A favorite location shooting area of most local and international movies and advertising outfits in the country, Daranak Falls nestles quietly at the foot of the Tanay mountains, preserved with the natural vegetation, complemented with beautiful waterfalls, ponds, and rivers cascading through elaborate tropical trees and plants.

The dam is located at Barangay Wawa in the town of Rodriguez, at the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains. It supplies water to Novaliches passing through large pipes. It has a gorge, which lies between two limestone mountains, and through this passes the upper Marikina River. Four caves are visible on the way to the dam. These caves are said to have been inhabited by the Japanese soldiers during the Second World War. A historical marker can be found at the entrance of one of the caves, in memory of the Japanese soldiers.

The 200-meter-high mountain is shaped like a virgin’s breast, which translates to “susong dalaga” in the Tagalog language. A trek to this mountain challenges the grit, perseverance, and physical stamina of hikers. But once they are at the top, a rewarding feeling of “being high” comes by looking at the scenic Laguna Lake and its pristine surroundings.

This 400m-deep limestone gorge has a surprisingly wild feel for a place only two hours from Manila. There are numerous routes of varying lengths rated from 5.8 to 5.11. The most difficult climbs are bolted, but if traditional protection is pissible, local climbers expect that it will be used. There are occasional rockfalls, so wear a helmet. The best place to get information on Wawa Gorge is Power Up Gym in Quezon City.