Tinago Falls is one of the main tourist attractions in Iligan, a city known as the City of Majestic Waterfalls. It is located in a deep ravine in Barangay Ditucalan, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. This breathtakingly beautiful falls drops vertically some 240 feet (73 meters) into a deep and calm basin-like pool which appears like a blue-colored lagoon. Under the falls is a small cave where people can enter and listen to the rumbling water. Trekking to the falls requires approximately 500 descending steps called the winding staircase.
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| Photo by: Jojo Nicdao |
Tinago is a Filipino term meaning "hidden", the falls being hidden from view unless you trek down to reach its hiding place. Legend has it that there once an enchantress, disguised as a beggar, who begged help from an influential and powerful Sultan Agok and his wife. Rejected by the proud and selfish rulers, the enchantress cursed the couple's unborn child to become ugly. The child did become ugly. To avoid embarrassment, the couple hid the child in a cave and named her Tin-ag, which means "hidden face". When the child grew up, she came out of the cave and became amazed at what she saw. She felt she was in paradise but suddenly a person saw her. She immediately went back to the cave sad and crying knowing that she was not free to do anything. The enchantress saw her and made an offer to transform her into something of great beauty and splendor. She accepted the offer and became the Tinago Falls.
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| Photo by: Ivan T. |
HOW TO GET THERE
From Iligan City proper, take a jeepney bound for Buruun. Inform the driver to drop you at the crossing going to Tinago Falls. From the crossing, hire a habal-habal going to the jump off area of Tinago Falls. Fare is from P50 to P80 one way. Walk for less than 10 minutes towards the entrance of the falls. Just ask directions from the locals. From the entrance area, take the steps going down to the actual drop. The way is quite slippery so take an extra caution. Take your time going down. You can reach the place after 15-20 minutes depending on your stamina.
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| Photo by: Alvin Lajara |
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