Joining The Fight To Save Masungi

I noticed that my legs were already shaking as I started my traverse down the installed climbing net across one of the rock faces of the geo-reserve. We have been traversing the trail for almost four hours and climbing down the net, called “Bayawak” was our final challenge to cap off our Masungi experience.

The Masungi web that caught my heart. Capture courtesy of IG friend @makoi_my_word_.

The Road To Masungi
 
Our road to Masungi started with the challenge of getting a booking for our intended visit. Yes, we booked as early as January of this year for an April visit, the earliest that we can get. The park was already getting traction at that time and getting a reservation was one of the biggest hurdles that you will get. Once you get through, everything will be a breeze

The road to Masungi gives you a glimpse of Rizal's beauty.

Masungi Georeserve is a DENR conservation area located in the outskirts of Tanay where one can enjoy natural limestone rock formations in the midst of Rizal’s rainforest. The sanctuary is the home of different flora and fauna that are endemic to the Philippines like the nocturnal Luzon Cloud Rat. At present, the geo-reserve developed a trail that challenges its guests’ fears while enjoying the beauty of its limestone rock formations and its rainforest.

Masungi Georeserve is a great destination to explore and be one with nature.

We arrived 15 minutes early for our 8.30am schedule. Going to the actual reserve can be quite a challenge so I strongly suggest that you go there via private vehicle through the Cubao – Cogeo –Tanay route. Just make sure that your vehicle can handle steep mountain road inclines going to the jump-off point. The one-hour and a half trip from Cubao can offer an amazing view of Rizal and Laguna de Bay – a preview of better views to come.
 
Masungi Georeserve: A Physical Test of Wits and Strength
 
The receiving area of Masungi is a series of open air cabanas in the midst of greens. The structures were all built that it blends very well with the environment, safeguarded by a few limestone formations in the area. This is where we were given safety orientation prior to the actual traverse in the reserve. The basic premise that we were continually reminded of was to stay along the trails, as there are sink holes in the area that has not been mapped out yet, and to listen to our guide. We were also handed out string bags where we can secure our stuff. Inside the bags is a whistle, a binocular, and a bottle of water

Masungi Georeserve has managed to blend their guest structures into the natural setting of the georeserve.

Before we started, we were already asked to take our bathroom break as there are no bathroom facilities along the trail which would take us three to four hours to traverse. It was nice to see that the bathroom facilities also had sunblock and insect repellent that were readily available to their guests.

The receiving area of Masungi Georeserve.

The deployment of guests in batches are carefully timed to allow ample time for every group to enjoy each attraction in the reserve.
 
Paroot
 
Going through the trail is relatively easy as the trails were already established and in some parts cemented. You will be treated with lots of greens and rock formations throughout the trek. At certain points, you will also be given sneak peeks of sink holes in the area. There a lot of sink holes in the area, with some still be discovered. That is the reason why the guides are very firm that you should stay along the established trail.

Our guide, Mark, shares with us that the georeserve is also the home of the Luzon Cloud Rat.

Our first taste of the park's rope courses.

Twenty minutes through the trail, we made our first stop at Paroot. It is here where our guide informed us that the reserve is also the home of the Luzon Cloud Rat, a nocturnal rodent that is endemic to the Philippines. It is also where we got acquainted with the first rope course along the trail. We had to climb up the rope ladder along a rock face that was about 15 feet high.
 
Sapot
 
After the easy climb to the top, we walked further up the trail of greens and rock formations. We were treated with amazing views of limestone formations. We made a brief stop alongside a huge balete tree that was rooted in a sinkhole.

Traversing the trail of Masungi Reserve.

Waiting for our turn at the Sapot, by the Balete Tree.

We then proceeded to one of the most photographed attraction of the reserve – Sapot. It is a spider web that is suspended a couple of feet in the air atop one of the limestone ridges of Masungi. Sapot will be the first test of balance and will challenge your fear of heights. Its location, matched by it being suspended, gives you that impression that it is high above the reserve. It uses illusion to trick your eyes and mind.

