Musuan Peak: The Humble Volcano That Secretly Teaches Why Change Is Beautiful

The day they find you dead, they’ll write the sweetest things on Facebook. They’ll gather in comment threads, writing the regrets and love they never spoke. But when you’re alive, there will always be those people who quietly torture you for building a life without them. They’ll gaslight you and make your happiness feel like betrayal. They’ll turn your success into their wound. These were the strange, uncomfortably true thoughts running through my mind as I hiked toward the top of Musuan Peak.

And this isn’t a story about a mountain. It’s about everyone I had to leave behind to reach it.

You see.

Hiking and travel aren’t all about the unforgettable experiences and stunning photos.

Every mountain, every town, and every adventure leaves you with a lesson you didn’t know you were ready for.

And strangely, on this hike, I was reminded that sometimes the real climb isn’t up the mountain.

It’s actually away from the people who want to keep you small.

S, who exactly were these people?

And what other lessons were waiting for me on our Musuan Peak hike?

My journey to Musuan Peak 

Change isn’t always dramatic, grand, or life-changing. 

Sometimes, it’s a quiet, small, everyday decision that no one will probably know about.

It may just be a shift no one notices, or a silent promise you keep only to yourself.

That’s the lesson I learned on our hike to the top of Musuan Peak, or Mount Calayo, as locals call it.

And don’t get me wrong.

I wasn’t broken.

I wasn’t running from burnout or crawling out of a mid-life crisis.

I wasn’t seeking answers or meaning like the main character in Eat, Pray and Love.

Yet in a strange, poetic twist, the mountain handed me answers to questions I didn’t even ask.

So, we set out early on a beautiful Sunday morning.

There was no drama.

No blazing sun.

And no over-the-top views or an enchanting sea of clouds.

It was a scenic, calm walk in the park with new friends and the kind of mountain air that feels like therapy.

My mind was still replaying the highlights and beautiful chaos of the previous day’s river rafting adventure in Cagayan de Oro.

And honestly, I didn’t expect much from the climb.

It wasn’t the hardest or the highest I’d done.

But something about that morning hit differently.

It wasn’t that the trail was harder.

In some way, the trail to the top gave me a clearer view not of Bukidnon’s emerald landscape, but of the people who were quietly hoping I’d fail.

Somewhere between the start of the trail and the summit, I thought about something a friend said not long ago.

1 day earlier: On the way to Laguindingan Airport

In one of my random trips around the Philippines, someone messaged me.

“You’ve changed,” she said.

And it was not a compliment or a question, either.

It was more like a quiet accusation. 

That message came months ago.

Yet, strangely, it popped into mind as I was soaring thousands of feet above the earth’s surface to experience the wonders of Mindanao.

Damn it!

I should focus on Musuan Peak, Lake Apo, and the river rafting adventure in Cagayan de Oro.

The way she said it was to make me feel guilty.

It was as if change was something I had to defend.

It was as if change was a crime, a mortal sin, or a selfish act.

She made me feel like setting boundaries made me selfish.

Soon, the plane touched down at Laguindingan Airport.

Slowly, those intrusive thoughts began to fade.

And then, a thought surfaced.

What’s wrong with changing and evolving?

Maybe the reason people hate when we change is because they’re no longer in the picture.

And that’s not your fault.

You’re not meant to remain stuck in a version of yourself that no longer fits.

You’re not wrong for shifting, softening, or setting boundaries.

Heck, even early humans had to change and evolve.

If they didn’t, we’d still be in caves, afraid of the fire we were born to create.

So, I’m not selfish for outgrowing places that once felt like home.

I’m not cruel for outgrowing people who stayed the same.

That’s not betrayal.

It’s nature.

It’s biology.

The thing is, growth is messy and change is lonely.

But staying stuck just to keep someone comfortable is a slow kind of death.

I used to force myself into old spaces just to feel loved and make people feel comfortable.

Then, I realized that the price of belonging was losing myself.

And I realized that it was a toxic relationship that worked in one way.

So, I decided to travel alone and move away from that one-way street they call friendship. 

I chose myself.

I walked away without apology and explanation.

And guess what?

I have never felt better.

