Slippery Trails and Soaked Dreams: A Rainy Day at Mt. Manunggal, Balamban

As someone who grew up enjoying the comfort of her own room while watching anime, reading books, or just geeking out on the most random stuff, I always feel so naive whenever I dream of conquering the world—creating endless bucket lists of places I wish to visit, cultures and traditions I want to experience, and so much more.

It all feels like wishful thinking. I mean, who would have thought that this introverted, geeky girl would actually start crossing off those dreams, one adventure at a time?

Speaking of my bucket list, I finally got to cross off another one last March. For the longest time, I had been meaning to visit and hike one of the most historical and stunning mountains in the province of Cebu—Mt. Manunggal in Balamban.

I remember being in awe when I first saw it on national TV, immediately jotting it down in my journal. Who would have thought that this very mountain, with its magnificent rock formations, existed in my own hometown?

It was officially the start of summer when my colleagues and I finally decided to make our long-awaited hike to Mt. Manunggal happen. It also marked the beginning of a new adventure for us—setting out to conquer mountains beyond the city.

But, rookie mistake—we totally assumed that since PAG-ASA had declared the start of summer, the weather would be all sunshine and clear skies. Turns out, we weren’t ready for the windy, foggy, and rainy surprise that greeted us when we got there!

Our initial call time was around 4:00 AM, giving us plenty of time to prepare. We decided to meet at H&M Ayala Center Cebu, since the terminal for V-Hire heading to Balamban via Transcentral Highway is just across from there.

We left the city around 6:00-ish. The weather was fine at first, but as soon as we started ascending, the wind picked up, and raindrops began hitting the windshield. I was lowkey panicking. If this kept up, it might ruin the whole trip. Worst case, we wouldn’t even be allowed to hike and climb. And since I was the one who organized this trip, I really didn’t want my colleagues to blame me for wasting their time and money, especially for something I could’ve prevented if only I had checked the forecast before leaving.

I held onto hope that the sky would miraculously clear up, but nope. None of that happened. Instead, as we approached our stop, the rain, wind, and fog only got worse.

It was more or less an hour drive from the city. Our driver dropped us off at the alley road leading to Mt. Manunggal Eco-park. Honestly, at that point, we were starting to feel hesitant about continuing our journey. But at the same time, we felt excited and determined to push through despite the weather.

The eco-park is still quite far from the main road, so you either walk or ride a habal-habal. We were still debating our next move, so we made a quick stop at the only karinderya along the road to refuel before heading into whatever adventure awaited us. Thankfully, some locals were having their meal there, and they helped us find a ride to the eco-park—where our journey would officially begin.

It was a long ride from the main road, and, thank God, despite almost zero visibility, we arrived safely at the base. The rain wasn’t too bad, but unfortunately, the wind grew stronger, and the fog thickened. As soon as we arrived, we immediately took shelter, already soaked to the bone and shivering from the strong gusts of wind.

Also known as Baguio de Cebu, the eco-park offers a wide variety of outdoor activities for those who don’t plan to hike or climb Mt. Manunggal. The area is spacious enough to accommodate a large number of guests. There is a karinderya, and a store, along with restrooms and parking areas. If you’re planning to stay overnight, you can rent a cabin—or, if you want to fully immerse yourself in nature, camping is also an option.

While we had been hoping for better weather, we got a chance to hang out and get to know the local guides, who were kind enough to offer us warm drinks and free fruits. Apparently, the weather had been like this for a week, but they weren’t surprised that we came—what caught them off guard was how early we arrived! Most visitors usually get there later in the morning..

Mind you, some of the guides were still asleep when we arrived! Haha

Despite the weather, the guides assured us that it was safe to hike Mt. Manunggal. They warned us that the trail would be muddy and slippery, especially once we reached the foot of the mountain, but they strongly emphasized the importance of listening to and following our guides instructions for our safety.

With everything set, we began our journey.

Before we could actually climb Mt. Manunggal, we had to hike from the eco-park to the foot of the mountain. I’m not sure how long the hike was, but it was one of the shortest we’ve had since starting our hiking journey. The trail was easy and beginner-friendly. However, with everything wet and muddy, it wasn’t as simple as expected—we had to be extra careful with every step to avoid slipping. Mind you, some of us didn’t bring extra clothes and underwear because, again, none of us anticipated this weather.

