There was only one option when going to Bukidnon from Cagayan de Oro, and that was the scenic route. Knowing about this from earlier visits to the province, I tried my hardest staying awake throughout our ride. As soon as I saw the mountain ranges leading to the summit of Mount Kitanglad, I knew we were close to breathing the cool air and smelling the fragrant pine trees and the rest of the verdant Bukidnon forest.
I Kid you Not, Bukidnon is Another Underrated Province
Fresh off a couple of water adventures in Cagayan de Oro, we were then ready to embark on a thrilling experience at Dahilayan Adventure Park in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. Here, we encountered not just one, but two exhilarating activities that would put either our fear or love of heights to the test.
Feeling the Rush of Gravity at Dahilayan Adventure Park
Mere minutes after arriving at the picturesque park, we quickly got ourselves each a cup of coffee to acclimatize to the cool weather and relish the breathtaking scenery. As I was starting to feel comfortable just chilling and sipping my hot coffee, our guide summoned us to prepare for our first activity.
.jpg "Marky Ramone Go pulled up on the Dahilayan Dropzone pendulum swing")
“What’s the first thing we’ll try?” asked someone from our group. “We’re going to take turns at the Dropzone,” our guide Milo informed us.
Just the mere mention of the word was enough to make you contemplate bailing out. Our group, however, made a pledge that no one would skip it, so off we went to the site by following a trail for a ten-minute stroll.
.jpg "Superman zipline flight over trees canopy in Bukidnon forest highlands")
The Dropzone, as the name suggested, involved strapping a person into a tangle of harnesses in a Superman pose and raising them up on a towering pendulum swing installation one hundred twenty feet high. With a slow pull of a string by the rider dangling on the left side, it triggered a freefall dropping the rider tantalizingly close to the water of a manmade lake below.
.JPG "Dahilayan Dropzone pendulum launch tower arena view and manmade lake")
Julie, who was one of the three Malaysians in our group, was the first person to volunteer. As we anxiously observed, Julie was carefully secured into the harness and raised into the air. The atmosphere was filled with suspense as the Dropzone staff initiated the countdown, screaming "3, 2, 1, pull!" Without hesitation, Julie, displaying her bravery, swiftly pulled the string that initiated her adrenaline-charged freefall.
As she quickly descended, her screams echoed throughout the park. After swinging back and forth in the air, her yells transformed into expressions of delight. This gave each of us courage, confirming that the Dropzone was indeed both a thrilling and gripping activity.
I was the next to be strapped and lifted in the air. As I stared down at the waters below and listened to the countdown, a surge of electricity coursed through my body. Without hesitation, I instinctively pulled the string, and I descended into the rewarding embrace of gravity, feeling the powerful rush of wind against my face. It really felt like becoming Superman for a minute tops.
After the Dropzone, the 840-meter zipline that zoomed past a canopy of giant trees at sixty kilometers per hour capped off our Dahilayan adventure.
Giant Kaamulan Headdress
We detoured to this unusual place in the municipality of Impasug-ong to see the giant statues of ladies donning a distinctive headdress before continuing on to our next destination.
.jpg "Giant Kaamulan Headdress Sculptures by Kublai Millan in Impasug-ong public park")
It turned out that these were the work of Mindanao-born artist Kublai Millan, whose signature giant sculptures had made him famous around the world. These included the Kampilan in Sultan Kudarat, the Risen Christ in Tagum City, the Lantapan Monument also in Bukidnon, and the giant Durian at Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City, just to name a few.
.JPG "Dahilayan Park high angle drone perspective view layout and pine canopies")
These statues in Impasug-ong were called the Kaamulan Headdress, named after the Binukid word "amul" which meant to gather. Kaamulan was also the name of the ethnic cultural festival held in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon as a way to gather and celebrate the culture and tradition of the seven ethnic groups in the province namely: Bukidnon, Manobo, Umayamnon, Tigwahanon, Higaonon, Talaandig, and the Matigsalug.
Marveling at the Woven Creations of the Tagolwanen Women
We also had the opportunity of visiting the Tagolwanen Women Weavers Association (TWWA) showroom located in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.
.jpg "Tagolwanen weavers colorful handmade patterns and highland artwork mats")
The group behind this social enterprise consisted of over eighty weavers from the Bukidnon-Tagolwanen tribe. The weavers primarily utilized sodsod grass, which was native to the wetlands of the Bukidnon highlands, to create exquisite mats and other household items. These creations were adorned with vibrant colors and intricate patterns, resulting in stunning pieces of artwork.
.jpg "Tagolwanen woven bags display held up by hand layout artisan shop accessories")
Visiting this particular place along the Sayre Highway in Malaybalay was highly recommended. Every purchase made there not only allowed travelers to bring a piece of the Tagolwanen people's culture into their homes, but also contributed to the education of Tagolwanen children. Additionally, the support would inspire more Tagolwanen kids to get involved in the art of mat making.
.jpg "Tagolwanen mat traditional geometric weave patterns close up details")
Strawberry Fields Forever
After our two-day trip exploration of some parts of Bukidnon, we concluded our journey to the province by visiting the beautiful Taglucop Strawberry Hills. This cold weather haven was located in the highlands of Kitaotao, Bukidnon. As the day's remaining light faded and the foggy evening settled in, we arrived just in time to be greeted with a comforting glass of Strawberry Ice Wine and a grazing platter of freshly picked fruits and cheese.
.jpg "Taglucop Strawberry Hills premium fresh fruit cheese welcome platter presentation")
Before long, a delightful dinner was served, featuring a wide array of organic dishes, many of which were sourced directly from the farm on the property. We had the opportunity to enjoy more wine and engage in conversation with the owners, during which we learned about the fascinating origin of Taglucop Strawberry Farm.
.jpg "Strawberry Hills organic farm dinner food spread presentation dining table")
The property served as an elevated glamping site because it not only featured spacious geodesic dome tents perched on uneven hilltop terrain enveloped by towering pine trees, but most also came with a private outdoor jacuzzi and a patio perfect for morning coffee or stargazing.
.JPG "Taglucop luxury geodesic dome glamping tent structure inside pine forest")
In two thousand sixteen, the property was purchased by the current owners, Ferdinand and Jenny Taglucop, who initially had no specific plans for the land. After planting hundreds of pine trees, the pair became interested in cultivating a variety of berries, including strawberries, mulberries, and blackberries.
.jpg "Strawberry farm greenhouse cultivation rows in Bukidnon highlands agro tourism")
Soon the couple, who also operated a travel company, sourced different varieties of strawberries during their travels and learned the process of winemaking as well. During the pandemic they expanded their vineyard, created their own line of wine, and came up with an all-natural menu to feed their guests.
.jpg "Cold weather mountain glamping fog scenery at Taglucop Strawberry Hills resort")
Breathing fog, I returned to my geodesic tent and crashed into a relaxing sleep until waking up just before sunrise and coming out of my tent to a sea of clouds. A few minutes later, we proceeded to our morning activity; an ATV ride to a higher hilltop and a hike to nearby waterfalls. Just before we bid goodbye, we promised the owners to come back for a longer stay next time.
.jpg "ATV ride offroad experience trail tours in Bukidnon mountain paths resort")
And definitely, I would be. The cold temperature and the warm comforts of Taglucop Strawberry Farm seemed to be a perfect combination for a writer like me to tap into my creative energy. “I could finish a film screenplay here,” I thought to myself.
We then headed out to Davao City.
