"The perks of having a family member living on top of the mountain is that you get to experience the life of a country kid."
-Geralden Morre
I was not expecting this trip. My father arrived last April 2, 2016 from Africa. My family decided to go on a road trip to Central Cebu to visit one of my grand fathers, their old uncle living on top of the mountain, the day after my father's arrival. I received their invitation in the middle of the night when I was about to fall in to a deep sleep but oh well! What do you know? It's adventure time!
Our final destination was in Manggabon. My auntie told me that this place is close to Mt. Manunggal, one of the highest mountains in Cebu where President Ramon Magsaysay crashed his plane on March 17, 1957. Today, that mountain is considered as one of the historical places in Cebu. We were not able to climb the so called mountain because we were totally unprepared for it and we didn't have enough time. The route heading to that mountain is longer than the actual distance between our place and the mountain.
Our final destination was in Manggabon. My auntie told me that this place is close to Mt. Manunggal, one of the highest mountains in Cebu where President Ramon Magsaysay crashed his plane on March 17, 1957. Today, that mountain is considered as one of the historical places in Cebu. We were not able to climb the so called mountain because we were totally unprepared for it and we didn't have enough time. The route heading to that mountain is longer than the actual distance between our place and the mountain.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Going to places in Central Cebu is quiet complicated if you don't have a private vehicle. It is difficult to find public transportation in rural areas that are far from the highway.
*You may ride a V-hire(mini vans) from Ayala Terminal heading to Balamban. You should stop at a place near Balamban where you can find motorcycle drivers for hire that could take you to places in Central Cebu.
*Or rent a vehicle and go by yourself unless you have one.
*Or hire a driver that is nearby your place and negotiate with them.
We didn't have cars so we rented a motorcycle and hired two motorcycle drivers from our place. The price depends on your negotiating skills. I just let my parents do that task. As for the directions, asking people around is necessary unless you're confident with what your GPS/map is saying.
Going to places in Central Cebu is quiet complicated if you don't have a private vehicle. It is difficult to find public transportation in rural areas that are far from the highway.
*You may ride a V-hire(mini vans) from Ayala Terminal heading to Balamban. You should stop at a place near Balamban where you can find motorcycle drivers for hire that could take you to places in Central Cebu.
*Or rent a vehicle and go by yourself unless you have one.
*Or hire a driver that is nearby your place and negotiate with them.
We didn't have cars so we rented a motorcycle and hired two motorcycle drivers from our place. The price depends on your negotiating skills. I just let my parents do that task. As for the directions, asking people around is necessary unless you're confident with what your GPS/map is saying.
We slayed our motorbikes on despicable roads. There were parts of the road that were not yet cemented. We passed through dusty roads which I considered it as applying instant facial powder on our faces. We went up and down quiet often which was really scary because there were no road railings on the mountains that we climbed with our motorbikes. Sometimes the road gets narrower and sometimes its wide. We also experienced passing on rocky roads. Unfortunately, one of us met an accident on the rocky road heading to the top. Thank goodness I brought the first aid kit with me.
While we were on our motorbikes, we were admiring the beautiful landscapes around us. We went from one mountain to another. We get to see different landscapes and different kinds of vegetation on mountains and beside the roads as well.
This was our pictures of our first stop in the middle of our journey. There were small huts beside the road selling bibingka, Philippine rice cake. Too bad I didn't think of taking pictures of them. We stopped for awhile to eat some snacks.
Second stop, we drop by a place where there were closed stores but had an ATM water dispenser beside it. We refilled our water bottles there and we were frustrated of searching peso coins in our bags and pockets since the ATM water dispenser only accepts peso coins.
The third stop was when three of the motorbikes that were ridden by my aunties, uncles and parents didn't make it to the top of the mountain that we had to wait for them from the top. The motorbikes couldn't carry their weights that they had to walk to the top while their drivers drove their motorbikes to the top.
Last stop was in this abandoned and unfinished hut. Others were behind us because they met difficulties on their way that we had to wait for them here. We didn't mind how long we waited as long as this breath taking view is here with us.
After our 2hrs of travel, we finally arrived at our grand father's bahay kubo/hut. He lives with a friend and they both live a simple life. They have farms beside their hut, they look after their livestock and sell their harvested fruits/vegetables and some of their livestock. We gave our grandfather gifts for his consumption and some gadgets like radio and a cellphone for him to communicate with us when he needs anything.
While my family was too busy talking to our grandfather we were getting bored so we decided to do something fun without clinging on to our phones. So if you're one of those kids from the city taken by your family to visit your ancestors on the mountains, here is a list of the things that you can do.
While my family was too busy talking to our grandfather we were getting bored so we decided to do something fun without clinging on to our phones. So if you're one of those kids from the city taken by your family to visit your ancestors on the mountains, here is a list of the things that you can do.
1. Animal Planet Style: Take pictures of the animals you see around you or look after them. I was the one taking pictures of the animals here while my brothers were provoking the pig, feeding them and chasing after the goats that got away!
2. Nap Time: Sleep on the green grass under the shed of the trees.
3. Climb on Mountains: I climbed from one mountain to another discovering new views.
4.Visit the Farms: Visit farms and you may buy fresh fruits/vegetables from the farm owners at a very low price!
5. Country Side Photography: Try out new subjects in your field in photography.
We have managed to experience some of the things that a country kid do on the mountain. It was truly a memorable day for all of us. There ain't like this in the city and I'm actually glad that my little brother, Jerbie, got to enjoy his day on the mountain away from all of the gadgets at home. Being on the mountain refreshed my childhood memories. There were things that were nostalgic to me making me realize how lucky I am today. I see many children a long the way and at some point, I believe that they are lucky too. They enjoy the simple things in life as they grow up which I believe that we all should have such essence in life.
Cya na daw mosunod n Kuya KimHAHAAA
Posted by Geralden B. Morre on Sunday, April 3, 2016
Road to Manggabon, Central Cebu Posted by Geralden B. Morre on Sunday, April 3, 2016
RECOMMENDATIONS:
*Make sure that your vehicle is well conditioned and is good for rough roads and could climb up.
*Always bring first aid kit.
*Bring enough water and food as stores could be hard to find sometimes.
*Wear a cap/hat/scarf/apply sunblock.
*Don't lay on green grasses/pass through bushy places if you have skin allergies.
*Make sure that your vehicle is well conditioned and is good for rough roads and could climb up.
*Always bring first aid kit.
*Bring enough water and food as stores could be hard to find sometimes.
*Wear a cap/hat/scarf/apply sunblock.
*Don't lay on green grasses/pass through bushy places if you have skin allergies.