Visiting Dahilayan, Bukidnon Not for Adventure but for a Wedding

Over the past weekend, I flew all the way from Cebu City to Bukidnon, a province in the Philippines to attend the wedding of one of my closest cousins. This wedding was kind of unique from the weddings of my relatives since it was not done in our hometown, Iligan City. Also, my cousin and his wife and their families were also not from Bukidnon, but rather from Manila. Why would they fly everyone and decided to have their wedding in Bukidnon? I never got the chance to ask them about it but I guess I'll just lay out in this post.

DAHILAYAN is situated at Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon, a province in the Philippines at a higher altitude. This place is very well-known for its adventure park boasting two 840m ziplines and drop zones. From Cebu City, you can take an hour's flight to Cagayan De Oro and then take a pre-arranged van or shuttle going to Dahilayan directly. I have been to this park a few years back and have tried their amazing rides. However, this time, we didn't get the chance to take rides due to the unpleasant weather and we spent most of our time for the wedding.

Reasons why you should have your Wedding in Dahilayan

Amazing View of Nature

Little did I know, Dahilayan hosts several lodging and stay houses not just in the adventure park. my cousin's wedding was hosted in Dahilayan Gardens and Resort. This resort is a 5-minute drive from the adventure park and it kind of has a different vibe from the park. It features an AMAZING view of the mountains, ridges, pine trees, and many more. They have a beautiful garden for weddings and events as well.

Dahilayan Gardens and Resort also have villas and cottages for a staycation. Their cottages are distant from one another which means you would really enjoy the privacy and peacefulness of the area.

Breath of Fresh Air

Pine trees, less pollution, high altitude, and cold weather - are some of the characteristics of a breath of fresh air. Away from stress, away from the hustling and bustling of the concrete jungle. It kinda made me reminisce about my time in Michigan during winter when the air is fresh and cold, and the smell of pine trees is so good that would let me forget about the stress in life.

Adventure Parks

Since Dahilayan is very known for its adventure park, having a wedding and enjoying the park would be a great way of hitting two birds at the same time, right? Especially if you are not from Bukidnon and have been wanting an exhilarating experience. They also have playgrounds perfect for letting kids be kids.

For sure there are more reasons why my cousin and his wife chose such an amazing venue for their wedding. Most importantly, their love is real, and we as his family are happy to witness their union in front of our Lord. Here are some photos I took during the weeding, as a groomsman.

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After the Wedding...

Pinegrove Mountain Lodge

My mom's side of the family is huge so we have to scatter. Some have stayed in pension houses, some on other resorts, but in our case, we stayed in Pinegrove Mountain Lodge. It is the accommodation in the Dahilayan Adventure Park. My aunt rented 2 barkada rooms good for 8 people and a family room for 6 people for 2 days. I've heard from my other cousin that it cost my aunt P36,000 for that (sheeshh!).

The area is amazing - peaceful, and cold, and provides an in-another-country-feels. They do have a restaurant with an indoor fireplace. My nieces and nephew enjoyed the indoor fireplace but I didn't get the chance to join because I was with my Kuya Earl and Ate Garleth, my cousins-in-law, drinking booze HAHAHAHA!

It was for sure a memorable night of drinking beer. Kuya Earl even asked some off-duty employees in their restaurant to buy us a case of beer since their restaurant doesn't sell Red Horse beers. Jan, my cousin who just got hitched, and her wife, together with their friends joined us also. It was funny how Kuya Earl repeatedly ranted about some people at the wedding bashing his experience about delayed flights, paying for his own dinner, and some miscommunications with the wedding time. We just have to laugh it out though hahahaha! Since Dahilyan is a very remote area, so there is no public transportation especially if it's past midnight. Kuya Earl, who is raised and has been in the States for years and just got back in the Philippines had to drive Jan and wifey back to Dahilayan Gardens and Resort. Even though it was just a 5-minute drive, it was through a very dark road and an unfamiliar place, not to mention we had some alcohol in our system. I don't know why but they do little to no lamp posts on their roads. HAHAHA! Good thing we were able to return back to Pinegrove Mountain Lodge safe and sound. It was for sure one for the books!

Spending time with my relatives in the province will always be amazing especially if you're own family is broken. See you on my next post, Hiveans! Thank you!