"We went back to Arosip Eco-trail for Tekdag-aso falls and afterwards went to see the long-forgotten DAMBANA ng kagitingan"
-pagnapagna
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.
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-my pagnapagna-
It was early in the morning (6:00 am) when we stepped down from the bus bound for Laoag City along the national highway at the Welcome arch to DMMMSU-NLUC (Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University - North La Union Campus) Bacnotan, La Union. There we rode a tricycle going to the drop-off point at barangay Casiaman.
The two of us started walking at a cemented road going up to barangay Arosip (6:05 am). It was a long and generally uphill walk.
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| Around 50 meters from where we went down on a tricycle is a waiting shed |
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| We saw this message at the waiting shed: "Mama, umuna akon" (Mama, i'll go ahead) |
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| The view above the trail |
At the top of the hill (7:12 am), because we were planning to walk our way to Balaoan, La Union when we get back, we asked a young farmer where would be the way going down to Bungol, Balaoan, La Union. I also inquired about the "Dambana".
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| the young farmer |
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| one of the passenger jeep going downtown that passed by |
We proceeded to walk towards barangay Arosip proper. At the Barangay hall area (7:30 am), nobody seemed to be around. We decided to go to a store nearby just below the roadside.
We had our snack at the store and asked where we could get a guide going to Tekdag-aso falls. Luckily, the store owner's son who is a barangay councilor and in-charge with tourism matters was there visiting. He was our guide going to Tekdag-aso falls.
After walking along the trail, we arrived at the river bedrock (8:41 am) and went downstream where Tekdag-aso falls is located.
After walking along the trail, we arrived at the river bedrock (8:41 am) and went downstream where Tekdag-aso falls is located.
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| going downstream at the river bedrock |
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| The primary cascade before Tekdag-aso falls |
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| proceeding to Tekdag-aso falls |
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| The Tekdag-aso Falls |
After Tekdag-aso falls, by walking the mountainside along the river, we went to see farther downstream.
After reaching some distance, we returned upstream.
After reaching some distance, we returned upstream.
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| Our guide went to get some edible ferns called "pakpako" |
We visited also the twin falls of Zim-sim-ug and Padtok falls located upstream.
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| Although low lying, these circular rock formations on the river bedrock can serve as seats |
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| Our guide Barangay Councilor Placido Delmindo sitting on one of the circular rock formations |
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| Zim-sim-ug Falls |
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| The other Zim-sim-ug falls almost dry at that time |
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| Padtok Falls |
Later on, we went back at the mountainside trail (10:17 am).
Near the trail to the store where we first came from, we parted ways with our guide because he will be going home to sitio Poser.
Before we separated, we asked directions on how to get to the so-called "Dambana" and got answer which we thought we can easily follow.
Near the trail to the store where we first came from, we parted ways with our guide because he will be going home to sitio Poser.
Before we separated, we asked directions on how to get to the so-called "Dambana" and got answer which we thought we can easily follow.
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| Our guide as we parted ways. He was going home to sitio Poser of Barangay Arosip, Bacnotan, La Union |
We went back to the store and ate noodles with egg (We asked a favor to the store owner to cook it for us).
Back on the road (12:06 pm), we went back on the clearing on top of the hill and walked on the dirt road at the intersection with the instruction of the councilor in our mind (almost).
From the dirt road, we walked on a trail going up to the road above.
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| A view from the trail going to the road above |
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| another view from the trail |
On the trail, there were many flies feasting on some dead earthworms.
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| The trail going up to the cemented road above to San Gabriel, La Union coming from Arosip, Bacnotan, La Union |
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| One of the two steel gates along the trail |
We finally arrived at the concrete road above (1:31 pm). At that point, we did not quite get if we should go up near the towers or go down the road.
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| A roadside cow. At that time when we were contemplating which way to go, he was facing the right direction |
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| The road and the steel towers above |
After we went back and forth a few meters on the road and even asking directions from passers-by on motorbikes, we decided to go up near the base of the tower where we saw a waiting shed and walked on a trail going down.
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| at a waiting shed and the steel towers at the background |
There, we saw kids at play whom we asked where is that "Dambana".
"Jak ammo manong, damagem lang kenni uncle ditan ni" (I do not know sir. Just ask uncle there sir) one of the kids answered and pointed to the house below.
We went to the house and asked. They told us that we have to go down the cemented road and just ask directions there.
