500-Peso Backpacking Challenge : SIRAO PEAK AND FLOWER FARM

“Year by year, the earth changes – natural or manmade there is no assurance until when this place remains untouched.”

Why would you go to Austria if you can just have an Austria-alike here in Cebu? Known by most as Sirao Peak and Pedro Calungsod Peak, Mt. Kan-Irag stands approximately 700 meters above sea level. Its specific location is in Sitio Tawagan, Barangay Sirao which is the reason why most people call it Sirao Peak. The name Pedro Calungsod Peak was then introduced to new trekkers to commemorate the first Cebuano Catholic Saint Pedro Calungsod. This is one of the most accessible trekking destination for it is only located few kilometers from the IT Park, Lahug, Cebu City.

There are two ways on how to get to the area of Sirao, the first one was the hardest which is very ideal for true blood trekkers and mountaineers where the trail starts in Barangay Budlaan, Talamaban. This trail will give you tiring but real adventure where you may pass rivers and falls and take a dip in one of those.  The second one was the easiest for the traveler wannabes especially to those who wants to bring their car with them, roadtrip will start at the Salinas drive going to Ayala Heights and Kan-Irag Nature Park which are nearby landmarks of the Peak.

Mt. Kan-Irag was once part of Kan-Irag project, an ambitious(as said by most critics) recreational project by the Marcos Administration way back in the early 80’s. This was the time that the administration forcibly bought the farmlands from the farmers at a very cheap price. The plan was to transform the place into a tourist destination with golf course, track and field arena, basketball and tennis courts, horseback riding course and nature park. The project was never realized except the golf course which was not completed after the people power revolution.

(read the complete article:http://archive.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/opinion/2014/02/18/wenceslao-kang-irag-project-revisited-328925)

Whatever the type of trip you will choose, it is good not to remain focused on the Peak, instead, try to look around and you will see good places to take pictures and videos for your blogs and Instagram accounts – take sidetrips. Of course, my friend Alfe and I chose the easier trail since our jobs do not give us the luxury time to spend the whole day for a trip. We got lost since we are not familiar with the place so it is good to ask the some locals(ideally teenagers) for they are really familiar with the name Sirao Peak. Also we are into thrift travelling so we should not also budget our money but also our time.

Well it is still fine that we got lost for our foolishness brought us into a mini falls somewhere near the TOPS, Busay and a flower farm near the boundary of Barangay Sirao where you can take pictures, post them on Instagram and tell everyone you’re in Austria. The keeper of the farm will ask twenty pesos (P 20.00) per head for you to take picture and two hundred pesos (P 200.00) for video shoots.

How to Get There

                                                                                                                                Car

Assembly Area:

JY Square Mall

Start of Trip:

Salinas Drive

You know you're on track if you'll gonna pass Mountain View, Chateau De Busay, Jardin de Busay Malubog Signage and when you reach Ayala Heights

                               Flower Farm:

Few meters away from the boundary of Barangay Sirao and Ayala Heights and foot of Sirao Peak

Habal-Habal

Fare:

Around 100 – 200 (depends on the negotiation)

Habal-Habal Area:

Salinas Drive or JY Square Mall

What to say:

Tell the driver to bring you to Pedro Calungsod Peak or Sirao Peak

Sidetrips

Temple of Leah

Mountain View Nature Park

The Tops

Chateau de Busay

Landmarks Nearby

Ayala Heights and Kan-Irag Nature Park

Open Space space before the concrete signage                                                                                (Right)

Structure to Look For

Concrete Signage of Barangay Sirao (Left Side)

NOTE: the flower farm will not be always as scenic as what the photos suggest for they are gonna harvest these flowers to sell it in the capitol market. You still have to wait for another blooming season (every 2 months after the harvest).