Backpacking Philippines: Monastery of the Transfiguration in Malaybalay, Bukidnon

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Flight chronicles of the backpacker Tutubi, with travelogues, pictures/photos/videos, travel guides, independent and honest reviews, affordable, recommended resorts and hotels (including inns, guesthouses, pension houses, lodges, hostels, condotels, bed and breakfast and other cheap accommodations), commuting guides, routes (sometimes street maps and GPS coordinates/waypoints) and driving directions to answer "how to get there" questions, information and tips on tourism, budget travel and living in Philippines, Exotic Asia and beyond!

Backpacking, independent travel, and flashpacking are cheaper than the "cheapest package tours" and promotional offers around but you can also use travel information for family vacations, even romantic honeymoon destinations.

More than the usual tourist spots and "places to see," this blog advocates heritage conservation, environmental protection, and history awareness for Filipinos, foreigners, and ex-pats wishing to explore Paradise Philippines and Exotic Asia!

Monastery of the Transfiguration in Malaybalay, Bukidnon

Nestled on the slopes of Malaybalay City, hidden by trees and hills planted with coffee, the famed monastery of the Benedictine Monks called Monastery of Transfiguration's chapel was designed by the late National Artist Leandro Locsin.

Picture of the monastery shaped like a pyramid

It's here in the serene environment where Benedictine monks devote to a vow of silence and a life of continued prayer. They farm rice, corn, peanuts, soya beans and coffee and do spiritual reading. The facility is a spiritual center perfect for retreats where you can hear the monks sing in Latin during matin and vesper prayers.

History of the Monastery of Transfiguration

Opened in 1885 by Spanish Benedictine monks for missionary work, mission was aborted when the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine-American War broke out. It was re-established by the Abbey of our Lady of Monserrat in 1981. Two years later the foundation by the Benedictine Abbey, the Monastery of the Transfiguration was inaugurated 1986.

Trivia: It's in the hills around the Monastery where Monks' Blend coffee originates.

Monastery of the Transfiguration,
Address: San Jose, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon,
P.O. Box 11.
Tel. No.: +63.88.221.2373

Mass Schedules:
Daily masses at 5:20am
Sunday Mass at 8am with the famous boys choi

How to get to Malaybalay, Bukidnon:

There are no direct flights to Bukidnon, so you need to book flights to Cagayan de Oro (CDO) or take ferries going there from various other ports. From airport or pier, hire a taxi to take you to CDO Agora Bus Terminal (this is quite far about 15 kilometers) then commute by bus to Davao (via Malaybalay) or Valencia, Bukidnon (buses leave the terminal every 30 minutes). The two hour trip that passes by Del Monte pineapple plantations and the zigzag roads of the plains and breathtaking terrain and Mt. Kitanglad (ideal for trekking/hiking). In Malaybalay, you will need a motorcycle or a car to take you as there is no public transport to take you to the place on a hill.

UPDATED: April 17, 2008

Labels: Bukidnon, Churches, Malaybalay City, Northern Mindanao

posted by GingGoy @ 9:21 AM,

11 Comments:

At May 30, 2008, 4:41:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Sorry, but I think you meant Del Monte plantations. DOLE's plantation is in Polomolok. :-)
At May 30, 2008, 9:34:00 PM, GingGoy said...: dylan, you're right. thanks for pointing that out...already corrected it.
At Aug 20, 2008, 9:17:00 AM, Unknown said...: actually, DOLE plantation not only found in one place here in Philippines. we have also dole plantation here in bukidnon. If you think about del monte plantation, then you cannot actually pass their because its very far from the national highway. it should not be corrected especially if youre not yet gone in the place...
At Aug 20, 2008, 9:18:00 AM, Unknown said...: actually, DOLE plantation not only found in one place here in Philippines. we have also dole plantation here in bukidnon. If you think about del monte plantation, then you cannot actually pass their because its very far from the national highway. it should not be corrected especially if youre not yet gone in the place...
At Aug 20, 2008, 9:25:00 AM, Unknown said...: actually, DOLE plantation not only found in one place here in Philippines. we have also dole plantation here in bukidnon. If you think about del monte plantation, then you cannot actually pass their because its very far from the national highway. it should not be corrected especially if youre not yet gone in the place...
At Aug 20, 2008, 9:26:00 AM, Unknown said...: actually, DOLE plantation not only found in one place here in Philippines. we have also dole plantation here in bukidnon. If you think about del monte plantation, then you cannot actually pass their because its very far from the national highway. it should not be corrected especially if youre not yet gone in the place...
At Sep 16, 2008, 4:56:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Hi! My friends and will be visiting Malaybalay City from CDO. Is it possible to go inside the Del Monte Plantation? Thanks :-)
At Sep 16, 2008, 10:08:00 PM, GingGoy said...: coffee, yes, you can go inside del monte. we went there to take pictures but i that was film days...don't have scanned copies yet and mostly crappy :P
At Oct 14, 2008, 8:55:00 AM, Anonymous said...: widner is right the DOLE plantations are many which can be seen in the different parts of the country.........:-}
At Apr 10, 2011, 5:56:00 PM, Anonymous said...: hello po...pwede po ask kung how much po ang fare sa motorcyle papuntang monastery...?
At Apr 29, 2011, 9:45:00 PM, Anonymous said...: I miss the place I had a great time in this monastery...I miss the chants of the monks and the way Bro.Dom Pacho gave us wisdom..I miss the exprerience...

Monastery of the Transfiguration in Malaybalay, Bukidnon

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