A Foggy Adventure at Mt. Manunggal Peak

Hello, Hivers! I hope you guys are doing great today. For today’s blog, I’m excited to take you all on a rocky and misty adventure to one of the tallest and most historic mountains here in Cebu, Mt. Manunggal Peak.  With its foggy weather, muddy trails, and breathtaking views, let’s gear up and get ready to experience nature at its best as we climb up and uncover the reach history surrounding this peak. Let’s go! --- ##### **Location** Mt. Manunggal Peak is located in the southwestern town of Balamban, in Barangay Sunog. It is known as the third highest mountain in Cebu, comprising 3,559 feet above sea level.   --- ##### **Historical Significance** You might be wondering why this peak holds historical significance. So, let me give you a brief background first.  On March 15, 1957, President Ramon Magsaysay arrived in Cebu to deliver a speech for the USAFFE (United States Army Forces in the Far East) at the University of Cebu via his newly purchased Douglas C-47 Twin Engine Propeller plane in America, which he had named ‘’Mount Pinatubo Plane’’ after his homeland in Zambales. After his speech, President Magsaysay was invited by the former Philippine President Sergio Osmena to his house in Cebu. During midnight, he decided to go back to Manila. Tragically, on their way home, their plane exploded in the mountains of Cebu at around 1 a.m. Of the 25 people aboard the plane, 24 lost their lives, including President Ramon Magsaysay, the Philippines' 7th president, and only one person survived the crash. That time, many speculations had been circulating that it was caused by a bomb, but investigation dismissed this because there was no shrapnel found. Instead, they found out that it was due to the malfunction of one of its engines that it didn’t take off to the right altitude, which led to the tragic accident. To these days, many people continue to visit this Mt. Manunggal not only to admire its majestic beauty but also to honor and commemorate the late President of the Philippines, Ramon Magsaysay. This place has also become a favorite destination for hikers, mountain climbers, campers, and for people like me who find peace and calmness in nature, away from the noise of the city. --- ##### **How to get there?** From Cebu City, traveling to Mt. Manunggal Peak by private vehicle takes about an hour or two, depending on the traffic condition or your mode of transportation. However, if you will commute, you can take a van-for-hire (v-hire) from Ayala terminal to Balamban for PHP 160 per person, and the driver will drop you off at the Mt. Manunggal intersection. From there, you need to ride a motorcycle to reach the campsite in Baguio de Cebu.   --- ##### **Facilities Offered** • Sky bike: 150 PHP per head • Horseback riding: 150 PHP per head • View deck entrance: 50 PHP per head. • camp area = 50 PHP per head • tent = 300 PHP rental --- ##### **Things to bring to Mt. Manunggal** If you’re planning to climb Mt. Manunggal for camping, I recommend bringing your necessities, such as food, a tent, and cooking equipment, to make your trip more practical. However, if you’re unable to prepare these, there’s a canteen on-site where you can buy food. They also offer tent rentals and cooking equipment for your convenience.  Make sure to bring extra jackets, as Mt. Manunggal’s low temperatures can get quite chilly. If you also plan to climb to the peak, wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes for the hike. And don’t forget to bring enough water, as the adventure can be a bit tiring! --- ##### **Campsite Baguio de Cebu** When we arrived at the campsite, light rain started to fall, and low-altitude clouds covered the landscapes around us. The first activity we did was heading up to the view deck and campsite.  Thankfully, going up wasn’t that bad because the trail there was neither rocky nor muddy. And it will only take you 5 to 10 minutes to get there.  When we reached the view deck, it was already covered with fog. Despite the fog covering the view, the atmosphere remained serene and relaxing. For a brief moment, I felt like I was in another dimension away from the noise of people. The fresh and cool air soothed my skin and felt so good and refreshing. We stayed there for a bit to enjoy the beautiful scenery and took some shots before heading back down for our next adventure.  ##### **The Journey to Mt. Manunggal Peak** The trail to Mt. Manunggal Peak was more challenging due to the rainy weather, which made the paths muddy and misty. Although the trail is beginner friendly, we still need to be careful because the land is slippery and muddy, while rocks are also sharp, which makes our trail extra challenging.  While hiking, we passed by the monument of the late President Ramon Magsaysay and some remnants of the tragic 1957 plane crash, which served as a solemn reminder of the mountain’s historical significance.    --- What’s so good about hiking is we got to see some beautiful and colorful flowers like these, adding a splash of color to the misty surroundings.   --- ##### **FINALLY!**  It took us almost three hours climbing up, after we finally reached the top. Although I've been here a couple times already, the view still never disappoints. The sense of fulfillment I felt after hours of hiking was indescribable. And seeing these breathtaking views takes away all the tiredness I felt earlier.     In that moment, I realized that nature not only has the ability to heal us, but it also has the power to heal itself. It’s not nature that needs humans—it’s the other way around. Sadly, some of us take advantage of what nature could offer, to the point that we are using it beyond our necessities. That’s why, as a human living on this planet who cares about our environment, be responsible. After all, we are merely travelers here, not its owners.