The Other Side Of The Spectrum – Bulingan Falls

March 22, 2020July 29, 2021 Rex Lim Lim BASILAN, BLOG, bulingan, TRAVEL GUIDE, WATERFALLS

Reading Time: 6 minutes

If Bulingan Falls is still not enough, what’s stopping you from visiting Basilan?

Often than not, this province is misunderstood due to the sporadic wars between the local government and some terrorist groups. As a result, promoting the tourist destinations of the province is already a struggle in itself.

I did not write this to disagree but to encourage everyone to turn their heads and check out the province. Basilan is more than what the publicized news paints it to be.

In this Braving Basilan series, let me take you on a journey of unveiling what lies beyond the stigma. What is behind the rife acts of rebellion. Moreover what is in store for those who takes the leap of faith in setting foot at the infamous province they call, Basilan.

Disproving Notions

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I expected that the trip will be a silent and cautious trip across the arterial roads of Lamitan City. But boy, I was wrong. Instead, laughter over witty puns and jokes were shared as we swiftly passed by several barangays and rubber plantations.

Notions of safety is slowly being dismissed by their happy locals.

Kuya Amado, our tourism coordinator, was more than inquisitive while he recalled the same experiences he had on board the same vehicle. Of course, he’s already toured a growing number of tourists, some are even solo travelers.

A rolling tour indeed, everywhere we go, he tells us a story or two, not of dangerous encounters but of exciting beaches, history and culture.

After passing a major thoroughfare somewhere in Lamitan City, we entered a soon to be concreted road network that connects Limook to Balobo to Bulingan.

Also, I noticed that signages pointing to barangay propers were different, instead of Brgy. Bulingan they have Bulingan Barangay, weird eh?

A few more minutes and as expected, rubber plantations were all around again. As a result, the foul stench of the drying latex was hanging dryly in the air. (Note: do not open car windows if not ready for the Rafflesia like stench)

Then after more than thirty minutes of travel time from Isabela City, we have finally reached Bulingan Falls!

Pillars and Serenity

The picturesque Bulingan Falls stood right in front of us. Although it’s not as tall the Katibawasan Falls of Camiguin nor as wide as Tinuy-an Falls in Surigao Del Sur. Inspite of this, Bulingan still has its own peculiar charm.

Bulingan Falls is a 30-foot tall and 40-meter wide waterfall that will surely delight visitors seeing it for the first time. Moreover, you will be in awe of the the stone wall that looks like pillars piled together to form a natural work of art.

The cascading water flows into a natural pool. Also it is now even being developed by the local tourism office of Lamitan. In addition, several huts and concreted steps are visible around the area, making the waterfall more tourist friendly.

Rain hadn’t had visited Mindanao for quite a while during our visit so the flowing water is not raging as we had expected it to be. But I am more than happy to be lucky to have visited such a place.

From my personal opinion, I never felt endangered during the tour. Thus, Basilan still makes me want to go back again.

Definitely the other side of the spectrum. Visiting and braving to visit the Bulingan Falls, is a place nobody dared to visit back in the days. However, it is now made possible by the efforts of the local government in promoting the tourist destinations of Basilan.

Big thanks to the Provincial Tourism Office of Basilan, Kuya Amado our guide, and their Tourism Head, Ms. Shaheenah for making this trip possible.

How To Get There

From Manila, take any flights bound for Zamboanga City. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have several flights daily from Manila to Zamboanga.
From the Airport, one can opt to take the passenger jeepneys and ride the Canelar bound ones and alight at Plaza Pershing (8php) then just ask where the Zamboanga Port is.
From Zamboanga Port there are two options:
- If Bulingan Falls only: take the earliest fastcraft bound for Lamitan City in Basilan. (150php/pax) Upon arrival, proceed directly to the City Tourism office of Lamitan City and contact them prior to your arrival. This is a must. Contact them through their Facebook Page Abante Lamitan!
- If visiting Malamawi Island first: Take the earliest fastcraft bound for Isabela City in Basilan. The trip takes 45 minutes to an hour depending on the sea conditions. Check out the Basilan Travel Guide for the full details of the trips bound for the cities of Isabela and Lamitan (150php).Contact the Provincial Tourism Prior to your trip. This is a must.

City Centers are very safe. Big thanks to the enlisted personnel manning the province. If planning to visit Bulingan and other places out of the city, make sure to contact the tourism offices prior to the trip. This is important so they could arrange your transportation and guides.
You may contact the Provincial Tourism Head Ms. Shaheenah at 09177008741

Braving Basilan: This adventure series narrates what transpired during my day trip across the island of Basilan, as I set foot on my 55th province last August 20, 2018. The road not taken and an eluded paradise – this has been once home to a terrorist group and historically also the staging ground for Moro Raids in Zamboanga.

Giving it the notoriety as one the most dangerous provinces in the Philippines in the past. Follow me as I show you the other side of the beautiful province of Basilan!