Exploring Nature’s Wealth of Ligao City

In Albay, Ligao City has also something to offer for the trekkers who appreciate the combination of beauties and tranquility of nature. Named after a kawa (frying pan) because of the peculiar shape naturally molded in its upper portion, the Kawakawa hill provides wide array of vegetation, inner and outer serenity for the souls, and spectacular panoramic views of the city and other mountainous places. The 236-meter-high hill has become the center of tourism of the city long before its official opening to the public in October of 2008. The wonder of nature can be reached through a land drive from Legazpi City for 30 minutes.

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The goal of the place is to promote agriculture and environment. It has a rich and beautiful greenery of Hawaiian pineapple, petsay, banana, dinorado rice, papaya, eggplant, and other crops. I can’t wait to see these fruits to ripe, seem dhu-lhe-see-yeahs.The captivating field of pineapples offers you a price of P40/fruit.

The golden Dinorado rice takes a huge role in the tradition in which Filipino ancestors had started practicing. The rice may give you a sweet, fragrant smell of jasmine when cooked. Since it is often a staple food for the Bicol’s wealthy families, Hon. Gonzalez opted to encourage farmers to spread use of Dinorado.

Everyone is welcome here. No charges upon entering. Thanks to Hon. Fernando Gonzalez, an ex-governor of Albay, who owned and preserve the place for years.  

The Way of the Cross in Kawakawa hill has been altered. You will bump into the Last Supper with life-size statues as its First Station. However, the Last Station would be the Resurrection.

An uphill climb is such an arduous task that’s why nipa huts are scattered around Kawakawa for others to take a break. According to the people of Ligao, Gov. Gonzalez would be installing cable cars for the elders in the near future. Walking on a steep hill may be excruciating for the older ones.

I could feel I was having a sense of security and an extra courage to face my own battle as I moved from station to another. The hill seems like both magical and an agony reliever.  

In a huge-bowl field, visitors who would want to play around the obstacle course can do it freely. They can also enjoy horseback riding (P15/ride for adults) with an assistance of a trainer from the BSP Eagle Scout Advancement Camp and Facilities. The wonderful hill has also many activities held every year including the Dinorado Harvest Festival, Thanksgiving Traditional Fireworks, and Holy Week ceremonies.

The bird’s eye view from Kawakawa hill will let you see the land carpets in green and blue of the city and neighboring towns.  

West from the hill shows the stretch of Mt. Masaraga range, another wealth of Albay. Mountain climbers can never forget to include this range in their lists.

To the south from the hilltop, you can see the Malisson Spring Resort where one can dip into the water from thousands small channels after taking a rest from an energy-draining climb. The resort also provides with ample relaxation like fishing and videoke singing.

Just in front of Kawakawa, there’s a resettlement site, “California Village,” for the victims of typhoons and flashfloods.

Joggers and health-conscious individuals can follow this path, Kawa-kawa trek, encircling the amphitheater-like field. It is very clever to clasp and feel the cleanliness and freshness of air around the hill.     

Safety precautions are indicated in downhill and hilltop areas.

The left direction of the life-size nun statue has the Divine Mercy Monastery of the Carmelite Nuns of the Holy Trinity, Diocese of Legazpi and soon there’ll be a Devine Mercy Shrine as requested by the congregation.

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