It would be an understatement to say that Lanao del Norte is blessed by nature. No, it is much more than that — it is an amazing showcase not just of how beautiful nature can be, but also of how one does not have to travel far from civilization to get close to it. I, myself, had made it a point to explore it in more detail and to set aside time for more adventures. And one of the things definitely on my itinerary is the famous Maria Cristina Falls, perhaps one of the most famous waterfalls not just in Mindanao but also in the country.
I had visited Maria Cristina Falls way back when I was in high school, during one of our field trips. It was an interesting experience to have seen the falls at such a young age, but to see the waterfalls a second time at this age is still different. I can appreciate a lot of things from a deeper perspective, and my enjoyment is also much greater. I’m not only looking at how beautiful or majestic the falls is, but also at how vital it is as a part of the overall ecosystem. It’s no longer a live image of the pictures I’ve seen in civics books and postcards — it’s now a jewel of nature, resplendent all on its own.
The Beauty of Maria Cristina Falls
Maria Cristina is a twin falls, stemming from the Agus River. The partition is caused by a rock that protrudes from the top of the waterfall, splitting the pristine torrent into two. It is almost a hundred meters in height and is strong enough to provide 200 megawatts of power through hydroelectricity.
Despite being famous, the falls is still clean and very beautiful. You won’t find many tourist traps in and around the area, since it is protected as a part of Lanao’s power network. This has the advantage of maintaining the grandeur of the falls and the surrounding forest, which is also quite the sight!
The falls itself has a viewing area that is just perfect for seeing the cascade of Maria Cristina. As of our visit and the time of this writing, however, the viewing deck is not yet open to the public. The alternative is a little further off, and while it still showcases the falls’ beauty you won’t be able to see the whole veil of the waterfalls all at once. If you would visit when the platform is open, though, it would be awesome since it’s almost right beside the falls! There also appears to be a restaurant or a canteen, which was also closed when we visited.
Visiting the Falls
Maria Cristina Falls is within Nature’s Park found within the Agus 6 and 7 Hydro Electric Plant Complex. Unfortunately, as of the time of this writing, it can take a little effort to see the falls itself. Nature’s Park has been closed since the outbreak of the Marawi siege and remains closed today even if the situation has returned to normal. This is largely for security purposes. This was the situation when I and my son visited the place.
The good thing is, it is possible to talk to the guards at the entrance gate and ask them to let you see the falls itself. They are very friendly, and they realize that many people still journey here to see this natural wonder. Some visitors, in fact, still travel from far-off places! Travel to Iligan from other parts of the country isn’t always a breeze, but some people make it anyway just for the falls. Lanao del Norte isn’t one to disappoint, and the guards aren’t, either. So while the park isn’t officially open, it is still possible to enjoy its sights.
From the entrance gate of Nature’s Park, it’s a five-minute drive to Maria Cristina itself. And trust me, this drive itself is amazing! You will be wheeling through a beautiful forest of huge trees and vibrant greens. Make sure to keep the headlights on, since in many places the canopy is so thick that sunlight cannot easily penetrate. And prepare for the grand reveal when the falls finally makes an appearance!
I know I still have a lot to go-to when it comes to exploring Lanao del Norte, even though it is my hometown. But I’ll be going at them one at a time, step by step, all in the days to come! Whether it’s a natural wonder or a man-made structure, I’ll be sure to visit it. I know Lanao del Norte would not disappoint, so I would like to see all of its best-kept secrets!
So if you want a different kind of adventure, join me here in exploring Lanao del Norte’s amazing sights!
