Seaside Waterfall – An Introduction

A seaside waterfall, aptly named Magkahuyog Falls, which is a favorite island vacations, island getaways and family beach vacations destinations, has unique and stunning features compared to other ponds and waterfalls prominently featured in popular waterfalls pictures of biggest waterfalls in the world as it cascades directly into a seaside beach towards the crystal clear water of the sea. It is located in the western part of Bucas Grande Island, Socorro, Surigao del Norte, Philippines.

Seaside Waterfall – Why Visit The Place

The name Magkahuyog is derived from the Surigaonon term HUYOG, which means FALL DOWN. The seaside waterfall is the favorite picnic area among the residents of the communities in the western part of Bucas Grande Island, notably, Barangays Pamosaingan, Nueva Estrella and Honrado. Being a resident of the Socorro town center on the eastern side of the island, I seldom managed to visit the place. It was only during the time that we had a seminar at Barangay Pamosaingan with guests coming from the Caraga Regional Office in Butuan City that I decided to treat them to a sightseeing trip to the area.

On board a motorized banca, we traveled for 15 minutes from the Pamosaingan wharf amidst the calm and placid waters. As we approached the seaside waterfall, my eyes was greeted with this stunning view of  the water that flows down at a low angle of descent in small steps or stages over rocks . . .

The cascade-type Magkahuyog Falls viewed from a distance.

As the boat we were riding was about to dock at the  beach, the seaside waterfall had become more spectacular in my eyes. . .

Full view of the Magkahuyog Falls from the sea.

Our pump boat operator failed to contain his urge to have a dip in the cool waters of the plunge pool of Magkahuyog Falls . . .

Enjoying the dip on the sparkling azure waters of the plunge pool.

I took shots of another portion of the plunge pool . . .

The other end of the Magkahuyog Falls plunge pool.

Including its spillway that flows towards the beach and into the sea. . .

The spillway of the Magkahuyog Falls plunge pool.

Decapod crustaceans called Hermit Crabs, locally termed OMANG collected by fishermen in the area to be utilized as hook and line bait, abound in Magkahuyog Falls. . .

An array of empty gastropod shells used in concealing the asymetrical abdomen of the hermit crab being carried around by the ceature with the Magkahuyog Falls on the background.

Seaside Waterfall – Final Thoughts

Generally speaking, a waterfall is closely associated with dense rain forests deeply buried inland. Most often than not, you can reach a waterfall by slogging your way into rugged terrains as seldom you can find one which is accessible by any form of transportation. Nevertheless, in Bucas Grande Island, right on the comfort of a banca, you can savor the spectacle of a flowing water rapidly dropping in elevation as it flows over a steep rocky region into the sea. The size and height of Magkahuyog Falls is not that spectacular compared to the other famous waterfalls that I had visited. But, tourists kept coming to the island to feel for themselves the thrill of seeing an amazing seaside waterfall in action.

Mangrove forest, known as ‘rainforest’ by the sea’ is one of the most, if not the primary, important coastal ecosystems in the world in terms of primary production and coastal protection.

It is abundant in Southeast Asia which includes the Philippines that has let many to believe that the region is the birth place of mangroves.

Mangrove trees contribute to the prevention of shore erosion. They provide food, through their foliage, which enable the mangrove ecosystem to become a breeding ground to a variety of bivalves, shrimps and fishes. Moreover, they provide nesting sites for many shore birds and serve as home for proboscis and crab-eating monkeys, sea turtles, fishing cats, lizards, bats, and many more animals. Also, it is a favorite haven for horn bills and other bird species.

Generally speaking, there is a rapid decline of mangrove forest areas due to wanton destruction by human population, a sad plight indeed considering the rapid increase of population, hence, an increase in the demand of fish as food for human survival. However, there is a light of hope beaming from the tiny island of Bucas Grande in Surigao del Norte, Philippines because there exist nowadays a treasure- the primary growth mangrove forest  found in Sitio Sabang, Barangay San Roque in the town of Socorro.

I was being told before on the existence of such primary growth mangrove trees which abound in the place but I was not fortunate enough to see it for myself. Hence, on February 14, 2010, I decided to spend my Valentine’s Day to explore the area and uncover for myself the hidden treasure. Here’s what I found . . .

We passed by a group of houses along the shorelines of Sitio Sabang, Barangay San Roque. . . I felt so sorry for the community. . .

Our boat traveled through this wide passage way . . .

and entered into this narrow water way . . .

And I was awe-struck with the sight of  mangrove trees of substantial size and height . . . the first time I ever saw it in my life . . .

As we went out of the mangrove forest area I asked the pump boat operator the primordial reason  behind the intact state of the primary growth mangrove trees to which he replied: It’s because of the concerted efforts of the community in protecting the place. In fact, no single Sitio Sabang folk would dare cut a mangrove tree even during the time of severe fire wood shortage. Further, there were many instances that community residents themselves had driven firewood gatherer intruders away.

While I was still figuring out the courage and determination of the residents to protect the area, I chanced upon in the lush vegetation to my left . . . a pair of Horn Bill bird lovers celebrating Valentines Day on a tree top . . .

After  exchanging pleasantries, they parted ways . . . .

What a scoop indeed… one of the horn bills flew along the same direction as ours . . . . Flapping her wings wide . . . .

And as if playing with me as she hovered over my head . . .

As we passed by this community again on our way towards another destination . . .

I no longer felt sorry for the people living in these huts and shanties. In fact a feeling of admiration had engulfed in me by that time .  Canidly, I was so grateful that in my trip I found the real hidden treasure in Bucas Grande Island… the people of Sitio Sabang. Less educated in the formal class room they might be but they are the most aware and educated persons in the entire island town on the importance of mangrove forest  and the relationship of  mangrove ecosystem towards human survival.