Archive for February, 2010

Posted on February 5, 2010 - by Vic

Laid Back Bukidnon

Valentines in Bukidnon? Why not? Up until we left for the province, I didn’t have the slightest idea how people spent there Valentine holidays in this province. Nor how Malaybalay was, since the last time I came over four years ago on a hurried sunrise to sundown visit.

“Hindi ba delikado dun kuya?(Isn’t it safe there sir?) my trusted and loyal housemate asked when he learned I would be traveling to Mindanao. I guess the situation is similar to foreigners who have never been to the Philippines and have nothing to base their impression on but what they see on CNN. I wasn’t too worried though. Anything can happen anywhere if it is meant. I have to admit that I knew very little about the province. Save for its mountainous terrain and endless trees, the guidebooks nor didn’t the internet travel websites say much about this only landlocked province in Mindanao, 8.294 square meter province in the heartland of Mindanao. Together with my photographer, Robert we flew in to Cagayan de Oro for Bukidnon for a three – day tour of wandering, sightseeing and unguided bliss.

Cagayan De Oro City is your entry point by air to reach Malaybalay City, Bukidnon’s capital and one of two cities that the province has. There are no direct flights to Bukidnon, but the province has several private airstrips used by agricultural and corporate planes. It is about two hours’ drive from Cagayan de Oro Airport. Upon arrival to Malaybalay, we were met by our guide and host representative, Ruth and Juliet, two “motherly” women who saw to it that the visit wouldn’t have any glitches along the way.
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