Kawasan one of world's most beautiful waterfalls

CEBU, Philippines - The Kawasan Falls in Badian, southern Cebu was listed as one of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls by TravelandLeisure.com, a website that features the best destinations and getaways from all over the world.

The website, which has photo contests, deals and blogs, asked its photographer-members to submit their favorite shots to the latter’s photo contest with waterfalls as the subject.

According to TravelandLeisure.com, they received images of falls from South America’s Iguazu Falls to America’s own Yosemite Falls, in a photo dramatized by a low camera angle that captures the rugged terrain.

“The best photographs lend this kind of fresh perspective to waterfalls that, after all, have been photographed countless times,” said TravelandLeisure.com.

 They added that these photos will inspire people to go chasing waterfalls, whether in one’s own backyard or oceans away-and even to experiment with different angles and techniques.

Aside from Kawasan Falls, also included in the list are Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park, CA, Snoqualmie Falls, WA, Chasing Waterfalls in Seljalandsfoss, Iceland, Devil’s Punchbowl in South Island, New Zealand, Iguazu Falls in Brazil, Jungfrau Falls in Interlaken, Switzerland, Lower Falls in Yellowstone National Park, WY, Fallingwater in Mill Run, PA and Jägala Falls in Estonia.

Kawasan has three waterfalls in three levels of a mountain in Barangay Matutinao.

The first one is the highest of the three and is the most popular for swimming. An uphill 15-minute climb will take you to the second falls, and another climb to the third level.

Last April, Governor Gwen Garcia ordered the temporary closure of Kawasan Falls to give way to the demolition of illegal structures and to restore the surroundings to its natural beauty.

— /JPM (FREEMAN)