Ambon-Ambon Falls and Ulan-Ulan Falls

In my travels around the Philippines, I have seen various falls in the country and one of things that interests me is the name of the falls. The name "Ambon-Ambon" and "Ulan-Ulan" caught my attention. The name Ambon-Ambon means mild or little shower of rain in Filipino. And being a nature lover, I have explored and seen these falls named "Ambon-Ambon."   

Here are the various Ambon-Ambon Falls in the Philippines.

Ambon-Ambon Falls in Laurel, Batangas

60 meters high

link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2014/03/ambon-ambon-falls-and-malagaslas-falls.html

Ambon-Ambon Falls in Panguil, Laguna

link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2014/02/ambon-ambon-falls-natividad-pangil.html

Ambon-Ambon Falls in Bagac, Bataan

60 meters high

link - http://www.waypoints.ph/detail_gen.php?wpt=ambon

Naambon Falls (also means Ambon-Ambon) in  San Juan, Batangas

link - http://lakbayinpilipinas.wordpress.com/2010/10/21/naambon-falls/

Ulan-Ulan (also Ambon-Ambon) Falls in Biliran

link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/04/top-10-falls-in-philippines-for-tourists.html

Only the Ambon-Ambon Falls in Bagac, Bataan remains to be explored and in the near future it will surely be included in my itinerary.

See the water falls in the Philippines!   

Top 10 Falls in the Philippines for Tourists

I have been exploring waterfalls in the Philippines 
since I was a  teenager. 

Every weekend, my friends and I will be going to the falls of

 either Tanauan City, Malvar or Sto. Tomas, Batangas. 

Along with my childhood friends, we explored the various falls in Batangas.

I started to explore the falls outside Batangas when I was already 30 years old. And to date, only the waterfalls in Cebu and in North Cotabato remains to be explored. 
And I am planning to visit these falls in summer 2015. 

Worthy of mention among the falls that I have visited are the Pagsanjan Falls in Laguna (included in my top ten rivers), Tamaraw Falls of Mindoro, Camiguin waterfalls, Ulan-Ulan Falls of Biliran,  Bomod-ok Falls of Sagada, Padusdusan Falls of Negros Oriental, Ditumabo Falls of Biliran, and the Maddela Waterfalls in Quirino (for its seven-stage falls).

Last April 2015, I made another waterfalls chasing in Mindanao, Cebu, and Bacolod. Among the falls worthy of mention anew are Tumalog Falls in Oslob, Aguinid Falls and Dao Falls in Samboan, Mantayupan Falls in Barili and Malatan-og Falls in Don Salvador, Negros Occidental. 

 For the meantime, these are my top 10 falls in the Philippines pending my visit to Cebu and North Cotabato! =)

1. Aliwagwag Falls, Cateel, Davao Oriental

According to my fellow bloggers, It is the tallest waterfalls in the Philippines. With its numerous cascading falls and its strength during rainy season, it is ranked number one.

my photo

Aliwagwag Falls during Typhoon Seniang last December 29, 2014.

2. Awao Falls, Monkayo, Compostela Valley

The 1.5 hours skylab ride, the river crossing, the three falls, 

and the trek towards Falls No. 3 makes this number 2! 

In case you are doubting, just look at the size of Falls No.1.

3. Bani Falls, Arakan Valley, North Cotabato

from Bundukiro.blogsot.com

The trek to the falls and the size itself!

4. Lake Sebu, South Cotabato 
  

Falls Nos 3, 4 and 5 (picture was taken while I was doing my zipline in Lake Sebu)

It has seven falls and the zipline ride to see falls no. 3, 4 and 5 is an adventure!

 Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/12/lake-sebu-7-falls-3-lakes-1-tribe.html


5. Asik-Asik Falls, Alamada, North Cotabato

from ianpowell.blogpot.com

For its size and grandeur!

6. Tinuy-an Falls, Bislig, Surigao Del Sur

The base of the falls is best for your bamboo raft or boat adventure.

 7. Tinago Falls, Lanao Del Norte 

my photo

A sight to behold!

8. Maria Cristina Falls, Lanao Del Norte 

from zayzaeexplores.com

For its twin-falls and height

9. Maragusan Falls, Maragusan, Compostela Valley

The size of Tagbibinta Falls may not convince you 

but number may, the town has more than 20 falls! 

10. Lulugayan Falls, Calbiga, Samar (for its cascading falls)

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/eastern-visayas-tour.html

Note - This blog was first published April 18, 2013. It was revised January 2, 2015 after my waterfalls chasing adventure in Mindanao last December 25-31, 2014.

