Mount Buntis & Bonifacio Shrine (Maragondon, Cavite)

Lately, my friends and I have been trekking easy-level mountains, as researched through the Pinoymountaineer.com website. 

Seems we somewhat began shifting (maybe temporarily) from ancestral houses and historical structures to the wonders of nature perhaps. 

Anyway, since this was already November 2013, celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, we found it apt to conquer a mountain or mountains, which were really connected to Bonifacio’s life, Mount Buntis and Mount Nagpatong, located in Maragondon, Cavite. 

Bonifacio @150 Official Logo

Based on Philippine History, after being convicted of sedition and treason, Andres Bonifacio and his brother Procopio were executed on May 10, 1897, at either Mount Buntis or Mount Nagpatong. 

Last November 16, 2013, we all met at the Provincial Transport Terminal at the Uniwide Coastal Mall in Parañaque, and boarded a Maragondon-bound bus at 7:20 AM. Fare was Php 76.00 per head.

Provincial Transport Terminal

Boarding the Maragondon-bound bus

At around before 9:00 AM, we alighted the bus near the Maragondon Elementary School along Governor’s Drive, and trudged towards the town proper going to the Maragondon Municipal Hall to fill-out the Registration Forms for the tour and meet our guide, Mr. Jimmy Diones. 

Maragondon Municipal Hall

We decided to start trekking Mount Buntis first by walking initially along Col. Infante Street then we turned right to an unknown street. Nature unfolded in a few minutes. 

The trek route was composed of just a quiet stream with lots of trees at a distance, but after climbing a concrete stairway, a small community abounds, and after a few walks further, lo and behold, the Caingin Hanging Bridge. Yes, in order for anyone who wants to visit the said mountain, you have to cross this dangling and swaying bridge.

 

Caingin Hanging Bridge

Several minutes after that, we walked across a vast rice field area, and rested beneath a tree at 9:45 AM. 

Walking through the Palayan

Timeout underneath a tree

The trek towards the foot of the mountain were mostly rocks and stream crossings, and after we rested underneath a tree anew at 10:40 AM, next comes the 20-minute assault towards the summit, which somewhat drains you due to its steepness.

Stream Crossings

Timeout before the assault

The assault.....whew!

At around 11:00 AM, we arrived at the summit of Mount Buntis. It was a breathtaking view, with Mount Hagdan seen from a distance. 

Summit of Mount Buntis

After we made our descent, we rode tricycles going to the popular Lolo Claro’s Restaurant along Governor’s Drive to eat our lunch at 2:00 PM. This restaurant’s specialty was their Fried Chicken. Most of us ordered the Claro’s Combo Meal, which was only worth Php 115.00 per meal. Yup, the chicken was delicious! 

Lolo Claro's Restaurant

One of Claro's Combo Meals (Php 115.00)

Kodakan after a hearty meal

We now began to travel towards our next destination, the Bonifacio Shrine at Mount Nagpatong via a tricycle ride back to the town proper. 

We walked first towards the Maragondon Parochial School and the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish. The Parish, a National Cultural Treasure. was first constructed by the Jesuits in 1618 under the patronage of the Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion. A new church was constructed from 1630 to 1633, but was demolished between 1646 to 1649 to prevent it from becoming a Dutch fortress. The current stone church was constructed in 1714. 

Maragondon Parochial School

Our Lady of the Assumption Parish

After a few trudges along Col. E. Riego De Dios Street and turning left at a narrow street, we were once again greeted by another hanging bridge, the Pinagsanhan Hanging Bridge, and as we crossed to the other side, we rode tricycles going towards Mount Nagpatong. 

Pinagsanhan Hanging Bridge

Since the roads were still not that paved yet, we all alighted at a supposed jump-off point since the tricycles could not go further. They decided to just park and wait for us after visiting the Bonifacio Shrine. 

The 30-minute walk constituted first a bamboo gate, which we had to temporarily dismantle in order to pass, since this was a private property, the gates were meant to prevent their cows from leaving their property. Next view was a vast grassy area (our guide even joked that this area was seen in the movie "Jurassic Park") with Mount Malicban towering above us, and as we walked further, another bamboo gate welcomed us. 

Resting at the grassy area

We successfully reached the gates of the Bonifacio Shrine at 4:00 PM. 

Bonifacio Shrine gate

The Bonifacio Shrine, located at Mt. Nagpatong in Maragondon, Cavite is where the life of the Bonifacio brothers ended. This shrine was built to commemorate the great courage Gat Andres Bonifacio showed for the Filipinos to achieve the sought freedom. Its walls have brass sculptures depicting the bravery of the founder of Katipunan.Those sculptures also illustrated and gave us a picture of the history during his times. 

As we trekked back, we gamely did jumpshot pictures at the grassy area near Mount Malicban. 

Jumpshot time with Mount Malicban at the background

Arriving back at the Maragondon Municipal Hall, we all refreshed ourselves, and paid our tour guide at Php 100.00 per head. 

Unfortunately, since we left the Hall around 5:30 PM, we were not able to enter the Bonifacio Trial House because it closes at 4:00 PM. Hence, we just photographed ourselves outside the historical structure, walked towards Governor’s Drive anew in order to catch a Cubao-bound bus. 

Bonifacio Trial House

This was the place where the Bonifacio brothers, Andres & Procopio, where judged with the felony treason and sedition on May 4, 1897, and were sentenced to death on May 6, 1897.

With the 150th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio just weeks apart from this trip, we believed that we learned a lot going to both mountains and knowing some tidbits regarding Bonifacio’s life. 

As I always harp, travelling is not just for the fun of being there, it is learning and realizing the significance of a certain place as well as the kind of culture surrounding that specific region. 

Life is endless education…Explore Pinas!