The welcome arch reads. My heart skipped a beat. After three hours of bus ride from Davao City, luscious expanse of symmetrical ricefields spread like a carpet from the highway to the foot of verdant mountains to my right. To my left, you can witness those marvelous green hills where the sun sets at noon. Together with my companions, we're going to venture the luxurios and unforgettable beauty of Montevista. I said to myself, "We will enjoy this!" I can already feel the excitement in the air.
Right after we got off the bus and felt the late afternoon breeze, I knew I had to stay. We have to stay. There seemed to be an air of welcome, familiriaty, and the belonginess in the place. A pull that was hard to resist. We knew that this adventure will be an unforgettable one.
Thus, with a bunch of curiosity, we ended up asking people about Montevista's history which later , strucked me. As I've been listening to the conversations around me, I felt like i already have an answer. Montevista is a destination where finest views indulges as you venture and pay a visit to this place. Its clean and and green ambiance portrays a mosaic of nature's beauty and bounty.
Back to its history, Montevista is nicknamed as "The Gate-way Heart of Compostela Valley" wherein its motto is "God-centered, Self-Sufficient, and Self-Reliant". Despite of its standing as one the third class municipalities of ComVal, Montevista has its own pride and contribution.
The legend of its name was derived from an imbued idea over a place in California,USA, which had a semblance in topography of San Jose (Poblacion). The word Montevista is coined from two words, "Monte" which means "Mountain" and "Vesta" which is "View", meaning "Mountain View of the North".
Montevista's total land area is not quite as big as other municipalities in the region. According to the 2015 census it has a population of 43,706 people. Although montevista has not yet reach its peak of success, still the people living in it, together with their Goverment, Montevista became known in ComVal, because of its one-of-a-kind festival and trademarks.
Triggered with much excitement, we then hurriedly listed our "what-to-do-list" in our stay in Montevista. First in line is the "Fly Skylab" ride. I never knew I could fly one day until I've visited Mntevista! But wait, this famous "Skylab" is not just a simple ride, but it is truly breath-taking and extreme sort of ride.
Next in line is visiting the majestic view deck of Montevista wherein you can feel the touch of Califonia. Surely you'll be dropping your jaw as you wait for the sunset, wherein you can see the silhouette of the town. At twilight, you can witness the stunning lights of the Panorama-like view where the edge of the dark sky with those glamorous stars seems to meet each other. Gleaming lights of the town shines as the surroundings grew darker and darker. You can feel the cold evening breeze as you watch the amazing view.
I thought these two were enough, but yet to my surprise, many things and adventures are waiting for us! Just like Mayaon Cave , one of the hidden beauty of Montevista , the San Jose Parish Church, its abundant ricefields and the Banana plantation. Also the foods and fruits that will surely leaves a mark to the one who eats it. But lastly, Montevista's most awaited and most prestigious Festival, the "Diwanag Festival", the Festival of Lights. THants why Motevista is also known as the "Chritsmas Capital of ComVal". We can't wait to tell you guys how wonderful it was to visit Montevista. Follow us for more updates!
"Daredevil Skylab"
They
seem to glide and fly with their fast, winged TMX single motorcycles.
They’re tough and agile in taking a highly risk-taking
ride on rough and steep road of the interior highland villages in Montevista, Compostela Valley Province.
Not even the rainy season when the road
becomes all too muddy and slippery could
dampen the daredevil “Skylab” motorcycle drivers of Montevista. The motorcycle ride on
ascending road leading to at least seven highland barangays east of Montevista
poblacion may just peanuts to the town’s Skylab driver, who with one single
motorcycle could carry maximum load of 10 passengers.But the roads hazards
posed by stones and rocks, cliffs along during dry days, the slips during rainy
days and the possibility of a tumble and mishap often give a frightening
experience than a thrill for the first-time passengers of the some 80 Skylab motorcycle
in town.
The Skylab motorcycle started to evolved as an alternative means of
people’s transportation during the Martial Law period. It later earned it’s
moniker “Skylab” with the town folk joking on the vehicles figure as similar to
the wrecked as Skylab space shuttle that went back crashing to earth in the
early 80’s Montevista Skylab motorcycle first appeared to be “winged” by it’s
flat wooden plank rope tied at the driver’s backseat. Later the plank was
screwed tight to the cycle's rear with protruding wooden hump fit to hold passengers
buttocks during descent and bolted with steel handgrip.
 |
| Photo by Ginneyferr N B. Atugan |
At the present , the town Skylab seem to have already come full circle of its evolution when drivers
started to mount three years ago as slender plastic cover to shield passengers
from the rain or scorching sun rays.
Other designs have two rows of elevated cubicles balancing both at the
motorcycles sides to enclose passengers feet hanging while on the road in the visual
designs. Montevista’s Skylab
was the first and model pattern of other similar vessel which where later
flying routes in other upland areas like those
found in the near San Francisco ,Agusan
Del Sur, in Babak Samal Island, in some areas of Misamis Oriental or in other
parts in Mindanao.
