It took the drive almost two hours from Central Mindanao University in Maramag—where we partook in several agri-tourism activities—to reach Taglucop Strawberry Hills in Kitaotao farther south of Bukidnon. The sun had just set by the time we arrived.
Complimentary grazing platter, glasses of strawberry wine and soothing Christmas jazz playing across Taglucop's guest receiving area welcomed our group. It was early December. Taglucop's blend of their usual Valentine-y motifs and the in-season Christmas decors suited the chilly Bukidnon weather. The ambiance was utterly romantic.
"Grabe, pasabog 'tong last night...", Theo Gutierrez told me while we lounge and wait for the lavish dinner that they prepared for us. It was the concluding night of our four-day/three-night trip with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB). Theo was implying that our third and final night was the finest from the past three days of the learning tour that aimed to promote the reopening of tourist sites in Northern Mindanao.
While many travel-related businesses ran at a loss or completely shut down since the onset of the pandemic, there are some ventures that just started. Taglucop Strawberry Hills that nestles in the highlands of Kitaotao, Bukidnon opened its doors in 2020.
A strawberry farm and a glamping site, Taglucop offers a "glamorous" stay with its geodesic dome tents perched on the slopes of a hill in harmony with groves of pine trees. Alongside the ruggedness of nature and the cold climate, these peculiar glamping tents that can comfortably fit up to eight people are complete with the convenience of electricity, cushy beds, an outdoor Jacuzzi and en suite bathroom.
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| Inside Taglucop's geodesic dome tent | by Jomar of BiyaheroSiBes |
Our overnight stay was meant for a breather after touring across Bukidnon and a time for socials among the travel content creators and persons in the travel business that TPB had pooled together for this trip. On how we achieved the camaraderie, we gathered by the bonfire, burned some marshmallows and sausage tidbits, and exchanged stories under the starry night alongside a bottle of Taglucop's signature strawberry ice wine.
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| Taglucop makes this delicious strawberry wines |
The glamping tents overlook a mountain range. They command a view of the sea of clouds in the morning. We got up at dawn to witness it, but the magnificent phenomenon seemed not in the mood to show itself that day. The view did not disappoint though. The lush mountains and the surrounding gardens were a pleasant vista to behold while watching as brand new day unfolds.
We spent the rest of the morning exploring the whole site; the pine forest, the strawberry plantation, the three-tiered infinity pool that also faces the mountain ranges, and the fancy lobby-cum-restaurant that overlooks the strawberry field—those pleasing sights we were not able to marvel at when we arrived after sunset the previous day.
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| Glamping tents of Taglucop Strawberry Hills |
Then it was time go—en route to Davao to visit one last site before heading back to Manila. Taglucop made this Bukidnon trip even more memorable. A pasabog, really.
Glamping in Taglucop is a total relaxation—pleasant ambiance, sumptuous meals, wintry weather throughout the day, bonfire, s’mores and strawberry wine come night time, and a vista of the sea of clouds in the early morn. Just like what The Beatles said in their psychedelic hit “Strawberry Fields Forever”, when in Taglucop Strawberry Hills, there is “nothing to get hung about”.
Taglucop Strawberry Hills
Address: Lorega, Kitaotao, Bukidnon
Price: Starts at Php 8,000
