Cebu is no wonder a wonderful place. One could go to the ridges or to the seas. Just this year, I decided to accompany my high school friend, Anastacia, to Dalaguete.
Dalaguete, Cebu is a first class municipality 84 kilometers southeast from Cebu City. It is is hailed as the Vegetable Basket and Summer Capital of Cebu. (source: https://dalaguete.gov.ph/)
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Last 2017, me and my friends from work visited Osmeña Peak and Obong Spring in which I had my first blog entry; however, I haven’t listed our itinerary in the said blog. I just wrote a poem. If you have some time to read it, here’s the link https://thediaryofabee.wordpress.com/2017/03/30/first-blog-post/ 🙂
This trip was supposedly a trio; however, a friend suddenly withdrawn during the said trip. Still, with only just the two of us, we decided to continue what’s planned. Besides, it would be the first climb Anastacia would experience so cancelling it was never part of the plan.
We agreed to meet at Cebu South Bus Terminal and boarded in a Ceres Bus bound to Oslob (as it is the available bus when we’re in queue). You could ride any buses as long as it will pass by Dalaguete. Do not ride buses going to Barili as it is a different route. The fare depends on the type of bus (ordinary or airconditioned) you rode in. Fares range from below a hundred or more. Getting to the junction of Mantalongon Dalaguete took almost three hours depending on the traffic. Since Ana and I met at 6:00AM and waited for our turn from the long queue as it was Saturday that time, we arrived at Dalaguete almost 10:00AM.
Your landmark would be the 7Eleven store near the junction of Mantalongon or you may tell the bus conductor to drop you off at the junction of Mantalongon.
Upon arriving, we decided to have our early lunch before heading to Osmeña Peak. Then we commissioned a habal-habal driver to take us to Osmeña Peak. On my 2017 visit, there was a logbook visitors should fill out before heading to Osmeña Peak; however, on my second visit, logging in was no longer practiced. Good thing was the drivers were still regulated by the barangay and motorcycle fee was still 200 pesos per person (back & forth). However, fees could be changed upon the barangay’s decision. The steep road I once traveled last 2017 has improved to a cemented one giving us the smooth ride. There were also new establishments operating in the nearby areas of Osmeña Peak. There was a mini-restaurant before you arrived at the base of Osmeña Peak. Just like before, our commissioned habal-habal driver waited us.
It was almost 11:00 AM when we registered and paid the 30-pesos fee. (As said, fees could be changed upon the barangay’s discretion.)
During my first visit, there were no kubo’s (nipa huts) in the area. There was this kubo that if my judgment was right, it’s a small store. Anastacia and I just passed by it that’s why I haven’t really checked on it. Do bring your own snacks just in case you got hungry and always put in the mind to be a responsible traveller. To quote, “It’s better to have a messy bag than to mess around.”
Upon reaching the peaks, I noticed that the tarpaulin which was placed in one of the peaks was now gone. Also, the other peak (which I haven’t reached before) has a pole placed on its top in which it wasn’t there last 2017.
Being in this fantastic trek with a friend comes insane ideas, too. Ana wanted to have her photo on the grasses so we let ourselves dive into the wide wild grasses never minding the other people on top. Not even if there were insects nor a snake – thankfully there’s none. Haha!
After more than an hour above, we decided to go back and head to Mantalongon’s Mt. Talongon Sunflower Garden and adding a 50 pesos fare each. The entrance fee was 50 pesos.
First thing that we have noticed was that the sunflowers during our visit were withering already and the other rows of sunflowers were just starting to grow. However, with the hype of being there, we tried to bring out our, rather, photography skills.
We may have visited it on its withering and growing days, Ana and I still captured good photos that would be some good memories, too. So if you’re planning to visit there, you may have to check on the updates or be familiar with the sunflowers blooming season.
After our garden invasion, we head back to the junction of Mantalongon. Took our quick afternoon snacks and then waited and boarded on a bus heading home.
Getting to South of Cebu and heading back to our respective destinations don’t require us to be so familiar with the routes. Trust one’s instinct and of course, don’t hesitate to ask the locals, they’ll surely guide us.
Indeed the Philippines is a topographic country.
Hugs from the hills and the gardens,
thediaryofabee
The Diary of a Bee 