pagnapagna: "ISEM" (Smile) Town's waterfalls. Balay Anito and Siminublan Falls

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"Smile, it is one of the best thing that the face can do. Smile and they will smile back. The town of Santol has waterfalls to smile about"

-pagnapagna

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Derived its name from the fruit bearing tree "SANTOL" where the town's theme is "isem" (smile).

It is one of the mountain municipalities of La Union near the boundary of Ilocos Sur.

Please practice the leave no trace outdoor ethics when going to these nature places. Let us not vandalize, put graffiti on their rocks and stone walls. Manage and dispose our waste products properly.

-my pagnapagna-

I rode a tricycle from Balaoan, La Union going to its neighboring town of Santol.

At Santol, La Union particularly at their Supermarket, I rode a passenger motorbike going to Barangay Lettac Sur. It was an uphill ride going to the vicinity of an Elementary School. Near the Elementary School was a welcome arch. We turned right to a road going down near the river below.

Together with the driver who served as my guide, we went to the river and walked downstream. Few minutes later we arrived at the top of the waterfall. With the aid of tree roots, we went down to the base of the waterfall.

There it was the Balay Anito falls.

Balay Anito Falls

We went back to the parked motorbike and headed back towards town proper.

At town proper, we went to another uphill road, this time going to Barangay Puquil.

The view along the road was good.

Few minutes later, we stopped, a creek crosses the road. It was a creek that feeds the Siminublan falls.

I went down to take a look while the driver waited.

Siminublan Falls

After taking some photographs and videos, we went back to town. Had lunch at an eatery then I went to ride a tricycle bound for the town of Balaoan where i eventually took a bus bound for Home Sweet Home.

-end of pagnapagna-

NOTE: As of November 19, 2016, every visitor to any tourist spots in the town of Santol are required to register and pay a certain fee at their Tourism Office.

Subject : BALAY ANITO FALLS

Location : Barangay of Lettac Sur

Municipality of Santol

Province of La Union

Subject : SIMINUBLAN FALLS

Location : Barangay of Puguil

Municipality of Santol

Province of La Union

How to get there:

NOTE: As of November 19, 2016, every visitor to any tourist spots in the town of Santol are REQUIRED TO REGISTER and pay a certain fee at their Tourism Office.

To get there from Manila take a bus bound for either Vigan, Laoag, Candon or Abra. It passes through the province of La Union, so get down at Balaoan, La Union. From Balaoan town proper take a walk going to the road just after the Catholic church block, walk on this road going towards east and look for the yellow painted tricycles that are parked and waiting for passengers. It will take some 15 to 20 minutes ride to Santol. Arriving at Santol's Green Market take a motorbike backride for a fee going to the Falls.

You may either go to Barangay Lettac Sur where the Balay Anito Falls is located and need some few minutes hike down to the Falls or to Barangay Puguil for the smaller cascade of Siminublan Falls that will literally cross the road. Remember that the two falls are located at opposite directions when coming from downtown Santol and can be accessed on different roads. Balay Anito Falls is located Southeast of town proper while Siminublan Falls at the Northeast. Enjoy!