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There are two Philippine Presidents that I am a huge fan off - the Late President Ramon Magsaysay and Former President Rodrigo Duterte. Incidentally, both Presidents were endeared to the majority of Filipinos and this is one of the reasons why I am impressed by the two. While I have a first-hand experience of the FPPRD’s leadership, I have only read about all of Magsaysay’s work and legacy from textbooks. So, when I had the opportunity to hike up to the crash site of Magsaysay, I couldn’t pass up on the chance to explore Mount Manunggal in Balamban, Cebu.  Huffed and puffed to get to breathe in history and nature in Mount Manunggal. Mount Manunggal lies within the Central Cebu Protected Landscape that covers an area of 29, 062 hectares along the central spine of the island. It is the third highest peak on the island of Cebu standing at an elevation of 982 masl. The slopes of this mountain claimed the life of then President Ramon Magsaysay whose plane, Mount Pinatubo, slammed on its slope in the early morning of March 17, 1957 that killed 25 crew and passengers. Only 1 survived the disaster. At present, the peak of Mount Manunggal was turned as an attraction and memorial to President Magsaysay. A hike to the crash site and its peak has been a yearly activity to remember his legacy. An Uphill Hike to Manunggal Our original plan was to catch the sunrise at the peak of Mount Manunggal but van transfers from Cebu City, although starts at 4am, would only leave the terminal when the van is full. We ended up leaving city at 6am and found ourselves at the jump-off point around 40 minutes later. Since the sun was already up and we were in no hurry so we decided to hike to the peak. It was just an easy 5-kilometer hike based off from the blogs that we have read or so we thought.
The hike to the peak is mostly on a paved road that snakes through the mountain side of the Balamban’s rugged terrains. We were treated with amazing views of the adjacent mountains, the lowlands of Balamban, and the usual daily lives of locals in the area. The early morning sun and mountain breeze was a welcome break from our usual urban buzz. We started the hike amazed by the views of natural beauty and rural life. What they did not share in blogs was the road hike involves steep ascents. Halfway through, we figured that it was not a 5-kilometer stretch. It was more than that. We did stop for a short breakfast break in one of the camping resorts in the area. But in one of the steeper ascents, we decided to stop and just flag down a habal-habal to save us time and energy. The hike really caught us unguarded. So, I highly recommend taking a habal-haval The Peak of Mount Manunggal The peak of Mount Manunggal has been developed as a campsite. It now hosts a number of activities that caters to guests visiting the area - from camping facilities to ziplines to guided hikes in the area. There is a small store/canteen in the area where you can buy snacks and quick meals.
A hike trail was established in the area that allows you to explore the peak and the campsite under the shade of its moss forest covers. You would be passing designated areas to pitch tents for those who wish to stay overnight. There are picnic table and chairs along the open area at the top. A three-story viewing deck is the main highlight at the site and it offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the city, Balamban, and its surrounding mountains. The Ramon Magsaysay Crash Site Memorial The east slope of Mount Manunggal claimed the life of President Magsaysay on the early morning of March 17, 1957. After a full day of engagement in Cebu, the former President’s plane, Mount Pinatubo, slammed into its slopes. It claimed the lives of all onboard except for one, Nestor Mata. The whole country mourned the death of one of the most beloved President of the country.
There are two memorials that were erected in on the slopes of Mount Manunggal. You can visit these memorials through an established trail that snake along its slopes. The first memorial is a metal cross mounted on the cemented base with one of the plane’s engines. It has a cemented plate where the names of those who died were carved. The monument is surrounded by lush vegetation which gives the place a calm and peaceful vibe.  The bust and the historical marker of Ramon Magsaysay at Mount Manunggal.
