MALAGUICAY FALLS, ABUYOG, LEYTE

It had been sometime already that I have heard of Malaguicay Falls. Priests who have been assigned to Abuyog and the mission station just erected as a parish in Sta. Fe, Abuyog to which Malaguicay now belongs have been inviting me to visit the place. More than the falls itself, what has intrigued me most is the adventure of going to the place. Already facing the Pacific, Malaguicay and other barangays nearby, become inaccessible in certain times of the year because of the strong waves. This is not right away apparent as the port for the boats in the town of Abuyog is ideally situated in one bend of the tributaries of the big Abuyog river. Here all the boats coming in from the barangays along the sea and the river converge. However, for those going to the coastal barangays, like Malaguicay, the thrill and excitement right away starts as no sooner one reaches the mouth of the river. The clash of the ocean current with the onrushing river, create waves which are so treacherous that even expert boatmen find difficult to maneuver. Innumerable boats have capsized in this place with not a few casualties. Indeed, during the Habagat season when the seas become rough the coastal barangays are cut off from their supplies which come only from the town leaving them to fend for themselves even for months on end. Since these barangays are all bounded by the sea and the mountains with barely a small flat land to till rice they would sustain themselves on the few vegetables and rootcrops they have grown, as their main source of livelihood which is from the sea has become unfriendly. Coconuts are the main produce of the land in these areas.

It was my assistant priest, Fr. Kim, who broached the idea that we go to Malaguicay Falls when I expressed that we go to a beach for our day off. He has just been assigned to Abuyog and so he right away contacted persons who can make reservations for the boat and prepare for our meals. Inviting other priests who were available that day there were eight of us who were able to make it to Malaguicay. It was a perfect day, not very sunny nor did it rain and the sea at this time was gentle. Although in coming back, our boat had to maneuver to the right and to the left to dodge the waves and the current, still that was just peanuts to the usual waves that they daily encounter. The boat ride took only about 40 minutes.

What caught our attention right away when we arrive in Malaguicay were the many beautiful houses mostly two storey high that were built in this very out of the way place. We were told that many of the barrio lasses have married foreigners bringing some development to the place. In fact the joke which perhaps have truth in it is that they consider it lucky if they all have girls as children. And these girls who have married foreigners also in turn introduced their other friends and relatives to other foreigners. I was told that fiesta time is such a grand homecoming for all. During the Disco on the vesperas of the fiesta, the “kuratsas” are much anticipated as money would wildly fly as every invited dancer would outdo each one in having the biggest “abwag”. (The kuratsa is a native courtship dance in Leyte and Samar where not only the dancers but also the onlookers would throw money to the dance floor (abwag) “to redeem” one partner who has been “floored” . This dance has become the usual way of raising funds during social occasions.)

The falls was not far from the barangay itself, only about fifteen minutes of walk. The falls was not that high or the pool that large. There were two covered cottages and the rest were just tables around the pool area. Since we were the only guests that day, it was just perfect for us. Climbing above the falls, there were shallow parts with strong cascading waters that by just sitting on top of it one got a nice Jacuzzi massage.

The rental for the boat which had a maximum capacity of 30 persons was 1,800. The entrance to the Falls was ten pesos per person and 200 rental for the cottage.

The Parish Church of Abuyog, Leyte is getting a new paint in time for its fiesta on August 29.

The boat that will take us to Malaguicay anchored at the port of Buntay.

The sights along the river before going out into the open sea.

The mouth of the river where it meets the sea.

On certain times of the year, the waves at the mouth of the river would be so treacherous that boats would not dare go out into the sea leaving the people living along the seacoasts out to fend for themselves as they they have no way of getting to the main town to get their provisions.

As we approached the barangay of Malaguicay we noticed a landslide just near the barangay.

The pier in Malaguicay.

A map of the barangay is painted along the fence walls just near the port.

In this map Malaguicay Falls is at the upper left side, which is not far from the barangay.

Thne barangay chapel of Malaguicay in honor of St. Vincent Ferrer

View inside of the chapel

The path leading to the falls.

Malaguicay Falls was just about half kilometer away from the beach.

A panoramic view of the Malaguicay Falls from on top.

By just climbing on top of the falls, there are strong cascading waters that could soothingly massage your back .