Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Bukidnon: Manolo Fortich: A Must to Do, See and Visit

by lakwatserong tatay

I'm not a local from Bukidnon, but some of my relatives are living at Malaybalay, which i missed out to visit when i had the chance to go to Bukidnon. But as far as talking to them, i'm surely be back to Bukidnon and hope to visit most of the scenic and tourist spots that Manolo Fortich can offer and other towns of Bukidnon could share to travelers alike us. As i could not express the feeling that i really feel in love with Manolo Fortich and hope to go back and stay there for a meanwhile....

Here is some information about Manolo Fortich:

Manolo Fortich is a 1st class municipality in the Province of Bukidnon, was formerly known as Municipality of Maluko, the town was renamed in 1957, to Manolo Fortich, named after Don Manolo Fortich, a provincial resident of Barrio Damilag being the first Governor (1902-1914) of District of Bukidnon.

Before the coming of the Spaniards, the term "Bukidnon" referred to as the semi-sedentary indigenous inhabitants of the high plateaus and rugged mountain ranges of Central Mindanao. The more prominent of these peoples were the "Manobos" who were the earlist settlers of this region. Located on the Northern part of Bukidnon, which is the Municipality of Manolo Fortich.

This town is endowed with beautiful and scenic spots. Both natural and manmade attractions alike are the tourism magnets of the municipality. Its Annual Charter Day celebrated every 21st of June known as "Pamahandi Ta Tankulan". A range of activities are undertaken to celebrate this significant event of Manolo Fortich.

Places to see in Manolo Fortich:


photo source
Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park (ASEAN Heritage Park) - a famous destination for mountaineers alike over the world. Declared as Protected Area as of Year 2000 by Republic Act 8979. Officially declared as the fourth highest mountain in the Philippines and has an approximate height of 2,899 MASL.Mt. Kitanglad has an extensive mountain range with about a dozen peaks, popular bird-watching site, which is known to be the home of Philippine Eagle, a major watershed provider of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental.


photo source



Mangima Canyon - located along the Sayre Highway, w/ views of rivers and hills, making it one of the most interesting spots in Bukidnon. A zigzag road that is dubbed as the Kennon Road of the South.
photo source






Mangima Canyon Springs and Country Park - situated along Mangima Canyon, is a local government unit operated resort with an area of around 6 hec.  of hills, mountains and trees.
The resort houses 4 swimming pools, one pool sizes as an olympic type pool. Has function rooms with 3 dorm-type rooms great for large group of guest.
One unique attraction of these resort is its off-road track which has natural terrain challenge, best for off-road enthusiasts could try on.




Two more attractions that can be seen in Mangima are Mangima Old Bridge and Mangima Heroes Shrine.

Mangima Old Bridge - remnants of the guerilla activities in Bukidnon during World War II, these bridge attests the bravery and patriotism of the locals of Manolo Fortich. The bridge was used as the main route of transportation which strategically blown up by the guerillas to sabotage the Japanese Armies movement of supplies and reinforcement to Central Mindanao. As of now, the only remains of the historic structure was bridge's foundation and support pillars that serves a grim reminder of the numbers of Japanese soldier' death when the time of bridge destruction.

Mangima Heroes Shrine - located within Mangima Canyon Springs and Country Park, the shrine stands for historic symbol of valor and nationalism for the heroic acts of the local of Manolo Fortich during WWII. It was on the plateau overlooking the Mangima Old Bridge where the command for the historic ambushed of Japanese Army took place.  The shrine was erected as a tribute to the local heroes led by Capt. Ramon M. Onahon.

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Sumalsag Cave - located in Dalirig, the longest cave in Northern Mindanao with approximately 1,859 mtrs. from the entrance to its exit where one has to dive underwater to see the outsite world. The height of the cave varies from 1 mtr to 20 mtrs, its width varies also. The cave boasts of its abundance of stalagmites and stalactites.
Spelunkers alike needed to be ready to slide, crawl, swim or even wriggle your body as you move about inside this magnificent cave.




