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🇵🇭 ALILEM • Balay Anito Falls: of Motorcycle Ride and Trekking Barefoot

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Edmar del Castillo Guquib at Friday, July 13, 2012 6

Stories of town explorations.

"I was lost for words, I have nothing to say but amazing!"

My trek guide was too fast making me left behind. But he already stopped walking upon seeing a very small waterfall, yet beautiful. I asked myself, is this the result of my 6-hour land trip and 40-minute trek? Yes, he just stopped and I thought this is the end of the trek because for the past minutes, my guide trekked without pausing.

Balay Anito Falls in Alilem, Ilocos Sur was just hiding behind.

Linger, there is a huge rock blocking our way. But I believe there must be something surprising out there... behind that rock.

Great! My guide didn't really stop the trek and it was not yet our final destination. He was just looking for a better way to go to Balay Anito Falls hiding behind.

He walked at the side of the rocks, slippery, wet, no real trail as such. He wasn't calling me, he just continued. I was busy taking photos because I thought the small waterfall I am seeing is already the Balay Anito Falls on which I have to reach riding on a motorcycle and trekking in barefoot.

My guide was gone, so I decided to follow where he is going.

Suddenly, I thought it was raining, but no, I realized it was not.

As I am going closer to the source of that loud sound of gushing water, sprinkles of water kept coming. It was cold, it was refreshing, it feels like rain!

Finally saw the waterfalls! Ahhhh! I shouted joyously... "ang gondohhhh!" I was just standing speechless aside from the fact that I shouted a while back with glee. Wow!!! The waterfalls cascade vertically into one huge rock then drop into another rock below making it so exciting and beautiful!

The pool below remains unrested. It was continuously moving as the waterfalls consistently pour out the blessing of freshwater given by nature... by God.

Now I am confident to say, the trip is "all worth it!"

My eyes bulged wide open. Around the waterfalls is a magnificent view.

The towering verdant mountains were just refreshing.

It looked like to be a natural wall, tall rocks, all wet, continuously pouring fresh highland springs.

For that 40-minute jungle trek, on which I slipped 3 times, almost bumped my head to rocks, almost slipped directly to the cliff and trekked to some parts of the trail barefooted because I really had to, this natural masterpiece made me forget all the efforts and misadventures.

No regrets, I have finally seen Balay Anito Falls in the town of Alilem... and Alilem is my 28th town in Ilocos Sur. It is making me closer to the goal of exploring the 34 towns/cities of Ilocos Sur and I have 6 more left to see after seeing this hidden natural wonder of Alilem town.

With Kuya Royel, my trek guide.

I was lost for words, I have nothing to say but amazing!

Near the waterfalls, I was also able to spot beautiful wild flowers growing. The adventure made the day complete. I can not ask for more, I feel thrilled, amazed, contented. /end

SUMMARY: Total Time Spent: 2 hours, 50 minutes

From Sudipen Public Market in La Union to Start of Trek Site: 30 minutes
Trekking to Falls: 40 minutes (it depends upon your speed, this is for an average speed)
Time spent at the waterfalls: 30 minutes
Trekking back down: 40 minutes
From Trek Site to Sudipen: 30 minutes

Absolutely doable for 1 day!

Travel Tips and Guide | How to go to Balay Anito Falls of Alilem, Ilocos Sur?

1. (a) From Manila, take a northbound bus going to Laoag. (b) From San Fernando City, La Union, take any Vigan-bound PUV or bus. (c) From Vigan or Laoag, take a Manila-bound bus.

2. Drop at Sudipen Public Market in La Union.

3. From Sudipen Public Market, take either a motorcycle or a jeep. Jeep ride is way cheaper but time-consuming because you have to wait for other passengers. Motorcycle ride is more thrilling since you'll have the chance to enjoy the view.

4. Motorcycle ride costs 120 pesos (solo one way) from Sudipen Public Market going to the starting point of the trek, 240 pesos (vice versa). The motorcycle can accommodate up to 3, the more, the cheaper since you have to share for the fare.

