Mountain climbing is not for the faint of heart. Yet, the Philippines is dotted with many peaks worth visiting. This month, the Menagerie gives you a view from the top, on a mountain climbing expedition that you may want to try or die trying.
The climb
Mount Banahaw is a three-peaked volcano complex located between the provinces of Laguna and Quezon. It stands at 2158m (7080 ft) and it is the tallest mountain in Region 4A. It is considered ‘holy’ by Rizalists and mountain climbers who frequently makes trips, especially during Holy Week. The mountain is a common venue for high school field trips and company excursions.
A good starting point for your adventure is through the back door of the Spiritual Filipino Catholic Church – a boat shaped complex surrounded by the busts of Jose Rizal, Antonio Luna, Andres Bonifacio, and Apolinario Mabini. The ground, though rocky and uneven, supports hundreds of tall trees.
A narrower path and slippery rocks signal the start of the ascent up the mountain. Along the trek, an inquisitive mind will notice different kinds of plants and insects. The plants stick out to give a trekker a run for his money, while the insects, such as centipedes, give the occasional scare.
As the height of the mountain increases, the terrain follows to become even steeper. The rocks are now bigger and farther apart, making a misstep fatal to climbers. Trees are also scarce on the way up, causing climbers to suffer the heat of the sun’s rays. After several hours of trekking, the inclined ground gives way to a flat surface, which means the volcano’s summit is finally within sight.
There are many things to see at the top, such as melted candles, clothes with print on them, and even images show the Rizalists’ devotion and faith to the mount.
There are also three crosses built side-by-side, representing Jesus Christ and the two sinners that were crucified with him. A statue of Mother Mary grieving while holding a wounded Jesus Christ is also just a stone’s throw away.
The main tourist magnet, however, goes to a winged statue with one eye in the middle of its head. The statue, with one wing painted red and the other blue, is located smack in the middle of the mount. It looks out of the ordinary as the eye centers on a white triangle. The body of the statue carries the words “Jove Rex Al”, which means “Yahweh is King and God”. Our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal’s signature is also affixed below the phrase.
Mount Banahaw is not just all about Jesus Christ and Jose Rizal. A wide expanse of brightly colored flowers grows abundantly on the other side of the volcano. One also cannot discount that the view at the top of the mountain is amazingly beautiful. It gives us city dwellers an unobstructed view of the countryside—one we rarely see. It makes any tedious climb worthwhile.
Back to reality
The saying that the trip is always easier going back does not really apply here. Descending the mount is more difficult than climbing it. The rock patterns are unpredictable, and it could send a climber hurtling down with one wrong move. Sliding down the rocks is the better option when descending.
As an added excitement, climbers who have enough guts on the way down can try to enter a narrow cave called The Cave of God the Father (Kweba ng Diyos Ama). The cave can only be entered head first or feet first; it is so narrow that one must twist his or her body in to weave his way out. Shoes are also prohibited inside the cave, so one also has to contend with the sharp rocks that can injure the limbs.
Before the trip ends, climbers can also make their way down a gushing waterfalls. To reach it, climbers must go further down the base of the volcano and challenge their legs to more than 200 steps of stairs. Some steps are as high as a person’s knee, not a light task at all. The saying “No pain, no gain” also applies here, as it takes another 200 steps to get back to land to finish the journey.
Surely, with all Mount Banahaw has to be on a mountain climber’s bucket list.
