Maria fell in love with a farmer named Juan. Unfortunately, Juan was framed to be executed by two of Maria's suitors. Due to the heartbreak she experienced in dealing with man, she never showed herself again. Hearsay claims that she is still in Mount Makiling, hiding from the people.

Mount Makiling, where Maria supposedly resides, is an inactive volcano located in the province of Laguna on the island of Luzon, Philippines. It rises 1090 meters above sea level. Situated at its foot is UP Los Banos, an autonomous constituent of the University of the Philippines, the mountain's official caretaker.

Because of the mountain's proximity to the university, it does not only serve as a destination for hikers but also as a natural laboratory to study science. Students often have exposure trips to observe the biodiversity of living things that thrive in the mountain forest. Outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world also visit not only out of curiosity about the missing goddess but simply to enjoy nature.

There are four established trails that lead to remarkable destinations in the mountain. The first trail leads to Flatrocks, a place noted for rocks that have been flattened by running water. It is less than a kilometer away from the hiking entrance. Approximately four kilometers up is Mudspring, a volcanic crater that emits sulfuric acid and smoke. Another four kilometers from Mudspring are the mountain peaks, Peak 1 and Peak 2. To date, unless given a permit by the UP College of Forestry and Natural Resources, these two peaks are not open to the general public because trails have been damaged by typhoons and landslides.

The hike up can be really tiring but the wonderful scenery and cool environment are enough to relax anyone. There are also coconut stalls where coconut juice could be bought for refreshment. The juice is like an energy drink that can sustain the hiker all the way up. When the destination is finally reached, Maria, the goddess, would have probably been forgotten not only because of exhaustion, but because of the overwhelming beauty of nature. Maria may or may not be a true goddess of the mountain but its lore may be as majestic as Mt. Makiling.

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Trekking Mt. Makiling

Elevation: 1,090 m (3,576 ft)

Location: Bay, Calamba City and Los Banos, Laguna and Sto. Tomas, Batangas, Luzon, Philippines

Type: Stratovolcano

Vegetation: Approx 2048 species of plants

Forest Type
Lower Slope:
Dipterocarp Forest
Summit:
Dwarf Mossy Forest

Activities: trekking, bird and buterfly watching, camping

Trails:
UPLB, Los Banos,
Laguna trail
Philippine National Arts Center Trail,
Los Banos, Laguna
Sto. Tomas, Batangas Trail

Peaks:
- Peak 1 via the UPLB trail
- Peak 2 via all trails
- Peak 3 via Sto. Tomas trail

Other Points Of Interest:
- Makiling Botanical Gardens
- UPLB Museum of Natural History
- Pook ni Maria Makiling, an ecotourism site

Hiking Availability:
Sto. Tomas, Batangas and Philippine National Arts Center Trails: climb at your own risk.

UPLB Trail:
Entrance Fee: P2/head for UP Employees/Students; P5/head for the general public

How to go to Mt. Makiling via the UPLB Trail

Take a bus going to Sta Cruz. Only two bus lines pass by Los Banos, HM Transport and Green Star. The terminal of HM Transport is in Cubao and passes through EDSA while the terminal of GreenStar is Taft Cr. Gil Puyat Ave.

Travel time: 2-3 hours.

Disembark at Caltex gas station in front of Olivarez Plaza.

Take a jeep going to UP College. Ask the driver to let you off at El Danda. Disembark.

There is a jeepney terminal in El Danda. Take the jeep going to Forestry.

Ask the driver to let you off at the hiking starting point. Disembark.

The is a registration booth for hikers. You will be asked to write down your contact details so the forest rangers can contact you in case of emergency.

Article Photos by
Ria Mae Borromeo