THE MOUNTAINS I HAVE COMMUNED WITH...

The Philippines is gifted with wonderful mountains scattered all over the archipelago. Some are active volcanoes while some are just beautiful landforms, but all should never be underestimated. A boy-out-door like me is so in love with the magical landscapes of this country. Mountains are my first love. And here is the list of the mountains I have communed with (chronologically ordered). Each is featured individually in this blog. Scroll down and take your pick...

Musuan Peak, Maramag, Bukidnon

Unknown to many, Mt. Musuan or Mt. Calayo in Musuan, Dologon, Maramag, Bukidnon is one of the active volcanoes in the Philippines. It is a lave dome and a tuff cone. Its friendly 646 meters elevation allows everyone (even kids) to enjoy the grand view of its surrounding lowlands.  

Mt. Kitanglad, Bukidnon 

Mt. Kitanglad is the most popular mountain in Bukidnon. It is the 4th highest mountain in the country, towering 2,899 meters ASL beside Mt. Dulangdulang, the country's 2nd highest mountain, 2,938 meters ASL. The climbers usually traverse these two mountains for more adventurous trek.

Mt. Lumot, Misamis Oriental

Mt. Lumot in Misamis Oriental stands 2,320 meters ASL. This mountain is very mossy and moist all year round. Termed as the Mountain of Souls, this was the site of the tragic Cebu Pacific Flight 387 Crash in 1998. A shrine dedicated to the crash victims erects at its jump-off point.

Mt. Kalatungan, Bukidnon (via Talakag)

Mt. Kalatungan towers 2,880 meters ASL which makes it the 5th highest peak in the country. It covers the municipalities of Pangantucan, Maramag, Talakag and the city of Valencia. It is estimated to be 35,812.52 hectares.

Mt. Kalatungan, Bukidnon (via Pangantucan)

An eyecatching pair of mountains captivates an avid mountaineer in the highways of Pangantucan, Bukidnon which covers the widest part of the Kalatungan Mountain Range. Mt. Kalatungan is gifted with diversified flora and fauna, hidden lakes, bonsai garden and countless waterfalls.

Lumpanag Peak, Bukidnon

Lumpanag Peak, also known as Wiji's Peak is the twin sister of Mt. Kalatungan. A climb to Mt. Kalatungan is never complete without a traverse trek to this peak. Lumpanag Peak is notably just a few meters lower than Mt. Kalatungan and is considered as its component peak. If treated separably, this peak would surely join the Top 10 highest mountains in the Philippines.

Chocolate Hills, Bohol

Even a Grade 1 pupil knows about the very famous cone shaped Chocolate Hills in Bohol. And I'm sure you were once a Grade 1, weren't you?

Mt. Apo, North Cotabato

The grandfathers of the Philippine mountains stands 2,956 meters ASL. It covers Davao del Sur and North Cotabato.  It is a home to the Philippine Eagle. The boulders, lakes, rocks and sulfur emissions are among the volcano's highlights next to its towering supremacy.

Mt. Saldab, Bukidnon

Mt. Saldab is a silent mountain in Impasugong, Bukidnon. It is one of the tributaries of the major river systems in Mindanao.

Mt. Hamiguitan, Davao Oriental

Mt. Hamiguitan towers 1,620 meters ASL in San Isidro, Davao Oriental. Its vicinity is a home to pygmy trees and gigantic pitcher plants. Every mountaineer would experience walking like a giant in the middle of its pygmy forests and thorny bushes.

Mt. Matutum, South Cotabato

A small active volcano in Tupi and Polomolok, South Cotabato rises 2,286 meters ASL. This is suspected to have erupted in 1911. Here I experienced all the hiking positions- crawling, stooping, sideways and splitting to name a few.  I highly admire the initiative of the local government of Tupi in implementing the "AMYAK MALEH" program which means "CLIMB and PLANT".

Mt. Parker, South Cotabato

A two hour trek from the barangay of Salacafe, T'boli, South Cotabato, this 1,540 meters ASL peak is a settlement of one of the country's cleanest lake. The serene 104 hectare Lake Holon lies on its crater at 1,400 meters ASL.

Mt. Malindang, Misamis Occidental

This complex volcano rises in the provinces of Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga del Norte. The 2,404 meters ASL North Peak is a small mountain yet so difficult to climb like Mt. Matutum in South Cotabato. A crater lake also awaits the weary trekkers with its refreshing waters.

Sagayaran Peak, Bukidnon

Rising beside the Lumpanag Peak at Kalatungan Range, this peak offers a magnificent view of  the other steep mountains in the range.

Mt. Kanlaon, Negros Island

The highest point in the Visayas Islands, this active volcano rises 2,435 meters ASL. A site of one of my solo climbs, a trek to this mountain marked my most miserable one. After my successful prohibited daredevil stunt at its crater's rim, the blue skies turned to gray. My stomach was stirred, my head spun round. I threw up 3 times. El Niño season instantly ended. The first rain soaked my feverish body. Leeches feasted on my skin. LBM even added to my discomfort. Despite its short trail, no mountain should be underestimated.

