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mountaineering

Hike to the Japanese Shrine and Casaroro FallsApr 25, 2010

Hike to the Japanese Shrine and Casaroro Falls

Packing Back to Dumaguete
I was still having a grand time skin diving in Siquijor when I got a text from Philip for an invite to hike part of the Cuernos Mountains for the Japanese Shrine and traverse to Casaroro Falls. Being new to Dumaguete, I didn't really know what they were but it sounded fun. I was on the ferry back to Dumaguete to make it for the early hike Saturday morning.

A Frat Affair
Except for Philip and Dudz whom I met for the Apo Island dive, the whole crew was new to me. Turns out, it was a frat outing or an initiation climb...it's all good, the more, the merrier. After an engine failure with Dudz's jeep, we managed to hitch a ride to the market where we boarded the public jeep to the jump off in Valencia.

Casaroro Falls map

The Trek
The trek to the Japanese Shrine on a single-track trail took us across foot-bridges, villages, a few boulders, even a basketball court on a plateau, charcoal making operation, and to scenic heights overlooking the Mindanao Sea.

Japanese Shrine
After a 2-hour/15-min hike from the jump-off, we finally reached the shrine atop a mountain ridge 2175 feet above sea level, lording over Dumaguete and the nearby islands. It was a simple monolithic white concrete structure with the inscription saying that the shrine marks the fierce battle that took place between the Japanese Imperial Army against the combined forces of the Philippine guerillas and American Army from April 27, 1945 to early June, 1945. The remnants of the Japanese Army surrendered Sept. 22, 1945 marking the end of hostilities in Negros Oriental.

Casaroro Falls
From the Japanese Shrine, it took nearly 3 hours of hiking under the heat of the midday sun until we reached Casaroro Falls. The falls itself was a pencil-like narrow torrent of water dropping nearly 100 feet to a wide and deep lagoon. It was very refreshing to bathe and dive down from an elevated rockface into the cold water.

Children Will be Sold to the Circus
On the way back, not too far from the falls, was this house with 2 signs saying children left unattended will be sold to the circus. Another sign says trespassers may be eaten by his dogs....and it might make the dogs sick. A local said a German lived in that house. It was revolting. I wrote a separate piece on this entitled, "A Tale of Two Foreigners"

Hitching It
We hiked for another hour before we reached Forest Camp. From there, we managed a free ride close to Dumaguete. Even before everyone could disembark, Dudz managed to get another free ride that took us all the way to Dumaguete.

Ending Thoughts
I'd been noticing that discovery of Dumaguete and the interesting places around it comes to me in unexpected text invites. I like that. I also come away thinking what nice people they are here in Dumaguete. Imagine, we were 8 guys and we managed to hitch a ride 3 times from complete strangers. That doesn't happen in Manila. What they say that Dumaguete is a land of gentle people still holds true despite increasing progress and urban migration. Unlike Manila where demeanor towards a complete stranger (let alone 8 guys!) have become hardened and calcified, in Dumaguete, they still espouse a humanist value towards the next guy. It's rare for a city to keep a tight balancing act between urban pressure and humanist values. Dumaguete is a fine example that it can work.

--- TheLoneRider

How to get there from Dumaguete

  • within Dumaguete, take a pedicab (tricycle) and ask to be dropped-off the jeep station for Valencia. P8.00
  • board the jeep until you reach the town of Valencia. 20 minutes, P12.00
  • upon alighting the jeep, you will be approached by habal-habal drivers. Ask to be taken to the Japanese Shrine. P100-P120 per trip, 30 mins. They'll wait for you at the Shrine. If the road is dry, they'll allow 2 passengers - but the rate is per trip, not per passenger. Be warned, the dirt road section is steep and rough. It's also slippery after a rain.
  • Edwin SamsonFrom Valencia, you can also ride on Edwin Samson's motorbike - one passenger only for Casaroro Falls. P200/round trip, he will wait even for a few hours. Cell: 0918.218.4212. Let me know if he's doing a fine job or not.

Related Japanese Shrine Links:

P4253959 P4253962 P4253963 P4253968
P4253972 P4253974 P4253980 P4253984
P4253985 P4253992 P4253994 P4254002
P4254005 P4254008 P4254011 P4254013
P4254014 P4254018 P4254021 P4254028
P4254030 P4254032 P4254033 P4254036
P4254039 P4254047 P4254051 P4254053
P4254059 P4254060 P4254066 P4254067
P4254070 P4254073 P4254079 P4254080
P4254089 P4254101 P4254103 P4254107
P4254108 P4254110 P4254117 P4254118
Waterfalls / Spring Blogs
  1. Lagaan Falls Mar 9, 2023
  2. Tibhong Spring Water Source Mar 8, 2023
  3. Bolo-Bolo Natural Spring Mar 2, 2023
  4. Camagung-Ong Natural Spring Feb 28, 2023
  5. Locong Falls Feb 9, 2023
  6. In Search of Tubod Cold Spring Jan 27, 2023
  7. Capilay Spring Jan 17, 2023
  8. Freediving Canawa Cold Spring of Candijay, Bohol June 30, 2017
  9. Splashing at Can-umantad Falls, Candijay, Bohol June 30, 2017
  10. Bathing with the Carabaos at Hagnaon Spring, Camotes Islands Feb 28, 2017
  11. Taking a Dip at Capasanan Spring, Camotes Islands Feb 28, 2017
  12. Exploring Tudela and Busay Falls, Camotes Islands Feb 21, 2017
  13. In Search of Guiwanon Cold Spring Jan 12, 2017
  14. Hurom-Hurom Cold Springs Immersion Dec 11, 2016
  15. Dipping at Bungan-Bungan Spring in Libertad Dec 9, 2016
  16. Exploring Malumpati Spring of Pandan Dec 4-6, 2016
  17. Visiting Igpasungaw Waterfalls Dec 3-4, 2016
  18. Exploring Bugtong Bato Waterfalls, Tibiao Nov 24, 2016
  19. Splashing at Magkawas Falls in Lanuza, Surigao del Sur May 16, 2013
  20. Visiting Lubcon Falls, Surigao del Sur May 13, 2013
  21. Visiting Maria Cristina Falls, Iligan Apr 24, 2013
  22. Exploring Santander, Samboan and Badian, Cebu (Aguinid Falls and Kawasan Falls) Oct 30-31, 2011
  23. Pulangbato Falls and Hot Spring Jul 16, 2011
  24. Splashing in Pulangbato Falls with Cuernos de Negros Jun 5, 2011
  25. Hike to the Japanese Shrine and Casaroro Falls Apr 25, 2010
  26. Island Tour of Siquijor Apr 22, 2010
  27. Tinago Falls of Iligan City Mar 16, 2009
  28. Camiguin (Katibawasan Waterfalls) Mar 9 - 14, 2009
  29. Hike to Bomod-ok Falls November 3, 2006


Reader Comments:

theloneriderTheLoneRider
"Im planning to go to dumaguete. do you have suggestion for affordable and nice room to stay ?" -- Ton
(Feb 23, 2012) check this out, Ton: Dumaguete Hotels


Dudz
(May 9, 2010) It's nice to see that Dumaguete still emits that "city of gentle people" charm to tourists.. =)




Facebook Users
casarorofalls042510

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