5. I advice you to hire a motorcycle driver that knows how to go to the falls and is willing to guide you. Your driver may ask for additional tip as guide so just prepare, but for me, I wasn't given additional charge. Look for Kuya Royel, he was my guide. If you are traveling to Ilocos or La Union, you can make Balay Anito Falls as a side trip.

Total Expenses: 460 pesos Vigan-Sudipen Bus Ride (non A/C): 110 pesos Motorcycle ride from Sudipen to Balay Anito Falls, vice versa: 240 pesos

Sudipen to Vigan (non A/C): 110 pesos

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Balay Anito Falls sub-series

Part 1 | Part 2 | You are viewing Part 3

__________________________________________________________________

Alilem #TownExploration Series

Map Showing the Location of #Alilem

Click this map to view other posts about ILOCOS SUR

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[Alilem] 112 on 2012 Adventure Alilem All Ilocos (Region 1) Ilocos Sur Luzon Philippines Posts by Edmar Serious Post Trekking VIDEO BLOGS

🇵🇭 ALILEM • Trekking the Jungle, Barefooted and Wet

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Edmar del Castillo Guquib at Saturday, July 07, 2012 19

Stories of town explorations.

"Only the two of us, me as a stranger and a local resident familiar of his lovely mountain town. If trusting a stranger is a crime, then I am guilty."

I don't know how to start this post really. My friends told me "You're traveling alone, that's awkward." But it is a thirst for adventure, and what pushes me is my lifetime goal to visit all those towns before I die. No time frame, I want to make it slowly but surely. Honestly right now, I do not know how to do it but everytime I look at my map, I am seeing those towns and it will be a regret if I will just act later on. Now that I still have the strength, I wanna pursue it. Will I fulfill that goal? Honestly, I don't know, I just want to let it flow naturally.

I preferred to be barefooted, the only way I know to save myself in Alilem

This goal is the reason why I urged to visit . A town that can be accessed mainly with a motorcycle ride. I don't know where this journey will lead me. Sometimes I am thinking it is a waste of money but I just can't resist it because it is the craving of my soul.

Everytime I see a bus, the excitement goes on. If only I have unlimited funds I will spend my whole life traveling and exploring. Riding on a habal-habal, I pursued the journey with the determination that big things come from small things.

It is but another mountain town. Transportation is by chance so I have to make it sure that I will go back home safe and alive. I'm merely a stranger to this town and with the help of another stranger, we trekked the jungles of the town of to see

The trekking started here.

We stopped along the road. Royel is the name of my guide, a stranger that has become an instant friend. I don't know what kind of person was he or what kind of tribe he belonged but I just gave my full trust to him.

Only the two of us, me as a stranger and a local resident familiar of his lovely mountain town. If trusting a stranger is a crime, then I am guilty.

We stopped on an empty road where the things you can just see are the rapids, stream, the towering mountains and one hanging bridge. There are numerous hanging bridges along the way actually but one of them is situated on a place where Kuya Royel parked his motorcycle and where we stopped. Then trekking to the jungles of started in search for a waterfall.

One of the many hanging bridges in Alilem

Making my first step, I don't know if I can finish the trekking. It was an instant wet soil, a mud. But it was ok, I am used to it.

Trekking the jungle of the town of Alilem, I was welcomed by a beautiful woodland. I can not determine if it was rainy that time or the forest was just creating moisture because as I look everywhere, the trees are filled with moss and ferns. The huge woods are moist and the rocks are all wet covered with green algae. It was just the amazing work of the forest.

Ferns and moss growing on tree barks

The good thing was some parts of the trail going to that waterfall were concreted. But because the forest is moist, the concreted trail was wet covered by algae or moss that makes it slippery.

Another challenge I have to take is to cross a stream with a powerful current. I was with my backpack where my valuables are placed. With my hands is my camera and my tripod hanging at my shoulders. There is nowhere I can ask for assistance because my guide was too fast and he has just crossed the angry stream just before I can make it.

