Mount Manabu Batangas, Philippines

Mount Manabu Batangas, Philippines

Mount Manabu is a very friendly mountain for a new beginner, hiker and mountain climber. You don’t have to be professional to climb it. Based on my scale and experiences the struggle rate to climb the mountain is 1/10.

I don’t have to explained and tell you about the story of the Mountain but to share my story being in the Mountain.

I’m heartbroken, full of sadness and feel the sorrow inside. It feels like I’m hiding at home crying and crying and anxious.

After 4days I was thinking to get out and do something to divert this heavy feeling. To live once again and feel the air, the sun kiss into my skin and feel that never lose HOPE.

Till I realize that I want to climb a mountain, do something I didn’t do in my life.

Through the internet, I sat down and search for mountain close into my home. I see the Mount Manabu and favorable for me. For those who dont have experience climbing mountain.

I prepare myself bring all things I need and of course never forget my camera.
Traveling alone via commute makes me wonder many things, I’m torn apart of being excited and of course what will happen next.

Until I reach the place the starting point of the mountain, I was thinking “Am I sure I will do this alone?”
Until one man a resident of that place approach me. He asks me if I want a mountain tour guide to assist me in the top of the mountain.

I was doubtful at first because he offers me a P500 for one day service. And act that I’m familiar and already knew the place. Which mean I lied because I want to skip and avoid costing for 500 pesos.
In a very quick changing decision I decided to accept the offer in humble way. And Kuya Tirso gets his staff and guided me going up in the mountains.

His name is Tirso who have children and working as tour guide for a years. At the starting point walking I started to ask question with him, building rapport and ask any question about mountain and things I see.
There are so many trails we need to pass; you will dehydrate if you don’t have liters of water with you. I’m glad I have mine, extra shirt, and couple of handkerchief. Kuya Tirso tells me about his life, he struggle because he didn’t finish his high school education. But he has a lot of guts and eager to be a responsible father and husband to his family. He is respectful, caring and very easy to along with.

Every step we reach trail I feel comfortable talking with him, in fact he bring my bags and always assist me for muddy and slippery area. He also alert avoiding accident so he teaches me how to step right and climb properly to reach every single trail.

He’s honest and genuine how he speaks word and I feel it, he’s humble doing his job professionally as mountain guide. He is not about money or fee he’s more about seeding and sharing the beauty of mountain because it help him a lot and even other resident who live nearby. The mountain is lovely, the small stream with big rocks, some unique flowers and plants and some native fruits are there.

There's also a small shed made with nipa, wood and bamboo that selling coffee made from the poop of alamid/Asian Palm civet. A wildcat and I tried to taste it and it's delicious. Of course there's a process to make it sure it’s safe, healthy and naturally made it.

The struggle is real, for climbing the mountains in 2hours in moderate walk, until we almost reach the top.
I’m sweating and my legs are tired walking, climbing and using my energy. But reaching the top of the mountain is the best prize. I love how the scenery from above register into my emotion and feel the breeze and ray of the sun. It’s truly inspiring that every struggle and hardship deserves a reward.

It’s peaceful, full of serenity and reminding me that Nature truly marvelous how it was created. We should love them, we should take care of them because our environment helps us too and repay back the love and care we give.
And the feeling is like a cloud nine, achieving the top enjoying the view.

I give myself a minutes of time to take some pictures and sat down reminisce good things about my life and unwind.
Take a deep breath and starting over to continue about my life. Because having problems is normal and it’s ok to rest but not to give up. I also realize that 500 pesos is enough and deserve to pay for Kuya Tirso after all is hard work guiding me and I do appreciate that. In fact I love to add more for him but my money is enough for my travel fee going back home. So I decided to give a new tumbler and Tshirt for him as a bonus and token of appreciation.

Mountain guide deserve more incentive if you feel and see how they truly love their work and dedication. Their skills, efforts and time should not be bargaining but to appreciate. And I learn the moment I reach the beautiful mountain from the top. Kuya Tirso deserve it and I respect him with his job even if he try to see his self-being little because he encountered many climber who are high end in their lifestyle.

It’s an enjoying and fruitful day for me. It’s also a good experience for me to trek at the very first place in my whole life. It’s lovely, its healthy connecting yourself into nature and its helpful for you to relax and remind that LIFE is wonderful no matter how many problems you are. And keep fighting, in every pain there's always certain time to heal and always keep going forward.

Mount Manabu is truly lovely thank you much for a great memory.

Love

• Rio