Passing Time in Panas Falls

There’s something about the natural world that helps bring out the best in us. Nature has a way of relaxing my mind, calming my heart, energizing my body and refreshing my soul.  When I pass time in the great outdoors, for instance, I experience a deep connection with anything that lives and breathes there, taking me to a different level of consciousness. Truly, those times spent communing with nature helped in keeping my work-life balance.

Panas Falls: New Corella's best-kept secret

This month, the urge to bask in the beauty of nature kept boggling my mind. So, bask I did when the chance came one weekend. Brimming with excitement, I joined my long-time buddies, Manoy and Jobots, on a spur-of-the-moment road trip to the agricultural town of New Corella in Davao del Norte one weekend to seek solace once again in one of nature’s best forms—the ravishing Panas Falls. Tucked deep in the woods and surrounded by lush forests, verdant hills and rolling terrain, the picturesque multi-tiered waterfalls is probably one of the best I’ve seen in the Davao Region. 

  

Remember those idyllic waterfalls that you’ve seen in kid’s fantasy books? Panas closely resembles them, with its cool waters that emanate from the tributaries of Del Monte and Patrocinio Rivers dropping into milky white mists of amazing droplets. So, imagine my elation when I first laid eyes on the falls. Whew, it felt like I’m some youngster who first walked into a natural Disneyland!

Geez, the scenery is incredibly surreal that even your most cynical thoughts would vanish into thin air at the sight of beauty like that. Staring at the falls for hours won’t be enough to quench a nature lover’s thirst for the rustic beauty of this green slice of paradise. Indeed, passing time in Panas Falls offered me another chance to reconnect with the natural world.

What draws visitors to this hidden gem in Davao del Norte are the refreshingly cool waters of the falls and its surroundings. Undoubtedly, it’s the perfect destination for families and friends who love the great outdoors—a nice place for picnics, reunions, swimming, hiking and walking tours, and what have you.  

Last summer, I thought of going to Panas Falls on my own. But I’m not familiar with place and had second thoughts about the peace and order conditions in those parts. So, I tried to contact some fellow bloggers and adventure junkies who might have visited the falls recently. Unfortunately, there was none. Then I remembered Manoy.

One Friday night, I messaged him about my plan to pass time in Panas Falls. “Perfect timing. I’m on my way there tomorrow,” came the reply. Lucky me, Manoy, who manages his family’s farm in New Corella, has scheduled a trip that Saturday. Whenever he’s not in the big city, chances are, you can find him in the farm tending to his crops. 

Verdant rice fields dominate New Corella's landscape

The road to Tagum City

Not only did he drive my car, Manoy also played host, tour guide and cook during that escapade. He was also gracious enough to offer his house for the night. I gladly took it, dropping my plan to stay in an inn in nearby Tagum City. For someone who’s been missing the bucolic life, it was sheer pleasure.

Meanwhile, Jobots, who was on his way to attend his brother’s birthday party in the nearby town of Carmen, also wanted to join us that weekend. So, it was arranged right there and then that we’ll pick him up and then proceed to the falls.  

Usually, those going to Panas Falls from Davao City may take any of those buses plying the route to Tagum City in Davao del Norte. At the city’s bus terminal, visitors may take any of those jeepneys bound for the poblacion of New Corella. From there, they can arrange a ride to the falls with any of the motorcycles-for-hire locally known as habal-habal. Fare is Php20 per head. 

A wooden bridge in Panas Inland Resort

With Manoy behind the wheel, it didn’t take us long to find our way to Panas. Mind you, the ten-minute trek into the hinterlands offers visitors a peek at the town’s rustic charms as they pass through a smooth road that snakes its way through the hills. 
 

Minutes later, we reached the village of New Carcor where the falls is located. A slight drizzle welcomed us as Manoy parked the car. The inclement weather though did little to dampen my resolve to see the falls. I was determined to see the cascades up close and personal, come hell or high water.

Shortly after descending into the falls, we heard the gushing of water and the sight of the cascades and its cool pool where a number of people were having a lot of fun. Whoa, it was truly a sight to behold! Quickly, I took out my Iphone and started taking pictures. Before I knew it, Panas had me at hello!

