Misamis Occidental | Wonders of Sapang Dalaga: From Scenic Hills to Alluring Waterfalls

View from the Sapang Dalaga Shrine “ San po tayo papunta? Wala na po tayo sa road sa GPS map ko? Kala ko lake tong nasa kaliwa natin. Dagat ...

View from the Sapang Dalaga Shrine

“San po tayo papunta? Wala na po tayo sa road sa GPS map ko? Kala ko lake tong nasa kaliwa natin. Dagat na pala! (Where are we going? We’re far off the road from my GPS map. I thought this water on our left side was a lake. It turns out we’re near the sea already!)” I excitedly asked Mam Fe, the tourism officer of Sapang Dalaga in Misamis Occidental. Prior to my trip in this province, I never really did any research on the places to see here and just concerned myself with the lecture I did for the 9th Culinary Congress held in La Salle University in Ozamiz City. Since the event was over, we had a few days free to explore the province. The provincial tourism led by Sir Gain and Mam Pretzel, took us around to discover the attractions of the province. I just kept my mind open to what hidden gems they have and one municipality that clearly made a mark for me in terms of natural wonders is Sapang Dalaga. They got wonderful coastal scenery, breathtaking hills view and a beautiful waterfall that would surely attract nature lovers and adventurers.

Our seafood lunch prepared by the guy himself

Lunch on a Floating Cottage

It took us more than two hours (with a few stops along the way) to reach Sapang Dalaga from Ozamiz City. The municipality is located east of Misamis Occidental already near the border of Zamboanga del Norte. I kept tabs with my GPS on our location as we go on a winding uphill road until we reached the town proper of Sapang Dalaga where we met up with Mayor Manuel Animas and local tourism Mam Fe who would join us for lunch.

From the town center, our L300 vehicle got off the paved road and navigated a dirt road. I thought our elevation was getting higher but got surprised to see a body of water on our left side. From south, we were heading north of Sapang Dalaga and getting close to Casul Bay at Barangay Caluya. We headed straight to the pier and immediately boarded an outrigger for a short ride to one of the 3 floating cottages in the middle of the bay. I was amazed how clear the waters here are I could distinctly see the corals underwater. I wish we had more time here as I just wanted to jump in and snorkel.

Our lunch was a feast of seafoods from crabs, shrimps and spider shells they locally call Saang and some tasty fish catch they locally call kitong and sunghan. I asked the aged but nimble Mayor Manuel why the place is called “Sapang Dalaga” which in English means “Maiden by the creek”. He said that in the old times, even back in the Spanish era, the place has many maidens washing their clothes by the creek.

Lunch on the floating cottage was a great experience worthy of our long ride. I was told that rental of the cottage is Php500 for 24 hours and food like we had for lunch can be prepared for Php 500 which is good for 3 persons.

A short boat ride to the floating cottages

On an outrigger to and fro the floating cottage

On the outrigger with Mayor Manuel

Getting on the floating cottage

Our lunch Saang shells, kitong and sunghan fish, crabs and shrimps

Face to face with the Christ the Redeemer

Awed at the Sapang Dalaga Shrine

There was little left from our lunch which was quickly swept off from our plates. Satiated and full of energy, we were now headed to one the places Sapang Dalaga is developing as their major attraction – the Sapang Dalaga Shrine. From the bay we could easily see the gigantic Christ the Redeemer on top of a hill. It stands 45 feet high. I asked Mayor why they decided to put the statue there. He said his son, who like to hike saw the most scenic spot of the bay from those hills.

It was a very short ride to the jump-off where the 124-steps climb would start. The stairs isn’t complete yet and may add in numbers as the upper stretch isn’t complete yet. The gigantic Christ the Redeemer indeed looks new and the lower part still has some iron sheets covering it. But I definitely agree to the Mayor’s son, the view from this point is fantastic. Casul Bay and Murcielagos Bay on the panoramic view as well as the smaller Naputhao Island inside the bay and the larger Naburos Island near the floating cottage where we had lunch.

Climbing the 100+ steps to the shrine

Looking up to the Christ the Redeemer

Our friends from La Salle Universityalso approves of the view

Groupfie with the Christ

View of Casul and Murcielagos Bay

At the Sapang Dalaga Waterfalls park

Enticed by Sapang Dalaga Falls

Our last stop is the Sapang Dalaga Falls. It’s one of the most accessible falls I’ve been to. Only a kilometer from the town center, it can be reached by foot or habal-habal. No hiking needed here as I was surprised we were already looking at the falls as we alighted our vehicle. They originally just call it Baga (which locally means falls) but since the municipality want to streamline everything for branding purposes they just want to name it Sapang Dalaga Falls.

The place has already been developed into a park but it was done so well I really don’t mind that there’s a pavilion and a statue of a maiden there. I like the wide open grass ground, the falls is also high with a beautiful cascade and the basin is wide and deep for swimming. At first I just wanted to take a photo but I ended up jumping into the water when I saw my companions already swimming.

I thought our time was quite short in Sapang Dalaga, but I’m still thankful I was able to discover this place. If ever I go back here, I’ll a lot a whole day or two to enjoy these places more.

A local enjoying the natural shower under the falls

The alluring Sapa Dalaga waterfalls

Oh yes we wouldn’t leave without swimming in this falls

Essential Info

Sapang Dalaga is located in the province of Misamis Occidental. It is two to three hours away from Ozamiz City.

For more information and assistance contact the Sapang Dalaga Municipal Tourism Officer Ms Fe Bombeza at 09085076933.