The Obu Manuvu Eco-cultural Adventure in Karilongan: More than just Birding

One thing I like about birding is that it never isolated me from the usual things I do like staying in the outdoors. In fact it makes my outdoor trip even fruitful with the added activities other than trekking, trail running and even camping in the mountains. Birding is perhaps one of the more special activities I do in the outdoors and aside from keeping close bonds with the Big Year team I am also having greater opportunities to know the indigenous peoples dwelling in the highlands of Mindanao.

In an invitation sent by naturalist and environmental advocate Joshua I was able to visit the beautiful place of Karilongan in Baguio District, Davao City together with Tonton and John Paul. The main goal was to see the Southern Silvery Kingfisher which had been frequently visible until I got there. Nonetheless, several lifers and good highland birds were spotted during the visit. The life list of Tonton had us embracing 40 species including some personal favorites like Philippine Cuocal, Everett’s White Eye, Orange-lined Sunbird, Mindanao Pygmy Babbler, Turquoise Flycatcher, Sulphur-billed Nuthatch, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, Coleto and Mindanao Hornbill. Joshua also said the place is a perching site of the Philippine Eagle which I am aching to see this year.

 

Orange-lined Sunbird

Everett's White Eye

Mindanao Pygmy Babbler

Philippine Coucal

Sulphur-billed Nuthatch

Coppersmith Barbet

Coleto

Turquoise Flycatcher 

Pied Bushchat

Aside from being just a mere highland addict like me, Joshua is also handling a commendable project in Karilongan called The Ovu Manubu Eco Cultural Adventure, a project where both natural and cultural attributes in the place are being merged together to form a unique destination that resembles my very own Bagobo Cultural Village in Tibolo.

It is good that the IP community was able to partner with the Euro Generics International Philippines Foundation, Inc. in employing sustainable community-based enterprises through ecotourism that would somehow empower the community in managing its ancestral domain and safeguarding their rich natural resources. The core strategy is to train them on biodiversity-friendly enterprise thereby shying them away from the traditional farm practices which have been detrimental to the environment over the years. For now, they are bent on reforesting a huge portion of Baguio District.

So what is in store if you go to the village? A short trek off single track along the border of Karilongan’s mountain range and river is a warm up experience before reaching a sturdy hanging bridge which I believe is one of the most beautiful hanging bridges in Mindanao. And then another hike through a community-managed nursery in a farmland up to a stream where the Silvery Kingfisher resides is a breather of sort. In a site opposite the stream is a sanctuary of highland birds where the 1,083 foot trail also culminates.

It is definitely not a walk in the park trekking the steep 1,083-step trail. But with the good vegetation and bird species along the way somehow could ease the strain of uphill trekking. The trail ends in a modest huts of Ovu Manobu and a replica of a man’s palm that serves as photo op site with the beautiful panorama of the entire Davao City as background.  And just like our Bagobo Village in Tibolo, the food in Karilongan is over and above all experiences in this paradise highlighted by delicacies cooked in bamboo stems.

Further, Joshua told us that a stay in the village overnight would give us first-hand site of a magnificent sunrise and at the same time increases our chances of seeing the Rufous Hornbill and maybe Philippine Eagle. And just as I really dreamed of, my stay overnight in this area soon should finally give me glimpse of the Southern Silvery Kingfisher.

For overnight tour of 1,000 pesos per person gets one a chance to commune with nature and the Obu Manuvu tribe in Karilongan. The package rate includes transportation from Davao City, two native meals (dinner on the first day and breakfast on the second day), typical Obu Manuvu Hut accommodation, overflowing native coffee and other related activities.  Bookings are on a first-come-first-serve basis through its facebook page.