Nothing comes close to the majesty of a waterfall. There’s something about seeing water gush from a higher point and cascade into a waiting pool that makes it one of the most mesmerizing scenes in nature.
PUYO FALLS, Brgy. Matampa, Salay, Misamis Oriental
If you’re into chasing waterfalls, the Philippines is a perfect place for your wandering heart. 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 Salay. If chasing waterfalls at the same time, then this will place is for you!
Puyo Falls is located at Brgy. Matampa, Salay, Misamis Oriental.
Salay is a (4th) class municipality of the province of Misamis Oriental situated along the coast of Macajalar Bay in the Island of Mindanao, Philippines.
Salay is approximately 62 Km from Cagayan de Oro City, almost 2.5 hours from the city by car or by bus due to city traffic and road widening projects. There is variety of transport from airconditioned bus (Bachelor Express and Pabama Buses), Regular Class (Bagong Lipunan, Bachelor Express and RTMI), Van for hire, Multicabs and Jeepneys.
Salay has 18 barangays and within the Municipality, you can ride tricycle, motorized trisikad, and single motorcycle. Asking direction is not a problem since many can understand English and Tagalog and everyone can speak Bisaya.
HOW TO GO THERE:
From the city proper of Cagayan de Oro City or Butuan City, you can ride a bus or Van for hire to Salay, Misamis Oriental. Drop at the Bus Stop and look for a habal-habal (single motorcycle). The Habal-habal will transport you to Brgy Matampa or to the drop off point towards the falls.
This the National Highway of Salay. This is the front of the Bus Stop if you are from Cagayan de Oro City. This is also a terminal for the tricycles and habal-habal
You must reached the intersection road located at Brgy. Salay River Side 1. The said road will lead you to Brgy. Matampa.
Towards the intersection crossing to Brgy. Matampa located at Brgy. Salay River Side 1The landmark of the said intersection is the Checkpoint infront of JP Dressing Plant.The road towards Brgy. Matampa
You will be amazed by the picturesque view while travelling going to Brgy. Matampa.
Brgy. Guinalaban, Salay, Misamis Oriental.
The road going to Brgy. Matampa is not yet concrete. The slippery and muddy road adds to the adventure and excitement towards the falls.
Brgy. Matampa is one of the 18 Barangays and the farthest in the Municipality of Salay. It is 9 kilometers from the highway. The Barangay is also called by some Salayanos as “Little Baguio of Salay” due to its cold weather.
This is the Barangay proper. This will set as your landmark that you are already near with the drop off point towards Puyo Falls. You need to move forward about 25meters to reached the said point. This is the drop off point towards the Puyo Falls. You can park your vehicle here. There is also water available from this area. You need to trek about 8 meters to reached the two roads. The trail towards Puyo Falls is on the left side. Alright! We are now ready to go down to reached Puyo Falls and for the adventure! The trail towards it is not that easy. Its muddy and grassy floor and trail adds to the adventure.
But it is more fun trekking and taking some adventure with friends!
You will now start going down and experience the downhill steep trail towards Puyo Falls. Let the adventure begin!
The trail going down to Puyo Falls was so steep but still we managed. laban lang kung laban! After the awesome adventure and adrenaline rush we have experienced during the trail, we are able to reached Puyo Falls.
Let the Photo Session with the Falls begin!
My friends in the Government Service and I took the opportunity to have fun taking pictures and swimming in the basin of the falls.
Michael D. Warques, a staff from Municipal Social Welfare and Development OfficeKaycee Loy D. Bagolbol, a staff from Mayor’s OfficeJoebelle Kassandra Q. Capistrano, Miss Salay 2017 3rd Runner UpDaisy Grace Patual, a staff from Municipal Treasurer’s OfficeJanne the Laagan!
Thank you so much Councilor Glenn Zambrano Sr. for joining with us and to Brgy Matampa Council headed by Brgy Capt. Danilo Gandinao for the guide. It was indeed an another superb experience. Lahi rajud basta Salay!
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 8-10 feet deep.
You can also bring picnic lunch, or you can buy something to grill at Salay Market or food along the highway. The falls is blessed to have rock formations and continuous water flowing from a small river above.
At the top of Puyo Falls
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 – PhP170 (85 pesos Pabama fair)
RT fare of Habal-habal from Brgy. Poblacion to Brgy. Matampa – PhP140 (PhP70/person/trip)
TOTAL: PhP310.00
JANNE THE LAAGAN: Wrap Up!
The Puyo Falls Adventure was a success!
Matampa is a manifestation that Mindanao is overflowing with natural attractions that have remained untouched by commercialism. But here are my points to maintain the place:
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. 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 after a tiresome trek.
There are no store available near in the area so make sure you have everything that you need before hiking your way there.
Puyo Falls is not yet popular in the province nor in the Municipality, but definitely this is something to be proud of. Not all Municipalities are blessed to have a waterfalls therefore we need to take care of it and promote it. This is some of the things the Municipality of Salay can offer. Buswak Salay!
This is the drop off point towards the Puyo Falls. You can park your vehicle here. There is also water available from this area. 
You need to trek about 8 meters to reached the two roads. The trail towards Puyo Falls is on the left side. 
Alright! We are now ready to go down to reached Puyo Falls and for the adventure! The trail towards it is not that easy. Its muddy and grassy floor and trail adds to the adventure. 
After the awesome adventure and adrenaline rush we have experienced during the trail, we are able to reached Puyo Falls. 
The falls is blessed to have rock formations and continuous water flowing from a small river above.
The Puyo Falls Adventure was a success!
jannethelaagan
Janne The Laagan 
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