Insights on Hiking in the Philippines

Posted 17 November 2015


In recent years, mountaineering in the Philippines has changed from a sacred ground for outdoor enthusiasts to a public recreation. These might have not been an issue; however, several incidences of environmental degradation has been observed for the past few years - when mountaineering and hiking has been a common ground for everyone.

I myself has seen it.

For the past three years of my hiking experiences, nature has taught me one single thing - it is to respect the environment. From mountains, rivers, beaches, caves, water falls, rock formations and forests, I always remind myself. I am just a visitor. We are just visitors of that place.

Mountaineers and hikers spend their leisure time with this physically demanding activity mainly because of one reason - to escape from the reality of the suburbs and experience a new and refreshing ambiance of a secluded and protected place. It is from these sentiments that we share picturesque views of the world as seen from mountain tops.

Discipline has what made us distinguish ourselves. Unfortunately, for most of the places I've visited, this discipline expected to every person on his first step on the mountain seems to vanish in the air. Cigarette butts along the trail, paper cups and plastic bottles floating on rivers, chip bags and food trays strategically placed on roots and trees - these are nowadays usual sights of what used to be an untouched haven like with what happened to Maculot and Hulugan Falls. Others see mountains as a statuette of money and irresponsible commercialization became rampant as seen in Pulag, Pico de Loro and Batulao. These incidents are brought worse by the sudden fame of mountaineering in the Philippines. In three years of hiking, I've met a lot of people who would only do hiking not because of passion or need for exploration. These reasons distinguish them from mountaineers - they only appreciate the view for its aesthetic value. Sadly, this has been a habit for most of us. For because I myself have witnessed it.

Nature can always take its toll on us. Respecting it is a responsibility. A lifestyle. We don't wait for these things to get destroyed. We don't wait until the beauty we first seen in hand will never be seen by the next generation. Nature doesn't need us - we need them.

It is never too late. Change ways.