The Highlands of Bukidnon

I've always wanted to write about my hometown to promote it's wonderful tourist spots that other people may still not know yet.

Bukidnon is full of scenic mountain ranges, unexplored nature spot, vast pineapple, banana, and sugarcane plantation, and it's also known for simple-country-side-kind-of-life. In school, we used to sing a song entitled "The Bukidnon Hymn." Let me share an excerpt of the song.

Wherever I may roam

The distant land to see

I long to go back soon

To sweet Bukidnon home

Her lovely mountains high

Her forest old and grand

Bring memories to me the home I long to see

It is indeed a place that I always long to go back and see despite distance that I have to travel.

Del Monte Pineapple Plantation

Road to Bukidnon via Cagayan De Oro City

History……..

Just a little glimpse of history, Bukidnon is a landlocked plateau located in Northern Mindanao. One of the original settlers here were the seven indigenous tribes - Talaanding, Manobo, Umanyamnon, Matigsalug, Tigwahonon, Higaonon, and Bukidnon. Bukidnon means "highlander or mountain dweller." Different tribes from Visayas and other places have started migrating and driving the original settlers to live in the mountains, hence, the name.

Best place to visit…..

Where to go? What's interesting about this place?  These might be the kind of questions you're thinking to ask. There are much to choose from. Here’s my list of places and attractions that you might want to explore.

Malaybalay City – This is the capital city of Bukidnon. It's a 2-3 hours ride from Cagayan de Oro City. It's called the South Summer Capital as the weather is a bit colder just like Baguio. You might want to bring jacket or a sweater when you travel here. Kaamulan Festival is held annually in this very city. Previously, it was held every month of March, but it was moved to August starting this year. There will be street dancing showcasing the different tribes of Bukidnon with their colourful outfit, rodeo, fairs, bazaars, and agricultural shows. If you’re looking for colourful and festive experience then this is a must.

Kaamulan Festival

Manolo Fortich - It is an hour away from Cagayan. You can go here anytime of the year. Let’s get that adrenaline pumped and enjoy the different ecoadventures offered here. Check out their sites to get more info.

• Dahilayan Adventure Park http://www.dahilayanadventurepark.com/  - Known for the Asia’s longest dual zipline - 840m with a drop of 100 meters. There are other rides to enjoy as well like Flying Lizard, Dropzone. They also have great accommodations if you’re planning to stay.

• Dahilayan Forest Park http://www.dahilayanforestpark.com/ – This is great for a family vacation. Kids would love their playground with life-sized animals. It has a pine tree forest where you can have picnic with your family while enjoying nature. Other amenities are Bungee Bounce, ATV Buggy Trail adventure, Zorb, Forest Putt Golf, Forest Luge, Treetop adventure, Forest Café, and a wow!! J A jacuzzi in the forest. Isn’t that great!

• Dahilayan Gardens and Resort http://dahilayangardensandresort.com/ – A gazebo, flower garden, and the man-made lagoon makes me think this is perfect for weddings. It has a romantic countryside ambiance and their accommodations are so wonderful. They also have venues for retreats, recollections, trainings and seminars and parties.

Mt. Kitanglad http://www.mkrnp.org/ - It’s the fourth highest mountain in Philippines. It was proclaimed as a national park and Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park was declared as an ASEAN Heritage. It’s the nesting place of the endangered Philippine national bird – Pithecophaga jefferyi commonly known as Philippine eagle. I was lucky enough to climb one its ranges (Mt. Kaatoan) during our biology trip in college. It was a tiring but fun experience. My favorite part was when we reached the peak and we saw a stream flowing from a mountain.  Mt. Kitanglad has much tourist attraction to offer since it’s declaration as an ASEAN Heritage – Nature Trekking, Camping, Bird Watching, Nature Cruising, Ethno Ecotourism, Agro Ecotourism. If you’re looking for a close to nature experience and at the same time giving support to biodiversity conservation then this should be on your list.

Mt. Kitanglad

Lake Apo – This is a crater lake located in Barangay Guinoyoran, Valencia City. It was awarded as the cleanest inland water in Northern Mindanao. I hope it would remain the same years from now. There are three words that comes in my mind when I see a lake – mysterious, peaceful, and enchanted. For me, this is the kind of place where I would love to have a just-sit-back-and-enjoy-the-view moment.

Lake Apo

Spring Resorts – Bukidnon is blessed with clean cold springs because of its location. These are the resorts that’s worth a visit:

• Edlimar Spring Resort – It is our favorite place for gathering with my classmates back in college days. It’s a cold spring which was developed into swimming pools. It’s located at Brgy. Tubigon, Maramag, Bukidnon.

• RR Family Spring Resort – This resort is just near Edlimar Spring Resort. Best place for family reunions, birthdays, and outings because of its huge area and different types of accommodation. Check for more info… http://www.rrfamilyspringresort.com/ 

• Nasuli Spring Resort – It’s a fresh water lagoon located at Brgy. Bangcud, Malaybalay City. It was run by American missionaries in ‘60s to ‘70s. It’s a great spot for family picnic and swimming.

