“Ang taong hindi marunong lumingon sa kanyang pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa kanyang paroroonan”. With that, I will officially begin my travel story featuring my birthplace CATEEL, DAVAO ORIENTAL.
Cateel's Rizal Monument, the tallest in Mindanao
With heads up high, I’m proud to say that I am a true probinsyano by blood and by heart. I was born and raised in the charming little town of Cateel, Davao Oriental.
- St. James the Apostle Parish Church
- St. James the Apostle Parish Church
Cateel is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Davao Oriental, the easternmost part of the mainland Mindanao. It lies at the very mouth of the Great Pacific Ocean in the East, the green Valleys of Compostela in the West, the rustic town of Boston in the North and the municipality of Baganga in the South.
- Sunrise in Cateel Bay
- The Pacific Sunrise
I would say my passion for traveling traces back its roots from the place of my birth. Simply because Cateel has it all. Beaches, coves, mountains, hotspring, waterfalls, caves, rivers, mangroves, people, culture – and all other things that I avidly love to see, enjoy and experience today.
- Santa Filomena Beach
- Tongkip Beach
- Baldo Beach, my childhood’s favorite.
THE BEACH. My first swimming lessons took place at Baldo Beach, the most famous beach for kids at my age then. Baldo Beach is actually a Sabang, a body of water where Cateel River and the mighty Pacific Seas meet. Waters were cold and deep blue. It is also a legendary beach spot in our town. Until to this day whenever I visit home, I never fail to come to Baldo Beach. It remains so special to me. The Sister’s Beach named after the Sister’s Convent fronting the Pacific Seas is also famous. It is one of the favorite places I grew up beach combing with. The waves are ravaging so perfect for swimming. Soon, stories of these beaches, coves and other beaches in Cateel will be featured here.
- The Majestic Aliwagwag Falls
- This Blogger enjoying the Cascading Waters of Aliwagwag Falls
THE WATERFALLS. For those who do not know, Cateel is the home of the Philippine’s highest waterfalls, the majestic ALIWAGWAG FALLS. It is a towering waterfalls regarded as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Mindanao with a series of 84 falls appearing like a “stairway to heaven” from afar. This very recent, it has become one of the adventure destinations of many outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers in Mindanao. And being famed as the country’s highest cascades, Aliwagwag Falls is Cateel’s prized pride. But Cateel is not just Aliwagwag Falls. My first waterfalls escapade is the DANOG FALLS in Barangay Mainit. It is a two tiered cascades not frequented by many because of its inaccessibility from the highway. Nevertheless, we braved the unpopularity and made it to see the spectacular view of the falls. Also, MAHAN-OB FALLS, TRES MARIAS (Mantunao Eco Park) and MABUYONG FALLS are among the other must visit waterfalls in my hometown Cateel.
- The Cascading Water Source of Cateel River
THE RIVERS. Cateel River is touted as one of the cleanest Rivers in the Davao Region. I had once explored river cruising its waterways and I found it rich in aquatic resources and home to the different Mangroves stretched all over Cateel River. I wish to do it again one day.
- One of the new Concrete Roads in Cateel.
Surrounded by MOUNTAIN RANGES, Cateel can be a perfect venue for a day hike or two. I never tried one but heard it very exciting. Numerous CAVES can also be found there. The famous one is LANGYAWAN CAVE. Some caves were believed to be homes of the Mandaya Tribe long time ago, the early settlers of Cateel. Some of these caves were undiscovered until to this day.
- Just one of the many Rice Farms in my hometown.
- Copra is also one of the main sources of income of my townfolks.
Growing up in a town used to be 10 hours away from the urban City of Davao, life in Cateel was rustically laid back. I contented myself with rural pleasures there is in my hometown. Rice farming is one of the main sources of living in my town. My parents taught me the value of this agriculture. So as kids, we’re taught to come to the farm and learn the basics of rice planting. Hence, our rice fields became a huge playground for me and my siblings. The muddy pilapil, the little farm hill, the pili tree and the fruit bearing mango trees are things that until now I still would love to visit. These are undeniably unforgettable.
- Kutoo Festival celebrated every October 29th of the year.
- Playful kids at Cateel Centennial Park.
There are many things I’d like to share about my hometown Cateel but this post is even enough to describe the many wonderful stories I have in my town. Now that I am living in the big City of Davao, I sometimes long to go back there again and savor the simplicity of life only my hometown Cateel can give. A lot has changed there now but what never changed is the fact that Cateel is my birthplace, my home and my refuge.
- RIZAL STREET, where our humble abode is situated. My humble beginning.
“Home Sweet Home” as they call it. Cateel is indeed my home sweet home. Wherever this journey called life takes me, wherever I may go, I will never ever forget that what I am today is part of who I was before – a probinsyano born and raised in a charming little town called CATEEL, a home sweet home.
- This Blogger at Molye
HOW TO GET THERE:
The best way to get to Cateel is by taking a Bus from Davao City via the Compostela Valley Road or Mati City Road. Buses are on daily schedule located at Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT). These buses are operated by Mallen Express, Lyra Express, Floremel Express and Bachelor Express.
This is my entry to the 7th Blog Carnival of the Pinoy Travel Bloggers called “HOMETOWN” hosted by a fellow PTB Member Mhe-anne L. Ojeda of My Comings and Goings.
