By Bari Silvestre
Pinatubo Mountainero didn’t start as a business. It started with a story, and I want to tell my story.
In 2021, when movement restrictions finally lifted, I started biking and soon discovered hiking. From Mt. Arayat to Mt. Tapulao, I challenged myself on many difficult mountains along the way.
Then I set my sights on Mt Pinatubo. A world-famous mountain right in my own hometown.
In coordination with the local barangay and authorities, I worked with them to climb Mt. Pinatubo via Sapang Uwak trail. The plan was solid, but...
We failed to reach Mt. Pinatubo
The terrain had changed after many inactive years. The path was covered with tall grass. Branches blocked the way. The trail felt forgotten. We moved slowly and reached only the campsite at Mt. McDonald. From there, Mt. Pinatubo appeared in full view, glowing in the distance yet still out of reach. It was a reminder that the mountain always decides how far you can go.
So we tried again in December 2021, but a steam activity forced us to stop. That was it.
The End of Mt. Pinatubo Hike
But it turned out to be just a collapsed lahar hill on the other side.
In February 2022, the Sapang Uwak trail finally pushed through. The timing was perfect. I had just climbed Mt Apo and I was prepared physically. Climbing Mt Pinatubo, I saw the most amazing view I have ever seen.
Later, as we tried a new Pinatubo route via Inararo Trail to Ana-an Falls, we met Moises King at Inararo basecamp.
Our Pinatubo hike was stopped
He told us we couldn’t continue until we secured permission from Chairman Roman King and Kap Benzon King, who was at New Inararo, on the far side of Porac.
A Series of Unfortunate and Fortunate Events
I had planned to go to New Inararo that same afternoon, but something told me it would be better to wait until the next day, Sunday, and go alone with a letter requesting permission for Kap Benzon.
I didn’t know the area well, but by serendipity, at the crossroad, I let the first motorcycle pass and asked the second one for help. The rider happened to be the son of the Sapang Uwak captain. He immediately became my convoy for the rest of the route. Along the way, he spotted Kap Benzon’s car approaching and guided me straight to him.
Kap Benzon told me to meet him the next day at their office in Porac. That’s when I finally also got to meet Chairman Roman King.
But then, Chairman Roman King, head of the Indigenous People Organization and official authority declared one clear command:
The Order That Put Pinatubo Hikes to a Halt
Acknowledging this, I took the two signed permits I have and crossed them out.
All Pinatubo hikes were cancelled.
And then one day, I received a call from Chairman Roman King.
We met and talked about proper routes, safety, and permits, and after the adjustments, he personally authorized us to climb Mt. Pinatubo via Inararo Trail and Ana-an Falls.
From that moment, we coordinated with the Ayta leaders and community, opened Mt. Pinatubo via Inararo trail and Ana-an Falls, and started offering other tours including Tutulari Avatar Gorge and Barangay Inararo Viewdeck.
Mt. Pinatubo via Inararo trail with Ana-an Falls reopens
Locals and foreigners now come specifically to visit them. From exploring to enabling others to experience Pampanga, the journey feels unreal when I look back. What began as a simple escape became a path I never planned, shaped by mountains, timing, and the right people appearing exactly when they were needed. Every stop, every detour, every unexpected call pushed the story forward, building something bigger than I ever imagined.
