Our Siniloan adventure didn't stop at the summit of Mount Romelo. In fact, it was only the beginning. Mang Jaime, our guide, pointed at the direction to where we are headed. From the summit, We have to go down and up again to another mountain range. Then beyond those mountains is where the camp site is situated. That camp site is the jump-off point or the main station going to the different waterfalls within the area. Buruwisan Multi Falls as they call it, the many waterfalls that can be found in the vast forest of Siniloan.
The main attraction of this so called "Multi Falls" is the Buruwisan Falls. I've only seen it over the internet. Its huge mossy rock wall with an empty space underneath, vines which dances along with the falling water, green forest trees that shed the whole basin and an altitude of which I wouldn't dare to jump over with, this waterfalls made my jaw drop in front of my laptop.
Based on the weather reports that day, The area is under storm signal number 1 so we expected a muddy trek. I also assumed that the falls would look thicker. My excitement was at its peak as we stride along the trail towards the camp site.
The main attraction of this so called "Multi Falls" is the Buruwisan Falls. I've only seen it over the internet. Its huge mossy rock wall with an empty space underneath, vines which dances along with the falling water, green forest trees that shed the whole basin and an altitude of which I wouldn't dare to jump over with, this waterfalls made my jaw drop in front of my laptop.
Based on the weather reports that day, The area is under storm signal number 1 so we expected a muddy trek. I also assumed that the falls would look thicker. My excitement was at its peak as we stride along the trail towards the camp site.
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| The dried up Buruwisan Falls |
Going to Siniloan only took us less than 3 hours. From Legarda in Manila, we rode a van going to Infanta. We asked the driver to drop us off to Kia3 Restaurant (also known as Trois). From Manila, the van passed through the city of Antipolo then through the towns of Teresa, Morong, Tanay and Pililia in Rizal. Then we snaked through a zigzag road in Mabitac before reaching Siniloan. Trois Restaurant is located along the Real-Infanta Road a few kilometers away from the junction in Siniloan where a recognizable Red Horse Beer Monument can be found.
A huge Buruwisan Multi Falls signage can be seen at the corner of a road across the restaurant. Local guides are stationed on that place. They will guide you through the forest to the camp site and to every waterfalls for a fee. In our case, we got in touch with Ms. Divina (0908-982-2183) who introduced us to our guide Mang Jaime.
From Trois Restaurant, we walked down the road until we reach the barangay hall which served as the jump-off point of Mount Romelo. A registration fee of fifty pesos is collected to every person who visits the place. Then from there, we passed through Mount Romelo until we reached the camp site located just above the Buruwisan Falls [You can check out the details of our Mount Romelo climb here]. The whole trek took us more than 2 hours.
A huge Buruwisan Multi Falls signage can be seen at the corner of a road across the restaurant. Local guides are stationed on that place. They will guide you through the forest to the camp site and to every waterfalls for a fee. In our case, we got in touch with Ms. Divina (0908-982-2183) who introduced us to our guide Mang Jaime.
From Trois Restaurant, we walked down the road until we reach the barangay hall which served as the jump-off point of Mount Romelo. A registration fee of fifty pesos is collected to every person who visits the place. Then from there, we passed through Mount Romelo until we reached the camp site located just above the Buruwisan Falls [You can check out the details of our Mount Romelo climb here]. The whole trek took us more than 2 hours.
According to our guide, there are 12 waterfalls around the forest that we can go to. There are waterfalls that are pretty hard to reach. Ropes are needed to access some of them and others can be reached by crossing chest deep rivers. There are even some waterfalls that are still unnamed.
Before reaching the camp site, we passed through an area where burned trees are scattered all over. I was really saddened on what I've seen. Mang Jaime said that some irresponsible campers threw something that may have started the fire.
The sun has already set by the time we arrived at the camp site. It was a very busy place. Campers are seen preparing their dinners, others are merrily drinking their liquors. There's almost a comedy show when some of them loudly exchange funny jokes as if they intend to let the whole area hear it. It literally looked like a small village having a feast. Group of campers welcomed us with smiles and greetings as we pass them by. I looked around the crowded campsite in search of a perfect place to pitch our tents, but almost all the corners are already occupied. We went up further away from the crowded area and there we find a place to set up our camp.
We passed by a sari-sari store where toiletries, food, and even liquors can be bought. Small huts can also be rented for those who want a more comfortable place to stay. I might say that the whole campsite is pretty much commercialized and heavily populated. I was bothered on how it would affect the environment. But then I saw some signage reminding visitors not to improperly dispose their trash. Our guide told us that every group should have their own trash bags which should also be carried down when leaving the place.
We started setting up our camp as Mang Jaime left us. He said he'll come back in the morning to guide us to the waterfalls.
Fireflies can be seen during the night. We enjoyed the cold winds and the sound of the crickets as we exchange stories and laughter around the bonfire. We ended the night full of excitement on what will happen the next day.
We passed by a sari-sari store where toiletries, food, and even liquors can be bought. Small huts can also be rented for those who want a more comfortable place to stay. I might say that the whole campsite is pretty much commercialized and heavily populated. I was bothered on how it would affect the environment. But then I saw some signage reminding visitors not to improperly dispose their trash. Our guide told us that every group should have their own trash bags which should also be carried down when leaving the place.
