How I miss spending weekends peacefully in a corner of nature. Hopefully with a view as breathtaking as the verdant ridges of Bukidnon.
Fresh from my grand Mt. Apo adventure, my mountaineer soul became restless. On an impulse, as I often do, I just booked a ticket to CDO two days prior the climb. My destination – the bucolic town of Impasug-ong. The place shot to fame because it served as one of the backdrops of the romantic Tagalog film “Love Me Again (Land Down Under)”.
I reached the jump-off point in Brgy. Impalutao, way too early. People at the registration site would normally recommend for those wishing to camp overnight at Panimahawa Ridge to start the climb at around 3 pm. It’s just a minor climb pero kung tirik ang araw, good luck, nakakahimatay!
Since I’ve got some time to kill, I decided to rent a habal-habal and visit the Communal Ranch. The 642-hectare property is vast, beautiful, and the only government-owned ranch in the country. Di ko na pinalampas mag horseback riding and it simply blew my soul away.
Cedar Falls, which is nearby, is also a must visit.
I was assigned with a young mountain guide, so napilit ko na umalis around 2 pm. It was so hot that day; kahit na it is a minor hike, the heat of the sun was sucking my energy. Good that there are huts/ resting area, along the way. Meron din sari-sari store, manned by the locals. And while nearing the summit, the view gradually becomes more picturesque. It usually takes more or less two hours to reach the summit.
Panimahawa has an elevation of 819 MASL. Camping grounds are numerous and spacious. I found a nice spot on the ridge. Come night time, weather was perfect – windy but not too cold. But since it’s a popular dayhike detination, madaling araw pa lang andami nang tao, so magigising ka sa ingay nila.
But the sight of nature – mountains, sunset, sunrise – was invigorating. It seems like a healing place for a broken heart.
From CDO, take a bus or van bound to Impasug-ong, Bukidnon. Drop off point is Impalutao Elementary, School. From there, take a habal-habal to the registration area of Panimahawa Ridge. Other tourist areas are accessible via habal-habal.
