Benguet’s sea of clouds captivates viewers on national television

Kabayan, Benguet – A spectacular sea of clouds was recently witnessed in Benguet, particularly in Kabayan, and was featured on TV Patrol, captivating viewers with its wave-like blanket of clouds rolling over the mountains.

While locals consider the phenomenon a familiar sight in the highlands, tourists and visitors continue to find the scene breathtaking and mesmerizing, often stopping to admire and capture the rare view.

The episode aired on December 23 and was posted on the station’s media platforms, including Facebook and YouTube, where it has since garnered more than 150,000 views. In the time-lapse video captured by Karen Guinoran from a homestay near Mt. Pulag, the clouds appear like waves enveloping the mountains.

What is a sea of clouds?

A sea of clouds, also known as a cloud waterfall, is a meteorological phenomenon where a thick layer of clouds fills valleys or lowlands while higher elevations—such as mountains—remain clear above it, making the clouds resemble an ocean when viewed from above, according to National Geographic.

This phenomenon usually forms in the early morning when cold, moist air becomes trapped beneath warmer air and temperatures drop to their lowest during the Amihan (northeast monsoon) season. This causes condensation that produces low-lying clouds filling the valleys, often seen in calm mountain areas like Mt. Pulag.

Mt. Pulag, the highest peak in Luzon and the third highest in the Philippines, is among the prime locations to witness this natural spectacle.

The stunning view in Benguet can be enjoyed from several accessible locations aside from Kabayan. The Ambangeg and Tawangan/Buguias trails of Mt. Pulag offer some of the most famous vantage points, with Ambangeg being the easiest trail for first-time hikers. Meanwhile, roadside and ridge viewpoints in Atok and Bakun require little to no hiking and still provide breathtaking highland views of the sea of clouds.