Bukidnon Provincial Capitol: Heritage, Governance and Cool Mountain Air

Bukidnon Provincial Capitol stands majestically in front of a wide football field, backed up by pine-covered hills, misty after rains. While we look to Luzon and Visayas for anything colonial heritage structures, Mindanao has handful of them as well. In Northern Mindanao, we thought that most civic structures were built during the contemporary times. We were wrong.

Balcony and entrance of Bukidnon Capitol

Bukidnon Provincial Capitol was constructed in 1933. At that time, Bukidnon was already a full-fledged province and Malaybalay is its capital.

The capitol has two floors and has a simple architecture reminiscent of bahay na bato (concrete in the first floor, wooden on the second) with a bit of neo-classical touches. (Sorry, I’m no architect)

Old Bukidnon Provincial Seal with vestiges of the Commonwealth Era

The balcony on the other hand has the old seal of Bukidnon Province during the Commonwealth era. The classic eagle and seal can still be seen today.

The plaque of its construction

Like most structures after World War II, it was rehabilitated with the help of the United States.

Provincial Capitol of Bukidnon

Today, it stands silently as a testimony of Bukidnon’s history with its calmness. She watches people come and go with their everyday transactions with the provincial government, runners during morning and dusk, football matches, and the annual celebration of Kaamulan.

Bukidnon Capitol Grounds

Today, amidst the cool Malaybalay mountain breeze, the capitol’s influence radiates all throughout the highlands of Bukidnon.