As part of the continuing partnership between Cebu Normal University Balamban Campus and Mt. Manunggal Nature Trek and Tours, an extension service, was conducted on September 12, 2025 for the tour guides of Mt. Manunggal. This session built on the momentum of last week’s activity, which allowed the faculty-proponents to experience firsthand the guiding strategies of the tour guides, particularly how they communicate the mountain’s historical significance as well as its rich biodiversity.

The day’s discussion was led by Ms. Corinne Trecia Dado, who focused on the vital role of communication skills in tour guiding. The session emphasized not only the delivery of factual information but also the affective and empathetic connection that guides create with tourists, which greatly enhances the visitor experience. The discussion opened with a reflection on why tourists hike. It explored both location factors such as natural, cultural, and historical attractions, and tourist factors like personal motivations and intentions. This helped the guides see how different visitors may be drawn to Mt. Manunggal for its landscapes, cultural relevance, or personal journeys of discovery. Ms. Dado then stressed that effective communication begins with listening not only to the tourists’ spoken and unspoken needs but also to the “voice” of the mountain itself. She explained how listening as a skill, coupled with empathy and presence, allows guides to create a more meaningful and personalized experience. The conversation also revisited the historical narrative of the site, giving special attention to Nestor Mata’s account of the 1957 plane crash that claimed the life of President Ramon Magsaysay along with 24 others who boarded the plane.

This story continues to define the mountain’s role in Philippine history and highlights its significance beyond natural beauty. Building on this, the importance of storytelling was emphasized as a way of weaving facts into narratives that bring the mountain’s history, flora, and fauna to life, turning a simple hike into a memorable journey. The session concluded with an open feedback exchange, where faculty shared their observations from the previous week’s guided tour. Strategies for improvement were discussed, including ways to balance historical accuracy with engaging delivery and to integrate ecological education with cultural storytelling. This extension service reaffirmed the commitment of both the faculty-proponents and Mt. Manunggal tour guides to enhance the quality of ecotourism in the area. By sharpening the communication skills of the guides and deepening their interpretive approaches, the program contributes not only to tourist satisfaction but also to the sustainable promotion of Mt. Manunggal as a site of natural beauty and historical importance.