Manabu Peak - Mataas na Bundok

"He that plants trees loves others besides himself."
- Thomas Fuller -

Manabu Peak is one of the more popular minor climbs that is relevantly close to Metro Manila. Most enjoy its dense forest cover, the interesting flora and fauna within its range, and the wonderful views that it offers. Of course, who would ever forget the free civet coffee of Mang Tino and Mang Pirying. There are really a lot of reasons that climbers continue to flock and climb Manabu.


Arriving at the trail head, we changed gears and prepared to climb. Holding the seedling that we purchased at the registration area in one, we were so eager to trailblaze again.

Engr's seedling

The initial part of the trail is similar to the approach in Mt. Sembrano and Mt. Romelo. Subsequent to the preliminary plunge and ascent, we passed by agricultural  crops and some orchards as we slowly went deeper into the forest and reach the Stations of the Manabu Loop (Yes, the trail is a loop that is comprised by a number of Stations).

The rolling terrain went on until we finally arrived at Station 3 where we briefly stopped for some photo ops. Here, we also had to cross the brook. As the forest in the Malipunyo Range (where Manabu is located) is really one of the more impressive ones in the entire Philippines, it is not surprising that the flora and fauna in the area is really remarkable.

At the Station 3

Onwards, we passed by farmlands and even had to stoop down at one point in order to get pass by steel wires that resemble a clothesline, which I supposed is being used by the locals as a trellis for their vegetable crops.We decided to have our first rest stop at Station 4. This is where the loop trail merges. The trail on the left leads directly to the Grotto (Station 8) and is relatively an easier ascent towards the summit. On the other hand, while the conventional trail on the right is the steeper assault, it nonetheless leads to Station 5, where Mang Tino and Mang Pirying shall gamely offer a free taste of civet coffee to hikers.

Station 4...1st Rest Stop...just before the trail gets steeper

From Station 4, we crossed the river and the incessant climb to the summit started. Eventually, we chanced upon some mountaineers as we approach Mang Tino's hut, also dubbed as Station 5. At least 20 hikers / climbers / mountaineers have been cramping around trying to at least have a chance of sampling the aromatic brew of civet coffee that Mang Tino and Mang Pirying have concocted. At that time, Mang Tino and some of his (presumably) grandchildren were around.

Approaching Station 5 (Mang Tino's hut)

There is also this Bleeding Heart Pigeon (known for the red dot on its chest, hence the name "bleeding heart"), that serves as a reminder of how unique the fauna is in the Malipunyo Range. I just hope the bleeding heart pigeon kept in a cage in Mang Tino's hut, will be able to at least find a suitable mate and propagate its species.
After having a sip of the famous civet coffee courtesy of Mang Tino (I am not really a coffee drinker.), we commenced the final assault towards the summit. The trail noticeably became steeper. Hence, harder to negotiate. Nevertheless, there are ropes installed along the trail that proved to be helpful.

Ropes are helpful....as the trail also becomes muddy during the rainy season

That's steep huh... :)

As we reached the open area just before the camp site, we decided to plant the seedling that was given (we were actually made to purchase it) to us at the registration area. We are really hopeful that the trees that we planted will ultimately grow and contribute in lessening the impact of pollution in the environment. Of course, it will be a dream come true to see birds resting on its branches.

Magtanim ay di biro

Planting for the future

Hope it grows...

In a heart beat from there, we finally arrived at the camp site. And a few meters from there, the summit with the imposing big cross is actually visible. As some hikers doing the reverse traverse were actually going down the summit, while some were making their way up to such apex, we decided to spend a little more time at the camp site for photo ops.


As we planned to also spend a little more time at the summit, we then decided to make the final push a few minutes later. The view at the top is really refreshing. No wonder it is one of the reasons why Manabu is frequented by hikers.

At the campsite.

The summit area....taken from the camp site

At the summit, we were greeted by the awesome view of the surrounding mountains and plains. Even a faint view of Taal Lake and Volcano Island is visible in the horizon. We likewise took the chance to take some pictures at the iconic concrete cross that serves as a reminder that Manabu is also considered as a pilgrim area especially during the Lenten season.




Malipunyo Range

A faint Mt. Maculot in the background.

The Cross at the summit.

Mountains everywhere



Skookum jump

After a very long rest, we then decided to continue with the conventional traverse (following the stations numerically). The trail here is actually less steeper but will immediately lead you back into the forest. However, you will the clearing that is Station 7, which is supposedly the place for a tree-planting activity.


Onwards, we reached the grotto but went on with the hike since there are mountaineers eating and taking a bath at the water source at that time. It was only upon reaching the hut after station 4 (before station 3), when we decided to take a brief rest and buy some buko juice and lumpiang gulay (which is really delicious and tasty.

From there, we continued the hike until we reached the jumpoff point (where we parked our vehicle) and tidied up. Before noon, we are already on our way back to Manila.




Welcome to the forest.

Plant trees

Stations of the Cross

Grotto / Station 8 / There is a water source here.

