My trip to Bukidnon, Philippines, was the most unexpected trip I took last year. I never noticed it would be realized because we never planned it ahead of time. We were just making it as a joke to visit my friend's family to get something, and I told her I would love to go with her, then she agreed immediately. But then, traveling to a place would be easy if we didn't have to plan that long. If you have the guts and you have the budget, then we should go and explore.
When we arrive at the place, the weather is not so good. Sometimes, the rain will just pour for that long, then we cannot go out to our planned destinations. Nevertheless, we are still blessed that we have her friends' families who adopted us for a week. So, the food and lodging budget was cut off.
When the sun came up one day, we quickly prepared our things for the trip. Our first stop is to visit the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
From our destination, we need to travel for almost 58 km, or one and a half hours, to reach the place. The travel seems so long, so we need to have packed food and water for our kids and the elderly with us.
When we reached the place, I was amazed. The solemnity, the greenery around, and the unique pyramid style of the church welcomed us.
While we were parking the van outside, this is the total picture of the place. There is a unique pyramid structure in the middle surrounded by green trees and alluring Bermuda grasses.
When I get nearer, something stops me from reaching the top. It's their Bonsai plants! As you go up the stairs, to witness the real beauty of the hidden structure, you will see these attractive bonsai plants being placed on the left and right sides.
These Bonsai plants bring magic to all the visitors visiting this holy place. To get a close picture of the bonsai plant, I get near to it. And this is what I've got. The unique structure of a bonsai plant.
These two Bonsai plants above amaze me the most. Their fully grown green leaves look stunning. The artistic cuttings of the leaves show the creativity of a gardener.
Walking towards the center, I find myself at peace. The green trees around bring fresh air, and the spacious ground gives total satisfaction to the eyes. You can rest for a while sitting on the ground. But unfortunately, we cannot sit on the ground because when we arrive, it was too hot outside.
This pyramid structure monastery was originally established in 1983, but the new church was completed in 1996. It was designed by National Artist Leandro Locsin, who was inspired by the Ifugao Nipa Huts. It was a Roman Catholic monastery complex run by the Benedictine Monks. Its structure is unique, from its tiled rooftop to its glass walls and its modern pillars.
As you get inside, you can feel the peace and solemnity of the place. You can pass through their glass doors from a different corner. The wood structures above show the magical transformation of the church.
The big stone in front serves as the altar of the church. Above the altar, you can see a metal cross.
As you look closer, there are also carved designs on its wood above.
If you are looking for a place where you can reflect with God and nature, this is a perfect spot for you. A place for peaceful prayer and silent reflection.
I was so lucky to witness this one-of-a-kind peaceful place. Thanks to my friend's cousin, who insisted on visiting this holy place.
If you want to visit the place, you can check through Google Maps or Waze for the exact directions for easy access. Though the monastery is a little bit far from the highway, the road is cemented and accessible by whatever mode of transportation. Dress in proper attire so that you can get inside the holy place.
That's all for today's blog, my dear friends. I hope you find time to read and upvote my blog. Keep safe, everyone.
Have a nice day 😊