The previous ranking was:
1. Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
2. Tinago Falls, lanao Del Norte
3. Maria Cristina Falls, Lanao Del Norte
4. Ulan-Ulan Falls, Biliran
5. Bomod-ok Falls, Sagada
6. Katibawasan Falls, Camiguin
7. Padusdusan Falls, Negros Oriental
8. Ditumabo Falls, Baler, Aurora
9. Tuason Falls, Camiguin
10. Lulugayan Falls, Calbiga, Samar

The comments prior to the 2014 visit were not deleted.

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Email: rav_services@yahoo.com

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Address: 938 Brgy. Darasa, Tanauan City, Batangas 4232

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Other links pertaining to water falls -
Daranak Falls, Tanay, Rizal - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2014/02/daranak-falls-tanay-rizal.html
Ambon-Ambon Falls, Pangil, Laguna - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2014/02/ambon-ambon-falls-natividad-pangil.html
Twin Falls, San Juan, Laguna - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2014/02/twin-falls-san-juan-kalayaan-laguna.html
Balete Eco Park Falls, Tanauan, City, Batangas - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2014/01/balete-eco-park.html
Alulod Falls and Calijon Falls, Malvar, Batangas - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/09/malvar-batangas.html 
San Vicente Falls, Sto. Tomas, Batangas - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/09/sto-tomas-batangas.html
Pinsan Falls, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Norte - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/06/sta-maria-ilocos-sur.html
Avis Falls, Burgos, Ilocos Norte - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/06/burgos-ilocos-norte.html
Catandayagan Falls, Masbate -http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/06/lets-explore-ticao-island-masbate.html
Cambugahay Falls, Siquijor - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/siquijor-adventure-in-three-hours.html
Tumalog Falls, Oslob, Cebu - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/whale-watching-in-oslob-cebu.html
Madella Waterfalls. Quirino - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/amazing-quirino.html
Bomod-ok Falls, Sagada - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/backpackers-trip-to-sagada-my-third-trip.html
Tamaraw Falls, Mindoro - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/puerto-galera-with-friends.html
Tinago Falls, Mimbalot Falls, Maria Cristina Falls, Iligan City 
Tumalog Falls, Oslob, Cebu - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/whale-watching-in-oslob-cebu.html
Madella Waterfalls. Quirino - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/amazing-quirino.html
Bomod-ok Falls, Sagada - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/backpackers-trip-to-sagada-my-third-trip.html
Tamaraw Falls, Mindoro - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/puerto-galera-with-friends.html
Maria Cristina Falls, Mimbalot Falls, Tinago Falls - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/iligan-city.html
Eastern Visayas Falls - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/eastern-visayas-tour.html

Mindanao Falls - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/01/post-x-mas-tour-in-mindanao-5-days.html

Lake Sebu - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/12/lake-sebu-7-falls-3-lakes-1-tribe.html

Baler - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/12/enjoying-baler.html

Negros - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/12/exploring-negros-oriental-and-negros.html

Biliran - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/12/biliran-paradise-undiscovered.html

Samal Island -  http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/island-garden-city-of-samal.html

Camiguin -  http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mesmerized-in-camiguin.html

Pagsanjan Falls - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-thrill-of-rapids-in-pagsanjan-and.html

It's More Fun in Mindanao! - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/its-more-fun-in-visayas-or-mindanao.html

Eastern Visayas Tour

Sembreak 2012.

I've always wanted to explore Eastern Visayas ever since I was a child. Eastern Visayas is one region full of historical events. When I was still young, Philippine history had fascinated me and the notion to visit the region started.

Anyway, my tour started in  Surigao City. Originally, the flight was bound to Butuan but for one reason or another, I was informed by my favorite airlines (Airphil) that there was a change in the flight and the flight was redirected to Surigao City.

Actually, Surigao City was the best spot to start the tour due to its proximity to Eastern Visayas.

My tour was slated to start from Southern Leyte, then to Leyte, then to Biliran, then Eastern Samar, then to Western Samar and ending in Northern Samar.

But first let's start in Surigao City!

Lake Mainit

DAY 2

From the airport, I took a jeepney ride to Lake Mainit, Surigao Del Norte. It took me more than an hour to reach the spot.

Lake Mainit is the fourth largest lake in the Philippines. The surface area of the lake is shared between the provinces of Surigao Del Norte and Agusan Del Norte.

After two hours, I went back to Surigao City and spent the night in the city.




The following morning I went to the Port of Lipata, Surigao City. I chartered a tricycle for P200.00 from the city to the port.

I waited for about an hour before I was able to board a bus en route to Samar.

The sea trip was almost two hours. It was cloudy that day but the sea was calm.

