Palacapac Falls or Veto Falls Adventure in Zambales

Palacapac Falls or Veto Falls in Omaya is a booming natural attraction in San Narciso, Zambales. This waterfall can be considered a shared outdoor interest between San Narciso and San Felipe towns because the best and fastest way to reach Palacapac Falls is to pass the barangays of Feria and Balincaguing in San Felipe.

The towering Palacapac Falls or Veto Falls

Meeting the Head of the Sabangan Family

Before visiting Palacapac Falls, we had to ask permission from Lolo Johnny Sabangan who lives on top of a hill within the Aeta Community in Sitio Mabato, Paite. We found Lolo Johnny taking care of his plants when we climbed the hill to his house. We introduced ourselves, then he told us to sit on the wooden bench while handing us a notebook.

Lolo Johnny permitted us for a photo opp for this blog

He discussed the reason why we should write down our names and contact numbers. Lolo Johnny owns the land when trekking Palalcapac Falls. It is a two gated road to avoid his livestock from getting out of his land. Lolo Johnny provided us with Aeta guides, one of them is his godchild, Marita, for Veto Falls adventure. (He calls it Veto Falls and that's why it is included in the blog title).

Lost in Veto Falls

Our group, composed of 17 outdoor lovers from Subic, San Antonio, and Olongapo City, started the trek to the waterfalls at 8:00 A.M. We expected the trekking will take us four hours. We found this information on Facebook. Well, twelve from the group made it in one and a half hours and the remaining five made it in four hours. Why? These five members got lost.

Wrong Turn - The trail to Tayab Dam

After twenty minutes of walking on the private road of Sabangan land, you will reach two trail choices - the bulldozered road on the right and the trail down to the river on the left. The trail on the left leads to Tayab Falls and to the right leads to Palacapac Falls. Five in the group took the left trail; I was one of them.

Wrong Turn - The Tayab Creek

Wrong Turn - Tayab Waterfalls 

Wrong Turn - Still at the Tayab Creek

We were separated from the main group because one of our lady companions had to take breaks frequently. Our two Aeta guides weren't trained enough that one should be on the head of the trek and the other on the tail as a sweeper. We followed the wrong trail but we've seen small waterfalls as a consolation. I also spotted a python resting on a boho panicking the group when I exclaimed 'Python!"

Wrong Turn - Tayab Creek

After two hours of being lost in the wilderness, we decided to go back to the Aeta Community to ask for our guide. We had our lunch in one of the Aeta houses and then set off for the trekking. Only two pursued the trek. The three ladies decided to go home.

Karl was relieved when we reached Palacapac or Veto Falls after four hours of Trekking

We reached Palacapac Falls in an hour.

Ric and his wife having a photo opp.

A small waterfall downstream of Palacapac Falls suitable for swimming

Our Palacapac Falls Itinerary

05:00 AM - Travel from Victory Liner Olongapo to San Felipe, Zambales

06:00 AM - Arrive at San Felipe Zambales
07:00 AM - Ride a tricycle to Sitio Mabato, Barangay Paite San Narciso, Zambales
07:30 AM - Ask permission from Lolo Johnny (Ask the Aeta to take you to his house)
08:00 AM - Start of Trekking
09:30 AM - Arrive in Palacapac Falls

09:30 AM - Pictorial / Swimming / Chill

02:00 PM - Trek back to Aeta Community
02:30 PM - Arrive at Aeta Community / Washup
03:00 PM - Ride a tricycle to San Felipe Town
03:30 PM - Arrive at San Felipe Town
05:30 PM - Arrive at Victory Liner Olongapo

You Might Also Like These Hiking Destinations in San Felipe, Zambales

• Anghalo Falls (Lubong Nangoloan Falls) 
• Sagpat Falls
• Grotto Falls