OCTOCLIVE 2010: Gensan’s Mount Olympog

It was a sun-drenched Saturday and, as usual, the 7A.M. departure time was moved to 8 A.M… Yeah, it’s obvious! We’re following the Filipino time. We rode our bestfriend “Saddam” going to Conel and we arrived at the Baranggay Hall around 9 A.M. already for a courtesy call. The ever supportive officer-in-charge of their tourism council, Kagawad Mascardo, gave us a 15 minute talk about what to expect in the activity. We then had a short bumpy “Saddam” ride going to the jump off point. To get ready for another heat penetrating trek, we ate our brunch to Little Tagaytay, as what locals call about the Lautengco Rest House. Minus the horse back riding and the volcano within the lake with a hotter environment, I would say, the place is comparable to Tagaytay.

After taking a full lunch and a little photoshoot, we started our trek to Mt. Olympog (General Santos City’s Highest Peak). To evaluate, this mountain is very different from the others like Mount Matutum because instead of large tall forest trees and the slippery mosses, it is mostly covered with wild grasses, “talahib”. There’s also a bit wider road for mountain vehicles so for those who don’t want to take more effort, you just have to drive along your off road runners with you… And guys, you have to expect more heat, heat and heat as well. But despite that, our fulfillment won’t any longer be altered when we reached the top. Overlooking the landscape of General Santos City and the gulf of Saranggani plus the fresh mountain breeze embracing my tired sweaty body, I couldn’t keep away from the thought of being the King of the World.