When mother nature is left
unadulterated by human inventions detrimental to the upkeep of natural habitat,
we are shown such places full of splendor and awe for the Creator's magnificent
works. Managing what we are given freely by nature is one task that must be
inculcated to all generations lest we lose a beholden beauty before us. We are
so lucky to be endowed with such natural resorts. I have seen many such places
from my travels that has been destroyed by the inhabitant of the earth who was
given authority over all creation not to destroy but to propagate and protect
it.
Zamboanga City: Asia’s Latin City,
blessed with historic and cultural attractions like Fort Pilar, the museum, Mt.
Pulong Bato, pink sand beach, beautiful parks and hidden falls—one of which is
Merloquet Falls.
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| Merloquet Falls, Brgy. Sibulao, Zamboanga City |
One such beauty is the Merloquet
Falls, a place I have come back to after eight years, still intrigued and mesmerized by the beautiful
sweeping falls rendering the sweetest music of water cascading down and kissing
the rocks beneath her. Located around 2 hours (78km east) from the city center,
in the interiors of Barangay Sibulao, Zamboanga City’s well known tourist
destination and dubbed as one of Mindanao’s popular waterfalls—Merloquet Falls
is yours to explore and be part of the peaceful bliss. And enticing to be
tickled by the mossy ferns, slippery stones, brushing your bare feet with soft touch grasses. It was as if Mother Nature pinned a white curtain
over a luxurious forest wall.
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| 369 concrete steps |
I am much captivated by the
environment as a whole, not only by the famous falls. Everything around the
falls vicinity beckons the visitors to explore more and be as one with nature.
Let me site the conquered moments I experienced this second time around. I
could not but wonder that the people behind the promotion of this place must
have been a nature lover. From the drop-off point, the 369-step concrete
stairway paves the way the falls. Realizing maybe that the steep climb up would
tire the guests, a line up concrete seats alongside the stairs beckons you to
take your time, take a seat, enjoy the sceneries and continue to conquer the
steps paving way to the falls that are pleasantly
comforting; as the breeze from the swaying full grown trees provide fresh air and shade. Upon reaching the
last step, the scenery of the falls give a breathtaking welcome and seems to
commend you for the job well done. Cottages were made available by locals to
provide visitors a place to eat and leave their baggages to savor the cool and inviting
crystal clear water.
So, what is so special about these falls?
Well, Merloquet Falls is a two tiered waterfalls with the upper level located
around 50 meters from the main cascade. This upper tier is handmade by nature
with an inclined rock face having five separate but low cascades. Fresh water
stream into a shallow basin then flows downstream into the main waterfall
forming a wide curtain. Both tiers are connected with a rather difficult trail,
located at the leftside, with a thick rope for support. The main cascade is
wonderful; varieties of rock-face gave Merloquet Falls its majestic beauty: at
the left was a higher fall then a flat rock platform, the right side is another
rock form that gives it volume.
Getting upstage, slippers are to be
taken off as a precautionary measure of your safety since you adapt with what
nature has to offer the visitors. The side of the falls was slippery, most of
the rock surface were carpeted with a layer of furry moss. Looking through
the veil of water, droplets left rainbows dancing in the distance—as
if the rainbows are within your reach. Sit back against the falls and get a
natural massage—nothing but pure bliss. Like “Malakas at Maganda” (Adam and
Eve), the flow on the left falls was quite strong and hard (like a man’s
strength) while the one on the right was gently flowing downstream (like a
woman’s grace).
I was quite amused that during our
trip to Merloquet Falls, almost all of the attendees were first-time visitors. After 8 years, I am back in
Barangay Sibulao not because it is a mandate but because if the magnetizing
attraction it offers the guests as well as coming out energized, refreshed and
destressed of life's trial. Luckily,
the local government is now developing the area as an eco-tourism attraction.
Concrete roads were paved for easy access for vehicles, and a concrete stairway
was designed for easy hiking up and down to the falls. Because of its
isolation, the area remains primeval and there are a lot of strategic vantage
points for photography. It’s good to note that people are not allowed to eat or
drink at the waterfalls. If you do stop by, be sure to bring trash bags with
you and leave the place as beautiful as you found it. Merloquet Falls is being
featured in one of Zamboanga City’s local TV channel “VEZ TV: DI ATON ESTE”. Because of this, more and more locals are
becoming aware of its existence. This is good news for promoting ecotourism and
a great challenge for the local government. People will soon find out about
Merloquet Falls and getting there was made easy. However, this would also
impose threat in the pristine environment of the falls. People might destroy
the beauty of the place if they are not disciplined and determined to keep the
environment clean and lead the way for its upkeep.
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| Tree Planting and Clean-Up Activity |
Thus, the nature shall leave us a passing note- enjoy its beauty and
captivation for the future generations. The change should come from us, being
accountable for our actions either in light of protecting this site or adding
this place to the destroyed natural habitat. The choice is yours-be a responsible
gatekeepers of God's works and masterpiece!
