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Dec 3-4, 2016

Visiting Igpasungaw Waterfalls

GPS waypoint: 11°35'36.6"N, 122°07'39.43"E
Location: Sebaste (municipality), Antique (province), Philippines

The Batchoy Conversation
In Culasi, while having batchoy, I came upon a spontaneous conversation with Connie, a resident of Sebaste. She talked about the Igpasungaw Waterfalls in her hometown. The die was cast after that. After Malalison Island, I boarded the Ceres bus bound for Sebaste, a municipality north of Culasi.

Inland Resort
After a 30-minute ride, I arrived at Sebaste. I proceeded to the municipal building for information. It was raining and going to the waterfalls wasn't that appealing. I decided to stay overnight at the one and only one lodging in Sebaste - Inland Resort, a municipal-owned recreation center with rooms and a spring-fed swimming pool. Overnight lodging was P300/room up to 2pax. The plan was to go to the falls the following day, weather permitting.

the falls had a torrential current following yesterday's rain

Sebaste
I took a walk around town. Sebaste town center is small - smaller than Tibiao. It had very few commercial establishments - not even the ubiquitous Tibiao Bakery. It is flanked by the sea and the mountain. There was really nothing to do in town. The townsfolk go to Culasi for their urban needs.

Connie
Connie seems to be popular in Sebaste. When I told a local that I came to Sebaste after meeting a "Connie", I was pointed out to her house. We met shortly at Inland and were joined by other guests for more travel talk.

The Hike
My guide was Jonel, a chain-smoking guy who met me at Inland to start the hike. We walked a mild incline along a meter-wide dirt trail for 90 minutes until we reached the falls. We didn't spend too much time on pictures and our pace was brisk. En route, we passed by 2 water sources and a few confluence on the river marked by other waterfalls. What I found daunting was crossing deep parts with a strong current over unsecured narrow bamboo with no hand rail. A fall into the water would have been catasthropic. Your footwear will get wet as there are water crossings.

Garbage
Finally we arrived. The area was littered by plastic garbage left there by the local visitors. The guide would tell me the foreign visitors would be the ones to pick up the garbage at times - really embarrassing. Even dogs don't shit in their backyard. Since visitors have to register with the municipality, there should be an orientation to everyone about leaving no trace. The guides should also be strict about the no-garbage implementation. What's the Environment Fee for if they can't even enforce a no-garbage policy?

The Falls
The falls has 4 low levels in that section, with plunge pools. Following yesterday's rain, the water level was high and the current was very strong. I didn't even attempt to cross the other side to get to the higher levels as there was no rope or anything dry to step on. My guide crossed it, but even he, struggled. The plunge pool was inviting but again, the water's pull was too strong, I just kept by the sideline.

Spring-Fed Swimming Pool
After another long hike back, it was refreshing taking a dip at the spring-fed swimming pool at Inland Resort. The water was cold and refreshing. There were also picnic tables to use, and yes, a karaoke machine.

Ending Thoughts
There are 3 things going for Igpasungaw Falls - the spring-water swimming pool, the 90-minute nature hike and the falls itself.

--- TheLoneRider

Next stop: Malumpati Spring, Pandan, Antique

Dec 3-4, 2016

Tips

on the hike, use shoes and not flip-flops. The rocky sections can be slippery. But bring flip-flops too
bring food, there are no stores in the Falls area
at Inland Resort, the mosquitos will pepper you. Bring a mosquito coil or mosquito repellant

Fees