Managed by the municipal government, an inland resort (which also goes by the same name) has been developed around the falls’ vicinity. With almost two dozens of cottages placed around the cascade and the lagoon, the resort is an ethereal haven for those who prefer to pass time in the great outdoors. For hours, people can take in the splendor and serenity that Panas Falls embodies.  

Here’s a treat: The entrance fee (Php20) to the inland resort is affordable yet you get to enjoy precious moments in the lap of nature. It’s certainly no tourist trap. 

Exploring the resort, we saw at least three major tiers of the cascades but the one in the middle, the one with the huge boulders was the most picturesque. People from all walks of life were gravitating towards it to take their selfies, duofies and groupfies. Visitors have already occupied most of the cottages near the falls so we had to settle for one that’s a few meters away. 

One of the two pools in the inland resort

Lest you seek something fancy in Panas, there’s none. Except for the swimming pools, one for adults and another one for kids, there are no amenities there. But who cares about something fancy and frivolous when you’ve got a falls as fascinating as Panas? It  was all that I wanted to see and capture.

No, I didn’t spend the day taking pictures. Joining Manoy and Jobots, I took a dip in lagoon, too, not just once but many times over. It felt great as I let the cascading waters repeatedly pummel my back. Geez, it was one of the best massages I ever had…courtesy of nature at that! 

Want to pass time in the lap of nature? Why not ditch the beach and head for the falls in New Corella? Here’s a slice of heaven in Davao Region that’s just within anyone’s reach. And with pulchritude like that, you’ll surely find this breathtaking falls in the hinterlands the ideal sanctuary to rest, relax and renew yourself. So, weekend wanderers, remember the name: Panas Falls. :-D

 

Taken with Tagum City (Part 2)

Feasts and festivals form part of our culture. In good times and in bad, we always find some reason to dine, drink and dance. In various parts of the country, these celebrations are held come hell or high water. Regardless of size and income, every city, town or barangay has its own fiesta. Why, not even the recent spate of calamities that hit the country kept us from celebrating here, there and everywhere!

For us Pinoys, the Christmas season remains the most anticipated among all celebrations. As early as September, we decorate our homes with the ubiquitous parol, do house-to-house carolling, light up our Christmas trees, organize reunions, indulge in gift-hunting and giving, attend the simbang gabi, etc. All these culminate on Christmas Eve when families, friends and relatives gather for the Noche Buena feast.

The celebration of Christmas on a grand scale is a long-standing tradition dating back to Spanish times. Until now, we’re still holding on to that custom that lasts for more than just a day and with so much pomp and pageantry at that. No wonder, the country holds the distinction of having the longest Christmas celebration around the world, extending well not only into New Year’s Day but the Feast of the Three Kings!

When it comes to celebrations, Tagum City is one of the best places in this part of the country where you can experience the best of Pinoy pomp and pageantry, most especially during the holiday season. Why, the city is being dubbed by its drumbeaters as the City of Festivals, with fifteen (and still counting) fetes and feasts to boost! If only for that, Tagum is one great place to be during the Christmas season.

About a month ago, I decided to spend the two remaining days of 2013 in Tagum to say goodbye to a snaky year and welcome this new, horsey one. I had other options in mind but at the end of the day, I settled for the City of Festivals mainly because of its two attractions: the giant Christmas Tree and the grand fireworks display. Add to that is Tagum’s accessibility—it’s just an hour’s drive from my place.

Tagum's giant Christmas Tree

The lighting of the city’s giant Christmas Tree is one of the highly-anticipated events among Tagumeños and visitors alike during the Christmas season. Too bad, I failed to witness the said event. That’s why I promised myself I would drop by Freedom Park (where the tree is being put on display) to see what’s in store for visitors who come to the city to spend the holidays. Tagum didn’t disappoint me. 

As I’ve expected, this year’s Christmas Tree was a visual treat! Rising some 24 meters (78 feet), it’s bedecked with hundreds of bright lights of varied shapes and sizes. The lofty tree was shimmering with decors that resembled birds, flowers, stars, angels, etc. The crowning glory of the tree, however, was the huge replica of the head of an eagle with matching wings—the very symbol of Tagum—placed at its tip!

