It was our second day in Northern Mindanao and Ran and I woke up early. It was not only because we would want to make the most out of the day. For one, we would be fetching friends from the airport as they will be joining us as we continue our Northern Mindanao adventures. Those friends are Clark and Guada, and Clark was the one who served as our host and guide when we visited Pangasinan.

The Province of Bukidnon either translates to highlands or mountain dweller in the Bukid language. Bukid itself means mountain, in contrast to the Tagalog word which generally refers to farm plains. The province is popular for its scenic mountain views and temperate climate, on top of its rich cultural and traditional heritage still preserved by the Lumad, the collective indigenous people of the highlands.

As Bukidnon is known for its awe-inspiring mountain views, it is only fitting that we start our exploration of the province by visiting the mountain ranges. This of course, if one does not count our inadvertent and unknowing crossing to Bukidnon when we visited Bolao Cold Spring the day prior. Our bad. A very beautiful bad.

From the airport, it took around a couple of hours and a half before we reached Payag, a roadside eatery which is the designated pick-up point for the habal-habal that would take us up to our destination, RotyPeaks Ridge Camp.

I actually booked our reservation to the camp through its website as early as September of 2025, four months before the trip. It was through the website that I learned that the road to RotyPeaks is still under development, and as such, only either mountain dirt bikes or 4×4 off road vehicles could transport visitors to the camp. When we got to Payag, however, the roadside was under repair, making it impossible for the car to park in the safer open lot next to the eatery. The habal-habal drivers hence told us to go and guided us to the Municipal Hall of Impasugong where we could leave the car safely and securely.

We did not have to wait to get to RotyPeaks to start our mountain adventures as the road to the ridge camp was an adventure in itself. Riding the dirt bikes through literal dirt roads that are steeply sloped was an exhilarating experience!

After 30 minutes through the rough road, we finally reached our breathtaking destination!

Warmth in coolth. The welcoming ambience of RotyPeaks Ridge Camp.

We registered with the reception desk upon arrival to the camp, placed our breakfast orders that had been prepaid, then proceeded to walk along the ridge. We were immediately stunned with the beauty of the place that we did not know where to start. It was bedazzling.

Nature, peace and quiet—intangible things that RotyPeaks offer.

Enjoying the mountain morning breeze.

Some minutes into our appreciation of the picturesque mountainscape before us, our breakfast were brought out. The food would seem typical Filipino breakfast, but there is really nothing typical with food served by the mountain edge, especially if the ingredients were locally grown and sourced. For our breakfast, we ordered two orders each of tocino and corned beef, with a dessert of binaki, a type of steamed corn sweet tamales cooked and served in corn husks.

We continued with our exploration of the ridge camp after our sumptuous breakfast. From where we had our breakfast which was located somewhat nearer the camp entrance, we walked further inside, seeing more of the Bukidnon mountain range. The exciting park came when we realized that we were literally standing on the ridge, with slopes on our either side, surrounded by a 360–degree view of the vast uplands.

The green-laden mountains basked under the golden sun.

We continued walking through the walkway on the top of the ridge until we reached a makeshift bamboo platform that offers a little more height for a better view. Of course, we did not let the chance pass without getting on the platform. It was a little rickety as it was exposed to the elements, but it was still sturdy enough to carry the two of us nonetheless.

The green-laden mountains basked under the golden sun.

At around 11:30 AM, the sun was already showing strength. That was the sign that it was time to head back to the main area of the ridge camp, and eventually, descend the mountains. on our way back though, some more pictures that would always remind us of our wonderful experience in the Bukidnon highlands.

According to its website, RotyPeaks Ridge Camp did not begin as a destination. It was, at first, just a place—quiet, unassuming, and shared among a few who sought refuge in the ridges of Bukidnon. There were no structures to welcome visitors, no signboards to announce its presence; only hammocks, conversations, and the slow passing of time under an open sky. What it became was not the result of sudden discovery, but of gradual sharing.

As more people found their way to the ridge, RotyPeaks took on a different role. It grew, not in excess, but in purpose. What was once a simple retreat turned into a source of livelihood for the surrounding community, particularly for those who now guide, transport, and sustain the experience for others. Yet even in its growth, it held on to what made it meaningful in the first place: the quiet, the distance, the feeling of being somewhere not meant to be hurried.

Perhaps that is its story. Not one of origin, but of intention. A place that did not seek to be found, but remained open enough for those willing to find it.