
At just 2nd year high school, I was determined to visit Mantayupan Falls, never mind if I haven’t been there before. My feet were itchy and, armed with a map committed to memory, I was off, counting towns and then alighted at a place I thought Barili.
And I was right. It was indeed Barili. Hiring a habal habal, those motorcycles that cram in 5 people, I was brought to the waterfalls and when I saw it, I was just utterly disappointed. No huge cascades, just a shower as most of the waters were diverted to a hydro power plant. But I did collect a few butterflies.
23 years later, I was determined again to visit the town and take images of the waterfalls, after many times that my past schedules were postponed. Multibac from Tabunok in my home city of Talisay then a habal-habal, I came to a place much more changed than I’ve first visited. There were already signages, landscaped gardens, some huts for overnight accommodations and even an entrance fee of P10 per adult.

I’ve been to many waterfalls in the country, like Maribina in Catanduanes, Tinuy-an in Bislig, Aliwagwag in Cateel, to cite a few, but this is one of the beautiful cascades.
As it was a Sunday, there were lots of locals having a picnic at some of the huts. There was even a couple who had their prenuptial shots taken with the cascade in the background. The waterfall area is well developed with cemented pathways and stairs. No need to go rough here.
Mantayupan Falls in Barili can be reached by private and public vehicles via good and well paved roads. It is around 1.5 – 2 hours from the city serviced by lots of buses, usually bound for Samboan, at the western side. From the town center, one can hire a habal-habal at just P20 per person or P30 if you prefer to ride alone. The waterfalls is just around 2 kilometers from the town center.
I agree that the structures (eye sore) built around Kawasan Falls lessens its appeal…this one is beautiful, tsaka parang safe pa mg swimming di masyado nakakataot yung tubig…tama lng yung current at ganda ng kulay.
Yeah, I do agree that the falls is nice. its a better place than going to kawasan, I hate the long hike going to the topmost part of the falls.