Folks who have been to Buruwisan falls are well aware of the location of another falls called Lansones. Just a few meters downstream from Buruwisan you follow the path to your right when you reached the fork. The trail is going upstream and after a less than 200 meters you'll be able to reach Lansones falls.

Nobody seems to bother finding out whats there downstream when you take the left of the fork. Nobody ever mentions that there is actually a beautiful site down there, on top of another waterfalls much higher than Buruwisan. We later found out its simply called Old Buruwisan (officially its known as Binaytuan Falls) , and unfortunately there is no (easy) trail going down to the base of the falls (a 200-meter drop).

A few meters from the drop of Old Buruwisan are waist to chest deep tubs - your own jacuzzi tubs.


More photos here.

Another falls just a few minutes hike upstream from Buruwisan falls is the Batya-Bayta (officially known as Guiling-guiling falls). Its a small one, only about 15-20 feet in height, but just as beautiful as the other falls there. There is a small basin-like depression on top of the falls that is why its called Batya-Batya ("batya" means small tub or basin in Filipino) .

The hike to Batya-batya is a bit of a challenge if you are carrying photo equipment. There is a portion in which you may have to swim (the other option is to scale a tree). There is another section where you have to wade chest deep waters. A dry bag for your gears is definitely a must, although for me a couple of garbage bags usually do the trick :).


Another falls, called Sampaloc falls, is also accessible via Batya-batya. You have to swim the pool to the edge of Batya-batya, climb the slippery rock wall and then follow the river upstream. I have not been to Sampaloc falls yet and I heard there is another way to go there without going through Batya-batya. Maybe on my next trip to Mt. Romelo...

The recent 4 day weekend spelled another outdoor trip. Since it rainy season this time of the year, I decided to stay away from the beach and instead head up to my favorite hideaway in Mt. Romelo in Siniloan, Laguna (together with friends). Mt. Romelo (about 300 meters above sea) is popular for its beautiful falls, all accessible with a short hike (and climb) from the campsite. The campsite itself is on top of one of the largest falls there (Buruwisan Falls).

(Trivia: Mt. Romelo is often (mis)referred to as Mt. Famy because the town of Famy is where folks usually get off the bus from Manila. Mt. Romelo is not even in Famy, it is already part of the adjacent town called Siniloan).

We always prefer to do a midnight trek whenever we go there but horrendous traffic jam in Manila made us miss our 12:00 midnight jump off. We arrived at the trail head at around 2:30AM. Surprisingly, its a clear night there while there is a heavy downpour in Manila.

After 4 hours of mud, leeches, more mud, and mosquito bites we arrived at the campsite. The normally jampacked campsite (during the summer) is virtually empty save for us and two other campers.

After setting up camp and getting a quick shut eye, I decided to hiked down to Buruwisan falls. Its a short climb down from the campsite, but the slope is more than 70 degrees in some sections and you only have tree roots and wet rocks for holding.


Buruwisan Falls is a popular location for rappelling because of its almost vertical wall. Its a great swimming area too with its emerald green waters, if you can take the cold.


Downstream from Buruwisan Falls are nice "tubs" or "pools" with crystal clear waters. There also are two more falls within a few hundred meters from Buruwisan. There is a fork just about 100 meters downstream from Buruwisan. The right path goes upstream to Lansones Falls while the left path goes downstream to the top of Old Buruwisan. There is no trail going down to Old Buruwisan (also known as Binaytuan Falls) but you can enjoy the vertigo inducing view (down) from its drop.

Check out other posts and photos of the beautiful waterfalls of Mt. Romelo here.

The sun's hiding again today and its a rainy dreary Tuesday. For those who need something sunny, I included, here is a "wallpaper" shot of Lake Lahit in Lake Sebu (South Cotabato).

About Lake Lahit
Its the smallest and with the lowest elevation of the 3 lakes in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. Its also a free fishing zone unlike the other two big lakes. You will be able to pass by Lake Lahit on your way to the famed 7 Falls of Lake Sebu.

Another one! :)


One of the 7 falls in Lake Sebu. This 2nd falls is the tallest and most majestic of the 7.

Story behind the my 2nd falls visit here.

The rush hour that city dwellers know and dread is practically non existent in the scenic Lake Sebu (South Cotabato). The photo you see below is as busy as it gets.


One of the main sources of livelihood in Lake Sebu is tilapia farming. Every morning you will see folks precariously balanced at one end of their dugout canoes tending the tilapia cages. From the outside looking in its a simple and uncomplicated life.

I had difficulty prying my self off the bed that morning. The cold weather (Lake Sebu is about 1000m above sea) did not help at all. I went down to the lake shore and searched for a good vantage point for capturing morning activities. I was not expecting a sunrise shot (its best to get sunrise photos in Lake Seloton) since I was facing the west, but nature always rewards the early bird :).


Lake Sebu's placid morning cannot be fully captured in photos. You have to be there to really experience it. The receding fog slowly takes off its mysterious cover on the mountains surrounding the lake, the distant roosters crow to signal the start of a new day. And the lake is in its calmest.


The few minutes before the "rush hour" is the best. It not too dark anymore but yet too early for folks to start their daily activities. It is on this magical moments that everything seems to stand still. You will be able to hear yourself thinking.

More photos here

Some (especially those not familiar with Southern Mindanao) are confused when you say Lake Seloton is in Lake Sebu (a lake in a lake?!?). Lake Sebu happens to be the name of both the town and the largest lake of the three lakes there. The other two lakes are Lake Seloton and Lake Lahit.

Lake Seloton, a few minutes away from the town proper, is Lake Sebu's most beautiful little sister. Its smaller in size (but reputed to be the deepest of the three lakes) but is just as magnificent as the larger lake. What makes Lake Seloton more special is that it has the best unblocked view of sunrise, hence visitors often refer to it as the "Sunrise Lake". You will not be disappointed with the sunset there too.

I planned to take sunrise photos there, but if you are vacationing with the family, photography sometimes takes a backseat. So I had to compromise - take photos of Lake Seloton at dusk, with menacing storm clouds threatening to ruin whatever sunset colors I may capture. Well you have to take what is given :).

I was able to take a just a few shots (less than 10 shots actually) before rain fell, heavily. But I was not disappointed. Rain brings a different sense of peace. I can stare at the raindrops for a very long time.


My good friends Ferdz Decena and Oggie Ramos (both are travel/outdoor photographers extraordinaire for various magazines, Ferdz recently guested in a TV show and Oggie's photo is the cover of SeaAir's Aug-Sept 2008 inflight magazine) had much better luck getting sunny photos of Lake Seloton during their last visit there. You may read Ferdz's writeup about Lake Seloton here.

There is a resort called Sunrise Resort (go figure hehe) in Lake Seloton if you want to wake up to a beautiful lake side sunrise if you happen to be in Lake Sebu.