• Waig Crystal Spring Resort – This resort is located at Purok 8A, North Poblacion, Maramag, Bukidnon. I love it more back then when it’s natural. We called it crystal as the water is so clean and crystal clear. Now, it was developed to a beautiful resort with swimming pools, hotel, cable car, zipline, and hanging bridge.

Caves – I have a special love for caves. I love spelunking. I have a very exciting, thrilling and a great feeling of adventure when exploring a cave. There are 20+ caves in Bukidnon. I've just listed caves which is near our place which are great for trekking, spelunking, and nature exploration.

• White Rock Wall and Blue Water Cave – A mountain made of solid limestone. It’s located in San Jose, Quezon, Bukidnon. Ideal place for rock climbers, hikers, spelunkers, and trekkers. The blue water cave is located within the white rock walls in the side of the mouth of Pulangi River, the longest river in Bukidnon.
•  Kabyaw Cave – It's located near White Rock and Bluewater. The biggest and widest cave with living stalactites and stalagmites.
•  Salawaw Cave — Located at Sitio San Vicente, Tongan-tongan, Valencia City.

Waterfalls - Bukidnon is also rich with waterfalls. Here are some of the amazing view crafted by nature.

• Alalum Falls -  Alalum Falls - It's located along the Sayre Highway in Sumilao. Its splendor can easily be seen by travelers on motor vehicles. It is approximately 148 feet (45 m) high.

  

  Alalum Falls

• Dila Falls - this lies within the protected forest of Center for Ecological Development and Recreation (CEDAR) and 20 minutes away from the city proper of Malaybalay. 

Dila Falls

• Gantungan and Natigbasan Falls - these falls are located in CEDAR as well. You have to trek to see it. Before going to Dila Falls, you'll pass these two magnificent site. 

  

  Gantungan Falls

  
  

  
  

Natigbasan Falls (Photo courtesy of Hikersitch.com)

My First Scuba Diving Experience

It never came to my mind that I would be able to do scuba diving. One of the reasons is I have a water trauma. When I was in grade school, I fell in a huge dam and almost got drowned. I was thinking diving is really not for me. It was not until my friend who’s into diving encouraged me to try it. After a lot of encouragement and procrastination, I've gathered all my courage to do it. 

The schedule was set. We decided to do it on Easter Sunday. I was shaking in anticipation. We started at around 9 am. During the briefing, our diving instructor discussed about the rules. I was so eager to listen and make sure I remember all of it. Oh yeah, I got to remember all of it! Our diving instructor discussed the basic rules as we are just doing the Discover Scuba Diving program.

First rule: Don’t hold your breath.

It’s not normal that you use your mouth for breathing, but you have to practice and have to be comfortable breathing using your mouth just like a normal breathing.

Second rule: Breath slowly.

You have to follow a pattern of breathing. Not too slow and not too fast. 

Third rule: Ascend slowly.

It is very important to go up slowly when diving. Here’s the reason why. In scuba diving, you’re using a compressed air and your body takes extra oxygen and nitrogen. The body uses the oxygen and the nitrogen dissolves in the blood. When you go up, the pressure decreases. If you go up too quickly, the nitrogen won’t have time to clear from your blood and it would create bubbles in your blood which would damage blood vessels. That's scary! :-)

We were also taught about the hand signals, and how to equalize the ear pressure. The equipment where explained. I was so focus on the regulator as this would be the source of my life down under. After hearing all the rules, I was a bit scared but decided. There’s no turning back.

We then changed to our diving gear. We have to practice the skills which should be performed in a swimming pool. We practiced the proper breathing, mask clearing, and regulator clearing. Our instructor was so patient in teaching us until we mastered it.

 

Practicing the skills in a pool

After we mastered all of the skills, it’s time to go to the open water. Surprisingly, I’m not scared anymore. I've gained so much confidence after learning all of the skills. We floated through the sea then I just felt that we’re in the deep already. As we descended, I experienced an ear pain. My friend signaled to do ear equalization. I did ear equalization many times as we go deeper and deeper until it’s gone. When we reached the deep, I saw a man made heart shaped stone with a word “I love you” etched on it. I was then amazed by the fishes with different colors swimming over me.   

As we swam further, I saw corals moved in harmony with the sea. I saw baby fishes taking shelter in a reddish brown coral, a red and brown starfishes, fishes that swam vertically in pairs, and sea urchins with grand black thorns. It was so beautiful and amazing seeing these creatures in their natural habitat. I was so relaxed and found myself enjoying it.

We reached 31 feet deep. After 40 minutes of swimming and taking pictures, my instructor signaled that we have to go up. I didn't realize that we were under the sea for that long. Slowly we ascended. When we reached the surface, I had a big, wide smile and good feeling of fulfillment. Yes, I conquered it! I did it!

With this experience, I realized that there's nothing to be scared of in scuba diving at all. As long as you follow your instructor's instruction and master the skills then you're good to go. It also become clearer to me how important it is to take care of our seas. Oceans are our life support system. If we keep on destroying the corals, putting our trash to the sea, overfishing, there will be less or no fishes and other amazing creatures left for the future generation.

I would like to thank Trek and Dive for this one of a kind experience. If you want to experience scuba diving, you may contact them through their Facebook page.