Montegelo - is a farm that can be found in Brgy. San Miguel. This farm is a great venue for weddings, debuts, corporate meetings, retreats, and outings. Montegelo Farms has an spring water pools and scenic surroundings, aside from their scrumtious culinary delights. This hidden valley that looks and feels like a secret garden is a favorite place of celebrities to stay when in Manolo Fortich.

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Saddle Ridge Camp - feel and live like a cowboy, located within vicinity of Dahilayan Adventure Park. Enjoy its eco-adventure tours or experience wild west fun in trail riding or riverside camp and delight with its tasty meal at Cowboy's Grill. An overnight stay at the camp with its unique  accomodation such as the rolling house, van wagon and nipa huts.
photo source




Kampo Juan -  located Brgy. Dicklum, the newest eco-adventure destination. Named in honor of Dr. Juan Acosta, a horticulture and plant breeding scientist in our country. Its biggest attraction is the Philippine's 1st and only Anicycle where you get to ride a bicycle on a cable hanging 100 ft above and expanse the length of 600 ft. Aside from this, a hanging bridge w/c spans 360 ft across and 200 ft above the river is one heck of an adventures. They also offer zipline rides, rappelling, paramotoring.
photo source

Bagalangit Ultimate Bivouac -  located in Sitio Bagalangit, Brgy. Kalugmanan, and just 10 mins away from Dahilayan Adventure Park. It offers camping grounds, uniquely designed teepee huts and military bunkhouses. Challenge your skills in archery, tactical shooting, airsoft games, wall climbing, rappelling and team building obstacle courses. Great for youth camps, weekend getaways for family, friends and travelers alike.
photo source
Gen. Douglas MacArthur Landmark - built through effort of the Rotary Club of Northern Bukidnon, the memorial landmark is found in Brgy. Dicklum, an airfield of the US Army Air Corps before WWII and named Del Monte Airfield due to its close location to the large Del Monte Pineapple Plantation. On December 8, 1941 Clark Airfield was destroyed by the Japanese with a devastating air attack. Thus, with its destruction, most of the air operations were moved to the Del Monte Airfield and thereafter, the Del Monte base was used as a staging area for missions flown from Australia and evacuation flights.

This historic landmark is name after Gen. Douglas MacArthur since it is the place where General, his family and key staff members took off on their historic flight to Australia before the fall of Bataan and Corregidor by B-17 on March 17, 1942. Contrary to what most Filipinos have known, it was actually in Manolo Fortich where Gen. Douglas MacArthur has said his final farewell from the Philippines.

How to get to Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon:

The municipality is located in Northern part of the Province of Bukidnon. Bounded on the north by Cagayan de Oro City and municipality of Malitbog, on the east by the muncipality of Sumilao and Impasugong, in the west are municipality of Libona and Baungon and in the south are the rugged ranges of Mt. Kitanglad.

By Air: Although there are public and private air-strips in Bukidnon, there are no direct commercial flights been offered. The nearest airports is the Lumbia Airport of Cagayan de Oro City, catering domestic flights from Manila, Cebu and Davao. From CDO, a travel by land must be taken to reach Bukidnon.

By Land: Bus travel is one of the most convinient way to reach Bukidnon. About 104 kms. road distance from CDO and approximately 1hr and half land travel straight to the capital city of Bukidnon, Malaybalay.
Other public transportation is also available, like public utility jeepneys and vans for hire.

By Sea: Since Bukidnon is a landlocked province, the only closest sea port is port of Cagayan de Oro then takes land transportation to reach the cities and municipalities of Bukidnon. Several ferries are available connecting Cagayan de Oro to seaports in the cities of Manila, Cebu, Bohol and other ports in Luzon and Visayas.

