Aliwagwag Falls is one attraction and now a tourist destination north of Davao Oriental. It is still under the Municipality of Cateel, Davao Oriental. There are several ways to get there. However, Aliwagwag Falls is 25 Kms far from the town proper.
Aliwagwag Falls is most accessible via Compostela – Cateel provincial highway. Though there are other roads from Mati, Davao Oriental and Bislig City too. The Compostela highway for now is under road concreting project with a scenic route traversing the mountains of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. However, one must be extra cautious during rainy season, as you cannot avoid encountering landslides along the way.
When planning our itinerary, Aliwagwag Falls is not one the main destinations for our trip. We just have it as an option if we can have extra time. Fortunately, our Day 2 covers most of our itinerary and we still have 2 days left. We then decided to include Aliwagwag Falls and Asik-asik Falls in our trip.
Coming from Tinuy-an Falls, we left Mangagoy, Bislig City at 12noon on our way to Cateel. It’s raining while we are driving along Mangagoy – Cateel highway. And in about 2hrs or less, we arrive at Cateel Town Proper. Passing along their Municipal Hall, we decided to drop at their tourism office before finally heading towards Aliwagwag Falls.
After 30 minutes of driving, we reach the bridge where Aliwagwag Falls is flowing. I slowed down and told them to watch on the right side of the car. My companions are in awe upon seeing the stunning waterfalls. I immediately park the car and grab my camera.
The location of the falls is simply along the provincial highway. You don’t need to trek or travel to the mountains to get there. You just simply drive your car and park at the parking area. What’s best with Aliwagwag Falls is that a concrete bridge is being constructed at the foot of the waterfalls.
I have come to read an article (sorry for not referencing since I already forgot where I read it) that Aliwagwag Falls is not this beautiful as today. Thanks to Typhoon Pablo for trimming the sides and now showcasing the beauty of the waterfalls. Before the typhoon, waterfalls formation is not that clear due to the trees surrounding the falls. Lots of trees even growing within the cascades thereby hiding its beauty from afar.
Since Typhoon Pablo, the trees at the cascades were eroded and uprooted. Now, you may clearly see a bigger and wider waterfalls, emphasizing several cascades making it the Philippines highest waterfalls.
Posing everywhere, we enjoy the place to ourselves since no other tourists are there. And besides its already mid afternoon at the time of our visit. There is a resort in the area offering activities at the waterfalls. Unfortunately, we cannot simply avail of it due to a rainy weather conditions bringing water levels high and not safe for the adventures.
When searching in the Internet, Aliwagwag Falls is really that stunning. We are not surprised anymore on the water conditions of the waterfalls since it has been raining for a day already. You cannot identify the cascades due to the rapids falling from the waterfalls. Still it did not disappoint me. I am still happy seeing the waterfalls in that condition and there might be a reason for a come back.
We just quickly spent our time at the waterfalls and ate lunch at the food stalls in the area. Davao City will be our next destination and we plan to sleep there before going to North Cotabato for Asik-Asik Falls.
Been here: January 5, 2017
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