6:45 AM: Homestay in Bukidnon 

Nothing beats a good night’s sleep.

After a week of grinding in the city and an insanely fun white water rafting adventure in CDO, I finally got a well-deserved rest.

It was the kind of rest that cleared the mind, eased the muscles, and made me feel like the chaos of the past days never happened. 

I woke up with a strange sense of calm and energy I hadn’t felt in ages.

From our homestay, we wasted no time and went straight to the first stop of our Bukidnon adventure that day: Musuan Peak Zoological and Botanical Garden.

Then, we paid the required Musuan Peak entrance fee and started our hike to one of Bukidnon’s most iconic landmarks.

Musuan Peak in Maramag, Bukidnon stands at just 646 meters above sea level. 

So, it’s not exactly as tall as the giants in the province, including Mount Dulang-Dulang and Mount Kitanglad.

But guess what? 

I never underestimate any mountain.

Big or small, quiet or wild, every mountain deserves your respect.

And I wasn’t wrong because somehow, this mountain kicked my ass a bit.

07:35 AM: Hiking Musuan Peak

My legs were burning.

The air was thinner, the sun a little harsher, and honestly, I was starting to get tired.

Each step felt heavier, as if the mountain itself was testing my will. 

My breaths grew shallow, sweat clung to my skin, and for a moment, I wondered why I even thought this climb was a good idea.

I knew Musuan Peak was an easy hike.

Years ago, I would have blitzed through and climbed this mountain with ease.

But the mountains humble even the strongest men.

With the gift of youth slowly fading, I’ve learned to accept that we can’t stay strong forever.

I’ve also learned to move with more grace and less pride.

I no longer charge ahead just to prove something.

And I realized that slowing down doesn’t mean giving up.

Every step is less about proving strength and more about accepting limits.

And suddenly, as I pushed up that slope, I realized how much hiking mirrors life.

As I’ve said a thousand times before, hiking is the best metaphor for life.

Like the mountains, life has a funny way of humbling you.

One day, you think you’re strong, unstoppable, and on top of the world.

The next day, life taps you on the shoulder and reminds you: you’re mortal and you’re not untouchable.

I guess that’s why some people can’t mind their own business and focus on their path.

Perhaps they’ve never been humbled.

Maybe they’ve never reached that point where life forces you to look at yourself.

They haven’t been to a place where you’re too busy to catch your own breath and waste time staring at how others live.

And here’s the thing.

People who haven’t been humbled are the ones who keep watching, comparing, and resenting the people who just kept going.

03:33 PM: On the way back to CDO from Bukidnon 

Long van rides can be full of surprises.

Conversations can be weird, wild, or downright funny.

Ours started with cheeky talks about massage parlors and bars where people aren’t wearing clothes even when the room’s freezing cold.

But as the ride rolled on, things got unexpectedly serious.

Iris, a fellow hiker sitting beside me, shared how a friend tried to ruin her moment after she posted a photo from our Musuan Peak hike.

Then, that “you’ve changed” message once again came into mind.

Why are so many people these days like that?

Why do they feel the need to blow out someone else’s candle just to make theirs seem brighter?

And do they know that turning off someone’s light doesn’t make the room any brighter at all?

7:49 AM: A view worth the hike 

We haven’t reached the top of Musuan Peak.

Yet, the views already left me speechless and in awe.

We paused for a while, and I took a photo of the group with the gorgeous landscape stretching behind them.

And somehow, that moment brought old memories of the people I’ve hiked with years ago.

They are the friends with whom I’d shared so many precious moments, chasing the scenic mountains in Cebu.

Some of them have moved on with their lives, while others are now hiking with different groups.

In other words, we went our separate ways.

And that’s okay.

As I’ve mentioned before, friendships nowadays are like revolving doors, where people come in and come out.

I always wanted to share moments like this with them.

Moments where we conquer giants outside Cebu.

And moments that would remind us that life is beautiful.

For a long time, I waited for them.

I wanted us, together, to conquer giants beyond Cebu, like Musuan Peak, Mount Pinatubo, and Mount Hamiguitan.

But then I realized something.

Life doesn’t wait for anyone.

