Take a swim at Swim!

Just swim it.

Swim is supposed to be a verb in the English language. But in Abra de Ilog, Mindoro Occidental, it's a proper noun. At least in the case of one of its far-off waterfall that is completely surrounded by a charming forest.

On our way to Swim Falls last April 3rd (after attending morning Mass and strolling around town a bit). It took us about an hour's walk from the Población. The path starts right behind the municipal building.

At last, after about an hour of walking, we arrived — but on top of the falls! We went the wrong way! We had to go back a few meters for the correct trail to the falls, but John-John, Mómay, and Jefe climbed down the steep boulder, something the rest of us couldn't do (I was carrying Junífera Clarita all throughout the journey). :p

Swim as seen from afar in this "mini-valley" of boulders. The ladies are preparing to swim at Swim!

Cascada de Swim, or Swim Falls, is actually the source of the Lauaan stream which in turn is a tributary of the Matabang River. It is located several miles away from the Población, tucked deep within an upland forest northwest of the town. There is a Mañguián village nearby, but each time we visit Swim, we don't see them swimming there.

Jefe just made a huge splash from above that huge rock to the left much to Junífera Clarita's delight!

Swim Falls is a punchbowl waterfall. Its waters plunge from about ten feet high. It's quite low, but the streaming current is enough to give your body a clobbering if you stay underneath it for several minutes; but a few minutes stay will give you a relaxing water massage. The water from the top of the falls burst forth in constricted form, then spreads out in a wider, circular pool surrounded by giant rocks and boulders. Trees on top of these rocks form a natural canopy to the the pool below, giving the place an alluringly eerie darkness even in broad daylight. The cold water is crystal clear... until everyone wades in it. This is because the ground underneath the pool is made up mostly of gray sand and small pebbles. There are also small fishes (Yeyette's cousin John-John later told us that they're called "paít" and are edible), quite surprising because the pool is technically on a mountainous area (it's located several feet above sea level). We thought that fishes exist only in sea-level bodies of water.

When I first heard of this waterfall's name, I seriously thought it was a joke. Why would a waterfall in Filipinas be named in English? Almost all bodies of water in our country are named either in Spanish or after any indigenous word. But then again, I could be wrong. What if the word "swim" also exists in the indigenous (Mañguián/Iraya)?

Important note: Swim Falls is not a resort. You don't have to pay any fees to get there. In fact, all waterfalls in Abra de Ilog (save for the one in Agbalala) are free for public use. However, while swimming in Swim Falls is allowed, it is not encouraged by the municipal office because it is the Población's source of water supply. No wonder we saw several water pipes on our way there (don't worry; even if people pee on the pool, as is a usual practice among all swimmers, the water would have already been cleaned by a filtration system in the pipes before the waters even reached faucets at the town). Other than that, there are no caretakers in the vicinity, that is why the place is prone to uncouth tourists who throw away their litter everywhere (me and Jefe even had to pick up a few junk food containers left by those impossible people before going home). To be on the safe side, it is best to coordinate with the municipal office before visiting the place. As you can see from the photos, the pool is quite small. It cannot accommodate a huge group of people. You should also have a guide because you might get lost in the forest, as there are several trails all around. It's best to ask for one of Rafaél Atienza's sons to guide you back and forth (they're Yeyette's first cousins and are known by everyone at the Población). Just give them any gift of love.

And lastly: please don't litter. You will surely encounter Swim Falls as an idyllic paradise. Please leave it that way.

¡Hasta la vista!

*L*A*F*A*M*I*L*I*A*V*I*A*J*E*R*A*

Special thank to Ate Pepot (Yeyette's aunt) and her family for a sumptuous dinner at their home right after our trek to Swim! Click here for more of our photos of that exciting day!