We started setting up our camp as Mang Jaime left us. He said he'll come back in the morning to guide us to the waterfalls.
Fireflies can be seen during the night. We enjoyed the cold winds and the sound of the crickets as we exchange stories and laughter around the bonfire. We ended the night full of excitement on what will happen the next day.
We woke early to cook our breakfast and to prepare for the activity. Mang Jaime came back and we started our waterfalls adventure right after we finished our breakfast. But before anything else, we cleaned up our spot and packed up our things. We left our luggage to a small hut located at the campsite before leaving.
Mang Jaime told us that because of the very low amount of rainfall in the area for the past week, there would be some waterfalls that are dead. The river beside the campsite is dried up so all waterfalls that are connected to it are surely dead.
From the campsite, we started walking along the narrow forest trail. The tall trees shaded the whole area so we're not exposed to the morning sun. We walked down a very steep trail with the help of the wood branches attached on the trees. Then we climb down a wooden ladder. We should move carefully so rocks would not fall down. Those rocks are very dangerous for those who are already on the lower end of the trail. Down the ladder is a stream, we turned right where the water is coming from. We step from stone to stone to pass that stream. I looked around the area and witnessed a very tranquil surrounding. Vines and mosses covered the huge stone walls beside the stream and the tall trees served as its roof.
Mang Jaime told us that because of the very low amount of rainfall in the area for the past week, there would be some waterfalls that are dead. The river beside the campsite is dried up so all waterfalls that are connected to it are surely dead.
From the campsite, we started walking along the narrow forest trail. The tall trees shaded the whole area so we're not exposed to the morning sun. We walked down a very steep trail with the help of the wood branches attached on the trees. Then we climb down a wooden ladder. We should move carefully so rocks would not fall down. Those rocks are very dangerous for those who are already on the lower end of the trail. Down the ladder is a stream, we turned right where the water is coming from. We step from stone to stone to pass that stream. I looked around the area and witnessed a very tranquil surrounding. Vines and mosses covered the huge stone walls beside the stream and the tall trees served as its roof.
After a few minutes, we arrived at our first stop: The Old Buruwisan Falls. A towering falls where the water flows through a stone wall covered with leaves, then slides through the rugged rock formation before falling down to its deep catch basin. We were the first group to went there that day, so we didn't experience rappelling down from the top of the waterfalls. In the past, one can reach this falls by rappelling down from the top so only a few people reached its basin. But the local guides created a new trail (the one we used to get there) so going down to its basin is now easier.
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| The Old Buruwisan |
I enjoyed swimming in the cold water of this falls. I tried reaching the floor of the basin but I failed. I think it is roughly 15 to 20 feet deep. A huge rock formation can be seen beside the falls where the water gets deeper. Some of us, specially the non-swimmers enjoyed leaning towards the waterfalls. They enjoyed the feeling of being massaged by the water flowing down from the top. We spent a few more minutes taking pictures, swimming and playing around before heading to the next falls.
We trek back the trail along the stream passing through the wooden ladder and followed the flowing water to where it goes. After a few minutes, we reached a point where another stream converge with the stream we're trailing. There we found a number of cute mini waterfalls. The two streams snaked their way through the huge boulders scattered all over and created some bathtub-like basins and waterfalls. Looking ahead from that point is a wider stream where the two streams have already merged. Some of us enjoyed swimming on that wide area and the others enjoyed taking pictures of the view and the waterfalls around it. One of the highlights of that spot is the heart-shaped basin.
The water on the stream where we passed through came from Old Buruwisan Falls. Surely, the water from the other stream that has merged with our trail came from a different waterfalls. Mang Jaime told us that the Twin Falls can be found at the end of that stream. Unfortunately, ropes are needed to reach the said falls so we didn't had the chance to visit it.
We went back on our trail and climb up again to the wooden ladder. We walk through the trail going back to our campsite. But before we reach our campsite, we turn left to another trail which goes down to the Buruwisan Falls. In a short time, we reached the upper part of the Old Buruwisan Falls. We can go back again at the bottom of the falls by rappelling down from this place. But we decided to turn right and follow the direction where the water is coming from. Along the way, Mang Jaime showed us a water source. A pipe located near a stream where freshwater comes out. We tried drinking from the said pipe. Our stomach didn't crumble so I may say that it is safe to drink. Then after awhile, we reached a crossroads. Technically it is a crossroad of stream. To the left is where the Buruwisan Falls is located. I just took a couple of photos from it because it is really dried up. Its unique geographic characteristics are still intact and it still look like the ones I've seen on the internet. The only thing missing is the water flowing from it.
We followed the other stream which led us to Lanzones Falls.
The water on the stream where we passed through came from Old Buruwisan Falls. Surely, the water from the other stream that has merged with our trail came from a different waterfalls. Mang Jaime told us that the Twin Falls can be found at the end of that stream. Unfortunately, ropes are needed to reach the said falls so we didn't had the chance to visit it.
