The stunning cascades of Aliwagwag Falls
Aliwagwag Falls in Cateel, Davao Oriental is a wonder. A first time viewer is easily struck dumbfounded, speechless and awed by the spectacular sight. Just imagine, a series of 84 falls forming almost a hundred steps cascading from the forest to the edge of where it enters Cateel River and empties to the coast. The total height of the falls is said to be 1110 ft with varying drops of between 6 to 100 feet and is a declared protected area by the national government.
What’s more, its very accessible as it can readily be viewed along the road connecting this town with Trento in Agusan del Sur. The bridge over the river is a good viewing area to this waterfalls considered the most beautiful in Mindanao. It is also said that there are parts in the forest just near here where one can find the burial grounds of the Mandaya, the tribal group in this area which can be reached by hiking.
This area, a few feet from the main road is a good bathing spot where the locals come to enjoy a good splash. Aliwagwag Falls is way off the tourist map and are known mostly to locals and intrepid adventurers. It is not even listed in international guide books maybe because its Mindanao and many foreigners are discouraged from going here even if its relatively safe.
Like most provinces in the Eastern part of Mindanao, there are other beautiful and taller waterfalls but these are, again, not so known.
Estan Cabigas is a multiawarded blogger and freelance photographer based in Makati City, the Philippines. A true blue Cebuano, he makes stunning images and meaningful photo stories. He has writtten for CNN Go and his photograph published in the May 2010 issue of the National Geographic Magazine. To know more about him and his photography, visit estancabigas.com.
Mindanao is indeed a bit “problematic” for foreigners. You hear very conflicting stories about the same places.
By the way, what is “relatively safe”?
Sound quite unsafe to me!
its safe sidney
very nice! is this place near the Mangagoy, Bislig area?
rhoen, Bislig is not really near but maybe around 2 – 3 hours away?
Beautiful cascades there. It just proves mindanao has really a lot more hidden wonders. If only people have that sense of security in the area, a lot more would be traveling these routes.
I should explore these Mindanao destinations before going to “other” places. It’s a shame a Mindanaoan traveler like me never heard of this in the past. The place is very beautiful as can be observed from your photographed. thanx for sharing, Estan
Even if i grew up in Davao Oriental, I was able to visit Aliwagwag only once due to poor accessibility of the place back then. Having lived in Manila for some time now, I know that access has improved with the opening of Cateel-Compostela road. During that visit to the falls(about 10 years ago), my group was accosted by a bunch of rebels who just wanted our left over food. They were not threatening and, yes, the place is safe. Just be ready to share your baon with these people lurking in the forests that surround the falls.
wow,cateel is not just the home of the talented,intelligent,corteous people but is the nest of breathe-taking sites.
for the information of everybody, our beautiful place is the safest place in davao oriental compared to caraga,baganga and etc . . .
it has a lot to offer,many stunning sites and beautiful views . . .
it wasnt found in the tourist maps because the department of tourism are not trying to access the place . . .they were to afraid of going there maybe because of their false idea about those rebels.
it is also the hometown of the 2 successive governors,very outstanding,malanyaon and palma gil . . .
to the author,what do you mean with “relatively safe?”
you got to use the right term….hehe
thank you for promoting my hometown’s asset . . .;>
AS TRUE SON OF CATEEL, i thank dearly for taking time writing about our dear pride Aliwagwag Falls. Indeed this is God’s gift to us. A gift we must cherish, take care and nurture! To all, please do come and visit this Wonder. After all, there no other joy than seeing “Stairways To Heaven” like Aliwagwag Falls.
Thanks for featuring the beautiful Aliwagwag falls. Hope you will also feature hagmit falls of Samal and Samal Bat Cave.
Davao Real State Properties
tolits, thanx. hope i’ll be able to visit there soon.
I will be here this weekend!! I’m so excited to see this wonder of nature!!!!
donni, good luck and do enjoy aliwagwag falls
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I enjoy the freedom that going to places entails, both the trip itself and the destination, revelling in the many things that the act of travel offers: the sounds, the sights, the people and the flavors.
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