I’m continually in search of opportunities to escape my daily somewhat monotonous routine. After the long absence of travel, I desperately needed somewhere to go, to displace the boredom that crept into my life. The feeling of being trapped at home has never sat well with me.
And then, recently, I felt a ‘kick of the can’ when I took some time off from work and visited the Zamboanga – Lanao -Maguindanao – Sultan Kudarat routes, heading to the elevated province of North Cotabato, where the 1,036-meter above-sea-level Tousuvan Ecopark is located.
A waterfall attraction, the Tousuvan Ecopark highlights the Tousuvan Falls, or locally known as the Bongolanon Falls, situated in the town of Magpet, North Cotabato. This natural heritage in the southern-central part of Mindanao covers a huge area of flora and fauna and has been in the care of the local government Unit of Magpet since its discovery. With a minimal fee from visitors and tourists, the natural resort is well-preserved and maintained.
The falls are around about 30 meters high featuring a wide pool below with cold crystal-clear waters. Different rock sizes and formations surround the falls, framed by tall trees covered with mosses and ferns. A variety of flora are located just before you enter its luxuriating waters. Nearby cottages are built for picnickers.
Reliable information relayed to me reveals that these falls were formed roughly more than a hundred years ago and were discovered by adventurous locals hiking in these mountains.
Tousuvan Falls are located the foot of Mount Apo Natural Park, the highest peak in the Philippines. This is why its waters are so fresh and cold. With the passage of time, the gradual force of water from Mount Apo, perhaps, too, has opened a wider and longer passage for its continual flow.
Tousuvan Falls is around 20 to 30 minutes away from Kidapawan, the capital city of North Cotabato. The falls can be seen from afar as you enter the highly elevated vicinity of the ecopark with its lush surrounding vegetation. Stairs lead to the wide open space where the cottages are also located. There is a restroom; the lawn is landscaped. The entire area is clean.
A small local Bagobo village tribe maintains the secluded beauty of Tousuvan Falls or more popularly known as the Bongolanon Falls. The 20-peso entry fee (and another P20 parking fee) and cottage fees are used to maintain its environment and facilities.
The town of Magpet, on the other hand, has many cascading waterfalls, but Tousuvan Falls is the most popular.
Tousuvan Falls is a calm getaway, a true beauty. I chose to feel the tranquility of the place instead of taking a dip into its icy waters.
As many people come to visit this remarkable site, Tousuvan Ecopark in Bongolanon, Magpet, North Cotabato is only one of numerous natural heritages the Philippine islands are known to possess.
I left the falls after a few hours, climbing up onto its hundred-step staircase back to the parking area. Our car now descended from the highly elevated locality of Magpet going back to Kidapawan City.
Video footage (c) Junfil Olarte
Photos courtesy Thammar Thea
It would be very remiss of me if not thanking the following for the finality of this article:
*Ethel and Joe Recaido of Kidapawan City for the tremendous assistance and hospitality.
*Anthony Laurence Eñere for the perfect ride and guide.
May i know the contact details of your tour guide? and how much will it cost? thanks in advance.