So this is how Spiderman feels.

We all took turns for our individual photographs with everyone doing their favorite poses before we finally had our group pictures. The great thing about being with instagrammers is that everyone is on tiptop shape thinking of the coolest angle to take a photograph.

The Viajerong Pinoy instaviajeros enjoying our WWIM 13 moment.

Apart from conquering your fears, Sapot also gives you an amazing view of the reserve and its limestone formations, with Rizal and Laguna de Bai on one side.
 
Tagpuan
 
After “Sapot”, we trekked for almost 30 minutes through mountain trails as entered deeper into the rainforest of Tanay. I noticed that the sun’s heat was not piercing through my skin. That was the benefit of having all the trees around, it was slightly cooler in the area. I got oriented with Masungi’s art of composting. I initially thought that the geometric designs that we saw along the way were artworks, only to find out that it was a natural way of composting.

Our first hanging bridge encounter in Masungi.

There is art in natural composting.

There were stops along the way as the trek was longer this time. “Tagpuan” was one of the stops. It is a small area where a small cave is located where you can actually rest. It was cool inside the cave giving one a quick cool break through the trek.

A small crevice in Tagpuan.

Unggoy

The trek to the next attraction was longer than the first and it had us going through trails deep within the rainforests. There were brief stops along the way, just enough to help us catch our breath.

Unggoy is the cave where monkeys play around, especially in the afternoon.

Then we finally made it to our first stop high above the limestone formations – Unggoy. The cave was called as such because of monkeys frequent the area. Our guide mentioned that the visitors who are lucky to meet these Masungi residents are those who traverse in the late afternoons. He is also quick to say that these monkeys have a nearby cave, that is bigger, that serves as their homes.
 
Duyan
 
While taking a breather inside a bridgehouse, the warning came from our guide – the next attraction will test us physically and will challenge our fear of heights.

The bridge house of Masungi Georeserve.

The first task was to climb up a 15-foot rope course against a limestone rock wall. That was relatively easy. The view from the top of the limestone formation was beautiful where your eyes can feast on the green covers of Masungi.

The first challenge is to climb up that net.

Then came the challenge of going down the formation on the other side through a rope course – a good 40 feet down to a waiting huge “Duyan”. Looking down was enough to scare the wits out of you and the thought that you will traverse down without a harness can make you ask yourself… “WTF am I doing here?”

View from the top.

So we slowly traversed down the rope course, literally holding on to our dear lives. Our guides assured us not to worry because the rope course is safe and can hold our collective weight. So after getting my guts together, I traversed down the face and embraced the fear

The climb down from the top.

In no time, I was already taking my space on the huge duyan – fear of heights conquered!

My chill moment on the duyan.

The duyan is also a huge attraction of the park. It is a rope course that was shaped like a hammock, hence the name. We all had fun taking pictures but the best way to enjoy the duyan is to just sit back, enjoy the sun, feel the gentle breeze, and be one with nature. Word of caution though, make sure that you secure your loose items and gadgets before getting into the comforts of the huge hammock.

Deciding whether to walk down or to tumble down.

Yungib ni Ruben
 
The next attraction is a series of cave chambers called Yungib ni Ruben. Interestingly, Masungi recognizes the efforts of its park rangers that they name some of their attractions to those who actually discovered the particular attraction, in this case Kuya Ruben.

Inside Ruben... the cave that he discovered, at that.

Visitors will be treated to amazing rock formations highlighted by natural light that penetrates the inside of the cave. The series of chambers go around the inside of the rock formation like a staircase leading up to the next attraction.
 
Tatay
 
Tatay is the highest peak of Masungi.

Tatay gives you a breathtaking view of Masungi.

It is a limestone formation that overs an amazing 360 degree view of the georeserve, the Sierra Madre mountains, and its surrounding rainforests. The view from the top is just amazing that one can just sit there and enjoy the view and the breeze.