For more information about the Province of Bukidnon, its cities and municipalities:

checkout their website: http://www.bukidnon.gov.ph  and for Manolo Fortich : http://manolofortich.com.ph/

Done with Bukidnon Series of Adventures and already shared what i really love with Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. Next stop, the Province of Lanao Del Norte, Iligan City. We visited Iligan's Cathedral Church, X-plored  NPC's Nature Park, First Glance with the Mighty Maria Cristina Waterfalls, Photo opps within Maria Cristina Powerplant and Habal-habal ride and trek to Tinago Waterfalls. Last but not the least, The time we have to say Goodbye to Northern Mindanao, its time to go back home.....^_^



This is part of our 6-Days Northern Mindanao Escapades. Visited and X-plored 4 Provinces: Misamis Oriental, Camiguin Island, Bukidnon and Lanao Del Norte. Our third stop is Bukidnon, that is known as the "Home Basket of Mindanao and Home of the 2nd Highest Mountain in the Philippines", the 3rd province of Northern Mindanao.


Tours & Activities:
En Route to Camp Phillips: Del Monte Pineapple Plantation
Dahilayan Adventure Park: Our Ride to Asia's Logest Dual Zipline
A Must to Do, See and Visit in Manolo Fortich

Monday, October 29, 2012

Bukidnon: Dahilayan Adventure Park: Our Ride to Asia's Longest Dual Zipline

by lakwatserong tatay

I've tried different cabled ziplines here in Manila the farthest was in Tagaytay. The experience was just so..so..So when we have the chance to visit Northern Mindanao. We did not missed to include in our itinerary to try the Asia's Longest Dual Cable Zipline created and located at Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park in Brgy. Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon Province, Philippines.

The Zipzone
A few hours drive from Cagayan de Oro, we reached Dahilayan Adventure Park. Aside from having a sidetrip at Del Monte Pineapple Plantation. The place itself was really rewarding and enrich with so much sceneries. Same as Baguio, the weather was cool, and the visibility of pine trees where everywhere.
Me @ Dahilayan Adventure Park
Our kuya driver/guide/photographer took all of the things, we just wait on the other side of this long line just to buy ticket....ang galing ni kuya....^_^

one long registration line...^_^
As kuya, give us the hand signal to go infront, we've found out that for php600, you ride all of the ziplines which consist of 150m, 320m and 840m...hmmm..we got a good deal with our package(php2000), advance course white water rafting, eat all you can lunch, all zip rides and vice versa transportation from hostel to destination...^_^

si kuya seryoso...^_^

and our turn...^_^
And here is the stunning view of Dahilayan Adventure Park......^_^

one of the flight deck...

one of the photo opps places....^_^

They said that this lodge is most commonly used by celebrities, who is filming their movies or shows on this province. So you may say, you will live like a celebrity, when staying on Pine Grove Mountain Lodge which is located inside the park.

Pinegrove Mountain Lodge
And then, the flight begins.....all of us were excited and cannot hide the thrill experience we will encounter while on this cabled ziplines.

let's go to the flight center....^_^
Our kuya driver was really accomodating, infact on each of the deck, he was present. except for the uphill part which the real experience on this adventure park awaits us, he just waited us on the reception area.
Start of our Zipline Adventures...^_^

photo opps muna...^_^

melvin & jayson are getting ready..jhov photo opps muna..

1...2....3.....xplorerboyz...^_^
The first two ziplines consist of 320 mtrs and 150 mtrs which is just connected to each other.
so let's start....

yahooo.....

to the 2nd station....^_^

done with 1st & 2nd station...^_^

johari's turn...
After the two ziplines, we ave to climb a cemented stairs just to go back infront and ride the shuttle going uphill for our ride of our lives. Upon reaching the cemented stairs, you will passed by this obstable and rope hanging bridges, it just like an rope obstable course which is another available activity within the park.
more obstable course within the park...
The start of the mini trek...^_^.....It may look like a tiring one but it was really relaxing walk uphill....^_^
the trail going to back to entrance......


reminds me of Baguio.....pine trees everywhere...^_^
While waiting our shuttle coming uphill....photo opps muna with the surroundings, here is one of my photo opps, one of the friendly staffs of Dahilayan Adventure Park.....thanks po mam...^_^
photo opps muna mam....thanks po....^_^
Just wait for us....we will conquer you......840 meters of cable zipline......yahoooooo....^_^
next stop.......zip zone 840 meters.....^_^
And afterwards, the shuttle arrive, immediately we got on it. And also have our own photo opps...

