Osmeña Peak, aka 'OPeak' is said to be the highest peak of Cebu. It is said to be around 1,000 meters above sea level. It is located in Sitio Lapa, Barangay Mantalungon, Dalaguete, Cebu. Mantalungon is said to be "Cebu's Summer Capital" or "Little Baguio" because of its climate and it's probably the coldest part of Cebu. You can actually think of the hills or mountain ranges here to be Cebu's counterpart of Bohol's chocolate hills although they aren't really chocolate-colored hills.
The casts for that ride was myself (of course), my wife and daughter with our ever reliable Mesha (Honda Scoopy). Together with us, I also invited my high school classmate and good friend "Iko" with his girlfriend "Louella" with their Honda Wave.
5 people, 2 Honda bikes, fine weather, let's roll on...
Somewhere in Minglanilla, we had issues. Iko's bike's rear tire got busted but I only knew that when I was already in Naga. We got separated somewhere in Minglanilla because there was already a slight traffic and we decided to just move separately. So we texted them that we will just proceed to Argao and we will wait for them there so that we can also have our breakfast. We ate at the infamous Carmen's Carenderia in Argao.
After that, we had some little mis-communications with Iko and we ended up meeting in Dalaguete Town Proper, the corner going to Mantalungon. We got there first and they arrived about an hour later. So, together, we rode the roads to Mantalungon and the roads started out nice although cemented roads are still hard on the butt. After a few kilometers, rough roads and road repairs greeted us here and there. It wasn't that tough but still, Mesha's city tires are not built for these types of roads.
There good roads, rough roads, steep roads and twisty roads. What more do you ask? lolz...
Because the roads going there are steep, we can feel the wind getting cooler and cooler even though the sun was straight up at that time (around 11am). After a couple of a variety of roads traveled, we finally reached Barangay Mantalungon, then the famous Mantalungon Market where you will see a lot (no, lots and lots and lots) of fresh vegetables. A couple of meters from the market, we saw the corner going up to Osmeña Peak.
Nice flower on the road side, evidence of a cold environment (top left). The Mantalungon arch (top right), the corner going up to Osmeña Peak (bottom left) and the welcome signage of Sitio Lapa (bottom right) where Osmeña Peak is located.
The roads from that corner going to Osmeña Peak (above bottom left photo) are really, really tough. It was just starting to get tough where we almost surrender. Mesha's tires slid here and there although thankfully she (and us) didn't went down. Her city tires were taking a beating. But hey, we were already there, so why not continue. We continued although our fighting spirits were badly beaten and on the verge of giving up. My mind was saying, there's Obong Spring in Dalaguete, why not just go there (lolz).
Mesha's tires are not built for these types of roads. :(
After a couple of minutes of battling through these roads, we reached the spot where the hiking should begin. We were met by these kids who offered their services as tour guides and parking guards. We gladly took their services. We've been badly beaten riding Mesha and now we are about to be badly beaten by the trail to Osmeña Peak by hiking. Talk about physical sacrifices. Whew!
I wasn't able to catch up with my wife and daughter. I am that fit. lolz. They reached the top first then me after a couple of minutes. My heart was pounding like crazy and I wasn't able to take my beta-blocker that time but I trusted that I'll be alright and I was. Victory over anxiety. :D
But we continued and didn't give up from the challenge so after a tiring ride and hike, we were greeted with one of nature's master pieces: the view from Osmeña Peak. Amazing!
These are 2 of the photos I took on my way up to OPeak.
Hopefully, these pictures will convince you to visit Osmeña Peak in Dalaguete, Cebu.
At the top, we felt like we were at a Dragon Ball Z fight scene so we posed like we were fighting.
This view reminded me of chocolate hills. Not that chocolatey-look as in Bohol though.
My wife posed "beside" Badian Island. If those clouds were closer, we would've touched them.
Those kids were our tour guides. They were too camera shy and so they hid behind those rocks.
View from the east side.
View from the west side.
When we got back, I posed in this rock. Look back and you'll feel scared. At least I was. lolz!
A pose with the Cebu Scoopy Club logo. A member just reached this peak. :)
After an hour or so on top, we headed back down. The sun was up so it was a hot day but because of the cool breeze, the environment was bearable. But when we finished the hike, we are full of sweat so we decided to proceed to Obong Spring (still in Dalaguete) to get some splash and take the heat away. We splashed for a good 30 minutes. The water was really, really cold, it was like iced water even though there are a lot of people swimming there (it's a Sunday). Tired hot body plus cold water, what more can you ask for? :D
Some shades after the hike and we also took some photos of some of the vegetables planted there.
Me and my daughter took some splash at the very cold waters of Obong Spring.
Then, we headed back to the city at around 4pm. We felt accomplished when we reached home. Riding and hiking to Osmeña Peak was quite a challenge yet when you reached the top, you will feel fulfilled. The roads were challenging our two-wheeled ride as well. Thank God nothing happened bad on this trip and for that hard, adventurous yet wonderful trip as well.