Further down the trail, you will reach an opening where an amphitheater and the NHI Historical Marker recognizing the historical significance of the place. The marker is mounted on a square pylon with a bust of President Magsaysay on top. It also bears a tribute to the late president, by Amadeo Avellanado, for his legacy towards democracy. An annual hike is held to honor President Magsaysay. The Manunggal Rockies We continued along the trail where we got to enjoy the views of the peak, vegetable farms, and moss forest covers. We eventually found our way to limestone rock formations that jutted out of the green covers. We scrambled up the rocks carefully following on a trail that did not have moss covers, indicating that it was usually stepped on.  We finally conquered the rockies of Mount Manunggal all by ourselves. After the huffing while scrambling over the sharp rocks, we reached the top of the limestone rocks. The rocks jutted out of the forest covers. The rockies offered a magnificent 360-degree view of the surrounding forest covers and peaks. There are spots in the area where there are overhanging rocks will challenge your fear of heights. The view atop these rockies is a great reward after all the trail hiking and scrambling over the rocks.
What I enjoyed the most was the mountain breeze that refreshed us after the hike. The views and the breeze was enough to revive our bodies as we took our spot and breathed in nature. It was a perfect way to commune and enjoy nature. Mount Manunggal was not only historical but was a perfect spot to be one with the earth. POST TRAVEL NOTES Mount Manunggal caught us by surprise. We did not expect that the hike from the jump-off to the peak would be a challenge. But just like any challenge, the rewards were beyond amazing for both the mind and body. It was a perfect way to get grounded with nature and get recharged by the sun, wind, and the earth. We got tired but we got back to the city charged up by nature.  We are on the move again... The whole Mount Manunggal experience was an eye opener about life. Taking the challenge of hiking or riding the habal-habal or even both just to get the peak are three different experiences but that does not mean that one is better than the other. We always focus on what we want to achieve in the end and that we enjoy the experience. Remember that there are many ways to get to the top and what is important is not the how it was done but how you enjoyed the process. It is the moments that will make the experience memorable. Keep traveling!!! Watch out for the release of our Mount Manunggal Youtube Travel Video soon. #MahalinNatinAngPilipinas Getting there: Mount Manunggal is in the province of Cebu. There are regular flights to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport from local and international airports. You can take a taxi from the airport to Ayala Center Cebu where you can take a van to the town of Balamban. Just ask the driver to drop you off at the jump-off point of Mount Manunggal. You can opt to hike or take a habal-habal to the Mount Manunggal camp site. Shoutout to my travel buddies - HULL & STERN Dry Bags for keeping my stuff safe and dry during my travels and MAGWAI for their alternative and eco-friendly products for my local travels.
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This is the time of the year when Filipinos gather for a reunion in the most interesting location - the cemetery. Yes, you heard it right. The start of November gathers Filipino families at the final resting place of our departed love ones to remember and celebrate their lives here on earth. Cemeteries across the nation burst into a festive atmosphere, in the play of candlelights, flowers, and food, as both the living and the dead gather to celebrate life.  It is the time of the year where I love the spook with a pinch of adventure. I have a cool fascination for heritage cemeteries since I visited the Old Spanish Cemetery of San Joaquin in Iloilo. From then on, I will always check on heritage cemeteries in my intended destinations in hopes of exploring their old arches and/or simborios, or whatever is left of it. Some of these cemeteries carry stories with them that make it more interesting. In the spirit of Halloween, here are sone interesting cemeteries you might want to explore for its history and its stories. Paco Park, Manila Paco Park is the oldest Catholic cemetery in Metro Manila after its inauguration in 1822. Originally called Cementerio General de Dilao, it was built by the Dominicans for the affluent families of Intramuros who fell victims to a Cholera epidemic. Notable personalities who were once interred here were Dr. Jose Rizal, and the three martyred priests GomBurZa. It was de-commissioned in 1912 and was declared a National Park in 1966.
The cemetery now stands as a green space in the middle of the metro. Its circular design makes it unique and gives you a look at how cemeteries were built in the area during the Spanish period. Fun fact, the Remedios Circle was also a cemetery, of a similar design, before it was turned into a promenade area. At the heart of the park is the St. Pancratius Chapel. The former simborio church was re-purposed to serve as a fully functional church.
