"Whatever happens", I reminded myself as I checked out my harness, descender, carabiners, and all the other gear needed for canyoning in Biliran, "never let go of your brake hand."
There was an incident in the past when I had unintentionally let go of my brake hand while rappelling down a cliff. The momentary lapse of concentration had resulted in a sudden drop. I was able to recover immediately and regain control. Still, the experience left me with a newfound respect for the importance of staying focused and fully present during adrenaline-pumping activities like canyoning. Even if someone is belaying you, it's a good habit to always double-check your gear and maintain mindfulness throughout the adventure.
Canyoning in Biliran has been on my bucket list for some time now, and although I’m not a first-timer when it comes to canyoning and have a good grasp of how everything works—this will be my first experience in Biliran.
I was first invited by Joni Bonifacio of Trexplore PH a few years ago after I went home from a 3-day caving adventure in Samar. But every time he sent me an invite, I was always out of the country. So when I saw his post earlier this month that he is resuming his canyoning adventures in Biliran, I made sure to free up some time in my schedule to finally experience this heart-pounding adventure from start to finish.
I've heard so much about the stunning waterfalls and challenging rappelling opportunities in Biliran, so I knew this was going to be an exhilarating and unforgettable experience.
Kicking Off the Adventure: How Canyoning in Biliran Starts
Like many canyoning destinations in the Philippines, everything starts with a hike through lush jungles and river valleys. From the jump-off point in Brgy. Sampao, it will take about an hour and a half to hike to the starting point of the canyoning adventure. As we went deeper into the jungle, the sound of rushing water grew louder and the trail became narrower and more challenging which required careful footing and a steady pace. At one point, we even had to walk on top of an irrigation canal to cross a section of a cliff.
We soon arrived at the part of the river where our canyoning adventure would begin. We put on our wetsuits, PFDs (personal flotation device), harnesses, and other gear. After everyone was ready, Sir Joni gave us a brief explanation of the rappelling technique and reminded us of the safety measures.
Slide, Jump, Rappel, and more!
We had been briefed earlier that day that we would encounter more than 10 waterfalls - the final one being the magnificent Ulan-Ulan Falls, which stands 25 meters high. I thought I'd be able to keep track of all the waterfalls, but little did I know that the adrenaline rush would make it challenging to keep count. Each waterfall presented a different challenge - some involved rappelling down vertical drops, while others required a daring leap or an exhilarating slide.
One thing I've learned about myself over the years of doing adventurous activities is that I'm usually a daredevil when it comes to rappelling, climbing, or anything where I can hold on to something. However, when it comes to jumping off cliffs and relying on my own willpower to let go, I tend to hesitate a lot. It doesn't matter what vertical challenge it is, as long as I have a rope or something similar to hold, I feel no fear most of the time. This thought is incredibly stupid because it's essentially a false sense of security. I'm tricking my brain into thinking I'm safer with a rope, when in fact, rappelling itself is just as dangerous.
Meet our fearless adventurer from Hawaii. At only 9 years old, she showed us all what bravery looks like!
The first few waterfalls only required some slides and short jumps, so I was feeling confident and in my element. As we progressed, the challenges became more intense, and I had to push myself to overcome my hesitation. It was a thrilling test of mental and physical strength.
But soon enough, my confidence was tested. I encountered a challenging part in the canyons that required an incredibly high jump. As I prepared to jump, I noticed a big rock nearby and had to be strategic to avoid hitting it. The thought of making a mistake scared me, causing me to hesitate and search for a better jumping point. Unfortunately, my hesitation led me to slip off the cliff. I ended up slipping down to the water in a less-than-graceful manner. What can I say; you can’t fight gravity - it has a black belt in keeping you grounded!
My companions watched in horror, describing it as if everything had gone in slow motion. For me, it was just a split second of 'oh shit', followed by a splash into the water. Thankfully, I emerged unharmed. Looking back, I realized that things could have gone wrong, but fortunately, my safety gear worked as intended.
The experience was indeed a metaphor for life itself - sometimes our hesitations are what hold us back from reaching our full potential. It was a humbling yet empowering reminder to always stay focused, trust in the equipment and guidance provided, and push through our fears. After that unexpected dip, I gathered myself and continued the adventure with renewed determination.
At this point, I had lost count of the waterfalls we had encountered. When we finally reached the top of Ulan-Ulan Falls, I paused to take in the spectacular but somewhat intimidating view before preparing for the final rappel. Standing at the edge of the cliff, gazing down at the towering height and powerful rush of water was quite an experience. The descent at Ulan-Ulan Falls was truly unforgettable. When it was my turn to descend, I carefully made my way down to the vertical rock face, feeling a bit nervous about the strong flow of water around me. However, once I started my controlled descent, all the fear disappeared.
