Bulacan | Conquering Mt. Manalmon: A day-hike adventure

view from the Mt. Manalmon summit

I'm not an active type of person; couch potato, you may call me.  No regular exercise regimen, no strenuous activities. Certainly, no outdoor adventures.  For years, I've been like this. Boring, right? :D Recently however, I've decided to go out, to come out of my comfort zone; to join a group of friends on a day-hike adventure to Mt. Manalmon.

Mt. Manalmon is a relatively small mountain (196 MASL) in Barangay Sibul, San Miguel, Bulacan.  Actually, for our experienced mountaineer companions, this mountain seemed more of a hill than a mountain.  It is part of the Biak na Bato National Park, a historical site because of it's significance to the Katipuneros during the revolutionary times.

Instead of commuting, we rented a van going to Bulacan because we thought it would be easier for us.  Anyway, there is only a small difference in terms of transportation cost, whether we commute (take a bus) or we rent a van. We left Manila at around 6am and reached Barangay Sibul (after several wrong turns) by 8am.  Thanks to the guide that we passed by the road who told us the right way to Mt. Manalmon base camp.  When we got there, we registered at the Sitio Madlum Community Center and after a few minutes of rest and after some picture taking, we started our climb to Mt. Manalmon.

Madlum River, at the base camp

our group asking our Lord Almighty for guidance and protection on our trek to Mt. Manalmon

The trail to Mt. Manalmon is considered an easy one by experienced mountaineers. It started with an uphill trek that will lead to the Madlum Cave (also called Manalmon Cave), a relatively small cave which will bring you to a rocky slope down to the beach-like side of the Madlum River.  According to our guide, Madlum Cave and the perimeter hill was the filming location of Mulawin, a drama series of GMA7 from way back.

start of the trek to Mt. Manalmon, a trail that leads to Madlum Cave (photo by Mobius)

the rocky hill just outside the Madlum Cave

the sandy, beach-like side of Madlum River (photo by Mobius)

After the Madlum Cave, we then again crossed the Madlum river, trekked the uphill trail, met some other descending hikers, until we reached the summit. We're supposed to reach the summit in 45 minutes but it took us one and a half hour to reach it, all because of frequent stops and picture taking. :D

crossing the Madlum River (photo by Mobius)

jump shot of my friends at Mt. Manalmon summit, wasn't able to join due to fear of heights :(

After enjoying the view of the summit, chasing and playing and climbing the trees, more picture takings and some rest, we decided to start our descend and just have our lunch at the Madlum riverbank at the foot of the mountain.

the group resting on the riverbank, at the foot of Mt. Manalmon (photo by Aimee)

Madlum River, at the foot of Mt. Manalmon

Madlum River, at the foot of Mt. Manalmon

We stayed a bit longer here, resting under the canopy of trees along the riverbank, dipping our tired feet on the clear and somewhat languid Madlum river, inhaling the fresh and cold mountain breeze, and just enjoying the peaceful and relaxing view around us.  Ahh..., it's good to once in a while commune with nature, to appreciate the simplicity of life, to forget, at least for a while, the chaos and confusion that the city life brings.

Thanks to the Thunders Mountaineers for allowing us to join their adventure, thank you for the wonderful experience.  Looking forward to more happy treks ahead, but no extreme side trips (like Spelunking at Bayukbok Cave) please...hehe!

~oo00oo~

Credits to my friends Mobius & Aimee, for some of the photos used here, thanks very much.

~oo00oo~

Mt. Manalmon
Brgy. Sibul, San Miguel, Bulacan
Date of Visit: January 22, 2012