There’s indeed something in Cateel that captivates you. It’s magical! You try to visit the place and you end up saying,” I will be back.”
That is exactly what everybody says after visiting our lovely town of Cateel.
i’m going home soo and bring some friends. 
how i wish makapunta ako jan sa Cateel, malapit lang sa amin. Suroy ko diha bro, pangitaon ta ka hehehe…
http://www.abdul-hakeem.com
Of course. Anytime.
WOW NICE PLACE..
Thanks Daniel. Soon, will be posting my Mati Travel Stories.
The photos are crisps..gusto kng kainin…hehe…
Another olanology’s best! I am excited to read more of your stories!
Thanks Albertology. I know we share the same pride coming from the beautiful province of davao oriental.
Congrats on your new homeblog Olan. What better way to start your journey than to write about your hometown *wink*wink*. thanks for Sharing Idol.
Thank you Leo.
there’s no place like home in the first place. 
superb shots! kelan mo kami ililibre dyan kuya?
Hahahaha.
Gawa ako ng CATEEL tour. Priority DAVAO BLOGGERS. 
Hehehe. 
Hi Olan, this is your new blog pala. Never really heard of Cateel until this post, it’s such a beautiful place – great shots!
HI Claire. This is my magazine type travel blog. Medyo hirap pa kasi di ako sanay mag wordpress.
Good job! I like the blog. You’ll grow to like WordPress very soon. Congratulations!
thanks ren.
i hope so. have to really get used with WP applications. tnx. 
Amazing waterfalls! This is my first time to hear about Cateel. Our hometown will always be a special place to us.
Thank you roman.
This is no place like home ika nga. 
Thanks for sharing. I am going to add this as part of my itinerary …. Kutoo Festival looks cool.
Thanks.
you also must spend time enjoying and exploring the majestic ALIWAGWAG FALLS. 
I hope Cateel will remain as a “home sweet home” for numerous citizens of our town who are in foreign lands and yearn to come back despite the long absence.
That is one my prayers too. That Cateel will always be HOME SWEET HOME for all of us who hail from there.
I was in Mati last year and was really mesmerized by the beauty of Dahican Beach. Hopefully, maka-suroy pud ko sa Cateel someday. Great post!
Thanks Earl.
Indeed, Cateel is worth the Travel. 
now I miss Cateel more…. missing home so mch… I really have to see you when I get home… mis u cuz…
i miss you too cuz. buzz me up when you get here.
kisses to my beautiful pamangkins. 
I must include cateel in my itinerary when i go to davao this august. can’t wait to see aliwagwag falls!
Wow! See you when you get here Gerum.
grabe ang daming puwedeng puntahan dito!!! ganda ng hometown mo boss!!!
Salamat ng marami. We are so blessed to come from a place like this – home of natural wonders.
hope you guys could also come and visit the place. 
ang ganda nung aliwagwag falls.. pero may question ako.. hndi po ba ma.cristina falls ang highest?
wel it doesnt really matter.. basta maganda yung aliwagwag..
ngayon ko lang binasa yung 7th blog carnival.. hehe
Hi Ivan. Maria Cristina Falls is the tallest waterfalls while Apiliwagwag is the highest.
Read you post too on our PTB Blog Carnival’s “Hometown” 
This is so lovely; very beautiful pictures; Did you use DSLR on these? amazing; I really want to go to Cateel; my Mom was born and grew up there; I want to see all the beaches, especially the San Victor island. I also want to observe the way of life, the culture, the everything about Cateel, Davao Oriental.
Thank you Noy for the wonderful comment.
Cateel has it all. 
beaches, waterfalls, hotsprings, rivers, caves. Anything a lakwatsero like you needs. So, coem back and discover your roots again. Yes, i used D5000 in taking all these photos. Again. Thanks. 
Your welcome Olan.
Hi Olan, this is a very beautiful place for retirement….. I am gearing for it one day and soon
Same here Ate King.
No, huwag please Cateel, Baganga and Boston are NPA infested towns. We have to eradicate this problem before dreaming this place as your retirement…..
Yes, Cateel and nearby towns may be infested by NPAs but that does not mean PEACE and TRANQUILITY do not prevail there. Still – a great place for retirement especially for people like me who came from there.
Thenks for the information. My wife and I wondered if we would find things of interest there.
We live in Mati and often see buses displaying the Cateel sign.
Hopefully there are places for visitors to stay overnight? We’re not sure how long the journey is?
Regards James
Hi James.
Thank you for dropping by my blog. 
yes, my hometown Cateel is a place of so many wonders. From Mati City, it is around 4 or 5 hours Ride. 
there are buses travelling there everyday. FOR PLACES TO STAY, you may stay at the EDARS PLACE, TUGKI or THE OAR INN. These Inns are known to everyone there. You can just ask them to bring you there. 
PLACES TO SEE includes:
1. ALIWAGWAG FALLS
2. MANTUNAO ECO-PARK
3. CREAMSAND LONGBEACH
4. MAHOC BEACH
5. SANTA FILOMENA BEACH
6. SAN VICTOR ISLAND
7. MAINIT HOTSPRING
Please go over my blog, i have posted photo and blog articles here.