TraveLore: Mt. Sembrano ~ A Divine Beauty! :)

I’ve been craving for mountain since November last year and finally my enthusiasm was satisfied when we conquered Mt. Sembrano last Saturday. It was my first hike for the year 2015, and by far, the rockiest trail I had in the four mountains that I climbed (hopefully I can add more this year). 

BRGY. MALAYA, PILILIA

Mt. Sembrano is a perfect trip for hikers who are yearning for challenging, yet minor climb. The mountain was seated between the towns of Jalajala and Pillila in Rizal. We assembled 5:30AM at the Edsa Crossing and rode a van bounded to Tanay. You will find the terminal of vans there in front of Starmall. It was only an hour and a half trip before you reached the Tanay market. We bought there some foods to nibble while we ride to Brgy. Malaya. There’s a terminal of Jeepneys in the market that charges a fare of PHP 23. Avoid riding the tricycle that offers a ride to Sembrano, because you'd be charged for a price that will knock you off.

It was only 30 minutes away from Brgy. Hall of Malaya. We registered our selves there and paid PHP 20. We are introduced to a guide that cost PHP 500. We were only three in the group but there were couple hikers there waiting for company so we agreed to climb altogether. That cost us only then PHP 100 each to complete his full compensation.

ROCKY TRAIL, SLIPPERY MUD, AND HEART-STOPPING EDGE OF THE ABYSS

Early part of our trail

We started walking our way up the asphalted road and upon reaching the top (of the asphalt) we were already catching our breath. In there the real adventure began. First, we trek on the rocky road with slippery soils. I don’t know if the road is always as dampened and moist as that time, or maybe it was only because of the recent raining. Good thing the rocks (of medium and big sizes) weren’t mossy or else we’d all go slipping throughout our rocky journey. 

The weather was good that day. It was sunny enough to keep the rocks dry saved for the soil that even moistened by the fallen, decomposing leaves. It was windy as well and surprisingly cool in spite of the sun. 

The first 30 minutes of rocky walks were just nothing compared to the next part of the trail. It was steeper, rockier, and muddier. And what was more challenging – the steeper, rockier, and muddier trail was on the edge of the abyss. One wrong slip and you’d go rolling down the slope, bumping off boulders and trees. Now that was something to blow you away. Well it did scare me while I was stepping on the path and almost to the point of slipping all the way down to the bottom. Our kuya guide was quite encouraging then. He was really reliable to give you a moral support. 





You know what he said that boosted my courage as high as the peak of Mt. Apo? He just revealed that a guy fell off right from the spot where we were standing. He rolled down, passing through the thorny bushes and giant roots of the trees, and to cap it off he ended down with a big, pointed rock pierced through his ribs. Okay, don’t get me wrong about our kuya guide; he was a nice fellow. He just really couldn’t help sharing this story with every hikers he meets and guides. 

So we proceeded on our way while keeping in mind the story of that unfortunate guy (seriously I felt depression upon hearing his story, may he rest in peace with our Lord). 

The slope was steep but the big rocks were big help to get you moving up. At least there were rocks here to hold to; unlike in Batulao where the soil was super dry and dusty that it's already gets so slippery. Much worse, there weren’t many rocks to hold to in Batulao. In Sembrano, you’d embrace the rocks to keep you from slipping and falling, and you’d almost eat the soil as you almost, literally, and enduringly crawl your way to the top. 

THE BUKO BREAK AND THE MANGGAHAN VILLAGE

We stopped for a quick break and indulged ourselves to the refreshing buko for only PHP 10. The windy weather added to our refreshment as we gulped the savoury juice and ate the soft and delicious white of the fruit. Nothing beat such a heavenly moment, getting sweet reward after the first quarter of hard trails. Hehe!

We continued our walks and in half an hour we reached the Manggahan village where we saw horses amazingly strutting their way up the slope, with seemingly no effort at all. Mangoes filled the area during the mango season but it wasn’t the fruit’s season yet. I was already planning to get myself a full grab of mangoes but it was an epic fail! No mangoes were seen! 

HARD TRAILS RESUMED...

