MISAMIS ORIENTAL: Sugbongcogong’s Mimbuaya Falls

When it comes to world wonders, especially waterfalls, the Philippines is one country that is hard to beat – from its folks to the beautiful formations both in land and water.

Mindanao, the second biggest island in the Philippines is a home to numerous virgin forests, pristine beaches and majestic waterfalls. Being someone from Mindanao, I love selling to the world anything beautiful about this Island. If you opt to skip visiting white sand beaches this summer, then let’s visit one of the falls. There is always a new one yet to be explored especially in the island of Mindanao specifically in Misamis Oriental.  This time, in a small town of Sugbongcogon.

Mimbuaya Falls is located at the Municipality of Sugbongcogon, Misamis Oriental. The town got its name long, long time ago from the first settlers. They found the place to have many cogon grass growing dominantly all over the area and the founder who came from Cebu of which the Cebuanos called it in their dialect as “SUGBO” and “cogon” . . . Sugbo ng cogon in one full name Sugbongcogon. Sugbongcogon is a 5^th class municipality and is 75km away from Cagayan de Oro City.

 

HOW TO GO THERE:

If you are coming from Cagayan de Oro City, drive until you pass the Sugbongcogon Municipal Hall. 250 meters from the municipal hall you will see a road on the right side prior to a Gasoline Station. Turn right and proceed for another 2km. There is a signage already indicating that the road is going to Mimbuaya Falls for easy travel however still don’t hesitate to ask for directions from the locals.

This is the signage when reaching the Falls.  This is along the road.

When you already reached the falls, parking area is available. The falls in-charge from the Local Government Unit of Sugbongcogon will approach you to sign the logbook and to pay the Entrance Fees.

The road going to the stairs going down the falls from the Parking Area.

This stairs will lead you going down to the falls proper.

Once you have already paid the entrance fee and finish writing your names in the logbook you will now proceed to the stairs going down the falls. You will be able to hear the water rushing down the falls.

MIMBUAYA FALLS

What can you do there?

Aside from enjoying nature and the rock balancing art along the bank of the river that feeds the falls, you can swim in the catch basin if you have no problems with it being about 20 feet deep. You can bring a picnic lunch, or you can buy something to eat  along the highway prior reaching the falls.

The lady in the picture is the 3rd Runner up of Miss Salay 2017, Ms. Joebelle Kassandra Q. Capistrano. My favorite travel buddy.

The falls is blessed to have rock formations and continuous water flowing from a small river above. The place is clean, please do your part to keep it that way.

SUMMARY OF EXPENSES

RT fare of  Aircon Bus from Cagayan de Oro City – PhP200.00 (100 pesos Pabama fair)
RT fare of Habal-habal from Highway to Mimbuaya Falls – PhP100.00 (PhP50/person/trip)
Entrance Fee- PhP10.00

TOTAL: PhP310.00

 

JANNE THE LAAGAN: Wrap Up!

• The place is clean and clear, please do your part to keep it that way. Don’t leave your waste. If you are not the type to bring your trash home with you, at least throw them in the garbage bin. Don’t let the locals go after your trash. That isn’t their job.
• We all are equally entitled to discover and witness the beauty of nature but please avoid mass hike or mass chasing waterfalls. Go in small groups of 5-10 and try going there on weekdays since weekends lot of people are coming to the falls. You’ll appreciate nature more when you have it all to yourself. To be able to indulge in the peace and quiet of a waterfall with the gushing water serving as your lullaby is that great reward you can gift yourself.
• There are no store available near Mimbuaya Falls so make sure you have everything that you need before hiking your way there. Their is an on going construction of somewhat restaurant by Local Government Unit of Sugbongcogon prior to the stairs, so looking forward for food amenities soon.

Mimbuaya Falls is your another option to Sugbongcogon. Aside from the falls you may want to go the Mantianak Botanical and Zoological Park. It was established in the year 2006 by the Municipal Government. It is the only existing botanical and zoological park in Northern Mindanao decent enough to visit. It is beautiful, clean and well-maintained. 

Currently, the features of the park includes the must-see tigers (all four of them), a crocodile (the favorite part of Buboy), different type of birds and other exotic animals. The park also offers room accommodation, a canteen, a children’s playhouse and other park amenities.