Moist rocks with algae in the forest

Of course my valuables are my priority. I can not afford to get wet because crossing that powerfully gushing stream, all you need is a balance.

But of course I am not sure if I can balance that because I am still thinking that there is a possibility that I may not be able to maintain it and the consequence is to fall to that stream and swim as you cross that rapids.

For that matter, my valuables might get wet including my camera, my precious road guide map I bought 5 years ago and my penny.

As I focus my eyes to the rapids, the velocity and turbulence seemed to be getting severe. With my flip flops I bought for 40 pesos, I just handed it. My left hand did the job while I hang my camera with its cage on my neck like a big pendant of a necklace.

Huge stones at the rapids

It was not easy to cross this stream you know :)

At first look, the stream could be nice and cool, yes, it was really nice. But once you step and cross it, especially that I am handling my valuables, taking the risk was not a good idea but I took that risk to fulfill a travel goal.

I went barefooted to cross the rapids. It was the only way I know to survive the trek. After crossing that part of the stream, going barefooted was not a good idea because I noticed it was more slippery to take the mossy trail in bare foot. So I put my slippers back.

Kuya Royel, my trek guide

He just crossed while I am still on doubt if I can make it
because of the valuables I carry

We were near the waterfalls already but going close to it required me to take the huge rocks, so I went barefooted again to my surprise, I slipped with one of the slippery rocks. Good thing my head was not bumped but my backpack got wet as I slip at the wet rocks.

The back of my clothes were wet too. But I didn't mind about it because the waterfalls I was seeing was just overwhelming that I almost forgot my name, lol!

After the 40-minute trek, I was welcomed by an amazing view. All I was hearing was the sound of the falling waters of the falls and the stream.

The photo above is just the welcoming stream, the grand welcome is hiding behind. I tell you, the hiding waterfalls is greater, higher and is more legendary. /To be continued...

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Balay Anito Falls sub-series
Part 1 | You are reading Part 2 | Part 3
__________________________________________________________________

Alilem #TownExploration Series

Map Showing the Location of #Alilem

Click this map to view other posts about ILOCOS SUR

NAGUSTUAM DIAY NABASAM/NAKITAM? MABALIN MO MET I-LIKE.

112 on 2012 Adventure All Dams HERITAGE Ilocos (Region 1) La Union Luzon Man-made Wonders Philippines Posts by Edmar Serious Post Sudipen Traveling Solo Trekking

🇵🇭 SUDIPEN • (La Union) Intake Dam: Trekking to a World-War II Landmark

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Edmar del Castillo Guquib at Wednesday, July 04, 2012 9

Stories of town explorations.

"There was absolutely no regret going to the Intake Dam. I wasn't born during the Japanese era but for this adventure, I can now slowly, but surely understand how the Japanese people managed our country during those times."

Heard about the town of Sudipen? It is the last town in La Union if you are traversing the Maharlika Highway going up north. It was a shame on me underestimating towns that are never heard of offering a piece of adventure and thrill. I explored, did seek, and asked the locals on where can I have an adventure in this little town and they were just the living answers to my thirst for adventure.

This is what I love. Exploring towns unknown to many on which at the end of the day, the things being discovered are just surprising.

I hired a tricycle in front of the Public Market of Sudipen and asked the driver, "Kuya, gaano kalayo 'yung Intake dam?" (How far is the Intake dam?).

The driver faced to the north and he also requested me to face on the same direction and I was wondering why. "Can you see that mountain?," he said, pointing to a mountain at the northern direction. Now I know why he let me face to north.

I didn't mind what he was pointing that time because I was preoccupied on how much he will charge me for this tricycle ride but I can actually see some mountains up north and I know, one of those mountains is my next destination.

Intake Dam is an irrigation facility that is built during the era of Japanese colonizers. It was built from 1920-1925.

Going to Intake Dam wasn't as easy as ABC. It was a 20-minute trike ride, and another 15 minutes of trekking to reach the place.

