Mindanao always left me in awe. After sharing stunning mountains, waterfalls, and nature views here on Hive in my Mt. Apo Trek and in my Alamada travel blog series, it's time that I'll shift to Mindanao travel blog series as I'm going to showcase this beautiful and wonderful land of the Philippines by starting with the unexpected yet enjoyable side trip we had in Pangantucan, Bukidnon Philippines.
Mindanao has been my second home since my childhood where occasionally I come to visit some of my mother's family members in Kidapawan, North Cotabato, however, it was still recently that I have come to explore some neighboring provinces of it.
I was astonished by everything I saw while traveling by bus as I passed by Bukidnon before, moreover when people started sharing their travel experiences and the beauty of Bukidnon on social media. It was then I started checking out Bukidnon last 2018 when I, together with my cousins visited Dahilayan Adventure Park, I would not be talking about it on this blog though, but at some other time, as today, I'll be sharing my recent re-visit to Bukidnon this March 2023.
Pangantucan, Bukidnon is also known for its neighboring mountain ranges of Mt. Kalatungan and Mt. Wiji climbing destinations where @mariasalve, and @ybanezkim26, have already explored. Oh! it's actually where they got @ybanezkim26 nickname in our mountaineering group, the SMS, as Kim Kala-Wiji since we are two Kims in the circle, lol!
photocourtesy to @ybanezkim26
Although I am not taking you to these peaks today, I will still bring you to the mountains of Pangantucan and show you how its mountain ranges look from their community as below.
Visiting Pangantucan is a work with pleasure, "work" for Kuya Engr. Michael for government projects, meeting the Barangay Captains (community leaders in the smallest local government territorial and administrative district in the Philippines), while "pleasure" for us, Ate Leneil, Kuya Micheal's wife and her mom Mommy Tita, together with my cousins Abegail and James.
(left to right: Kim, James, Mommy Tita, Ate Leneil, Abby)
This stroll was actually unexpected, as we are just tagging along Kuya Michael's errand, and it was then his comrades referred as to check out the spring resorts in the locality (which I already knew as I searched in the internet the tourists destinations in the place the night when it was scheduled that we are going to Pangantucan, act of an avid traveler, lol!)
We rode a trike which they called as "rila", we paid 30 pesos per head (less than a dollar) for us to reach the place where the two spring resorts are located. The view on the way was stunning! we were accompanied by the mountains and hills on the side together with the lush green trees and crops of the locals. Mommy Tita was even convincing to get some guava fruits in the guava trees that we passed along, which she told the rila driver to stop so she can pick some, lol! That was kind of fun for us, as we were teasing her all the way.
What's even funnier is upon arriving at the place, she immediately walked away from us as she saw a guava tree and asked the local if she can get some, lol!
And being so supportive, we helped here get some and we eat along with her. And more, I even climbed up to get some guava for the group, lol!
As we were still contemplating on which spring resort we will be checking out, I fly my drone to see which resort is a must-to-visit, shall I say I did an aerial ocular? And good enough, I saw that MGG resort had a better view so we decided to check it.
The entrance fee of the resort is at 80.00 pesos per head (around 1.5 dollar) for adults and half the price for kids, however, there is no attendant during the day of our visit although there are some resort caretakers. MGG Resort is own by a political tycoon of Pangantucan which Kuya Michael are doing business with. The resort caretakers let us in after knowing that the owner knows us (our cousin actually), political affiliation works. We don’t have a plan to use the resort amenities though, we just want to stroll around while waiting for Kuya Michael.
The resort houses several spring pools as their barangay is very abundant with spring waters. The resort is very cozy and honestly, it was naturally beautiful, nature matched with man-made features it was so cool! At the same time, I imagine how cold swimming into the pool as we dipped our feet into waters and felt the chill of the spring waters.
They have cottages for rent for family and friends gathering and outings, room for rent for overnight stay amounting to 3,500 to 4,000 pesos (around 70 dollars) and two main swimming pools. Additionally, they also have swimming pools for Koi which enjoy so much watching while strolling around.
As we tried to dip our feet, they come over the stone below the bridge and swam in circle, they were so pretty and fun to look at as they were playing around swimming in circles.
As for my review, I’ll give this resort a 4.5 Stars.
After strolling around, we felt like eating but unfortunately, they don’t serve foods that day, and as we asked the caretakers if the other resort have a canteen, they honestly answered us with a yes. So, we moved out after strolling around and checked out the other resort.
Ambrosia Waters is also highlighted for there spring swimming pools, they have three big pools with cottages, canteen and karaoke machines for rent. Amazingly, they houses the river inside their premises which I believe is the source of the spring water of their swimming pools.
There is nothing fancy inside the resort but the chilly cold swimming pools which the other big pool has twin slides that kids may enjoy during a family gate away. Indeed, there is a set of guests having a dip during that day of our visit.
We haven’t roamed around the premises, but my drone did! As my family was getting busy eating, I was busy having a flight. Well, I could say that the resort has also its own kind of beauty but in my opinion, the cleanliness wasn’t much maintained however, I could also see that it is under continuing construction and development.
The entrance fee of the resort is 100.00 pesos (around 2 dollars) and free of charge for kids not more than 4ft. They also rent out tables and cottages at 100 pesos to 1,000 pesos. Moreover, they can also rent out the resort for exclusive use amounting to 2,500 pesos for weekdays and 3,000 for weekends.
As for my review, I’ll give it a 3-stars-rating.
As a wrap, I could say that Pangantucan has also its kind of beauty to boast together with the other a-must-to-visit places in Bukidnon.
Thanks for strolling with us today, and don’t forget to follow me here on Hive to see the next beautiful destination in Bukidnon I will be sharing on this Mindanao travel blog series.
About the Author
Hi! I am Kim- The Strolling Mind.
I love to travel, I have been traveling in my beautiful country- Philippines, and some Asian countries, as well. My pleasure to share them here in Hive.
I believe that our mind is so powerful that anything we think is anything we can reach and achieve.
It is our mind that'll lead us to where we are heading to, so....