Traipsing Chronicles 033
002.021.016
Manabu Peak / Manabu Loop
Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Sto. Tomas, Batangas
Jump off point: Sitio Sulok, Sta. Cruz, Sto. Tomas, Batangas
Minor Climb: 2/10
Highlights: Diverse Flora and Fauna; Stations of the Cross; Big Cross at the Summit; free taste of civet coffee courtesy of Mang Tino (Station 5); Grotto; views of Mt. Makiling, Mt. Kalisungan, Mt. Banahaw, Mt. Cristobal, Mt. Malipunyo / Mt. Malarayat, Mt. Maculot, Taal Lake and Volcano Island, Laguna Lake, Talim Island and Mt. Tagapo, and Mt. Sembrano

Actual Itinerary

0530H  -  Meet-up Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City
0545H  -  Breakfast at Jollibee Makati Ave.
0610H  -  Travel to JOP
0745H  -  Arrival at the registration area
0800H  -  Arrival at the JOP / Sitio Sulok / Fix gears
0820H  -  Commence Hiking
0845H  -  Arrival at Camp 4 - Take 5
0905H  -  Arrival at Camp 5 / Queue for free coffee
0930H  -  Commence Hiking
0950H  -  Arrival at Camp 6 - Summit - Long Break
1020H  -  Commence hike back to JOP via loop (grotto)
1050H -   Arrival at the grotto
1100H -   Arrival at hut after Camp 4 - Take 5 (buy buko juice and lumpia)
1120H  -  Back at the JOP / Wash-up
1145H  -  Departure for Manila via Alaminos-Lipa Road
1240H  -  Lunch in Calamba, Laguna
1340H  -  Back in Quezon City

Going There

Private Transportation. There are actually a lot of options available in going to the jump off point. If you are coming from Metro Manila, traverse the South Luzon Expressway and the STAR Tollway. Take an exit in Lipa City (either the Balete or the Tambo Exit will do). If you are going to take the Balete Exit (before Tambo), make a left turn at the Leviste Highway (towards Lipa City) until you reach the Jose P. Laurel Highway. Once there, make a right turn and then go straight.

Make a left turn at the Sto. Tomas-Lipa Road (located after the Mount Malarayat Floral Gardens). Continue past the Fiesta World Mall (left side), the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club (right side). Then at the rotunda, make a left turn to the Alaminos-Lipa Road (your landmark here is the Mountain Rock Resort on the left side). Once you reach the junction, make a left turn. Watch out for the Barangay Outpost of Brgy. Sta. Cruz on the left side of the Highway (this is the Registration Area).

Roundabout

Barangay Outpost cum Registration Center

After registration, follow the road and go past the registration area. Once you arrive at the fork, take the road on the left. Continue straight and then make a right turn. Go straight until you reach the jump off point / parking area.

In case you are taking the Tambo Exit, make a right turn towards Lipa City. Go past Robinsons Mall and SM City Lipa. Then make a right turn at the Sto.Tomas-Lipa Road (just look for the sign leading to Fiesta World Mall and Mt. Malarayat Country Club). Then, follow the remaining tips provided above.

Another variation is to take the Calamba exit in SLEX. Follow the Pan-Philippine Highway towards Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Continue straight until you reach the town of Alaminos in Laguna. Once there, turn left at the Lipa-Alaminos Road.

Then follow paragraphs 2 and 3 above, but now, watch out for the Barangay Outpost on the left side of the road after the bridge.

Public Transportation. From Cubao (QC) or Buendia (Pasay), take the bus going to Lipa. Alight at the bus stop in Lipa, then hail a tricycle that will take you to Brgy. Sta. Cruz. Then follow paragraphs 2 and 3 above.

In going home, there are tricycles available at the jumpoff that will take you back to Lip

Guide. While it is not mandatory to secure the services of a mountain guide, they are readily available at the registration area. Guide fee is P500.00 for dayhike

Civet Coffee. I am not a coffee drinker (...maybe, 5 cups of coffee a year). But I can vouch that the civet coffee being sold by Mang Tino is really one of the best that I have ever tasted.

Tree-planting. In my personal opinion, while the intention to let hikers buy and plant a seedling in the mountain is noble and  righteous, it must be noted that tree-planting is an activity that must likewise be coupled with tree-nurturing.

We have seen a lot of seedlings left by hikers at the summit. While we are not saying that we are holier-than-though, we just wish to emphasize the importance of going the extra mile. Instead of just leaving the seedlings anywhere, it would be better if the hikers would just be responsible enough to at least give the seedlings the chance to grow by planting them in the right place.

Of course, it would be best if the hikers themselves would try to come back and help the seedling survive especially during the summer months.

We paid Php45.00 each at the registration area for our seedlings. However, it is also noteworthy that when some locals saw the seedlings that we were carrying at that time, we overheard them saying this, "...pambihira, sino na naman nanloko sa mga ito...". Hopefully, this practice of asking hikers buy seedlings is not just a mere scam.

Planting is loving.