DON'T LET OTHERS SEE FIRST THIS FASCINATING WATER FALLS; BE THE FIRST!

Location: Barangay Tinaplacan, Calbayog City, Samar, Philippines

The majestic Tarangban Waterfalls

I was in great awe when the whole of majestic Tarangban Falls unfolded to my highly fascinated eyes. It was like big dream that after looking in some blogs, the real beauty of the falls was already right in front of me. It was considering that this is just 21.2 kilometers from my birthplace of Barangay Malajog, Tinambacan District, Calbayog City. My group was suppose to visit this spot as part of our May 1-8, 2015 Samar-Leyte-Biliran-Cebu Trip but our guide was not able to locate this place. It was a great disappointment to me then. And on this day of December 29, 2015, Tarangban Falls was made a reality to me.

A few meters approaching Tarangban Falls

In my previous post of Bangon Falls, I narrated that we skipped Bangon and just proceed with a 21-minute trek trailing a forested area with a gradual assault. I personally did not find it difficult since the trail was friendly. Out of this 21 minutes trek, the first 11 minutes was under the shade of trees but then after that we eventually went down to the river and trek along big boulders of rocks. It was sunny then and balancing over the rocks was just easy.

Tarangban on its entire splendor

Going to this spot needs a 10-minute habal-habal ride (single motorcycle) which costs P300 for a minimum of two passengers and the guide costs P200. But there can be one guide for a maximum of six people. I was alone then with my driver and guide. A guide is required for all visitors.

Tarangban on its entire splendor

For some other information, you may read the Bangon Falls post as they share the same information.

Enjoying the cool cascading falls

One has to be cautious of the slippery rocks around. By the time, I visited this spot, the cascading water falls was not that much. But it is just good enough so that I can move freely. The water holes are not that deep.

Sideview of the water falls from an elevation of 25 meters

Climbing up for an elevation of 25 meters on the other side will give you a rewarding scenery which looks differently when taken on its front side.

Wanting to stay long after enjoying a bath

If you are in Calbayog, you can also visit the following:

Capul Island, San Antonio Island, Dalutan Island, Sambawan Island, The Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Shrine, Ciriaco Hotel, Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, Other Calbayog tours, San Juanico Bridge, MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park, Limasawa Island, Bangon Water Falls, Tabokno Waterfalls, Dakdak Beach Resort, San Rafael Farm (Babatngon, Leyte), Kalanggaman Island, Biri Rock Formations and Pink Beach of San Vicente Island

As to the budget, it can be broken down as follows:

SN	Particulars	Amount
1.	Round trip bus fare from Pasay City to Calbayog City (P1,200 one-way)	2,400
2.	Round trip public utility transport from Calbayog to Barangay Tinaplacan (P40 one-way)	80
3.	Guide fee for a maximum of 6 pax	200
4.	Share in double passenger habal-habal ride	300
5.	Affordable and decent accommodation in Calbayog City in 3 Gems Pensione overnight (good for two) with an address in JPR Subdivision, Barangay Obrero with landline at (055) 2094055	550
6.	Average costs of meal in Calbayog (Jollibee, Chowking and other fastfood) for three meals for an average of P100 per meal	300
7.	Average cost of meals during bus stops at least two not to include the bottled water of P30 for 500ML	300
8.	Matnog terminal fee	30
9.	Northern Samar Port terminal fee (Either Allen or San Isidro)	25
10.	Comfort room usage fee during bus stops for P5 (3 stops)	15
	TOTAL	P4,200

There are a number of hotels in Calbayog City ranging from the luxury hotel of Ciriaco to budget accommodation but for a backpack traveler like me, I prefer 3 Gems Pensione House.

CONTACT PERSON

Dia Torrijas 09175662564

HOW TO GO THERE

You might find this link useful if you opt to travel by bus to Calbayog City

Please note that when you travel by bus, you have to pass through the Pan-Philippine Highway along Bicol Peninsula heading for Matnog Port of Sorsogon province, the tip of Luzon Island. Then, a ferry boat of 1 hour and 30 minutes will take you either to San Isidro or Allen ports, both part of Northern Samar and the bus drive will take you for another 1 hour and 30 minutes heading to Calbayog City. If there are no delays most particular in the ferry boat travel, it will only take 17 hours from Manila to Calbayog City but be prepared for additional money for your meals during bus stops for meals averages to P150 not to include the drinking water. The cost of the ferry fare is already included in the bus fare. However, the terminal fee in Matnog and Northern Samar is shouldered by the passenger.

Or you may also opt to travel by plane where Calbayog has its airport and this link maybe of great help to you.

OTHER CONCERNS:

To avoid costly food during bus stops, take with you food and drinking water. In addition, it is also very cold in the bus as you are boarding an airconditioned one. Thus, take with you a thick jacket.

It is also advisable to take with you additional cash for the crossing in Matnog to Northern Samar sometimes get delays and so you need to spend additional cost for your meals.

It is also cheaper to travel in group as expenses can be shared. Chartered vans are available in Calbayog City and you can even maximize your travel itinerary on a Samar-Leyte-Biliran trips where I tried it in a group of 10 for 8 days and we only spent approximately P14,000 which we opted to take a bus travel from Manila to Calbayog City and going back to Manila we took our route via Cebu City by plane coming from Maasin City of Southern Leyte.

Do not worry, if you spend this amount. There are a lot of places where you can visit in Calbayog but that will entail additional cost. Good luck and enjoy.