Serving as an integral port town, linking the eastern island groups of the province of Quezon, this strategic municipality hides its tourism potential under its verdant hem, awaiting you to unveil and experience the vast yet ultra-picturesque sheer rocky cliffs towering over and against the Lamon Bay and the mighty Pacific.
Hailing from the sandy beaches of Cagbalete, we roared our white tourist pump boat over the surprisingly gentle and calm Lamon Bay and Pacific waters, smooching the dark rocky coastline and that gentle ocean breeze that maintains a cosy temperature around us and against the brunt of the mid-day sun above us. It was a smooth sail as we passed interesting nooks and corners that define the grand landscape and seascape of East Mauban, the towering undulating natural skyline that jutes out high and mighty as if piercing the clear blue sky shrouded with thick forest zones and occasional mists. Shades of brown sandy beaches alternatively unveil as every rocky cranny passed our moving views. It is indeed a unique sightseeing cruise potential as the mountainous skyline proves a daunting yet gentle mesmerizing sight.
Piapi Cave of Sitio Piapi in Cagsiay III unveils itself as a characteristic ultra-solid undulating rock formation carved by millennia worth of sheer wave strength and uncalled typhoon winds. Added interesting features are the layered details that defined its ancient history and formation. Moving further northwards would be a mammoth natural rock wall veiled by the thick flora but an identifiable thin wispy cascade of about 200 feet sheer height defines the tallest waterfall in Mauban – the Bulalacaw Falls.
Since of time constraints, we marvelled at its grandeur while afloat on our tourist boat and momentarily gazed at its prima ballerina performance of a smooth and thundering main cascade of apparently cold mountain spring water. Naturally facing the Pacific coastline, this spot is worth trekking.
The Bisibis Falls located at the same portion of Piapi Caves would make its seemingly grand entrance as you inch parallelly northward of the shore and a moderately wide cascade glistening against the earth-tone rocks would unveil. It was a brief encounter with its majestic cascade and we need to move forward.
Moving to our next destination, its nomenclature is derived from the local term akin to the sound of waves literally slapping the rocky walls – Uugak Falls majestically thunders down from its moderate height source. It is located on a wide mountain crevice that features moderate multi-cascade natural waterfalls intertwined with the thick existing natural flora. It is one of the spots I loved to photograph. The colossal vertical amphitheatre made of rocks that generally concaves a small patch of mountain slope would be one of your epic natural backdrop during cruise tour here in Mauban.
The Sitio Dakil portion holds one of the greatest legends you can listen to. It is believed from the sheer tall rock wall which they call “Tinalunan” – that directly translates to “where they jumped from” – where a mythical lover, a tribesman and a Tagalog maiden jumped to their death to escape their families’ wrath against their relationship. After the fall, two identical rock formations are believed to magically and mystically appear on the sea symbolizing the two fallen lovers. This is the Magasawang Bato Rock Formation. During extreme low tides, a natural land bridge would be exposed to waters at about knee height average, thus, visiting this would not require a boat. Be mindful though of the returning tides for about half an hour in advance as leeway for walking back to the mainland.
The Natasak Falls would be your next destination en route to this circuit. Docking on a pebble beach of a certain gargantuan scale, and trodding on proves a challenge. Waves after wave and crumbling of pebble stacks of about 15-30 degrees incline could throw you outbalance, so extreme care is warranted in every shifting of your body weight. It is around a 10-15 minute walk along the road, in which, we made a stopover on an existing local Dumagat community. Before visiting the falls, we have our sumptuous Lunch-by-Sea setup by the tourism office. Dined over banana leaves with salted egg, large shrimp, slices of tomato, snails with coconut milk, their version of Laing and garlicky fried eggplant. It was the natural ambience that made this meal a blast! The Natasak Falls is located within a private property where you can encounter their security guard and could ask your reason of visit. The Natasak Falls is about a hundred feet of thin cascade falling gracefully from a vertical forest. We are unable to get to its catchbasin since the main cascade is located on the other side of the river below us. It was another brief encounter with a great destination.
The mountainous portion of Mauban that ends in Lamon Bay creates a perfect concoction of elements that would produce endless possibilities of tourism potential. Hundreds of waterfalls, trekking sites, natural formations and viewpoints are waiting for adventurous souls to discover its realm. Truly, nature never ceases to surprise us, greater discoveries as we venture deeper into its core.
HISTORY WALK
The Ancestral House of the Dela Costa
Famed by Mauban’s pride, one of the greatest historians in our land, Horacio De La Costa – their ancestral house features a facade of Spanish Architectural Influence and a hall with artworks, books and artefacts that defined his commendable contributions. Prior to ingress, we collected ourselves on their open-air veranda, and in small groups entered the historic halls of their house.
The house also has a front yard with towering trees and curated ornamental plants.
Gat-Uban Park
A seafront park was built in honour of the Mauban’s hero – Gat Uban. Known also as Gat Pagil, he belonged to the Dumagat tribe and was believed to be the leader that protected the locals from the merciless attacks of the Moros.
Saint Bonaventure Parish Church
The original church building was rebuilt during the 1880s after a strong earthquake rocked its foundations and crumbled down to sheer ruins. It was the year 1647 when the first church and convent is erected. After demolition, rebuilt during the year of 1773, but another earthquake recorded in the year 1830 tore down again the building and rebuilt again between 1836 and 1945. This narrative explains the resilience of the Catholics in rebuilding their shrine of faith.
My heartfelt thanks to Tourism Promotions Board, through Sir Gadia, and to Mauban Tourism, through Ms. Annie Calleja, for this epic experience of Mauban!
