Echoes of the Past at the Mt. Kalugong Eco-Park

If I were to choose key phrases to describe my high school years at Benguet State University-Secondary Laboratory School (BSU-SLS), they would include “solid work”, “4-1”, “Pomology”, and “Mt. Kalugong”. It has been more than 15 years since the last time I set foot on Mt. Kalugong. Which is a shame, really, considering how it is on my doorstep (heck, the side of the mountain greets me each morning I wake up!) and how it is now more accessible to everyone as the Mt. Kalugong Eco-Park.Mt. Kalugong is one of the mountains surrounding the La Trinidad Valley. In the local dialect, “kalugong” means “hat” and, correct me if I’m wrong, but it was named after a rock formation resembling a hat at the top of the mountain,

Back then, there were two access points to Mt. Kalugong: via Tawang, which included some hiking, and via Sitio Tabangaoen of Barangay Balili, right behind BSU. We used to climb up via the latter route.

Over the years, some developments have taken place. A new access point via Barangay Cruz has opened. Roads were paved to make the hikes shorter. I don’t know the state of the trail up Tabangaoen now, though.(You can read more about it here.)

Mt. Kalugong back then was just a stretch of grassland with pine trees and rock formations. I remember us spreading large pieces of cloths or our jackets and stretching out on the grass, snacking on whatever we remembered bringing up to the mountain. Anyone can go up there – anyone willing to make the hike or the climb, that is.

To be honest, the place has borne witness to a LOT of shenanigans and drama that make up a high school experience spent with the best group of friends one could ever have.

Today, it is now the privately-owned and maintained park, renamed as the Mt. Kalugong Eco-Park (visit their Facebook page here).

On Sunday, October 12, 2014, the Search for Mr. and Ms. Benguet 2014 had a scheduled photoshoot wearing their ethnic attire up Mt. Kalugong. I tagged along because I figured it was time to break that Mt Kalugong 15-year drought.

Going there, we took the Tawang route. We left our ride at the barangay hall of Barangay Tawang, which serves as the jump-off point. What followed is a 10-20 minute hike, the duration of which depends on (a) your fitness level, and (b) your penchant for stopping and taking photos.

Barely a minute after starting the short hike and it started drizzling. This was already around 11am. But did the drizzle stop us? Nope, not at all.

Rock formations, rocky trail, grassy knolls, pine trees. You will see them as you go along. I was actually glad we took this route. There was simply more to see.

If you want to see more of nature, take the Tawang route. You see, the Cruz route will have you passing through a residential area, on a paved road. (But if that’s your thing, be my guest. I’m just saying this is a more scenic route.)

There were also random markings strewn about on the path, with messages written in local dialects – Ibaloi and Kankana-ey.

From afar, you will get a glimpse of the rock the mountain was named for. Too bad the weather was quite gloomy that time. You can also catch a glimpse of the La Trinidad Valley down there. This only made my resolve to come back even stronger, preferably when the weather is fairer.

You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the sign.

Entrance fee is Php50.00, and it is now filled with picnic tables, swings hanging from the pine trees, and several huts, shacks and cabins. I glimpsed some mattresses and beds inside the cabins, so I am guessing guests can also opt to stay overnight. I think they have different rates for that.

If not for the weather (the drizzle turned into quite a shower shortly after we have arrived), it would have been fun to have climbed atop the rock again. But no one risked it. Maybe next time?

And the main reason for this short trek up the mountain: the photoshoot. I figured I’d steal some shots as well. Propz to them for being such troopers, making the trek in their native costumes, barefoot, and braving the cold and shower. The 13 pairs of candidates for Mr. and Ms. Benguet 2014, representing the 13 municipalities of Benguet.

The pre-pageant for the Search for Mr and Ms Benguet 2014, in line with the Adivay 2014 celebrations, will be on November 14, 2014, while the Final Pageant and Coronation Night will be on November 22, 2014 at the Benguet Sports Complex in Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet.

Back on track. I totally wouldn’t mind coming back to the Mt. Kalugong Eco-Park in the future. Maybe with my high school friends, you know, just to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, maybe hear the echoes together?

Going down, we took the Cruz route. And look who I came across along the way! Thanks for the send-off!