Myth and Mystery of Dodiongan Falls

            According to the interviewed residents of Brgy. Bonbonon and with the residents of sitio Dodiongan, the falls has different versions of stories as foretold by their ancestors. It is said that the first settlers were Higaonons (lumads in Iligan City). The place was once covered with varied thick, lush and sturdy trees, with varied wild animals. Crystal clear water cascades down which resembles long white hair clinging to walls of solid rocks of twin alleys. At its base is a pool of liquid and mists rising up like white smoke from a distance. Fish and shrimps were in abundance in the said area.

They believe that the place is inhabited by maidens or fairies (engkanto to local folks). Some often saw a maiden with white long hair standing on top of the summit of the falls. The said maiden placed and hanged her long hair to her shoulders (abaga), hence, creating the name “Abaga Falls”.

Another version of its origin is that, the residents often heard a sound (budyong) during midnight which resembled a horn from a ship. This sound or the believed ship passed through the river going to the foundation of the falls then eventually vanished. As time passed by, the sound was never heard anymore.

The third story states that long ago there were only few people living in the area. Since most of them rely on farming as a living, they built homes farther from the other. Gathering all of them in one area was their problem. So they thought of using a budyong (a large specie of cone shell that produces trumpet-like sound) whenever they called for a meeting or relayed information. Usually it was the leader or head who used the budyong . The place was then called Budyongan. Times passed and the number of settlers become numerous bringing in with them a diverse culture and language. Cultures and languages intertwined thus bringing changes to the original “Budyongan”. The term metamorphosed into “Bodiongan” then to “Dodiongan”.