My hiking days felt long gone. My legs would be the first to stage a protest if I took them on another long-distance trek like I used to during my college mountaineering days. However, I’ve been working on getting back into shape, as I still have my sights set on climbing Mt. Apo and Mt. Kanlaon. On this particular day in Cebu, I reckoned hiking to the island's highest point—the iconic Osmeña Peak—should be done the easiest way possible.

While it is a relatively easy trek when started from the Mantalongon Market, and a bit more strenuous if traversed all the way to Badian and culminating at Kawasan Falls, I opted for a shortcut: hiring a local habal-habal (motorcycle) driver to take me directly to the base of the 1,000-foot peak.