still remember that moment when I left all the lights open and the television switched on before sleeping. I wouldn’t want the darkness and silence to be the best avenues for my “paranormal friends” to visit me while I tried to rest. My bad for not disclosing the name of the hotel. I don’t want to tarnish its reputation. After all, it’s not their fault that I am a ghost magnet. 📍Malatan-og Falls, Don Salvador BenedictoThe next day, I left the hotel at dawn and hailed a cab to the bus terminal. Finally, I could say goodbye to this accommodation. I enjoyed the bus ride from Bacolod to my next destination. The foggy landscape that morning reminded me of Cordillera, with all the pine trees along the way. My travel time only took an hour. The wet cold weather welcomed me at the bus stop in Don Salvador Benedicto. Because of the rain, the town proper looked so deserted. I was expecting motorcycle drivers to approach and ask me where I was headed but there was no one who greeted me once I alighted off the bus. Every time I’d be going to a specific town, the first thing I do is hail a tricycle or motorcycle or look for the terminal where I could hire a private service that will take me to the tourist spot where I am headed. Unfortunately this time, no one came to my rescue. I then caught a glimpse of a bakery to buy some bread. I asked the lady where I could get a motorcycle that would take me here at Malatan-og Falls. She directed me to the terminal of motorcycles just a few hundred meters from where I was. Sadly, there was no one around upon reaching it. I asked a passerby and he told me to wait for an available motorcycle. The view deck or “lantawan” to locals of Malatan-og Falls is actually just along the highway. I could have asked the bus conductor to drop me there but I needed to charter a motorcycle that would also take me directly to my next stop after this which is Mayana Peak. So the best option was to hire a motorcycle at the town proper of Salvador Benedicto.The rain finally stopped when my motorcycle driver and I arrived at the view deck of Malatan-og Falls. An old guy in his fifties approached us with a logbook in his hand so I could register. I told him that I wanted to see the waterfall up close. I assured him that I wouldn’t stay that long so he agreed to accompany me. He warned me that it’s going to be a muddy trek considering the rainy weather the night before but I didn’t mind. For a seasoned mountaineer like me, the trek was challenging yet manageable. But understanding my guide proved to be much harder. He isn’t fluent in Tagalog so every time I would speak in Tagalog, he would respond in Ilonggo. So that’s how we conversed. I would use Tagalog while he would use Ilonggo. I don’t know any language or dialect except Tagalog and English so it really was difficult for me. The best thing I could do was pinpoint the keywords from his sentences which made sense to me or words with sounds that seem similar to Tagalog ones.Seeing the majestic vertical drop of this waterfall was truly worth it after about half an hour of trekking. Because it was one early morning of a weekday when the majority of people are in schools and offices and the weather was not so great for outdoor adventures, I got this place all to myself.I hopped on the motorcycle to continue my journey to Mayana Peak. The motorcycle driver from Salvador Benedicto agreed to take me straight to San Carlos City. We then decided to rest our butts at a restaurant along the highway to have breakfast. 📍Mayana Peak, San Carlos CityWe arrived at the junction going to the jump-off to Mayana Peak. We passed by some parked motorcycles and the drivers told us that the unpaved road was extremely muddy. We braced ourselves for the worst but since it was my driver’s first time in this side of San Carlos and he’s not used to driving in this muddy road condition, we had to make a stop before getting stuck in the deeper and muddier portions of the road. I asked him to leave me and go back to the highway so he could call for rescue. I told him to ask one of the parked motorcycles by the junction to pick me up and take me to the registration area while he waits for me to get back from Mayana Peak.I patiently waited for I-don’t-know-how-long by the roadside. Thank the gods it wasn’t raining. A couple of local kids playing asked me where I was headed. I gave them some candies I got in my bag. My new driver arrived after quite some time. We decided to leave my huge backpack at the house by the roadside where I waited to lessen our burden. I noticed the bigger wheels of the motorcycle and the driver was no longer wearing slippers. As we traversed the extremely muddy road, he would use his legs and feet to maneuver us through mud, mud and mud. I could also never forget my struggle on our way to the registration area because just like the old man in Malatan-og Falls, he does not speak Tagalog as well. He only speaks Cebuano. At least the old guy understands a thing or two when I reply. But this time, it was a horror show. We were just laughing all the way because we could not understand each other. I mean, I could get some of the Cebuano words he’d say but it’s a one-way street since he could not get what I mean when I responded. But I have no right to blame the guy. After all, he’s not required to adjust to the language I know of and I am an outsider in his territory anyway. So by the time we reached the jump-off, I asked the tour guides if there’s anybody among them who speaks well in Tagalog. The lady guide who lived for years in Manila was the one who volunteered to accompany me to the peak. Finally, I could speak with someone who knows my language.The walk from the registration area to the viewing deck of Mayana Peak was relatively easy and short.We were greeted by some tourists taking their photos atop so I waited for my turn before I could have these pictures shot at the peak.By lunch time, my motorcycle driver from Salvador Benedicto took me to San Carlos City where I could catch a bus bound for Canlaon City. I stayed there for one night then traveled to Niludhan Falls of Bayawan City the next morning before I headed to Bago City to chase some waterfalls in the afternoon.
