Mt. Hapunang Banoi is situated beside Mt. Pamitinan and separated by Wawa Dam from Mt. Binacayan. This mountain is now famous to the mountaineering world because it is surrounded by luscious green trees, making the area looks so relaxing and the wind is cool, clean and fresh. Plus, the exhilarating terrains added an adventure to hikers; a perfect place to relax and Instagram worthy.
Our plan was to hike Mt. Hapunang Banoi, but our guide misunderstood us. He was thinking that we’re hiking Mt. Lubog, so by his lead, we trekked an ascending trail surrounded by shrubs, grass, flowering plants and fruit bearing trees. All of us thought that it’s the Banoi's trail but we’re wrong! We knew that we're on the wrong path when we met and talked to a few locals. They brought to our attention that we were indeed on the wrong trail. We brought it up to our guide and he agreed that we’re on the wrong way. Instead of going back, we proceeded trekking to discover the hidden wealth of Mt. Lubog.
Instead of feeling upset, we accepted the fact that there are reasons why it happened. Feeling Positive diba? It was a circuit adventure and the whole journey was amazing. It was a cool trek because the majority of the area is covered with fruit bearing trees. There were plenty of ripe mangoes, duhat, coconuts, bananas, and many more, by the trail. Flowering plants like orchids, cadena de amor, yellow bells hanging on the trees, santan on the trail, and the others. The terrain has a combination of uphill and downhill. The trails are well established, but complicated because it also serves as the locals passageway to their farmlands.
Our Mt. Lubog circuit lasted for almost 6 hours, had our socials and spent over night at our friends’ house, near the DENR. The next day, it’s time to complete the original plan, trekking Mt. Hapunang Banoi. In the morning, we went to the market, near Wawa Dam, to buy something for our breakfast and trail foods.
We started trekking at around 7AM. The trail is simple to moderate type, but only up to the fork trail to Mt. Pamitinan. From the fork trail to the summit is moderate to hard trail type. Majority of the trail is like relationship, very complicated. Trail marks are not always visible, so your feelings and observations are needed. Hopping on and off the lime stones and sharp boulders are also needed, which makes the trail more difficult for the hikers. Another part are spots where you need to do rock scrambling.
The last three photos were captured on one of the boulders near the summit. We were holding the Philippine flag on top of this boulder because this event was part of our annual Climb for the Independence. The wind controls the position of the flag, so it appears improper and violates the Republic Act No. 8491 or Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, but holding the Philippine flag on top was an honor.
HOW TO GET TO MT. LUBOG AND MT. HAPUNANG BANOI: Beside Jollibee Farmers, in Cubao, you can ride in an FX to Eastwood. In Eastwood, ride in a tricycle to Wawa Dam. Reminder: Entrance and Guide fees are to be collected at the DENR.