Although i knew that the "Dambana" is a monument on top of a hill, i asked him "Anya aya iti makita edianay manung?" (What can be seen there sir?).
He replied "Monumento diyay nga kasla ken tatang ni Marcos, nalikkalikkab en a dagidiay marmol na diyanany. Kaykayu a ti makita ediay" (It's a monument that had something to do with the father of Marcos. the marbles there were all gone now. Trees can be seen there).
"Jak ammo manong, damagem lang kenni uncle ditan ni" (I do not know sir. Just ask uncle there sir) one of the kids answered and pointed to the house below.
We went to the house and asked. They told us that we have to go down the cemented road and just ask directions there.
Although i knew that the "Dambana" is a monument on top of a hill, i asked him "Anya aya iti makita edianay manung?" (What can be seen there sir?).
He replied "Monumento diyay nga kasla ken tatang ni Marcos, nalikkalikkab en a dagidiay marmol na diyanany. Kaykayu a ti makita ediay" (It's a monument that had something to do with the father of Marcos. the marbles there were all gone now. Trees can be seen there).
We followed what he said and we arrived at a residential area and decided to have snack at a roadside store.
At the store (2:07 pm), the door to their living room was open and we can see from there the television set as they were watching the "Pacquiao-Algieri boxing fight".
After we had our snack, we continued walking down the road to get us to where we should be going.
At the store (2:07 pm), the door to their living room was open and we can see from there the television set as they were watching the "Pacquiao-Algieri boxing fight".
After we had our snack, we continued walking down the road to get us to where we should be going.
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| a signage to Sitio Bantuague, Lacong, San Gabriel |
At a crossroad, we asked where can we find the "Dambana". For a while, they seemed not to know it (It must be that its dilapidated and almost forgotten) but they pointed to the top of a hill at a distance with lot of trees.
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| Marker showing directions to Sitio Bato and Bantuague of barangay Lacong, San Gabriel, La Union |
We walked towards the base of the hill looking for the path or trail leading to its peak but there seemed to be nothing obvious. We saw some but we doubt it was (we learned later on farther down the road that it was). I've got the thinking that if that was a monument, then it must have a welcome sign or a sort of good-looking obvious pathway or trail.
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| A welcome marker. "Welcome to barangay Lacong" (San Gabriel, La Union) |
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| The "Dambana ng Kagitingan" is located somewhere at that hill at the background |
We walked farther down the road expecting that we will find the entry point.
Well, as we walked, the road keeps going farther away from the hill and going down in elevation.
We were now tired and going back up would not be on our option (3:07 pm). We decided to just walk further down the road that terminated inside DMMMSU-NLUC compound (3:50 pm).
Well, as we walked, the road keeps going farther away from the hill and going down in elevation.
We were now tired and going back up would not be on our option (3:07 pm). We decided to just walk further down the road that terminated inside DMMMSU-NLUC compound (3:50 pm).
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| Termination of the road at DMMMSU-NLUC |
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| DMMMSU-NLUC |
Inside DMMMSU-NLUC (Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-North La Union Campus), we rode a jeep (4:05 pm) that eventually took us to our town and be at HOME SWEET HOME.
-end of pagnapagna-
For a post on Arosip Eco-trail fet. Zim-sim -ug Twin Falls CLICK HERE
For a post on our hike to Dambana CLICK HERE
Subject : Tekdag-aso Falls
Location : Barangay of Arosip
Municipality of Bacnotan
Province of La Union
How to get there:
From Manila take a bus bound for any of these Nortwest Luzon places : Laoag City (Ilocos Norte), Bangued (Abra), Vigan City (Ilocos Sur) and Candon City (Ilocos Sur).
You have to get down at the Bus stop near the Public Supermarket of Bacnotan, La Union.
At Bacnotan, La Union you may:
1- wait for the jeeps bound for Barangay Sapilang and get down at the road going to barangay Arosip in Barangay Casiaman.
2- ride a passenger tricycle going to Barangay Casiaman and get down at the road going to Barangay Arosip.
After going through either one of the steps 1 and 2 , hike your way up on the road going to Barangay Arosip Proper (where the Barangay Auditorium is located).
At the Barangay Arosip Proper, visit their Barangay Hall or ask for the house of the Barangay Captain where you may request for a "guide".
With the "guide" you may now hike your way to the falls.
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