Kabigan Falls
Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
April 21, 2012
I always notice the signage that says Kabigan Falls every time we go to Cagayan, but I have never been to this place in my 30 years life. When I think of falls, I always remember the word Kabigan. It is not that I have never seen a falls before, but the fact that I have never been to this place before made me want to go and explore it. The That's why when I had the opportunity to visit the place this summer, I never let that opportunity pass without me actually seeing Kabigan.
So when my schedule was clear one fine Saturday of April 2012, I asked my brothers, Bolet & Popop, and my cousins. Owen & Oniel, to accompany me to Kabigan Falls. We left Cabugao at lunch time. It was about 3 hours of trip to Pagudpud, where Kabigan Falls was. When we reached the place that leads to the falls, we learned that there were fees to be paid. P100 goes to the tourist guide, P30 per head as the entrance fee, and P70 as parking fee. After paying the said fees, we were all set for our 1.5 kilometer or 30 minute trek to the falls.
We came prepared for the trek. We each had bag packs that contain our water jags, foods, extra clothes, sandals, among others. It is really advisable to bring with you these items if you don't want to suffer the same fate as the woman that we met on our way back to where we parked our car. Apparently, she did not bring with her spare slippers, so when her slippers got damaged, she had to walk barefooted. Lucky for her, their tourist guide was kind enough to lend her her slippers. But the tourist guide had to deal the ordeal herself the entire trek. Poor tourist guide!
It was a tiring and dangerous walk because you are to walk in a very rough road and would be crossing and passing by a few wood bridges and stream with big and slippery stones to walk on. We were lucky enough to reach the place and return back without twisting our ankles or getting cut by sharp stones. No matter how difficult that trek was, it was worth all the efforts. Kabigan Falls is simply breathtaking! It is not enough that you only take pictures of the falls, you have to try its water. What else is the best way to reward yourself after the long and tiring walk but to plunge into the icy-cold water of the falls.
Kabigan Falls is truly one of the best attractions now in Ilocos. It is a natural treasure we Ilocanos should be proud of. I cannot wait to go back there again.
