Footprints and First Words (IP Engagement & Exploration) - Agila Falls

After our first climb on Mt. Cuyapo, the community mentioned a secret: there were three cascading waterfalls hidden within the area. That was all it took. I immediately started engaging with Rames and Jeremy to kickstart our wider explorations of the land.

Part 1: Mt. Cuyapo

Part 2: Agila Falls

Part 3: Tabing Bisay and Ariada Falls

The Road to Sitio Ariada

Agila Falls Jump Off

We started our next adventure targeting Agila Falls in September of 2025. Rames, Kervy, Wendell, and I began at the end of the road in Alangan, heading towards Sitio Ariada Aeta Community. At the center of the Aeta community, you are greeted by the ridges and peaks of Mt. Mariveles caldera, practically inviting you to explore its beauty! Syempre kasama sa ating projects yan! Along the trail, you encounter various routes branching off to the different farmlands of the community.

Mt. Mariveles, Peaks and Ridges as seen at Sitio Ariada

Community trails going to farmlands

Relics and River Treks

Just as you enter the forest and before crossing a river, you stumble upon a piece of history: an almost century-old arch for "Bagon" or railway train cars. It is now covered in moss and slowly being consumed by the forest vegetation. Ang kwento ng mga matatandang katutubo, ginamit ito noon sa pag transit ng mga kahoy ng mga Amerikano.

Arch for "Bagon" or railway train cars used by Americans

Arch for "Bagon" or railway train cars

Past the arch, the trail to Agila Falls is mostly river trekking, so expect your feet to get wet and prepare for boulder scrambling!

River trekking going to Agila Falls

Boulders and River trekking

The Majesty of Agila Falls

As you approach Agila Falls, about a hundred meters before arriving, you catch a glimpse of the wall of water flowing through the trees. A beautiful scene reveals itself: a cascade of water beside a wall full of vegetation with a curtain of water flowing across it! Napakaganda nito makita sa personal; unfortunately, my camera couldn't capture its true beauty.

A beauty has shown itself while we approach our destination

A cascade of water before Agila Falls

Agila Falls is a towering 80-meter drop with large boulders at its basin. Kwento ng mga katutubo, noon daw meron figure nang agila sa pader na mukang agila kaya ito tinawag an agila falls. Dahil sa mga nagmimina binomba ito, nahulog ang malalaking boulders sa basin ng falls at nawala ang figure ng agila.

At the crest or at the top of the waterfall, you'll see huge "gabi" na kasing laki ng tao!

View of Agila Falls a few meters away from its basin

Agila Falls, Limay Bataan

Agila Falls, Limay Bataan

On the trek back to the jump-off, Rames and I made plans for succeeding exploration climbs. He also mentioned a beautiful tradition: the Magbukun Aeta Tribe in Limay visits this waterfall every Mahal na Araw. It is a week-long occasion sa paggunita sa paghihirap, pagkamatay, at muling pagkabuhay ni Hesukristo. They stay there, cook meals, celebrate the occasion, and then go home.

Rames and I discussing future explorations

Istura nang mga na budol kasi akala nila established ang trail pauwi

A few hundred meters before end of trek going to jump off

End of Trek Reward!