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| It was a vision that took form so slowly, at first, uncertain, poorly defined, but persistent, fueled by recurrent late nights tippling and libating on 95-proof lambanog. It had small and meager imaginings, a one-room school house with a small library, to be built at the peak of 50-some hectares of the family's farm. The peak. . .yes, it was that "peak" that started it. A kilometer walk of winding paths through 52 hilly hectares with sprawl areas of coconut, banana trees, and seasonal cash-crops, a mango plantation, interspersed with the wild growth of fruit-bearing trees and countless variety of flora . The hike finishes with an acute slope that can be brutal for the unaccustomed heart, but rewarded by the magnificent view from the peak. |
The peak - the high point in the town of Tiaong, Quezon - offers an unimpeded circumferential view: North, the town of San Pablo; northeast, the mountains of Banahaw, Cristobal and Masalukot; east, the China sea, in the distant horizon that lights up with its string of boats at night; west, the mountain range of Ayusan, and in-between, patches of the verdant country side of rice fields and blankets of coconut trees. Traditionally, it has been called "Pulang lupa," for the color of the its volcanic-type soil; historically, "Pinagbanderahan" or "flag site," where the Japanese held a strategic station during its wartime occupation of the town. To some, it was known as "Proces," a local tagalog abbreviative for "Four Roses," referring to a rose each to an uncle's four endearing loves of his life. To the family, it was the "Peak" with its traditional Holy Week hike for the young ones; a place with the view, shared with friends and visitors. I went to camp for a few days, to survey the 'peak,' to ponder what I wanted to do. We were met by overgrowth of thickets–of cogon, bushes and a chaotic wild growth of kakawati trees–obscuring the view beyond. Cleared, an incredible view of the surrounding country side and mountain ranges was bared. The evening added to the spectacle, with a cloudless and moonless celestial dome ablaze with stars, the deepening darkness bringing its many layers of sounds. |
