Apart from the glitz and glam of the city, people walking through the streets or overpasses, traffic jams, bumper-to-bumper, continuous honks and clamor. Also, from the 20 degree temp of the white tiled offices, rolling seats, in-and-out of papers; on the other spectrum of that are backlogs, projects, exams, tea-to-coffee filled flasks or mugs. All to it that screams busy by day and night, and sacrifices made to get the life we all dreamed about. But sometimes, we all need that fresh scent of a slow dripped coffee, not rushed to sip, nor be looking at the clock to strike at a time for a 40 km/h sprint and clock-in before 8 in the morning. We all deserve to rest and escape from the reality we are currently in. Apart from looking at different resorts for a person to relax, there are also other options that the eye could feast upon the hidden gems and wonders that our nature could offer.
Nature has its own surprises and breathtaking presents. From the beauty of the seas, to the calming winds of the shore, and then the beauty of the trees which one can enjoy for an escape from the city. There is one “not-so-hidden” gem that is well preserved and maintained, if you love the view and experience on swimming on fresh water, then, this is the place for you. This place is located in Borboanan, Bislig City. And it’s named as “Tinuy-an Falls”, Tinuy-an is a Cebuano word (Tinuyo-an) that means “An intentional act to attain an objective or goal.” To which this corresponds to the history of the waterfall that states the experiences of the enslaved natives of the Magdiwata Mountain. Another word that describes the waterfall in Bisaya language is “Binalik-balik’an or Gibalik-balik’an” meaning “a place that you would like to keep going back to.”
The falls is also sometimes called as “The Little Niagara Falls of the Philippines” for its curtain of flowing water on to a four-tier drop, and also its resemblance as well to the Niagara Falls in USA. The waterfall is 180 feet (55 metes) in length, and stretches its width at 312 feet (95 meters).
Location:
The place where the waterfalls is located has huts or cottages that a gang (Barkada), or family could stay. Other than that, the place has a wide scope for everyone could enjoy and pick several spots for where they would suit to their likings. In addition, there is also a gakit (bamboo) raft that they could use and take a picture of the falls itself.
How to Get there?
Davao City(via Airplane)
If you have a flight bound to davao, do these following things:
1st: grab a taxi bound to Ecoland Bus station
2nd: Catch a ride for a Bus enroute to Bislig City
• You can choose to ride an Air conditioned bus (Non-stop) where the travel time is lessened to 3-5 hours.
• You can also opt to ride a non-Air Conditioned bus where the travel time is 6-8 hours.
3rd: As you arrive in Bislig city, you can either stay in a hotel or catch a ride in a jeep bound for Baranggay Borboanan. There are also Motorcycles that are available.
Butuan City (via Airplane)
If you have a flight bound to Butuan, do these following things:
1st: grab a taxi bound to Langihan Bus station
2nd: Catch a ride for a Bus enroute to Bislig City
• You can choose to ride an Air conditioned bus (Non-stop) where the travel time is lessened to 3-4 hours.
• You can also opt to ride a non-Air Conditioned bus where the travel time is 5-6 hours.
3rd: As you arrive in Bislig city, you can ride a jeep or motorcycles bound for Barangagy Borboanan.
Note: There are hotels or motels available in Bislig City as well.
Time:
The best time to visit the place is around 9-11 AM in the morning for a well-lit view of the waterfalls and there is also a prominent sighting of a rainbow in this range of time.
Entrance Fee:
The Entrance fee per person is 50 php ($0.90)
Caution:
The waterfalls’ water current would gradually rise in the months of September to December, for this is the said “wet season” or a season of rain; so if you are planning to visit, the waterfalls water current may not be tourist friendly.
In this hidden place within the major island of mindanao, you could say that there are still places that are still yet to be discovered. A needle in a haystack, as one could say, for a said “wonder” in these islands may be a several kilometer trek, or caving under us would always be worth it. Many stories from different cultures and even the natives are linked as per breathtaking sight or wonder would behold, thus we, Filipinos, and even other international tourists would surely appreciate the story behind the culture being told either by mouth, written in books, or just at plain sight. A carefully created beauty that stood under or over the rocks, hidden on the thick cluster of trees, waiting to be discovered, appreciated, preserved or even improved for the better in the future.
On another note, there are several beauties that lie east and even westward of mindanao. Either you could opt on island hopping, trekking, beach resorts, in-land resorts etc. there are many things to offer, all you have to do is, choose.
