“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.” ― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl

The stunning grandeur of Aliwagwag Falls nestled in Cateel, Davao Oriental never fails to elicit gasps and awe from passersby and tourists, but has remained to be an undiscovered ecotourism destination because of its far-flung and remote location in the province.  At 338 meters high with a jaw-dropping 84 cascading tiers in varying heights, it is said to be the highest and one of the most uniquely beautiful in my country, the Philippines.

I rode on a motorcycle to get to this area.  The dirt road is flanked by a dense forest with heavy, tall trees and cluster of villages.  Reaching the falls up close is quite another experience because it is just beside the highway and a sight to behold. I took a series of these shots from up a bridge with a tripod.  The last time I was here back in 2001, I took a swim in the cool waters.

Declared by our President as the Aliwagwag Protected Landscape, the republic act protects the mountain range and its peripheral areas as Buffer Zone, “subject to private rights, and without prejudice to the rights of indigenous peoples.”

Note: These shots were taken before Typhoon Pablo (Bopha) ravaged Cateel in 2012. View my recent photos for its ongoing recovery and restoration.