The Whispering Waters: A Journey into the Heart of Camarines Norte

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Beyond the gold mines and the famous swells of Bagasbas lies a verdant, vertical world hidden within the rugged terrain of Bicol. This is a land where gravity meets grace—a realm of cascading white veils, ancient legends, and the raw, unyielding beauty of the Philippine jungle.

If you are looking for an escape that touches the soul, it is time to go Chasing Waterfalls in Camarines Norte.

1. The Tale of the Heartbroken: Anisong Falls

Location: Brgy. Mangkasay, Paracale

Locals call it the "Falls ng mga Sawi" (The Falls of the Unlucky in Love). This majestic curtain of water is shrouded in a bittersweet history. It is named after Venancio T. Lauce, an intelligent, English-speaking gentleman who retreated into this thick forest after his heart was broken by a woman named "Amor." Venancio chose a life of solitude amidst the mist, eventually passing away in 1997 in a cave near the falls. Today, the water falls like tears for a lost love, offering a hauntingly beautiful sanctuary for those seeking peace or a place to reflect.

2. The Romantic Sanctuary: Pag-Ibig Falls

Location: Brgy. Anameam, Labo

In stark contrast to the melancholy of Anisong, Pag-Ibig Falls (Love Falls) celebrates connection. After a 20-minute trek, you are greeted by a "curtain falls" with a hidden secret: a cave tucked directly behind the rushing water. It is a place where lovers can profess their affection, shielded from the outside world by a shimmering wall of liquid crystal. It is the ultimate destination for those looking to find their destiny amidst nature's embrace.

3. The Grand Expedition: Sagubsob Falls

Location: Brgy. Kabatuhan, Labo

For the true adventurer, the reward must be earned. Reaching Sagubsob Falls requires a grueling 2 to 2.5-hour hike through luscious, virgin forests. This is not just a walk; it is a pilgrimage through "God’s creation." When the canopy finally opens to reveal the grand, multi-tiered rush of Sagubsob, every drop of sweat is forgotten. It is a powerful reminder that the most beautiful things in life are found off the beaten path.

4. The Accessible Oasis: Malatap Falls

Location: Brgy. Malatap, Labo

Not every adventure requires a trek. Malatap Falls is a gift to the weary traveler. Located just meters from the main road, this multi-tiered beauty is visible the moment you step out of your vehicle. Its gushing waters have carved out a natural swimming spot that serves as the perfect weekend getaway for families and locals looking for a quick dip in paradise.

5. The Hidden Neighbor: Culiat Falls

Location: Brgy. Malatap, Labo

If you find yourself at Malatap, do not stop there. A 15-to-20-minute walk will lead you to Culiat Falls. The journey involves crossing a long, swaying hanging bridge—a thrill that only adds to the "enthusiasm" of the visit. The reward is a secluded spot of fresh, flowing water nestled deep within the greenery.

The Height of Adventure: A Summary of the Best

Mananap Falls

60 ft high; freshwater fishing

5 km uphill hike from Brgy. Fabrica

Nacali Falls

Longest zip line in Bicol

1.5 to 2 hour hike through pineapple plantations

Hagimit Falls

Surrounded by ancient medicinal trees

20-30 minute walk; perfect for diving

Why Camarines Norte?

Camarines Norte is a province that has been "gifted by the mountainous terrain." From the 60-foot heights of Mananap Falls—where you can camp and fish in deep, cool basins—to the Nacali Falls, which offers the thrill of a tramline or zip line over a dense forest canopy, there is a rhythm here for every traveler.

Whether you are healing a broken heart at Anisong, finding love at Pag-Ibig, or testing your endurance on the trails to Sagubsob, these waterfalls offer more than just a photo op. They offer a chance to disconnect from the "busy life" and experience the firsthand rush of rushing water and the deep tranquility of the fresh Bicolano air.

The water is calling. Are you ready to dive in?

KWF at University of the Assumption, Lumagda sa MOU para sa Sentro ng Wika at Kultura

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 




Pormal na nilagdaan ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) at University of the Assumption (UA) noong 15 Enero 2026 ang Memonradum ng Unawaan (MOU) para sa pagtatatag at pagpapalakas ng Sentro ng Wika at Kultura sa pamantasan. Layunin ng kasunduan na paigtingin ang pagtuturo, pananaliksik, at promosyon ng wikang Filipino at mga katutubong wika, pati na rin ang pangangalaga sa kulturang Pilipino sa Gitnang Luzon.



Binigyang-diin ni Atty. Marites A. Barrios-Taran, Tagapangulo ng KWF, sa pamamagitan ni Dr. Reggie O. Cruz, Komisyoner para sa Wikang Kapampangan, na ang MOU ay pangako ng pagtutulungan at pagpapalaganap ng wika. Ipinahayag naman ni Fr. Oliver G. Yalung, DL, PhD, Pangulo ng UA, at ni Prop. Roilingel P. Calilung, Direktor ng Sentro ng Wika at Kultura, ang suporta at tiwala ng pamantasan sa kooperasyon.

