THE first time I saw Maramag, Bukidnon was over two decades ago during my drive from Manila to Davao. After about three hours of driving from Cagayan de Oro, we were greeted by the breathtaking view of Mount Kalatungan, the fifth highest mountain in the Philippines, and enchanting mountain lakes when we stopped at a junction where many roads crisscross.

This was during the pre-Waze days, and the only way to know our location was to ask the locals. 'You are in Maramag, and from here you can go to Davao, Tagum, Cotabato, and even General Santos,' said a man standing by the roadside after pointing us to the road going to Davao. I looked around Maramag, captivated by its natural beauty, and made a mental note to stay longer the next time I passed by this beautiful place.