Saturday, June 30, 2012

Sagada | Splash From The Big Falls


SAGADA | Splash From The Big Falls
The Long Trekking And The Big Reward




" Buwis Buhay" or death defying, the term Pinoy's love to use when they do something that pushes them to their limit. The long trekk along the Aguid Rice Terraces just to get here in the Bomod-ok Falls (Big Falls) of Sagada is tiresome, being in an open rice field expose to the sun. It's no wonder people would call this "Buwis Buhay, likened if you have been missing on cardio exercises as this would likely burn all the calories taken at breakfast prior to trekking. The big reward awaits, and while I push myself, struggling along with my water bottle and heavy camera to witness this wall of cascading natural wonder, I relent while taking a lung full of the freshest Sagada air.

After a long exposure to sun, the cold splash was the big reward for trekkers. The falls for this day boast a heavy downpour of fresh water fed by a heavy rain yesterday, being located in a depression between two rock walls, strong wind is passing through making the air misty and cold, it doesn't help that the path near the falls is mossy and slippery, it adds up to the challenge. Most didn't expect much, but I came ready, this is anyway off the DSLR range, you can't bring it any closer so my amphibious camera came to my rescue as it dipped to the sub zero temperature of the pool. If you want to come closer, there is no choice but to get soaked, the mist would make sure you do, so before a dip, a chattering teeth is the first sign that the falls will not easily let you go without a challenge.



It's not everyday that we can get to enjoy Nature Trekking. Passing thru Aguid Rice Terraces, going through the tribal community with paths well established for tourist. This is probably one of the most eco friendly tourist trip I've ever taken. The fees that will be paid to our guide provides another source of income for these people and the environmental fees make sure that the path is maintained and well protected, as guest we are to take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints behind along with a lifetime memory of this place in the Mountain Province.

This is not your off beaten path, but one would be glad to have taken this venture before leaving this quaint town of Sagada. Mind you, I got sun burns when I got back to my corporate life. I'm the kind of tourist who doesn't mind being exposed to elements, it's not very often that I get to places and promote tourism in the Philippines. But when I do, I make sure I get the most out of it. My skin would heal and it's color will be back in a few weeks, by which time, I'll be off for another adventure. It's the kind of junk that keeps me sane, the pragmatic sense that allows me to think and experience wonder, it's the perfect setting for a story I'd like to share to my future children. Oftentimes, I think of my future and what it beholds, but to get there then I have to live every moment of today.

Along the way, I met a girl vendor selling beverages. She says that she's doing it so she could enroll in this school year. An admirable feat really considering that she's too young as compared to myself when I did summer jobs in college. As is with people, you don't know what your gonna get. Her Gatorade bottles maybe pricey, but I bought two so we can help each other out, that's for my thirst and for her schooling. She's so young, but as a guiding principle, one needs to allow room for people to learn and grow in there own. Who knows, in her own way, she could become a great entrepreneur, she doesn't know it yet.

As for me, I've sealed this adventure to my memory bank. The hills of Aguid Rice Terraces is a sweeping scene of beauty, feeding hope and inspiration to anyone who is receptive enough to accept it. The powerful cadence of the Bomod-ok Falls reminds me that things always lead to another, just like the heavy rainfall yesterday that fed this powerful flow of water, I have this moment to reflect.




Francis Balgos is a Call Center Agent, Weekend Travel Warrior, Amateur Spelunker, Sometime Surfer, Newbie Mountain Climber, Photography Enthusiast, Certified Beach Bum, A first born son, Faithful lover, True Explorer...

Follow Me


All Rights Reserved
Pala-lagaw reserves the right for any watermarked pictures posted
No pictures should be downloaded or copied without permission from the blogger.

27 comments:

  1. I envy you for this one. I did not see this when I went to Sagada 2 years ago. Well blame it to the oldies in my group. Haha. One in my wish list.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Ding, thanks for the visit. This tour is no longer offered by the SAGGAS unless you specifically request it.. As is, the community in Aguid felt that they would benefit more if they would be the guides themselves.

    ReplyDelete
  3. iTS LIKE A PAINTING, vERRY Interesting place and must see.
    I will definitely try rhat one. =)

    ReplyDelete
  4. And you did push yourself in your writing as well. Quite an engaging post. I really like the part about the vendor. So nice of you to see it that way. Most people would not even give a thought to a girl selling Gatorade.

    As for the complexion-damaging trek, I was reminded of that stupid Belo Clinic ad, claiming that fair skin is "sosyal." Well, you're more than sosyal then. You were one with nature. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. The photo of the falls is amazing. I'm sure all the effort trekking was well worth it with a sight like this.

    ReplyDelete
  6. simply beautiful. Hope to visit this place too real soon. Me too when I travel I always end up with terrible sunburns and my skin is already morena add the sunburn = boom! hehe.. but I'm proud of my skin color. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Crazy. I can't do what you guys did. I just don't have what it takes. Galing niyo!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is amazing. I can't do treks kasi.
    Nature is really beautiful ♥

    ReplyDelete
  9. the falls looks amazing!! nauhaw aq dun ah! hehe

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is an entertaining post kahit hindi pa ako nakakapagsagada . Kainggit lang .

    ReplyDelete
  11. AS ALWAYS MAGANDA ANG PHOTOS MO :) VERY BEAUTIFUL PRANG POSTCARD LNG! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. SAGADAAAAAA! One day.... ONE DAY!!! Mapupuntahan ko rin to!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Magiipon ako para makapunta dyan sa SAGADA... Ganda ng Falls.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ito yong hindi ko napuntahan noong nag Sagada kami

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ganda talaga ng Sagada. One of the places na pinagarap ko mapuntahan. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Is it true that the Big Falls is slowly getting dry?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow, such a rewarding journey. Ganda ng view talaga.

    ReplyDelete
  18. oh how long is the trek from Poblacion? We were only able to see the first falls. the small one lang.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Liz!
    Depends on how slow or fast is your companion in the trekk,
    it took us 45 minutes to get there.
    And we are 5 guys

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hello Francis,

    Thanks for visiting my blog and taking time giving comment... I ask for an exchange link in your link page.. with my blogs... I already add you in my 3 blog lists.
    Thank you so much..!

    ReplyDelete
  21. i love the little cascading falls sa last photo. :)
    surely the trekking was literally tiring, pero bet ko enjoy naman kayo. :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. eto ang dko napuntahan sa SAGADA dahil bagyo nung ngpunta kami :( inggit much... great photos :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. If this place is only near in ours, yet this one is part of the itinerary or should I say a wishlist to visit place. Your shots are great.

    BTW, you have to answer on what's in my captcha.

    ReplyDelete
  24. You're not only a daring traveler, but a philantropist. I admire you for the help you've given to the young girl. And you wish her to be a successful entrepreneur someday.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wow! Sure like to visit this place someday!

    ReplyDelete

Let Me Know Your Thoughts