24 August 2014

Journey to the Center of the Philippines


One of the best things about Marinduque is that it offers a bit of everything ‒ from its pristine islets, the raw and unspoiled beaches, the green-fanged outcrop of mountains, roaring falls like skeins of white lawns, and even yet-to-be-discovered caves. And not to mention, it’s geographically positioned at the heart of the archipelago from where the official center marker is located, the Luzon Datum of 1911. Odds on our side, we had this awesome chance of setting foot at this deemed center of the Philippines, which pretty well served as the highlight of our weekend Marinduque sojourn.

The journey itself was a test, to begin with. Taking aside the climb proper, the ride to the jump-off was something that should not at all be underestimated. From where we stayed at Bancuangan Sta. Cruz, we drove to Mogpog town proper through a free lift courtesy of our hospitable hosts luckily saving us from the initial hassle of commuting. However, things started to go against us since then; the stars were not our friends as soon as after dropping ourselves off the public market. We walked and searched for a jeepney to Hinanggayon, the barangay where the mountain’s jump-off point is located. Little did we know that it was their fiesta causing the lone jeepney chartered to travel directly to the jump-off unavailable that day.


We've got no other choice but to find an alternate plan. After few exchanges with the locals in search for the alternate means to reach the jumpoff, we learned that there is another jeepney that would pass near the jump-off point. In no time, we grabbed the opportunity fingers-crossed for a positive outcome. We opted to ride topload instead of having cushion-filled and safe seats inside the jeepney as a courtesy to the regular and local passengers. And we did not fail to get the crazy ride we hoped for. Usually, those built-in railings at the topload are intended for carrying extra baggage, goods, and even people for transport to remote areas to maximize the efficiency of the trip. But more to that, it also showcases the natural inventiveness and creativity of the locals, which is worthy to be recognized as a means of tourist attraction, especially for travelers who seek spiced-up adventures.


However, the supposed short jeepney ride was extended for a great deal of time as there were lots of stopovers throughout the trip to give way for picking up goods and commodities such as sacks of rice, lumbers, food items, among others, usually from locals who opt not to drain themselves from the tiring ride by just ordering and making arrangements with the driver to save time and energy. Unfortunately, this move is inversely proportional to our comfort and advantage as the amount of space for us over the top load area went cramped even more. A couple of more steps eventually left us with a very tiny room for ourselves, further causing us to suffer from every onslaught of bumps and humps, given that it was a rough ride during majority of the ride.


The adventure furthered as we had to alertly watch our way and shun from the tree branches randomly leaning along the road. But it was all worth it as we crossed those roads winding back and forth on itself seeing those full views of the authentic sceneries passing by a range of far-off forests, hedges, and the faint patches of the seas and mountainsides. Top-loading is a must-do I believe; otherwise, you’d be missing half of the fun. 

It was almost noontime when we reached the jump-off point and the sun was already at its cruelest state. This mere thought was as deadly as it sounds. With a little over a liter of water, a heavy backpack, and a thirsty soul, we started the trek, and then the real walk unfolded before eventually taking the death-defying march to the peak. All those immeasurable grains of sweats, blurry eyes, gasping breaths, aching knees and more, happened under the heat of the sun.


And just in time, we found ourselves walking those 267-step stairs that before we realized we were there, I had my feet step at that recognized center of the Ph marker. It took me minutes to regain my senses in awe of the unhindered view up there, celebrating the grandiose beauty up there, trying to capture its essence in lenses. The whole trip was draining but the mere thought of me standing there, at the "center of the Philippines", was no less than priceless.