Our first day in Misamis Occidental was also our last day in Northern Mindanao. That day passed as swiftly as it came. Having arrived in Oroquieta City the night prior, we settled into our accommodation to gather the strength we would need early the next morning. Our first destination would require a very minor hike, but it was a hike nonetheless.

We left Oroquieta City shortly before 07:00 AM and drove a little over an hour to reach the town of Baliangao. From there, we undertook a 30–minute hike up a hill that would give us an eagle’s eye view of the natural wonder we had come to see: the Bigaan U–River.

The hike to the view deck was a relatively easy trek across slopes of earth, grass, and rocks. The sky was cloudy when we started, which was a massive help; trekking under a blazing sun would have made the climb far more challenging. As we gained elevation, a sweeping view of the landscape opened up on the horizon, with Casul Bay visible further out. We were not even at our destination yet, but it was as if the wonder that awaited us had already sent a warning: hold your breath.

Wooden ladders that lead to the limestone pillar.

There was a time in the life of Renegade Junctures when we were utterly preoccupied with hiking and mountains. More than three years ago, Ran and I had a specific peak to conquer almost every weekend. Our streak started with our first climb together up Mt. Batulao in Batangas, followed by a weekly run through Rizal’s Mts. Hapunang Banoy, Pamitinan, Mataripis, and the multiple peaks of Batolusong, all capped off by chasing waterfalls in Mt. Romelo in Laguna. More recently, our mountain journeys took us to the heights of Bud Bongao in Tawi–Tawi and the amphitheaters of the Batad Rice Terraces in Ifugao. Trekking up mountains remains a vital part of our renegade identity; the highlands almost always deliver a complete adventure packed with physical challenge, unpredictable uncertainty, and that definitive reward at the top. 

The reward for the hike that we undertook, however, was not the peak itself, but what one would see from the peak—a magnificent U–bend of a river that was so precisely bent, it seemed out of a dream scene.

The Bigaan River runs through northern Misamis Occidental, forming a crucial part of the Baliangao Protected Landscape and Seascape. The dramatic hairpin curve has become one of the most iconic sights in the entire province. In fact, it has become such a dominant focal point of the local geography that most travelers now popularly refer to the entire river system simply as the U–River. 

A limestone cliff rising roughly 30 meters above the water provides the perfect natural view deck to fully appreciate the loop, along with the surrounding nature reserve. Dense blankets of mangroves and palms accentuated the deep, jade-green hue of the river. It was pristine nature viewed from a premium vantage, a serene escape that also served as the ultimate backdrop for a morning of shared laughs and for freezing a fresh stash of memories in our photographs. 

Early morning above the most famous bend of Misamis Occidental.

From the main view deck, our organizer-turned-friend Raphael from Aura Adventures led us over to a different pocket of the trail where both the massive U–bend and the rising limestone pillar aligned in a single frame. It was an absolute visual treat to see the river carve its way through the valley from a completely different angle, offering up a legitimately flawless, picture-perfect backdrop. 

From another angle. The U–River with the limestone pillar in a single frame.

The perfect curve for the perfect picture moment.

We spent about thirty minutes up on the heights of the U–River curve. It was a half-hour well spent, alternating between capturing shots from every conceivable angle and just pausing to appreciate the view. Sheltered by the overcast skies, we welcomed the cool mountain breeze rolling off the range, letting the sheer silence and scale of the reserve take over. In a fast-paced trip across changing provinces, a few unhurried moments where we simply allowed ourselves to be completely absorbed by the pristine green expanse surrounding us was a welcome way to start our final stretch in Northern Mindanao.

A final glimpse on the beauty of Baliangao Reserve..

The same natural wonder that welcomed us at the peak accompanied us every step of the way down. It was one of those unique journeys where you find yourself constantly stopping in your tracks to steal a glance behind you, completely defying the adage of never looking back unless you intend to return. On this trail, looking back wasn’t a sign of hesitation but was pure appreciation. Sometimes, looking back is the only way to fully take the wonder with you. 

With our old hiking muscles properly awakened, our spirits tuned for whatever else our last few hours in Mindanao had in store for us.