𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐎𝐍: 𝐂𝐄𝐁𝐔’𝐒 𝐕𝐄𝐆𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐊𝐄𝐓
(𝐴 𝑝ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑜𝑐𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑏𝑦 𝑝ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑗𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝐹𝑒𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐸𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑛)
At dawn in the highlands of Osmeña Peak, thick fog drifts across the jagged limestone ridges overlooking the farming communities of Dalaguete.
For photojournalist Ferdinand Edralin, returning to the summit was the fulfillment of a long-held dream—to document the lives of the hardworking farmers who cultivate the fertile highlands of Cebu.
The journey began before sunrise, with Edralin and his team arriving in the mountain village of Mantalongon shortly after 5 a.m. Wrapped in fog and cold wind, they began the short but slippery ascent with the help of a local guide and walking sticks. Carrying two cameras and a heavy backpack, Edralin carefully navigated the narrow trail of dirt, limestone and loose rocks.
At the summit, thick clouds initially hid the famous peaks. After waiting patiently, the sun briefly broke through the fog, revealing the iconic landscape of Osmeña Peak. The team stayed for nearly an hour, watching the mist roll in and out across the mountains.
Descending the trail offered a glimpse of everyday life in Mantalongon, known as the vegetable basket of Cebu. Farmers were busy harvesting cabbage, carrots and leafy greens, carrying baskets of freshly picked produce across the hillsides.
After the climb, the team shared breakfast with members of the Dalaguete Tourism Office and later stopped at the local bagsakan, where farmers unload vegetables for traders who transport the harvest to markets across Cebu.
For Edralin, the assignment was more than a mountain hike—it was an opportunity to document the quiet resilience and dignity of highland farmers, telling their stories through photographs. /𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶
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