MAGALLANES, Cavite -- Mountain climbers, trail blazers, and pilgrims taking their Lenten holiday spiritual retreat may find this highland adventure in “Buhay Forest” (life in the forest) -- a lush greenery and forest in this upland Barangay San Agustin in this town -- a perfect place to commune with God and nature.
For soul-searchers and nature lovers, the “Buhay Forest” with its 10-hectare breadth of thick foliage atop the Magallanes highland, is a trekking paradise, some two-hour’s drive from Manila via Cavitex, in their escapade to beat the sizzling heat in the metropolis.
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Freddie Sisante, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO), said the local government of Magallanes has started to develop the forest park in 2012 as an eco-tourism site by then Mayor Napoleon Beratio, who led a massive reforestation to protect and preserve the forest cover.
“The Buhay Forest concept offers visitors and trekkers an easy climbing adventure to the highland’s summit where there is a camping area, a hut, restroom and picnic table and benches,” Sisante said.
An uphill trek to "Buhay Forest" where hikers and climbers ascend the 178 steps to reach the camp site. (Photo by Dennis Abrina)
The trek
One has to ascend some 178 not-so-steep steps to the cleared site with a vantage position facing a cliff.
For trekkers taking the San Agustin route, it will only take some 30 minutes to go uphill, while the other entry point at Barangay Ramirez takes an additional 30 minutes to traverse and experience to connect with God and nature.
"Matatanaw po ninyo ang mga bulubundukin ng (you can view the rolling hills of) Mt. Gumuhong Bundok to the north, Mt. Marami on the northwestern side, Mt. Ulila on its west, Mt. Ipus on the southwestern side and Mt. Kaytalang on the southern part, including a view of Mt. Palay-Palay and Pico de Loro,” Sisante said.
He said the local government’s camping and trailing rules state that hikers and tourists must leave no trace of garbage in the area and always keep the highlands clean.
Simple amenities like a nipa cottage with restroom and a spacious camping and picnic ground await visitors and tourists at "Buhay Forest", an exciting experience to commune with nature and God.(Photo by Dennis Abrina)
Wildlife
The forest is home to a number of wild animals, including wild monkeys, "kalaw" (Philippine hornbill species) and wild chickens or known to local folks as “labuyo.”
"Some religious sectors especially the Roman Catholics conduct their 'nature mass' at the summit and Station of the Cross during Holy Week at the cemented road going to the trail," Mayor Jasmin Maligaya-Bautista told PNA in an interview.
"Buhay Forest" picnic area for visitors and hikers who are reminded to leave no trace of garbage in the area and always keep the highlands clean. (Photo by Dennis Abrina)
Tourists could also visit the Utod Falls in a secluded village here, around 17 kilometers from the town proper along the boundaries of Alfonso-Magallanes and Nasugbu, Batangas.
“From here, there’s a 30-minute trekking through the forested area in Barangay Tua. Marami pong umaakyat dito kapag weekend lalo na po kapag bakasyon at Semana Santa (A lot of people ascend here during the weekend, especially during vacation and Holy Week,” forest guard Lope Tafalla said. (PNA)