If you want to do something, do it now.

Don’t wait for tomorrow, and don’t wait for anyone to make your dreams a reality.

Grab every opportunity because life is unpredictable. 

And if you keep waiting, you risk dying with regrets.

Or worse, you’ll live with a lifetime of what-ifs and should-have-beens. 

Don’t let those opportunities go by.

You’ll be only this young once, and tomorrow is always uncertain.

07: 55 PM: Remembering Musuan Peak fire

On March 27, 2024, a wildfire swept through Musuan Peak.

That was over a year ago. 

I saw the aftermath of the Musuan Peak fire because I was there in Bukidnon, hiking Mount Kalatungan.

But standing here, walking this pathway, I saw no trace of the Musuan Peak fire in 2024.

Musuan Peak was alive again.

It was green, shady, and filled with optimistic people who wanted to breathe fresh air and escape their daily grind.

And suddenly, Musuan Peak handed me one more quiet lesson: time heals.

Mount Calayo had been scarred, but here it was, still standing, offering timeless natural beauty and drawing people in.

And maybe time could heal broken friendships, too.

Perhaps we were meant to grow apart for a while, to change in different directions, and to make space for who we were becoming.

Honestly, I’m not sure if we’ll ever find our way back to each other.

But as we hiked our way to the top, I let go of the need to control that.

For now, I trust the Universe, and his quiet hands shaping all things.

I trust the Universe for his grand, mysterious plans pulling us forward, whether together or apart.

And as we were about to reach the top of Musuan Peak, I realized that some places, like some people, teach you that even after the fires, there’s still life.

Even after fires,  there’s still beauty.

And there’s still more to climb.

08:08 AM: The top of Musuan Peak

The views from the top of Museum Peak aren’t exactly mind-blowing or out-of-this-world.

Don’t get me wrong.

They look stunning, but they aren’t as magical as Mount Pulag or Mount Amuyao.

But the thing is, we don’t hike mountains just for the views.

The truth is, the views are the icing on the cake.

We climb mountains for the pain, growth, and lessons we can’t always get in the comfort of daily life.

We climb to feel our legs burn and to remind ourselves we’re still alive.

We climb to prove not to others, but to ourselves, that we can keep moving even when it’s hard.

And we climb for the moments when the world falls away, and all that’s left is your heartbeat, your breath, and the next step forward.

To me, the real reward of climbing a mountain isn’t the view at the top.

It’s actually the person you become on the way there, taking one step, one breath, and one silent victory at a time.

And our Musuan Peak hike taught me that it’s okay to outgrow places, to leave old paths, and to let go of people who no longer walk beside you.

It reminded me that real strength isn’t about charging ahead or proving you’re unshakable.

It’s about knowing when to slow down, when to breathe, and when to honor your own limits without shame.

Yes, the hike was short and easy, but it was food for the soul.

And sometimes, that’s all you need. 

In life, we all need those small, quiet journeys to remind us that we’re still growing.

How high is Musuan Peak?

Musuan Peak, also known as Mount Musuan or Mount Calayo (“Fire Mountain”), stands at 646 meters (2,119 feet) above sea level. It’s an active volcano located in Maramag, Bukidnon.

How much is the entrance fee to Musuan Peak?

The entrance fee to Musuan Peak in Maramag, Bukidnon, is 30 pesos per person. This fee grants you access to the trail leading up the peak, which is managed by Central Mindanao University (CMU).

Do I need a guide to hike Musuan Peak?

No, you don’t need a guide to hike Musuan Peak. The trail is well-marked and beginner-friendly, making it a popular choice for solo adventurers and first-time hikers.

The main path is a wide, open trail that gently winds up the mountain. Normally, it takes about 30 to 60 minutes to reach the summit, depending on your pace.

How to get to Musuan Peak?

If you’re in Cagayan de Oro, head to Agora Bus Terminal and take a bus ride bound for Davao. Ask the conductor to drop you off at the entrance of Musuan Peak. From Davao, there are buses to CDO that pass by Musuan Peak. Ask the driver to drop you off at the entrance. There are also tour operators like SUGBO Adventours that offer packages in Bukidnon.