THE PRISTINE INAMBAKAN FALLS OF GINATILAN

In my many sojourns in the southern tip of the province of Cebu, I came across the name Inambakan Falls. Serendipitously, I saw pictures of it in the internet and judged what I saw worthy of a visit. 

Inambakan Falls is in Barangay Calabawan, in Cebu’s South-western town of Ginatilan. 

Upon reaching Poblacion, Ginatilan, turn right the asphalted road before Julie’s Bakeshop and Stopover Bakeshop. If you are cautious, stop and ask the locals. The place is not tainted with tourism but the people are cordial and hospitable to point you the direction. 

Highway at the back of the church where Julie's and Stopover Bakeshops are located...

If you are riding a bus, stop by Julie’s Bakeshop and negotiate with habal-habal drivers to bring you to Calabawan. 

The journey to Inambakan falls in Calabawan stretches in 3 to 5 kilometers of asphalted and smooth road. BUT BE WARNED!!! Less powerful vehicles may find the uphill climb a vertical challenge. 

For me, the best way to travel the narrow asphalted road is by motorcycles. 

The road comes to a halt in front of a house—AN ANCIENT-LOOKING HOUSE. What is a house like that doing in such a secluded part of the mountain?? 

Let me describe it. 

This enormous house has a high “silong” typical of a pre-Spanish to Colonial era architecture. Large hardwood planks are its walls and flooring. Huge molave or tugas (white ironwood) are utilized as pillars and braces for the spacious open “silong.” Some of the upper rooms have “sa-sa” wall and the roof is that of nipa. The upper parts extended southward in a rectangular shape—like train compartments. 

Park your vehicle in front of this house...

The high silong has an antique wooden wheel mounted on the ground. Other wooden implements similar in antiquity with the wheel form part of an old mill. The inhabitants shared that the wheel is rotated to make the machine sharpen bolos and farming tools. I was incredulous of that. There should be more to that than sharpen dull tools. Why not use a whetstone instead of such an elaborate machine? 

See the wheel???

Anyway, a house this huge can be easily associated with being rich. Perhaps, the family who owns this house was once the lords of the area. It is the only dwelling to be found in there. Apart from the “roydahan” (improvised cockpit) and a “landahan” (crude copra drier,) the surroundings are all coconut trees, cornlands, a few lanzones trees and brushes. 

You have to pay the kids 10 pesos for your motorcycle and 30 pesos for your 4-wheel vehicle to park in the spacious yard of the house. 

Descend the slippery-when-wet path of carabao grass and carabao dung toward the falls. Passing an old copra drier or “landahan,” you will descend concrete steps toward the river. 

The old copra drier stall..

Clear waters flow in the river’s many clear pools. The cool water has plenty of small fish. Butterflies and many dragonflies of red and white hover the flow. White rocks and powdery boulders carelessly arranged by nature litter its serpentine course. 

Now ascend towards the base of the falls, only to descend on concrete steps. Though concrete steps were made, the place is bereft of abuse. It’s almost immaculate. 

The first thing that’ll meet you in front of the falls is the wind and mist. The volume of falling water creates the wind accompanied by particles of water. Stand and savor the view. 

Now slowly dip your feet. Slowly, very slowly, rushing the experience can be daunting later on. Have yourself pictured with the falls in the background while you’re still dry (haha…nah, jump rightaway if want to). Now immerse yourself. Be cautious though, the water may suddenly run deep in a few steps and the powerful movement of the falls may turn you off balance. Be very careful. 

The taste of the water is super flat. Anyway, you’ll like it, but it gets into your nostrils easily giving you a brain freeze. Once you’ll get accustomed, you can try jumping from the higher side of the wall using the steps. Enjoy!