Asik-Asik Falls ( Alamada North Cotabato )

Asik-asik Falls is located at Sitio Dulao, Upper Dado, Alamada, North Cotabato. The name comes from a Hiligaynon term, which means to sprinkle.  The waterfalls resemble a curtain of spring waters flowing down from a jade wall covered in lush foliage. It’s the kind of sight that should be experienced on its own, as pictures don’t do justice to the fantastic scenery. 

How to get there:

Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air flies daily to Cotabato City. From Cotabato City ride a van/bus bound to Midsayap. At Midsayap market there's is doable tire jeep (10am) to Bgry Dado in Alamada. From the brgy hire a habal habal to Asik-Asik falls.

Situbo Falls ( Tampilisan Zamboanga del Norte )

The towering Situbo Falls is one of the many still unspoiled waterfalls in the Philippines, resplendent, mighty, and powerful as it thunders down to a refreshing cool pool, waiting for you to be discovered.

How to get there:

1. Budget airlines have daily flights from Manila to Dipolog. From Dipolog City hop a bus bound to Ipil in Zambonga Sibugay (4 hours). Alight at the town of Tampilisan then charter a habal-habal to Situbo Falls(P200 roundtrip). 

2. Fly from Manila to Zamboanga City. From Zamboanga City hop a bus bound to Pagadian City. Alight at Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay then take a jeepney ride to Tampilsan then charter a habal-habal to Situbo Falls.

Laguna | Pagsanjan Falls Via Pueblo El Salvador In Cavinti

Pagsanjan Falls (Magdapio Falls) is one of the most famous waterfalls in the country and a major tourist attractions of Laguna. The three-drop waterfall is reached by a river trip on dugout canoe, known locally as "shooting the rapids", originating from Pagsanjan. The falls can also be reached from the top by a short hike from Cavinti. The boat ride has been an attraction since the Spanish Colonial Era with the oldest written account in 1894. The town of Pagsanjan lies at the confluence of two rivers, the Balanac River and the Bumbungan River (Pagsanjan River). 

Inside the Devil's cave behind the waterfall


how to get there:


From Manila take a bus bound to Sta. Cruz Laguna. Hop a jeepney that ply to Lucban Quezon then alight at the junction to the town of Cavinti and took a short tricycle ride to Pueblo El Salvador in Brgy. Tibatib in Cavinti.

North Cotabato | The Breathtaking Asik-Asik Waterfalls

I left Cotabato City early in the morning to catch the double-tire jeep in Midsayap. The double-tire jeep leaves Midsayap market at around 10am then took 2 hours to reach Dado in Alamada. I am so excited to finally see the curtain like spring fall of Asik-asik.

The people of North Cotabato speak Ilonggo. From barangay Dado I took a heavy duty motorcycle/habal-habal to upper Dado. The road uphill were rough that passes through the countryside of Alamada. It was the worst habal-habal ride experience of my life. There were times where I opt to walk because anytime well get out of balance and got an accident. It was a butt trembling journey.

Approaching the jump off municipal officials and resident of Upper Dado held a meeting on how they manage the Asik-asik falls. Roads were under construction. They told me that the rough habal-habal experience is part of the adventure of going to Asik-asik.

There is also store selling beverages, coffee, snacks and souvenir items and nipa huts for those who want to stay overnight.

I stayed for a while then and a group of Midsayap locals boarded a 4WD arrived with their foreigner friend. We walk down the muddy trail heading to the falls. The makeshift bridge they constructed is destroyed by a recent typhoon and the strong current of river would not allow us to cross the other side.

The breathtaking views of Asik-asik were really worth to visit. It is one of a kind.

After spending some time I went back to the jump off point still undecided to stay overnight or go back to Midsayap. One of the locals asked my family name and it happens that his grandparents were same as mine, we are distant relatives. He invited me to stay at their home in Midsayap. I got also a free ride on his 4WD, accommodation and dinner.

The following day I travel back to Cotabato City and headed to my next destination the Lake Sebu in South Cotabato!

This is part of the 2nd leg of my solo backpacking in Mindanao.

Budget | Zamboanga Del Norte | Zamboanga Sibugay | Zamboanga Del Sur | Misamis Occidental | Lanao Del Sur | Cotabato City | North Cotabato | South Cotabato | Saranggani