Another day, another hiking trail to explore. It's great to be back on the trail, and it has been months since my last hike. Luckily, the schedule permits, and I was able to join yet another one of DHT's Hike for a Cause.
I have already introduced DHT Cebu (Day Hike Therapist) in my previous hiking blogs; they are a small group of nature enthusiasts with big dreams and goals. My last hike with them was still from the first quarter of the year, and during that time, they were able to fund a fence for Kalangyawon Elementary School which is located in a remote village in Carcar Cebu as the beneficiary for their Hike for a Cause.
This time, they continued the Adopt-a-School program project they already have going on with Kalangyawon. The next project is to build their canteen, and their estimated fund needed is around 140k+ excluding the feeding program that they are planning to conduct on the culmination day. So far, they are already down to 90k from all the hiking invites from this season and from generous donations too. Their schedule for the culmination event will be this upcoming Dec 10; for sure, the teachers and the community would be more than excited to welcome this group back to their village.
Some of the DHT Cebu folks during the Brigada Eskwela in Kalangyawon Elementary School (Photo taken from DHT FB Group)
Now that you know who DHT is and what their advocacy is -
Let's talk about the trail
This is actually an interesting trail because it's a new one that they had introduced to joiners and we were the pioneer group. Previously, I was able to join the Kawa Falls to Pamutan Grassland trail, but this time they combined 3 particular spots to visit. The first stop is Kawa Falls in Brgy Toong, then off to AO Farms, which is just a few kms near the first location, and lastly, the exit will be at the Lumad Lantawan Pool in Antuwanga, Quiot Pardo.
Kawa Falls located in Brgy. Toong, Cebu City
Group picture at Kawa Falls.
We were quite a big group with a total of 16 joiners plus the guides.
Our day started as early as 7 am when we met up at Jollibee in Punta Princesa. Lucky for me, I'm just a few meters away from the meetup place, so there was no hassle whatsoever. I finished my night shift at 5 am, took a quick power nap, and went straight to Jollibee. (I don't recommend going on hikes without enough sleep or after duty. Don't be like me).
We rode a habal-habal going straight to Toong Brgy hall, which will be the jump point for the start of the hike.
We arrived at Kawa Falls and stayed there for almost an hour and a half, I think. The water was clear in the falls, and it was a perfect opportunity to swim, but I didn't because, aside from having no sleep from the night before, I also have no extra clothes with me.
That cool and refreshing water from the falls really helped combat the scorching heat of the sun from the hike.
We left Kawa and started hiking to AO Farms; we had our lunch break there. It was a very beautiful, well-maintained camping ground. They have abundant flower gardens, a fountain, and all other stuff. I would really love to go back here to do an overnight camping. The place was super big, and their campsite was just wow. They also have treehouses and a mini obstacle course too. I didn't even know this place existed before. Good thing now I know that there is a camping site just near where we live. Can't wait to go back.
Would you just look at that relaxing view all the while having our lunch break. It was really relaxing and all this for only a 60 pesos entrance fee. We even had a discount since we were a big group and the care taker only charge us 50 pesos per head. They even have hammocks, swings, viewdeck, and even a mini zipline too. What a treat indeed!
Group photo at AO Farm's Camping site
"Strangers are friends you haven't met yet", Say hello to my new found friends on the trail.
After resting for a few hours, we took yet another route going to our final destination, the Lantawan Pool; we didn't go exactly with the original plan to go back trail; we had some trail runners who scouted the area in AO and found a shortcut leading all the way to Quiot, Pardo. I particularly loved this trail here. It was like a walk into the wilderness; the trails are not that maintained, so there were tall grasses and plants everywhere. I think this was the route where I find the most number of butterflies.
Totally love it despite the scorching heat of the sun. We were also followed by 3 dogs on our route; they are from AO Farm, and they followed us all the way to Lantawan. There was this one dog who looks like a hyena with her fur colors; they were super friendly creatures.
When we arrived at Lantawan, my hiking shoes gave up; it has been too long in the box, so it figures why the sole went a little off. Luckily, our guides came prepared and have duct tape with them; they covered my shoes, and it was efficient to hold on until I get home. What a turn around of an event it was.
Lumad Lantawan Pool is located in Antuwanga, Quiot Pardo and is maintained by the locals of Tribu Alimaong.
This lowley pool is overlooking SM Seaside and the beautiful CCLEX Bridge. Just imagine the view here at night with all those city lights.
After resting in Lantawan and some took a dip in the swimming pool, we take yet another 2 km trek downhill going back to Nazareth in Buhisan. This was for me the technical part of the trail; it was all downhill from Lantawan, and the small rocks make it easy for someone to slide, and we had a few who got minor scratches here and there, a few slides too. I almost slid myself; luckily, I was able to hold on to one of the plants on the side, and my shoes still have grip on it despite being covered with duct tape all over.
We arrived at Nazareth past 4 in the afternoon. I was one of the first to arrive; I rode a habal-habal going back to Punta and did not wait for the rest of the team because I can already feel my eyes and body are calling for the bed; it was already past 24 hrs that I was awake. I arrived home almost 5 pm. Took a quick break, freshen up, and off to sleep I went.
It was actually just a short hike of about 10-12 km all in all, but it took us almost 9 hrs to finish the trail since we had a few stopovers, and some of the joiners even took the time to dip and jump into the falls. It was an easy to moderate hike, very ideal for beginners too.
The trail is mostly open, and the weather that day was extremely hot; I thought for a second it would be a cloudy kind of day, so I was too comfortable to wear sleeveless with no hats on and got sunburns afterwards lol, but it was okay. Honestly, I missed being out in the sun, so going a little tan was all part of the plan.
Now Let's talk about the rates and prices
Here's the breakdown:
DHT Registration Fee : ₱250.00
Habal-Habal Ride Punta Princesa to Brgy. Toong - ₱50.00/head, max of 2 persons per motorbike. ₱100.00 if solo. 4
AO Farm Entrance Fee - ₱60.00
Lantawon Pool Entrance Fee - ₱20.00
if you would like to take a swim - ₱50.00
Habal-Habal Ride Buhisan to Punta Princesa - ₱20.00
Total: ₱550.00
For only that much, I was able to spend a productive day at the trail and at the same time donate for a good cause.
I'm just so happy that there are groups like DHT Cebu that exist. Being able to help others while doing the things you love - I think these guys are living the life.
I'm just so proud and rooting for every project that DHT does; my only wish is that they will be able to continue to touch more lives and create long-lasting impacts to different communities to whom they are able to extend their aid.
In addition, all the official members/founders of DHT are mere volunteers. 100% of the registration fee all goes to the choosen beneficiary. They even share and publish the statement of contribution and expenses in their FB page.
A timeline of their projects since 2018 (Photo from their FB group)
But of course, all these won't be possible without the joiners too and everybody who is helping in the background.
So if you're looking for a new hobby or maybe into hiking already, I highly recommend you keep in touch with DHT; they are a fun bunch of people, and even if you are a solo joiner, for sure, you won't feel aloof and will definitely have a great time.
You won't only get to experience adventure, but you will also have the opportunity to help others through your registration fee. Check out their FB page for any upcoming events, and if you would also like to donate to their cause, you can just shoot them a message.
Indeed, everyone of us can make a difference, no matter how big or small; we just need to start somewhere.
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