THE
BUSAY LUT-OD WATERFALLS of Sapangdaku, Cebu City is not a tourism
destination compared to the more spectacular and popular ones like
the Kawasan in Badian, the Tumalog in Oslob, the Mantayupan in
Barili, the Aguinid in Samboan and a host of others which dot the
island of Cebu. But I am happy about its anonymity. It meant that
it will not host people.
Locals
have told me long ago that the Sapangdaku Creek pass through five
succeeding drops – like a giant staircase – hence, the name
“busay lut-od”. In all my visits there, I have come to
know, and seen, of only three. Maybe because of a single path to one
which lets me see the two other waterfalls, all at the same time. If
I have time, I might visit the rest of the Busay Lut-od.
I
have guided many people here in the past years, to include fourteen
Danish girls, but I am now a bit choosy. Sometimes I refer it to
other people like the time a celebrated Old Manila tourist guide,
Carlos Celdran, visited and bathed here in 2014. Sometimes I just
leave requests unanswered when I find myself busy with other projects
or that would-be clients are a bit stiff for my comfort.
I
do not personally guide people there anymore if you are just after
scenic landscapes, for leisure’s sake or in the aid of your
physical exercise. I would, if you could tickle my interest like
what would I gain if I do so? I am more of a wilderness guide and
less of a mountain guide and that might cost you more. But, do not
worry, I have associates to fill your wanderlust.
I
have brought people there again just this year. The outdoors is now
my full-time occupation. Last March, students from the Cebu Normal
University conducted an interview of me in the pursuit of their
studies. In July, I accommodated Australian guests to a city
wilderness tour which brought them here to the Busay Lut-od. Today –
August 13, 2016 – three students from the University of San
Jose-Recoletos will have their chance.
I
am almost always very welcoming to students doing field study, not
necessarily in the wilderness, in the pursuit of complying their
school requirements. I am a parent myself and I know the stress one
gets when their kids do not make the grade through difficult
circumstances. I am very accommodating here and I gave them guidance
and hints on anything they need to know.
It
is a warm morning, almost perfect, with wisps of clouds floating by.
We all meet at the parking lot of the Our Lady of Guadalupe and, at
first, there were four: two males and two females. They are BS
Tourism students and they will make a feasibility study of the Busay
Lut-od Waterfalls. I gave them the idea of the terrain, climate,
prominent landmarks and other things of what to expect along the
trail.
Most
of the time some students do not understand how the outdoors looked
like or how they would fit themselves in there. The choice of
clothes and footwear are disappointing. They, almost always, dress
for the malls. Well, I could not help it except manage my pace to a
creeping one with lots of rests. I hope the Guy Upstairs would turn
back the temperature by a few degrees.
To
distract the tightness and difficulties of what they wore, I talk
about the plants growing along the trail and beside the stream. I
point to them a durian tree with several fruits hanging at its high
branches. The same with a marang tree. Only one from the four could
discern the rarity of durians in Cebu. At another time, a farm of
roses and daisies. Then broccoli-like canopies of mango trees in the
distant hills.
The
long rests under the shade of trees begets me smiles and their
gratitude. If they could only talk about their feelings.
Nevertheless, I would know what they are feeling right now. That
their tight shoes and tight jeans beget blisters anytime today. It
is a given. The outdoors is not something to take for granted. They
should do their homework.
We
reach the river crossing where there is a natural spring. I insist
that they rest long here as the path will be slightly steep once we
proceed to the waterfalls area. As they talk among themselves, I
refilled my Nalgene bottle. Their leader, Peter Lubas, is much more
prepared than the rest and he is carrying a heavy camera with heavy
accessories.
He
says, he chanced upon my name when he read the blog, Adrenaline
Romance. Besides that, the owner of the blog, Gian Carlo Jubela, who
is a friend of mine, recommended me for this sort of project. He
emailed me but I suggested to him to search me in Facebook instead,
which he did. I gave him my discounted professional fee which he
accepted to fulfill once they have sufficient material to document.
That
material for documentation is still a long way but their efforts
would not go to waste. On the moderately steep trail, they walk with
so much labor. I assure them that it is just 30 minutes to condition
their mind so they could time their attempts. On the last rise, we
arrive at another path going down to the waterfalls. It is steep
with loose surface the last time around.
I
go down first and then Peter and the two girls. I believe the other
guy is covering the tailend of our downhill hike. I took a headcount
once I reached the first waterfall. Three. The last would still be
up there, I guess. I would give him two minutes. It was that moment
after I gave a briefing to the three that I noticed the other one had
not arrived yet.
I
left the three and made my way up and see no one there. He might
have turned back. The tight jeans and tight shoes might have to do
with that. Painful lessons. I go back to the three and informed
them of their missing companion. They smiled but they already know
the reason why. I gave them space. I climb the side of the
waterfall and I am now on another level. Another waterfall,
The
two girls took a bath while Peter climbed up to photograph this
second waterfall. For an hour, they take their fill of this hidden
wonder, just a few kilometers from Capitol and not much walking and
fare expenses. It is just at the backyard of Cebu City. Quite
accessible but, let the rest know about it, and it would be heaped
with garbage, just like all those popular waterfalls I just named.
The
activity ended before noon and we were already at Guadalupe. I
earned my guiding fee and it is a hard way to earn one when you know
that what was sideline then becomes now your bread and butter. It is
not everyday I get chances like this. It is a hard reality. Despite
that, I choose to be choosy.
Why?
Because I refuse to earn without conscience. I am against
commercialism and popular tourism. I am one of the last gatekeepers
of our Mother Earth.
Document
done in LibreOffice 5.2 Writer
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