La Loma Cemetery, Manila The La Loma Cemetery is the oldest cemetery that is still in use to this day. Opened in 1884, the 54-hectare cemetery was originally called Cementerio de Binondo and was an exclusive burial grounds for the Catholics during the Spanish-period. Prominent personalities buried in La Loma are Josefa Llanes Escoda, Vicente Lava, and Victorino Mapa.
The La Loma Cemetery was one of the few areas in Manila that was spared from the destruction of World War 2. You can still marvel at its amazing collections of heritage Spanish-period structures to its art-deco mausoleums. At the heart of its heritage structure is the Chapel of St. Pancratius. This Spanish-period mortuary chapel was where the final mass for the dead is done before it is finally laid to rest. It was later de-commissioned when a newer church was built. At present, the chapel is being preserved, hopefully together with what remains of its Spanish-period gate, as a link to our colorful past.
Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery, Nagcarlan, Laguna The “Libingan sa Ilalim ng Nagcarlan” is the only underground cemetery in the Philippines and has been accorded as a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Built in 1845, the cemetery was a public burial site and the underground crypts were exclusive for Spanish friars and prominent families of Nagcarlan. The underground served as a meeting place for revolutionaries against Spanish authorities and a hide out for Filipino fighters during the Philippine-American War and World War 2.  The Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery is a National Historical Landmark in the province of Laguna. The sprawling cemetery is bounded by red stone walls that also serves as tombs. At the center of the cemetery is a small mortuary chapel where the final blessing is given. An image of the Santo Sepulcro is the main highlight of the chapel. A flight of stairs would lead you down to the underground cemetery. The tombs line the walls of the underground cemetery. There is a local story that shares that the cemetery and the church are connected by a tunnel and the access point is believed to be one of the crypts in the underground cemetery.
Hamtic Cemetery, Antique The Hamtic Cemetery is an unassuming cemetery in the middle of a rice field. Located a few meters from the main highway, the cemetery looks ordinary except for its Spanish-period baroque-style mortuary church. There’s very limited information about this mortuary chapel. However, there’s already a move to declare the chapel as a historical landmark by the LGU of Antique.  The baroque-style Hamtic Cemetery Church is being nominated to become a historical landmark in Antique. The chapel was made from coral stones, adobe, and bricks. The design follows a baroque design similar to the churches of San Joaquin, Molo, and Tigbauan in Iloilo. There are two belfries that flank the facade of the church. An image of the Risen Christ is the highlight of the three-tiered facade of the simborio. But beyond the history of this chapel, there are interesting supernatural stories. Locals who bury their dead often surround the grave to ward off “aswangs” from feasting on the dead.
Sagada Cemetery, Sagada Before all the stories of a place that mends broken hearts, Sagada’s original claim to fame are its hanging coffins. This century-old tradition of the Cordillerans have been a subject of interests of academicians and tourists. However, not everyone is accorded this kind of burial and it is reserved to prominent and respected figures in the community. In fact, the community has its own town cemetery just a few meters from the church. The Sagada Town Cemetery joins this list, not for its history, but for its unique practice during this time of the year. The cemetery stands along one side of one of its hills. The cool weather and tranquility of the place exude a peaceful vibe in the area. Locals have an interesting practice of setting up bonfires on the graves of their loved ones during November 1 instead of candles. This gives an impression that the hillside is on fire on the night of remembering the dead.
POST TRAVEL NOTES November 1 is a day that reminds Filipinos of our close familial relationships, even when our loved ones have already passed on to the afterlife. This makes cemeteries a repository of stories and memories. So, it is not surprising that we have cemeteries that has its own history and story to share. It is like a time capsule that capture age-old practices and beliefs that gives us a glimpse of the past and beyond.  Hiking to honor the legacy and death of a former Philippine President. As we remember our loved ones this long weekend, let us also remember to make the most of our life. Go around and make memories. Explore and make stories. So, when it is our time to go, we have tons of stories to be left behind and to be shared by the ones we have left behind. Shoutout to my travel buddies - HULL & STERN Dry Bags for keeping my stuff safe and dry during my travels and MAGWAI for their alternative and eco-friendly products for my local travels.
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Marc del Rosario
I believe in education, entrepreneurship, and caring for the environment. 
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