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This blog is an amateur photographer's attempt to show how beautiful the world really is. He is drawn to the colors of nature like a moth to a candle light. What are showcased here are nature's grand display of colors at sunrise and sunset, beautiful beaches and off-the-beaten track locations in his beloved Philippines, waterfalls and some of nature's great sculptures, architectural gems, and other views from around SE Asia that he was fortunate to see at one point.

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January 8, 2012

lake sebu 7 falls: hikong alu and hikong bente


Lake Sebu: Hikong Bente
One of the main attractions of the idyllic mountain town of Lake Sebu (apart from the 3 lakes of course, and more recently the zip line) is its famed 7 Falls.

Out of the seven waterfalls, 5 are accessible, with the first two falls being the most accessible. In fact these have become tourist traps, well at least the area around these two falls ever since the installation of the equally famous Lake Sebu zip line. While the adrenalin junkies would head straight to the zip line, some would head to the first falls for the requisite posterity shots. Fewer still would venture very near the falls to experience its raw beauty. I bet even fewer know its real name which is Hikong Alu. It was called "Dongon Falls" before, much to the disagreement of most locals.

Of the 7, Hikong Alu is the widest and its waters the most silky smooth in terms of flow. If waterfalls have gender, this would be a woman with long flowing hair. And like women, this falls is temperamental as it is beautiful.

Lake Sebu: Hikong Alu up close
Hikong Alu rages on

To shoot it up close was such a delightful challenge involving wits, patience, an umbrella, and lots of lens wipes. The mist is thick and wind so strong it seemed like it was raining. My umbrella had been blown away couple of times. You cannot take it by the horns, so to speak, but instead you have to go with its flow. Between its rages are periods of calm when the wind dies down and the water spray becomes manageable. These "peace times" are the perfect window to shoot: remove lens cover, wipe filter, focus, shoot, and then pray the wind does not pick up or else your shots end up with noticeable water sprays.

Lake Sebu: Hikong Alu ("Passage")
persistence is the key

It takes patience, with lots of unusable shots just to get a few. However I was really drawn into it I did not fully realize that I was barefoot already, with my sandals stuck in the mud somewhere.

Lake Sebu: Hikong Bente
Hikong Bente and wild flowers

The second of the 7 Falls, Hikong Bente (Immeasurable), is the tallest and equally nasty when it comes to dishing our water sprays. But it was tamer that day and I wonder why.

Lake Sebu: Hikong Bente
water now mostly flow on the left side

I did not like what the Provincial Government of South Cotabato (my very own province tsk!) did to the rocks near the catch basin. You cannot make nature look better, it already is at its best.

See some photos of the Hikong Bente before they decided to do landscaping of their own:
http://lantaw.blogspot.com/2009/04/lake-sebu-falls-2-up-close.html
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9 comments:

tinapay said...

ang ganda naman! nice pictures.

XoXo said...

it is a majestic place and your photography just makes the place more awesome!

Lantaw said...

Thanks tinapay and Tara :D

riz said...

wow!!! ang ganda naman nito!! :)

Lantaw said...

@riz, Thanks! :)

Dawn said...

Wow. Took my breath away.

ybbs said...

galing...

Lantaw said...

Thanks swirlz and ybbs!

lastminute reisen said...

WOW! this is one of a kind place a breath taking indeed!!! I really want to have my lastminute reisen in this place!! Fantastic!

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[name=lantaw] [img=https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8237/8458831412_c95b7dbbae_t.jpg] [description=Loves to shoot nature's grand display of colors at sunrise and sunset, beautiful beaches and off-the-beaten track locations in his beloved Philippines, waterfalls and other natural wonders] (facebook=https://www.facebook.com/lantawphotos) (twitter=https://twitter.com/lantawphotos) (instagram=https://www.instagram.com/lantaw/)