Breezing Into Bukidnon

  Malaybalay, Bukidnon, Philippines
Saturday, February 10, 2007

Climate, cowboys, culture and creed are just a few of the numerous reasons why I believe Bukidnon should make it on every traveler's list of must-see destinations in the country. Located right in the heart of Mindanao, the landlocked province, whose name means "people of the mountains" in the vernacular, has practically everything I'd like to experience during a weekend escapade within an outback setting.

A recent visit to Malaybalay, the provincial capital, afforded me and my colleagues a rare chance to take a peek at the pulchritude, pleasures as well as pageantry that could catapult Bukidnon into one of the country's prime tourism magnets.

For starters, there's the refreshingly cool climate that swathes many parts of the province all year round, reminding me so much of Baguio. This, coupled with the presence of many scenic attractions, bolsters Bukidnon's reputation as the perfect choice for those in search of a hideaway in the highlands. Like the famous city in Northern Philippines, I noticed that many places in Bukidnon are blessed with pine-covered hills and flatlands, making it an ideal venue for picnics, excursions and outings.

Mountain climbers and trekkers will also find the province’s mountains, especially the Kitanglad mountain range, a challenge worth conquering. Part of the range are Mt. Dulang-Dulang and Mt. Kitanglad, the third and fourth highest mountains in the country, respectively, which are fast becoming the favorite venues of annual treks and conquests.

Surrounded by grand mountains, wide canyons and deep gorges, Bukidnon’s gently rolling grassland plateau is ideal for cattle raising, a flourishing industry that traces its roots to the early 1900s. It was the Americans who initiated the setting up of cattle ranches in several towns, which provided employment to Bukidnon’s men who were hired as cowboys.

One of the province’s more progressive cattle ranch towns is Impasugong (sometimes spelled as Impasug-ong), which is billed by the local government as the "hometown of the country’s finest cowboys." It’s also being touted as the home to the only communal or government-owned ranch in the Philippines. Although we passed by Impasugong on the way back to Davao, we didn't have the chance to explore the town, which is just a 30-minute drive from the provincial capital.

Culture-vultures will be ecstatic to know that Bukidnon has its own share of festivities that highlight the province’s ethno-cultural uniqueness. Foremost among these is the Kaamulan Festival, a month-long celebration in honor of Bukidnon’s seven hill tribes. The festival’s string of activities takes place from the last week of February until the first week of March, coinciding with the anniversary date of Bukidnon’s creation as a province.

From what I’ve gathered, Kaamulan — derived from amul, a Binukid word meaning to gather — was primarily set up to preserve the cultural heritage of the province’s indigenous peoples who belong to the tribes of Bukidnon, Manobo, Higaonon, Talaandig, Umayamnon, Tigwahanon and Matigsalug.
 
Unlike other festivals where some participants are made to appear as natives, the annual festival features real indigenous peoples as they engage in various authentic rituals: a datuship rite, a peace pact, a wedding ceremony, a thanksgiving fete for a bountiful harvest, among others.

After attending a meeting in Malaybalay, we passed by the provincial capitol grounds where the celebration had just kicked off with the opening of the agro-fair and livestock show, bazaar, and food fest, among others. Curious, we went around some of the booths and ended up taking home fruits, candies, trinkets, and other native products.

Bukidnon has also become some sort of a religious mecca among Catholics wanting to do some soul searching and gain spiritual enlightenment by visiting the Monastery of the Transfiguration.

Nestled somewhere in the woodlands of San Jose in Malaybalay, the monastic complex stands on a sprawling, slightly sloping terrain surrounded by lush mountains and hills. Its most prominent feature is a pyramid-shaped church that was designed by no less than the late National Artist Leandro Locsin.

Run by Benedictine monks who are known for living a life of silence, supplications and simplicity, the monastery offers week-long silent retreats for those who want to engage in undisturbed self-introspection and intimate communication with God.

Before reaching the church, we had to negotiate through a rough dirt road. But it was worth all the inconvenience because it afforded us a sweeping view of the monks’ estate where they’re growing a variety of crops such as rice, corn, peanuts and coffee, which they turn into fine products that have gained a consistently growing clientele.

When we arrived, a wedding ceremony was about to take place inside the 500-seater church so we ended up basking ourselves in the serene ambience, quietly snapping the church and its verdant surroundings.

Pressed for time, our group moved on. On the way out, we dropped by the souvenir shop inside the complex where we found a variety of items for pasalubong such as peanut butter and other sweets, rosaries, prayer books, tees, medals, pendants and of course, the famous Monks Blend premium coffee.