CEDAR (Center for Ecological Development and Recreation) Escapade

Hi, everyone!

There's no doubt, summer is really coming and fast approaching, but it's still yet to come this year 2018. Today, I'll be sharing my "pre-summer" vacay, or let's just say a travel trip for just a matter of one day, a "byaheng Bukidnon" together with sqaud and travel partners having really no large money. :)

By the way, my friends/classmates and I are actually waiting our Graduation day, that would be on April 20, 2018, and you know, while we are waiting on that big day of our lives, we just got to think about releasing our college stresses, and part of doing such is to travel anywhere, I mean anywhere that will describe how wonderful God's creation is, specifically nature. If you're actually planning to refresh your minds, then going to mountains, waterfalls and trekking can be good ideas to help your mind cool down, and that would also depend how strong your physical strength is, your stamina and your guts. hahaha

And then, yes, I had guts to sacrifice my 1000.00 pesos to travel Bukidnon for the weekend, like 3 days and 2 nights, of course, that's with the help of our friend, Joan for accommodating us during this activity. And this time, I'm once again, excited to share my experience for this year that I also considered as an unforgettable travel here in Mindanao.

A Half day Trip to CEDAR (Center for Ecological Development and Recreation)

On March 17, 2018, Saturday,  we decided to go and travel Bukidnon, particularly in Valencia City. This place is actually the province where Joan, (one my squads/classmates) was born and raised. Well, she just encouraged us to go to their place and at some point, she cordially promoted some wonderful waterfalls that can be found in their City, typically called hidden paradises. 

Maybe, some of you are 'quite' familiar with CEDAR, it stands for Center of Ecological Development and Recreation. This place is the exact definition of how wonderful the nature God created.

This place is not just a typical tourist destination that can be gone to for just a matter of travel experience.

Have you heard about a place that is a four-in-one? You got it right. The place has a total of three Waterfalls, and one Pool with waters that can make you distressed, cool the warm mind and actually make you realize the importance of taking and breathing under the fresh oxygen produced by big trees and plants from the forest and with waters that will make your softdrinks be cooled without putting it in a refrigerator. That's very fascinating and the forest will make you amused.

The CEDAR is actually created for retreats and somewhat like other special events if you'd like to celebrate it under the beauty of nature and solemn location. The place can be seen or absolutely be found without trying hard to look for it in the City. Getting in to the entrance will meet you the man-made forest 200 meters long from the high way, as they call it "Road to Forever", the pathway to heading to the entrance is surrounded with a lot of at least 30-40 feet trees tall.

Reaching the main entrance, you will see a parking lot, wide garden with flowers and plants, and other than that, there is also a covered court, recreation area and a playground. 

BUT, wait, there's more...

First waterfalls...

Let's go down. Through the main entrance, there is a continuation, a pathway that will lead you to the Pool and to the three waterfalls I mentioned. I don't have the photo of the Pool because during that day, I was focusing on the waterfalls, I was just very excited, and I thought, these waterfalls can be reachable for just matter of steps and easy road. Take note, when getting there, consider the place really is a full forest and all that you'll hear are sounds from birds, water streams and trees that sings whenever a strong wind is present, and apart from that, you may see snakes, yay!

The first waterfalls, we had to go was the one positioned in a very far from the main entrance, like VERY FAR, and I would say, getting there is not easy, but again, I'm used to this kind of road to forever, like road that describes a relationship that is about to break. hahaha, from the entrance, you have to walk at least, 2 kilometers, my estimation, just to get there, this waterfalls, according to the locals, called "DILA FALLS". When we were heading to area, I personally thought during the moment we were lost. You will not hear any streams from the river, and you will be walking with rough, slippery and grassy road, on top of these, you will really be surrounded with tall and big trees, worst during that time, only the four of us are heading to the area, I was really scared, I was thinking about our graduation day. hahaha. But, when you'll finally reach the waterfalls, im sure, you will be fine after all. You may try to swim but during that day, I noticed the water was kinda dirty and smelly, and again, only the four of us were there, so it was kinda mix emotion, we were scared to stay longer on that waterfalls because it was very silent and lonely. We did take pictures there. PS. Dila Falls is the longest waterfalls among the three.

Second waterfalls...

They call it, "GANTUNGAN FALLS". This area was the second stop we went to. Actually, this waterfalls can just be passable upon heading to Dila Falls, but you need go really struggle going down. So, from the first waterfalls, you have to go back to the road where you've walked through of reaching the the first, there is a way leading you do go down to the second waterfalls, and again, you need to really be careful as the road is slippery.

But, you get there, you have no choice but to really swim because there is no available rocks to be stepped -in just to avoid the water from the river, and actually, no choice but to swim because this falls is under a small cave and you'll see waters are falling from big rocks and thinking where is the water coming from. A very cold crystal clear water will relieve your stresses.

After enjoying the water from the second waterfalls, the third waterfalls is just also a walking distance from Gantungan Falls, you will see it from doing another swim towards to distance and view of the third waterfalls.

Third waterfalls...

The third waterfalls that is part of the CEDAR wonders -waterfalls is named, "NATIGBASAN FALLS". As I mentioned, this waterfalls can be found effortlessly because it's just a matter of a short swimming and walking through the river slippery rocks. This waterfalls is coming from another separate river, which means, a separate water source that is also passable when you have to walk through Dila Falls  and Gantungan Falls.

Natigbasan Falls is actually the first waterfalls that can be seen from the main entrance of CEDAR after the pool while you walk above the rough and slippery road.

So, after the struggles of walking and trekking under the slippery and a physical rocky road, you will experience the stress reliever manipulated by the heavenly nature and cold water produced by the bamboo trees and bug rocks. Surely, after taking a swim and filled with the coolest experience the heavenly made nature.


It was really a one of a kind cooling experience before we celebrate our graduation this year. I will highly recommend the place, it's like a worth travel experience, for summer or just a trip together with your friends.

I am from Davao City, and during that day, we were celebrating our 81st Araw ng Davao. I might have missed the celebration, but I wasn't like a missing part of me as I chose to travel Bukidnon for three days of total, we had even our other experiences aside from CEDAR, I had a great experience.

You may wear leggings, trekking shoes or sandals and then a jacket. The place (CEDAR) has a lot of cottages for FREE OF USE after paying the entrance fee of 20 pesos at the main entrance prior to reaching the pool. You can bring a soap and shampoo since the place also has C.R./Bathroom. You may leave your things on your chosen cottage if you plan to go to the respective waterfalls. You can pay a tour guide as you can see them offering you to guide your group toward each waterfalls, I just don't have an idea how much is the service fee because we had our experience going there, we do it ourselves, need not to worry of course, there will always a mark every path to lead you to the respective waterfalls even though it's far.

How to get there? 

Since I am from Davao City, I'm going to start the spot from Davao to the said location:

• From Davao City , Ecoland Terminal, ride a Bus route to Cagayan de Oro. 
• Stop over to Sayre Highway, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon (actually, it's already a part of Malaybalay City), just tell the driver, CEDAR, (most of them know). 
• Fare: 310 pesos, regular. 260 for SP. (Air conditioned Bus)

When you're already in CEDAR, since it's just noticeable from the highway, (you'll see a signage) you can walk 50-100 meters from the highway to reach the main the entrance, a personnel will assist you. The entrance fee is, again, 20.00 pesos and that will include the open cottages, pool swimming and going through the three waterfalls.

If you also want to see more actual photos, visit my fb (CLICK HERE) or you can search on Google for picture about the CEDAR.