We went back on our trail and climb up again to the wooden ladder. We walk through the trail going back to our campsite. But before we reach our campsite, we turn left to another trail which goes down to the Buruwisan Falls. In a short time, we reached the upper part of the Old Buruwisan Falls. We can go back again at the bottom of the falls by rappelling down from this place. But we decided to turn right and follow the direction where the water is coming from. Along the way, Mang Jaime showed us a water source. A pipe located near a stream where freshwater comes out. We tried drinking from the said pipe. Our stomach didn't crumble so I may say that it is safe to drink. Then after awhile, we reached a crossroads. Technically it is a crossroad of stream. To the left is where the Buruwisan Falls is located. I just took a couple of photos from it because it is really dried up. Its unique geographic characteristics are still intact and it still look like the ones I've seen on the internet. The only thing missing is the water flowing from it.
We followed the other stream which led us to Lanzones Falls.
The falls is named after the Lanzones fruit tree which is very abundant on the area. At that time, maybe 3 to 4 groups of people are enjoying their stay on that place. So we just stopped by for a while and took a breather. In a few minutes, we head back to the campsite.
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| Lanzones Falls |
We reached the campsite and there we take a little rest. Looking around the campsite, we noticed that some of the campers are already gone. Some of them might have gone to the other waterfalls, some might have left the place. The place is also cleaned up. It's a totally different scene compared to the night before.
The dried up stream beside the campsite is the upper part of the Buruwisan Falls. Sampaloc Falls and Batya-batya Falls can be reached by trekking along the opposite direction of the dried up stream. That means that the two waterfalls are also dried at that time so we decided not to go to those places anymore.
We followed a trail across the dried up stream and continued walking for a few more minutes. We started to feel the heat of the sun at that time. Good thing there are plenty of trees that shed our way until we reached the Sapang Labo Falls. I think that is the farthest of all the waterfalls that we've came to visit here in Siniloan.
Sapang Labo is a 2 tier waterfalls surrounded by huge rock walls. In the past, the water that flows in this spot is turbid that's why the locals called it Sapang Labo. The lower part of the falls has a waist deep catch basin. We tried to climb up to the upper part and soak ourselves into its cold water. We enjoyed a very refreshing bath and spend the last few minutes taking pictures and enjoying the scenic surroundings.
The dried up stream beside the campsite is the upper part of the Buruwisan Falls. Sampaloc Falls and Batya-batya Falls can be reached by trekking along the opposite direction of the dried up stream. That means that the two waterfalls are also dried at that time so we decided not to go to those places anymore.
We followed a trail across the dried up stream and continued walking for a few more minutes. We started to feel the heat of the sun at that time. Good thing there are plenty of trees that shed our way until we reached the Sapang Labo Falls. I think that is the farthest of all the waterfalls that we've came to visit here in Siniloan.
Sapang Labo is a 2 tier waterfalls surrounded by huge rock walls. In the past, the water that flows in this spot is turbid that's why the locals called it Sapang Labo. The lower part of the falls has a waist deep catch basin. We tried to climb up to the upper part and soak ourselves into its cold water. We enjoyed a very refreshing bath and spend the last few minutes taking pictures and enjoying the scenic surroundings.
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| Sapang Labo Falls |
Going back took us less time than coming in. We just swiftly followed our trail until we reached the campsite in no time. We ate our lunch at the small hut where we left our luggage. Then after a few rest, we decided to pack up and leave.
Mang Jaime helped us carry our trash bags back to the jump-off point and there we disposed it properly. We took a shower at a paid shower room near the barangay hall before leaving the place.
Mang Jaime helped us carry our trash bags back to the jump-off point and there we disposed it properly. We took a shower at a paid shower room near the barangay hall before leaving the place.
It was a tiring yet fun and exhilarating adventure. The trails are not totally strenuous but they're not that easy too. Reaching those awe-inspiring falls and its refreshing water require a lot of energy, but it is well worth it. I would like to come back again someday and hopefully I can visit the other waterfalls in their full glory.
Killed Bills
Here is our budget breakdown during our trip in Siniloan, Laguna.
140.00 - Van fare from Legarda Manila to Trois (Famy, Laguna)
50.00 - Registration fee
15.00 - Buko Juice
20.00 - Mountain Dew
20.00 - Shower fee
60.00 - Guide Fee (600 for 10 persons)
20.00 - Tricycle fare from Trois to Siniloan
140.00 - Van fare from Siniloan to Pasig
200.00 - Food Budget (2Days/1Night)
TOTAL: Php 665.00
Here is our budget breakdown during our trip in Siniloan, Laguna.
140.00 - Van fare from Legarda Manila to Trois (Famy, Laguna)
50.00 - Registration fee
15.00 - Buko Juice
20.00 - Mountain Dew
20.00 - Shower fee
60.00 - Guide Fee (600 for 10 persons)
20.00 - Tricycle fare from Trois to Siniloan
140.00 - Van fare from Siniloan to Pasig
200.00 - Food Budget (2Days/1Night)
TOTAL: Php 665.00
What you're saying is completely true. I know that everybody must say the same thing, but I just think that you put it in a way that everyone can understand. I'm sure you'll reach so many people with what you've got to say.
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