Sa ilalim ng MOU, magsasagawa ang KWF at UA ng magkasanib na seminar, pagsasanay, kumperensiya, publikasyon, at iba pang akademiko at pangkulturang inisyatiba, at inaasahang magiging sentro ang UA ng saliksik sa wika, panitikan, at kultura ng rehiyon.



Dumalo rin si Dr. Carmelita C. Abdurahman, Komisyoner sa Programa at Proyekto ng KWF, at binigyang-diin ang kahalagahan ng patuloy na pagtutulungan ng pamahalaan at akademya para sa pagpapaunlad ng wikang Filipino at pagpapayabong ng kulturang Pilipino.

Philippines Hosts World’s Largest Global Mental Health Advocacy Forum, Uniting Civil Society Leaders Worldwide

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Iloilo City, Philippines / Online – February 2

nd 2026 — The 4th Global Mental Health Advocacy Forum, convened by the Global Mental Health Action Network (GMHAN), is bringing together more than 500 advocates, people with lived experience, policymakers, researchers, grassroots leaders, UN agencies and donors from over 70 countries to advance mental health policy and systems change worldwide.

GMHAN, whose Secretariat is hosted by United for Global Mental Health, is co-hosting the Forum with #MentalHealthPH in Iloilo City, Philippines, marking the first time the global Forum is being held in Asia. It is the largest civil society led mental health advocacy event of its kind globally.

Held under the theme “Reimagining Global Mental Health: No Voice Left Behind,” the Forum has been recognised as one of the leading mental health nonprofit events of 2026, named by the Segal Family Foundation among its Top 30 Nonprofit Events of the Year, and by nest as one of the events shaping what’s next in mental health. Beyond these acknowledgements, the Forum provides a critical space where the future of mental health policy, financing and rights is being shaped by those most directly affected.

“This Forum comes at a pivotal moment for the global mental health sector following the UN High Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health in September 2025. GMHAN led the mental health community in its successful advocacy effort to secure meaningful commitments from governments at the Meeting. Now we are bringing together GMHAN members and partners from around the world to accelerate progress at the national and global levels. Amidst funding pressures and risks to multilateralism, mental health remains strongly on the agenda for hundreds of governments around the world. By placing people with lived experience, young leaders, and grassroots advocates at the centre of decision-making, the Forum ensures that no voice is left behind in shaping inclusive and responsive mental health systems,” said Dr. Antonis Kousoulis, Director of Partnerships and GMHAN Secretariat Lead.

Several topics will be discussed at the forum including:

● Nothing about us without us: Building a meaningful movement of people dedicated to reforming mental health services away from institutions and into community-based care, led by those who have most affected by institutional mental health care

● Experiencing Life in a Criminalised World: Suicide Prevention and how reforming legislation so that suicide is no longer a crime can help save lives

● Rebuilding how mental health systems are financed and resourced at a national level, and how civil society organisations can build their fundraising, at a time of international aid cuts.

● Understanding and acting on the mental health experiences of climate-concerned young people in the Philippines, co-produced with Filipino youth and global research partners

● Youth mental health in a changing world: exploring how young people are shaping advocacy and systems reform

Mental health underpins education, resilience and opportunity. This is why we are proud to support United for Global Mental Health and the Global Mental Health Advocacy Forum. Investing in children and young people is critical, because early support changes lives. By breaking stigma early and expanding access to care, we can help build a generation that speaks openly about mental health and has the resources needed to live healthy, productive and fulfilling lives.” Kate Cavelle, global Head of Social Impact A&O Shearman.

Nearly one billion people worldwide are currently living with a mental health condition, many facing stigma, discrimination and violations of their human rights. As mental health conditions and non-communicable diseases

continue to rise in every country, the Forum underscores that mental health is not only a public health issue, but also central to social cohesion, productivity and sustainable economic growth.

Through shared learning, partnership and advocacy, the Global Mental Health Advocacy Forum will enable the more than 500 participants, joined by over 2000 participants online, to learn from one another and be inspired in their work to achieve rights-based mental health systems that leave no one behind.

The Forum continues through February 4th, 2026, taking place at the Iloilo City Convention Center and online.

“Hosting this Forum in the Philippines is a powerful recognition of the leadership emerging from communities across Asia. In the Philippines, 3.6 million Filipinos are living with mental health conditions, neurological and substance use disorders, access to services is limited with the majority of professionals located in Metro Manila.

This forum will create space for local experiences to inform global solutions and for global solidarity to strengthen national and community-level action.” said Roy O. Dahildahil, co-founder & executive director, MentalHealthPH.