The wonders of the Cauldron in Kawa Kawa

LIGAO CITY, ALBAY, Philippines - If you are looking for space and time to forget all your troubles, try climbing the cauldron. The hills of Kawa-Kawa are so called "kawa" because it is shaped like a cauldron.

This place is also called the 14 Stations of the Cross. This is because there are life-size sculptures depicting scenes of the 14 Stations of the Cross scattered in these hills.

The Kawa-Kawa hills provide cardio vascular exercise at almost no cost. It takes less than an hour ride from Legazpi City to Kawa-Kawa. The "cauldron" is situated at the top of the hill that actually slopes down to a "cauldron"-like valley.

You would have to begin at the foot of the hill or the first station of the cross to begin the climb. Trail to the hills are made of paved stones and these have been so designed that these are anti-skid. Thick lush of trees cover the path and sometimes thick moss make the walk slippery.

You would have to just catch up with your breathing when you move to Station 7. It's a pretty steep climb. But then you are fully rewarded upon reaching Station 8 where you can see a full view of the valley and the majesty of sunset.

There are also caged animals and birds in Kawa-Kawa like owls and deer.

Many Bicolanos and tourists brave the steep climb to the cauldron to pour their hearts and minds out, to catch sunsets and to catch their breath with breath taking sights.

I have been to Kawa-Kawa thrice and have learned the techniques of scaling the stone-paved pathways and getting down the same route holding down my knees and weight.

Apparently the kawa-kawa was created so people who trek the hills could stop thinking of food and think of the creator hills and appreciate His majesty.