Val has been to Kawasan Falls thrice for the 5 years he stayed in Cebu. Yet, he still recommends this magnificent work of nature to whoever plans to visit the island of Cebu. I have mentioned this place to my former teammate Sion who didn’t miss the chance to visit Kawasan when they had their quick tour in Cebu last March. And during Val’s sisters’ vacation, Val doesn’t want his sisters and their partner to miss the falls, too.
Last 11th of August, all 6 of us – May Joy, Pano, Kathleen, Franc, Val and I – hurriedly bought the things we needed for our Kawasan trip after our dinner buffet in Crown Regency. We bought milkfish, junk foods, biscuits, purified water and some softdrinks. We planned to leave as early as 5 am the next day for the 3-hour land trip so that we could get back before nightfall.
Bogged down
Just before leaving the gate, the car failed to start properly. Thinking that we’re just too heavy for Val’s Corolla, we disembarked and it started but our hopes went down when it continued to stop working as we neared the market. Val drove back to the compound and thoughts of going to D’ Family Park instead came up. After a round of driving from the Opon mercado to the compound, the car seemed to work properly and so off we went to pursue our itinerary for the day.
We rode off via SRP (South Reclamation Project) and everything went smoothly until we reached Carcar Shoe Expo. The car stopped working again just like the way it did when Val and I drove back from Cebu to Negros a year ago. All it needed was a short while of rest and it was ready to go again. It was like a stop over venue for us. We rested, ate some bread, answered the call of nature and took some pictures of the area and the giant shoe.
the Marikina of Cebu
taken by Val. love it!
Since our first stop in Carcar City up to the municipality of Alcantara, the car gradually frequented its stops which forced us to look for a local auto shop worried that we couldn’t make it back to Cebu before it gets dark. Val already called up his dad regarding the problem and he advised us to go back to Cebu the first time he called him. We were too far away to turn back yet uncertain if we could still reach Kawasan.
our second stop when the car started to act funny
could be our 3rd stop
our nth stop
We were lucky to find a humble repair shop and a certain Charlie Sebalo diagnosed the problem from a possible overheated coil. Had we went on, the car could be totally dead according to him. Val also called up his dad regarding the matter. Unfortunately, that part is only available in Cebu City; We could ask someone to transport the part through a south bound Ceres bus or he could buy it himself. The latter would take 4 hours in all – 2 hours trip to Cebu and 2 hours back not to mention the time spent to buy the said part. The former was faster since everyone in his town knew him well but we couldn’t find anybody to buy the part. And another problem we had was the cost of the part – Php 7500.
My mind was running with several thoughts. There were no ATMs in that remote town and the money we had were only enough to pay the entrance, cottage and some foods while we stayed in Kawasan Falls. We gathered in a circle and each one contributed the money left in each pocket. Good thing May still had the cash she was supposed to pay my credit card for the PAL eticket I booked for them. We added 300 pesos to come up with the needed amount and saved some for the labor fee Charlie might charge.
We gave Charlie the hefty Php 7500 plus his bus fare, copied his cellphone number and still proceeded to Kawasan Falls. Charlie assured us that the car would remain safe in his town and he would be back and would fix the car in time for us to go home that afternoon. For us, we mainly entrusted everything to God.
Relax and Enjoy
We stepped aboard a south bound Ceres bus going to the municipality of Badian. From Alcantara, it will pass Moalboal then Badian then to the town of Kawasan. It took us around half an hour to reach the church in Kawasan. Fare is only Php 22. From the church, there will be a 1.5-km walk to the falls and a Php 20 entrance fee.
From the church, there will be several locals offering their service to guide you to the falls. If you know the place, politely decline their offer. If you want their service, don`t forget to ask for the price before doing so. They might end up charging you a higher cost.
While trekking to the 1st falls, we paused and took some pictures.