At first I thought our destination was  the Liloan Ferry Terminal. But we reached another ferry terminal, the Port of San Ricardo on the southern tip of Leyte.

Our Lady of Assumption Shrine

I alighted at Maasin City, the capital of Southern Leyte. Maasin City is the gateway to Southern Leyte's tourist destinations like the Maasin Cathedral and Our Lady of Assumption Shrine.

I climbed all the way to the top just to see the shrine. And it was worth it!

It was raining hard that day when I went to Maasin Cathedral.  I was soaking wet when I entered the Maasin Cathedral. I prayed again for my health and safety, and went back to the van terminal. 

My destination - Ormoc City.

It took me one hour and 45 minutes to reach Ormoc City from Maasin City (99 kilometers).

And the first thing I did was to go Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Church! I was very religious that day..

One thing I like about Ormoc is the variety of ihaw-ihaw, street food and seafood they offer.

I enjoyed my dinner in Ormoc City!




DAY 3

The next morning, I went to Lake Danao in Ormoc, Leyte. One of the 32 ecotourism spots promoted in the Philippines. From the city, this can be reached by land transport in just 30-45 minutes. The lake offers a variety of water activities. The serene atmosphere of the lake is one of the things you can enjoy while staying. 

Lake Danao

After seeing Lake Danao, I went to my next stop - Biliran.

It took me almost two hours just to reach Biliran. Normally, it takes only 1 hour and 30 minutes but there were several stopovers that day.

I spent the night in Biliran.

DAY 4

I spent the whole day going from one tourist spot to another.

Agta Beach

Then, Ulan-Ulan Falls and Recoletos Falls.

Then around 2 pm, I went to my next stop - Tacloban, Leyte.

It took me more than two hours before reaching Leyte. Another van ride.

I was able to visit only one tourist spot in Leyte apart from its Cathedral, i.e. the Sto Nino Shrine.

The Santo Niño Shrine is one of the 29 presidential rest houses that the late President Ferdinand Marcos had built. It was built for his wife Imelda Marcos. Now, the place is a museum housing the artifacts of the Marcoses.

From Tacloban, the next stop was Balanggiga, Eastern Samar.

I boarded a van again bound for Borongan and it was past nine pm when I arrived in Balangiga. I had to see the famous Balangiga Church. I spent the night in Balanggiga and paid P130.00 only for my room. 

DAY 5

After seeing the Church, I went back to Tacloban, Leyte. This time with another mission. 

Another 1 hour and 30 minute ride back to Tacloban.

I alighted at the spot of the most famous bridge in the Philippines - 

San Juanico Bridge.

I made another stop that day. At another historical spot in the Philippines.

Basey Church

St. Michael the Archangel Church was constructed in the 17th century. It features murals of biblical characters on the ceiling. 

Last stop for the day was the Sohoton National Park and Caves.

I chartered the boat ride for P1,800.

Sohoton National Park and Caves is one of the 32 recognized ecotourism spots in the Philippines.

From Sohoton, I went to my next stop - Catbalogan City.

I spent the night in Catbalogan and I planned for my next journey.

I was excited that finally I will be able to see the famous Calbiga caves!

DAY 6

Calbiga Caves 

The largest cave system in the Philippines, reputed to be the second largest in Asia and the world's third largest karst formation, is 7 km. long with an area of 900 square km.

A little bit of bird watching and hours of trekking.

I also went to Lulugayan Falls.

Numerous waterfalls cascade down the rapids from Lake Kalidongan but the most majestic  is the Lulugayan Falls at Barangay Literon. Approximately fifty meters wide, Lulugayan Falls has been dubbed by tourists as a Mini Niagara Falls.

I would never forget that day. There was a typhoon signal number 2 in Visayas and there I was touring Calbiga.

After the tour, I went back to Catbalogan and I slept soundly that night.

DAY 7 

The next day, from Catbalogan I went to Calbayog City.

Travel time is more or less an hour depending on the pace of your van.

But we reached Calbayog in just 47 minutes.

I stayed in Calbayog for only an hour and roamed the city.

Calbayog Cathedral

Then after an hour, I went to Catarman, Northern Samar.

 Here is the inside peek to the interior of the Catarman church.

Again, I roamed the city even though it was slightly raining.

From Catarman, another bus ride to Allen, Northern Samar.

It took me only 45 minutes to reach Allen.

Reaching the port, I boarded a Roro ferry boat and went to Matnog. From Matnog, I took a bus to Batangas.

Concluding my 7-day tour of Eastern Visayas!

It was one week full of thrills and a variety of experience!

Till my next tour in Eastern Visayas! =)