Mantalongon: the vegetable basket of Cebu and why I missed out Osmeña Peak
Last November 2012 I went on a road trip with the Dutchman and my parents in the southern part of Cebu, Philippines. We will be staying in Santander, the southernmost point of the island but we will be visiting several towns along the way as well.
The plan was to swing by in Mantalongon, Dalaguete for a quick hike to Osmeña Peak while my parents have lunch and wait for us at the Mantalongon Public Market located in the little mountain village centre.
Mantalongon sits at a higher altitude with a colder climate (18C-25C) which is suitable for farming vegetables. This is the main livelihood of the locals here, and because of this, the town is nicknamed as ‘Cebu’s vegetable basket’. Tons of fresh vegetables are delivered daily to the biggest public market in Cebu City, Carbon Market.
Just a few kilometres from Mantalongon Public Market is Osmena Peak. It’s a rugged mountain range with lovely peaks jutting out of the green landscape. They say that this is the highest peak in the whole island of Cebu. I’ve seen pictures and read adventures of local travel bloggers who have hiked the area and this has only fueled my desire to visit the place.
My idea was not only to see Osmeña Peak, but also the backyard vegetable garden of the locals. See where the cabbage, the carrots, the onions and all these vegetables are grown from, and hopefully in the process be able to see some vegetable harvesters as well. I’m a culture going-local adventure geek so undertakings such as these are really up my alley. Its adrenaline thrill for me.
But, there’s bad news. Real bad news.
Dutchman was not in the mood to hike. He wants us to drive all the way to the hotel in Santander so he can lie beside the pool and relax. My parents were not helping me as well. When they heard that Dutchman was unwilling to hike to Osmena Peak, both of them turned against me.
I wanted to cry so bad. But what can I do? I am clearly outnumbered here. 3 versus 1! It is NOT fair.
You can just imagine my raw outrage. I had to control myself from snapping at the 3 of them during the entire drive to Santander.
This is the main reason why I sometimes travel alone and with friends. Dutchman doesn’t (most of the times) like active and culture travelling. He’s the been there and done that kind of guy and has totally become inconceivably passive in his travel preferences. He just wants to chill out, lie down under the sun beside the beach or the pool and read a book while sipping a very cold drink. This is okay for a day or two for me but on the third day, I’d probably die out of boredom.
Nevertheless, that is the real story. I never made it to Osmeña Peak. I only made it to Mantalongon Public Market.
Here are the pictures:
Here is an old article from PhilStar: Mantalongon – Vegetable basket of Central Visayas
Dalaguete Municipality website: Vegetable basket of Cebu
Travel Period: November 2012
Destination: Mantalongon, Dalaguete (Cebu), The Philippines
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
The plan was to swing by in Mantalongon, Dalaguete for a quick hike to Osmeña Peak while my parents have lunch and wait for us at the Mantalongon Public Market located in the little mountain village centre.
Mantalongon sits at a higher altitude with a colder climate (18C-25C) which is suitable for farming vegetables. This is the main livelihood of the locals here, and because of this, the town is nicknamed as ‘Cebu’s vegetable basket’. Tons of fresh vegetables are delivered daily to the biggest public market in Cebu City, Carbon Market.
Just a few kilometres from Mantalongon Public Market is Osmena Peak. It’s a rugged mountain range with lovely peaks jutting out of the green landscape. They say that this is the highest peak in the whole island of Cebu. I’ve seen pictures and read adventures of local travel bloggers who have hiked the area and this has only fueled my desire to visit the place.
My idea was not only to see Osmeña Peak, but also the backyard vegetable garden of the locals. See where the cabbage, the carrots, the onions and all these vegetables are grown from, and hopefully in the process be able to see some vegetable harvesters as well. I’m a culture going-local adventure geek so undertakings such as these are really up my alley. Its adrenaline thrill for me.
But, there’s bad news. Real bad news.
Dutchman was not in the mood to hike. He wants us to drive all the way to the hotel in Santander so he can lie beside the pool and relax. My parents were not helping me as well. When they heard that Dutchman was unwilling to hike to Osmena Peak, both of them turned against me.
I wanted to cry so bad. But what can I do? I am clearly outnumbered here. 3 versus 1! It is NOT fair.
You can just imagine my raw outrage. I had to control myself from snapping at the 3 of them during the entire drive to Santander.
This is the main reason why I sometimes travel alone and with friends. Dutchman doesn’t (most of the times) like active and culture travelling. He’s the been there and done that kind of guy and has totally become inconceivably passive in his travel preferences. He just wants to chill out, lie down under the sun beside the beach or the pool and read a book while sipping a very cold drink. This is okay for a day or two for me but on the third day, I’d probably die out of boredom.
Nevertheless, that is the real story. I never made it to Osmeña Peak. I only made it to Mantalongon Public Market.
Here are the pictures:
Vegetables loaded in the trucks to be sent to the city.
A hard day's work has its toll.
Here is an old article from PhilStar: Mantalongon – Vegetable basket of Central Visayas
Dalaguete Municipality website: Vegetable basket of Cebu
Travel Period: November 2012
Destination: Mantalongon, Dalaguete (Cebu), The Philippines
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
