Balay Anito Falls | Santol La Union

I had always been fascinated by waterfalls. As a kid, I used to draw them in a Sibika class assignment or project asking us to draw a favorite body of water. There was something about this body of water that soothes and makes me happy. Since I had some time off from work, I hopped on a motorcycle, clung to the driver and off we went, to visit the Balay Anito Falls in Santol, La Union.

It took us about 10 minutes of curves uphill from the Poblacion to reach Brgy. Lettac Sur, the entrance to the falls. We parked the motorcycle and started to walk along the path, passing by rice fields and farm animals. There's no entrance fee to the falls.

 About 20 minutes of walking, I was panting already. We were only halfway I guess. Alright, waterfalls are always located deep in the forest or mountain, there is no other way of reaching them than by walking, hiking, more walking and more hiking.

I took some snaps during rest periods. I used to catch dragonflies when I was younger together with my playmates. The blue and red ones were the most difficult to catch I believe.

We passed by ankle-deep waters that was part of the river. The cool water somehow refreshed my aching soles. A few more minutes and we heard the body of water splashing loudly somewhere. The last challenge supposedly before reaching the falls was by clinging to exposed tree roots to get down to the side of the falls. Oh boy, with shaking knees and cold feet, I could not do it. I opted for the other steeper path of going around the falls instead.

With sweat dripping down my face, aching legs and parched throat, I just stood for a minute and gazed at the wonderful sight before me. There was something about the falls that mesmerized me. It was probably nature itself communicating to me and calming my senses. 

 Balay Anito Falls or the 'house of unseen friends or anitos' has a 20-meter deep base. Too deep for a dip, I was contented splashing its cold water to my weary leg muscles. We ate lunch on one of the rocks, offered some of it to the anitos and enjoyed starring at the falls' beauty. We had the falls to ourselves so everything was peaceful with only the sound of the water splashing at its base.

A few steps down was a smaller version, a shallower one. The rocks around it were a bit slippery though. Being cautious of my camera, I had to move inch by inch thinking I might slip any moment.

Time seems to fly when you're having fun, a few hours after lunch, it was time to pack up and head back to where we came from. It was a fulfilling day, a day with nature, a day to remember.