PIDUAN FALLS:
DON VICTORIANO, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL
By: Edsel E. Jeon
Table of Contents (Click with feelings to open.)
INTRODUCTION
The heat index in Dipolog City was firmly in the Danger Zone, the kind of heat that made you seriously consider whether teleportation was a viable mode of transportation.
Fortunately, there was no need to figure out how to teleport yourself to a cooler place. A refreshing escape was just around the corner.
Mansawan, Don Victoriano is only about 50 KM from Dipolog City, tucked right beside the Municipality of Mutia—the northernmost tip of Zamboanga del Norte.
And if there’s one thing Don Victoriano isn’t short of, it’s natural wonders. The municipality is home to Lake Duminagat, Mt. Malindang, and the beautiful Curtain Falls, locally known as Piduan Falls.
So while Dipolog was busy turning people into human barbecue, Don Victoriano was quietly offering cool mountain air, rushing water, and a much better reason to leave the house.
GETTING THERE
The park entrance is just around 7.5 KM from Mansawan Gym, where you’ll need to take a shuttle to reach the waterfalls. The waterfall area is about 3 KM from the entrance, so the shuttle ride saves you a good bit of walking.
The park is open from 8 AM to 5 PM. For the best experience, visit on a weekday, when there are usually few visitors—sometimes, it feels like you rented the whole place for yourself.
If you’re coming from Dipolog City, a private vehicle is the most convenient option. Public transportation only goes as far as the Mutia Town Market, which is still about 20 KM from Mansawan.
If you don’t have a private vehicle, or you’re visiting from outside Dipolog, it’s best to arrange private transportation to and from Piduan Falls in advance. Public transport—and especially habal-habal—is limited in Mansawan, so relying on one to magically appear when you need it may not be the best strategy.
Most importantly, DRIVE SAFELY! The road going there is concreted, but don’t let that fool you—it has long, steep downhill sections that require extra concentration and effort, especially on the way to the park from Mansawan Gym. Take it slow, stay alert, and let the scenery be the only thing that takes your breath away.
Yes, transportation can get a little pricey and difficult. But considering the scenery, the cool water, and the chance to escape Dipolog’s heat, I’d say it’s money well spent.
There is also a deep section reserved for those who want to go swimming.
The stream is actually quite long, stretching all the way to the river near the road, just before the park entrance.
FEES
Entrance: P100
Inclusions:
Use of shuttle ( round trip )Use of the swimming pool
The heat index in Dipolog City was firmly in the Danger Zone, the kind of heat that made you seriously consider whether teleportation was a viable mode of transportation.
Fortunately, there was no need to figure out how to teleport yourself to a cooler place. A refreshing escape was just around the corner.
Mansawan, Don Victoriano is only about 50 KM from Dipolog City, tucked right beside the Municipality of Mutia—the northernmost tip of Zamboanga del Norte.
And if there’s one thing Don Victoriano isn’t short of, it’s natural wonders. The municipality is home to Lake Duminagat, Mt. Malindang, and the beautiful Curtain Falls, locally known as Piduan Falls.
So while Dipolog was busy turning people into human barbecue, Don Victoriano was quietly offering cool mountain air, rushing water, and a much better reason to leave the house.
The park entrance is just around 7.5 KM from Mansawan Gym, where you’ll need to take a shuttle to reach the waterfalls. The waterfall area is about 3 KM from the entrance, so the shuttle ride saves you a good bit of walking.
The park is open from 8 AM to 5 PM. For the best experience, visit on a weekday, when there are usually few visitors—sometimes, it feels like you rented the whole place for yourself.
If you’re coming from Dipolog City, a private vehicle is the most convenient option. Public transportation only goes as far as the Mutia Town Market, which is still about 20 KM from Mansawan.
If you don’t have a private vehicle, or you’re visiting from outside Dipolog, it’s best to arrange private transportation to and from Piduan Falls in advance. Public transport—and especially habal-habal—is limited in Mansawan, so relying on one to magically appear when you need it may not be the best strategy.
Most importantly, DRIVE SAFELY! The road going there is concreted, but don’t let that fool you—it has long, steep downhill sections that require extra concentration and effort, especially on the way to the park from Mansawan Gym. Take it slow, stay alert, and let the scenery be the only thing that takes your breath away.
Yes, transportation can get a little pricey and difficult. But considering the scenery, the cool water, and the chance to escape Dipolog’s heat, I’d say it’s money well spent.
