Allow me step away for now from my usual subject matter and talk about my favorite spot when I want to ‘get away from it all’. It’s still part of Davao City but far enough to warrant a long (or short, depending on how you look at it) drive. It’s been called the Tagaytay or Baguio of Davao because of its cool climate.
Visiting Marilog is always something I look forward to. It’s a nice ride by itself, long enough to have the excitement of a road trip, and short enough not to tire you out. On sunny days, there is a clear sight of scenic mountainscapes. These same mountain ranges turn mystical on cold days when they are shrouded with fog. Low-lying clouds settling below its peak have made Marilog famous as the place to witness the ‘’sea of clouds’’.
The over-an-hour drive makes me feel like we’re going on a short vacay. It’s a feeling that stays with us once we arrive at a small cabin nestled beside a forest cluster in one of the barangays. Here we are serenaded all day by the melodious chirping of birds, a consistent cool breeze, and crisp air from the forest trees and lush vegetation. It’s a natural combination that calms down frazzled nerves and clears up muddled minds.
Marilog has gained more attention during the pandemic. It’s where people went to stay away from crowds. They came to enjoy the fresh, quiet, and idyllic surroundings. It offered a respite from the claustrophobia of hunkering indoors due to pandemic restrictions. It was a wider (and cleaner) space to be as opposed to the walled-in space of a mall or our houses. Many in the grips of cabin fever found it a welcome change. Greenery as far as their eyes can see, reinvigorating ambiance, and a quiet environment punctured only by nature’s ambient sounds. Even after the pandemic, city folks continue to drive all the way to these highlands to escape the mugginess and hot spells in the city. It allowed them to escape the doldrums of city life.
The past few years have been witness to a mushrooming of coffee shops, restaurants, inland nature resorts, and vacation rentals in Marilog. Cuisines offered vary from Filipino to Mexican, Japanese, American, and French-Canadian. Those who have fallen in love with the cool climate and rich natural environs have built rest houses or retirement homes. All these have provided employment or income opportunities to locals, engaging in work as restaurant staff, caretakers, or general labor.
There is so much promise in these highlands that make it a desirable place to visit and live. But as the popular idiom ‘’trouble in paradise’’ says, this beautiful and promising place has its own share of problems. Largely under ancestral domain, Marilog’s land ownership and development are embroiled in many issues. But as I am no expert on this matter, I will not delve deeper on this and will refrain from making comments. It’s best to leave it to the rightful authorities. But I do wish clarity and affirmative action can be achieved sooner than later. I hope those who wish to stay in the area are able to do so in peaceful and respectful coexistence with the local communities.
But one concern that benefits everyone if addressed in earnest is the state of the roads. Marilog’s steep, hilly terrain makes it vulnerable to landslides during heavy downpours. These movements of masses of earth, rock, and debris from steep slopes can cover critical roads and make them impassable. Worse, it can topple concrete roads built along steep slopes, cutting off those who rely on access to these roads for work and livelihood. Thankfully, some portions of the Buda road damaged by landslides are currently in repair or rehabilitation. Sadly, the same cannot be said of the inner roads in the barangays. It looks like these landslide-damaged roads within the sitios will have to wait longer to see repair.
Marilog has been touted as a promising tourist destination. Its rich environment and refreshing climate alone are enough to enthrall people from near and far. But the sad state of its roads (not to mention other burning issues) pose a real threat to its success as a community. Despite that, I still hope Marilog turns into a thriving district where all its peoples live in dignity and in shared growth and success. I hope Marilog’s promise can finally find its way to fruition.
