Things to do on a “Weekend Getaway” in Bukidnon

  The Talaandig tribe strives to preserve and promote their ancient culture. Tourists who visit the community are invited to first take part in the pangalu-ampit ritual, in which members of the Talaandig tribe sacrifice a live chicken that is then cooked and shared by visitors and tribal elders.  After the ritual, tourists can take part in soil painting, woodcarving and music workshops.  The Talaandig Ancestral Territory is located at Barangay Sungco in the town of Lantapan. Lantapan is only a bus or jeep ride away from the capital Malaybalay.   Tip: Though guests are not required to pay for these workshops, donations are encouraged to help preserve the Talaandig culture.   Benedictine Monastery Church of Transfiguration   Considered a masterpiece of National Artist of Architecture Leandro Locsin, this beautiful monastery is located in Barangay San Jose in the capital Malaybalay and is the perfect place to visit for some peaceful prayer. Coffee lovers can also visit the monastery to purchase Monk’s Blend Coffee, which is grown and processed by the Benedictine monks themselves. The monks’ peanut products are worth trying too!   Tip: There is a dress code! No shorts, sleeveless tops, or mini-skirts allowed.   Places worth visiting in Manolo Fortich   Three hours away from the capital Malaybalay, Manolo Fortich is perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers.  For accommodations, tourists can try Obrero Place in Barangay San Miguel. The rooms are clean and cozy, the food is reportedly delicious, and they even have a pool.   Anicycling at Kampo Juan   Created for people seeking an adrenaline rush, Kampo Juan in Barangay Dicklum offers activities like ziplining and anicycling, which is basically biking on a rope suspended 100 meters in the air. The camp also has walking trails and camping facilities. Entrance fees start at P50. The camp will also offer paragliding in the near future.   Places worth visiting in Impasug-ong   Impasug-ong is an hour and a half away from Manolo Fortich, and is worth checking out if you like the outdoors or are interested in meeting Filipino cowboys.   Gantungan Falls   The falls can be found within the Center for Ecological Development and Recreation in Barangay Impalutao, but guests must trek for half an hour to get to the actual falls. If you’re lucky, you’ll come across giant millipedes and stick insects along the way.  Entrance fee is P10 per head.   Cowboys of Bukidnon   When the Americans settled in Bukidnon, they trained some locals to become cowboys.  To this day, cattle herding remains an important source of income in Impasug-ong.  Tourists can visit local cattle ranches to see local cowboys demonstrate rodeo activities like bull wrestling and lasso-throwing.   Tune in to “Weekend Getaway” every Friday at 10 PM on GMA NewsTV Channel 11. —Angelita Bombarda/PF, GMA News