Sangbay ni Ragsak – Suyo’s Waterfall of Happiness
In this travel guide, let me take you to Suyo’s waterfall of happiness, the Sangbay ni Ragsak!
Ilocos Sur boasts more destinations that is still under the radar. The province is more than just the cobblestone streets of Vigan City since it has a good number of waterfalls and mountains worth exploring.
The Rook
The bus came to a complete stop with the conductor shouting “Yellow Market! Tagudin!” – still half asleep, I peeked out of the window, and was befuddled with the darkness outside. Realizing that this was already Tagudin and I arrived two hours ahead of time, I quickly collected my stuff and jolted out of the bus.
Arriving at the witching hour, I spent the next two hours doing nothing until I eventually flagged a tricycle who’ll take me to Suyo. It was a cold Sunday morning until I was dropped of at Urzadan after a twenty minute chilly ride.
Then it took me around half an hour before I chartered a habal-habal that will take me to Sangbay ni Ragsak and the two other falls in Suyo for 700php. So here it goes!
Arriving at Brgy. Patoc-ao, the cemented road ended and the foot path began. It took me around 10 minutes until I arrived at the registration area and paid 20php. Then from there – the waterfall is already just a few more steps away.
Sangbay ni Ragsak is an Ilocano phrase for Waterfall of Happiness. I must say that the height of this cascade is more impressive than in the photos. It resembles the Rook chess piece because of its seemingly castle tower shaped rock formation. Water flows at three sides of it and might be more powerful during the rainy days.
Swimming in here is a must try! The water level at its deepest is just around 6-7 feet and icy cold! Don’t worry, there are rest rooms around so you can change right after quick dip. Locals and travelers alike spend their weekends here just relaxing and having their picnics.
Several huts and cottages line up the trail going down to the waterfall and can be rented at the registration area. There aren’t any stores around so might as well bring snacks and water with you to avoid inconvenience.
I spent around an hour in here before I packed up and descended back.
Next stop! The towering Dawara Falls!
How To Get There
- From Manila, take any bus headed to the Ilocos Region, primarily Candon City, Vigan City, Laoag City or Bangued, Abra. (Partas, Viron, Dominion, Florida)
- Alight at Bitalag Junction in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, just a few hundred meters from the Tagudin Yellow Market. Fare starts at 500-650php, travel time is 5-7hrs depending on the time of the day.
- From Bitalag Junction, charter a tricycle to bring you to Suyo. Please take note that these are the white and green tricycles, the yellow ones are for Tagudin. Fare is around 150-200php, travel time is around 20-30minutes (12.9 kilometers).
- You can alight at the Municipal Hall to register, then charter another tricycle going to Brgy. Urzadan.
- Or ask the tricycle to take you directly to Brgy. Urzadan.
- From Brgy. Urzadan, landmark is an eatery and waiting shed after the bridge, ask the locals where you can hire a habal-habal to bring you to Brgy. Patoc-ao, the jump-off point for Sangbay ni Ragsak. Fare is around 50php per way, travel time is around 10 minutes (3 kilometers).
- Upon arrival, at Brgy. Patoc-ao, take a short trek going to Sangbay ni Ragsak, it will take you less than twenty (20) minutes before you finally see the waterfall. Registration fee is 20php.
