What Lonely Planet missed out in Palogtoc Falls

Lonely Planet review of Palogtoc Falls was all praises for the ‘lovely’ nature grotto that is Palogtoc. It missed seeing however the activity frenzy of the place during summer when the local villagers troop to the place to beat the heat.

Local villagers mostly kids, frolicking like mischievous elves in the fairyland ambiance of Palogtoc Falls showed me the real fun of what the place can offer aside from its natural beauty.

Watching  the kids do the plunge, dip, dive , splash and swim in the crystal clear mountain spring waters with the backdrop of the mixed ambient sound of the kids’ excited voices and the sound of the rushing waters of the water falls were enough to fill the day with a dose of freshness.

I had to hide my camera and keep myself inconspicuous while shooting the animated water play so as not to break the flow of excitement that surrounds  the place last Sunday afternoon. Even the waters seemed to join in the frolic in perfect rhythm. It was pure water magic!

Lonely Planet review for Palogtoc Falls reads:

“A successful conquest of Mt Bulusan deserves a soak in the Palogtoc Falls. This grotto is accessible by a 500m walk from a trailhead off the main road between the park entrance and San Roque (it’s also on the Bulusan–Irosin jeepney route). It features a gorgeous cold-water pool fed by falls beside a shady river, with mercifully no visible concrete, just a few low-key bamboo and nipa huts. It’s a lovely spot, especially if you luck out and are there alone.”

Palogtoc Falls, Bulusan, Sorsogon

Philippines

Photos by Alma P. Gamil