Sagada, Mtn. Prov.– After an exhausting walk of a distance of approximately 1.5 km from the center of Ankileng village you reach the grandiose “trio falls,” popularly known as Pongas Falls that freely pummel their way to uniteinto a single stream, that goes all the way down to join the majestic Chico River at Balili barangay of Bontoc .
As we ascended the paved and unpaved pathway and patches of aesthetically engineered stone walled rice terraces and gardens from the center of Ankileng village we heard the roar of the Pongas Falls.
Though gasping with air coupled with fast beating of our hearts, we continued and found the emerging tourist attraction that was always publicized in the social media. As we proceeded toward the mountain slope, the hammering sound of the waterfalls became louder combined with the chirping of insects and birds.
As we reached the last vegetable paddy planted with flower cabbage (as called by our student intern from the Benguet State University), we followed thru the narrow and meandering irrigation canal that connects to the foot of the waterfalls. The irrigation is being used to water the vegetable gardens and rice paddies downstream.
Some black and grey colored small hoses intertwined with each other are seen connected and suspended from the falls to convey water to a few households of barangay Ankileng.
Looking from atop the reverberating stream below that flows from the falls and whisking some bladed grasses and shrubs that cover the narrow way as one progresses forward are added experiences.
Before stepping finally into the clear and cool water of the waterfalls is a portal formed from three giant stones. A signage that warns all visitors NOT TO LITTER and NO VANDALISM within the premises is very prominent. Three mini falls are facing the main falls.
The uppermost pond of the main falls can be reached by climbing the rocky face of the falls. Soaking oneself there for 30 minutes to one hour is so relaxing. The lengthy height generates mist that douses the body of any nature explorer.
Ankileng is one of the barangays of Naguab (lower portion). It is one among the barangays that form part of the eastern zone of the famous tourist town of Sagada. It can be reached thru Poblacion, Sagada or the newly built tourism roads, Balili-Sagada road or the Sabangan-Madepdeppas-Taccong road.
After about 15-30 minutes of slow-paced hike from the road end of barangay Suyo, another barangay of eastern Sagada, via a hanging bridge, century old rice terraces and gardens planted with highland vegetables is the remote barrio of Ankileng.
The people live a simple life. All households some maintain banana plants, chickens and pigs in their backyards. Other fruit trees observed in the center of the community were jackfruit, star apple, avocado, citrus, mango and cash crops such as, legumes, sweet potato, ginger, camoteng kahoy and corn.**By Francis B. Degay
