“I should’ve given it to you before; but I was just scared. The thing is I’m not scared anymore. You know what I mean?” -Rapunzel
And I keep wondering, wondering, when will my life begin? Familiar? Oh yes, I’m quite obsess with Rapunzel’s song on the movie Tangled. Aside from Mulan and Pocahontas, this charming princess with a long, magic, golden hair who left her secluded tower to set forth on an adventure with Flynn Rider has been the epitome of great adventure for me.
I don’t know why I remembered the adventure of Rapunzel upon our recent trip to Mt. Mago. Probably, because of the vegetation that we have encountered along the trails and the magnificent rolling hills that our eyes have feasted upon. This trek has been the second time that we have gathered together with the same group I had been during our Singles’ Climb last Valentine’s Day.
Because we haven’t been trekking for quite some time, our bodies had a hard time adjusting to the trails and the scorching heat of the sun. I even lost track of the number of times we stopped in order to rehydrate. Though it was just a one hour hike, because we have to travel from the city to the Municipality of Carmen and then ride habal-habal for another hour to Barangay Santican, the struggle was indeed real. It felt like my first hike (Sirao Peak)! Whew.
But just like any hike, all the pain and complaints were worth the undertaking upon reaching the summit. Mt. Mago is the boundary of the three municipalities and city in the northern part of Cebu – Carmen, Tuburan, and Danao City, subsequently; thus, it gives a three hundred sixty degrees view of the three aforementioned places.
We had lunch in at the summit then spent quite some time to commune with nature and, of course, share bits and bytes of our dwellings in life. Then it hit me. I have fully understood why Tangled’s “When will my life begin” kept on playing over and over in my head.
There are so many of us who have been long-called for adventure, but are too scared to risk and test our limits.
There are too many of us who had been longing to set forth on a journey (professional or personal purposes) but have succumb to the willful demand of society.
There are a lot of us who are trying to move on with past relationships, issues, heartaches, but are too worried on the “what ifs” and “could have beens”.
And there are handfuls, who took the challenge, pop their comfort bubbles, went out of their shells, left the secluded castle in the middle of the forest, befriended strangers, fought fears and nightmares, crossed the borders… and realized how life should be lived.
TIPS:
- Mount Mago can be reached from the Municipality of Carmen. From the Public Market of the municipality, you can ride a habal-habal in going to Barangay Santican – the jumpoff area for the hike. It would be better if the driver comes from Barangay Santican because they are more familiar with the road. We almost slipped on a cliff on the way because it’s the first time of the driver to go to such place and the roads are steep and rocky.
- The usual rate of the drivers from Carmen ranges from P100.00 – P150.00. However, upon our conversation with the locals, you can pay less if the driver you hired is really from Barangay Santican because they only ask for P60.00 – P80.00.
- The trail to Mount Mago is directly exposed to the raging heat of the sun; therefore, it would be best to wear proper hiking attire and bring plenty of water along the way.
- You can try trailblazing to Mount Mago if you’re not in a hurry; however, it’s still best to get a local guide from the area.
- Feel free to contact me on Facebook or via e-mail marjgabuya@yahoo.com for other queries.
PS. All photos are taken by Chasing Potatoes and Laag Sparkles. Visit their blogs and see awesome and astounding entries about life, travel and adventure. :) :) :)
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Dakilanglaagan 