Environment Travel

Aw-asen Falls, Away from the Familiar

By on Friday, January 2, 2026

There are places you visit because they are famous. And there are places you visit because they are there, waiting, untouched, unhurried. Aw-Asen Falls is one of them.

Hidden deep in the mountains of Sigay, Ilocos Sur, this waterfall does not sit along a highway. It does not announce itself with restaurants or viewing decks. There is no sense of arrival marked by convenience. Instead, getting there requires intention, time, effort, and a willingness to accept discomfort yet fulfilling journey as part of the experience.

What you need to know about Sigay

Sigay is not coastal Ilocos. It does not benefit from passing traffic or casual visitors. It is a landlocked municipality bordered by rugged mountains, where geography dictates the rhythm of life.

The roads narrow as you approach town. Houses are modest, practical, and close to the land. Here, livelihood is visible in the rice fields, the root crops, the small backyard farms, and the quiet exchanges among neighbors who depend on one another more than on external systems.

Most families earn their living through farming and small-scale agriculture. Rice remains central, but corn, vegetables, and livestock supplement household income. Tourism exists only as an extension of community life, not as an industry that replaces it. The locals who guide visitors to Aw-Asen Falls are not full-time guides; they are farmers, parents, and residents first.

Getting There

From Tagudin Junction (Bitalag), expect a one to one-and-a-half-hour drive along winding mountain roads that gradually pull you away from the lowlands and into the interior of Ilocos Sur. From Manila, the journey typically takes six to seven hours, following the major expressways—NLEx, SCTEx, and TPLEx—before transitioning to provincial roads and local transport bound for Sigay, where the landscape shifts and the pace noticeably slows.

From the lowland towns of Ilocos Sur, travel inland toward Sigay through mountain roads that twist and climb, gradually pulling you away from cell signal and familiar landmarks. Some sections are paved, others are not. Depending on the season, you may encounter dust, mud, or uneven terrain that slows everything down.

Once you reach the designated jump-off point, vehicles stop. From there, the rest is done on foot.

The trek is not short, and it is not polished:

  • Narrow forest trails
  • River crossings with no bridges
  • Slippery stones and exposed roots
  • Sections where silence replaces conversation

Challenges Along the Way

Aw-Asen Falls demands respect, and the challenges are real.

There is little to no mobile signal, which forces reliance on preparation rather than improvisation. Weather can change quickly, and rain transforms manageable trails into dangerous paths. During the dry season, heat and fatigue become the primary obstacles.

Facilities are minimal. There are no commercial rest areas near the falls. What you bring in, you bring out. What you lack, you do without.

Where to stay

The preferred time going to Sigay is around 5:00am from Tagudin, Ilocos Sur. If you wish to stay in Tagudin, we can recommend some places.

A Sidetrip to Sangbay ni Ragsak Falls of Suyo, Ilocos Sur

On the way back, we made a brief stop at Sangbay ni Ragsak Falls in Suyo, a sidetrip that required little planning but offered a different rhythm from Aw-awasen. The approach was shorter, the trail more forgiving, and the presence of visitors more apparent. Unlike the long inward journey to Aw-awasen, Sangbay ni Ragsak felt accessible, almost communal.

Its name, which translates to “falls of happiness,” reflects how the place is used rather than how it is reached. Families lingered by the water. Conversations carried easily. The falls did not demand silence or solitude, only time. As a sidetrip, it provided contrast, showing another face of Ilocos Sur’s inland landscapes, where nature is not only endured or reached through effort, but also shared.

Fulfilling Journey

What stayed with me most was not just the waterfall itself, but what it represents about Ilocos Sur.

Many people know Ilocos Sur for what is already visible like heritage streets, coastal sunsets, destinations that sit comfortably on a map. But Sigay reminds you that the province holds much more than what is easily reached. Its beauty does not always sit along highways or tourist routes. Some of it is tucked into mountains, guarded by long roads, and revealed only to those willing to look beyond the familiar.

Aw-Asen Falls is one of those places.

It stands as quiet proof that Ilocos Sur is not exhausted by what we already know of it. There are still communities shaped by terrain rather than tourism, still landscapes untouched by urgency, still stories waiting beyond the last paved road. The province continues to unfold slowly, deliberately, and without needing to announce itself.

Being there felt like a reminder that discovery is not about finding something new for the world—but about finding what has always been there, patiently waiting. In Sigay, beauty does not ask for attention. It waits for curiosity, respect, and time.

And perhaps that is what makes Ilocos Sur truly beautiful: not just what it shows openly, but what it keeps hidden, ready to be discovered by those willing to go a little farther, walk a little longer, and listen a little more closely.

Contact

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About the Author

Paul Michael Jaramillo
Paul Michael JaramilloChief Executive Editor
PJ is a Certified Public Accountant, writer, storyteller, and an advocate for youth empowerment and environmental protection. His passion for storytelling and social impact has taken many forms—from writing thought-provoking articles on national development, featured in a Spanish newspaper and Rappler, to producing documentaries on mining and environmental issues that aired on ABS-CBN News and GMA News.

A proud Ilocano and graduate of Northwestern University, PJ earned his degree in Accountancy then passed the CPA licensure exam in 2015. That same year, he began his professional career at KPMG in the Philippines. As an external auditor, he handled a diverse portfolio of clients, including a global workspace provider (the largest audit engagement of KPMG Philippines), a global bank, a major FMCG player, and several shared service centers.

His commitment to innovation was evident early in his career. PJ and his team won the KPMG Asia-Pacific Data & Analytics Challenge and later coached the Philippine team to a top-three finish at the KPMG GlobalRunner Cup. He went on to lead KPMG Philippines' Network of Audit Innovators and Data & Analytics Champions, as well as its academic arm. He was an active contributor to the Asia-Pacific Audit Digital Transformation Workstream and a member of both the Audit Methodology Group and the Root Cause Analysis Team. Beyond technical excellence, PJ is deeply committed to learning and leadership. He was a regular training facilitator on audit methodology, professional standards, and emerging tools in data and analytics. He also served as the Firm’s System of Quality Management (SoQM) Implementation Manager and one of its Workforce of the Future Champions.

In 2019, he contributed to the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) as a member of its Technical Working Group on Audit Methodology. His role in shaping audit quality and innovation has left a meaningful imprint on the profession.

PJ defines success by the people he uplifts. As a mentor and coach, he invests in the growth of emerging professionals and previously served as a member of the KPMG Philippines People Committee.

He leads various community-centered advocacy projects and shares inspiring stories through his vlog, PJspirations, a platform that celebrates individuals and their journeys. As a volunteer, he serves as Academic Master and Head Coach of PREMIER International Learning and Development Center, an organization devoted to providing coaching, mentoring, and training programs that help people grow personally and professionally.

Today, PJ brings his passion and expertise to the Middle East, South Asia, and Caspian regions as part of KPMG’s Professional Practice and Audit Learning & Development team. In this role, he contributes to audit methodology advancement and learning strategy across the Middle East Cluster.

He is also a certified #IAmRemarkable facilitator, leading sessions of the global Google initiative that empowers women and underrepresented groups to celebrate their achievements.
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