I was surprised with what I saw - vandalism was all over. It was not a good sight, however, what lead me to this place is to see and feel the essence of this historical landmark.

It speaks of our history. The Japanese made it during the World War II. Today, it helps a lot of farmers in Sudipen because it serves as a big aid in irrigating their farms.

Intake Dam, built by the Japanese during World War II

It was constructed at the edge of a mountain where the Amburayan River flows. The trike driver who guided me to the place told me, "Wait, I am afraid on going further, just go with caution."

It was indeed fearsome. Since I have some degree of fear for height, my knees trembled as I step on a narrow beam while handling the camera. One mistake move, I can fall down to the rocks below then slide to the river. Good thing my guide warned me, I just went too excited without observing some caution for myself.

Refresing vegetation above the Intake Dam of Sudipen

Above the dam is a refreshing scene. The rock above this dam is filled with healthy plants enjoying the moisture and balanced ecosystem of the place.

The dam has an underground tunnel about 1 kilometer in length and imagine that! If you are not an engineer you could simply say OMG!

With my trike driver and guide overlooking the Amburayan River from Intake Dam

Maps by Wikipedia

Location Highlighted in Red

There was absolutely no regret going to the Intake Dam. I wasn't born during the Japanese era but for this adventure, I can now slowly, but surely understand how the Japanese people managed our country during those times.

The Japanese people invested for high-quality infrastructure projects that is truly "Japan-made." Unlike some Pinoy-made roads, bridges and dams (made from corruption, then becomes useless after a decade), this Japanese Dam is still existing considering it is almost century-old. The "Japan quality" remains.

Traveling is such my favorite subject. We live in a world filled with information. I believe education is not limited within the four corners of the classroom, it is practically everywhere. Because of exploring, I learned about the Intake Dam - a place on which even Google can not provide comprehensive information and photos. Since Google is limited, I tried to see it for myself and for this blog post, I hope I can help Google provide an additional information.

SUMMARY:

Total Time Spent: 1 hour, 25 minutes
1. Trike Ride from Sudipen Market to Trek Site: 20 minutes

2. Trekking to Intake Dam: 15 minutes

3. Time spent at the Intake Dam: 15 minutes

4. Trekking back: 15 minutes

5. Trike Ride back to Sudipen Market: 20 minutes

How to Go to Sudipen, La Union?
From Manila (312 km); From San Fernando City (42.75km)
1. Take a north-bound bus going to Vigan, Abra or Laoag.
2. Drop at Sudipen Public Market.

How to Go to Intake Dam? | Travel Tips and Guide
1. From the Sudipen Public Market, hire a tricycle or a habal-habal (Motor).
2. Negotiate for the price.
3. The ride could last for 20-30 minutes.
4. If the tricycle can not lead you further to the dam due to road issues, you may need to trek for about 15 minutes.
5. Hire a driver who knows how to go the site and who is willing to guide you in going to the site.

Total Expense (120 pesos)
Fare for the hired tricycle, from Sudipen Public Market to Intake Dam and vice versa.
Tags: Destinations to visit in sudipen, la union | things to do in sudipen | tourist spots in sudipen

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[Ligao] Albay All Bicol (Region 5) Ligao Luzon Mountains Philippines Posts by Edmar Serious Post SUNSETS

🇵🇭 LIGAO • Lovely Sunset Over Mt. Masaraga

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Edmar del Castillo Guquib at Sunday, July 01, 2012 3

Stories of town explorations.

"The clouds were trying to veil the sunset but their capability was just limited to conceal the glorious beauty of the orange sky."

Enjoying some chilly zephyr and the orange heaven, it looks like a painting colored on a huge canvass called the sky. It was undoubtedly a magnificent view that truly awakens the senses... the soul.

I thought it was a bad idea going to this place at a time where we can chase the dark. It was already 6 pm on my wrist watch. Thinking it was a bad idea, it turned out to be a surprise.

