Mt. Manunggal: Climbing Cebu's third highest peak and my first glimpse of Balamban's beautiful highlands

Hello, Hive!

The month of love has finally left us with fond memories, sweet nothings, and some leap of faith. And, now, we march into a new month with hearts hopeful for better days. How are you faring so far? As for me, every day is still a tug-of-war between warm sunshine and torrential rain. Some days, optimism wins. Some nights, doubt reigns. But I'm living. We all are.

Anyway, in today's post, I'm taking you all to the highlands of Balamban, Cebu. Yesterday, my friend posted a series of photos from their weekend camping at Mt. Manunggal on Facebook. Right then, I was filled with a sudden surge of memories since Mt. Manunggal is one of the very first mountains I've climbed when I first started hiking in 2017. And since I haven't shared it with you yet, why not walk down memory lane?

A hike to the historical Mt. Manunggal

Balamban is a first class municipality in the province of Cebu that is not only known for its liempo but also for its spectacular views. A quick Google search would lead you some of Cebu's most visited attractions such as Buwakan ni Alejandra, Florentino's Eco Park, West 35 Eco Mountain Resort, Baluarte Ni Alfredo, EVO Nature Camp, Treehouse De Valentine, and more. But aside from the places on the list, there are two more spots that are frequented by local adventure-seekers: Mt. Manunggal and Mt. Mauyog.

Standing at 982 meters above sea level (MASL), Mt. Manunggal is the third highest peak in Cebu after Osmeña Peak (1,013 MASL) and Lugsangan Peak (1005 MASL). It is located in Brgy. Magsaysay, Balamban and just like the Babag Mountain Ranges, it is part of the Central Cebu Protected Landscape.

On our way to Balamban via the Transcentral Highway (TCH), my friends and I were welcomed greeted by a thick fog that seemed to transport us into an otherworldly world. Joining me on this hike were Shiela, Zan, Jovy, Idol, Jojo, Marc, Sir Juan, Jan, Man2x, Deam, Gelique and her brother.

We had the v-hire drop us at the junction of Brgy. Sunog. Usually, people would hail a motorcycle to take them to the Mt. Manunggal campsite but since our main purpose was hiking, we opted to walk the five-kilometer distance. It was not a tough task anyway since the trail along the way is a combination of cemented path and rough road. The air also was cool despite the sun and the views were great.

Once we arrived at the campsite, we registered our names and paid the required entrance and guide fees. Afterwards, we took a group photo with the monument that was erected in honor of the country's former president Ramon Magsaysay.

_{A little background
Mt. Manunggal made its way into the list of the historical places in the Philippines being the crash site of the late Ramon Magsaysay. Magsaysay was known for his humility and kindness, which earned him the moniker, “People’s Idol.” On March 14, 1957, the crash took the lives of the 49-year-old president, 17 presidential staff, and several news correspondents. Thus, concluding his “Golden Years”.}

Mt. Manunggal and its panoramic views

The highlight of our hike was the peak of Mt. Manunggal, which was a few meters away from the campsite. The trail to the base was a winding ascent and descent in a jungle of lush bushes and protruding roots. It was generally easy, except for the final sections of the trail where there were narrow and sharp rocks. There were also stingy foliage that we had to be wary of when hauling ourselves up.

After a hour or less, we finally reached the summit and, I tell you, the reward at the top was priceless. What awaited us was a vast panorama flaunting the green glory of Balamban's highlands.

The peak had interesting rock formations and those who want to get the perfect shot must conquer their fear of heights. Luckily, I didn't have acrophobia and was feeling confident (at that time) in my knees. I remember jumping from one boulder to another, leaping and hugging the enormous stones to keep my balance. Our only enemy was the strong wind that would sometimes stop us from standing up. But that did not stop us from striking some poses.

Another famous sight when hiking Mt. Manunggal is the protruding monolith at the peak. I, of course, had to experience its thrill. But while all of us were brave enough to stand on its crest, three men were just certified daredevils who went the extra mile to do their stunts.

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Overall, our effort was worth if it meant we get to see this kind of view. I'll be back with the story of our climb to its sister mountain, Mt. Mauyog. Thank you for reading. Stay tuned! 😉🫰

_{Maria is a hopeless romantic who travels in pages and places. She is an INFP who loves sunrises and moonlight 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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