Camping at Mt. Manunggal: Witnessing its beauty from sundown to sunrise

Hello, Hive!

I can't believe I'm finally saying this but I'm back! How long has it been?

My last blog post was November 2024 when I went camping with friends in Mt. Kan-irag, and a lot of things happened since then. I've had my first Christmas in our new apartment. I went home (Leyte) for the New Year. I skipped and slept through the entire Sinulog week. I mourned the death of a close neighbor. I celebrated my birthday.

It has been an eventful series of months. Some days, it's smoothsailing. Other times, it's full of hiccups. But I'm living. I guess this summarizes the story of my recent life.

Now, onto the main topic...

Sunset, catching up, and laughs at Mt. Manunggal camp

Would you believe it that in my thirteen years of living in Cebu and over seven years of climbing its mountains, this is my first time camping in Mt. Manunggal? I've hiked its trails back in 2017 but I have yet to experience the entirety of its beauty from sunrise to sundown.

Mt. Manunggal is not only the third highest peak in the province but is also one of the historical landmarks in Cebu. It is the crash site of Mt. Pinatubo, the plane that was carrying President Ramon Magsaysay Sr., 17 presidential staff, and several news correspondents. This 1957 tragedy is commemorated annually by local mountaineers who organize a camping event on the death anniversary of the former president.

It was past 3 PM when my friends and I arrived at the jumpoff. What was once a quiet place is now teeming with people who are either looking for an adventure (sky biking) or just pure relaxation. They now also have ample parking are for vehicles, a cafeteria with Piso WiFi and charging services, and a view deck flaunting Balamban's beautiful highlands.

Although there is a new designated area for campers, we opted to stay at the old campsite away from the crowd. The hike took only approximately 10 minutes and we passed by the landmark of the historic plane crash where Mt. Pinatubo's engine is being preserved.

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By 4 PM, we caught sight of the familiar Ramon Magsaysay monument. It's the same charming spot but there were few changes that may not entice new generations of campers. For one, the nearby water source is no longer working. Thankfully, the kind family near the campsite gave us a gallon of water and offered their CR whenever we feel nature's call. We pitched out tents as the sun was setting while taking in the view, the freshness of air, and the sense of peace that came with it.

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At dinnertime, my friends and I shared sumptous food and sang a birthday song for @danahnatalie, @thestrollingmind and I (who were sharing the same birth month), and Alton (a belated celebration). We talked about anything and everything during the socials — from the banes and boons of being in our 30s, to the complicated love affair of Jose Rizal, the life of Diosdado Macapagal, and more.

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As the night deepened, thick fog surrounded the campsite and the air got colder. Nearby, a group of boys were playing in field. It seemed like they were having a photo shoot in the haze. We observed quietly but I guess at one point we were all thinking of the same thing: It's nice to be young. HAHA

On the other hand, us — titos and titas — struggled to finish our second tequila. Eventually, we gave up halfway through the bottle and decided to call it a night.

Chasing sunrise at Mt. Manunggal

It was past 5 AM when I heard soft voices outside the tent. Alton and the others seemed to be awake (or half-awake) since we already planned to watch the sunrise from Mt. Manunggal's summit. By quarter to 6 AM, we hit the trails and started the hike. Meanwhile, Chiarra and Leslie decided to stay behind.

The peak of Mt. Manunggal was only a few meters away from the campsite. We hiked along easy and winding trail until we finally reached the final section where we had to climb over roots and rocks. As we were nearing the summit, I started getting worried. Streaks of golden sunrays were already filtering through the trees as we made our way to the summit. I feared that we won't make it in time for the sunrise. Happily, we did.

At the top, a breathtaking view awaited us. We watched the sun as it rose above distant peaks, casting golden glow across the sky and illuminating the lands below. Alton, the first to arrive, was already taking a timelapse shot. Shiela, was perched on the iconic monolith, ready for a photoshoot.

As there was still a line for the monolith, @ybanezkim26, Jovy, and I decided to move to a different spot. That's the beauty of Mt. Manunggal's summit: you have a 360 degree chance of finding a great view.

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Soon, the sun was in full view and the sky transitioned from gold to soft gradient of blue. This moment, right here, will forever have a place in my heart. I was with the right people at the right time. I know that life has not been too kind for all of us. It's not all sunshine and rainbows but, in our own quiet ways, we just took one little step to healing by being here.

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What goes up must come down

By 7:30 AM, we finally decided to go back to the campsite. We hiked the same trail — this time with extra caution since going down proved to be more challenging than going up. Along the way, we passed by several hikers who are heading to the summit and I remember thinking it's a pity they missed the sunrise. The view, however, will still be worth it for them. It's a different kind of stunning seeing Cebu's highlands in clear sight.

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Once we arrived, we decided to skip breakfast and proceed straight to break camp. We took one last group selfie for remembrance and walked bac to the jump off.

Special shoutout to @iamcjestrada and his minivan, Suzi, for carrying our weights throughout the trip. If you like to watch CJ's vlog for this camping adventure, click here. 😁

_{Maria is a hopeless romantic who travels in pages and places. She is an INFP who loves sunrises and moonlit nights and reading books in between. On weekdays, she works for a self-publishing company as a copywriter. On weekends, she lives her life as a poet or hiker. She hopes to share her love for words and the world with you here on HIVE.}

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