White-water rafting: Philippines newest tourism product

It is only in the last few years that peddlers have begun exploring Philippine rivers. Not because the country lacks exciting white water runs, nor because the rivers are remote or inaccessible, but many people believed that a country with few rivers large enough to appear on a map must have low white-water potential.

But in reality, the geography creates excellent runs. Many mountains lie close to the ocean, so water courses plunge straight to the sea. In the interior of Mindanao and Luzon, some rivers build up enough volume, especially in the wet season, to offer rafting.

There are some great white water around Cagayan de Oro, with the challenges and excitement for those with various levels of experience on three of the Philippine best rivers – both of recent discoveries by white-water enthusiasts.

If you are looking for some action, the Bubunawan River, in Cagayan de Oro comes roaring out of the forested north slope of Mt. Kitanlad, cutting a deep canyon through the limestone of the Bukidnon slope plain and merging with the Cagayan River just four kilometers from the Cagayan de Oro Airport. Also, the Mambuaya and Uquiaban River.

This makes Bubunawan the most accessible white-water river in the country, as well as one of the most challenging.

The river is also very consistent, rainfall in Mindanao is more evenly distributed than in any other parts of the country, making the top level susceptible to seasoned variations in water level.

Over 50 kilometers of the Bubunawan River is accessible to river runners. The grade five upper half of the river is separated from the grade four level section by a larger waterfall, which requires a portage.

Access to the upper half, the more difficult section is by jeepney to barangay San Vicente, where you will have to hire a carabao cart to take your gear to the put-on.

The upper Bubunawan is a least narrow river and much of it runs in a narrow canyon. The riverbed is littered with huge rocks. Here, there are many rock obstacles to be negotiated (fortunately, however, most of the rocks are smooth) and the river most often challenge direction at abrupt angles of up to 90 degrees.

The waves are large and often irregular. The rapids are continuous and opportunities for any easy stop may not always be available. Because of this, and because of the waterfall, this river is best run with a guide who is familiar with the water.

Rupert Domingo is one of the active operators of white-water rafting. “Now, people are starting to enjoy the thrill and excitement of doing the white-water rafting. One only needs a stamina for this,” Domingo said.

In white-water rafting one has two choices – the Western style and Pinoy style. For western, duration is four hours (basic in Mambuaya) and seven hours (advanced in Uquiaban). Tour rates-minimum of four persons, P1,609 with lunch; P5,579 with hotel.

For Pinoy style, duration is 4 hours; minimum of 10 persons, P1,265 per person with the inclusion of roundtrip transfer, use of tubes and other safety equipment, and services of a river guide.

The Cagayan also runs out of Bukidnon plain, at a somewhat less radical pace than the Bubunawan. Access is by jeepney to Cagayan de Oro to Talakag or Burungan, Bukidnon.

The run is about 20 kilometers from the farthest entry point and can be completed in one long day or two short days. The greater part of the run is of grade 1-2, with a few sections at grade 3, possibly up to grade 4, in periods of high flow.

Explorers have targeted the Mambuaya River and Uquiaban, upper Polangui River in Bukidnon, the Tagaloan River in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental and the Mandulog River in Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte.

It seems certain that at least some still unexplored rivers will offer high-quality padding actions.

Cagayan de Oro is located along Macajalar Bay in the Central coast of Northern Mindanao. It serves as regional center for Region X. It is bounded by barangay Bugo on the east, on the west by barangay Iponan, and barangay Tumpagon on the south.

Cagayan de Oro dubbed as the “City of Friendship” has much more to offer to tourists (local and foreign) besides the white-water rafting.

The attractions include the underground Macahambus Cave and the 130-foot circular grove; three beautiful parks, namely, the Gaston Friendship, Vicente de Lara, and the Golden Friendship; the Xavier University Folk Museum which displays an array of relics of the Bukidnon and Maranao cultures; the Seminary Hill where one can find the San Jose Seminary, St. John Seminary and the Carmelite Convent; the La Castilla Museum which is the depository of household heirlooms and antiques at the Liceo University complex.

One can also see the Gardens of Malasag Ecotourism Village, which is a repository of knowledge about the multi-faceted culture of Mindanao’s indigenous tribes. It is not just a mere destination, “it is an ecology village that serves a a learning center for eco-tourism in a botanic garden setting.”

Malasag Gardens, which stands on a 5.7-hectare site, features the different dwellings and the rich heritage of ethnic groups like Higaonon, Subanon, Talaandig and Matigsalog.

The garden was inspired by the picturesque Gardens of Granada in Spain and the Boucchart Gardens of Canada.

The village also has cottages, a swimming pool and a restaurant which serves native foods. Other amenities include picnic grove, food kiosks, comfort rooms and showers. There are also observation decks, a view deck, an amphitheater, a multi-purpose hall and a learning center.

There are also significant accommodations such as Pryce Plaza, Dynasty Court Hotel Court Hotel, De Luxe Hotel, VIP Hotel, Philtown Hotel, Estrella Hotel, Hotel Conchita, Cagayan Park View Hotel, Harbor Lights Hotel, Southwinds Hotel, Hotel Ramon, Cagayan Riverview Inn, Maxandrea Hotel, Country Village Hotel, Malasag Country Village and others.

In going there, one has three choices — by plane, from Manila, Philippine Airlines (PAL) have three flights daily; Air Philippines, one flight daily; Cebu Pacific, four flights daily. From Cebu, Asian Spirit has one flight daily.

The second one is by land, Philtranco (Manila-Surigao); Rural Transit (Surigao-Cagayan de Oro); bus or van (all points in Mindanao) and the third one is by water, WG&A (Manila, Bacolod, Cebu, Jagna, Tagbilaran, Dumaguete and Iloilo); Negros Navigation (Manila, Bacolod and Iloilo); Sulpicio Lines (Manila and Cebu).