Hey there, Hive friends and family! Last March 27, my sisters, the kiddos, and I traveled to Valencia to pay our respects for our brother's forty days. Despite the purpose of our trip, we had a lot of fun along the way. We brought the kids with us since there was no one else to take care of them, and the host in Bukidnon wanted to see Cassy, our only baby girl. We left early so we could make several stops along the way, and we didn't want to drive too fast because we had the kids with us and wanted to ensure everyone’s safety. This was our second time traveling together to Bukidnon.

Buckle up and let's go for a ride!

First Stop: Sumilao, Bukidnon

We left Cagayan de Oro (CDO) around 10:00 a.m. Our trip was very smooth with no bumps—just chit-chatting and enjoying the scenery. However, when we arrived at Manolo Fortich, it started to rain heavily. We drove slowly for safety since the road was very slippery. Since it was nearing noon, we decided to stop at a cafeteria in Sumilao, Bukidnon, where there are many food options available and where most bus passengers typically stop for lunch or dinner, as this place is contracted by the bus company.

We ordered a simple lunch: the kids wanted chicken, I ordered a fried eggplant, and my sisters got beef soup and chop suey. This was just a quick lunch because we were planning to stop in Malaybalay for a quick tour before heading off to Valencia. The rain was still pouring.

Second Stop: Kaamulan Ground, Malaybalay City

When we arrived in Malaybalay, thank God the rain had stopped, but the traffic was terrible, and we couldn't find a parking space. We drove around Kaamulan Ground several times looking for a spot. Eventually, we found one, but it was far from where my sisters had dropped off the kids and me. There was still a light drizzle, so I took out my umbrella to keep the kids dry. I don’t mind getting sick, but I want to protect them.

The weather was not great; it was cloudy, but I was confident it wouldn’t rain again. My mouth watered as I noticed the vast array of food stalls and the delicious smells wafting from the bahay kubo. Although we were still full from earlier, we decided to walk a bit and meet up with my sister, who was on the other side. She spotted a truck owned by a neighbor from Quezon, a talented chef who owns a restaurant that had closed during COVID. This was his comeback, and he had created a new menu featuring just coffee and some snacks.

As we walked, we noticed that each municipality of Bukidnon had its bahay kubo showcasing their food, arts, and culture.

There are so many fresh vegetables, bananas, coconuts, and more! Unfortunately, my phone battery is at 20%, and I need to find a way to charge it because there’s a lot to take photos of. I’ve been trying to save my battery while looking for a place to charge.

I came across a unique coffee shop parked on the street in Kaamulan. It is strategically located at the back of the stage and is easily recognizable because it’s an old truck that was once used to carry sugarcane from the mountains. You might be wondering if it's moving? Yes, it still is! They traveled from Quezon, Bukidnon, all the way to Malaybalay, which is almost a 2-hour drive. The coffee shop is named DH100 Coffee Truck. Isn’t it amazing how they transformed the truck into a cozy café? They even decorated it with vintage items to complement the charming vibe.

Inside, it feels great! The barista is very friendly, and guess what? He’s also a talented singer! They host a nightly band, and all customers are welcome to join in and showcase their singing skills.

This man owns a coffee truck, and my sister knows him because she often visits his restaurant in Quezon. He is very friendly and accommodating. He loves to talk and shares with us why their coffee is the best, explaining the types of beans and milk they use.

He also expressed interest in adding meals to his menu, but due to limited space and water availability, he opted to focus on coffee at his location in Kaamulan. As many of you know, Kaamulan is a popular destination, attracting tourists during its month-long festival, making it a great opportunity for businesses.

After taking some pictures, I felt awkward about not ordering anything, so we decided to try one Spanish latte (which the owner recommended) and one tablea chocolate. The owner personally prepared our tablea order for the kids. Bringing kids to a coffee shop can be chaotic, with them running around and moving from one table to another. The space is quite small, but if you visit in a group, there are more tables available downstairs.

I also ordered puto bumbong with an overload of cheese, along with some suman, or sticky rice, which was also fantastic. I wasn't able to take a picture because the kids had devoured everything. Everything was delicious! The Spanish latte was just right—not too sweet and not too strong; I can confidently say it is the best Spanish latte I've ever tasted. Kudos to the team!

As we bid farewell to the owner, I wanted to express that our coffee experience was very enjoyable. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to explore all the stalls, as we still had a long journey ahead, and it was getting late.

Third stop: Valencia, Bukidnon

We arrived in Valencia, but first, we need to stop at Gaisano Grocery to buy some ingredients for the dishes we will be cooking in the evening. While we are inside the grocery store, I’m waiting for my sisters.
I am so happy because the kids are enjoying my company. They also love to pose for pictures. Guess what? This is our first grocery trip together, and I’m impressed that the kids didn’t pick any candies or junk food; we stuck to our grocery list. The only item they chose was four liters of distilled water. After this, we headed to Barangay Pinatilan to our brother's house and stayed there until the next day to visit his grave and offer a prayer

The view on the way to Barangay Pinatilan was awesome.

Next day, March 28, 2025

Today marks forty days since our late brother's passing and also our mother’s death anniversary. After this visit, we will return to Cagayan de Oro to visit our mother's grave. We offered prayers for my brother, asking him to leave this earth peacefully. An elderly woman, one of his colleagues from church, led the prayer. My brother, before he died, was part of a prayer community that visited homes whenever there was a vigil. He had no vices; he didn’t drink or smoke. He was a good brother and a great basketball and volleyball coach before he settled down and moved to Valencia.

Goodbye, brother. Go in peace; you are now with our Lord.

It's time for us to travel back to Cagayan de Oro (CDO) to visit our mom, as today also marks her death anniversary.

We stopped here because the weather was pleasant and windy, with the Philippine flag waving proudly. Additionally, today is the birthday of our dear former president, Rodrigo Duterte. This location is just outside Malaybalay City, and the monument was built by the Kuya and Ate of the Kaamulan Eagles Club.

After arriving in CDO, we went to Oro Garden in Lumbia, where we took a moment to capture a picture and offer flowers and candles. We didn’t stay long because the weather was starting to turn.

This concludes my blog, and I want to thank you for joining me. The weather can be unpredictable—one minute it’s sunny, and the next it’s cloudy. Life is much the same; it can be unpredictable. We need to appreciate and cherish the positive moments.

"Life is like the weather—unpredictable. When it is dark and miserable, we must have hope. But when it is warm and sunny, we must rejoice. We must embrace it and trust that its memory will sustain us when the rain comes again." - Adele Clee.