The sunset, it didn't pop out in my mind that the time was just perfect to enjoy the sunset -- not over the beach, but over the mountain called Mt. Masaraga under the jurisdiction of the city of Ligao.

Yes I know, it was not easy to travel on a zigzag road at night where street lights are not present because just after chasing this sunset over Mt. Masaraga, we have to face the night.

Maps by Wikipedia

Location Highlighted in Red

I think chasing the sunset over certain mountains is an idea as good as chasing sunset over certain beaches and being able to capture the sunset over Mt. Masaraga was a golden opportunity.

The clouds were trying to veil the sunset but their capability was just limited to conceal the glorious beauty of the orange sky. Instead, the clouds just blended with the sunset with beauty and magic!

I will never forget this moment and it was more than memorable. Mt. Masaraga is one of the 3 peaks of Albay and I'm glad I have captured this 3 mountains in sunset. Watch out for the next mountain sunset!

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[Santa Maria - Ilocos Sur] Adventure All Happy Posts Ilocos (Region 1) Ilocos Sur LEISURE Luzon Philippines Posts by Edmar Sta. Maria Trekking UNUSUAL With my Brothers on the Road

🇵🇭 STA MARIA • My Brother Trekked Pinsal Falls in Formal Attire

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Edmar del Castillo Guquib at Wednesday, June 20, 2012 36

Stories of town explorations.

"My brother was wearing a long-sleeved polo and tight-fitting jeans. I was also wearing a polo shirt with an unzipped sweater. It was just too inconvenient for some but we managed to wear them with ease!"

With my brother Edison, we trekked, hiked and walked to chase a waterfall. We were going to the most remote part of the town and was welcomed by the sounds of gushing streams and wild birds.

With my brother, we decided to visit Pinsal Falls. It was his first time, it was my second time. I didn't know what happened to us but we were wearing clothes not suitable for trekking.

My brother was wearing a long-sleeved polo and tight-fitting jeans. I was also wearing a polo shirt with an unzipped sweater. It was just too inconvenient for some but we managed to wear them with ease!

We were just so weird to trek a dehydrating trail to that waterfall with those clothes but it didn't bother us.

I was browsing some of our photos until I found out these materials which make me laughing right now -- and decided to blog about it.

This was the second time I trekked Pinsal Falls and it was a disappointing one. The photo above should be filled with freshwater but this time it was dry.

I was longing to see the view I saw when I first came in this barrio called Baballasi-oan. I wanted my brother to see the beauty of the place the way I saw it but it was not just possible.

My brother in long-sleeved polo, tight-fitting jeans and black shoes

The nature was in trouble that time, the waterfall was not alive. The waterfall had limited water.

It was disappointing before my eyes but for my brother, it was an amazing view because it was his first time to see Pinsal Falls. He had no previous experience to compare.

Well, 'san ka pa! My bro was with a formal attire. I must say he was wearing his favorite shoes and jeans this time. I can not blame him if he wanted to enjoy the trek with that attire.

Well at least he was comfortable with that formal clothes -- most people may find it weird. In fact, my brother Edison is really weird. He goes to church with t-shirts and sneakers but wears formal clothes when he drives a motorcycle.

When he drives a motorbike, he prefers to use long-sleeved polo than using jacket or other long-sleeved tees. I don't know why.

Anyway let me show you some of the views we have to enjoy while trekking.

I have to admit that although some parts of the trail is concreted, there are difficult parts you have to take especially those portions that are not concreted yet.

So I can not imagine myself wearing the clothes my brother has worn while trekking the difficult parts of the trail.

Maps by Wikipedia

Location Highlighted in Red

All I can say is, my brother enjoyed the trekking as evidenced by the expressions in his face.

He smiled, he laughed, he jumped, he wandered!

I can not question his "trip" in life but one thing is for sure, it was fun traveling and exploring with my brother.

I cherish the moment we were traveling and exploring together. The bonding we did as magkuya (brothers) was just priceless and can not be equaled even with the most expensive brand of clothes.

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