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Years ago, when people would ask me what to see and do in my hometown, I wouldn’t be able to say anything.
For me (then), Tandag had always been a sleepy little town, with nothing much to offer visitors except the beach.
It was only when I began to travel outside the country that I learned to appreciate how beautiful my hometown can be.
There are caves, islets, and yes, waterfalls, including the last one I visited, the 7-tiered Green Falls in nearby Tago, Surigao del Sur. While it is not actually in Tandag, it’s very near, just a little less than 30 minutes away.
The main waterfall, Cagpangi, in the Green Falls.
Months before I had gone there, my mother had already been raving about it.
You should see it and write about it, she said. The whole family had already gone there, including a number of cousins and aunts and uncles, as well as our late Lola Nene who had to be carried to the cottage.
Cousins on the walkway.
Everyone had fun; even the ones who had to carry Lola, because the Green Falls is accessible.
One could take a car there, or even hire a tricycle, and from the parking lot, it’s not so far to the cottages overlooking the main waterfall called Cagpangi, named after the sitio where it’s located.
Loved the pressure of the water on my back!
Cagpangi Falls is wide and deep in the center. The owners constructed wooden walkways so that those who don’t know how to swim can just “walk on water” straight up to the falls. It was even used as some sort of a runway for a beauty pageant held there last summer!
Some parts of the base of Cagpangi Falls were shallow and cemented, making it perfect for kids and for those who are not good swimmers. It’s good the owner didn’t “develop” the center of the pool. It was still deep enough that I could practice my treading.
From the top of Cagpangi Falls.
My cousins and I decided to explore the entirety of the Green Falls. There’s a path on the right side going up, and just by following the river, we had seen all seven tiers.
Unfortunately, it didn’t rain much when we were there, so most of the falls didn’t really look like waterfalls at all, more like streams. These are the six falls after Cagpangi, in the right order.
Palingling Falls
Palingling Falls is almost flat.
Mutya Falls
With more water, swimming here can be very nice.
Wishing Falls
There are some mini-pools (holes in the rocks) in this level. Loved it!
Lovers Falls
A nice spot for a swim as well.
Vanessa’s Falls
With more water, this is also a perfect swimming spot.
Lambingan Falls
This is the last one they have discovered. Maybe there’s more beyond!
During rainy season, some of these falls look spectacular. Take a look at Lovers Falls below, for instance (from the Green Falls Facebook page). However, abundant water or not, the Green Falls is still a perfect getaway for families and friends alike.
Bring food and drinks, for there’s no store in the area (unless you go back to the highway). If you plan on trekking up to the seventh waterfall, put on some mosquito repellent as well.
Welcome to the Green Falls!
Owned and developed by the family of Atty. Eusebio and Rebecca Avila, Green Falls is located in Cagpangi, Tago, Surigao del Sur. Entrance fee is P20 for adults, P10 for children. Cottages cost P200 while tables cost P100. Unfortunately, there are no facilities yet for those who want to stay overnight. They are only open from 6am to 5pm.
As of this writing, they’re still constructing the cottage meant for overnight stays.
How to go to the Green Falls
From the Tandag Public Market (Moonglow), there are a lot of tricycles who can take you there. P50 for special trip, around P20 if you wait for other passengers.
Aleah Taboclaon is a location independent writer, editor, and the travel blogger behind Solitary Wanderer. She's partial to slow travel, and prefers extreme adventures like hiking and caving over sightseeing. She likes running (completed one marathon, training for the next!), diving (PADI open water diver), and traveling with her Kindle. Follow her on Instagram and Pinterest!
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18 Comments. Leave new
@ Salika Jay: Indeed, it’s good for a family outing.
@ Apol: I’m trying to promote my city too. Better late than never huh? hehe
@ Atty Avila: Thanks for taking the time to write a comment. Hope to meet you next time I’m in Tandag!
@ Traveling Morion: It’s around 5 hours away from Surigao City, too far just to come and check out the falls 🙂
Hangganda Aleah! Adik talaga ako sa waterfalls! Sayang layo ko na ngaun sa Surigao- indi ko lam na may green falls pa pala dun 🙁 sana next year makabalik ako dun
Sept. 15, 2013
I appreciate your write up about Green Falls. Perhaps you and many others may wonder why we chose the name “GREEN FALLS”. We choose that name because of its green environment and we want to catch the attention of everyone who had visited the place or those who had seen the pictures of the waterfalls with its green background.We will not overdevelop the place; instead, we will preserve its natural setting and beauty. Hope we can meet you at Green falls.You are welcome.
Indeed travel teaches one to appreciate places more, places we think are very common for us like our own backyard.
Reminds me I need to write individual posts about the spots in my own city. Hehe!
I love places like these, where you can just relax and have a good time. Perfect to go with friends or family.
@ Marisol: I’d be very surprised if you’ve heard of it hehe It was launched just last year and my hometown is really far off the beaten path. I’m hoping it won’t get overdeveloped, too.
@ Ron: Aww, how come you’re ditching it?
Mutya, wishing, lovers, lambingan, vanessa… maladi may ari nyan for sure! hahahaha
Booked a trip this September! I guess Im ditching it 🙁 damn!
Hi Aleah, it really is interesting how traveling can make you appreciate what you normally take for granted at home.
I have not heard of Green Falls. They look so spectacular. It’s amazing to think that there are seven line-up of of them. I hope they won’t overdevelop it to that extent that it would look like a theme park than a natural destination.
@ Jayvee: Weh. Di nga? 😀
@ Gelo: We will surely go back when there’s more water. I’ll replace my pictures then. Last year when they launched, the fee was only P10, now it’s double. I hope they won’t increase it again hehe
beautiful falls you got there in your hometown, aleah!
capangi falls plus 6 more? reminds me of the seven wells in langkawi that we failed to go to (enough reason to revisit when we get a chance).
very affordable admission rates too! i just hope those fees are enough for maintainance and keep everything green and spotless for more people to appreciate.
ohh! nice falls 🙂 ilang beses na ako bumalik jan. nakaka puti ung tubig at nakakakinis
@ Gay: It looks better during rainy season daw. 🙂 Yeah, I want to explore my hometown/province/country more. Can you believe I’ve been to Europe but I’ve never been to Boracay? hehe
@ Mary: Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Most of my friends here in Manila don’t know where it is either hahaha
These are beautiful waterfalls, Aleah! How I miss the natural beauty of the Philippines. I like that they have something for everyone of all ages and everyone can enjoy it as a family. I’m such a bad Pinay that I had to look up where Tandag and Surigao del Sur (hanging head in shame). It goes to show that there are also hidden gems near our hometowns. What a great place to spend the day!
Uhm, WOW! Well, it’s never too late to explore your own backyard (I actually haven’t explored much of mine, haha). Ganda, Aleah. No wonder you’re mum’s raving about it.
@ Photo Cache: I know some Borjas. Don’t know if they’re related. I’ll ask my mother 😀
@ Slf: Hi Sharon! It’s the wooden walkway. The cemented portion is at the other end.
In the first photo, is the yellow portion below the water the “boardwalk”? Or did they cement and paint the bottom?
hahaha, so true. once you start traveling you get to realize the gems in your backyard that you ignore.
i had a very close friend from surigao, we lost contact, but i was hoping to reconnect with her. do you know any borjas? her name is maria christmas borja, well her maiden name. she is super puti, tisay na tisay. just in case. i’m putting it out there. someone might know her. facebook can’t help me 🙁