The Monastery of Transfiguration, San Jose, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon
After a looooong 15 hours of journey from Cantilan, Surigao del Sur I arrived here at the Monastery of the Transfiguration without any single complain about the more-than-half-day land trip. I think I tried almost all land transport vehicles in the Philippines from buses to habal-habal. What carried me through the journey was the promise of rest and the peace within.
Here are three photos that can somehow reflect what I’m experiencing here today:
Candle-lit reflection
Father Elias told me that there’s a scheduled 1-hour brownout every 6:30pm so he gave me this candle to pierce the darkness. After settling in, I started to read my fave reflection book- “Dare to Journey with Henri Nouwen” by Charles Ringma. Really good book to balance all my heart-pumping adventures while on the road.
Chilly morning breeze and dewy grass
The schedule says I have to wake up 3:30am to join the morning prayer. I slept at 8:00pm and was awake by 3 o’clock. After the mass, I went out and was greeted by a chilly and cloudy sunrise. What a quick change of view from sea to the summit.
I speak ☮ to you…
The Monastery of the Transfiguration is known for its exquisite “Monk’s Blend Coffee.” I’m sure you have tasted Selecta’s Coffee Crumble. They used the coffee beans the monks themselves harvested here in Bukidnon for that. As a coffee-lover I’m ecstatic with the aroma this cup gives and can I say it taste like heaven? And ohhh before I forget, I speak PEACE to all who read this blog as I have experienced peace right here.
Posi+ive vibration to everyone!
I end with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson that can summarize my Mindanao sojourn,
“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.”
For more of Bukidnon, you can check my previous blogs below:
Short Trek to Bukidnon’s Provincial Tree Park
Bukidnon: Zipline Crazy Philippines?
Bukidnon: What Does A Backpacker Do In A Golf Club?
Coordinates: 8°06’40.76″N, 125°08’12.60″E
Elevation: 1,758 ft
Date: September 5-7, 2013
Quickie Section is my shortest blog feature where I just post 3 photos with a short caption or a snippet. Made especially for those who don’t want to read.
The best way to reach Malaybalay City and the Monastery of the Tranfiguration is via a flight to CDO.
Cebu Pacific Air flies to Cagayan de Oro City from Manila, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Davao and Zamboanga. For bookings and inquiries, go to www.cebupacificair.com or call (02)7020-888. The latest seat sales and promos can be found on Cebu Pacific Air’s official Twitter (@CebuPacificAir) and Facebook pages (/cebupacificair).
Bukidnon ha banuwa ku dini ka ta pusung ku! Thanks for visiting Bukidnon, my home <3
i love bukidnon. wanna explore more, like towns that are not on the tourists trail
Wow! Your adventures always inspire me James! 😀
thank you chad. taking a break from badass adventures to be in solitude and in tune of myself
love their goodies and coffee too. 🙂 Aside from the Monastery of Transfiguration, there’s another monastery in Malaybalay – The Carmelites. 🙂 Bukidnon is such a big, lovely province. There are caves and waterfalls there too, just ask the locals.