A Glimpse of the Pulacan Falls | Zamboanga Del Sur

June 13, 2020July 25, 2021 Rex Lim Lim BLOG, falls, ITINERARY, labangan, pagadian, pulacan, TRANSIT PINAS, TRAVEL GUIDE, WATERFALLS, zamboanga del sur

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For my last hurrah, I ventured a little further away from Pagadian City to visit Pulacan Falls in Labangan.

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The Inclined Tricycles of Pagadian

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I was not able to go around much around Pagadian City a day before, that I forgot to first take a look at how quirky the tricycles here in the city. What happens if the mode of transportation crosses with hilly terrains, colorful culture, and creativity of the locals? You’ll get the uniquely inclined tricycles of Pagadian!

Tricycles in Pagadian are inclined for about 25 to 40 degrees to compensate for the terrain of the city. Drivers said that it is easier to navigate the streets and roads of Pagadian this way, and it is more comfortable for the passenger. The entire time I was walking around the city, I was catching my breath since my hotel is located halfway going down to the seaport which makes the roads ridiculously inclined.

After going around the city looking for someplace to eat, I went back to the bus terminal to cap-off my Zamboanga Peninsula adventure. I rode a bus bound for Ozamiz to quickly visit Pulacan Falls which is just around 20 minutes from the city.

Unfortunately, the bus conductor does not know where Pulacan Falls is. But I am doubting that maybe we had some sort of miscommunication due to my broken Cebuano tongue. The bus dropped me off at the Labangan’s bus stop near the poblacion where I still had to trek around a kilometers going up a steep sloping road. I was panting and sweating profusely while carrying my large backpack.

Hiding in Plain Sight

The growling engine noises of the vehicles along the main highway eventually faded as the soft gushing sound of Pulacan Falls emanated from a distance. Just beside the national highway near Camp Cesar Sang-an, a dirt path opens into a still forested area. I ventured inside without asking anyone for directions and only relying with my offline map guide.

Under the canopy of tropical trees, the boulders near the river bank got more covered in moss as I got closer to the river bank. Then there it was! I got excited after seeing the cascade fanning down into the catch basin.

Pulacan Falls beautifully spreads down its frothy waters as it flows down several layers of rocks. The height of this waterfall is just around a few meters tall before it fans down. But it looks elegant as it is contrasted by the dense foliage of trees and shrubs thriving around its waters.

I eventually got back to Pagadian City to spend the night since I still have to fly back to Manila the following morning. Spending only two days here, I was wondering how many awesome adventure awaits if I have a few more days to spare.

Despite the news of terror attacks in Zamboanga Peninsula, I never felt scared or unsafe while I was traveling alone here. The locals were all too nice, and even asked me to keep safe. Some kept on offering snacks or whatever they have on their tables.

Flying over the plains of Zamboanga Del Sur

How to Get There

Pulacan Falls is located just beside the highway near the 1^st Infantry “Tabak Division” of Camp Major Cesar Sang-an in Upper Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga Del Sur.
From Pagadian City Integrated Bus Terminal, take any bus bound for Ozamiz via Osmena (14 kilometers). Ask to be dropped off at Camp Major Cesar Sang-an or directly at Pulacan Falls if the bus conductor knows it.
If coming from Ozamiz City. Take a bus bound for Pagadian and alight in Pulacan (Travel time is around 2hrs)
If coming from Dipolog City via Osmena (180 kilometers away from Pulacan). Take a bus bound for Pagadian and alight in Pulacan (Travel time is around 3.5hrs).