Great Adventure at the Governor Rapids

Posted By philippine evolution staff on October 10, 2018

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CATEGORY: Fun Things to Do

quirino-governor-rapids Photo from: http://www.senyorita.net/2015/01/quirino-province-adventure-trip-discovering-undiscovered/

Photo from: https://www.ironwulf.net/2017/09/04/quirino-governors-rapids-maddela/

Located in the town of Maddela is Governor’s Rapids which form part of a tributary of the Cagayan River. It features crystal clear waters which earned it the award of being among the cleanest inland bodies of water in the whole Cagayan Valley.

A dominating feature in the landscape is the towering limestone formation. Continuous erosion by the river formed a number of rock shelters where the Dumagat indigenous people would seek refuge during harsh weather.

Why is it called Governor’s Rapids, you may ask. The tale goes back during World War II when the old province was under the administration of a Japanese governor. Road networks were not yet developed and rivers instead were used as the main thoroughfare in the valley. It has been told that the rapids claimed the life of the Japanese governor whose body was never found after the tragic accident. Since then, the river has been called Governor’s Rapids. Read More: https://www.pinasmuna.com/2013/05/governors-rapids-in-maddela-quirino.html

Photo from: https://lexicalcrown.blogspot.com/2016/04/seven-things-to-do-at-governors-rapids.html

Photo from: https://www.ironwulf.net/2017/09/04/quirino-governors-rapids-maddela/

Flowing through the gorgeous wall of rock formations in Barrio Bisangal, Maddela is the Governor’s Rapids. The river is a tributary of the mighty Rio Grande or commonly known as the Cagayan River. The clear water is attractive but the rapids can be lethal. It was believed a Japanese Governor during World War II drowned and disappeared in these same rapids. The body was never found.

Not to scare people that it’s not safe, the people who organize the river tours here are well-trained. I could see some developments here since we last visited. Cottages are now available for picnics or visitors. They already have a system here for guides and river staff. Life vest are required and the proper briefing before the activity starts. Read More: https://www.ironwulf.net/2017/09/04/quirino-governors-rapids-maddela/

Photo from: https://paradiseofthenorthphil.wordpress.com/

Photo from: http://lexicalcrown.blogspot.com/2016/04/seven-things-to-do-at-governors-rapids.html

The rapids which lay in Barangay Divisoria Sur got its name from a Japanese general who drowned on it during the Second World War. It’s a tributary of the Rio Grande or Cagayan River and is home to the Dumagat Tribe, who usually takes shelter under the spaces carved by the water at the base of the limestone cliffs. Our guide even told us of a cave we can crawl in which has its own gushing waterfalls inside.

Its water is usually crystal clear during the summer months; even reaping an award for being the cleanest inland body of water in the Philippines, but transforms to its current seething, gray state during the rainy season. Read more: https://www.lakadpilipinas.com/2015/02/governors-rapids-quirino-province.html

Photo from: https://paradiseofthenorthphil.wordpress.com/