Backtrack # 6: MT. MAGDIWATA (October 2007)

Mt. Magdiwata is a watershed forest located in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. With more pressing issues surrounding the watershed areas today, several entities have pushed for strict protection of Mt. Magdiwata as it is a major source of water supply for the province of Agusan del Sur. Its loftiness is evident if seen in the town of San Francisco, having a height of approximately 600 meters above sea level. Its jump off area is a large plantation of palm tree.

I was fortunate to have joined an organized climb to Mt. Magdiwata on October 26-28, 2007 along with some 200 mountaineers all over Mindanao. The climb was perhaps one of the few, considering that this mountain is subject for conservation, thereby limiting eco-tourism intrusions. It was hosted by the LGU of Agusan del Sur and technically assisted by Davao-based groups CADRAE and MFSM. I was alone on that climb because the rest of my club-mates were at Mt. Apo conducting Octo-trek monitoring.

While others consider this mountain a minor climb destination, there are several factors that should be taken cared of when climbing Mt. Magdiwata. First is its intense technicality. Although waterfalls, community residents and farmers are familiar sceneries along the way, there were portions where ropes were installed to assist some steep assault and descent. Second, its summit is occupied with a community of religious fraction with atypical beliefs and practice. When you get there, you must act upon in accordance with their principle.

We reached the summit of Mt. Magdiwata early morning at around 1:00 AM, meaning, our trekking between 5:00 PM and 12:00 midnight was a titanic danger. We had to overcome a very risky trekking along bottomless cliffs from both sides and what was worse was that we were trekking in a very gloomy evening. The good thing, however, was that there was no casualty during the climb.

The climb was ended with an amazing reggae party in one of the inland resorts in San Francisco, Agusan.

Backtrack # 5: ADVENTURE AT FRUIT BAT SANCTUARY (December 2008)

Even before it was recognized by the Guinness as the world’s largest colony of Geoffrey’s Rousette Fruit Bats or Rousetteus amplexicaudatus, we already visited the Monfort Eco-Park Bat Cave at Barangay Tambo, Island Garden City of Samal somewhere on December 2008 with my LOGSAC mates Jonas, Papong, John Jay, Kimoy and Chickay. We had this sanctuary as our side trip when we attended the 1st MFSM Day held at Ana Marina Resort.

This cave has five openings with an estimated bat population of 1.8 million and has been considered colony of fruit bats. Fruit bats, like other bats, have very long, webbed fingers that serve as wings.

Fruit bats are nocturnal, and hang from their feet during the day. They may hang with their wings wrapped around their bodies, or, if it is hot, may use their wings to fan themselves. Although fruit bats are good at flying, landing is another story! Fruit bats can't land gracefully, and instead must crash into bushes or trees to come to a stop, or try to latch onto a branch as they pass by. Sometimes these crash-landings disturb other fruit bats at the site, and cause noisy fights amongst them.

Fruit bats, as their name hints, consume fruit and flowers. These bats usually suck on the flowers and fruit, then swallow the nectar or juice and spit out the remaining pulp.

Quick Facts:
Fruit bats are the largest among the species of bats, and one of the most important to humans. Many of the fruits and vegetables we enjoy on our table would not exist without these bats. They disperse the seeds and pollinate the flowers of many plants. Fruits that depend on bats for pollination or seed dispersal include: Bananas, Peaches, Avocados, Jack fruit, Mango, Guava, Cashews and Durian.

Threats to Survival: Habitat destruction is one big threat to the survival of many types of fruit bats. Storms, and hunting also contribute to the endangerment of some species.

Press Release 02-11: SALIDUCON CAVE EXPLORATION