I was privileged to encounter this province around 3 times for very brief official trips. And it will always be one of the most glorious natural attractions and the “Land of Bounty” in the Philippines yet still unrightfully devalued for tourism.
Bukidnon is a non-coastal plateau in North Central Mindanao. The capital town, Malaybalay City, is about 530 miles by air from Manila. Its climate is generally cold especially at night time and relatively humid the entire year. But it was always cold and I can hardly remember seeing the bright sunshine whenever I visit the province. That’s why I tagged Bukidnon as my “Summer Capital” in the Southern part (Baguio being the more popular in Northern Philippines). It is also known for its stunning hills and prominent pine trees.
– Cherrie Fabillaran, Jitrrie Travel & Tours
Local multinational firms including Del Monte Philippines, Inc., Lapanday Diversified Products Corp. and Mt. Kitanglad Agri-Development Corporation are the top producers of pineapple while Dole Philippines (Skyland) and Mt. Kitanglad Agri-Ventures, Inc. are the major producers of banana.
It is also well-known for being the main producer of chickens, hogs and cattle. Other local large companies operating in the province including San Miguel Foods Corp., Monterey Farms Corp. and Swift Foods, Inc. are into production or processing of agricultural products.
My Intimate Encounters
The local folks in Bukidnon are generally very accommodating, cheerful and hard-working with high sense of ownership and accountability. If you are a first time independent tourist, it’s still easy to get to your destinations because you can get detailed instructions every time you ask directions from the residents. I was just fortunate since the main purpose of my trips are official so I was well guided by my hosts. I am sure though, that the next time I visit the province as tourist, I can confidently traverse the itineraries on my own with the help of local residents.
As usual, my official trips were very brief so I had to decide my personal itineraries in advance where I can sightsee some of the most beautifully crowned spots in the province during my spare time after official functions. It was actually only 2 very notable spots I’ve managed to peak not to mention the surrounding mountainous and greenery pastures all over the province while traveling on the road.
I recall visiting the Church of the Monastery of Transfiguration as my first personal itinerary to Bukidnon. To some who knew me so well as a coffee addict, my visit to the Monastery was highly recommended as it in this sacred place where the popular local premium blend coffee is produced. Obviously my heart pounds whenever I am asked to attend meetings in Bukidnon knowing that I will never miss buying some packs of this premium blend coffee to bring home to Manila.
The Church of the Monastery is just located in the capital town in San Jose Hill, Malaybalay City, about 5 kilometers from the city proper. The Benedictine Monks run the Monastery and they grow their own coffee beans just right outside the Monastery. And I would strongly recommend that it’s a MUST for you to get a pick of this Monk’s Premium Blend Coffee if you are travelling to Bukidnon and if you happen to be a coffee addict like me. If you love serenity like I do, the Monastery can offer you such a nostalgic, calmly, neatly and comforting place to rejuvenate your entire being for a few moments. The chapel is on the topmost hill where you can grasp the sweet smelling breeze of the wind, the exceptional view of the mountains and be completely alone with nature.
The Benedictine Monks are very gentle and soft-spoken and you may want to check out their dainty little souvenir shop where the Monks can personally attend to your purchases and enquiries or even prayer requests. I can proudly say that the Monastery of Transfiguration is one of the most extraordinary place in the world. You must include this place in your life’s journeys.
The banana plantations are located in the town of Lantapan, about 31.9 kilometers from the city proper. Lantapan in English means “level-on-top” as it is positioned on a plateau between 2 mountain ranges. The town has 2 banana plantations. One is the famous DOLE Plantation and the other is Mt. Kitanglad Agri-Ventures, Inc.
I only happened to visit DOLE’s plantation which has an overwhelming total area of 800 hectares. This plantation is one of the biggest contributor to the supply of bananas exportation to a number of first world countries including the USA and countries in Europe and Asia including Singapore and South Korea. I am a living testimony of how our very own bananas and pineapples are being sought after and amply supplied in Singapore where I was based for 6 years and during my recent one-week holiday trip in South Korea.
With very limited time, I wasn’t fortunate to visit the other commendable scenic spots in the province and to which I would persistently recommend that travelers should include the following in their itineraries to Bukidnon: Del Monte Philippines Pineapple Plantation, Lake Apo in Valencia City, Maramag Spring Resorts, Dahilayan Adventure Park and four of the Philippines’ top 10 highest mountain peaks including Mt. Dulang-Dulang (2nd), Mt. Kitanglad (4th), Mt. Kalatungan (5th) and Mt. Maagnaw (8th).
Top Delicacy & Dish
As usual, every province in the Philippines has varieties of delicacies but the most popular and my personal favorite is PINASITAS, a sweet pineapple-based product. Certainly making good use of the bounteous pineapple production in the province.
Since the early years, Bukidnon province hardly earned a spot as a favorite tourism destination. This was due to the continuing negative perceptions about the active presence of rebels and terrorisms in the area. And I find it very UNFAIR for Bukidnon to be perceived this way.
I cannot sigh even more upon learning that we as locals are actually the ones misjudging and tolerating undocumented feedbacks about our own native land. I wish to personally highlight that terrorism in the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao, is an isolated case and does not even occur every fortnight as what others think.
I should know. We have to personally experience things before we can have the credibility to speak about things. But even if we have the right to speak, we are still not entitled to criticize and even tolerate negative impressions besetting our own land which we are representing as citizens.
So I’m using my travel blog site as my own medium to express these sentiments on behalf of nature. If only nature can speak with words, we would be very embarrassed! But let alone the strong backfiring of nature when it is being abused or bad mouthed by mankind. Shouldn’t it be enough for humanity to realize that we are not doing our main task in life as stewards of God’s creations?
For even the most beautiful flower withers if it’s not nourished, defended and protected. So let us exercise respect and love for nature irrespective of place. Remember that no one and nothing is perfect but GOD.
In honor of Bukidnon’s magnificent scenic spots, Jitrrie Travel & Tours created a budget package tour which is now running. Here is a sneak peak of the flyer and it is also posted on our Facebook page.
There are no sea and air ports directly bound to Bukidnon Province. The nearest I would recommend travelers by air is via Cagayan de Oro City airport which is a 2-hour travel to Bukidnon.
While I was in Bukidnon, I would only stay in Pine Hills Hotel located just at the heart of Malaybalay City where markets and restaurants are within reach. The hotel rooms are superbly clean, spacious, cozy, cooler aircons, well-kept facilities, courteous & highly attentive hotel staff and a memorable tasty dishes served hot and fresh at the hotel’s coffee shop. Make this your second home while on vacation in the province.
I mentioned these sentiments I’ve had in my twitter account – Let us never be strangers to our own native land. Take pride in knowing the exquisite exclusivity of our origin. Because a man who honors and respects the roots of his ethnicity is a steadfast jewel worthy of infinite respect.
Are you willing to take pride and stand with me for this crusade?