The Lenten season is coming and many people would go to
places to meditate, remember and repent for the sacrifices that Jesus Christ
did to wash away our sins. In Cagayan de Oro City, one of the most favorite
destination by many is in Malasag in Cugman, Cagayan de oro city in the
province of Misamis Oriental. As thousands come and crowd the area because it
can be easily accessed just beside the national highway within the city. Another popular growing
pilgrimage destination though is already taking a spot in Misamis Oriental; Sipaka Heights in Talisayan, Misamis Oriental.
Many names are given to it by some like Sipaka Island, Sipaka point, etc…. Basically it is not an island because
it is connected to land and it is not separated by water. Best way to describe
it is, it is a hill that extends to the sea. It has the good feature of a
pilgrimage lamentation. While you are under the scorching sun on your way up,
reaching to the top has its reward; the spectacular view of the sea, coastline,
beaches and the mountains. It’s a 360 degrees view of the horizon in the area.
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| The telecommunications tower at the summit as seen from below |
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Sipaka heights is fronting Camiguin Island and it is very visible as viewed from the area.
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| The reef where the partition of the shallow to the deep water is very visible |
Even though the road is wide but it would reach over a
thousand pilgrims come here during Lenten season so the road still gets very crowded.
From the first corner
is the start of the station of the cross and so on up to the summit
Just within the last three Stations of the Cross are
diversion paths to at least distribute the crowd since the crowd will stay in this areas.
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| the diversion path that leads to the terrace where the mass is held |
The view here gets very spectacular as I can see an overlooking view of the east side of the sea, coast and mountains of Talisayan, Misamis Oriental.
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| The holy mass held during the lenten season |
Before reaching the 13th station of the cross comes the concrete stairway all the way up to the last station of the cross.
Concrete stairs were placed because the trail gets steep and
it leads to the big cross which is the last station. I can also see the beautiful scene
of the area. It simply is marvelous.
Until I reached the big cross; the last station. The
concrete stairs leads here.
Other options in enjoying Sipaka heights is watching the sunrise and sunset.
I never get to experience the sunrise and sunset in this time because i arrived here by afternoon and i have to travel back to my hometown. So i don't have time to wait for the sunset or sunrise.
How to get here:
from Cagayan de Oro, you can ride a bus bound for Butuan or Gingoog and drop by at the intersection. Fare is more or less 100php . But if you are not familiar with the intersection since it is small you might find it hard to notice it while riding the bus. The best way is to ride a bus bound for Balingoan and drop at the Balingoan terminal. Then ride a motorcycle with sidecar and tell the driver to drop off at Sipaka Heights intersection or you can negotiate the driver to take you all the way to the Sipaka heights jump off and add additional fare. The fare for the motorcycle with sidecar is 7-8 php and 10-15 php if the driver takes you all the way to the jump off.
Other options in enjoying Sipaka heights is watching the sunrise and sunset.
I never get to experience the sunrise and sunset in this time because i arrived here by afternoon and i have to travel back to my hometown. So i don't have time to wait for the sunset or sunrise.
How to get here:
from Cagayan de Oro, you can ride a bus bound for Butuan or Gingoog and drop by at the intersection. Fare is more or less 100php . But if you are not familiar with the intersection since it is small you might find it hard to notice it while riding the bus. The best way is to ride a bus bound for Balingoan and drop at the Balingoan terminal. Then ride a motorcycle with sidecar and tell the driver to drop off at Sipaka Heights intersection or you can negotiate the driver to take you all the way to the Sipaka heights jump off and add additional fare. The fare for the motorcycle with sidecar is 7-8 php and 10-15 php if the driver takes you all the way to the jump off.