Seeing Nanay from Tatay.

It shows you how vast the tracks of land that Masungi safekeeps from illegal settlers and loggers. These hectares of land were reforested after years of government neglect. And now it faces a tough challenge of defending its conservation efforts from greedy individuals. It would be a shame if all these efforts go to waste.
 
Nanay
 
From Tatay, a separate trail leads you to the second highest peak of Masungi – Nanay.

Enjoying the view at Nanay.

Again, the limestone formation offers an amazing view of the areas that surround it. They have also built viewing decks for visitors to appreciate the view below. For those who want a better challenge, try climbing up one of the limestone heads. Just remember that it should always be safety first.

A view of Tatay from Nanay.

Clumsy Bridge
 
Trust me… a hanging bridge that swings clumsily and fear of heights are good combinations for an adrenaline scare.

Stop and it behaves. Walk and it becomes clumsy.

On our homestretch to finishing the Masungi trail, we fancied ourselves with crossing the clumsy bridge. It is so clumsy that it really swings left to right like crazy. It was enough to give some of our companions a good scare.
 
Bayawak
 
As if all the challenges were not physically exhausting, we still had one final challenge to face – the Bayawak.

Our end goal is to get to the bottom.

The Bayawak is the final rope course where you traverse down a 60-foot course against a limestone rock face. At the bottom is a smaller duyan where you can just sit back, relax, and give yourself that pat on the back for a job well-done.

The long way down is through the Bayawak rope course.

It was while traversing down the ropes that I saw my foot shaking, not because I was tired but because it was a long way down. So I had to keep my rhythm working for me… hand, hand, foot, foot – this was how I was pacing and placing myself down the course.

Touchdown!

Making it down the final challenge, I laid back on the duyan enjoying the sun and the breeze. I knew that it was a well-spent 4 hours with nature.
 
Post Travel Notes
 
After four hours of huffing, grunting, photo ops, and challenging our wits, fatigue started settling in. The hours spent on the trail, under the heat of the sun, was no joke. It was physically draining and it was mentally challenging. Great thing that light snacks were served after the activity to help us recover faster from the traverse. It was quite obvious with the group that everyone was tired as everyone was already silent while munching on a sandwhich and bananas. Nevertheless, you can also see in everyone’s eyes the joy and sense of fulfilment of having explored Masungi Georeserve.

Masungi Georeserve gave me a huge smile.

After the trek, it was then that I realized how the locals value the georeserve. They were right when they mentioned to us, before the trek even started, that we will get to understand why they are fighting hard for their stakes on Masungi.
 
I understood.

What Masungi Georeserve now is a product of years of rehabilitation and conservation. It needs to be kept as is.

A lot of conservation effort are already in place that has given the geo-reserve a new lease in its existence. It is a safe haven for different species of flora and fauna endemic to the Philippines. It has provided a sustainable livelihood to the real Dumagats. It is a sanctuary.

We made our stand. Let us save Masungi Georeserve!

More than the rope courses and the views, Masungi Georeserve is one of the last frontiers close to Manila where we can understand that humans and nature ought to exist as one. That is why it is important for us to stand up and save Masungi!
 
Getting There: The first step needed is to go into the Masungi Georeserve website (masungigeoreserve.com) and secure a confirmed booking for your visit. This can be a challenge because Masungi Georeserve is starting to attract attention.
 
It is suggested that you take a private vehicle to get to Masungi Georeserve. You just drive up along Aurora Boulevard in Cubao straight towards the direction of Cogeo then further up along the Marikina – Infanta Highway until you reach the Garden Resort Cottages entrance where you need to register.
 
For those opting to commute. You can take a jeep to Cogeo from Cubao. You then take a jeep headed for Sampaloc, Tanay at the Cogeo Public Market. You can then ask the driver to drop you off at Garden Resort Cottages where you then register and walk to the receiving area of the reserve. Jeepney trips are limited so plan accordingly.