Eufrosenio Nalangan, a former Kagawad of Barangay Canidkid ,says
that this vehicle is so indispensable to barangay people mobility their
products as well as a night time emergencies like the ferrying of a
mother about to give birth or an ill person needed to be brought fast to
the hospital downhill.
As the towns Skylab now proves to be the
king of the road traversing the once hotbed
village’s of the longest-running Moist insurgency, there’s also
sustainable livelihood generated from it. A Skylab operator driver on town
earns a daily average of P200 to P300
during normal days and P500 to
P600 during Saturday when villagers go to Montevista Poblacion for the “tabo”(market
day) ,said Dablo with a smile, a Skylab driver for 8 years (Sunstar-Davao July 20,2014).
"The Mayaon Cave"
There is still hundreds of caves in the
Philippines that are not yet explored or have not in the list of the best
destination in our country. Some of them are more interesting and have a lot of
it's unique features like the huge stalactites and stalagmites and home of
thousands bats. And one of these cave is the Montevista very own Mayaon Cave. A
giant hole that is horizontally underground that is located in a small barangay
named Mayaon in Montevista, Compostela Valley Province which is been recently
discovered by the local folks that live in the barangay. As soon as before the
day break we start our adventure in a long hike, was totally paid off when we
see the view of the sun rise from the mountain. After a long hike we finally
reach our destination, the Mayaon Cave.
 |
| Credits from facebook.com/angmontevistakaron |
It
may not be as magnificent cave like the Sarawak Chamber in Malaysia or the
caves in Palawan that is one of the best destination in the Philippines. But
one thing special about the Mayaon Cave is the natural beauty with great
aesthetic value that you could see. The cave was perfectly hidden in the heart
of the forest. It is far from the busy buzzing noise from the town and town
dirt and pollution. Every corner is a perfect angle for a selfie or groupfie. After
had rest and taking some pictures. We ready our safety hats, flashlight, rope
and other safety equipment’s, for our breath-taking adventure. As we enter the
cave it was surrounded with darkness. And the only light that we use to guide
is our flashlight. It was difficult to walk around the cave due to it's steep path,
and the only thing that we could touch is the rope that is use to guide us
inside the cave.
The
cave was filled with different formations of stalactites and stalagmites that
is forbidden to touch because it may ruined the formation. But one thing that
caught my attention is the massive number of bats that inhabit the cave. The
scenery inside the cave was truly a one of kind beauty of nature that is really
a gift from God. After 30 minutes inside the cave we finally reach the exit of
the cave. But before we leave the place we took some pictures so that we could
have a souvenir. It was fun, exciting and truly a memorable adventure that we
had in the Mayaon Cave.
Coconut Wine "Tuba"
 |
| Courtesy from Google |
Palm wine or coconut wine also called palm
toddy is an alcoholic beverage generated from the sap of numerous animals of
palm tree such as the Palmyra and coconut palms. In Montevista, coconut wine
"tuba" refers to both to freshly collected sweetish sap and the one
by having the red Lauan-tree tan bark
colorant called “Tunngog” as the night getting colder and you can freely inhale
the fresh breeze of air it is
"Saint Joseph the Worker Parish"
 |
| Photo by Gidelyn P. Villaflor |
Saint Joseph the Worker Parish located at Purok 2 Poblacion Montevista. The
church enshrines the icon of Saint Joseph. Devotion to Saint Joseph is popular
among Filipino Catholics, and gave rise to the throngs of devotees who flood
the church every Sunday to attend mass.
One
of the Montevista's pride is the Saint Joseph the Worker Parish church. The
only church in the province that was built by the help of the people in
donating whole heartedly through million signature and also with the help of
the priest they organize a concert.
Saint Joseph church is one of the beautiful scenery of the municipality.the time to drink this popular drinks in
Montevista, and it is more joyful and lively if you drink it with your company
, comrade and friends while playing
guitar and singing while having this
kind of drinks. In addition the resident of Montevista specially in the
higher areas where you can find the other existing barangay that still subdued
of Montevista, they do not only make it a drink just to fulfil their right but
also as their source of income, others are made it as their business.
"Diwanag Festival"
 |
| Credits from Ginneyferr N B. Atugan |
A prestigious and an attractive event every
year. December which is the day to be remembered by tourists also living at. Festival that is
being developed as important attraction in Montevista “ Diwanag Festival”. The
date period of the arrival of the lights and amazing places a major highlights
of this event is how presentation be creative which participated with different
barangays in this area.
As I enter to the plaza majestic atmosphere
welcome us with glamorous lights of every corner of it. Filled with different colours
from the different mini houses with the theme of Disney there’s a lot of attractions
you would love to selfie or groufie. The place are transform in to a
fantastical fairyland setting. You may wonder that you might be in the other
country because of how smushed and grand the eve day. Aside from this, we are
be entertain with Dancing presentation, Singing band and some famous artist
that go their, also includes special light in the opening and end featuring
different Christmas decorations and the main highlights is the fireworks show
display.
This great event helps the municipality
show how they unite and work together. Proving that how communities coincide
and commemorate the local event, also to promote the community's beauty.
Co-citizens cooperate in the difficult path towards a unified Montevista by
helping to build a successful day.
No comments:
Post a Comment