EXPLORING UPPER MAMBUKAL & GRACELAND HIGHLAND RESORT

Introduction 

 Many years ago, the upper part of Mambucal has been known as Barandiaran and the nearby area is also known as part of the Kanla-on Natural Park. That was in the middle of the '70s when this Blogger was a resident of Mambucal. 

Then, development were introduced in this area of Upper Mambucal. The construction of Don Bosco Retreat House under the management of Fr. Uras. I remember meeting Fr. Uras and helped him in his Tree Planting project on the lower portion of Don Bosco where the land area was filled with Cogon. 

 The Tree Planting

After agreeing to cooperate with Fr. Uras' tree planting project, I mobilized a group of Student Volunteers of Negros Occidental to plant 300 trees on that Cogonal area of Don Bosco. It took us a week to complete the task. Fr. Uras provided the sleeping quarters for the Student Volunteers, while our sponsors provided sacks of rice, transportation and other logistics, so to speak. These sponsors  are the Negros Forest and Ecological Foundation under the leadership of Mr. Donato "Donnie" Poblador and the Office of the Governor of Negros Occidental. 

After several years, I visited Don Bosco Retreat House and saw tall trees growing on that cogonal area. The Director of Don Bosco at the time of my visit was Father Legaspi.  He informed me that a few trees died but they were immediately replaced by Don Bosco. 

On the early part of 1990 up to year 2000, many development happened in Upper Mambucal. The once unpopulated area became the settlement of local farmers and land tillers. A collection of homes of provincial government employees also occupied the land of the provincial government. Along the roads leading to upper Mambucal and a new road leading to Barangay Mailum, Bago City, are now lined up with small businesses like Cafe' Houses, Sari-Sari Stores, vacation houses and resorts. 

The development of Resorts in Upper Mambucal or Mambukal.

Famous among these is Graceland Highland Resort. Nearby is Nabukid Resort. Today, we will feature Graceland. 

I visited Graceland on the last week of November, 2024. I was surprised to see this huge development. Imagine, the once Cogonal area is now the home of one of Negros Island's most scenic resort? 

 

Touristang Pobre Suroy-Suroy sa Graceland Highland Resort, Upper Mambucal, Negros Occidental, Philippines. 

Source: Youtube

How to get there? 

At the time of my visit, we drove through the road at Minoyan's Purok 5. There was a fiesta and even an "incero" in the upper part of the road going up to Graceland. Why did we drive this road? The easy road from Don Bosco was being improved by the public works department. If it takes 28 days for the cement to cure, that road will be passable by mid December. My guess. But if you will be going there, just ask the Barangay Tanod in Barangay Minoyan if that road is already open to traffic. 

From Bacolod City, Mambucal is about 30-35 minutes by car. Going to Graceland will take another five minutes or a little more. Just a little, lol. 

What to do?

As a start, let us consider Nature Appreciation. 

If Mambukal is 1,200 meters or 3,937 feet above sea level, (Google), then Graceland is a little higher than that. It means, you have a panoramic view of the lowlands, and the surrounding area of Kanla-on Natural Park. Graceland Highland Resort is on the base of KNP. It is a protected area covering the towns of Murcia, Bago, La Castellana, and Canlaon City. The temperature in this spot is cool. 

Other things to do are as follows:

*Swimming in their infinity pool. The view of the lowlands is breathtaking, so to speak. Pang Instagram, lol.

*Hiking. You need to coordinate with the resort for this activity. I love hiking around KNP in the company of an experienced local. Long time ago, my Guide took me up to the Seventh Falls. Just don't go far. Keep safe. 

*Family Gathering or Bonding. Because of its ambience of "exclusivity" family events like birthdays, anniversaries, and reunions can be held here. 

*Wedding on 1,200 meters above sea level, why not? Just coordinate with the management, odb? 

*Team Building Exercises, seminars, trainings and corporate events, pwede gid. 

*Honeymoon? The best spot on planet earth, haha. Wait, kung trip mo, db?

*The best option to have lunch and coffee. If you are bored of city life. You can drive to this spot. You can always go back to the city before sundown. That's what I did.

*Lagaw-lagaw lang. Sa Bisaya pa, Suroy-Suroy. Solo adventure and discovery. 

*Photography and Videography, and more....more...

Where to eat?

They have a restaurant. Food and Drinks are available. At the time of my "lagaw-lagaw", I requested for KBL, kadyos baboy langka. I love to eat hot soup that's KBL.

You can rent a Shed House where you can gather and spend time while your companions are swimming of exploring the area. Some peps call the Shed House cottage, hmm, "ang cottage bala ya, pwede ma tulugan." Oh, cg cottage na lang bisan shed house, lol. 

Cottages for overnight stay may cost from P2K to P2,500.00. You can check the rates through their Facebook Page.

By, the way, going up the resort, you will pass by several cafe houses, sari-sari stores, and other resorts. So, there are options open for you. 

 Where to sleep?

There are cottages that can be rented for the night. Rates range from P2K to P2,500 a cottage to P8,000.00 plus for the whole house. Please check their social media account for more, hereunder. 

https://www.facebook.com/gracelandviewresort

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Comment:

My Laptop was damaged so I cannot upload photos from this trip. I will post photos once my Laptop is repaired. Thank you. 

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 Wait, you can visit these blogs to know more spots that are less traveled. Please check these out: 

1. Kikulas Hill Cafe' at Calatrava, Negros Occidental from Don Salvador Benedicto short-cut road.

http://touristangpobre.blogspot.com/2022/11/kikulas-hill-cafe.html

2. Las Olas Beach Resort at San Enrique, Negros Occidental.

http://touristangpobre.blogspot.com/2022/10/las-olas-beach-garden-resort.html

3. KM 41 Cafe at Don Salvador Benedicto town. 

http://touristangpobre.blogspot.com/2022/10/cafe-km-41-at-salvador-benedicto.html

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Thank you for visiting our Blogsite. Have a great day. Ciao'....Arigato....Shukran....Grazie...Merci....Spasiba....Salamat....Gracias...Hafa Adai....Aloha... Until the one....