Chasing waterfalls in Karamagan, Sinoron

In my previous article about Sinoron last year I mentioned that aside from being a huge carpet of green canopy this barangay is also a chain of active creeks conniving to form the mighty Pilan River which now serves as the wellspring of south Sta. Cruz. From my humble observation when properly tap and sustainably utilize Sinoron can really supply potable water to this town composed of more than one hundred thousand people. From this fact it is well and fitting to shove my idea of christening Sinoron the Water World of Sta. Cruz, or Davao del Sur for that matter.

With COVID-19 still hemming in and continuously wreaks havoc in the country, I beat the opportunity to explore other places in Sta. Cruz. Along with my LOGSAC friends the latest site we explored and documented was sitio Karamagan in barangay Sinoron. It was undertaken in response to the request of the tribal group who is out to consider ecotourism in their place soon. Karamagan is just 5 kilometers from Barangay Hall. The first 3 kilometers is a dirt road all the way to the hanging bridge in sitio Pilan. From here we started the single-track hike to our first target destination Dumagok Falls.

After an hour and a half of uphill trailblazing, we witnessed the spectacle of Dumagok Falls. According to our guides Kagawad Banglos, IP mandatory representative Wilmar and Nong Pe Maloon, we were the very first “outsiders” who stepped into the waterfalls. To make it legitimate I asked their consent to consider that climb the first recorded ascent to Dumagok Falls, a flattering feat once again for LOGSAC. This 3-tiered waterfalls is nestled southwest of Sta. Cruz and edges sitio Mahayag in Digos City. The highest tier is around 30 feet with a moderate drop through a cold and chilling natural basin of more or less 15-foot diameter. Similar with other unspoiled attractions in Sta. Cruz, Dumagok Falls is also filtered with endemic trees and bushes and backgrounded with intimate sounds of birds.

We had to leave Dumagok after a short stay to proceed to its twin sister Kalasisi Waterfalls which is situated less than a kilometer. But prior to that we instantly visited Tacob Cave, an open rock formation above Dumagok Falls. This cave is a good consolation for us. The creek inside near the little opening is a reception that welcomed us through the cathedral-like chamber. The open façade of the cave serves as window to the green scenery in Karamagan and an affirmation that Tacob Cave is a hostile mediator of Dumagok and Kalasisi Waterfalls. 

With a height of around 40 feet, Kalasisi falls is taller than Dumagok but the vertical flow is a bit slender. The pool is also smaller and shallow but we stayed here longer for snacks, bathing and pictorials. And that being done I was able to refresh my body and soul by acquiring dose of fresh air as aid to my nasal sacrifice which they said part of the new normal in my workplace.

Our trekking accounted for 15 kilometers in a moderate to slightly rolling trail. Of course, birding always has a place in activities like this for me. I already considered Sinoron a personal birding hotspot starting from sitio Pilan to as far and denser forest of Saroso and Vega. That hike in Karamagan had me recording 43 species of resident and endemic highland birds to include good sightings of Philippine Serpent Eagle, Mindanao Hornbill, Sulphur-billed Nuthatch, Brown-throated Sunbird, Philippine Hanging Parrot, Yellow-wattled Bulbul, Brown Tit Babbler and Purple-throated Sunbird. I have a feeling that Sinoron will finally give me a glimpse of the Philippine Eagle within the year.

Our last stop was in Pilan River for a final cooling down to rejuvenate our muscles after that challenging trek.

As a Tourism Officer who do outdoor trips regularly I thought I have known 99 percent of my hometown. But with this latest discovery I realized there are a lot more out there which remain unexplored. It is good to have them documented to help authorities craft measures for conservation and protection because these are natural heritage which deserve to be in infinite existence.