Asik-asik Falls is a unique waterfall wherein the waters are not coming from a river or stream. The water source is a spring beneath the trees and rocks. Bushes are also growing at the spring making it a lot more attractive due to its greens.
Location of Asik-asik Falls is in Barangay Dado, Alamada, North Cotabato. It is accessible via Alamada – Banisilan highway. Double tire public jeepneys regularly ply the route from Libungan. Habal-habals (single motorcycle) also are open for contract when going to the jump-off.
At first, Asik-asik Falls is not part of our itinerary. Originally, we are only planning for a Surigao trip. Fortunately, we have two extra days on our trip so we then decide to include Asik-asik in our trip. Thereby amending the original route of coming back to Cagayan de Oro re-routing to Parang – Pagadian route.
Early morning of January 6, 2017, we drive our way to Midsayap, North Cotabato from Davao City. Gladys informs her former college board mate that we are going to Asik-asik. She also asks some tips to get there. Generous Daryl offers breakfast for us at her home in Midsayap. She even told us that our Ford Everest could get to Barangay Dado so we will no longer hire habal-habal from Midsayap to the Falls. And the best thing is, she is coming with us to the falls.
At 9:30am, we left Midsayap for Alamada. The roads are all concrete from Libungan up to the junction of Barangay Dado. Rough road starts from the highway up to Barangay Dado though there are portions of concrete roads along the way. No wonder double tire jeeps are plying in the area since huge rocks are everywhere. We are thankful of using Ford Everest so it survives the bumpy roads. Actually, the driver (I am the driver) did not survive. Only few meters more to the center of Barangay Dado is the end of an asphalt road. I decided to stop there and just have to hail a habal-habal to the jump off.
Since we are six, three motorcycles at Php 150 each are available to ferry all of us. They will be waiting for us at the jump-off. The advantage of hiring one is that it’s a bit faster than driving four wheels. Single motorcycle can easily traverse the rocky roads though we have seen one transport van really going direct to the jump-off.
Along the way, we have a quick stop at one viewpoint. A nice background of the farms and the surrounding mountains makes you appreciate the rural life they have. One good thing, road concreting starts from the there up to the jump-off of Asik-asik. Soon, it will all be complete and the way to the falls will be much better. Banana plantations are everywhere, as to our driver; they are having variety of crops in the area.
Before reaching the jump-off, heavy rains fell. While riding the motorcycle, we get wet bit by bit. Supposedly, we are to change clothes for swimming, yet due to the rain, we are compelled to wear our wet clothes all the time.
At the jump-off, we pay fees a total of Php 180 for the six of us. There is no need for a guide; we just follow the steps down the hill. For 200 – 300 meters, it’s a dirt road before reaching the concrete steps. It is 776 steps to get to the falls, meaning, it is also 776 steps to climb back to the jump-off. Going down the steps is okay. The view is mesmerizing. It’s maybe on the halfway point where you can hear the flowing waters.
Upon reaching the base of the steps is a stream. At first I thought the waters come from Asik-asik Falls only realizing that we are walking along the stream to reach the waterfalls.
On my first sight of the waterfalls, I am in awe seeing the dripping waters in the bushes. You can clearly see the edge of the mountain where you cannot find any water source above it. From there, you can imagine how the spring is created thereby releasing that so much volume of water.
From then, I am excited to bathe at the waterfalls. Not forgetting the pictures, we all pose at first before getting wet again with the cold waters. When we arrive at the area, there are only few of us, so we have the place to our own. Lots of pictures are taken from one side to another.
I am really eager to pose at the rocks in the waterfalls; I left my camera to Daryl and try to look for ways to climb the rocks. The waters are cold and clear. I manage to climb the rocks and make several poses. My friends want to come too so everyone is on the rocks after a while. We all have enjoyed the beauty of Asik-asik Falls. By the way, I tasted the water it’s sweet.
Spending few minutes at the waterfalls and it’s almost 12 noon, we decide to climb back to the jump-off so we can be on track for the 2pm target time in Libungan. We initially plan to go home to Kapatagan if at least 2pm we will arrive in Libungan. Unfortunately, the climb back is not for the faint-hearted. The 776 steps going up is quite a struggle for us and to our friend too. We just slowly climb the stairs until we reach the top. It’s tiring yet a very enjoyable experience.
We had a quick stop at one vendor along the way. He is selling some souvenirs, we also bought banana at only Php 20. Beautiful dahlias are in bloom too and we didn’t miss the opportunity to buy some dahlia shoots for planting.
We ride back to our motorcycles now dancing at the muddy and slippery road going back to where we parked the car. So much thankful too to the resident where we left the car, she also let us use her bathroom for us to fix ourselves and change clothes.
The drive back to the highway felt faster now. Yet it’s already 3pm when we arrive Libungan, North Cotabato so we decided on Plan B, overnight stay at Midsayap, North Cotabato. Daryl took us to a budget friendly inn and we paid Php 800 for a room for 7 pax with private bath and an air-conditioning unit.
We are all exhausted upon arrival at the guesthouse; we also forgot that we didn’t have lunch. As per recommendation of Daryl to try the barbeque of Old House, the food is so good and worth the price too. We have a good night stay in Midsayap, North Cotabato.
Been here: January 6, 2017
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