Canso X

CEBU, Philippines -  Hiking. Biking. Camping. The mountains of Barangay Cansomoroy, in Balamban town, are a good venue for all these.

Canso X, a mountain adventure park, opened officially on April 12. A two-day 1st Canso X Multi-Sport Festival marked the launch. Members of the local media traveled nearly an hour from Cebu City to witness the launch, highlighted by an off-road duathlon (nine kilometers in three loops) carried out in four categories – Men’s 18-25 year-olds, Men’s 26-35, Men’s 36-45, and Women’s open.

Also, on the first day, a cross-country mountain bike clinic and race, as well as a trek to a nearby stream, took place within the 200-hectare property. Towards evening, guests were treated to a sunset yoga session prior to a barbecue cookout and a music festival featuring some of Cebu’s popular bands. Early on the second day, a trail run and kiddie run woke up the overnighting guests.

Top honchos of AboitizLand and Cebu Industrial Park and Developers, Inc. (CIPDI) formally were in attendance at the opening of Canso X to the public. So far, it is Cebu’s biggest and best-planned eco-adventure park, situated 235 meters (752 feet) above sea level or. The main facility covers 12 hectares of verdant rolling terrain on Cebu’s midwest mountainscape.

Terrie Abad, AboitizLand assistant vice president for Industrial, says that Canso X is “AboitizLand and CIPDI’s contribution to promoting healthy lifestyle and love of natural environment.”

Park visitors learn camping etiquette at the site. Facilitators teach camaraderie and proper behavior, like treating the campsite as one’s own home and observing quiet time. Even using a flashlight has a prescribed way – one has to cover half the light with the hand to allow for only a small light to come out.

Bikers are advised to be considerate – to share the trail with others, to yield to hikers, to obey signs and signals, to control their speed, and to stay on the trail. Hikers, for their part, are to give due courtesy to everyone, to help a hiker in distress, to walk on established trails and follow signs, to never block the trail when at rest.

Trekkers are constantly reminded to respect nature, to never litter, rather pick up litter; to avoid disturbing natural rock formations and cutting branches or twigs of trees or bushes. Overall, the general rule applies: “Visitors shall leave the place as they found it,” in better shape even.

Those interested to check out the place may log on to www.facebook.com/Canso.XHBC.