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.

The Araguaney tree blooming with vibrant yellow leaves behind me provided an atmospheric prelude to what I was about to witness. As the marching drums of the twelve participating contingents in the street dancing competitions started to pound foot-stomping beats, I could feel the vibe of the Kaamulan Festival becoming increasingly electrifying.

When one mentions 'rappelling', I always remember the classic scene in the first Universal Soldier film where the characters of Dolph Lundgren and Jean-Claude Van Damme attempted a daring Australian rappel assault straight down the Hoover Dam. Though our experience at the 155-foot-high Pulangui Bridge at Quezon, Bukidnon ain't nowhere near a UniSol's feat, I definitely felt a massive rat throbbing from inside my chest as our guide prepared my safety gears.

"Are you nervous?" he repeated to me. "Are you nervous?" I gave him a thumbs-up sign, completely betraying what I was truly feeling, just before I kicked my feet off the edge and catapulted my body mid-air. With only a single sturdy rope saving me from a three-second free fall into massive broken bones or worse—death—I quietly recited a short prayer.

Time freezes in this serene setting, dominated by lush green grass in front of a circular lake entirely surrounded by heaps of towering trees. We were only here for a couple of hours, but it seemed like more than enough time to properly clear my mind of all big city worries. Prior to our visit, I had only heard and read about Lake Apo. I expected it to be much larger, so expansive that you wouldn't have to hear the exuberant yells of children echoing from the other end.

In reality, it was much smaller and significantly more charming. I could clearly hear the kids playing from the opposite side, where a few traditional nipa huts dotted the lake's edges. These are the exact kinds of tiny houses I often fantasize about having as my retirement home. I thought to myself, "I could retire here." A small wooden cabin and the peaceful atmosphere of this location would serve me exceptionally well.