The beauty of Buruwisan Falls, enchanting as it was, was not something we can always behold. We took photos, then that was it. We had to carry on.

When we were done marvelling with our eyes on the beauty of Buruwisan, we trekked back to the camp site before heading to our next destination. We rested for a few minutes and took some of our trail food. Resting in between points became more of a necessity as the trek was already tiring early, on as the weather makes the ground muddier and slippier, hence more challenging.

From the camp site, we started hiking again until we had to wade through another river for us to reach the second falls in our itinerary. Despite the strong current of the river and the slippery rocks and boulders, wading through the water is a consolation compared to struggling in the mud.

Besides, Ran seemed to have so much fun.

We got sight of our destination after around 30 minutes into the hike. Renegade friends, welcome to Lanzones Falls.

The falls got its name from the Lanzones trees that abound the area, though the fruit was not in season when we were there. Lanzones Falls was not as tall as Buruwisan Falls, and compared to the latter, the former may be considered a minor falls in the Mt. Romelo waterfalls system.

Now, for the photo ops.

After taking our photos by Lanzones Falls, we then went back on our feet to get to the third waterfalls that we would visit: Sapang Labo Falls.

The path to get to Sapang Labo is not along the way of the other falls, hence we had to divert from the usual path. For me, the diversion went a little further. Our guide Martin was walking ahead, followed by Ran. I was trailing behind taking photos and taking my time with my steps because of the mud.

A while after, I lost sight of Ran. So yep, nawala ako. I encountered a crossroad and took a wrong turn. It is so easy to get lost in nature after all, both literally and figuratively.

When I realized that I was already lost, I sat on a rock by the river and did not dare to walk any further. I think there is a lesson there: if you ever get lost in the woods the way I did, do not move any further. Your companions who would come back for you will find it more difficult to see you if you move farther away. True enough, in just as little as around 10 minutes, Martin found me. From there on, Ran stayed at the end of our trail so I won’t get lost again.

It took more than an hour from Lanzones Falls for us to reach Sapang Labo Falls. Time check: 09:39 AM.

Like Lanzones Falls, Sapang Labo Falls is rather small, but features a two-tiered cascade to the basin below. I will be extra open about it that when we arrived in Sapang Labo, I was lost in my thoughts, probably an effect of being lost earlier. Moments like that open a different dimension for my mind to wander off. It was a thought overload, it felt like drowning.

As soon as I snapped back to reality, time for photo ops!

As soon as Ran got the assurance that I am well again, we set off to what would be the final stop in our Mt. Romelo journey. Along the way, we passed through a residential area where we bought lumpiang togue for merienda. It was 10:30 AM already and we haven’t taken a meal, so we are getting famished already.

When we were done taking our quick bite, we continued our journey. Wet, muddied and tired, we were determined to finish the Mt. Romelo waterfalls system.

Besides, bawal bumalik. May bantay na ‘ko sa likod.