My Mom recently arrived here in the Philippines. She spent Thanksgiving here, and will spend Christmas with us too. She has actually visited us in the Philippines three times now, and she enjoys it here, I think. Funny, because she always swore that she would never come here. She said it was too hot here for her to handle. I had to get seriously ill before she decided to make a visit!
Anyway, as I said, my Mom is very sensitive to extreme heat, and thus feared visiting the Philippines. It is indeed very hot here! I had a little surprise for her over the weekend, though. We took her for a drive up into the mountains in Bukidnon. It’s quite cool up there! It gets pretty foggy sometimes, I have even been told that there has been ice on the road at times in the past, but I don’t know for certain. Anyway, we stopped at a place called Seagull Mountain Resort and had lunch there. This place has beautiful grounds with lots of different kinds of plants and flowers growing around the place. At this time of year, their poinsettias were absolutely spectacular in full bloom. These aren’t potted poinsettias either, they are large bushes planted in the ground. With the cool weather they really thrive up there!
Anyway, my point here is that the Philippines has more than just hot weather. There are various types of climates in the country. If you like cool weather, try Baguio City or Bukidnon Province, which is here in Mindanao. In a place like Bukidnon, you are within a couple hours from the beaches, yet still in a relatively cook climate! The best of both worlds.
Hello Bob,
It's true that Bukidnon is almost another country compare to Cagayan de Oro, When I was there in 2000, I felt the difference. My question is how cold can it gets there? my wife told me around 20 (Hey it's still pretty nice right for a northern canadian he he). How is Christmas there in the sun, any decoration, lights like here? I never experience Christmas without the white carpet (snow) one day……….
Hi again, Patrice! It has, at times gotten very cold in Bukidnon, even with freezing happening on very rare occasions.
Like you, I had a real hard time adjusting to having Christmas during the warm months, but I was able to work that out after a few years. I just had to start doing things to put myself into the Christmas spirit. For example, I would go out and buy a lot of food and such, make up gift baskets with it, and then go distribute it to the poor. Things like this really helped me overcome the problem of just not feeling that it was Christmas. Of course, you will have to find the right thing that helps you overcome this.
Take care!
Hi Bob,
I am a Davaoena now living in NY. I have a suggestion re cool weather. Have you gone to Eden Nature Park or Bayabas? We were there in 2004 and it was cool (temperature-wise), we watched as the fog rolled in. My point is you don't have to drive far to escape the heat. I've been to Seagull and Buda and that was a beautiful drive, too. Thanks for keeping me updated with my hometown.
Hi Tina – Exactly! There are a number of "cooler" places around Davao City, and I am sure that no matter where you live in the Philippines you can find places that are relatively cooler than the cities.
I have indeed been to Eden Nature Park, and it's very nice!
Take care!