Aside from the majestic Mayoyao Rice Terraces, Mayoyao municipality also boasts some enchanting waterfalls steeped in local legends. One of them is the A’pfaw Mahencha Falls in Barangay Chumang. One morning, I, along with my media companions, Tourism Promotions Board, and Shroff Travel, set off on a 5–6km ride up to an overlooking Khohang Garden and Viewpoint for a picnic breakfast. The garden serves as a gateway to the falls concealed within the lush forest of Mayoyao.
Khohang Garden Picnic
Khohang Garden is a charming little cliffside garden amidst pine trees with views of the Mayoyao Terraces and town. There’s a large semi-circular view deck area protruding from the main road leading to a pathway into the garden with sitting areas, picnic tables, and benches. There’s also a scenic swing to enjoy the view which would be part of a tale later on.
We were each served breakfast of rice, pan-fried eggplant, sliced tomato, and dried fish, each neatly packed in banana leaves. I savored eating by hand while enjoying the breeze and casual conversations. The food gave me enough fuel for the hike down to the waterfalls.
Lush Forest Trail
Our hike was led by Robert Bongayan, an enthusiastic local historian eager to share stories and legends of Mayoyao. While hiking he pointed out edible and herbal plants along the way. The meandering trail descending to the waterfalls consists of 536 neatly paved steps with railings.
I enjoyed walking down these steps while inspecting the flora, from ferns and lilies to other flowering plants. Midway down I noticed an area where birds were active. I saw warbling white eyes, arctic warblers, sunbirds, and the Luzon endemic Blue-headed Fantail.
A’pfaw Mahencha Falls
The sound of rushing water could be heard as I approached A’pfaw Mahencha Falls. The falls have an entrancing 3-tiered cascade with beautiful and inviting basins of clear cobalt water. The site is tastefully developed with pavilions, clean restrooms, and shower areas.
After taking photos and videos, I didn’t waste time enjoying the icy but refreshing waters. The deep basins require caution for visitors who can’t swim. But adventurous swimmers can take a plunge from the second level, much like the legend of the lovely lady Mahencha who jumped to retrieve her lost amber necklace.
Storytelling by the Swing
What goes down, must come up, so I had to take the 536 steps back up to the top again. We gathered back at Khohang Garden for snacks and storytelling.
Historian Robert Bongayon shared the “Legend of Akhinnaja,” a local lady of spellbinding beauty who wilted the grass with her radiance wherever she walked. As a child, she was taken by Pho Fu At, a fairy rat, into the forest while her parents worked the fields. She grew lonely and weary, so the fairy rat built her a swing.
Akhinnaja would sometimes swing high enough to see her parents working, and she would sing songs heard by her mother in the fields. But she could not return home. There is more to Akhinnaja’s tale best told by Ifugao hudhud, a chant narrating these epic stories. This tradition is inscribed in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
My visit to A’pfaw Mahencha Falls and Khohang Garden was a walk through nature and a world of myths bringing the Ifugao culture to life.
Essential Information
For more information and a tour of A’pfaw Mahencha Falls and Khohang Garden, contact the Mayoyao Tourism Office.
Mobile: 0906.958.2204 / 0949.664.0088
Park Fees:
- Adult (19yo and above) P 25 (Entrance Fee) + P30 (Environmental and Heritage Fee)
- Children and Minors (18yo and below) P 10 (Entrance Fee) + P30 (Environmental and Heritage Fee)
- Senior Citizens and PWD (20% Discount) P 20 (Entrance Fee) + P30 (Environmental and Heritage Fee)
- Table/ Cottage Rental – P50
Ferdz Decena is an award-winning travel photographer, writer and blogger. His works has found print in publications such as Singapore Airlines’s Silver Kris, Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay, Cebu Pacific’s Smile and Seair InFlight. He has also lent his expertise to various organizations like the Oceana Philippines, Lopez Group Foundation, Save the Children and World Vision, contributing quality images for their marketing materials.
