Mt. Hapunang Banoi

DESCRIPTION: (hapunang banoi)

Banoi is the Tagalog word for eagle, and the name of the mountain comes from its folkloric seat as the ‘place where eagles come to dine’. The fact that there are other mountains named Banoi – the one in Lobo, Batangas and Tukduang Banoi in Tanay, Rizal facing Mt. Irid – speaks of the extent of the eagles’ domain in the past. Unfortunately, the eagles have dwindled in number – but guides say that they continue to see them occasionally.

Mt. Hapunang Banoi is a beginner-friendly mountain located in Sitio Wawa, Barangay San Rafael, Montalban, Rizal. It offers panoramic views of the Sierra Madre mountain range and the province of Rizal. Mt. Hapunang Banoi has an elevation of 517 meters above sea level or 1696 feet. Although its elevation is not that high compared to other mountains in Rizal, it become one of the most visited mountains in the province because of its closeness to Metro Manila, the stunning rock formation, and the amazing sea of clouds it offers to the visitors.

Hapunang Banoi means “a place where eagles come to dine.” Banoi is a Bisaya word that means “an eagle” and Hapunan is a Tagalog word that means “to dine”. It was said that the mountain was named as such because it is the kind of mountain where eagles come to eat food and rest. However, the eagles can rarely be found now. In the past, there were many eagles found in the mountain but now several can only be found.

In fact, in the Philippines, there are other mountains named Banoi. One of them is Mt. Banoi which can be found in Lobo, Batangas and the other one is Mt. Tukduang Banoi which is located in Tanay, Rizal. For this reason, it indicates the range of the eagle’s realm in the past. In fact, the eagles are known as the national bird of the Philippines. However as time passes by, the number of eagles has decreased but according to the local guide, they continue to see them at times.

Mt. Hapunang Banoi is a minor climb with a 4/9 difficulty level and a trail class of 1 to 3. It has a well-established trail with moderate steep terrain that features limestone formation and several known mountains in the South. Also, Mt. Hapunang Banoi is the highest mountain in Montalban Trilogy. The main jump-off point is located at Barangay San Rafael, Montalban, Rizal. Today, Mt. Hapunang Banoi is a well-known tourist destination in the Philippines. It’s a good hiking destination for the people who lived near Metro Manila and nearby provinces.