The cold night breeze envelops you as you listen to the soothing sound of leaves swaying back and forth. To keep warm, you savor your favorite hot chocolate paired with bibingka or puto bumbong, while the conversation and laughter of friends and loved ones fill the stillness of the night. Then, everyone pauses, looks up, and becomes mesmerized by the breathtaking night sky, adorned with stars, big and small, spread like a blanket. Suddenly, a shooting star appears, making the moment magical for everyone.
This could be your holiday weekend at Masungi Georeserve, a conservation area and rustic rock garden in Baras, Rizal, through its “Celestial Nights: A Christmas Special” activity this holiday season. “Celestial Nights” is a 30-minute guided trail activity at night that offers you and your family the chance to learn about nature and the night sky within the serene environment of Masungi Georeserve.
To share more about this exciting outdoor adventure, Style Weekend spoke with Ann Dumaliang, managing trustee of the foundation, and Vienna Lagdaan, project associate of Masungi Georeserve.
What inspired you to offer ‘Celestial Nights’ this holiday season?
We always hope to offer experiences that will help people appreciate the sciences and nature. Christmas time is a season that always calls us back home- to loved ones, beliefs, and places that are important to us. Nature and the universe are ultimately what is home to us yet we are given little opportunity to reconnect and ruminate in awe of it all. We wanted to carve out space for people to explore this during the holiday season.
The idea also builds on requests to continue the Masungi After Hours (Halloween Special) past the Halloween period. Our guests loved exploring the georeserve at night which allows them to reorient their relationship with nature and the nighttime, so this time we created a Christmas experience under the stars. Stargazing also allows us to share a humbling message about humanity’s place in the cosmos and the importance of preserving our connection to nature.
What people could look forward to at this activity?
This Christmas, Masungi Georeserve offers a unique experience combining Philippine holiday traditions and stargazing. Guests begin with a 30-minute guided night hike, where a ranger shares insights about the area’s nocturnal environment. The hike ends at a rock formation, where guests can enjoy bibingka or puto bumbong and hot chocolate while gazing at the night sky. A stargazing expert leads discussions about the celestial objects and the universe. The evening concludes with a lantern-lit dinner in a forest valley, featuring banana-wrapped meals prepared by Masungi’s local community partners.
What are the most popular celestial events or objects that visitors can observe during the activity?
On clear nights, visitors can observe constellations, phases of the moon, and meteor showers such as the Geminid meteor shower on December 13 and the upcoming Ursid meteor shower on Dec. 22. The December solstice also provides a unique opportunity to witness seasonal changes in the night sky.
What advice would you give to someone interested in joining and visiting?
Come prepared for a unique and reflective experience this holiday season. Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear suitable for a night hike, and bring a light jacket for the cool evening air. Most importantly, arrive with an open mind and heart, ready to connect with the beauty of the night sky and the warmth of a Christmas celebration in the heart of Masungi’s forest.
How does stargazing at Masungi contribute to environmental education and awareness?
Stargazing at Masungi allows us to observe the impact of light pollution on the environment and nocturnal wildlife. By experiencing night skies, guests gain a deeper appreciation for preserving dark skies, their ecological importance, and the sensitive relationship of man with the life around us. This activity connects human actions to environmental consequences, encouraging practices that minimize light pollution and support biodiversity.
“Celestial Nights: A Christmas Special” is available on selected dates this December 2024 up to January 2025. There are three time slots available on each date: 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 8 p.m. A solo hiker can join by paying P3,000 but if you’re a group this could be lessened to P2,800.
Click here for booking and more information or visit masungigeoreserve.com.