Masungi's Celestial Nights and Moonlit Symphonies Are Back This Summer

(SPOT.ph) Two of Masungi Georeserve's crowd-favorite evening activities are back for the summer. Both Moonlit Symphonies and Celestial Nights have opened registration slots for the months of April and May. Grab the chance to explore the georeserve at night and learn more about its inhabitants and our role in their conservation.

If you've missed out on these activities during their previous runs, we suggest you round up the gang and start booking today. Here's what to expect from Moonlit Symphonies and Celestial Nights at Masungi Georeserve.

Masungi Georeserve needs no introduction (but you'll get one anyway). Masungi is a conservation area and limestone rock garden tucked in the mountainside of Baras, Rizal. This approximately 3,000-hectare space is home to many plant and animal life, many of which are either endemic or endangered species. The spot has been hosting groups for educational day tours and hikes around the reserve for years, but it was only around a year ago that they also opened for night explorations and alternative learning experiences.

Though both activities take place at sundown, Celestial Nights and Moonlit Symphonies are two completely different events, each open to the public for a limited time.

Celestial Nights offers access to Masungi Georeserve's Discovery Trail in the dark. Here you'll take an easy trek through the reserve, observing its nocturnal residents as they go through their day-to-day (night-to-night?) rituals.

Your hike ends at a rock peak where light snacks await, as you enter the night's second phase: stargazing. At this time, Masungi's astro experts will take you through the sights and stories of the cosmos, much like how stories were passed down in the past. Your night ends with a lantern-lit dinner under the stars in one of the forest clearings.

But if you're looking for a more relaxed time, Moonlit Symphonies might be for you. Think of it as date night under the stars. It's an intimate evening of music, good food, and quiet reconnection with nature—set against the silhouettes of the mountains and the swell of symphonic sound guided by strings and wind instruments.

During Moonlit Symphonies, three of Masungi Georeserve's forest spaces transform into an intimate stage as a trio of musicians fills the air with a mix of familiar classical and contemporary melodies, allowing an environment where nature's performers, birds, insects, and the wind can sing along.

The experience is paired with a shared-plate dinner featuring four main courses, inspired by regional cuisines and local ingredients from Rizal, Quezon, and Laguna, curated by one of their dining partners. The evening winds down at a final, quiet clearing—where you’re left to sit with the sounds (and stillness) of the forest.

Both Celestial Nights and Moonlit Symphonies require pre-registration and advance payment prior to your visit. Yes, folks, unfortunately, you can't just walk into these events. Don't worry. You can register for both activities online.

This run of Celestial Nights is available on all weekends of April until May, except April 18. All dates are now open for booking via this registration link. Slots are limited and booked on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s best to secure your preferred dates early. Based on previous runs, slots run out fast. The conservation fee is P3,000 per guest, or P2,800 per guest for groups of four or more.

Note that submitting a visit request does not guarantee a confirmed slot for the event. A separate confirmation email will be sent to you once the visit details and conservation fees have been fully settled.

Similarly, slots for Moonlit Symphonies are also a hot commodity, so best to book ASAP. Slots are booked on a first-come, first-served basis by filling out an online form. This run of Moonlit Symphonies is happening on April 25 and May 1, with the activity starting at 4 p.m., lasting up to 8 p.m. Booking is open until four days before the event—or until slots run out. The rate is P4,800 per guest, inclusive of the evening’s meal and performances.

As with Celestial Nights, submission of the form does not constitute a confirmed reservation. You will receive a separate approval message once your slot has been confirmed.

Grab this chance to see Masungi Georeserve's nighttime wonders. Regardless of which event you choose, both Celestial Nights and Moonlit Symphonies allow you to explore the Masungi Georeserve under the moonlit sky. Take it from us, both experiences will leave you in awe of nature's beauty. It's sure to be a night that'll linger in your mind (and hear) for a long time.

For more information, check out Masungi Georeserve’s official Facebook page.

Also read:
Seeing Masungi Thru A Forest Ranger's Eyes
LOOK: The Trails of Masungi Are Covered in Pink Cherry Blossom-like Blooms
Masungi's Ann and Billie Dumaliang Named TIME Next Gen Leaders