I did not expect that the town I was looking for would be in a secluded corner of the Southern Philippines.

I had to trek mountains that no tourist had ever climbed.

I was surprised by what I found.

Tierra Verde was dull, barren and deserted. The streams had dried up, even the river, leaving behind a sandy, winding trail where the riverbed had been. The mountains were bare, save for a few patches of wild grass.

What had happened to the enchanting land of my dreams?