Kanituan Plateau, Kalilangan, Bukidnon

This plateau is clearly visible from the highway of Pangantucan-Kalilangan boundary. The plateau has a 4-hectare wide plain field at the top. At its base is an Assembly Hall of the controversial PBMA.

Mt. Balatukan, Misamis Oriental

This mountain rises 2,450 meters ASL in the province of Misamis Oriental. Its trail is truly challenging and difficult. It's a neigboring peak of Mt. Lumot and Mt. Sumagaya.

Lantawan Peak, Kalilangan, Bukidnon

This peak in Kalilangan, Bukidnon is a nice trek for dayhike. Its a nice site for viewing the Poblacion with the surrounding vast ricefields. The wonderful village of Kidanggin is also visible at this peak.
 

Mt. Pulag, Benguet 

The playground of the gods rises 2,922 meters ASL in the  freezing province of Benguet. This is the best sunrise viewing site of the country. The third highest peak in the country is truly easy to summit. But the deadly cold is more than enough reason not to underestimate it.
  

Mt. Timbac, Benguet

Rising 2,717 meters ASL, this mountain in Benguet is one of the burial sites of the renowned Benguet Mummies. Crucifixion scene with religious statues rise at the top of this mountain. Holy Week pilgrims throng to summit this peak.

Mt. Pinatubo, Tarlac

Very well-known in 1991, this volcano claimed hundreds of lives with its violent eruption. Its lahar emissions left the surrounding lowlands barren for many years. Two decades after, this volcano has attracted many tourist with its magnificent view accessible through an adventurous 4x4 jeepy ride. Its crater lake is an interesting site for boating. The hot section of the lake gives a soothing soak. The countless number of visitors is a living proof that this volcano, which was ONCE A DESTRUCTION is NOW AN ATTRACTION.

Pontor Peak, Kalilangan, Bukidnon 

This unknown peak in Kalilangan,Bukidnon is simply a hiking site for a lazy weekend. It's a nice viewing deck of the lowlands with the vast ricefields. It's also a good site for viewing the mystical village of Kidanggin.

Mt. Tapyas, Coron, Palawan

This small mountain in Coron, Palawan is an every tourist's stop when in the island. Its gigantic cross calls everyone of its existence. Its concrete stairway allows everyone of any age to experience the exhilarating view of the lowlands including the Sleeping Giant mountain stretch.

Mt. Mayon, Albay 

The first volcano I learned since Grade I, Mt. Mayon is the world's most perfect cone. Its beautiful symmetry rise 2,462 feet ASL in Albay gulf. Its dried lava deposit is one of the attractions tourist go to via ATV or simply a hired tricycle.

Mt. Mayon, Albay

This volcano has been reported with number of eruptions. Its lava flow sometimes draw attention of the tourists who want to witness a fireworks display-like view.

Mt. Hibokhibok, Camiguin

An active volcano in the island of Camiguin, this 1,332 feet ASL offers a grand view of the White Island. Its boulders are inhabited by wildberry like those of Mt. Apo. At its base is the soothing Ardent Hot Spring.

Mt. Batulao, Batangas

A saw toothed mountain in Batangas, this rocky ridged mountain rises 811 feet ASL. This steep mountain attracts every trekker who passes by the highways of Batangas from Tagaytay. This mountain simply requires 2 hours of extra careful trekking.

Mt. Taal, Batangas

Mt. Taal is a 311 feet ASL volcano within a lake. It also has a lake in its crater. This is recorded as the smallest active volcano in the world. This historical mountain attracts both foreign and local tourists which throng in its trails almost everyday.

Mt. Makiling, Laguna

The enchanted Mountain, so they say, is interestingly one of the must-climb peaks in Laguna. This 1,090 feet ASL mountain is named after the mythical Mariang Makiling. Leeches abundantly welcome the climbers to this difficult and challenging slope.

Mt. Bandilaan, Siquijor

A small mountain and the highest point in Siquijor, this peak is a tourist destination especially during Holy Week. This is also the venue for the annual Folk Healing Festival.

Mt. Capistrano, Malaybalay, Bukidnon

Located in a not-so-interior barangay of Malaybalay City, this 609 feet ASL mountain amazes every climber with its magnificent rocks at the peak. The trail may seem short, but it's a difficult one.

Mt. Palaopao, Sumilao, Bukidnon

Very prominent in the highway of Kisolon, Sumilao, Bukidnon, this 836 feet ASL peak stuns every one with its rocky walls and verdant scenery. This is an old burial site of the ancient native dwellers of the area. When viewed from the highway, the peak truly deceives everyone with its simple looks. This is truly a hard trail not to be underestimated. See it for yourself...