The View from the Famous Two Trees

As a resident of this amazing city, I could not be argued that I know about the "Two Trees" which locals called the certain part of a hill in which only 2 tall trees stand visible from the city proper.

The 2 Trees as viewed from the trail leading to it.

(The trail starting at Gawad Kalinga, Brgy. 9)

The Two Trees is a part of the Provincial Tree Park of Bukidnon, which the Northern Entrance is at the Kaamulan Grounds and its Southern Entrance is at Gawad Kalinga (also known as Capitol Village), Barangay 9. The Park is traversed by the Kalawaig River, a tributary of Sawaga River, the major river of Malaybalay City (except in the Upper Pulangi District where the Pulangi River reigns), which starts at Barangay 1.

The Gawad Kalinga route to the Two Trees

I was 3rd Year High School when I had my last climb to the 2 Trees, and after 5 years I noticed many changes. The cemented trail until the "Mountain Gate" as I call it. The grasses were so tall now and the trail has become narrower.

The trail ascending the Two Trees

The once broad paved road now became more like a trail.

Finally, my friends and I reached the Two Trees. It is roughly a 30-45 minute hike depending on the pace of the hiker. Once at the top, BOOM!!!! a breath taking view of Malaybalay City proper including some parts of Barangays Casisang and Sumpong! It's like Malaybalay City is at the foot of the majestic Kitanglad Range, home of the 2nd, 4th and 8th highest peaks in the country.

The view of Malaybalay City at Two Trees

The pine trees that were still short 5 years ago starts to overlap the view. In the future it may be called More Fun Trees (just my joke opinion but it could be). While we're astonished by the view of the city, I turn to my back and was also amazed by the serendipity of Sitio Tigbawan, part of Barangay Can-ayan. The wide fields and the simplicity of living makes it serene.

These are the different sites while on two trees:

The pine trees that used to be short the last time I climbed 5 years ago

Southern Part of Tigbawan

Central Part of Tigbawan overlooking the tall Barangay Kibalabag Mountains

Northern Part of Tigbawan

Sitio Tigbawan Proper

Its amazing how such a place existed behind the mountains of the city proper. Yet many leave their trash behind. We packed ours and went for our descend.

A flower I saw at Two Trees

The Two Trees as seen from the paved road

My friends descending back to Gawad Kalinga

The Bukidnon Provincial Tree Park is a wonder inside Malaybalay City,  but the maintenance is lacking. I hope the Park will be more preserved soon.

*Our ascend took place last May 6, 2012.

#Teletubbies

Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

City of Malaybalay Dakbayan sa Malaybalay
Bukidnon provincial capitol
Seal
Nickname(s): Cool Place, Warm People; South Summer Capital of the Philippines; City in the Forest
Map of Bukidnon showing the location of Malaybalay City
Country	Philippines
Region	Region X
Province	Bukidnon
District	2nd District
Barangays	46
Incorporated (town)	October 19, 1907
Incorporated (city)	February 11, 1998
Government
• Mayor	Ignacio W. Zubiri
• Vice Mayor	Victor P. Aldeguer
Area
• Total	984.38 km2 (380.07 sq mi)
Elevation[1]	622 m (2,041 ft)
Population (2010)
• Total	153, 085
• Density	146/km2 (379/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	8700
Area code(s)	88
Website	www.malaybalaycity.gov.ph

The City of Malaybalay (Filipino: Lungsod ng Malaybalay; Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Malaybalay), dubbed as the "South Summer Capital of the Philippines", is a first class component city and the capital and administrative center of the province of Bukidnon,Philippines. The city is bordered north by Impasug-ong; west by Lantapan; south byValencia City and San Fernando; and east by Cabanglasan and Agusan del Sur. According to the 2010 Census of Population by the National Statistics Office (NSO) the city is inhabited by 153, 085 residents.

When Spanish explorers came to the central portion of the province in the late 18th century, they inquired as to the name of the town. The people replied in Cebuano"walay balay", which means "no house". The Spaniards mispronounced the name and repeated it as "Malaybalay".

It was formerly part of the province of Misamis Oriental as a municipal district in the late 19th century. When the special province of Agusan and its sub-province (Bukidnon) was created in 1907, Malaybalay was designated as the capital ofBukidnon. It was then formally established as a municipality on October 19, 1907 and was created into a city on February 11, 1998 by virtue of R.A. 8490.

Malaybalay City is the venue of the Kaamulan Festival, held annually from mid-February to March 10.