The Spark of a New Adventure (Introduction)

I've been doing community service to Aeta communities of Limay since 2017. We have a yearly family tradition of donating Christmas gift packs to the Aeta Communities. Then I started climbing mountains in 2022. That is when I started engaging with the local communities about the potential places to visit in their areas, specifically within the mountains of Limay. For years, I climbed mountains simply for the thrill of the summit and amazing views of the mountains. But somewhere along the trails of Limay, my passion for the outdoors collided with my deeper purpose: building and protecting the communities that call these mountains home.

This is the first of a five-part series documenting that journey from discovering hidden trails alongside local Aeta tribes to the exciting, upcoming official launch of Limay’s additional eco-tourism destinations.

Part 1: Mt. Cuyapo

Part 2: Agila Falls

Part 3: Tabing Bisay and Ariada Falls

Beyond the Smokestacks

Limay is known for industrial sites such as the Petron Refinery, the Department of National Defense (DND) production of ammunition, and Orica's production of explosives. But what caught my eye was a peak that you can see when driving along the national highway of Bataan, with its rolling slopes moving alongside the road. All I could see were cloudy peaks during the rainy season, which often boasted a broad face during the summer. I also learned it is the abundant water source for the town of Limay. It got me curious about what things it had to offer for me as an outdoor person.

The Climb to Pinagbanderahan (Mt. Cuyapo)

The first time I visited Mt. Cuyapo, I wasn't able to summit the mountain, but rather visited the viewdeck. That viewdeck is known by the local Aetas as Pinagbanderahan, meaning a vantage point marked with a flag. I was joined by a few friends here in Bataan, and this is where I met two men who would soon become my closest Aeta friends: Jeremy and Rames.

Mt. Cuyapo Jump Off at Brgy. Kinaragan

Climbing Mt. Cuyapo is a challenge for those who have Sedentary Lifestyle. Once we crossed the river, the vegetation became incredibly thick, or "masukal" in Tagalog. We would take a break to wait for our guides to bush whack before proceeding. Thorny plants would cling to your clothes and crawl on some parts of the trail. The steep ascent quickly turns into a technical climb, greeting you with an almost an almost 90-degree wall just before arriving at the ridge.

4x4 climb going to Mt. Cuyapo Ridge

Once at the ridge, we went straight to the view deck. My companions weren't able to join me for this particular vantage point; they had already given up due to tiredness and being scared. I didn't blame them. Going up to the view deck is a dangerous section because it is situated with a ravine on both sides. One wrong step would make you fall hundreds of meters down with nothing to hold on to and no slope to roll on which is the thrill I was looking for.

Ridge going to Mt. Cuyapo View Deck

The view there is incredible, it'll show you the industrial sites of Mariveles to Limay to Orion towns. The forest, peaks and grasslands are boasting their beauty. A view worth the climb and risk. After carefully taking pictures with Jeremy and Rames, we safely descended back to the jump-off and went home.

Rames, Jeremy and I. Behind us are the peaks of Mt. Mariveles

The Climb That Started It All

But that first climb wasn't the end. A month later, Rames and I returned to Mt. Cuyapo, to finally reach the summit. We pushed past the viewdeck, and when we finally stood at the top, we were greeted by an incredible surprise: a pitcher plant, thriving right there at the peak. That summit, and the discovery of such unique biodiversity, kickstarted a series of exploration climbs across the area. More importantly, it laid the foundation for building deep, lasting relationships with two distinct Aeta tribes in Limay.

Ridge trail going to Mt. Cuyapo Summit

Mt. Cuyapo Summit Ridge

Mt. Cuyapo Summit with a surprise pitcher plant