We resumed on our trail and as Kuya guide warned us, the trails that followed were more difficult, sloppier, and more dangerous. This is not to scare you guys but just to remind you to always take extra care when traversing such a trail; be it a minor or major climb. There were round berry-like fruits scattered on the way which made the path all the more slippery. The slope was angled higher that we were compelled to take a sharp rise up the rocks and wet soil. Kuya was right when he told us, “mas gagapang kayo dito”, because we literally bent down to maintain our balance, almost moving forward on hands and knees, while exerting much effort to hold on to the rocks and carry our weight up and forward. 

THE HIGH GRASSES WITH THEIR RAZOR EDGES

Just like in Batulao, you would have to pass through the tall grasses in the trail to Mt. Sembrano peak. The strength of wind here was overwhelming (just like in Batulao). We were literally bending down to keep our balance because the strong blowing of wind was almost knocking us down; one mistake and we'd go rolling down the cliff. 

Of course we can’t hold on to the grasses because aside from the fact that they are unreliable to give support, they have sharp razor edges that can cut the skin. It is really important that you take the trail with proper clothing, with long sleeves or armband to protect your arms from the cuts. Protect your face as well and wear something to cover your head from the direct rays of the sun. 

THE BREATHTAKING SUMMIT

We arrived in the North Peak at around 12NN. We took a break there while admiring the sight of the South Peak which is the highest part of Sembrano Mountain. 

We proceeded on our way and reached the summit. It is always a breathtaking view in any mountain peaks but Sembrano offered one of the most jaw-dropping sights. The challenging trail we went through caused the surges of relief and joy in us when we finally reached the summit. I felt like shouting in awe that I made it. There was a time during the trek that I almost considered giving up and going back. Haha, now that was something silly. Thank goodness I never did that. 

We took the time to lie down on the grass and refresh ourselves. We shared our snacks, red forest tasty bread and chocolates, and ooh lalala they were awesome. These were the ordinary foods we eat everyday but it was different up there, where everything tasted like heaven.  

After few minutes of relaxing we started taking the obligatory shots. You know, posing on the camera with the magnificent background behind you. It was quite challenging to maintain our posture because every time the wind was blowing we were staggering on our feet, strengthening our knees to keep our balance. Lightweight people has the tendency to be carried away here haha. Good thing we're heavy. 

The view up there is indescribable. Beautiful and breathtaking are quite an understatement. The spectacles of the mountain ranges, of naval blue ocean, of the specks of buildings and houses below, and of the lush greenery – everywhere your eyes lay upon exuded such a divine magnificence. I stood there looking at the majestic works of God that surround me and I couldn’t help thinking – that in the vastness of this world, we human are just thousands of tiny dots from above, we are not even visible from the highest place in the mountains, what more from the place where our Lord is. But yet we remain to be His most precious children, we are MAGNIFIED! This is what I love most when hiking mountains, aside from witnessing the glory of God, I’m realizing even more His great love for us. To God be the Glory!!! 

Itinerary and Expenses:

5:30AM - Assembly at EDSA Crossing.
            - Quick bite at 7 eleven            - PHP 50
            - Purchased snacks                    - PHP 100
6AM      - Rode a van bound to Tanay    -  PHP 70
7:30AM  - Arrived at Tanay Market
             -Rode a jeep to Brgy. Malaya   - PHP 23
             - Purchased fruits to eat :)       - PHP 60
8AM       - Arrived at Brgy Hall.
             - Registration                          - PHP 20
             - Hired our guide for P 500       - PHP 100/pax (we were 5 in the group)
8:15AM  - Ascend
10AM     - Break at Manggahan Village
11:30AM-  North Summit
12NN     -  South Summit
12:30PM - Descend
2PM       - Manggahan Villag
             - Side trip sa Falls / tampisaw time :)
2:30PM   - Resume descend
4:30PM   - Arrived back at Brgy. Hall
5PM        - Rode a jeep to Tanay Market - PHP 23
5:30PM   - Arrived Tanay Market
              - Dinner at Chowking                - PHP 112
6PM        - Rode Van to EDSA                   - PHP 70
8PM        - Arrived at EDSA Crossing


TOTAL EXPENSES                                     PHP 628