A few steps from the eco-park, we came across the only remaining piece of the plane wreckage from the tragic crash that occurred in March 1957—the accident that claimed the life of the seventh President of the Philippines, Ramon Magsaysay. The gears embedded in the stone are all that remain of the aircraft. In front of it is a plaque listing the names of all the passengers who were aboard that flight.

Our guide gave us a little history lesson. Apparently, only one passenger survived that crash.

As someone who truly enjoys history lessons, I was thrilled to personally visit this site. It felt surreal to be standing in a place with such deep historical significance. As we continued our journey, we stumbled upon yet another monument dedicated to the late President Ramon Magsaysay. Unlike the remnants of the crash site, this monument was located much farther away. The donor placed it there as a lasting tribute to the late president’s legacy, serving as a solemn reminder of his contributions to the country and the tragic event that took his life.

The monument also stands near a public camping site, which seemed like the perfect spot to pause and take in the scenery. We wished we could have camped there, surrounded by nature and history, but unfortunately, we did not have enough time since we had work the next day. Also, as we were not equipped with the proper camping gear and essentials, we had to settle for admiring the area before continuing our hike.

I didn’t take many photos during the rest of the hike because I was focused on keeping my phone dry and avoiding slips. Everything was soaked, and not even my water-resistant bag or windbreaker was spared. But I’m telling you, this was one of the most exciting and fun hikes we’ve ever done.

Since I was the slowest in the group, I got to witness some epic moments—people slipping and sliding, getting stuck in the mud, nearly turning back because of how slippery the trail was, and almost touching a plant that the guide had just warned us about seconds earlier. (Ahem, it’s not you, Sam, I promise! Hahaha.) It was the kind of experience that makes a hike truly memorable.

All those mishaps were replaced with excitement when we finally reached the foot of the mountain. I was in awe once again, seeing these gorgeous rock formations that I never thought I would get to see and climb in real life.

Climbing was a bit of a challenge since the rocks were so slippery, and one wrong move could have been fatal if we fell on the sharp formations. We were so grateful to our guide, who effortlessly helped us navigate the terrain until we finally reached the peak.

When we reached the top, we didn’t waste any time. We took turns capturing some daredevil photos, pushing past our fears and fully embracing the thrill of the moment. It was exhilarating to challenge ourselves and succeed.

Going early was definitely the right decision, as we had the entire peak to ourselves. There was no need to rush, allowing us to take our time, soak in the surroundings, and truly appreciate the beauty of nature, despite the weather.

I’m a little disappointed that we didn’t get to see and fully experience Mt. Manunggal in all its glory due to the weather. Still, I’m grateful for the chance to visit and witness its beauty firsthand. Despite the challenges, we’re so glad we pushed through and didn’t give up.

Although I’m not sure when, we made a promise to return, hopefully under better weather conditions, so we can experience a different side of Mt. Manunggal.

Before the hike, the local guides warned us that our clothes, especially our white shoes, would get muddy. But isn’t that part of the adventure?

Hiking isn’t about staying clean. It’s about stepping into nature, walking through messy trails, and letting the journey leave its mark. Every splash of mud on my shoes showed that I had been there, explored, and embraced the challenge.

By the end, I looked at my once-white shoes, now covered in mud, and laughed. Messy? Yes. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

After we had our fun, we headed back to the base with happy hearts and big smiles. Even though we were wet and soaked, we carried memories of an adventure that tested us, made us laugh, and gave us amazing views. Every slip, every challenge, and every funny moment made the journey special.

Well, just like every book, our journey has come to an end. But this adventure has only fueled my excitement to conquer more mountains—maybe even beyond the city, or who knows, beyond Cebu? Mt. Pulag, Mt. Apo, Mt. Guiting-Guiting? The possibilities are endless.

As I mentioned in the first few paragraphs, I never thought I would be able to conquer Mt. Manunggal—yet here I am, looking back at this incredible experience. If this journey has taught me anything, it’s that every summit starts with a single step, and there are so many more steps—and peaks—waiting ahead.