Location: Musuan Peak, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon
Access Point: Sayre Highway, Musuan, Bukidnon (Near Philippine Carabao Center)
Mode of Transportation: Public Utility Vehicle (Bus, Jeep, Multicab)/Private Ride. *Can be hiked if you are from CMU, Musuan or Valencia City.
Arrangement: Entrance Php 20.00 with free use of Comfort Room. No need for a guide.
Activity/Attractions: Hiking/Trekking/Biking
We always tend to go to far places to discover them but I also believe that discovering our own place can be very exciting and fun. So I intentionally write about an attraction in my hometown in order to share to other people that they can come visit here. If you are living around Musuan or Dologon or even in Valencia, one’s eyes can’t get off Musuan Peak for it can be seen from these vantage points.
This mountain is actually one of the 22 active volcanoes in our country belonging to the Pacific Ring of Fire according to PHIVOLCS. It stands at 2, 119 ft (646 m) above sea level. There were reported eruptions in 1866 and 1867; and seismic activities in 1976 and 2011. I used to hike Musuan Peak when I was still small and even promised at that time that I will not go back to this peak again. You see, “love your own” never occurred to me at that time. But I never fully appreciated this peak until I grow up and engaged myself in hiking and tripping. I think I’ve climbed this peak for 20 times more or less. Bukidnon is home to 4 of the Philippines’ top 10 highest peaks– Mt. Dulang-dulang, Mt. Kitanglad, Mt. Kalatungan and Mt. Maagnaw. If you are not yet prepared to climb these peaks, or do not have enough time, most hikers/bloggers would recommend you to climb Mt. Palaopao and Mt. Capistrano. And I would like to add Mt. Kalayo (which means Fire Mountain) or Musuan Peak (Mount Musuan) in that list should you have shorter time or if you are just starting your hobby on hiking.
A brief legend of Musuan Peak goes like this. It was told that two lovers committed suicide in this place. As time went by, the place where they were buried rose up and became a mountain. A foreigner visited this place and was accompanied by the natives. When the foreigner arrived at the top of the peak, in utter amazement of the view, he exclaimed, “the most one”. He found everything very beautiful from the top. The natives kept repeating what he said but because they couldn’t speak it the way that he did, they pronounced it instead as “mus-wan”. Later on, this became the name of the peak, thus Musuan Peak. As what they said, this is a legend.
Upon entrance to the peak, you will pay your entrance fee and write the names of those who will go for hike. You can find on your left side, beside the entrance, a Zoological and Botanical Garden although this wasn’t really maintained through time. Be sure that you have your drinking water with you because there is scarcely a water source at the peak. You may also use the comfort room for your convenience before hiking.
Be sure to bring a hat if you are hiking during midday or afternoon. Musuan peak is one of those very accessible peaks especially for impulsive hikes or nature trips. It can get very crowded during lenten season or holidays. But normally, you can enjoy the peak on your own on non-peak season.
There are two ways to climb the peak. You can go by the main road (where you can also go biking). This is good for relaxed or leisure walks where there’s no time constraint. You may be able to reach the peak in 1 hour with rests. The second way is that you can trek at the short cuts though this can cause tachycardia (fast heartbeat) on your part. This is applicable if you want an intense hike or if you want to reach the peak in 3o minutes more or less.
The shape of the mountain is likened to a conical shaped rice farmer’s hat. Upon going up the peak, you can start to see different wonderful views, the plains, rice fields, highways and the adjacent peaks. It’s nice to have a morning walk here where you can see the sunrise and experience the freshness of the air.
This is on the way to the peak after conquering the base part of the mountain. Sometimes, it can also get foggy here depending on what season you climbed.
Nearing the peak, you can see pine trees along the way.
When you are almost on the top, you can see clearly the surrounding mountains, view of CMU, Valencia and the Sayre highway.
And finally, after how many minutes, you are able to say “Thank God” upon arrival at the peak at the same time wiping your sweat. You will be welcomed by the barking of the dogs here but they are tied.
There are cottages where you can eat, sit and relax. And view decks too.They are located on the lower and uppermost part, so you can just choose wherever you want to hang out. You have all the time here to do whatever you like. Just be mindful of not leaving any trash behind.
This is also found on the lower park of the peak.
It isn’t surprising to see vandalism here on the cottages though it is highly discouraged. Perhaps, people come here to vent out their feelings which may not be socially and environmentally acceptable all the time. I strongly discourage vandalism but reading through some of what the people write in here makes me laugh sometimes.
