Calawagan Mountain River Resort » Discover An Unexplored Paradise

Calawagan Mountain River Resort is a public resort, just a few kilometers (20-minute tricycle ride) from the Municipal hall of Paluan in Occidental Mindoro. It is located at the foot of the Calavite mountain range in Brgy. Alipaoy.

Calawagan river is the recipient of the 1996 and 1998 National Award as Cleanest Inland  Body of Water in the Philippines from DILG, with the former First Lady Ming Ramos as the project's honorary chairman.

Due to its naturally cold and refreshing waters, the resort is a great place to spend a hot day during summer. Usual visitors at the resort are local town folks and sometimes guests from nearby towns. It is also a favorite hang-out of local teenagers and college students on a sem-break.

Welcome marker, a few meters from the Calawagan Resort

Old dam in Paluan, now destroyed by floods connected to Calawagan River

Posted a few meters away from the resort’s river area, just across the old dam, is the resort’s welcome marker. There are caged wild monkeys at the clearing just after the welcome marker before, but now they are gone.

Main pool at the resort with attached mini pool for kids

At the entrance of the resort is the large main swimming pool covered by ornamental plants and trees. Unlike common chlorinated pools on commercial resorts, Calawagan’s swimming pool is naturally clean since the water is continuously overflowing.

Man-made waterfalls created by the running water from the upper swimming pool

Hanging Bridge connecting two sides of Calawagan River

View from the river of the hanging bridge and main cottage of the resort

Picturesque view of the man-made waterfalls and the hanging bridge

PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE BRIDGE - CLICK TO ENLARGE

Connecting the two sides of the river is a wooden hanging bridge suspended on wire ropes. Located at the other side are the tree houses, cottages, an old swimming pool and a grotto.

Tree house used as one of the cottages beside the old swimming pool

Main cottage and the old swimming pool

The resort has picnic and barbecue facilities and is a favorite place for family outings and camping. Although cottages are available, overnight stay is not recommended because room amenities such as linens, pillows and electrical fixtures are not yet available.

CLICK TO ENLARGE: Panoramic shot of the old pool

There was a very minimal entrance fee being collected from visitors for the resort’s maintenance, but few years ago the resort was totally neglected. Efforts from the local authorities to maintain the facilities was the last priority, thus the tree houses, cottages and the hanging bridge are now a big disappointment compared before. Due to the recent Occidental Mindoro Provincial Meet held in Paluan, parts of the facilities were renovated. Visiting the resort is still free of charge.

Old Balete trees are common sights along Calawagan river

Giant hanging vines along the trail going up the upper part of the Calawagan River

Although Calawagan Resort lacks the usual resort amenities you can still enjoy the lush rainforest surrounding the river which is alive with wild birds, boulders and diverse shrubs with colorful wild blooms. You can make your way up through a trail along the river at the back of the grotto. Along the trail, you can stop and enjoy the cascading mini waterfalls and swimming holes.

Virgin Mary looking after visitors of the mountain

Wild flower blooming along the trail

With the towering boulders and some amazing balete trees as a back-drop, Calawagan River is something worth exploring. Also, a much larger swimming hole at the area called the “15-minutes” awaits you after trekking for about 15 minutes – (that’s how that specific area got its name).

A rock forming a fish head along piles of boulders in Calawagan riverbank

Personal Nostalgia

I’ve been able to visit my hometown in Paluan to spend the holidays with my family this week and of course the vacation isn’t complete without a visit to Calawagan. I usually spend time visiting this mountain resort not just because of the refreshing river but because of the quality of memories I hold there. 

Going there, my thoughts were usually flooded with long forgotten memories. Those were nice, yet a little overwhelming memories that were buried for years. I was always reminded of people, places and experiences that took place there, most of it are fun teenage drama and some family get-togethers. 

It gets gradually more emotional as I visit familiar spots, such as the mini water falls at the upper part of the river or even the farther and more secluded spot they call “15-minutes” I can’t help but smile as I relive good and bad memories, conversations and kulitan sessions with friends, at the same time wondering where they have gone.

Secluded spots at the upper part of the river

It is always nice to visit nostalgic places, old spots that remind us of our old carefree days. It’s good to remember the past so that no matter where we go or how much time has passed, we always remember our roots, where we came from and what made us the person we are today. 

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