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| The two giant disc used to be a radar in the early days |
The first time I went to Mount Kabuyao was when a friend of mine invited me to join the electrical engineering students of Saint Louis University’s field-trip to Sto. Tomas where in the towers for signals of different companies who need it are located.
During that time, the roads were not cemented and it was hard for the jeepneys to travel especially when it was raining. During summer, the road was dusty, like the roads of the old cowboy movies.
Going to Santo Tomas was not easy. As part of the thrill, we walked from Green Valley going up to Santo Tomas passing by Mount Cabuyao. What is good in Mt Santo Tomas? It is like a view-deck to see an overview of Baguio City, and the surrounding places in the lowlands, like, Pangasinan and some parts of La Union. One of the things that amazed me during that time was when the thick clouds were on one side and the other side was very clear. It was like you are walking the boundary of heaven and earth. It’s very cloudy in the “Lowland’s” side and very clear in the “Highland’s” side.
(For clarification, when we say “Lowland or lowlanders” we are referring to the places or its people that are not part of Mountain Province including Baguio city. And the word “Highland or highlanders” mean the places of Mountain Province and its people including Baguio city).
From Mount Santo Tomas, we walked back to Mount Kabuyao where the remains of the two large old radars, shaped like plates, are located. There, I learned that the radars are no longer functioning. But it wasn’t dismantled to serve as a landmark and remembrance of the functions it did in history. In addition, I learned that the mountain is a dormant volcano. From there, then went to see the Baguio City water reservoir – a ten hectares pool where water is collected during rainy seasons.
That was 14-16 years ago.
Last Saturday, April 19, 2014, I went with friends lead by “Trek N Trail” FaceBook page administrator Gideon Omero who’s advocacy is to let people become aware of the degrading beauty of the environment, due to man’s mismanagement and abuse, by inviting people go visit the places.
This visit is different than before. It’s no longer free. One has to pay P25 pesos Environmental Fee, though were not charged because it was the Holy Week.
The road is no longer rough-roads and there are now many houses built and more are sprouting like mushrooms. In fact, a story was told that a big hotel will soon go up at the top of one of the high mountains of Mount Kabuyao, just a few hundred meters away from the radars.
Gardens are now all over the place and anyone familiar with the gardens in Mountain Trail can see it’s not far away behind. Pine Trees are much less though some parts are still forests.
But, what’s sad is that garbage is also all over the places. Plastics are commonly seen littering the roads. I can’t imagine any other reasons why it seems nothing is being done to solve the problem while it’s still not a major one than because the local government don’t see anything to benefit them personally in order to think about a long term remedy.
The only toilet under the view deck smells like very much like one that it’s much better to go hide behind a tree or the tall grasses to relieve yourself than gets a headache and turning your stomach inside out spending a few minutes inside those toilet cubicles.
However, the visit and hiking is still much worth it(We walked about more than 2hours from the police station to our destination where the hidden old burial mini-cave under giant boulders(rocks). The place also pride itself of its thrilling high edges where one can sit and view the thick pines trees while breathing the fresh pine-scented oxygen.
On top of the giant rocks, if it is not cloudy, one can see the old Loakan airport, and many parts of Baguio city. A telescope or a long-sighted camera is best tool to bring the areas you want to view nearer to your sight.
Of course, one can have a taste of a cave by going underneath the giant rocks(as large as one story building with 200 sq. ft. area) where it used to serve as a burial place by the residence of Mt. Cabuyao villages. Just pray no earthquakes happen while exploring under those rocks – imagine the scare it that happens! Whew! The cave is not easily visible and you will not suspect it is there unless your curiosity is high or someone who knows about it tells you.
The area is about more or less 100 square feet and about 10ft high. Inside, we saw only about less than ten coffins(some broken) made up of pine wood, and bones. I noticed the skulls are gone, so probably it was taken as souvenirs by visitors or taken by the family themselves. I saw also one that has new fresh sacks – which probably – the family put into the sacks the bones and put it back inside the coffin. There are no fresh coffins that indicate the place is still being used today. It is therefore safe to say it was already abandoned since burying the dead in the family backyard or under the home residence became a trend.
Though there are not much more to see inside the cave aside from the coffins and bones the experience makes one feel connected to an ancient practice and secret of the past.
From inside, one can see light peeping through a hole where it can be the exit instead of going back from the entrance. Just be careful not to hit your head on the low ceiling of the entrance and the exit.
Outside, we spent about an hour or a few minutes over an hour taking pictures and enjoying the natural beauty of the surroundings.
The tranquility of the place is very enticing to people who wants to have a break from the chaos of a city life which I believe is its most foremost pride that destruction on its surrounding trees can be lost forever unless people in-charge see its importance.
Though, there was a feeling of lingering longer, our time frame won’t permit us, thus we had no choice but to re-follow the trail that brought us to the place back to the radar.
Around the radar area, there are stores selling foods, like, halo-halo(hodge-podge), vegetables, home-made jams, and souvenirs.
Along the road, one can also notice the statues of three people hanging on crosses. The day before, it is told there were lots of local visitors and tourists who participated on the reliving of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Station of the Cross is made permanent at the side of the road beginning from the water reservoir which was the last part we visited.
I thought at first we were going to climb up Mt. Santo Tomas because ‘twas the quote before and during the trek – “We hike Mt. Santo Tomas” - but I was wrong - only because they confused the name of Mt Kabuyao as the Mt. Santo Tomas itself. So, to the next trekkers, be sure to distinguish Mt Kabuyao from Mt. Santo Tomas. Mt. Santo Tomas is higher and about another hour walk up.
Anyway, in order to be able to cover the two mountains, the best thing to do is walk up straight at the top of Mt. Santo Tomas then walk down to Mount Cabuyao – that is if the weather is perfect. If not, then plan for another visit.
If you have a car and a driver, you can go straight up to Santo Tomas then walk down to Mount Kabuyao.
Mount Kabuyao and Mount Santo Tomas are golden opportunities the local government should take seriously to preserve its natural beauty - NOW – before it is crowded by people who don’t care because their greed is higher than the two mountains joined together.
If you need Guides,and Information about cordillera's bests:
Contact Mr. Gideon Omero at Trek N Trail FaceBook page by sending him a message or send a message to the following e-mails:
gidsome@yahoo.com
alakdansarzce@gmail.com
