Culture and Nature - Mt. Dulang-dulang and Mt. Kitanglad Climb (Part 1)

Mt. Dulang-dulang (2,938+ MASL)
Lantapan, Bukidnon
Major jump-off: Sitio Bol-ogan, Brgy. Sungco
Hours to summit: 10 hours (est.)
Specs (Traverse): Major climb, 8/9 difficulty under trail class 2-4 with rope segments

Mt. Dulang-dulang (viewed from the trail of Mt. Kitanglad)

Mt. Kitanglad (2,899+ MASL)
Impasug-ong, Bukidnon
Major jump-off: Sitio Intavas, La Fortuna
Hours to summit (from Dulang-dulang summit): 6 hours (est.)
Specs: Major climb, 6/9 difficulty under trail class 2-4

Mt. Kitanglad (viewed from the summit of Mt. Dulang-dulang)

Every time I see this information on the net, I questioned myself....here we go again but that vanished instantly to oblivion when I think of climbing the 2nd and 4th highest mountain in the Philippines.

My new baby, Omo!

Little did we know that we'll be in for one of the biggest eye opener we'd ever encounter as a mountaineer.

October 29. It was nearing afternoon when we set foot at Laguindingan airport in Cagayan de Oro. We hurriedly made our way to meet our co-climber's dad which will be our 'pro bono' driver in our 'pro bono' ride.

Our 'Ride' while waiting outside DENR PENRO

Road construction going to Malaybalay. Plan your itinerary well! 

After a quick lunch at a nearby carinderia, we continued with our long-drive trip to Malaybalay. From there we met with three more climbers who tirelessly bought and picked up our permit and stuff for the ritual. Yes....there is a ritual!

Team D2K

The "Pagbantay" signage where one has to get off their ride and...

...walk this small board (a cleansing ritual, I guess)

We arrived at Talaandig Ancestral Territory in Brgy. Sungco past five in the evening. Then, we headed straight to the covered stage beside Hall of Peace where we are graciously welcomed by locals who were present at that time. Mitchel, her mom and dad looked out for the chieftain which will be doing the ritual before our climb.

Night falls upon our arrival at Brgy. Sungco

at the Talaandig Ancestral Territory in Brgy. Sungco

It was past nine in the evening when we are summoned by Datu Migketay inside Hall of Peace together with other tribe folks. This for me, is the highlight of our 5-day adventure in Bukidnon and CDO.

The words of the strict yet gentle Datu Migketay still linger vividly in my mind and in my heart. PRE, PRIOR, INFORM, CONSENT and I.P.R.A. Most climbers would say...'What the eff!' It was the same thought running in my sleepy mind while we're given the orientation of what IPRA is all about. It is indeed an eye opener. Not just for me but for all of us. The Kitanglad Mountain Range ('kita' meaning visible and 'tanglad' meaning lemongrass), a native title from the Talaandig tribe of which the legend of a great flood saved forefathers of the tribe is considered 'sacred' thus requiring ritual from all walks of life who would one day destined themselves to climb the famous peaks of Mt. Dulang-dulang, Mt. Kitanglad, Mt. Maagnaw and Mt. Kalatungan to name a few.

Datu Migketay performing the last part of ritual.

IPRA Law also known as Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 was the first question that Datu Migketay asked us. We were all dumbfounded! None of the 11 climbers at that time knew of IPRA Law. That that law for one, "Shall protect the rights of ICCs/ IPs (Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples) to their ancestral domains to ensure their economic, social and cultural well being and shall recognize the applicability of customary laws governing property rights or relations in determining the ownership and extent of ancestral domain."

Datu Kinulintang Hall fronting Hall of Peace

The Kinship Covenant.

While we're done with the 'PRE, PRIOR and INFORM' part based on our permit with DENR PENRO (Provincial Environment and Natural Resources), we still lack the 'CONSENT' part. With that, we were asked to introduced ourselves. The discussion went on until past 10:30 in the evening (yup! it's that long and scary <because of the gecko inside the hall> and very informative). Yes, the 'CONSENT' was given to us but the ritual will not be due until sunrise the next day. :(

The Hall of Peace

October 30. Our day started early at six for the ritual (Permission, Cleansing and Communion). The 'Permission' part is where you'll give the following stuff to the tribal leader and ritualist; red cloth, white cloth, 1 peso coins, fighter wine, soda, assorted candies, a pack of cigarette and 5 white chicken.

Symbolic stuff used for the ritual

By 8AM, we headed straight to the nearby river for the 'Cleansing' part of the ritual. Note: The 'ritualist' determines whether the group should do a full submerging of body to the river. Lucky us, we were just asked to wash our hands, feet and face.

the group with the ritualist performing the 'Cleansing' ritual

After less than an hour, came the 'Communion' part of the ritual wherein the chickens were served and final blessing from the tribe leaders. Of course, you know what next to that! Breakfast and....photo opt!

Team D2K with the Talaandig tribe leaders

Past 10 in the morning when we hailed a monster jeep to get us to Dulang-dulang jump-off. Landmark to jump-off is the Binahon Agroforestry Farm signage to the right.

At Dulang-dulang jump-off

We started trek by 10:25 AM and reached the billboard of Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park 15 minutes before 12 noon.

The billboard marking our arrival at the Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park 

Beautiful contrast of mud and greens

Another 15-20 minutes and you'll reached the forest line. Turn left at the fork.

The start of forest line showcasing Dulang-dulang's beauty.

After 10 minutes of grassy trail, patches of moss started to appear until we reached this famous tree. You know the drill....photo opt! :)

Yours truly :)

After a 10-minute rest, we continued with the mossy trail assault.

From this...

...to THIS!

At around 2 PM, the group had our lunch near the water source. Before 2:30, we reached the water source and refilled our bottles and water reservoir.

Water source at Dulang-dulang

As we gain elevation, temperature dropped...fast! Time is of the essence as the sky above us is starting to show its orange hues between the mossy branches. Tick tock! Tick tock!

'Blue' berries along the trail...first time for me.

The rolling mossy terrain signals the last 15-25 minutes to campsite. We reached the campsite by 5:25 PM and it was dark and really cold! Pitching the tent in less than 8 minutes was next to magic for me. At 6 PM, I was all warm and hungry!

Captured with my phone... you be the judge.

Nearing campsite

We had our dinner by 7PM alongside a soothing cup of hot 3-in-1 white coffee! What a better way to cap the day off....but wait! We still need to plan the next day itinerary. Based on our original plan, we'll be doing the D2KK climb (Dulang-dulang, Kitanglad and Kalatungan). After assessing our current situation (flight back home; mainly) and coordinating with the 'Kalatungan Team' (group of 4), we decided to ditch our Kalatungan climb. :( BTW, a 'Revenge Climb' is boiling hot at this very moment.. Sweeeetttt!!!

Part 2 coming up!

Till then!