Magsaysay Drive
Julia Diane I. Cifra, Junagin Corsiga, Angel Pescador
Last weekend, my friends and I went on a trip to a newly opened spot in Tubigon, Magsaysay Drive. Julia had passed by Magsaysay Drive before, but she had never entered it because it was still under construction at the time. Since Julia and her family knew the struggle of driving up the steep roads to reach Magsaysay Drive, they left their car at the base of the incline, near the 14th cross of the Station of the Cross. Accompanied by Julia’s mother, we began our walk up the mountain roads. It wasn’t easy, especially with the steep incline making our legs feel heavier, but the journey wasn’t boring since we were in good company. We talked, laughed, and took pictures and videos along the way. The road wasn’t straight but rather curvy, winding along the mountain. When we reached a higher point, we caught glimpses of Tubigon, though the view was partially blocked by trees. It was still exciting to see what felt like half of Tubigon from that vantage point — we could spot Mater Dei College, the port, the rice fields, and some houses.
Walking gave us time to enjoy the surroundings and take in the fresh air. Along the way, we met some people who were jogging, which made us laugh because we were already feeling tired while they still had so much energy. We even joked about how we must be getting older since we got tired so easily, while some older people passed by us without even looking tired! Even though the climb was challenging, we had fun joking around and making the most of the journey.
After more than 20 minutes, we finally reached Magsaysay Drive. The entrance fee for both adults and teenagers was 20 pesos. As we entered the gate, we were greeted by music from a group of students, likely from Holy Cross Academy, singing loudly on the karaoke at a two-story store to the right of the gate. To the left of the entrance, there was a charming flower path lined with vibrant orange flowers, where we also saw some small dogs and a cat. Walking along the orange flower path revealed the full view of the place. Cottages, benches, and tables with seats were scattered around the area, creating a relaxing atmosphere. The view of Tubigon was breathtaking, especially now that there were no trees obstructing the scenery. The ground sloped downwards towards other picture spots, making us feel a bit dizzy at times. Julia and Angel took most of the pictures, capturing the beauty of the place and our memorable experience.
Once we reached the top, all the effort of climbing up was forgotten because the view was absolutely breathtaking. From there, we could see the whole of Tubigon and the vast sea stretching out into the horizon. Every corner of the place was picture-perfect, so we took tons of photos. One of the highlights was a giant hand structure that we climbed on; it looked scary at first, but it was actually fun! The giant "I Love Bohol" sign was also a nice touch, painted in the colors of the Philippine flag, making it a great spot for more pictures.
If you're planning to visit Magsaysay Drive, I highly recommend bringing a "banig" or a picnic mat because the place is spacious and perfect for a picnic with family and friends. I felt a bit sad that we didn’t get to stay longer; we could have enjoyed a food trip there too! Overall, it was such an enjoyable experience, one of the happiest moments I will always cherish. If I get the chance to go back, I’ll definitely bring snacks, a "banig," and my loved ones to enjoy the amazing view together.