Chasing Waterfalls in Cebu: Mantayupan

This is my first post in my chasing waterfalls series, a chain of posts about the most stunning waterfalls in the southern part of the province of Cebu. Mantayupan Falls in Barili is one of such falls in my list.

Barili is a third-class municipality in the southwestern part of Cebu province and it is the first item on my South Cebu itinerary. Records say the name Barili came from the word balili, a type of grass growing abundantly in the town. How it got its name is similar to other stories of Spanish explorers misunderstanding local dialects. Centuries ago, Spaniards would travel around the province to familiarize themselves with the local townspeople. One party arrived in this particular settlement and chanced upon a couple and asked for the name of the village. Thinking that the official was asking for the name of the grass or vine he was holding, the couple answered balili and since the word balili was hard to pronounce with Castilian tongue, they called the town Barili

Located roughly 60 kilometers from the city of Cebu, the town can be reached by taking a bus in Cebu South Bus Terminal. Travel time is 2 to 2 ½ hours and fare is 70 pesos. The main attraction of the municipality is the towering Mantayupan Falls. To get there, my friend and I dropped off at the Shamrock Terminal where all buses plying the Bato-Barili route stop to refuel and rest momentarily.

Shamrock terminal

There, we rented a habal-habal which brought us to Barangay Campangga, 3.5 kilometers away, where the falls is located. One wouldn't have a hard time looking for habal-habal drivers since they actually wait for tourists right in front of the terminal. Barangay Campangga is an easy 10-minute drive from the terminal since the road going there is well paved and there are plenty of helpful signages pointing to the spot.

One of the many heritage houses along the road

The bridge to Bgy. Campangga

The sign board outside the final road to the falls

We reached Mantayupan Falls in a short while and upon arriving there, we were greeted with this signboard:

Tourists will have to pay a minimal entrance fee of P20.00 for adults and P10.00 for children. Aside from that, tourists bringing in food and drinks would have to pay a corkage fee of P50.00. These collections are used to maintain the site and improve the facilities. Upon entry, we immediately spotted the first level of the waterfalls. The water flowing from the stream was not plentiful although it is a rainy season however, the catch basin is full.

Above this falls, a concrete pathway with steel railing leads tourists to the second level of the falls. Water actually flows inside this as it also functions as a viaduct, bringing water to the lower portion of the stream. Tourists would also notice a hydroelectric power plant running in the vicinity of the falls.

This provides power to the town of Barili and has been in service for a long period of time. A few more steps is all it takes to sight upon the second level of the falls.

A stream near the falls

With an astounding height of 98 meters, the falls itself plus the emerald green waters below it are truly a sight to behold. The color of the water reminds me that of  Enchanted River in Surigao del Sur because of its stunning likeness.

If you plan to visit Mantayupan Falls, I recommend that you make room for some extra time as aside from the falls, there are several attractions in Barili you can take a side-trip to like the Molave Milk Station, Santa Ana Shrine, Mantalongon Livestock Market, AC Tilapia Farm and Boloc-Boloc Spring which are also frequented by tourists travelling to Mantayupan Falls.

Other attractions in Barili

How to get to Mantayupan Falls:

In Cebu City, head towards the Cebu South Bus Terminal and board a Ceres or Metrolink bus going to Bato via Barili and tell the conductor to drop you off at the Shamrock terminal in Barili as this is the jump off point for all tourists going to the falls.

Fare costs:

Cebu City - Shamrock Terminal: P75.00
Habal-habal (two-way / person): P60.00

A friendly tip:

Try to leave early in the morning (5 am is recommended) because traffic congestion south of the city could eat up 3 hours of your travel time easily.