our 4x4 wheel up to the 3rd station...^_^
As we got off the shuttle, there are still some tourist alike is on line waiting to get the thrilling ride of their lives....^_^

the flight deck.....start of the longest dual zipline...

the pilot checklist...
First, we go to the gearing section, we were assisted by the friedly staffs, it is a must to read "Pilot's Flight Checklist", to check if your ready to ride this zipline. In fact while were getting ready with our gears, two of the tourist back out upon seeing the cable zipline on the flight deck. One was crying and the other one is assisting here....tsk..tsk..tsk..sayang...:(

getting ready...

photo opps muna...^_^
And then, after few minutes, photo opps around the places, we were advise to go to the flight deck. Of course photo opps sa entrance...eto na ko....konti nalang...^_^

Me @ Asia's Logest Dual Zipline : 840 meters; 4500 MASL

takot daw!!!!! bwahahahaha..

kapit na ko...tuloy ko pa ba? picture muna...^_^
This is the wonderful view and thrilling adventure that awaits you upon going to the flight deck.....forgot to circled out the Pine Grove Mountain Lodge, it was actually visible in here....oooover there....^_^
san ba un dulo.....pambihira ang layo...
This is it......together with Johari....the lakwatserong tatay tandem is now ready....1.....2.....3.......now we're known as Superman Tatay's.....^_^

last shot before i fly.....^_^
Here is one of my photo souvenirs, courtesy of Dahilayan Adventure Park....

one of my photo opps......panalo...^_^
Jayson got the 1st flight, Me and Johari, next is Melvin and Regie followed. The flight just took a few minutes, and it was one quite fast zipline rides i have for 840 meters long and 4500 MASL....wowowow...

its me on left & johari on right...thanks jayson !!!!

photo opps ni regie....
After completing the zipline rides, we got back from the start, where our certificates awaits and two of your choice photos can be printed out.....^_^.....Here they are...nawawala si Jayson nun photo opps time na toh...

and the certification.....melvin...

certified..johari...

regie is certified....

Lakwatserong Tatay is done with Asia's Longest Dual Zipline
This is what is says on my ziplider's certificate:
I successfully conquered ZIPZONE 840m at Asia's Longest Dual Cable Zipline at 4500 ft. level
at Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park in Brgy. Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon Province, Philippines

my certificate and photo souvenir...^_^
Dahilayan Adventure Park - Zip Zone offers 3 cable zipline rides which we got, aside from this is a beginners Ropes Course, which we also tried a bit, Wall Climbing and the Philippine's first extreme pendulum swing in Dropzone which features a 120 ft. freefall into a man-made lake, which we happened to miss....:(

Aside from this activities, their are two more sites where offers a different taste of adventure, or maybe used for parties, and gatherings: Dahilayan Forest Park and Dahiyalan Gardens and Resort.

For more information, check their website for updates, promos and other activities:
http://www.dahilyanadventurepark.com

X-plorerboyz @ Zip Zone 840 mtrs...
Done with our adventures with Bukidnon, however, i really wanted to share how this town boost with nature parks, activities for adventurers like us and one of a kind tourist spots that will surely captivate our eyes and make us to go back, just like with us, that we will have to schedule again our trip to Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.


This is part of our 6-Days Northern Mindanao Escapades. Visited and X-plored 4 Provinces: Misamis Oriental, Camiguin Island, Bukidnon and Lanao Del Norte. Our third stop is Bukidnon, that is known as the "Home Basket of Mindanao and Home of the 2nd Highest Mountain in the Philippines", the 3rd province of Northern Mindanao.


Tours & Activities:
En Route to Camp Phillips: Del Monte Pineapple Plantation
Dahilayan Adventure Park: Our Ride to Asia's Logest Dual Zipline
A Must to Do, See and Visit in Manolo Fortich

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