Bukidnon: Cool and Abundant

By Apolinario Villalobos

Bukidnon is situated on a plateau 2,898 feet above sea level. The province is best described with the word “abundant”. Situated on a heart-shaped plateau in North Central Mindanao, it is bounded on the north and northwest by Misamis Oriental, on the south by North Cotabato, on the east by Agusan del Sur and on the west by Lanao del Sur. Its 8,422.57 square kilometers is broken by seven deep and luxuriantly forested canyons and verdant valleys that sustain its agricultural and livestock industries. It is the source of vegetables, rice and meat not only for the people of Mindanao but also for Visayas and Luzon. Based on the geographical area, the province is the country’s fourth largest.

The vast pineapple plantation is operated by the Philippine Packing Corporation which carries the del Monte brand. Bukidnon was derived from the Visayan reference “of the mountains” referring to the mountain ranges to which the original settlers of Misamis retreated when Visayan immigrants occupied the lowlands before the Spaniards came.  From being part of Misamis province, the political jurisdiction was transferred to Agusan, and it was in 1917 that it finally got its own charter as a province.

The seven tribes distributed throughout the virtually last frontier of Philippine forested territory are  Umayamnon, Matigsalug, Manobo, Talaandig, Bukidnon, Higaonon, and Tigwahanon. The seven tribes come down from their mountain abodes during the Kaamulan festival held between  mid-February up to March 10 of every year. The festival’s name is derived from “amul” which means “gathering” or in the Visayan dialect, “pakigkita”. The festival had its initial celebration in 1974, to drum up tourist visitation of the province. During the festival the different ethnic rituals are staged to give lowlanders a picture of the tribes’ culture. It also showcases the colorful woven fabrics sewn into everyday apparel and festival costumes which is loudly accentuated by the female headdress that looks like a colorful feathered giant fan. The traditional headdress is called “panika”. Other produce from the farm and handicrafts are distributed in different festival booths and sold to visitors.

The forested canyons are suggested for birdwatching and botanical research. The forests are interspersed by rivers and streams that drop to waterfalls with some of their outflow finally finding their way to lakes . From the crest of Kilaman, Mangina and Atugan canyons, a panoramic view of the winding roads and ribbons of river and creeks can be had. The province is lately playing host to foreigners engaged in research works, trade, and spiritual missions around the province.

The province’s most prominent landmark is the Mt. Kitanglad Range Natual Park, the total land area of which is  31,297 hectares of virgin forests that include, Mt. Dulang-dulang, accessible from the towns of Kaatuan, Sumilao, Lantapan, Bol-ugan, La Fortuna, Intavas, Lupiagan and Impagsug-ong.  The hightest peak of Mt. Kitanglad is 9,511 feet above sea level, the fourth tallest among the mountains of the country. Other popular promontories worth the trek are the 646 meters Musuan Hill in Dologon, Maramag; Mt. Capistrano right in Malaybalay which can be scaled leisurely if only for its historical significance, being the evacuation area of the locals during the WWII; Mount Pulog in Manolo Fortich which offers a sweeping view of vast flower gardens; and the Pigsuguan Hills in barangay Siloo of Malitbog.

Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon’s gateway to the rest of the province, is frequently visited by Japanese tourists, being the site where a high ranking Japanese official was shot at the close of the WWII. A stone inscribed with Japanese characters marks the spot. The Del Monte Golf Club House prides in its splendid steak and other fusion cuisine which visitors coming from as far as Davao never miss, every time they wanted to spend a weekend retreat in Bukidnon.

For the religious, recommended is the Benedictine Monastery of the Transfiguration on a hill of barangay San Jose in Malaybalay City. The eye-catching monastery with its pyramid-like structure was designed by the National Artist, Leandro Locsin. The monastery is home to Bukidnon’s famous coffee brand, “Monk’s Blend”. Another monastery in Malaybalay is the Carmelite Sisters’ Monastery with its beautiful gardens.

Barangay Sonco in Lantapan town, home of the Talaandig community  is exerting much effort to preserve their culture, hence, still practice their ancient ways. In fact, a school in the community imposes the teaching of traditional weaving, music, dance, arts and literature. This is a “must see” live cultural site of the province.

Between Sumilao and Manolo Fortich are a series of hills called Palapao with an average height of 836 feet above sea level. According to the locals, the vicinity was used as a burial ground during the 19^th century as evidenced by coffins and artifacts found in the caves and rock crevices. The discovered artifacts showed marks attributed to the Metal Age.

Accordingly, the latest addition to the thrill list of the province for the adventurous is the longest zipline of Asia, the Dual Cable Zipline at the Dahilayan Adventure Park of Manolo Fortich. The dual cable stretch 840 meters from both ends, and a drop of 100 meters. The adventurous is guaranteed a speed between 60 to 100 kilometers per hour.

Spelunkers will be thrilled to know that the province is pockmarked with challenging, most of which are not yet fully explored. At Sumilao are the Paiyak, Basag, Sumalsag, and Lagundang caves. At Valencia are the Salawaw, Kasanayan caves. Other caves are the Kabyaw and Sagongsong of Quezon, Kisilop  and Linking Caves of Kibawe, Minsulahog cave of Baungon, Bogsok cave of Libona, and Borantawan cave of Talakag.  Lately, adventurous spelunking groups are said to be continuously discovering more caves around the province that shall definitely enhance its quest to become a veritable adventure haven of Mindanao.

An interesting information for horticulture groups is about the Raffleasia and the Amorphophallus Paeoniifoluius plants that can be found in the town of Baungon. The Raffleasia caught the attention of the curious when it was discovered in Palawan several years ago, although, per record, Mt. Apo, between Cotabato and Davao, has its own, and discovered in 1881. Among the locals, the Raffleasia is called “kolon busaw”.    

At Sitio Lalawan, Barangay Dalwangan of Malaybalay city, there is a birdwatch “tower” on which, a patient birdwatcher may spend time to scout for endemic birds including the Philippine Eagle. This is the suggested last stop following an intensive itinerary for an exhilarating tour of Bukidnon.

From Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon is 104 kilometers. Manolo Fortich, the gateway to Bukidnon can be reached can be reached a one-hour travel over mountain paved highway, add another half-hour for an onward trip to Malaybalay, the capital of the province. Bukidnon can also be reached directly from Davao via Salawagan, Quezon covering a distance of 208 kilomers.

The new airport in Cagayan de Oro that accommodates flights from Manila and elsewhere is located at Laguindingan which is more spacious than its former location at Lumbia.