As I reached the bottom and looked up at the imposing Ulan-Ulan Falls, I cannot lie, my jaw literally dropped. It was so beautiful and majestic. Rappelling down somehow gave me a sense of accomplishment and gratitude for being able to join in such an extraordinary adventure.
This canyoning experience in Biliran was everything I had hoped for and more. I highly recommend this experience to anyone seeking an unforgettable outdoor adventure in the Philippines.
How to join the next extreme canyoning adventure in Biliran?
For a safe and wonderful canyoning experience in Biliran, contact Joni Bonifacio of Trexplore PH. Joni and his team are the only qualified operators for this activity. They are all highly qualified and experienced guides who prioritize the safety and enjoyment of their clients.
You may contact him using the following details:
Cellphone Number: 0919-2943865
Landline: +63 055 543 8550
Email: info@trexplore.ph / samar@trexplore.ph
Website: www.trexplore.ph
Joni Bonifacio's Facebook page: facebook.com/joni.bonifacio
Canyoning in Biliran Rates
- Php 3,500 per person
- A minimum of 3 and a maximum of 10 persons per day of canyoning tour.
*Rates are subject to change without prior notice.
For complete information regarding inclusions and itineraries, visit their official website here or Joni's Facebook page.
Tips
- First-timers are welcome to join this canyoning activity, but it is strongly recommended that you engage in physical preparation. Prioritize a lot of hiking and ensure that you know how to rappel properly. Although you will receive onsite training, it is beneficial to already have some knowledge beforehand.
- Never take off the provided PFD (personal flotation device). Wearing a life vest may limit your movements, but it is important to know that many parts of the river are deep. The risk of drowning is real, and a life vest could save your life in an emergency. Therefore, it is crucial to always wear your PFD while on the river, regardless of how limiting it may feel. Do not underestimate the river even if you are a strong and experienced swimmer.
- Remember, it's essential to keep your helmet on. You will be navigating boulders and leaping from heights, so it's important to have head protection.
- Always wait for the guide's instructions. Even if you have done a hundred canyoning activities in the past, if it is your first time in Biliran, it's important to listen to the guide's instructions as each location and set of conditions can be different.
- Make sure to stay with the group and keep everyone in sight, including yourself. It's easy to get lost in the jungle so it's important to remain vigilant at all times.
- Wear appropriate footwear. You're going to be traversing through unstable and slippery terrains, so it's crucial to wear footwear that provides the necessary traction and ankle support.
- Canyoning can be physically demanding, so it's important to stay hydrated and nourished throughout the activity.
- Protect your skin from the sun and insect bites by applying sunscreen and repellent before starting the activity.
- Do not hesitate to ask for help from your guides. Inform the guides of any injuries or doubts so they can provide you with assistance and support.
- Refrain from disturbing, handling, capturing, or harming wildlife.
How to go to Biliran?
Like so many islands in the Philippines, traveling to Biliran can be quite a challenge to some as there is no airport on the island.
- If you are flying from Manila or Cebu, the nearest airport to your destination is in Tacloban City in Leyte. Currently, there are only two airports in the Philippines with non-stop domestic flights to Tacloban. Once you land in Tacloban, you can take a van or bus headed to Naval, Biliran. The travel time is approximately 2 hours.
- An alternative route is from Ormoc, Leyte to Naval, Biliran, which I took via ferry from Cebu City.
- If you're from Cebu City, there's also a Ceres bus in North Bus Terminal that goes directly to Naval Biliran. Travel time is around 9-10 hours.
- There's also ship departing from Cebu City that goes directly to Naval, Biliran, but as of now, it is suspended. Please check Roble Shipping's website for any updates.
If you're from Cebu and want to cut off the travel time, I recommend my route:
→ OceanJet ferry from Cebu to Ormoc, Leyte - 3 hours
→Van transport from Ormoc to Naval, Biliran - less than 2 hours
Coordinate with Joni to arrange your accommodation in advance. He can recommend resorts and other accommodations near the canyoning destination. Or you can also search below:
I hope these tips and travel information help you prepare for your canyoning adventure in Biliran. Remember to stay safe, be mindful of your surroundings, and enjoy every moment of this thrilling experience. Have an amazing time exploring the beautiful canyons of Biliran!
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