This waterfall enjoys its solitude along the east bank of a river in Morong, Bataan. Its water source comes from the dense forest of Mt. Silangan, a part of Bataan National Park established on December 1, 1945. Eying for an intimate date with nature? Consider Tanato Falls.
Tanato Falls requires roughly two hours of an enjoyable hike at Morong River. Jerry and Lotlot, our guide from Kanawan Village led the adventurous day. Mr. Ben Samonte, "Wonders of Morong Bataan" President, accompanied me to hike.
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| Jerry and Lotlot with Mr. Ben Samonte |
Between cogon grass on a trail established by Aeta, we started our hike. The clouds barely covered the sun but it wasn't a problem at all because most of the time, the trail was covered by trees.
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| Jerry and his dog, Bosyo |
The first thirty minutes of the hike was sightseeing of mountains and greeneries.
While resting my attention was stuck on our guides' dog named Bosyo. His body was almost hairless due to ringworm fungus. Bosyo accompanied us on our hike despite his master's order for him to go home.
We progressed and had to cross the other side of the river. The dog started to make high pitched cries as he couldn't cross the river because of the strong current. Jerry has no choice but to carry his dog to the other side of the river. We found out the dog had bruises because he kept bumping the rocks as he tried to cross the river.
Morong River's Blue Ridge
After crossing the river, we arrived at Blue Ridge. It is a part of the Morong River where the water is shaded in blue and green. Maybe it's because of the reflection of thick greeneries along the cliff of the river. Close to the cliff were water droplets from overhanging plants. It seemed enchanted.
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| Me, looking at the Blue Ridge covered by greeneries. |
We couldn't resist taking a plunge so we found ourselves swimming and taking pictures of the area.
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| The youngest amongst the hikers - Mr. Ben Samonte. |
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| The spooky Blue Ridge at Morong River in Bataan |
Fishes were swarming like piranha in the spot where we threw bread. I'm glad we don't have piranha in our Philippine rivers and waterways.
Naghagdan Rocks
Leaving Tabyong, we reached Naghagdan Rocks. There were mini waterfalls on each side and the only way to get through is to climb the rock crevice in the middle. Here, we can swim and actually spend the rest of the day but Tanato Falls is waiting.
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| The Naghagdan Rocks |
Sir Ben accidentally slipped while tiptoeing on the rocks and bumped his lower shin. A few minutes it became swollen but he still managed to walk normally.
Bucaco Falls
For more than an hour of our hiking, we reached Bucaco Falls. It lies on the right bank of the river that flows on a boulder. There is also a small waterfall on top of the boulder with a basin where you can submerge.
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| The Bucaco Falls |
Bucaco Falls is approximately fifteen feet high with waters that flow year-round. It has no plunge pool to swim in.
Tabyong Lawit
Moving on to Tanato Falls, we passed the Kanawan Village's favorite place for camping during the Holy Week. It is a part of the river similar to the Morong River's Blue Ridge. Their camping area was on the right sandy bank. We were told by Jerry the Aeta's flock here making it their village as the most inhabitants for a day!
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| Tabyong Lawit |
Tanato Falls at Last!
After enjoying the remarkable spots of Morong River, we waded the river for fifteen minutes to Tanato Falls. Like Bucaco Falls, Tanato lies on the right bank of the river. Mt. Silangan's forest feeds these two waterfalls and probably there are more hidden waterfalls for us to discover.
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| The Tanato Falls |
Tanato Falls is more or less 40 feet high; its water basin approximately twenty-five feet in diameter with a depth of ten feet. Its water basin is circular and has icy cold water similar to Lumutan Falls in Bagac, Bataan. We enjoyed our one hour stay at Tanato Falls diving, swimming, and taking pictures.
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| Tanato Falls for my Instagram... |
Before leaving the waterfalls, Lotlot gathered Susong Pilipit in between rocks at the river. We picked up a lot of these snails.
Homeward Bound
At 1:00PM we decided to head back to Kanawan Village. We noticed the dog was missing where we left him. All of us were worried he might not find his way back, drowned, or was eaten by a monitor lizard. The dog's bleeding skin will invite prey.
For fifteen minutes we picked Pako fern at Batong Mauban. I brought some to make Pako Salad for dinner.
The hike back to the village was swift because we arrived fifteen minutes early. That includes our paco picking activity.
Sadly, the dog wasn't at the village when we arrived but the Aeta couple became positive the dog will find his way home.
If you find our Chasing Waterfalls in Bataan interesting, here's how to get there.
From Manila: Take a Victory Liner Bus bound for Zambales (Iba, Sta. Cruz, Olongapo). Alight at Olongapo City Victory Terminal. Take a yellow top jeep bound for Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Stop at SM Downtown and cross the SBMA Main Gate Bridge. After crossing the bridge, take a jeepney or mini-bus bound for Morong beside Mini-Stop Convenience Store. Tell the driver to drop you at Hilltop Petron.
From Hilltop Petron, take a tricycle to Kanawan Bridge. From Kanawan Bridge, you have to hike for thirty minutes to reach the Kanawan Village.
Before You Go
First, secure a guide. Contact the "Wonders of Morong Bataan" on their Facebook Page or Mr. Ben Samonte at 0916-662-1914.
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