Palogtoc Falls back to nature

The true 'green' mower for this expanse is the ever reliable Philippine carabao that keeps this coconut farm patch  always freshly trimmed and neat looking.

Thumbs up for the carabao - a perfect bio-grass mower. This local grass species that the carabao grazes on is called (what else?) - carabao grass.

Local villagers from the vicinity of  Palogtoc Falls enjoy free plunge and bath according to a local teen - at least for now. We however paid 25pesos each as entrance fee.

The overflowing waters from the big pool that catches the waterfalls is still as fresh and clear as the Falls itself. The  presence of several local villagers mostly kids enjoying a cool plunge and bath is not enough to dilute the water's quality because of the sheer volume of it.

The local villagers know exactly how to frolic with the waters of Palogtoc Falls.

A long and shaded journey of a gushing mountain stream manifests itself into a beauty here in Palogtoc falls.  The waters  still  carry the taste of subtle mineral waters.

My niece, Yapa (in red attire) and cousin An-ge enjoying the 'bunlawan'  (rinse area) that serves also as a kiddie pool. This is just beside the big pool where the Palogtoc Falls continuously refresh and replenish the waters with its rushing head stream.

Embracing the front and sides of Palogtoc Falls are brooks and rivulets which are captivating on their own.

The brook fronting the Palogtoc Falls sings a melodious water sound complementing the louder sound of the rushing voice of the water falls.

Palogtoc Falls was actually a third choice for a Sunday  picnic destination for three visiting nieces for the summer break. Fulo Resort and Masacrot Spring were overflowing with visitors so as to make us turn our gears to Palogtoc. The headtrail of Palogtoc that starts along the road needs a walk of around 500 meters, enough to discourage those that flocked to the other pools along the road.

We found out however, that the 500m walk to the lovely nature grotto that is Palogtoc is worth the extra walk not to mention the sights near the end of the trail - a green-always-freshly grazed carabao grass expanse under a coconut farm patch courtesy of a mainstay carabao mower. The trail has no signage as to where we are going.

The only sign that gave as the clue that we are nearing Palogtoc Falls is the sound of the rushing waters that becomes louder and louder as we are nearing the Falls and makes one imagine in advance what to expect - fresh and abundant flow of mountain spring that converge into a big stout water falls. Short water falls actually since the rest of it is hidden. The water falls that is visible at the big 'gorgeous' pool is in fact an end point of a low lying source of rushing hidden and shaded waters.

Palogtoc is so lovely alright (as described by Lonely Planet in its review) with the elemental nature feel to it. Like a fairy land, says my niece. She is referring of course to the abundant giant ferns, wild trees, and tropical flora forming an impressive array of a picturesque tropical mountain paradise!

The drawbacks however were articulated also by my nieces - where is the CR? where is the changing and wash room? where are we going to pee?
Me for one was puzzled too on what happened to Palogtoc.  It seems that its management has relegated to nature even the simple amenities mentioned by my nieces.

I just answered the girls with this: Go back to the  smaller pool (used as rinse pool or 'bunlawan') and take a pee there while on a dip, the flow of the waters will exit to  the side brook and will not affect the main pool of the Falls.

Back to nature. Back to the free water fun for the local villagers.

Note: Heard from the local grapevine that Palogtoc property is currently for sale. This needs verification though for those who are interested.

Palogtoc Falls, Bulusan, Philippines
Photos by Alma P. Gamil

Bulusan Lake unknown fact

Bulusan Lake though the toast of the recent eco-tourism promotions of the province, second only to Donsol is virtually unstudied according to a Rapid Assessment Report conducted by an NGO. The flora and fauna around it are also understudied the report added. The endemism of the place is high though at more than 40% as cited in the report.

The report by Errol Gatumbato in his personal blog reads:

Together with four other hired specialists of the Resources, Environment and Economics Center for Studies, we conducted a rapid site assessment to this protected area commissioned by the Foundation for the Philippine Environment. The assessment involved the physical, biological, social, cultural, economics, and governance conditions of the BVNP.

The remaining forest of the BVNP is hosting to numerous species of flora and fauna while the freshwater ecosystem is hardly studied*

Our study showed that the forest in this protected area is an important habitat of numerous endemic species of plants, such as the Forestia philippinensis, Pinanga insignis, Areca camarinensis, Mussaenda phillipica and two newly discovered species, Schefflina bulusanicum and Pronephrium bulusanicum.  Rare and threatened species can also be found in BVNP, such as the Jade vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys), the ground orchid (Phojus tankervillea), and Tindalo (Afzelia rhomboidea).  The mountain agoho (Casuarina rumphiana), which is known to have a very limited distribution in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, inhabits this protected area.
Similarly, the fauna features of the BVNP are showing high species endemism, estimated at 43% of all the species surveyed during the RSA.  Four of these species are known as high conservation priorities because they are already classified as threatened species, like the Golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatos), the Southern Luzon giant cloud rat (Phloeomys cumingii), the Philippine warty pig (Sus philippensis) and the Luzon Tarictic hornbill (Penelopides manillae).

Errol's complete story:

Bulusan Park, the “little Switzerland” of Bicol « Errol Abada Gatumbato

errolgatumbato.wordpress.com/.../bulusan-park-the-little-switz.