Mt. Kudoh | Nueva Vizcaya

The locals call the mountain as Kudoh which is located in Canabuan and Bantinan, Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya. 

Mt. Kudoh

Entry Point/Jump off Location: Brgy. Bantinan, Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya; Brgy. Canabuan, Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya
Estimated Elevation: 1256+ MASL (Peak 1)
Hours to summit: 2-3 hours (Peak 1), 5-8 hours (summit)

Features: Forested mountain, distinctive rocks at the summit of the 2 peaks, scenic view of Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya.
 

History

According to some local historian, during the Spanish colonization – they made a Spanish trail commencing from Brgy. Canabuan until the foothill of the mountain. The trail is partly evident until now; most of the Spanish trails within the vicinity vanished already due to erosion and natural calamities.

The Spaniards built a cross at one of the peaks of the mountains as a symbol of their conquest. However the peak where the historical cross is located is not the summit itself. Kudoh is believed to be the first mountain reached by Spanish priests in spreading Catholicism.

Background

"Kudoh" is a Kalanguya word which means "Cross". The cross was established by Spaniards during their colonization. According to the locals, the summit and the peak where the cross is established resembles a woman's breasts. Thus they sometimes call it Susong Dalaga. Both peaks are distinctly visible in Brgy. Canabuan - a neighboring barangay to Brgy. Bantinan which is the jump-off.

The mountain itself has 2 known peaks – the highest peak which is the summit and the lower peak where the cross was established. 

The summit - highest peak

The lower peak where the cross was established

One of the Kudoh's peak where the cross was established (not the summit) is one of the favorite spot of the locals for socials, picnicking, and sight-seeing. 

Social activity by the locals

Some long time ago, the locals discovered a hole with guns scattered all over the place. They believe that this is part of the tunnels which had been digged during the Spanish period then was later abandoned after the war.

The trail is established until the waiting shed below the mountain. A trail to Salazar, Nueva Vizcaya is evident as you scale the different direction heading up to the mountain. Awa trail is the common trail used by the locals; it is the most popular among the others. 

A waiting shed/rest area along the trail

Water source is only available near the surface of the “Akikan” area, along the trail. 

Water source area

This plant is called "Lallattang" by Ikalahan-Kalanguya people, which is present in the forested part of Mt. Kudoh and can be seen in any tropical rainforest. Contact to the skin of its leaf will result to itchiness and pain of the affected area that can last for days. 

Lahlahtang tree as seen along the forested area of Mt. Kudoh

In addition, this plant can also be seen along the forested area of Mt. Kudoh. The locals call it as "Gipah or Gipas" (Ikalahan - Kalanguya) or "Tsaang Gubat" (Tagalog) - it is small tree whose leaves and leaf buds are used to produce tea. Otherwise, it is a tea plant. 

Tea plant

“Akik” means bird hunting; “Akikan” is an area where they can hunt bird using a net with the help of a light during the night. It’s accustomed to some locals to do “Akik” which is  done every once in a while especially on “Ber” months. Along the trail, you can evidently peek the “Akikan” area. 

Once you are on the summit, you’ll have an astounding 360 view of the different landmarks and provinces – Nueva Vizcaya and Nueva Ecija, including the Pantabangan Dam. Locals are able to access the mountain as a passage to Salazar, Caranglan, Nueva Ecija from Sta. Fe, which is also possible for a reserve trail. 

A view of Salazar, Caranglan, Nueva Ecija and Pantabangan Dam

A view of Barangay Bantinan

A stellar view of Mt. Timmureh

In the summit are rocks scattered all over the area, its formation is comparable to the rock s in the mountains of Rizal Province. 

A structure of rock at the peak of Mt. Kudoh

Folklore

Once upon a time, there was a man named “Padayaw” who constantly wander Mt. Kudoh to fetch water and hunt for food. On his way up to the summit, he began to feel thirsty and was looking for water to drink. There was no sign of water source nearby, so he sat for a while to rest on one of the rocks, until he heard a whisper. The voice uttered - “Look underneath the rocks, you’ll find what you’re looking for... “

He was scared and curious at the same time but he eventually followed the voice and found out that there’s truly water underneath the rock. 

Today, the rocks are still present on the top of the mountain; there is no assurance if water exists until now. 

How to get there

Public Transportation. Ride any buses bound to North Luzon with a signboard going to Tuguegarao, Ifugao, Santiago, and Isabela. Stop in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya and look for the jeep ride heading to Bantinan, Sta. Fe (jump-off) nearby the Public Market. The scheduled trip of the jeep:

Market Day (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday): 1:00pm and 3:00pm 

Non-Market Day (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday): 3:00 pm

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