⌛ Your Bukidnon Roadtrip, Part 3

Bukidnon

A landlocked Mindanao province bordered by Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de oro, North Cotabato and Davao, Bukidnon is known as the food basket of Mindanao. It is the site of the biggest pineapple plantation in the Far East and some sprawling cattle farms.

Capital: Malaybalay
Area: 8,293.2 square kilometers
Population 1,060,265
Climate: Located outside the typhoon belt, it is relatively cool throughout the
year.
Economy: Agricultural. They produce rice, corn, sugarcane, pineapple, banana
and tomato; and livestock producer of poultry, cattle and swine.

Places to Visit

Del Monte Philippines, Inc.
The Del Monte plant is the largest pineapple plantation this side of the
hemisphere, it also devotes an area for raising 50,000 cattle for the local
market. It is also home to the world-class, 18-hole Del Monte golf course.

Mangima Spring Resort
Ostriches in Bukidnon? You’d better believe it, around 8 of these flight-
less birds reside here. They are an Australian import by former Mayor
Benjamin Albarece. Deer, crocodiles, mules, and other unusual birds are
soon to follow, making animal encounters as much a draw as the pools
in this resort.

Alalum Falls
A cascading beauty bordered by rocks and lush trees.

Kaamulan Park
Pine trees, cozy cottages, and folded out of sight from Bukidnon’s busier
side.

Pinamaloy Lake
A site for picnics and fishing or just plain relaxing as the waters lazily lap
at the shore.

Impalutao Reforestration Project
Towering trees silently stand guard as you walk on its serene, unpaved
foothpath.

What To Buy

Bukidnon’s farms are teeming with fresh pineapples, grapes, oranges, bananas and jackfruits. Handicrafts such as baskets, wood wares, carvings and mats created from rattan, bamboo and wood for your home or to give away souvenirs.
Anthurium blooms of different Holland varieties, and other cutflower and potted plant products are available at Lantapan. In the Monastery of the Transfiguration at San Jose in Malaybalay City, you can choose from a variety of religious artifacts and the famous mon’s blend coffee. Chocolate milk and native delicacies are available at the Philippine Carabao Center in Musuan, Bukidnon.

Did You Know?

Del Monte Farms use pineapple pulps to feed not just their hogs and pigs but their cattle and other farm animals as well. The pineapple are crushed and then mixed with molasses and other ingredients. The exact procedure is a company secret, but the end product is called pineapple ration. This is the reason why meat from Del Monte is sweeter and more tender compared to other commercial meat cuts available in supermarkets around the country.