Nonchalant at the Norfolk Lorega of Bukidnon

Picture a picturesque place here in Mindanao where the air is fresh and nippy, where fogs envelop lofty mountains, where pine trees adorn the lush surroundings and, chances are, Bukidnon would most likely come to mind. Found in the northern part of the country’s second largest island, the landlocked province has practically everything I'd like to experience during a quick weekend wandering up there in the highlands.

Here’s a place where weekend warriors like you and I can be carefree and nonchalant about life and the cares of the world, even for just a few hours. Here’s a place where I would definitely—if and when I have the wherewithal to spare—build a cabin in the woods, a hideaway where I can hide whenever life weighs me down with its twists and turns. And if I were to choose the ideal location for my humble shack, the village of Lorega would be it. 

Located in the town of Kitaotao, Lorega is fast turning into a “village of mountain resorts” where city slickers can spend a day or two hibernating in any of the highland sanctuaries found there—Adrian and Alice’s Place, Alta Monte, Cicada Hills, Highway 81, Seagull Mountain Resort, among others.

Recently, my friends and I made it to one of the newest destinations in the village—the Norfolk Lorega, a two-storey villa whose appellation, I surmise, must have been named after those evergreens from Norfolk, an island in the vastness of the Pacific Ocean. Native to the island, the pine is a key export, being a popular ornamental tree on mainland Australia and the rest of the world. 

It was through some coworkers that I first learned about the Norfolk Lorega. Seeing some pictures which they shared online, I was instantly smitten by the simple yet scenic resort. Wasting no time, I readily contacted my fellow weekend warriors and invited them for a weekend spree in Lorega. To my delight, several of them signified their intention to join the trek—Jacques, Bong, Joel, Marisa, Cheryl and Letty. We missed Butch, Jerson, Manoy and the rest of the gang who didn’t make it. 

It was a cloudy Saturday when we hit the road to Lorega. The spur-of-the-moment escapade was a much-anticipated gathering for us because it’s been a while since our last get-together. It was a two-hour drive along winding roads with rough stretches but I didn’t mind the distance because I was having a grand time laughing at the funny stories of my two passengers.

The resort's furry receptionists

Around lunch time, the three of us reached Lorega while the others came later in the afternoon. And guess who helped the caretaker usher us into the resort? A couple of nice-looking labrador retrievers, Pressy and Messy, (I hope I got their names right.) who happen to be the resort's adorable and amiable receptionists! 

Why head for the hills? Well, we felt the need for some cool mountain air and the comfort of each other’s company. We do this once in a while because we want to nurture and preserve our friendship which has stood the test of time. 

For me, my friends are a source of strength, comfort and inspiration. Having these people I can trust and rely on has helped me through the bad times and has made the good times even better. I’ve known these fellows since college—never mind the year!—and their presence has always made life all the more worth living.

When they’re around, I can be as laid-back, indulgent and nonchalant as I can be. Mind you, these crazy bunch, my fellow college debaters, with their wit and humor (hmmm, should I add sarcasm?), not to mention the camaraderie we’ve managed to sustain, has kept me from going crazy all these years! 

And the Norfolk Lorega turned out to be the ideal scenic place for another reunion of sorts for us. We were fortunate that the mountain resort had no other bookings that week—the place was ours for the taking! Thanks to Jacques who has this knack for tinkering with electronics, we were able to hook his portable karaoke device with the resort’s TV and sound system. Left to our devices, we spent the rest of the afternoon (up to late in the evening) talking, laughing, eating, drinking and singing to our hearts’ content!

Dusk at the resort

Designed for group gatherings, the Norfolk Lorega is about as group-friendly as they come. Visitors of all ages can engage in a plethora of activities to while away time. It has several amenities, including a swimming pool (with cold spring water!), volleyball and basketball courts, a ping-pong table, a TV set, sound system, among others.  It also has a large kitchen area with some basic appliances and cookware where groups can prepare their meals.

Seeing those Norfolk pines scattered all over the resort can be a delight to the senses for those who seek solace for their sagging spirits. Walking around a vast expanse surrounded with evergreens can be therapeutic, so I heard. Alone with those trees can work wonders to the soul. Mind you, those pine trees not only smell sharp and sweet, they’re also the perfect backdrops for those fond of taking and posting pics on social media—either selfies, duofies, or groupfies!

Truly, the resort is an ideal venue for silence and solitude. A time alone to think and be as one pleases, with no intrusions, however, is such a difficult feat to accomplish these days. Not only because we are social creatures by nature, but the demands of family and work make it difficult for us to spend time alone with ourselves. With the world reduced to a global village, detachment is nearly impossible these days.

Still, if there’s any chance coming my way in the future, I’d certainly love to come back to that resort on the hills of Lorega where I can be nonchalant as I please. This time, I’ll make sure it’s a solo sojourn—yes, without my dear, crazy buddies!—if only to smell those Norfolk pines, speak to myself and seek solace in the arms of nature.  😍😍😍

High in the Highlands of Davao City (Part 2)

Getting high in the highlands—it's the ultimate form of fun and frolic that you should try (if you haven’t) whenever you have the chance to do so. Whether you clamor for a bucolic locale to escape the chaos and confusion of the lowlands or crave for a weekend rendezvous with nature, you have numerous options waiting for you in the mountainous outskirts of Davao City.

