Lake Sebu 7 Falls: Turning Imperfections Into Adventures

What’s the most important lesson we can pass on to the younger generation? Is it respect? Patience? Wisdom? Or maybe how to stay calm when life takes an unexpected turn? Over the years, I’ve realized that travel is one of the best ways to teach these lessons. During our visit to the iconic Lake Sebu 7 Falls, I stepped into the role of a co-teacher, sharing these lessons with my niece.

It all started when I told her we were headed to South Cotabato to explore Lake Sebu. 

Ever since that day, she couldn’t stop dreaming of taking the long zipline over the picturesque 7 Falls in Lake Sebu.

She watched countless TikTok and YouTube videos of adventure seekers taking this heart-racing and insanely fun zipline ride in Lake Sebu.

And she has imagined herself taking this ride on her own with my Insta360 camera.

But the Universe had other plans.

Did she learn anything from this surprise?

And did she enjoy the trip even though it wasn’t the one she pictured inside her head?

My Lake Sebu 7 Falls adventure 

The flight from Cebu to Davao

The excitement in her voice was contagious as we were waiting for our flight to Davao from Cebu.

She talked about how excited she was to take the bucket-list-worthy Lake Sebu 7 Falls zipline ride.

I kept nodding, playing along, even as I silently hoped the weather would cooperate. 

In her mind, this Lake Sebu trip was all about that one glorious ride.

And how could I blame her?

It’s, after all, the highest zipline ride in Southeast Asia.

At about 600 feet above the ground, this zipline is sure to satisfy my thirst for adventure.

Furthermore, the views from this ride would be absolutely insane and breathtaking.

Moments later, we caught up with our friend and heard the boarding announcement for our flight.

But unfortunately, it rained heavily when we boarded our airplane bound for Davao.

This seemed like a bad omen.

After all, no one dreams of zip lining over Lake Sebu’s waterfalls on a rainy day.

And I was sure Lake Sebu would look a bit different on a cloudy and rainy day.

Even worse, the captain of the flight announced that the flight would be delayed because of the weather disturbance.

I looked at my niece and noticed a hint of disappointment on her face.

I was also a little worried and anxious that the flight wouldn’t go through because I had been dreaming of visiting Lake Sebu for years.

So, I just waited patiently and hoped the rain would eventually stop.

And it did.

After overcoming the delays and challenges, we were finally bound for Mindanao, eager to experience one of Asia’s most fascinating zipline rides. 

A visit to Punta Isla Lake Resort

Arriving hours early before the departure time, we had to wait at a convenience store in Davao.

After we were picked up, we had to travel for a few hours to reach Lake Sebu in South Cotabato.

Then, we arrived at Punta Isla Lake Resort.

While the whole journey was a pain in the ass, it was totally worth it.

From its lake tour to its T’boli costumes, it was a fascinating start to our day trip to Lake Sebu.

So far, it felt like there were no more hiccups on this Mindanao tour.

Yet somehow, I felt like we were about to encounter a test and a lesson that would forever change someone’s life.

Hikong Alu: The first waterfall on our trip

At the parking lot, our driver asked who would be taking the thrilling zipline ride.

Of course, we enthusiastically raised our hands.

Then, he gave a brief breakdown of what to expect on the Lake Sebu 7 Falls zipline ride.

From there, we followed our driver as he led us to the first waterfall on our trip: Hikong Alu.

Upon our arrival, I was amazed by its size and mesmerizing beauty.

Furthermore, I could feel its sheer power and force.

As we got close to the waterfall, I also noticed rainbows forming at this waterfall.

Was this a preview of what was to come on our Lake Sebu 7 Falls zipline adventure?

If it was, then it would be the zipline ride of a lifetime.

As we were taking pictures, I noticed the excitement on my niece’s face.

She was ready, and pumped up to experience one of the longest and most exciting zipline rides in the Philippines.

So, we went to the registration center, and paid the fees.

Afterward, we made our way to the platform where our zipline ride would take place.

It was all fun and smiles, until we discovered something that would ruin my niece’s mood.

