Upon arrival at the Laguindingan Airport, we could already catch a glimpse of the abundant nature that Northern Mindanao had in store for us.

As our van drove along its roads, a glance by the windows would often show fields stretched out as far as the eye could see. Occasionally, you’d spot a cow, goat, or carabao lounging around or eating grass. Once you arrive at the city proper of Cagayan de Oro, you’ll still feel glimpses of nature surrounding you as Macajalar Bay lingers nearby. To truly feel one with nature, we made our way even further off, visiting three destinations that highlight the beauties of CDO’s land and waters.

One of the unique ways to marvel over the vast spread of nature is by zipline. At the Dahilayan Adventure Park lies the longest dual zipline in Asia, at a whopping length of 840 meters. Taking this route is akin to flying, as you’ll be lying forward with your arms spread wide. If you find you’re not one for flight, the Razorback Mountain Coaster is an alternative for seeing the sights. This alpine coaster has you driving through a downhill pathway, giving you an up-close view of the park’s trees. For overnight stays, you can opt for a room at the Dahilayan Forest Park for a lodge cabin-style stay. There’s also a nearby diner, complete with a vintage car collection parked out front, to fuel your hunger.

At the Mapawa Nature Park, we were greeted by Bong Pelaez, a Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) member and the son of former vice president Emmanuel Pelaez. Their family has been caretakers of the park since they acquired it in the late ’50s. Since then, it has served as a testament to ecological tourism, allowing visitors to marvel over the countless trees and waterfalls within the area spanning over 1,813.33 hectares (18.13 sq. km). Bong was adamant about how nature is the best solution for flood control, discussing mostly how expanding forests can help deter storms. A major highlight of the park is the Cagayan de Oro Heritage Tree, a Dao tree believed to be over 200 years old. Getting a feel of its massive trunk shows just how marvelous our lands can be when left unbothered. Across it stands a balete tree, but fortunately, no kapre in sight. What makes the experience even more memorable is that for as low as ₱25, guests can leave their mark and plant their own tree. May all that we saw here outlive us and the multiple generations thereafter.

Perhaps the most thrilling bit of our Northern Mindanao adventure was the whitewater rafting experience offered by Kagay Whitewater Rafting. As intimidating as it sounds to casual travelers, our guide made the extreme experience rather beginner-friendly. Before sailing off, we were given a quick run-through of everything we needed to know and how to keep safe while having fun. Soon enough, we were making our way down the rapids and enjoying the views of CDO and Bukidnon. Our adventure lasted a little under two hours, as there were plenty of spots to stop by for photoshoots and the occasional swim. There’s nothing better than feeling the cool waters of the river as you gently float by.

This trip was part of a community-based tour organized by the TPB, in partnership with Aboitiz InfraCapital.