We already bought several pusô and lechon manok before we reached Alcantara. It was 1 pm when we reached the falls and settled for a vacant cottage then beside it, we cooked the 3 bangus we bought and marinaded the night before. Pano and company went for a dive near the falls while Val and I alternately watched over the bangus wrapped in tin foil and cooked over hot charcoals. Whoever gets hungry can have some lechon manok and pusô.
1st falls
There were a lot of Korean tourists that day and rafting underneath the falls had been busy all throughout. An hour of rafting costs 300 pesos with a maximum of 16 persons. I wasn`t sure if it included the guides. I had tried the raft way back 2007 with Edson, Juvi and Val. It`s worth a try especially the falls experience.
across the falls
It only drizzled early that afternoon just before we packed our things to the 2nd falls. Going up to the 2nd falls only took about 15 minutes and it was less crowded. Lucky for us not to pay another fee in one of the cottages there since it has the same owner. All we needed was to show our receipt.
cottages at the 2nd falls. just across our rented cottage.
2nd falls
Val and I let May Joy, Pano, Kathleen and Franc experience the rafting and since they were the only ones rafting, they could enjoy it at any length of time.
By 5 pm, we called it a day and thought about the car again. Val texted Charlie that we would just drop at Alcantara to get the car instead of him driving the car to Kawasan. On our way out to the highway, Val and I took turns taking photos of various flowers that we could see. I don’t know their names and classes. I just love taking macro shots of any beautiful flowers that we can find.
Back to Alcantara
Time runs so fast when you`re enjoying it. The moment we headed our way to wait for a north bound Ceres bus, anxiety started to creep over us. There were several what if`s playing in our mind. Nobody showed his or her fear. We all stayed calm and kept entertaining one another hoping against hope that the car would go back to life once we arrived.
Charlie didn`t arrive yet from Cebu when we came to his place. It was already past 6 pm. Val was on constant communication with him since then. Charlie was on his way back when Val sent him a text message. In a while, there was a heavy downpour of rains and we stayed inside the car to keep us warm and dry except for Pano and Franc who took shelter in a small store across the street.
While inside the car, I weighed several possible options left for us if the car still wouldn`t function. We could take the bus, go home then come back the next day to get the car once fixed. Or we could stay overnight; We still had enough pusô, some chips and water to sustain us for the night. We could all squeeze inside the car since there weren`t any pension houses in sight. It was inconvenient but at least we`re all together.
The clock showed 7 pm and no sign of Charlie. It kept raining and the night got dark. Where were Charlie`s Angels when we needed them the most? We were all tired and hungry but nobody complained. At least, that lessened our worries. Another hour went and for the nth time, everytime a bus stopped, we would expect Charlie to be one of the passengers.
Finally, a little past 8 pm, he arrived and we all gathered by the hood of the car. Kat, Franc and Val each held a flashlight to help Charlie. We were all silent and I could sense that each one was praying that the car would go back to life after he changed the damaged part. To our dismay, it didn`t work properly. But after more than 3 attempts, it was ready to go. We sincerely thanked Charlie and paid him more than he had expected since he only asked for a cup of coffee. He could have told us that he didn`t have the part available and left us but he still chose to buy the part for us. For that, we were very grateful for his effort and good heart.
Going home
I calculated it right. We left Alcantara at about 9 pm and reached Cebu 2 hours after despite our speed of 40-60 kph. We asked for directions twice and twice we met good Samaritans. They gave us the right direction and advised us to be extra careful since the road was slippery. Papa and Mommy were in constant communication with us and they didn`t sleep until May told them that we already reached Cebu. Thank heavens the car didn`t stop like it used to.
We dropped by KFC at IT Park, Lahug for a bucket meal of fried chicken then headed home. We ate everything and left nothing for the cat. He he…
Thinking things over, we still have to be thankful that despite the negative news we see each day on tv, there are people who are willing to lend a hand to a complete stranger. It doesn`t hurt to keep each one`s trust and it makes road trips, tours and adventures more exciting.
Come to think of it, the car and the bad weather didn’t even hinder us to visit Kawasan Falls. 
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