A glimpse of the sea of clouds in the mountains of Marilog

Weekend warriors who’ve made it to the city would surely agree that Davao’s highlands count among the most interesting destinations when you’re exploring the homeland of the country’s national bird. Pine-scented air, placid mountains, plenteous forests—all these connive to make the city’s highlands among the perfect destinations for a weekend escapade.

A few blogposts ago, I’ve featured some of these highland hideaways, which I’ve visited myself. For more on this, see my post at

http://scorpio-sojourn.blogspot.com/2013/04/high-in-highlands-of-davao-city.html. Here are two more that I’ve explored recently, both of which lie in the fringes of the city, waiting for intrepid tourists to explore them.

Jive Highland Resort. Neatly tucked in the village of Datu Salumay in Marilog District, Jive offers the ultimate highland hideaway for those who want to recover a part of themselves they’ve lost in the daily grind. Endowed with natural wonders, the resort is one of the best places in the uplands where city slickers can reconnect with nature and experience a state of serenity that they probably have difficulty finding in the city.

The natural falls in Jive

Relax in the quiet nooks of Jive

A sprawling 30-hectare property (of which only 10 hectares have been developed), Jive boasts of two natural waterfalls and a cave, a lush forest of pine trees and mountain vistas.  Strolling, swimming, spelunking and sleeping under the stars are just a few of the numerous activities that outdoor enthusiasts can do there.

The mountain resort has the following amenities: the A-House, which can accommodate 5-6 people; the Red House (Baloi Malalab), which can house 10-12 people; the Blue House (Baloi Makalawag); and the Yellow House (Baloi Mailum), both of which can provide shelter to 10-15 people. It also has a five-door dormitory good for 6-8 people.

Fed up with the madness of the rat race in the city, the chaos of traffic jams in the streets or the babel of endless chatters in crowded bars, malls and plazas? Then head for the hills and step into the realm of serenity that Jive offers to its guests. By the way, the resort is just a two-hour drive away from the urban jungle. And it’s definitely worth hitting the road if only to experience a different kind of high. 

When you get to Jive, clear your mind and detach yourself from the rest of the world. Go offline, unplug yourself, and commune with Mother Nature. Listen and get high with her soothing rhymes and rhythms—the swoosh of cool, pine-scented air, the rustling of tree leaves, the rumbling of the waterfalls, the murmuring of the flowing stream, the chirping of birds, and much, much, more.  

Commune with nature in the vastness of pine forests

Hills View Mountain Villa. As El Nino continues to unleash its scorching madness everywhere, including the lowlands, I guess it’s not only me who’s been wanting to escape to the mountains if only to experience something that would chill their nerves—just to get rid of the wet and sticky feeling and feel refreshed even for just a day. If you want to experience nippy days and cold nights this summer, Hills View is the place for you. 

Hills View, a white-house perched on top of a hill, offers visitors a breathtaking view of the mountain ranges found in Marilog District the moment they climbed the so-called “stairway to heaven”, a flight of wooden stairs that leads to a view deck where nature lovers can catch the sun rising and going down the surrounding hills.

The villa's popular viewdeck

Found a few kilometers away from Jive, the two-storey villa, which can accommodate about 20 people, was once a privately-owned rest house sprawling on a 10-hectare mountainous terrain in Datu Salumay. The owners, however, decided to open it to the public, enabling lovers of the great outdoors to catch a 360-degree glimpse of the awesome landscape set amidst mountains, valleys and pine-trees.

It was one of my friends who convinced our group to hold a mini-reunion at the villa for one of our Manila-based buddies who was coming home for a weeklong summer holiday. I guess the resort had all of us at hello the moment we laid eyes at the awesome view up there.  



Other than spending quality time with family and friends by basking in the beauty of the natural vistas, there’s not much to experience in Hills View. For those who want to make the most out of their stay there, they need to be in the villa from sunup to sundown if only to experience a different kind of natural high. 

Undoubtedly, the mystical sea of clouds and the changing colors of the skies at sunrise and sunset makes that hideaway a cozy place to commune with nature and be close to the One who created it.

Magnificent view of the sea of clouds

Hills View also has a wide veranda that offers a commanding view of the exhilarating mountain scenery—probably one of the best places to sip your favorite brew, catch up on your reading, eat your favorite brekkie or brunch or simply reflect on the magnificence of God’s creations.  

Caveat: Not everybody seemed to have a nice time up there. Recently, I’ve read about some negative reviews concerning Hills View, particularly, the security risks lurking there. I’d rather not elaborate on this. I leave it up to those interested to visit the place to research more about this before going there. Remember that being forewarned is being forearmed.

Weekend warriors, the choice is yours. Get high but choose wisely. :-D