📜✏️ Tips/Reminders:
📌Buses are the primary means of transportation in Negros Occidental. Vans are also available but they are quite limited. Please take into consideration the waiting time before the bus leaves for one municipality/city and the speed limit of these buses. If you are pressed for time, you may hire a tricycle/motorcycle so you can follow your itinerary for the day. You may also hire a van for your tours if you are traveling with a group to save on time. Just make sure you start your activities very early.
📌You can check out my Negros Oriental blog post since I explored both of these provinces in one adventure leg in one week.
📌Expect long and bumpy motorcycle rides to get to some of the tourist spots.
📌Expect rain and muddy roads/trails during monsoon season (June-February).
📌Always observe the LNT principles.
☎️ Contacts:
📌Tricycle Driver/Tour Guide in Sipalay City: Kuya Dado (09217865615)
📌Tour Guide in Mayana Peak: Ate Marilyn (09067412110)
📌Tour Guide in Barangay Patag, Silay City: Kuya Loreto (09305118203) – he can also take you to nearby Dumalabdab Falls and Malisbog Falls.
📌Tricycle Driver and Tour Guide in Barangay Ma-ao, Bago City: Kuya Michael and Kuya Louie (09071488461/09121041170) – contact them beforehand if you are planning to visit the waterfalls in Bago City. They live near the waterfalls and they are the best guides who can take you to these spots.
After visiting Niludhan Falls, my guide from Canlaon City and I decided to have a quick snack at a local eatery by the highway. I had to ask my driver if his motorcycle could still endure this long journey of ours. He told me not to worry about the vehicle. He jokingly replied, “the bigger question is if we ourselves can do it.” We already covered 150 kilometers from Canlaon to Niludhan Falls and I knew that it would take another 150 kilometers to get to Barangay Ma-ao in Bago City. That would be a total of 300 kilometers. My tricycle ride from Sipalay City to Mag-aso Falls for about 100 kilometers on Day Three seemed like a piece of cake compared to this motorcycle adventure of mine. I could still remember my nightmarish experience as we continued our butt-numbing road trip. I had to tell my guide to stop every ten minutes so that I could dismount and my arse could take a break. The cheeks of my buttocks felt so swollen and sore and whatever adjective you could think of. There were even instances that my bum felt so numb from all the lengthy sitting. My back, hips and waist were also in pain thanks to my heavy backpack. We had our late lunch when we reached La Carlota City after about three hours on the road. Our (mis)adventure had not ended yet. Due to an impending thunderstorm, my guide had to drive faster en route to Barangay Ma-ao from La Carlota. Unfortunately, he overlooked a huge hole along the road which punctured our rear tire. I could not say whether the multiverse was playing its cards on me or not because just a few meters away from where our wheel met its demise is a vulcanizing shop. Dark clouds along with sounds of thunder every now and then continued looming above us. We waited under the small hut at the shop while one of the guys dealt with our flat tire. I had to decide quickly because my itinerary here in Bago City involved seeing some waterfalls. And we all know that sudden rainfall equates to strong hazardous currents in rivers. This trip is really full of rainshowers as it transpired in September 2017 (September is one of those months when the southwest monsoon is at its peak). I sent a message to my contact in Ma-ao who was supposed to guide me to the waterfalls and he agreed to pick me up when I explained our dire situation. I paid my guide from Canlaon City and I couldn’t thank him enough for accompanying me. He even asked me if it’s really okay because he promised that he would be taking me directly to Ma-ao. He told me to inform him through text if I made it since he knew that we were quite late. I asked him to text me once he safely reached his house since he had to drive for about two hours more to get to Canlaon City. As for me, I still had to cover a number of waterfalls for the next phase of my itinerary that day. 📍Kipot Twin Falls, Bago CityIt was raining cats and dogs that afternoon whilst I was inside the tricycle bound for the jump-off point to Kipot Twin Falls. The road was flooded as we continued our way to this waterfall that’s why my two guides were both hesitant to get closer to this natural wonder. They originally thought that I only wanted to see it from the view deck. Since the eco-park was no longer maintained regularly for tourists, they doubted if the trail leading to this waterfall still exists. By the time we reached the trailhead leading to Kipot Twin Falls, it dawned on us that the majority of the path was actually no longer visible due to the lush vegetation covering the trail. There were also landslides because of heavy rainshowers the past few days. After I set up the ideal aperture on my camera for the current lighting condition, I asked them if I could get closer so I left with them my camera screwed to my tripod and taught them to click the button once I signaled from this location