DARANAK FALLS, Tanay: Spill Your Heart Out Before the Falls Trickles Out

On many occasions, the concept of ecotourism is widely misunderstood and is often used as a marketing instrument in order to promote tourism business related to nature.  Ecotourism means not only nature but indigenous cultures.  It is about fostering respect for nature and for cultures too.  True ecotourism represents travel to natural areas that conserves the natural environment and improves the well-being of the local people. 

I often view foreigners as good indicators of ecotourism.  Unlike local tourists who often demand satisfaction beyond what they have paid for - a measly amount for the fee and they start acting like they own the place because they thought that they had paid for the right to inflict impact on the environment, many foreigners are conscious of the impacts they create.  And when foreigners still visit a tourist spot in the Philippines, it's a good sign that the place still promises hope  despite the pressures of human exploitation.

I once read a blog about an Igorot local in Sagada where they despise local tourists because of how they behave in Sagada as if they own the place.  Filipinos park their vehicles in no parking zones without any regard for everyone who will be inconvenienced by their bullyish actions. They demand complete toiletries, towel and other hotel items for an overnight stay of 300 pesos - in a simple inn.  They shout at the top of their voices pretending to be the lead character of a popular local soap on tv without considering the annoying noises they impart on the neighborhood. It's just sad to think any local tourists visiting Sagada for the first time will be received with such hostility by the Igorot locals.  Foreign tourists are liked by the Igorots because they respect their way of life and easily assimilate with these indigenous people with the least environmental impacts. 

Going back to this place, Daranak Falls was named after the appearance of blood spilling over the sides of the cliff.  Hence, the "spilling blood" effect or in local language "danak ng dugo" which eventually evolved into the name "Daranak".  "Dara" in the indigenous Dumagat dialect means "water".  Therefore the name of the falls is a composite word that combines water and spill, thus the name "Daranak Falls".

Another unique feature of the falls is the innately green pool where the water cascades into.  It reflects the algae underneath but doesn't indicate eutrophication of its waters.  You jump in and you will find the water clear of any signs of organic pollution.  It was nice to see even the baby of the foreign tourist enjoying its clean cool waters.  The foreigners are actually missionaries on a brief break from their evangelical duties.  

Daranak Falls is actually the final descent of a two-tiered falls along the Daranak River.  The bridge over here leads to the path towards the upper tier which is Batlag Falls.  The falls is located within a private property where you have to pay another fee to visit the place.  Many movies had been shot on location in Batlag Falls, a popular one is the serial movies of "Ok Ka Fairy Ko" and "Enteng Kabisote".  We'll have the Batlag story in another blog.

Another attraction of the place is this Dao Tree which is a century old tree which has been spared from logging probably because of its advantageous location of being out in the open.  While those in the interior of the forest are the ones helplessly cut by insensitive people whose only concern is to profit in exchange for monetary gains.

Daranak Falls is best visited during the off-season where fewer people take time to visit the falls and bathe in its cool green waters.  The summer may not be ideal to visit the place because of its high accessibility to the public and the amount of water cascading from the falls only falls in trickles as the heat of summer dries up everything.  The full splendor of the falls can be seen during the rainy season when water falls in full blast and there's a strong chance that you may have the falls all for yourselves.

  In conclusion to our visit to this beautiful falls, ecotourism should foster a spirit of appreciation, participation and sensitivity.  We should practice a non-consumptive use of the wildlife and natural resources and revenues gained through visiting the site should should directly benefit the conservation of the site and economic well-being of the people. 

The pressing challenge of the local government in maintaining Daranak Falls is the observance of its carrying capacity.  There are many instances that the place is overcrowded. With the huge revenues that the place is getting, the funds for its conservation should be used wisely for future generations to enjoy it in the years to come.  The waters and trees of the place are the crucial components for its survival. There are also many other aspects to consider such as restoring the cultural identity of the indigenous Dumagats and the fauna that once flourish in this mountainous hinterland called Tanay.