Worth the Climb

Aside from the pristine white sand beaches, Cebu also has a number of mountains that awaits for you to climb it. The satisfaction of being able to climb up a mountain and witness nature on a different perspective makes one's heart flutter in delight.

Climbing mountains were never a piece cake. I never liked walking long distances much more climbing up a mountain. What made me do it was the thirst for an adventure. Ever since I was a kid, my family and I often go to brgy. Manghilao to escape the busyness of life and since then, I always saw a cross and was always curious to go to that cross. Hearing the stories that other people have upon climbing it and I always hear how fun it was. And so, summer of 2018, I first climbed up mount Manghilao in Danao together with some family and friends.

Before climbing, we bought candles and water to take to the top. It was said that we can say our prayers and wishes there. Upon climbing we asked our guide, whom was a resident of the place, on why a cross was up there. She told us that a man once had a dream and was instructed by a Supreme Being to build a cross on Danao's highest peak. And so we continued our climb with an interest on finding out more. During the climb, I had to take off my slippers as the ground was very slippery and I was afraid that I'd slip, so I climbed to the top of the mountain barefoot. The trail was relatively easy to follow because the locals made concrete steps in some parts of the trail since the site was quite famous for pilgrimage. Reaching the top for the first time and looking at the view of the place was certainly breathtaking. Although fog covers the view from time to time.

We rested for a bit to catch our breath and then proceeded to saying lighting our candles and saying our prayers. We took pictures and savored the amazing view once again.

November of the same year, we climbed up again. This time I wore my shoes. I noticed some of the soil on the trail got eroded which exposed rocks that were slightly slippery. So we had to be extra careful. along the trail, a couple of centipedes said hi. We also said our hello and continued to climb up. We reached the top it was fogging and so we waited for the fog to pass and yet again we witnessed the beauty of the place.

Climbing mt. Manghilao twice made me appreciate the beauty of nature more. It taught me patience, and to never giving up in reaching the top because the view is certainly magnificent. Every slip, every sweat and every hardship that we encounter while climbing, in the end, it will all be worth it.