Reflections:
I don’t know about the others who went here, but for me, going up in this peak has always been therapeutic. The ambiance, cool breeze, surrounding views, being able to reflect, the comfort of being in your hometown– all these contribute to “the most one” concept. Granting the Musuan legend is true, the foreigner must have these things in mind (at least) when he said “most one”. This place has really been the most one. Truly, this peak, the view, is scenic, giving you a soothing relief from all cares. So when you are up in the peak, do not go down right away. Enjoy the peak, the view and live for the moment and listen to what God wants to impress on your heart of the spiritual lessons from nature.
There may be other places where we can say “most one” though Musuan has really gotten it’s title. But when I think of the concept of “most one”, I couldn’t help but attribute it to God- our most one (who can give us “most one” and Musuan), lover of our soul and the one with the greatest love able to sacrifice everything for us. When we talk of the place where we can say it is the most one, it is truly in the feet of Jesus where we can cast our burdens and cares. How wonderful it is to be able to reflect God’s love in my own Musuan Peak. It’s just reassuring. Sweet. And tranquilizing.
So as we enjoy Musuan Peak, may we also enjoy God– the most one.
Going down the peak will usually take 15-30 minutes. This means a lot of control on your part going down since it seems to be unstoppable sometimes.
And finally, there is a feeling of accomplishment when you arrive at the entrance.
Enjoy Musuan Peak! And don’t forget to come again.
Tukuran, which came from the Cebuano word “tukod” which means “to build” or “to construct”, is regarded as the Beach Capital of Zamboanga del Sur. This municipality is bounded by Lanao del Norte on the East which explains its proximity.
The lofty mountains reminded me that “Faith can move mountains.” This means that when someone’s beliefs and confidence are strong enough, anything that is difficult is achievable. We are not talking here about self-confidence but God-confidence. And with that, we can truly be able to move and go through with our life’s “mountains”.
Someday, all of us will have an overview experience later on in our lives. Just like when you are in the overview park, you will look back on your life and have the whole picture before you. You will see how far you’ve gone, how you’ve grown spiritually and how your life was carefully and beautifully crafted by the Master designer’s hand. At this time we will be able to understand and thank God for the disappointments, failures, growing experiences, withheld hopes and prayers. By that time, our “Why?” now will become “Oh, I see. That’s why.” A beautiful view (life) will be set before us on that day when we allow God to work in our lives.
In life, we are like horses under the care of the Great Cowboy. Runner Chief, my horse, was a bit hesitant to walk at first when I first rode in it. He was hard-headed that the cowboy had to pull him in order for him to walk. There were so many times that I was like that horse, hard-headed, insistent, lazy, disobedient, resistant to the cowboy’s leading and just wanting things to be done my way. How patient must God be for all our inadequacies.
Right from the start on our way going up the forest reserve, I couldn’t help but be amazed by the tall trees. Their grand nobility has always amazed me, not to mention the health-giving properties they could bring us. And so I always cherish the time when going to places like this.
We often hear of this statement “Failures are stepping stones to success.” I was somehow thinking of this when I stepped on the stones when we were in the falls. While it may take a hard work, few failures and decided effort in order to be successful, we are also reminded that when we are doing God’s will and His business, “not once should we even think of failure. We are to cooperate with One who knows no failure.” {COL 363.1} We are assured of this if we give ourselves wholly to God and follow His directions in our work.
We were told that we need to get a permit first from the Malaybalay DENR office or from the Barangay of Lantapan which would cost us 100 pesos each person. Thinking that this might be hard on our part, considering the time left, we asked for any alternatives or other negotiations. We were told that the one in charge can process the permit for us and allow us to get in. We paid 50 pesos per person. Needless to say, we accepted the offer which was very fair enough.
“He shall be like a tree.” Psalm 1:3. The Bible likened a righteous person to a tree. In this forest, needless to say, I have seen different kinds of trees in different sizes and looks. God created the trees to remind us of its spiritual value. The tree exemplifies well a well-ordered life which is a life lived in love, honored by God and man. As one observes the trees, one can see that the trees look upward and reach upward. They get all the sunlight that they can, seeking to live where the air is clearest and the conditions are best. Also, they bear fruits which usually grow at their top part (Family Bible Lesson, Y1Q1, p.9). These though-provoking observations made me realize certain areas in my life. Am I like the tree looking upward and reaching upward or am I focused on myself only? Is my life a well-ordered one which glorifies God and blesses men or is it a life that needs a lot of pruning and straightening? Am I getting all the light that I can from the Sun of Righteousness or am I contented in darkness? Am I bearing best fruits (which are at the top part symbolizing the highest character I can attain) or I am contented with mediocrity? I know the answer is in my hands.
Gracie's Trips 
