Nagcarlan’s Bunga Falls

Named after the betel nut of the areca palm that used to grow abundantly in the area, Bunga Falls has always attracted our interest since we first visited this twin cascade ten years ago. Located along a stream that meanders through a forested area, this waterfall sits in a quiet section of Nagcarlan town near the foot of Mt. Banahaw.

The twin cascades of Bunga.

We’ve frequented this waterfall 3 times already since 2012. Last week, while visiting Nina’s uncle and aunt who had retired and taken up residence at Hacienda Escudero in Tiaong, Quezon, we decided to drop by the towns of Nagcarlan and Liliw. The latter was just an hour’s drive away from Tiyo Rene and Tiya Tess’ home with Nagcarlan town even closer. First on our list was Bunga Falls.

View of Bunga Falls from a rise of ground on the opposite bank of the stream. Photo taken in 2016.

We drove all the way to the entrance to Bunga but were somewhat surprised that the once large parking area was nowhere in sight. (We found out later that the former parking area was closed to the public pending issues being settled with the land owner.) Instead, we had to park the car on the side of the road. Eventually we got on the new pathway to the waterfall. This newer route is longer than the one we used six years ago and is still as steep at several sections.

It was an empty locale that greeted us when we got down to Bunga Falls and we had it all to ourselves the whole time. We were also pleasantly surprised that the stores selling food and souvenir items – complete with a videoke machine – were all gone with just a few simple native-style huts remaining. Hopefully those who lost their livelihood in the process would have found other means elsewhere. But it’s also good to know how the LGU (local government unit) is doing its best to preserve this gem of a beauty.

The twin arms of Bunga Falls may not be that large. But as they cascade 10 -15 meters down into a dark-green catch basin in the middle of a lush green forest, the whole scene evokes a feeling of tranquility. The dark green pool is said to be about 40 feet deep. In our past visits here, we have seen several guys leaping from the top of the falls straight down into the pool below. Local folklore has it that a creature dwelling here would snatch unsuspecting visitors into the depths. There probably had been a number of accidents here prompting this tale.

We didn’t take a swim and chose instead to roam around, enjoy the view and take photos of Bunga Falls. We would have loved to cross the creek at a point downstream from the cascade and view the falls from a rise of ground on the opposite bank. However, a makeshift bamboo bridge across the stream was now gone and it looked too risky crossing the stream on the sharp and slippery rocks running across.

Heading back towards our parked car we were again huffing and puffing as we took on the steep sections of the trail. Fortunately, much of this trail now has concrete steps and the sight of lush greeneries along the way had a relaxing effect. It was almost noon when we finished this tour so we decided to drive on to the adjacent town of Liliw for lunch.

We normally head to either Arabela or Chef Mau Restaurant when dining at Liliw but decided this time to try a new kid on the block: Celestine’s Restaurant. This place prides itself as the home of boodle feast in Liliw but we opted for a few à la carte dishes instead. The food turned out to be quite good and we got to enjoy Celestine’s gorgeous surroundings – especially the colorful flowers – to boot.

Lunch at Celestine’s. Top: fiddlehead fern salad (ensaladang pako). Center left: sizzling tofu. Bottom left: vegetarian kare-kare. Bottom right: mango shake.

Lunch over we made for the famous brick structures in both Liliw and Nagcarlan towns before heading back to Tiyo Rene and Tiya Tess’ retirement home in Tiaong. On our next post…