"Weddings make me cry; so does Malingin Waterfalls!" I was thinking this way when I was invited for a wedding a day prior to my south trip. I was down on bed crying and reminiscing the day when I was supposed to be married last 2015. Yes! My lovelife was a topsy-turvy - eight days before the wedding, my then-boyfriend did not show up. To cut the story short, I cringe by the idea of marriage and wedding days.
Aside from being melodramatic, I wanted to escape the deafening sound of depression. If I'd stay in my room the whole day, I would end up with swollen eyes and runny nose. I'd be adding more wrinkles thus increasing my physiologic age! So, I carried myself up. Then, I was looking for a travel buddy to somehow ease up my feelings. Glad that my friend sent me a message that he would go out camping at Chalet Hills, Busay. I did not hesitate. I readied my things and packed my bag to meet him up somewhere in Jollibee, I.T. Park around 6 or 7 in the evening. (Yes! I was basically ruining my entire day shedding tears of useless memories!)
During the night, my friend who was also invited for the wedding sent me an sms if I would be going out with her to attend the wedding. I stared at the message and in a while I told my camping buddy about my situation. It just so happened that we almost had the same sentiment. He shared to me that his ex-gf was married a few days ago and he wasn't invited on her wedding day. He felt bad about it knowing that they were friends. I laughed at him and teased him.
"Of course! Who would want to invite an ex?" was my sarcasm.
"But we are friends. I could have seen her walk down the aisle with another man." He said seriously.
"It will hurt you more. Wait, do you still love her?" I finally asked.
"The man looks awful!" I could see him hurt while not answering the question. Then I concluded that he still has a thing on her.
"What about you?" he asked me. "Don't you want to go to the wedding?" it was his turn.
"I'd be flaring with an empty wit and crying eyes, maybe." I jest.
We both ended the conversation with a toast (he brought a sweet wine at the camp) and concluded the night with a feeling of emptiness.
But I woke up the following day invigorated. Maybe it was the relaxing effect of the wine and the cold mountain air that rejuvenates my senses. I was on my happy self again. By default, I am the free-spirited lady who appreciates even the littlest beautiful things - take marching of the ants and the singing of the green birds and even the wagging of a dog's tail. I do appreciate them whole-heartedly!
We went down from Chalet Hills, Busay and headed to Keppel Building to meet up two more friends (my friend's friends). Then the adventure began. I found myself holding my breathe in the SRP tunnel (My bestfriends and I usually do this for fun while inside the underpass - the tunnel-to-tunnel challenge). We passed by Talisay, Basak, Minglanilla, Naga and San Fernando. My attention was diverted - from the impact of a wedding invitation to an expecting adventure; from sadness to momentary happiness.
Then we decided to stop over Carcar City Public Market to buy the city's famous lechon (roasted pig) and some soda. We went on to our road trip which led me to a more rural and mountainous areas of Carcar. I didn't know that hidden behind the old houses, local shoe factories and the Carcar rotunda and public market is a laid-back country life.
It was almost 12 noon when we arrived at Brgy. Kan-asuhan, Carcar. It wasn't a smooth ride. We needed to navigate through narrow, winding and un-asphalted roads with deep ravines. I was clinging on my seat while looking both amazed and afraid. Gladly, my friend was good at driving that we managed to get at the place still in one piece.
We were met by a kind resident whose father guided us to Malingin Falls. We trekked downhill until we reached the end of the river. I head gay voices and splashing of the water but I couldn't see any body yet. We were told that we had to climb at the crag for us to be able to reach the first tier of Malingin Falls. I followed our guide while we bouldered towards the waterfalls. My travel buddy followed me and so as the others.
We finally succeeded the challenging crag and arrived at the first level of the waterfalls with gist! At last, I could see the locals enthusiastically somersaulting down the 10-meter canyon. It sprung great vibes in me.
Since it was pass 12 noon, we decided to take our lunch before we proceeded to the second level of Malingin Falls. We climbed upstream, we jumped down the river, swam and climbed through big boulders. It was a total mental and physical workout, I should say.