of mine under the cascade. After all, it was impossible to hear each other amidst the sound of the rain and the waterfall crashing into the river where we were. Kudos to my two supportive guides. Our (mis)adventure gave us this epic shot of Kipot Twin Falls.My guides and I then headed next to this waterfall, Busay Miren, also known as Lunao or Maragandang Falls. We passed by a small community where one of my guides live.The trail to get here was slippery due to the mud but it was quite manageable. The rain had finally stopped but another batch of dark clouds started covering the sky.Busay Miren really piqued my interest because of the red orange color of its boulders which reminded me of Pulangbato Falls in Valencia, Negros Oriental.There was no one around so I was able to get right away the shots that I wanted. Considering these waterfalls of Bago City are not really mainstream tourist destinations, I wouldn’t wonder why they were deserted during my visit.My guides asked me if I still wanted to visit this waterfall, Busay Ubos. I was reluctant to push through because of the imminent rain. And we all know that a heavy downpour makes river-crossing and chasing waterfalls too risky. But my desire to see Busay Ubos was much stronger so we hurriedly trekked. Our river-crossing through the seemingly reddish orange-colored water due to the color of the rocks made me imagine that we were trekking in spaghetti sauce. That’s how hungry I was since I was not able to eat well at La Carlota when I had my lunch. Just like its sister waterfall Busay Miren, the rocks of Busay Ubos have that same red orange color. It’s only 4:30 PM but the gloomy weather made it seem like it was already dusk. After ten minutes or so, we proceeded to one of my guide’s house where I could change clothes. It was almost dark by the time I hopped on a bus bound for Bacolod. Boy was I so exhausted that day for covering almost 300 kilometers on motorcycle just so I could visit a waterfall in Bayawan City from Canlaon then go straight to Bago City in the afternoon. I may have spent quite a fortune for renting a motorcycle but thanks to my driver from Canlaon City, I was able to follow my itinerary that day.After spending the night at Go Hotels in Bacolod City, I got up early the next morning for the last destination of my Negros adventure leg, Pulang Tubig Falls. I arrived in Silay City by 6:00 AM but unfortunately, the jeepney bound for the jump-off to the waterfall I was supposed to visit was due to leave between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM depending on the number of passengers. I asked loads of tricycle drivers if they could take me here but most of them looked at me as if I were going mental. It seemed as if no one really goes here by hiring a tricycle. I couldn’t see a motorcycle terminal either. So my last resort was to name my price. I asked one tricycle driver if he could help me find one who’s willing to take me there for ₱1,000 (roughly $20). One of his fellow drivers finally agreed to take me to Barangay Patag. It was quite a long drive through the infinite stretch of sugar cane fields. We passed by a forest ranger and luckily, he’s one of the official guides in the area. At first, he didn’t want to take me to the waterfall because of possible landslides due to the inclement weather. I had to use my charm so he would say yes! I had to tell him that I came all the way from Manila and I had to spend a lot by hiring a vehicle so I could see the waterfall in person. He finally agreed and said that we had to be quick because the weather is unpredictable. That huge tree log where I am sitting in this picture just fell the day before. There were even small rocks falling on me due to the strong cascade. By the way, this place is called “pulang tubig” or “red water” because the waterfall turned red in color during the war. According to my guide, the Americans bombed the hideouts of Japanese soldiers in the area which changed the river’s color into red because of their blood. Isn’t it gory?This gem hidden in the wilderness was a great spot to cap off this Negros trip of mine. I had the impression that the expanse of the land area was really protected and maintained well by forest rangers. It felt so unspoiled. At some point, while looking at the ferns and moss along the trail, I had to ask my guide if there are mountain leeches here or “limatik” which I’m really afraid of. He said yes. Good thing I didn’t see any. The relaxing cold weather under the thick vegetation of the forest as we trekked the trail made the experience memorable. It was a mission accomplished. I was already on my way back to the hotel by 9:30 AM. I was even able to shower before I checked out at 11:00 AM. By lunch time, I went to see my friend who lives in Bacolod City. He and his friend showed me around before they took me to the airport for my flight back to Manila in the evening. PS: Don’t forget to try out the famous chicken inasal at Manokan Country in downtown Bacolod.
***For other destinations in the island of Negros, you may visit this link.
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Jastin
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