Team’s Adventure

Dodiongan (a sitio of Barangay Bonbonan, 14.5 km away from the city proper) contains one of the majestic waterfalls in Iligan City which is the Dodiongan Falls (also known as Abaga Falls). The fact that the waterfalls itself is located in a remote area, one can hardly experience the convenience in getting there. To reach the place, one has to ride on a motorcycle, locally known as habal-habal. A 4x4 cab/truck, if available, is a better option.

Since the team is composed of 8 persons (5 students and 3 teachers), we rented three motorcycles to bring us to the place. Going up to Bonbonon was not as challenging as before because the road is paved already. However, there was still a feeling of excitement and fear for we were so amazed looking at the view below the mountains and the fear of slipping down from the slippery road since it was drizzling and the road has no barriers yet along its side. Looking at the roofs of the houses below, the green water in Mandalog river and traversing on the steep road, one can hold his breath because of mixed emotions of fear and excitement.

When we arrived at Brgy. Bonbonon, we were welcomed and greeted with smiles by some of the Brgy. personnel, and there we did have an hour to chat with them and have gathered basic information we needed for this project. It was Kagawad Omar M. Cader, in lieu of  Barangay Captain Primo Gongob, who provided us information about the place and  brief background as to how the place got its name. After jotting down everything and recording necessary data, one of the councillors, Kag. Dionson, accompanied the team in going to Dodiongan Falls which is 1.5 km from Bonbonon proper and is situated higher than Bonbonon.

            Travelling along the road, one can witness heavy equipment moving the land and workers cementing the pavement. Since it was raining, the motorcycles we were riding on slowly pushed up and carefully cleaved and formed a chasm on the yellow-brown water with mud. The drivers carefully balanced the weight of the passengers because the muddy road was quite slippery. The end point of the road before reaching the site of the falls is the house of Mr. and Mrs. Consorcio Dionson, 66 years of age and a farmer by occupation. From there, we were introduced by Kagawad Dionson to the couple along with the other residents. The team conducted an interview about the origin of the falls and the historical background of the place itself.

 From the place where we stopped, we walked a long way across the river in order to reach Dodiongan Falls. On our way to Dodiongan Falls, we passed by a plantation of corn and eggplants of the residents nearby. We went through the narrow and muddy pathways. About few meters before the falls, we needed to cross the raging bubbly current of flowing turbid water reaching as high as the undies of a 5-ft. tall person. Four of us had to take off our shoes for the thought we could have a good balance and steady foothold through the strong current of the water. One slipped and dipped himself into the water.

Upon reaching the site and by looking at the awesome and breathtaking beauty of the falls, all seemed enchanted. All the difficulties just to reach the site vanished and were replaced by a feeling of awe and appreciation of the grandeur and beauty of one of God’s greatest gifts to mankind. The big boulders around and the sturdy trees caving the falls add a beautiful, perfect, and blazing view of the entire falls. The basin which catches every drop of liquid looked enticing to the eyes of the spectators. Its greenish color reflected by the trees around seemed cool and beholding. This is the lesson we’ve learned from our trip – “Every God’s creation is a natural wonder, and man is the only steward to care for its grandeur”.