The huge throngs that gravitated towards the park to have themselves snapped with the humungous tree kept me from taking photos at preferred angles. With patience and persistence, however, I was able to finally get what I wanted. I lingered there for almost an hour just to stare at and shoot what’s probably the most-photographed Christmas symbol in the whole city. Whew, what an awesome night!

Fountain at Tagum City Hall

Living in a city where all sorts of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic gadgets are banned during the holiday season, I’ve made it a point to go to other places if only to experience the thrill and excitement of bidding goodbye to the old year and saying hello to the new one—with so much fireworks and all! It’s a ritual I’ve been pursuing with so much gusto these past few years for it always completes my holiday vacay. 

If not for those travels, I’d have difficulty in distinguishing between the various noisemakers that I used to fiddle with during the holidays in the past—whistle bomb, Roman candle, triangle, fountain, skyrocket, Judas belt. LOL! Nope, I’m not after firing those explosives anymore. I’ve had enough of them when I was younger. The mere sight of those being blown into smithereens already pleases me no end.

Gazing at the pyrotechnic explosions on New Year’s Eve has always been cathartic for this world-weary traveller. As I watch them burst, I release all the negativities that are haunting me because I want to start the new year with a clean slate. Good riddance, I’d tell myself, as I let go of old wounds, past hurts, unwarranted woes and all other bygones that have become emotional burdens too heavy to carry.

This time, Tagum was my choice for witnessing the grand festivities unfolding on New Year’s Eve. For quite some time now, the city has gained a reputation for staging one of the most magnificent fireworks display this side of Mindanao. I have to be there when it happens. Never mind if I don’t get to light up any firecracker. Seeing the glittering extravaganza that night would be more than enough, I reasoned. 

Hundreds came to watch the fireworks display

As early as nine in the evening, revelers started trooping to the venue—the sprawling open arena adjacent to the new City Hall. In anticipation of the huge traffic, I went there ahead of schedule to get a prime spot. The lull proved to be providential as I managed to rub elbows with some Tagum-based bloggers and photography enthusiasts. Three of them, Edwin, Leo and Louie, were covering the affair for the city government.

Hundreds braved the threat of rain that night to have a glimpse of Tagum’s grand fireworks display. While waiting for the explosions, the revelers were entertained by local talents and guest bands which performed alternately on the two stages that were mounted by the organizers. A few seconds before midnight, the performances grounded to a halt as everyone joined the ten-second countdown to 2014.

There goes the opening salvo!

Then, as the giant clock at the venue struck twelve midnight, bright lights suddenly lit up Tagum’s dark sky. With clockwork precision, pyrotechnic explosions, bursting into a dazzling kaleidoscope of colors—red, green, violet, yellow, white, blue—filled the black canvass before disappearing into the night. The amazing fireworks display lasted for roughly twelve minutes. Geez, it was a veritable sight to behold! 

 

For me, there’s no affordable nor enjoyable way to celebrate the triumphs of the old year and the start of a promising new year than enjoying the most dazzling fireworks display in that side of Mindanao. Brimming with optimism, I bid goodbye to all the negative things that happened to me as 2013 exited and hoped for the best in all aspects of my life as 2014 entered. I bet many of the people there did the same.

Like the previous years, the recently concluded grandiose event drew not only local residents but also visitors coming from different parts of the Davao Region. I even saw a few foreigners in the audience who took pictures and covered the event using their mobile phones and video cameras. Whew, it felt awesome to be there! Suffice it to say, the fiery spectacle completed my New Year’s Eve celebration.

Tagum-based bloggers, photographers and enthusiasts

All told, the sweet escape to Tagum City turned out to be the wisest travel decision I’ve ever made this holiday season! Not only did I enjoy watching the giant Christmas Tree, I also relished witnessing the spectacular fireworks display that the city has been doing for a few years. More importantly, I had the chance to touch base with friends and  fellow bloggers I haven’t seen for quite some time. 

Truly, when it comes to fun and fanfare, the City of Festivals really delivers! Having witnessed all those things during the most wonderful time of the year, I’m once again taken with Tagum! :D

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