Katulidan Peak Dayhike, Malita, Davao Occidental (531 MASL)

Ella, my good friend from San Miguel Brewery, Inc. in Darong, is an outdoor enthusiast who have been scaling several minor peaks in Davao Region. She is based in Davao now but her permanent resident is in Malita, Davao Occidental, a province blessed with natural resources which can be good sites for outdoor tourism. We have been talking about possible partnership with her family of political leaders in one of Malita’s barangays, the highland barangay of Sangay. She was asking me to help them put in place a hiking attraction that could catalyze tourism development program in her hometown. We set several schedules but unfortunately that never materialized due to COVID-19 restriction in Davao Occidental. 

On April 10 we finally explored the place together with my adventure team from Sta. Cruz. It was the very first time I pounded a trail in Malita since 1994 during my freshman year in SPAMAST. And it was really good to be back to one of my most unforgettable places. The first of series of exploration started in Katulidan Peak, a panoramic heap towering 531 MASL with varied features such as rivers, forest, farmlands and waterfalls. This can be favorably considered for day hikes and even overnight camping because of some good plains ideal for an outdoor campsite. 

The first part of the hike is crossing the small but mighty Ula River which culminates with a native coffee break at Ula River Resort. A more strenuous assault is waiting off a minute tributary stream of Ula River that also serves as channel for potable water pipes serving barangay Sangay and adjacent localities. Exploration climbs are always a challenging adventure because we didn’t just hike, we tried to locate good track to situate a perfect trail for ecotourism purposes. A good 3-hour trek brought us to a ridge view of coconut trees where we had good respite of buko juice but not without surviving that terrible river trekking and an assault off a newly-discovered trail where Jorax was stung by some angry bees. Lesson: Always religiously follow LEAVE NO TRACE PRINCIPLE during outdoor hikes. 

The buko stopover site is also the most appropriate site for overnight camping. It only needs to be installed with water source maybe from Ula River, a simple comfort zone and few signage and this one is already a nice campsite.   

The first peak measures 455 MASL. This presents another scenic platform, with the entire greenery of Malita visible. Froilan came up with some cup of hot native coffee here which was what we exactly needed to pledge a surrounding of striking winds. Few meters from first peak is the highest point of Katulidan. This could be a good conclusion of the trek but the locals utilize it as a family cemetery that makes it inappropriate to be considered for tourism. 

The trail to first peak is a a bald farm which can be very hot during sunny days. A zigzag trail should be established here and it is important to be always hydrated when taking this area to avoid muscle cramps and heat exhaustion. 

Our relaxing descent features huge corn plantation that served as start of a circuit trail using Ula River as reference. This time the trail is well covered with vegetation of secondary growth forest trees. We had short rest in an open rock with nesting Ridgetop Swiflets and a good sight of Naked-faced Spiderhunter, one of the few special birds I saw in Katulidan. Hosting a horrible slash and burn farming practice, I have not seen or even heard records of wildlife in the entire Katulidan mountain range. I hope ecotourism would become a tool to replenish the lost glory of this mountain.  From the trail head onwards I recorded 34 species of birds highlighted by Mindanao endemic Mindanao Hornbill and a nesting Brown-breasted Kingfisher.

After a sumptuous lunch in Ula River we were right back on track to Ula River Resort all the way to Ibing’s Native Kape and Tsokolate, a flawless finale to that 6.8-kilometer exploration adventure trek. Ibing’s will surely make a good jump off point for visitors to Katulidan Peak because coffee always keeps us going, and cold beers proved to be really good post-climb refreshment.

For Malita residents who haven’t heard of Ibing’s you can take 30-minute drive westward to Sangay and experience the fragrance of native coffee and tsokolate here. They also serve variety of kakanin items and a complete range of San Miguel Beer products. 

I am optimistic that Katulidan Peak will become a household name in terms of ecotourism in Davao Occidental and more than happy to be part of its discovery. Thank you so much Ella for the invitation, as well as to the barangay council of Sangay. As usual, this climb would not have been made possible without the support of LOGSAC and Miss Meggy Santos of San Miguel Brewery. 

Thank you LOGSAC Team: Froilan, Jorax, Kurvy, Winston, Jacko, Witrax and Badi.

Mt. Apo Sta. Cruz to Site G EDC Kidapawan Traverse Climb

This is a climb conducted on March 19-22 using the Sibulan, Sta. Cruz trail traversing Site G of Energy Development Corporation (EDC) in Illomavis, Kidapawan City, site of a geothermal power project. The EDC trail has been utilized by VIPs in scaling the summit of Mt. Apo because it is the shortest and most friendly trail, but it is not open for regular trekking program because it is within a private property and strict measures are being implemented by EDC authorities. 

As part of the initial milestones in a long-term effort to apply Mt. Apo into UNESCO’s Global Geological Park, this climb was spearheaded by Bagani Fidel Evasco, Regional Executive Director of Department of Environment and Natural Resources XI (DENR), the lead agency facilitating the preparation for this application proposal. The purpose was to establish geologic baseline information which will be crucial to the application effort. Geologists from Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) were part of the expedition to particularly dissect Mt. Apo’s geologic features to include the boulders, white sand and sulfur vents.  

UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. Their bottom-up approach of combining conservation with sustainable development while involving local communities is becoming increasingly popular. At present, there are 169 UNESCO Geoparks in 44 countries, and we intend to make the count 170 by including the Philippines’ highest peak into the list.

I am personally in favor of this initiative not only for tourism reasons but in a much better perspective this will heighten every stakeholder’s effort towards Mt. Apo conservation, protection and rehabilitation. Once UNESCO pastes a seal in this mountain a lot more serious things will be in a good stance, hopefully, and that more respect will be accorded onward to making Mt. Apo great again. That is a serious item I am praying right now.

The entire climb was graced with hostile weather. As usual, Sta. Cruz trail offers spectacular wildlife with presence of the rare Mindanao Jungle Flycatcher in between Bugha-anan and Big Rock e-camp around 1900 MASL. The earlier part of the day also saw Olive-capped Flowerpecker, Black and Cinnamon Fantail, Elegant Tit, Sulphur-billed Nuthatch, Island Thrush, Mindanao White Eye, Cinnamon Ibon and Turquoise Flycatcher. Over at the other side in Ma-ag satellite Nursery several White-checked Bullfinch appeared together with some moulting Mountain Leaf Warblers. Apo Myna, a flagship bird of EDC and Kidapawan City Tourism, came out after a Day 3 downpour 1 kilometer before reaching Site G. This bird record somehow is a good consolation after failing to join the session of my Big Year Davao team in Mt. Karilongan last March 21 during the celebration of International Day of the Forest.

Meanwhile, Ma-ag Satellite Nursery belongs to the municipality of Makilala and what better way to seize the time was to take a side trip off Lake Jordan with RED Bagani. Lake Jordan is another body of water within MANP that is now considered the largest lake here because Lake Venado never returned to its previous state. I also learned that Lake Jordan is a detour site for Bansalan Trail trekkers and few meters from the lake lies Camp Reyes, Bansalan’s only holding campsite. Lake Zion, a dominant hill in Makilala, is a good backdraft of Lake Jordan. After 15 long years I also got a glimpse of Lake Ma-ag. We used to call this Lake Macadac before surrounded with the native Tinikaran Trees of EDC’s reforestation project in North Cotabato area.

Amidst some negative posture of Mt. Apo nowadays finally we are able to find ways to position this mountain to be world class sooner than later. The application to UNESCO Global Geoparks, I presume, will eventually turn things around for Mt. Apo.

P.S. I would like to thank 3 LOGSAC buddies who accompanied me during this climb namely: Jose Froilan Miagao, Lito Roque and John Drick Gavilan. It was the first time I camped out in the summit with a very strong wind and a chilling temperature of 9 degrees Celcius.

Limited Edition San Miguel Pale Pilsen Iconican adds Meaning to a Post-climb Bonding

 Alcohol intake during outdoor hikes has been barred off lately to address two pressing issues, environmental and physical. As an outdoor person however, my climb will never be complete without taking to the campsite a can or two of my most favorite beverage – San Miguel Pale Pilsen. Yes, swigging few shots at the campsite always stimulates my heart that often led to appreciating nature all the more.

While drinking in moderation is a core value for the entire course of a climb, alcohol intake during post-climb bonding moments is mandatory. And just like the sea of clouds in the summit on a clear day, having San Miguel Pale Pilsen (in its newest Iconican) defines the social benefits with fellow outdoor enthusiasts after a memorable climbing adventure. 

San Miguel Pale Pilsen continues to serve delightful bonding moments and unforgettable memories with its time-tested brew. Through the years, this iconic Filipino beer has brought people from all walks of life together, helping shape local culture through music, fashion, and the arts.

This Holiday season, to commemorate the brand’s timeless taste and signature style, San Miguel Pale Pilsen merges classic with contemporary through its limited-edition IconiCan. Bringing beer lovers together through creativity, the IconiCan is a product of an exciting collaboration between two award-winning visual artists, the late editorial cartoonist Larry Alcala and touted graphic novelist Rob Cham.

Alcala was awarded the title of National Artist for Visual Arts posthumously for his body of work throughout his 56 years of cartooning. During his time, his illustrations reflected day-to-day life filled with gaiety and humor. Etched in the minds of Filipinos, Alcala’s works chronicled the country’s history including the subjects that made its mark in Pinoy culture, one of which is San Miguel Pale Pilsen.

An illustrator and comic book creator, Cham has received the National Book Award for his work on his graphic novel Light. The young artist communicates his sentiments through intriguing and soulful visuals that incorporate pop culture into worlds that capture contemporary aesthetics.

Both excellent illustrators in their respective times, Alcala and Cham deftly mirrors the Filipino way of life with the strokes of their pens. Placed side by side and wrapped around a San Miguel Pale Pilsen can, the works of these superb artists showcase good times with the classic brew. The IconiCan connects people together with San Miguel Pale Pilsen, perfectly embodying the brand’s message of “Kahit Kailan, Walang Iwanan”.

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