Lo and behold! Malingin Falls looked stunning and kept. As if unseen entities dwell and live around the waterfalls - guarding it from humans. Malingin Falls as the name implies, is a cauldron-shaped waterfall. (Malingin in the Visayan dialect means "round" so it is named after its shape.)
I swam through its water. Its depth is immeasurable but a lot of local teenage boys were jumping down and enjoying a great dip! I enjoyed the cool feel of the water too. What is interesting about Malingin Falls is its formation. Apart from other typical waterfalls that plunges down immediately its gorge-valley, Malingin Falls is a cascade that passes through a "grotto-like" opening then it flows through the pool. It has a unique formation.
It was already 3 in the afternoon when we decided to go back to our guide's house. Hayde, the kind resident prepared boiled banana for our snacks. I found myself sleeping soundly in a hammock near Hayde's house. It was a 15-minute nap which made me super energized. Rhey, (my travel buddy and the driver), Brawlioh, Jed and I had a great conversation while we were eating our snacks. It was a talk which requires less brain cells, actually. Hahah!
We headed back to the city all tired but with a great memory to remember. I must keep happy memories and try to discard the old bad ones. It won't help me function as an individual.
An apology: With my experience, I drifted away from depression. I knew that sharing this information about what I had been through was too personal. But channeling this emotion to my write-up was the best way for me to move on and face the whole world again with a whole new outlook. So I am sorry for the readers if this post wasn't more of help to you.
About Malingin Falls:
1. When you reach Barangay Kan-asuhan, Carcar (prolly by habal-habal or private vehicle), there is a small sign written on a brown paper that states: Falls: This Way. Just follow the arrow and ask for Ms. Hayde's house. She lives a few meters away from the basketball area.
2. The waterfalls is unscathed by tourists. So equipment like life vests and helmet aren't available.
3. The sad reality is that there are forms of vandalism on the waterfalls "wall". Making it undesirable to look at.
4. Be careful when climbing the boulders. If you are not sure about your grip, you might land on the shallow water. If you wanted to be safe then don't be afraid to wade. It won't harm you anyway.
5. Enjoy the waterfalls but please always observe the "LNT Principles".
6. Respect the locals. I am sure they are willing to help you and guide you on how to do somersaulting and root climbing!
We were met by a kind resident whose father guided us to Malingin Falls. We trekked downhill until we reached the end of the river. I head gay voices and splashing of the water but I couldn't see any body yet. We were told that we had to climb at the crag for us to be able to reach the first tier of Malingin Falls. I followed our guide while we bouldered towards the waterfalls. My travel buddy followed me and so as the others.
We finally succeeded the challenging crag and arrived at the first level of the waterfalls with gist! At last, I could see the locals enthusiastically somersaulting down the 10-meter canyon. It sprung great vibes in me.
We headed back to the city all tired but with a great memory to remember. I must keep happy memories and try to discard the old bad ones. It won't help me function as an individual.
An apology: With my experience, I drifted away from depression. I knew that sharing this information about what I had been through was too personal. But channeling this emotion to my write-up was the best way for me to move on and face the whole world again with a whole new outlook. So I am sorry for the readers if this post wasn't more of help to you.
About Malingin Falls:
1. When you reach Barangay Kan-asuhan, Carcar (prolly by habal-habal or private vehicle), there is a small sign written on a brown paper that states: Falls: This Way. Just follow the arrow and ask for Ms. Hayde's house. She lives a few meters away from the basketball area.
2. The waterfalls is unscathed by tourists. So equipment like life vests and helmet aren't available.
3. The sad reality is that there are forms of vandalism on the waterfalls "wall". Making it undesirable to look at.
4. Be careful when climbing the boulders. If you are not sure about your grip, you might land on the shallow water. If you wanted to be safe then don't be afraid to wade. It won't harm you anyway.
5. Enjoy the waterfalls but please always observe the "LNT Principles".
6. Respect the locals. I am sure they are willing to help you and guide you on how to do somersaulting and root climbing!
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