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Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig

11 February 2008 33 Comments

bisligfalls1.jpg
The stunning Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig showing its three tiers.

map_bislig.gif A stunning beauty. That is what I can say of Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig, located in the interior of the vast Picop concession in the province of Surigao del Sur. Dubbed the Little Niagara of the Philippines (why do we always have this penchant in naming places, I don’t know) because it is considered to be the widest waterfall in the country at 95 meters in width. Don’t be fooled of thinking a U-shaped lip with thunderous and voluminous waters surging in the thousands of cubic meters per second like the one found in the US but instead, its a three tiered wonder that from a distance, it just takes your breath away. A fourth level is said to be within the same system but is farther into the rugged forests.

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The mid-level tier with sprays of mist ready to blanket thin layer on one’s skin.

Sprays of water form mists while the banks are shallow enough for revelers to bathe in the cool waters. Flat stones conveniently make a good platform for those photo poses. The best time to visit and photograph this is during the early morning as the sun isn’t behind, thus giving a better image of the waterfalls. This place really has a big potential for ecotourism.

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The lowest level of the waterfall.

This waterfall is located about an hour from the city, following the winding logging roads of Picop. However, a private vehicle or hired van, 4×4 is better, is needed to negotiate the trail to reach this place. Century old trees and other forest vegetation lies along the path. Other than the waterfall, this is a good place for bird watching and international bird watching groups visit for a specific type of sunbird, a small but very colorful species that was discovered here a few years ago.

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The scenic Borboanan Reservoir.

The Borboanan Reservoir with its natural lake a few minutes after sunset located a few kilometers after the waterfall is just along the trail. If you stop here after sunset, just have those anti-mosquito lotion handy as these insects really make a feast out of you. In going to this place, the mayor’s office or the Paper Country Inn at the city can be of assistance.

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Estan Cabigas is a multiawarded blogger, freelance photographer and writer based in Makati City, the Philippines. A true blue Cebuano, he makes stunning images and meaningful photo stories. He has contributed to local and international publications including CNN Go, National Geographic Magazine, Geo (Germany), Sunday Times Magazine (London) and other publications.

To know more about him and his photography, visit estancabigas.com. He is also open for partnerships, advertisements and sponsorships. Just send an email using the contact form.

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Articles and photos are the work of the author and are copyright. These are available for syndication and hi-res images are available upon request. Contact me if you need to use any of these. I am also available for work or commissions.

  • http://lawstude.blogspot.com lawstude

    wow. this has gotta be one of the most amazing sets of pics I have ever seen. ang galeng.

  • http://www.ironwulf.net Ferdz

    WOW! Spectacular falls and really great capture. Actually heard about this from a friend in Butuan and it is indeed stunning. Another off-the-beaten path wonder from Estan!

  • http://travelogue.digitalrebel.ws/?hl=en dodong flores

    I should have visited this when I was enjoying Mindanao travel more than a decade ago. I’ll take note to visit this place once I go home to Butuan…

  • http://langyaw.com estan

    Hi Dodong, you should try to visit this falls when you’ve got the opportunity. Its truly one of the most beautiful in the country.

  • http://travelogue.digitalrebel.ws/?hl=en dodong flores

    Thanx, Estan. I already have a few spots to be visited in Surigao del Sur when I get there and I had just included this falls in the list. Again, thank you very much for sharing…

  • ma-ane

    Hi,

    this was really nice.

    If in any case we decide to go here, can we contact you for some help? like getting the direction perhaps? or where we can stay for the night?

    I am from Kidapawan City. we thought of taking the bus from davao city to reach bislig.

    Is there a fee we need to pay to come here?

    Thank you very much,
    Ma-ane

  • http://langyaw.com estan

    ma-ane, i think it would be much better if you will go to the tourist assistance services of the city hall as I just passed there once. they will be in a better position to help you out. i’m not sure if there is an entrance fee now but i’ve seen recent photos that they made some improvement within the area.

  • Linie

    hello to da author……i dont think MA-ANE need a tourist guide….its easy to go there…if ur from davao MA-ANE just take bus in Ecoland…take the bus goin to Bislig…tapos ingon lng ka sa conduktor nga Mangagoy ra ka then when u get there just get off in either (shell or petron) tapos sakay ka og trisekel tell da driver to bring u in FLYING V…its a gas station but u can find a motorbike there…tapos pili lng ka sa mga motorbike didto kung kinsa imo gusto nga driver…just pay 100 pesos or 120…EASY

    PS
    i am from there so i know the place:D

  • http://langyaw.com estan

    Linie, thanx for that info.

