A Trek to Remember
“If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.” - Frank A. Clark
That being said, a trek to the
highest point in Cebu province will definitely lead you somewhere. The entire
travel from the city to the cold barangay of Mantalongon in itself is quite an
obstacle, given that the trip takes roughly two to three hours. Plus, if the
wind’s very strong, the actual hike can be tiring as you try to resist being
blown off!
For the traveler who chooses to
commute to arrive at the foot of Osmena Peak, also known as O’ Peak, the trip
takes two and a half hours of bus ride, and another 30 minutes sitting on
a motorcycle—known locally as habal-habal—and it will most likely leave your butt numb.
That’s quite another challenge to bear.
But as most people usually say,
it’s about the journey, not the destination. You will be left speechless as you
travel on the road saddled on the side of the mountains of Dalaguete. Nature at
its finest will greet you, and the cool, mountain breeze will welcome you. As
you ride the habal-habal, you will definitely feel the temperature drop and
your ears pop!
You will only see the different
shades of green on the slopes of the nearby mountains, and the road you’ll
travel on. And as you see these greens, you will also inhale the freshest air you’ll
ever inhale after months spent in the city. It’s nothing like the urban setting
you habitually go through every day—the setting filled with traffic, pollution,
and noise.
From the drop-off point of the
habal-habal, it will only take 20 to 30 minutes to reach the peak itself. On a
sunny day, the surroundings will once again leave you breathless—and perhaps
the ascent itself would be another huge factor to that—as you’ll pass by
vegetable crops and start seeing the view of Dalaguete and the nearby
municipalities.
Once you reach the peak itself, you
will see the picturesque view of the south of Cebu.
Tips for the Traveler
1. Keep an eye on the weather and
prepare for it.
On a sunny day, you better prepare
for the sun to sting your skin because there are no trees on the peak itself to
protect you from the sun’s heat. It is highly encouraged to wear clothes that
will shield you from the harmful rays.
On the other hand, if it’s an
extremely cloudy day—if there’s a low pressure area, or some other weather
disturbance—you should also brace yourself for the coolest breeze you’ll ever
feel. Aside from the powerful breeze up on the peak, its coolness will touch
your exposed skin, and even leave dew on your lashes.
During the rainy season, the trail
might be very slippery. As a trekker, one must wear the right shoes. Do not
wear running shoes, or sneakers, or other shoes that has a flat sole because it
won’t hold the ground. But on a dry, warm day, it’s not really a big deal.
The weather be sunny, cloudy, or
rainy, always be sure to plan your trip well. Check the weather updates and
predictions. Anticipate the worst case weather scenario, just in case. It might
be sunny down in the city and municipalities, but when you go up, it might
change instantly.
2. Prepare trail food and water.
Carry with you some trail
food—granola bars, chocolate, or other trail food—because you’ll never know how
hungry you’ll be as you hike to the top. But if you want, you could also pack picnic
food and have a picnic on the peak—we might just call it a peak-nic! Just remember to leave no trash behind. More
importantly, always hydrate yourself. Don’t wait for the thirst to come,
because then you’ll drink too much water.
3. For the more adventurous
travelers: Exit to Badian.
There’s another trail that will
lead you to Badian, the neighboring municipality of Dalaguete. It’s only
another two to three hour hike from Osmeña Peak. You will exit to Kawasan
Falls, another known tourist spot. After hours of trekking, you can take a
refreshing dip in the cool waters of Kawasan Falls. There, you can sit, relax,
and rest from all the walking.
Or before actually going to
Kawasan, you can go Canyoneering! It will cost around Php 1,500 and it already
includes a meal. That will definitely leave you with so much experience in just
a day’s trip.
4. Start early.
Whether you’ll exit to Badian, or
go back the way you came in, it’s better to start early. In fact, locals
suggested to spend the night on the peak ala camper style, and witness the sun
rise. Or, as I suggest, just arrive early enough to catch the sunrise.
If you start early, the heat of the
sun won’t be bothersome. It will only be enough to warm you up. And if you do
plan to exit through Kawasan Falls, starting early will allow you to reach the
destination around noon, and you can have lunch there. It’s definitely a
win-win!
5. If you want to spend less,
invite your whole barkada!
6. Enjoy the journey. One. Step.
At. A. Time.
Sure, you’d want to document your
adventure, but never forget that no camera can capture the beauty of the journey,
and of the place, better than our memories captured through our own eyes.
Make the most of the trip!
Featuring the write ups of a Mass Communication student from the University of the Philippines Cebu. 
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