Feature Blog | Kawa Falls in Barangay Toong, Cebu City
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Kawa Falls by Loko Loki
The date was November 8, 2016 – the US Election Day. While the rest of the world was in total excitement (or anxiety) awaiting who would become the next leader of the world superpower, my squad was busy on our quest for the best hiking haven in Cebu. Our itchy feet and oozing wanderlust brought us to a spectacle waterfall hidden in the mountainous area of urban Cebu City.
This peculiarly shaped waterfall is just located in Barangay Toong, Cebu City – one of the hidden barangays in the outskirts of the city. This wonderful place is past Barangay Buhisan. Though still part of the city, the lush forest and crystal-clear river would make you think you are somewhere far-flung the likes of Kawasan Falls in Badian.
How to get to Kawa Falls
To get to Kawa Falls, you do not need to keep a map handy or carry your heavy-duty compass. You just need to go to the “habal-habal” terminal in Punta Labangon near Jollibee. In our case, this adventure began in Escario Street as we hopped in a jeepney en route to Labangon. We obviously did not do enough research (or there was not just enough material about the waterfall) and as a result, we “prematurely” got out of the jeepney. We asked some people around how to get to Brgy. Toong and we were told that the “habal-habal” terminal to that place was still a few meters away. So we took another jeepney. When we asked the driver to drop us off to the place we were looking for, he said we already ran past it so we had to get off again and walked back. Finally, we found the terminal we were looking for.
We did not waste time and immediately took a motorbike ride to Brgy. Toong. The fare was 25php per head and it took us around 15 to 20 minutes to get to the place. But before getting to Brgy. Toong, we passed by a nature reserve in Brgy. Buhisan. I was amazed to find a healthy forest so close to the bustling city. As we were on our way, I had the time of my life breathing fresh air and looking at the big Mahogany and Gemelina trees. This place is good for biking, hiking and jogging too.
The forest is maintained as a natural reserve. The motorbike drivers knew exactly where to drop us off. We then met some locals and asked instructions on how to get to the waterfalls. They were very accommodating and friendly.
And the hiking began! It was not so difficult to find the river. We just had to go downhill. The only thing that posed as a real challenge was how slippery the ground was. So we had to be extra careful and watched our every step.
The locals told us to just look for the footpath as it would lead us to a neighborhood where we could ask for more directions. But we opted to take the river trail. No words could explain how amazed I was of the view that unfolded right in front me.
The river was so clear and the woods were so green. My stress was relieved as I listened to the sound of the rushing waters and the chirping of birds and insects in the forest. I was able to capture the beauty of the flora that teemed in the vicinity.
When we reached the first waterfall, we met a kid named Ivan who later joined us and served as our guide and photographer. It was not Kawa Falls yet, but this area was already picture perfect.
He guided us further up and I felt like a child when we reached Kawa Falls! I could not just wait to swim in the “Kawa”. At first I was a little bit apprehensive, but Ivan said that it was totally safe and the water level was not that deep, compared to the pool at the first waterfall.
Kawa Falls got its name from a Cebuano word “kawa” which means “wok” in English because the basin resembles a cooking wok.
Further up Kawa Falls, there is a smaller waterfall with a pool shaped like a tub. The rushing water was so strong and felt good on our backs. We got to experience Mother Nature’s massage.
At about 30 past 12, we had enough and started packing up. That was when we met more local school kids taking a dip in the water.
The whole experience was just the kind of escape I needed. It was budget friendly and it did not take much time to get there. Definitely, this is another memory I will never forget.
Things to watch out for:
- As lovely as it is, the waterfall has its fair share of downsides too. Be careful where to put your food. Ants can attack your food in just a matter of minutes. I advise to put your food in a sealed container.
- You might meet a few locals doing the laundry or taking a bath in the river. Please be considerate enough not to make the water murky.
- River rocks are expected to be slippery so wear good footwear. And yes, you will get your shoes wet.
- On our way back, we ran into a lovely old lady who told us to keep watch of our things because there was one incident when tourists were robbed of their cellphones and clothes.
- The same old lady also told us that a group of students drowned in the river. The river is usually calm on a sunny day but sudden flashfloods may go rushing down if the mountains high up have rain showers.
My heart was broken:
Though its beauty is undeniably captivating, I was having mixed emotions of sorrow and disgust to see human garbage in the river. For the locals, they have a deep connection to this river and I am sure they’ll do whatever they can to keep it clean and pure. However, trash from the urban gets washed in the river and clump in bushes or fallen logs and branches. I hope someday to come back here along with a squadron of nature-lovers to do a clean up mission.
Final words:
Thanks a lot to the squad of the day: May, Kathy, Jude, Girlou, Miko and James. This was my first time (except May) to go on a hiking trip with you and I hope to share more adventurous experiences with you in the future. Till then!
“Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories.”
Check the original article here.