It's been more than a decade since I reached the mountaintop of Bato Arobo. A place that brings pleasant memories of my childhood days. Back then, we used to hike for more than an hour just to reach if coming from Sitio Lomboy in Linambasan, province of Capiz; the landmark being the present-day Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish.
I have great Memories of Mount Bato Arobo with my family, and I am eager to see them after a long time. A day after May 13, 2019, midterm election, we decided to have an adventure ride to see the ongoing road construction development from the Parish to the road to Bato Arobo. This is a momentous moment to be back and see the mountain ranges from afar, to breathe in fresher air, and to relive the old days.
The road to Bato Arobo is like a roller coaster ride; there are ups and downs and fantastic scenery ahead with tall Coconut palms and greeneries. The less than 2-hour hike can now be reached by a vehicle in less than 15 minutes.
Two months after, on July 24, a day before the 89th birthday of my Grandfather, we decided to bring him to revisit the Road to Bato Arobo when the roadside development was nearing its completion. Due to the hilly slope on both sides of the road, there is a need for a concrete hillside cover to protect from untoward soil erosion; the same thing we can see on the hilly streets of Baguio City.
Along the Road to Bato Arobo are farmlands planted with rice and coconuts, which makes the surroundings calm and pleasant. There are few houses on the way, and it is even a distance apart on the foothills of the mountain. In a few years, perhaps over the next decade, more houses will be built, considering the accessibility of the road to the town center.
What makes it beautiful is the natural landscape of the mountains, with occasional fog when it rains and when the temperature drops. Bato Arobo has a higher elevation that makes it cool and windy, which is perfect for unwinding over a cup of coffee and tea or a bowl of hot noodles or batchoy.
The video above; click the arrow to view
Nature has a healing wonder on our soul, and the Bato Arobo mountain view dramatically appeals to the senses. This is similar to soul searching in the Highlands of Tagaytay and Baguio. Though the place is on its way to development, it is still pristine and naturally beautiful.
Nature has a healing wonder on our soul, and the Bato Arobo mountain view dramatically appeals to the senses. This is similar to soul searching in the Highlands of Tagaytay and Baguio. Though the place is on its way to development, it is still pristine and naturally beautiful.
Bato Arobo will always have a place in my heart since I conquered its summit when it was just a trail, and now that we embrace its development, there will be no barriers to reaching the mountaintop and reliving its scenic mountain view. Bato Arobo is a natural wonder of all time and also a natural heritage in our time. We preserve, protect, and recollect memories that will last a lifetime.
© 2019 Del Cusay