The failed attempt to take the Lake Sebu 7 Falls zipline

It wouldn’t be an adventure if there were no uncertainties or uncomfortable moments.

Otherwise, it’s just like going to Disneyland or a theme park.

In recent weeks, my niece was excited not just for the thrill of flying over the gorgeous waterfalls, but for the chance to take her own ride, alone. 

She wanted to capture every twist, every drop, every angle of the ride as her own story to share.

But the Universe had other plans.

We had only one camera, and it wasn’t practical for each of us to use it individually. 

There are two zipline rides, and they’re quite long.

So the first person taking the ride can’t pass the camera to the second, and the second can’t hand it to the third. 

When I explained the situation, I saw her excitement deflate like a popped balloon. 

Disappointment was written all over her face.

Her shoulders sagged, and she couldn’t look me in the eye. 

The usual sparkle in her eyes wasn’t there, and she kept staring blankly at the zipline as if all hope was gone.

I understood her frustration.

I knew it was just a small problem, but when you’re young, you don’t see the bigger picture.

I had been just like that too when I was younger, throwing tantrums or sulking whenever things didn’t go my way. 

I’d pout, blame others, or let my mood ruin the day. 

I guess it runs in the family.

But over time, I learned to embrace the uncertainty of life and travel. 

And how did I do it?

Traveling itself. 

Each unexpected twist and change of plans taught me to let go of control and find joy in the moments I didn’t plan for. 

Travel taught me that the best memories often come from the unplanned and the imperfect. 

It’s not about controlling every detail but about learning to laugh at the mishaps and enjoying the surprises.

For a moment, I thought this would be a great learning experience for her.

The solution 

When things don’t go my way, I don’t let frustration get the best of me.

I wanted my niece to be happy and experience one of her dreams come to life.

But there was no way I was just going to sit there, and tell her it would be alright.

That’s not how I operate nowadays.

I refused to let disappointment overshadow our experience. 

While she sulked, I brainstormed.

The first option I saw was renting an action camera at the site.

That would be a great solution.

But was it economical?

Maybe, not.

How about purchasing a picture from the management handling Lake Sebu 7 Falls?

It was another solid option, but I was pretty sure I could come up with better solutions.

Then, I had a light bulb moment and discovered a possible way to make things work for everyone.

So, I went back to the platform and asked the guides if the first rider could pass the camera to the two who would zipline together.

They said it was possible, but the first rider had to take a steep motorcycle ride back to the platform to pass the camera.

They also said it was going to take some time.

So, we went with this option and had my friend take the first ride.

Once her rides were done, she’d climb back to us, so my niece and I could take the rides.

To my delight, my friend and niece agreed. 

It wasn’t exactly how my niece pictured her ride, but it was a compromise that would let her capture the experience.

The chance to take the epic Lake Sebu 7 Falls ride

The guides were right.

It would take a lot of time for our friend to get back to us, and hand us the camera.

So, I used the time to talk to my niece about the unpredictability of life and travel, explaining how some of the best memories come from embracing the unexpected.

I told her it was a minor problem, and that almost all problems come with a solution if we remain calm and patient.

At first, she seemed distracted, still hung up on the idea of her “perfect” ride. 

But as time passed, I could see her starting to absorb the message.

I reminded her of how Mount Napulak taught her how to be resilient. 

I reminded her how every tough climb brought a reward at the summit. 

I told her that the true meaning of adventure isn’t about getting exactly what you want but finding joy in what’s possible. 

When our friend returned with the camera, my niece’s mood had lifted. 

She was smiling, and even cracking jokes about the Lake Sebu 7 Falls zipline. 

As we prepared for the tandem ride, I could sense her excitement building again.

The insanely fun Lake Sebu 7 Falls zipline

This was it.

This was the moment we had been waiting for weeks.

The guides gave us a quick rundown, sharing tips for capturing the best videos and reminding us of the safety rules. 

With every word, the anticipation grew.

Finally, we suited up, fastening our harnesses and securing our helmets. 

The roar of the waterfalls below mingled with the hum of excitement in the air.

