Dive into the crystal clear waters of Mantayupan Falls in Barili!
StrangerNbystander, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
What is the tallest waterfall in Cebu?
Located in Barili, Mantayupan Falls proudly carries that title, standing at 98 meters.
Its two tiers of breathtaking cascades and thick canopy of trees offer a stunning view that has made it one of the island’s most photogenic attractions.
Aside from being an eco-tourism spot, Mantayupan Falls has been an important power source for the townsfolk of Barili for 40 years.
An article published in Sunstar Cebu estimated that around 500 people visit the falls to escape the heat of summertime. (2012) Improvements to its facilities and accessibility have since increased its popularity.
However, things didn’t start out that way.
HISTORY OF MANTAYUPAN FALLS
While the origin of its name is rather difficult to pinpoint, it is also often referred to as “Ambakan Falls“, taken from the Bisaya word for “jump”. It is believed that one would previously need to jump in order to reach its pools.
The aforementioned Sunstar article shares that before 1985, Mantayupan was a secret location known only to locals, and even they themselves rarely visited. This was due to its inaccessibility at the time, as well as some superstitious beliefs about the area.
One folktale was that a giant octopus-like creature called “Mantaga” lived in the area and drowned those that swam there. Another was the presence of spirits locally called “di ingon nato”.
There have been no reports of anyone dying from supernatural causes, but there have been three deaths in the area due to a heart attack, accidental drowning, and electrocution.
In 1985, the Cebu 1 Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CEBECO) set up a mini-hydropower plant to provide sustainable electricity to the barangays of Campangga and Gunting in Barili.
This unfortunately kept the falls even more hidden, and made the water a bit too dangerous to swim in. This changed because of the efforts of former Campangga Barangay Captain Rolando Jimenez.
In 2010, he founded Campco together with his wife Marlene. The cooperative now manages and maintains the falls, improving its facilities to make it a more viable southern Cebu tourist spot.
After the electrocution incident, they disconnected the electricity around the area ensuring everyone’s safety. Now, the only area with electricity is the canteen by the entrance.
Campco members also maintain its natural beauty by planting trees every month, creating the picturesque forest canopy surrounding its cascades.
They started enforcing an entrance fee and offering rentals for tents, chairs, and umbrellas.
The Cebeco plant is still present within the area, but now only operates from 5 PM to 5 AM. The rice fields in Barangay Campangga are also irrigated by the fall’s freshwater.
Today, it is arguably Barili’s top tourist attraction, getting extremely busy on weekends, but rather peaceful on weekdays. Like other waterfalls in south Cebu, it offers the perfect alternative to the popular beaches in the countryside.
THE EXPERIENCE
Mantayupan Falls has two main levels, both differing in size and height. You start by walking from the entrance going down towards the second tier.
Here, there are three or four cascades depending on the water pressure. Each one is 14 meters high, leading to a small pool at the bottom.
It is quite shallow, but deep enough for a leisurely swim. Right next to it is a path leading directly to a footbridge that will take you to the main tier in a few minutes.
Compared to the second tier, the main one is quite massive, with its crashing cascade falling from 98 meters above, going towards a rich turquoise pool. According to the Sunstar Cebu article, it is difficult to determine the deep and shallow areas.
Fortunately, you can rent a life jacket by the entrance or ride a wooden raft in case you struggle swimming.
Visitors are only allowed to visit until 5 PM, especially since there are barely any light sources within the forest. Visitors are also not allowed within the falls during rainy days in case of floods.
As such, it’s best to visit Mantayupan Falls during the dry season, which is around December to June.
*****
Not only are waterfalls breathtaking tourist spots, but the journey getting to them is also just as memorable.
As mentioned, Mantayupan Falls is important to Barili since it’s one of the very first sources of hydropower in the Philippines. Government officials continue to make an effort to preserve the attraction and provide sustainable power to the town.
They aim to make it last as a top attraction in Cebu, especially for those who love the island’s natural and untouched wonders.
HOW TO GET THERE
Exact Location:
Barangay Campangga, Barili, Southern Cebu
Operating Hours:
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
When commuting to Barili, take a bus at the South Bus Terminal bound for Bato in Oslob. Get off at the Barili Public Market, which is around three kilometers from the falls.
Take a motorcycle taxi going to the falls from there. You can negotiate with your driver if you need them to wait for you.
REFERENCES:
Tancinco, Caren Hope. 2012. “WE FOUND LOVE IN MANTAYUPAN FALLS.” Sunstar Cebu. https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/sunstar-cebu/20120517/281578057697764
