Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park
The mountains of Bukidnon that are collectively called the Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park, make the perfect playground for people who love mountaineering and camping. Exploring a bit of the charted territories can take days and not for the faint of heart. The mountain range provides a nesting ground for the rare Philippine Eagle and serves as habitat to the Philippine brown deer, Philippine flying lemur, Philippine pygmy woodpecker, Philippine pygmy fruit bat, golden-crowned flying fox, Philippine tailless roundleaf bat and the Mindanao moon rat, to name a few.
The range comprises Mt. Kitanglad -- which is an inactive volcano and is responsible for hot springs in the area -- Mt. Dulang-dulang, Mt. Lumuluyaw, Mt. Maagnaw, Mt. Tuminungan, Mt. Imbayao, Mt. Kaatoan and several others. Within this area lay the Cinchona Forest Reserve, where you can view the Philippine Eagle in action and several waterfalls. It is populated mainly by forest plants. At the summit of Mt. Kitanglad rests a bunkhouse for those who have trekked thus far, and several transmitters of various private companies. When you stay overnight in the bunkhouse, be sure to wake up early to witness the sunrise and the majesty of your vantage point. A clear day will definitely enable you to see the towns surrounding the mountain as well as other neighboring islands -- like Camiguin.
Since the park encompasses several towns, access to the park can be through Sitio Intavas, Barangay La Fortuna, Impasug-ong town; Barangay Lupiagan, Sumilao; and Sitio Bol-ogan, Barangay Songco, Lantapan.
The range comprises Mt. Kitanglad -- which is an inactive volcano and is responsible for hot springs in the area -- Mt. Dulang-dulang, Mt. Lumuluyaw, Mt. Maagnaw, Mt. Tuminungan, Mt. Imbayao, Mt. Kaatoan and several others. Within this area lay the Cinchona Forest Reserve, where you can view the Philippine Eagle in action and several waterfalls. It is populated mainly by forest plants. At the summit of Mt. Kitanglad rests a bunkhouse for those who have trekked thus far, and several transmitters of various private companies. When you stay overnight in the bunkhouse, be sure to wake up early to witness the sunrise and the majesty of your vantage point. A clear day will definitely enable you to see the towns surrounding the mountain as well as other neighboring islands -- like Camiguin.
Since the park encompasses several towns, access to the park can be through Sitio Intavas, Barangay La Fortuna, Impasug-ong town; Barangay Lupiagan, Sumilao; and Sitio Bol-ogan, Barangay Songco, Lantapan.
Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?
Native tribes also reside in this place that traverses Lantapan, Malaybalay City, Impasug-ong, Sumilao, Manolo Fortich, Libona, Baungon and Talakag. As with places inhabited by indigenous peoples, outsiders are well advised to observe the rituals, culture, beliefs and other traditions of the tribe. You need not bring offerings for the ritual that they will perform, but bring extra cash to purchase chickens that will be offered during the ceremony. Visitors are warned that the ritual involves slitting the chicken's neck. So, be prepared to see chicken blood. It is used as an identification for the visitor to gain entry into the mountain range, much like visitors are given a visitor's ID or pass when they transact in office buildings.
Natives believe that their ancestors' spirits, as well as the spirits of other animate and inanimate objects inhabit the place. As a visitor, it may be well to keep in mind Pocahontas' song: Colors of the Wind. "But I know every rock and tree and creature / has a life, has a spirit, has a name / You think the only people who are people / Are the people who look and think like you / But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger / You'll learn things you never knew." So, indeed, when you venture into this land, be prepared to learn as well.
Natives believe that their ancestors' spirits, as well as the spirits of other animate and inanimate objects inhabit the place. As a visitor, it may be well to keep in mind Pocahontas' song: Colors of the Wind. "But I know every rock and tree and creature / has a life, has a spirit, has a name / You think the only people who are people / Are the people who look and think like you / But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger / You'll learn things you never knew." So, indeed, when you venture into this land, be prepared to learn as well.