  • che

    WOW!!!! i love waterfalls and this one looks really amazing. KUDOS Mr. Estan. my friends and i are planning to go there this weekend. i would like to ask if is it safe to sleep(we have our own tent) at the vicinity of the waterfalls? coz we’d love to see it during sunrise.. how much is the fair from davao to mangagoy? please..any information about how to get there, how safe is the place and anything and everything about how to get there in tinuy-an waterfalls is very much appreciated and a big help… thank you so much and God bless us all.=0

  • http://langyaw.com estan

    che, thanx for the visit. I’m really don’t have the answers since I’m based here in Makati. Anyway, maybe someone can answer these for you or better still, contact the local government.

  • prescious thessa marie g. laganson

    I first saw these magnificent view in a book(can’t remember the name)way back in college in our school library tagged as the Biggest Falls in Asia! After a few months I met my man who used to grew up in the place. First thing we did when we got home was to go in that place. Breath taking it is! I know some information about the place like if you’re gonna stay over night or how to get there. Been there twice and the last time we went there,we walked for almost two hours because our car had a problem with its engine,but when we got there…PERFECT! men, it’s all worth it! and that was the 24th of December..a perfect christmas vacation..even for a day..hehehehe.. you can contact me if you need infos..here’s my email..presciousthessa21@yahoo.com..
    –prescious laganson of davao city

  • sen-sen

    sOoooo…cUte!

    i’ll gOing to viSit it sOonEr..

  • joy

    i have been here yesterday.. it was really very beautiful falls..

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  • MyPrime

    Hi, i’m from Mangagoy but unfortunately i’ve never been there. there were countless of plans but they remain plans. been to other parts of the country but not to tinuy-an. i will visit this falls.

  • MyPrime

    hey if anybody wants to visit this falls, maybe we you can contact me, i’m based in cebu right now but i can spare some time to go to this place. we have a house in mangagoy were nobody leaves. we can stay in the house free of charge.

  • http://langyaw.com estan

    thanx for the offer. i hope someone will find it useful :)

  • http://langyaw.com estan

    you should visit this beautiful falls :)

  • http://travelogue.digitalrebel.ws/ dodong flores

    @ MyPrime: How we may be able to contact you?

  • Deviant Riddler

    Punta kami ng Tinuy-an Falls…this june 12-14, 2009
    From davao here…
    Cno dito pwede mag post ng affordable itinerary…
    At sino gusto sumama ung di pa nakapunta or gusto bumalik… para the d more d merrier tau! at mas maka mura kung marami! hehehe

    PLS… ung heartily kind dito.. pls post a clear direction and itinerary

    thanks!!!!!!! God bless

    kyongkun@live.com

  • Michael

    hello everyone,,, by the way im michael perlas and i am from bislig city..
    i know a lot about the falls..
    For your Information we have gone there several times and we’ve had a cultural dance there and it was featured on GMA-5 davao city…

    Im am currently in davao city in which i am studying here.. i am actually getting a course which is about broadcasting..

    in case you want to have some questions, queries and want to have tour guide just email me or text me this number +639058276649..

    im glad if you will have to ask me about that..

    thanks and more power.

  • Michael
  • http://travbuddy.com/jonatz jonatz

    This is at one of my places to go in Mindanao!
    I will be in Davao 1st week of December.
    Planning to go here.

    i would like to know:

    – how to get to bislig city from davao
    – how to get to the falls from bislig

    hope somebody will be kind enough to help me and my friend.
    thanks!

  • gemma

    i’ve been in mangagoy for 22 years. i was 6 years old then until now that i’m in luzon i never heard about this beautiful place.
    i’m now planning to go back to that place since my parents are still there and this would be a priority for my itenerary when i got there.

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  • louie

    sir, the borboanan reservoir, also known as lake 77 is a man-made lake 77 hectares wide and 6 feet deep.. it is now being developed to be one of the additional tourist attractions of bislig aside from the hinayagan cave and togonan cold spring..

    from davao you can take the Bachelor bus bound for Mangagoy or hire a van.. from bislig you can hire PUV’s to ferry you to tinuy-an falls..

  • louie

    michael, my mom is the City Tourism Officer of Bislig City… you can email me if you need some assistance regarding tinuy-an… louiesanglay@yahoo.co.uk

  • http://langyaw.com estan

    @louie, thanx for this one :)

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  • Pons Yu

    nice shots…please click and like the page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Swin-Explorer-Travel-and-Tours/240832012595113 im promoting this tourist spot. for any inquiries please let me know. u can contact me at this number 09392258325. thanks. good luck po sa inyo.

  • Pons Yu

    Hi Estan kung pede please promote my link…to those people who are interested to experience and witness the Mindanao’s Treasure. thanks 09392258325 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Swin-Explorer-Travel-and-Tours/240832012595113

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