The guides gave us the signal and countered up to 3.

And before we could overthink it, we were off.

The zipline launched us into the air, and I felt like a bird soaring over one of the grandest natural wonders in the Philippines. 

The wind whipped past our faces, and it carried the scent of fresh rain and mist from the falls.

When we finally soared over the breathtaking falls, the wind rushing past and the sound of cascading water below, her laughter was pure and infectious. 

She screamed with her voice echoing in the valley.

She couldn’t stop screaming and smiling.

I turned my attention to the waterfall below, and I saw a stunning rainbow.

I pointed it out to her, and she was blown away by its beauty.

At that moment, I felt so proud of what I did.

And it wasn’t because she was having the time of her life. 

It was because she had learned something valuable.

Travel isn’t just food for our souls.

It’s a teacher who shares valuable and timeless lessons that can’t be learned from a 4-corner classroom.

It works in mysterious ways in teaching us lessons, especially when things don’t go as planned.

It shows us the value of flexibility, reminding us that life isn’t always about sticking to a script. 

Moreover, travel teaches patience, whether you’re waiting for a delayed flight or figuring out a last-minute solution to a problem. 

It helps us let go of control, pushing us to adapt and make the best of unexpected situations.

And best of all, travel reveals the beauty of imperfection. 

In those detours, mishaps, and surprises, we often discover the most memorable experiences and the deepest connections. 

When things don’t go your way, travel reminds you that adventure is less about what you planned and more about how you respond to the moments you didn’t.

Some lessons come from books and classrooms, and others from shortcuts like Google and ChatGPT. 

But the greatest ones that change you forever are found in the real world. 

Before our zipline ride took place, I told her the reason why I’m bringing her to my trips.

I told her that even though I have a degree in education, I’m not fond of lecturing or giving long talks to Gen Z kids.

The best way I know to teach the younger generation is through hands-on, real-life experiences.

The thing is, Gen Z kids don’t like being told what to do or being handed long lectures. 

They want to experience things firsthand.

With a shorter attention span, you have to be creative in teaching them these lessons.

I mean. 

Boring and long talks don’t work in this age.

We’re no longer in the Medieval Age or Spanish Colonial era where friars threw massive books to those who weren’t listening.

And let’s face it, they aren’t mature enough to fully grasp abstract concepts through words alone.

They need to see, feel, and live the lessons themselves.

As we soared over the waterfalls and admired the rainbows, I also realized something.

Travel does bridge the gap between generations. 

It offers shared experiences that teach us both something new, even if in different ways. 

And in our Lake Sebu 7 Falls zipline ride,  real growth happened. 

That’s the magic of learning through adventure.

Lake Sebu 7 Falls aftermath

Everything after the zipline at Lake Sebu 7 Falls was just a bonus.

It was the highlight of our trip and one of the experiences we’d dreamed of.

So, I use the time to reflect and think of the events of the day.

I realized this trip wasn’t just about ticking off a bucket list entry.

It was all about growth and learning from one generation to another. 

So, what’s the most important lesson we can pass on to the younger generation? 

If you ask me now, it’s the ability to embrace life’s imperfections with grace and a sense of adventure.

My niece started the journey with a vision of perfection, but along the way, she discovered something more meaningful. 

She learned the art of “que sera sera’, and she embraced the joy of making the best out of unexpected moments. 

And as her mentor, I grew too. 

Seeing her evolve from frustration to laughter reminded me why I bring her on these adventures.

 As I was sharing these lessons with her, I was reminded of these lessons myself. 

Together, we learned that real adventure isn’t about flawless plans but the beauty found in the unplanned.

How do I get to Lake Sebu 7 Falls?

The best and most convenient way to get to Lake Sebu 7 Falls is to join a guided tour. It’s surprisingly affordable and includes stops to many attractions in South Cotabato, including Punta Isla Lake Resort. If you prefer this option, and you’re traveling from Davao, I recommend Footprints Travel Services.

How much is the zipline ride in Lake Sebu?

The zipline ride in Lake Sebu 7 Falls costs 350 pesos per person.