I remember being envious of my
then-girlfriend years ago, when she went on a solo backpacking to Tawi-Tawi and
hiked the Bud Bongao. Not only is the mountain located in the southernmost
province of the Philippines, it is also considered as a sacred peak. Two
preachers mentored by Karim ul-Makhdum–the Arab missionary who brought Islam to
the Philippines in 1380–are said to be buried in Mt. Bud Bongao in a location
called the Tampat Rocks.
Since I love a hike to the
mountains especially sacred and historic ones such as Mt.
Sinai in Egypt, imagine my delight upon learning that our party of travel
writers who covered the Agal-Agal
festival, will have a side-trip to Bud Bongao.
A Bud Wiser
The name of the mountain was
derived from the Tausug word Bud,
meaning mountain and Bongao–the name of the island where it
is located. A pilgrimage site for both Muslims and Christians, Bud Bongao
towers 1,030 feet above sea level overlooking the 250-hectare tropical forest
inside the Bongao Peak Eco-Tourism Park–a protected biodiversity site.
"This nature park was one
of the chosen model sites of the New Conservation Areas in the Philippines
Project or NEWCAPP–which was a 5-year project implemented by the Biodiversity
Management Bureau in 2012" says Ayesha Dilangalen, the former ARMM DOT
Secretary.
Characterized by six limestone pillars that make up Bud Bongao's ragged six crests, the summit summons a breathtaking scenery of several islands and small towns of Tawi-Tawi.
As someone who loves the great
outdoors, the relaxed hike to the top of Bud Bongao afforded me a front-row
seat of viewing one of the few remaining moist forest in the country. Cap it
off with learning additional tidbits about the mountain–its connection to the history
of Islam in the Philippines–the afternoon hike we had also made me a
little bit wiser.
The Long-tailed Guardians
On the way to the top, you will
get amused or frightened by countless playful long-tailed Macaques. Fortunately
for us, we all had a blast being entertained by these adorable creatures
moonlighting as the guardians of the sacred Bud Bongao.
Similarly mischievous as the ones
I encountered during my hike in Dambulla,
the macaques on this mountain seem to study us with deadpanned stares, as if
judging our characters if we are worthy of hiking the mountain. Fortuitously, none
from our party were barred for rambling and they let us on our way albeit after
an inducement in the form of bananas.
Their presence made the hike under the torrid sheen of the sun a lot bearable. Along the trail, I would sit under the shade of a tree for a brief rest and as if on cue, dozens of them would show off their vine gymnastics skills.
A Hallowed Highland
Our guide told us that as
recent as a couple of years ago, tying plastic strips on tree branches are widely
practiced by both Muslim and Christian pilgrims as an offering to the sacred
Bud Bongao. This tradition has now been prohibited in order to safeguard the
natural appeal of the mountain.
As we approach the final
assault to the peak, we passed by the two sacred tombs of Muslim Imams who were
the disciples of Karim ul-Makhdum. Even as a non-Muslim and a non-practicing
Catholic, I stopped by and paid my respect by offering a short prayer. I
expressed my gratitude to God for showering me another burst of good karma that
made it possible for me to finally set foot in Tawi-Tawi.
 |
| Photo courtesy of Ferdz Decena |
As I alight out of the forest and
my vision revealed the blue waters of Celebes Sea and the green ridges of its
neighboring peaks, I elated at the culmination of an hour and a half trek. After years of having this wanderlust desire, I finally understand why my then girlfriend
waxed romantically and poetically about her encounter with Bud Bongao, the
blessed mountain.
