Location: Barangay Mauraro, Guinobatan, Albay
While at Peak 3 with Peak 4 as the backdrop
Kenny Village is a residential locality or purok situated in Barangay Mauraro, in the municipality of Guinobatan, Albay, Philippines. It is about 7.6 kilometers away from the Guinobatan town proper via a concrete Guinobatan - Jovellar Road with a travel duration of 13 minutes by car or local transport under normal traffic conditions.
Peak 1 with a Cell Site Tower
Matthew's Hills has four peaks. Peak 1 has the cell site tower. Its trail is not established and so steep. It is grown with thick and tall talahib grass. Thus, it is advisable that one has to equip himself with gloves since the blade of its leaves can literally cut one's hands in case being held.
Maipon Elementary School
The two alternatives of public transportation to Kenny Village is either a tricycle or habal-habal with its Guinobatan Terminal just beside the Oarde's Bakery next to Guinobatan Public Market with identified terminal as Mauraro. The rate for the tricycle is P35 or US$0.56 if only within the village proper. However, if up to the jump-off point is already P40 or US$0.64.
Jump-off point for Peak 1
The jump-off point for Peak 1 is at the housing project Angat Buhay Village (initially launched under the project name BAHAYanihan). It was turned over by former Vice President Leni Robredo's Angat Buhay program to families displaced by typhoons.
The thick and tall Talahib grass of Peak 1 trail just few meters from the summit
The trail for Peak 1 is not established. It is so thick and obviously not being used. Our guide were only volunteer kids of the village. And it turned out as I posted my pictures of this climb, it was identified by a family friend to have his cousin in the name of Jasper Penaflor.
Minding the barbed-wire fence
The trail of Peak 1 from start to finish were all steep and one has no choice but to hold the talahib grass whether in ascending to advance and descending in order not to slide down.
Halfway to the summit of Peak 1
Talahib grasses is so dense from the midpoint to the summit. I was even worried that a snake might be on our trail since you cannot see the ground but only the thick talahib grasses. And mind you, you cannot capture a view from the midpoint to the summit. Thick talahib grasses block the view.
Relaxing at the midpoint after summitting
The midpoint is an open flat area with clearing which is narrow ridge. It connects to Peak 2. But during our climb, Jasper told us that there is no trail going to Peak. Thus, if we want to scale Peak 3 and Peak 4, we have to go back to the jump-off point and walked towards another jump-off point which is for Peak 3 and 4.
Jump-off point for Peak 3 and 4
Walking to the jump-off point of Peak 3 and 4 coming from the jump-off point of Peak 1 is barely 25 meters. One has to pass thru a couple of houses. Locals there are very welcoming.
Heading to the picturesque Peak 4
Peak 4 is the easiest to scale. It offers the best view among the four peaks. But at this point, Kenny village lowlands can't be seen. It connects to Peak 3, which is higher in elevation.
The view as captured from Peak 4
Peak 4 has the lowest elevation and it captures the view of the other side and not overlooking the village compared to the three peaks that they can possibly capture the view of the whole Kenny Village.
My wife and son heading to Peak 3
Heading to the higher elevation of Peak 3
Peak 3 can be connected to Peak 2. However, local authorities is not opening a trail yet. As I see it, Peak 2 is more dense in flora species.
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