TABUK CITY, Kalinga (PIA) – More than a hundred hikers joined the third edition of the Kalinga Lumin-awa Trekking Adventure held in the town of Balbalan in the province of Kalinga from February 5 to 7.
The trekking event took the participants through the Banao Protected Landscape along trails passing through mossy and pine forests, and beautiful views and landscapes along the Saltan River.
Highlights of the event include a trek from Mt. Nabanderaan to the Pamusilon camping ground and the hike to Ducligan and the Old Spanish trail.
A victory night was also hosted on the second night to welcome the trekkers and let them experience Kalinga culture with performances by locals.
“You are so very lucky because [this is the first time that the Banao Protected Landscape] was opened to the public,” Governor James Edduba told the trekkers during the Victory Night program.
Trekkers said they joined the event to explore Kalinga’s beautiful nature and immerse in the local culture.
“Actually, Kalinga talaga ti maysa nga province nga kayat ku mapanan. Kayat ku mabisita amin nga municipality,” said Liza Palpal, a trekker from Baguio City, who also participated in the two previous editions of the Lumin-awa Trek.
“Very anticipated ko tong event na ‘to every year sa Kalinga kasi first of all, ‘yung culture, ‘yung mga communities na nadadaanan, and every year kasi iba’t-ibang municipalities ‘yung gusto nilang i-feature and i-open for public, lalo hindi naman usually alam ng general public ‘yung mga municipalities and ‘yung mga trails and bundok na inaakyat every year,” said Mark Osorio from Quezon City who also participated in all three editions.
The trekking event was hosted by the Kalinga provincial government in partnership with the Balbalan municipal government, and was one of the highlights of the province’s 30th Founding Anniversary and 6th Bodong Festival.
Local officials expected that the event would attract more visitors to Balbalan to try its various ecotourism offerings. (JDP/IOS-PIA CAR, Kalinga)
