Fortunately, aside from Cagayan de Oro City, I was able to have a glimpse of the Province of Bukidnon courtesy of my friend Gil Macaibay. I say glimpse because we only went to a portion of the province near Cagayan de Oro City. Bukidnon is a big land-locked province in Mindanao. It may not be near the sea but it boasts of land which raises pineapple and is a grazing ground for cattle, horses and other animals.
With its cool weather and lush vegetation, I consider it as the Baguio of the south. Its greeneries are similar if not the same.
My friend brought me to the Del Monte Golf Course and Clubhouse in Canamayon where we tasted burger and roastbeef sandwiches made from meat whose cows were fed pineapple extras hence, the sweet taste of the burger patty and the beef meat.
Of course, a visit to this side of Bukidnon would not be complete if you won't go around the hectares upon hectares of pineapple plantation owned by multinational Del Monte. From the lands of the province come the pineapple that we all eat. Not only do they supply the needs of the Filipinos but the whole of Southeast Asia as well.
We stopped by a privately-owned chapel named after St. Augustine. It is a respite from all the plantations that abound. Though private, its caretaker sees to it that mass is celebrated in the chapel every Wednesday and during special religious occasions. It has miraculous images of the Sto. Nino and Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Obrero Farm is one picnic area where people of the province go to. Sadly, its owners have not really took care of it since most of them are living abroad. But it is one place where families can relax and have a great swim in the stream inside the farm.
From what I have observed, Bukidnon is one place that has maintained it charisma despite modernity. Its wide roads speak of proper planning by the provincial government. If I was already impressed by what I saw, what more if I was able to go to other places in the province. It still remains a mystery to me.
Despite having two cities, Bukidnon can only be accessed via Cagayan de Oro City from Manila and some parts of the Visayas. Around Mindanao, one can go to the province by plane from Davao or by bus plying different routes.
I hope that, next time, I will not just have a glimpse but a tour of the whole province as well.
