Kawasan Falls:
Mystical Spirits, Healing Waters
& Ancient Tales
Kawasan Falls is more than just a turquoise waterfall in Badian — it is a sanctuary of Cebuano folklore, spirituality, and ancient traditions. Long before tourists arrived, locals believed this place was home to spirits, guardians, and mysterious energies that protected both the forest and the people who lived near it.
? The Nature Spirits of Badian
According to elders of the nearby barangays, the Kawasan forest is watched over by engkanto, nature spirits believed to dwell in towering trees and hidden caves. Some say these spirits appear as glowing lights at night, or manifest as sudden cool breezes sweeping through the trees even on a hot day.
Surrounded by untouched greenery, Kawasan has always been considered a “living being” — a sacred space where the forest listens, breathes, and responds.
? Healing Waters and Ancient Rituals
Locals have long believed that the waters of Kawasan hold natural healing properties. During the Spanish era, tribes came to the falls to perform ban-aw (cleansing rituals). People washed their bodies in the cool basin, seeking healing from ailments, emotional burdens, and spiritual heaviness.
Even today, some residents still whisper a quiet prayer before entering the water, honoring the spirits believed to guard the falls.
? The Story of the Hidden Maiden
One of Kawasan’s most popular legends tells of a beautiful maiden who lived beneath the waterfall. She was said to appear in the mist during full moons, brushing her long black hair with a comb of light. Men who tried to approach her vanished, never to be found again.
Fathers warned their sons: “Ayaw pagsuroy og ikaw ra usa sa gabii. Dili nimo kahibaloan kinsa ang imong masugat.”
(“Do not wander alone at night. You never know who you may meet.”)
⛰️ The Cave of Echoes
High above the first waterfall lies a lesser-known cavern said to carry the voices of past spirits. Locals claim that if you speak inside, the cave answers — not with an echo — but with a whispering voice.
Some adventurers have reported hearing footsteps behind them, only to find no one there.
? The Guardians of the Waterfalls
Folklore says Kawasan has three guardians, each protecting one of its three levels. They appear as:
a white deer, seen only from afar
a young boy, playing near the shallows
a tall man in white, standing silently among the trees
These guardians ensure that anyone who enters with respect leaves unharmed.
✨ A Place Where Nature and Myth Live Together
Today, Kawasan Falls is known worldwide for canyoneering and breathtaking scenery. But at its core, it remains a place of wonder — a forest alive with stories, where nature and spirit blend seamlessly.
Its magic lies not only in the beauty of turquoise waters, but in the ancient tales whispered by locals, carried by the wind, and preserved by time.