Mt. Cabuyao (Kabuyao) is one of the mountains in the Baguio area. It a slightly lower peak than the connecting mountain, Mt. Santo Tomas sharing the same access road.
Mt. Cabuyao is known for the large radar dishes near its summit.
Sitio Pungayan on Mt. Cabuyao took on the magical fictional name of “La Presa” for the popular Filipino soap opera, Forevermore. With 148 episodes shot on location here in 2014 and 2015.
Limited Access
A number of years ago Mt. Cabuyao and Mt. Santo Tomas were an incredibly popular tourist destination in Baguio. Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that you will be able to get up the mountain now. Because the access to the road is now restricted, with a guard posted at a checkpoint at the base, ready and waiting to turn people away. This is especially true if you’re trying to drive up, but even hikers and cyclists may be refused access.
Possible Access
Going up with a resident is one way to gain access. Aside from that, there is a campground around along the road on the way up the mountain. So, if you stay there, you will already be past the guard station. Therefore, in theory you should be able to drive, bike or walk the rest of the way up the mountain.
Also, the check point may be unmanned before 7am. So, if you want to hike up for sunrise that may still be possible. You will need to take a taxi to the bottom and start walking up around 4am, if you want to see the sunrise from the top.
Cafe in the Sky
Cafe in the Sky is a popular spot to enjoy dining above the clouds. It has a great vantage point for witnessing a sea of clouds resting on Baguio City. Prior to the restriction of pubic access to the road up the mountain, you easily go there anytime. Now, though you will need to make special arrangements if you want to go to Cafe in the Sky. So, it’s a good idea to contact them and find out how to go there ahead of time.
Views, Day and Night
Day or night the views are quite amazing from the road, and even more so from the top. On clear nights the stargazing is also quite good. Good enough to see the Milky Way.
Dress Warm
The peak of Mt. Cabuyao is about 425 meters (1400 feet) higher than Baguio City. The higher elevation makes it even cooler than Baguio. For every 305 meters (1000 feet) further up you go it gets 1.2 degrees Celsius or 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit cooler. So at the top of Mt. Cabuyao expect it to be an additional 1.7ºC (5ºF) cooler than it is down in Baguio City.