Here’s a forest park that didn’t just rise from the mountains of Benguet.
It listened first.
Nestled inside the Lower Agno Watershed Forest Reserve in Itogon, Mt. Camisong Forest Park is barely a year old. Yet it has already captured social media — and hearts — with its breathtaking design and quiet reverence for nature.
At the edge of the mountain sits Alapaap, a transparent viewing deck that stretches into the sky. Step onto its glass floor and the world falls away beneath you. It’s thrilling. It’s beautiful. It’s undeniably Instagram-worthy.
Then there’s Samyo Garden — a multi-level tree walk wrapped in pine trees. Cool shade. Warm streaks of sunlight. The scent of earth and resin in the air. You don’t just walk there.
You breathe.
But beyond the photos and the views lies something deeper.
A promise.
Built From “Park Envy” — and Love
Founder Ludette Querubin, a proud Baguio girl and UP Baguio alumna, admits the idea began with what she calls “park-envy.”
“You go to different countries… and all they have are nice parks,” she said, recalling trips to Singapore and the Nordic countries.
She dreamed of creating something similar in Benguet — but rooted in local soil.
When she found the 10-hectare pine-covered property in Itogon, she didn’t see empty land.
She saw possibility.
A space where people could reconnect with nature — without needing to rough it out.
And so Mt. Camisong was designed with minimalist Scandinavian sensibilities.
Glass walls. Clean lines. Natural light.
But always — nature first.
Where Sustainability Is Not a Trend
In Mt. Camisong, sustainability isn’t décor.
It’s discipline.
Single-use plastics are banned. Bottled water? Not sold. Guests bring tumblers and refill them at hydration stations scattered across the park.
Inside the Binhi Sustainability Hall, visitors learn that nothing goes to waste.
Fruit peels become edible leather garnishes.
Excess green salad turns into creamy soup at Alapaap dining.
And biodegradable waste? It goes to Hermie the black soldier fly and Eugene the African nightcrawler — tiny composting heroes.
With guidance from Zero Waste Baguio President Beki Tenefrancia, the park produced only two tons of biodegradable waste in its first year.
“Two tons! In one year,” she said, still amazed.
For context — that’s remarkably low.
Less waste means less methane. Less methane means less heat trapped in the atmosphere.
And in a world that has already breached 1.5°C warming in 2024, every action counts.
Building Around 4,000 Pine Trees
Before construction even began, the team mapped every tree.
More than 4,000 pine trees stood on the property.
They studied rainfall patterns. Erosion risks. Water flow.
Then they built around the trees — not through them.
Only four pines were cut. More were planted in return, carefully selected with DENR guidance. Fruit-bearing and flowering trees now stand where birds are slowly returning.
Natural coco nets and vetiver grass stabilize slopes. Pervious tiles allow rainwater to seep back into the earth.
Nothing is accidental.
Even the 363 solar panels — producing 201 kilowatts of electricity — double as shade in the parking area.
The park now runs on 100% renewable energy.
Not Saving the Planet — Just Protecting It
Interestingly, Querubin says saving the planet isn’t the main motivation.
“It’s too much,” she admits.
Instead, her goal is simpler. More intimate.
“We want to make sure that our children today and their children tomorrow will still be able to enjoy Mt. Camisong.”
Start small. Protect what’s in front of you.
That’s enough.
A Park for the Community
Mt. Camisong is not just a destination.
It’s livelihood.
The park employs 185 people, 70% from nearby communities. About 35% are from Indigenous groups. Local artisans fill the Kalupi Gift Shop. Local performers bring events to life.
But climate change is real — and personal.
In its first year alone, four strong typhoons disrupted operations. Fewer guests meant risk to jobs.
“Being sustainable is no longer enough,” Querubin says. “We aim to be resilient.”
The Quiet Reason It Works
Walk the Kahilom trails and you understand.
Ferns stretch endlessly on one side. Pine trees tower on the other. A river hums below. Mountains cradle the horizon.
It feels untouched.
Because it almost is.
Mt. Camisong doesn’t shout about sustainability.
It practices it.
And in a world racing forward, this forest park in Benguet chose to slow down — and let nature lead.
