Living At The Foot of Mt. Apo

I have been to many places but it is true, there is no place like home. My little hometown is at the foot of Mt. Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines and carries the slogan "The City of Highland Springs." Welcome to Kidapawan City!

I remember a time when I woke up at 5am for school and drink my hot chocolate in the veranda, I just enjoyed the peace and quiet of a cold, foggy morning. Yes, it always did have a foggy morning but now, just when it rains so hard or in the cold months. I usually prepare hot water for my bath because our water is very cold. You can take a drink from a faucet and would feel like it has ice in it.

Still restoring from the devastating earthquakes last October 2019, Agko Mahomanoy Resort is the most famous mountain resort in Kidapawan. You can enjoy the beauty of nature, and the dips in hot and cold pools. From the city, you can hire a single motor that would take you to Agko for 45minutes. My family and I usually go there in May and November months. Sometimes we would stay overnight, but we usually go home when it is almost night time. The first overnight we had was an impromptu. We didn't bring sleep gears or blankets. Even when it wasn't raining that night, the cold mountain air made us wish for daylight to come sooner. The resort had only 5 rooms at that time and were occupied. Their canteen and the 2 sari-sari stores outside closed at 8pm. My cousins and I huddled at the cooking area for the warmth from the fire. 2 of my cousins threw up because of the coldness. So whenever we go back we are 'armed' already with blankets, jackets, socks, electric water heater, coffee/choco powder.

Below the Agko Resort is Climber's Den Park, a resort in the slope of the mountain. It opened sometime in 2016. Another resort which was devastated by the earthquakes and still being restored as of present. It had a cold and hot pool, also. What was nice in this resort is the view you get. You would be staring at slopes of mountains and the view of Mt Apo. It is where Mt Apo climbers could rest before their hike.

There is also a nature trail going to Paniki Falls Ecopark though I haven't been there. Hopefully one these days, when the pandemic is over, we will be able to go there, too.

My little hometown is blessed with the beauty of nature, good food, and beautiful people. I am always proud to say that I live at the foot of Mt. Apo. Til next time, folks. 😊