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There are many lesser known waterfalls in Marinduque that don’t
even need names to make their existence known. Such waterfalls are simply
referred to as busay, falls. One such waterfall is found in Sayao, Mogpog. One
treks for about 35 minutes from the central barangay, then crosses a small stream
and continues hiking in a part of the very quiet dirt road leading to sitio
Dinahunan but taking the opposite direction.
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Then one makes a turn to a sloping trail that has been
obscured by bushes and growth and stops where the sound of the waterfalls could
be heard, and where huge rocks change the scenery dramatically. Some prefer going
to the waterfalls by following the river upstream. They like taking the challenge and
dangers posed by climbing boulders standing as high as seven feet, some would probably find themselves asking if
it’s worth stumbling, falling or risking limbs to finally get there.
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| Most people from Sayao itself have never seen it but they’ve heard it’s maganda, beautiful. Busay sa Sayao drops from about 50 feet down to the wading pool below. You at once appreciate the calming effect of Sayao Falls standing tall and proud at the end of the valleys, sloping hills and boulder route. You see how tightly it is enclosed in a unique way by steep rocks outlined by ferns and lush greenery. |
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You also find clear evidence that it had been much more
astounding in the distant past before we even heard of climate change issues. Some locals who’ve watched the behavior of Busay insist that often by the month of September when the rainy
season becomes more steady, the falls could be rougher and more astonishing. Monkeys
that still reportedly reign over a nearby hill could often be heard cheering by then, they say.
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| Boys and girls enjoy the relaxing atmosphere in this hidden falls.. |
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| May balangaw sa tubig o! (There's a rainbow on the water, look!), Al shouts. |
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| But maybe with that curious sign, Busay sa Sayao is just imparting a clear message: Serious efforts should be made now to declare as watershed area the surrounding area that borders Sayao and Hinadharan. The scarcity of fresh water for village residents has been felt here for many years. Need destructive exploitation of natural resources here be continued still? |
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| In this coastal village of Sayao water is available from 4:30 am to 10:00 am and people have to line their water containers in communal faucets. |
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| Coastal road where another communal faucet stands. Soon, hopefully, Sayao will rise to the occasion. |
