Bud Bongao
A Sacred Peak In The Southernmost Province, Climbed By Muslims And Christians Alike, With Macaques On The Trail · Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
BUD BONGAO RISES ABOVE THE TOWN OF BONGAO IN TAWI-TAWI, THE SOUTHERNMOST PROVINCE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND IT IS A SACRED MOUNTAIN. There are graves near the summit revered as those of early Muslim missionaries, and people climb to pray at them - TAUSUG AND SAMA MUSLIMS PRIMARILY, BUT CHRISTIANS FROM THE TOWN CLIMB IT TOO, which in this part of the country is worth noticing. THE TRAIL TAKES ABOUT AN HOUR AND IS LINED WITH LONG-TAILED MACAQUES that climbers feed bananas to, bought at the bottom. THE VIEW FROM THE TOP TAKES IN THE SULU SEA, THE CELEBES SEA AND, ON A CLEAR DAY, BORNEO. Tawi-Tawi is also the home of the SAMA DILAUT, sea people whose houses stand on stilts over water. SEVERAL GOVERNMENTS MAINTAIN ADVISORIES FOR THIS REGION and for some of it advise against all travel. Check before planning. The climb takes about an hour past macaques that expect the bananas sold at the bottom, and the graves at the top are a place of prayer rather than a viewpoint.
Bud Bongao, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines
CHECK YOUR GOVERNMENT'S CURRENT TRAVEL ADVICE BEFORE PLANNING ANYTHING - SEVERAL STATES ADVISE AGAINST TRAVEL TO THE SULU ARCHIPELAGO and the position changes. BONGAO IS REACHED BY AIR FROM ZAMBOANGA CITY, with limited service, or by a LONG FERRY FROM ZAMBOANGA of many hours. THE CLIMB TAKES ABOUT AN HOUR each way on a made trail with steps in places; THERE IS NO GATE AND NO FEE, but LOCAL GUIDES ARE STRONGLY ADVISED and are arranged in town. BANANAS FOR THE MACAQUES are sold at the bottom and feeding them is customary. THE GRAVES NEAR THE SUMMIT ARE A PLACE OF PRAYER - dress modestly, keep quiet and follow what others do. GO EARLY; it is hot and the trail is exposed in sections. Observe Ramadan hours in a Muslim province.