Brgy. Bucari, located in the mountains of Leon, is known as Iloilo’s little Baguio because of the cool climate and highland attractions that most people tag with places found in the northern part of the country such as Baguio and even Benguet. But unlike what is currently happening to those places, Bucari is still much endowed with verdant landscapes, tall pine trees, pristine springs, and even bountiful harvests from its rice terraces.
Sitio Camandag surrounded by rice terraces at the foot of Mr. Agua Colognia
The river sandwiched by green mountain terraces
Bucari is an excellent destination during the dry season since it offers an escape from the summer heat with temperatures reported to drop to as low as 15 degrees Celsius. If that’s not enough, one can visit Sitio Camandag for a dip in its natural cold springs and a view of waterfalls.
Imoy Falls and the natural cold spring in Sitio Camandag
Pictureque view of waterfalls
Because of Bucari’s mountainous terrain, farmers grow their crops at the sides of hills and mountains in rice terraces their ancestors have cultivated centuries since. The climate in Bucari is suitable for growing rice and high-value crops such as fruits and vegatables. Better not forget to taste the towns most prized crop, its mangoes, which holds the reputation of being the sweetest in the the province and a staunch rival of Guimaras’ mangoes.
Vegetables grown in rice terraces
Thriving cabbage patches in Bucari
Another culinary attraction in Leon is their delicacy called “Linagpang.” Linagpang is basically grilled native chicken, which is then sautéed in garlic, onions, and mashed tomatoes. Once cooked, a special soup, eggs, and other ingredients are added to complete the delicious treat.
Grilled Native Chicken
The delicious Linagpang of Leon
GMA TV Show, “Jessica Soho Report” once feauted Brgy. Bucari Leon in one of their episodes. Click the play button below to watch the Bucari episode of Jessica Soho Report.
The campsite in Bucari is located in Sitio Tabionan, where a picturesque view of tall pine trees and wild flowers could be found. At night, the temperature in Tabionan further drops and an exciting scene of fireflies can been seen as they dance and give light to the darkness. There are no hotels or resorts in Bucari, one can opt to bring a tent and cook their own food or arrange for accommodations through the municipal tourism officers in charge.
Tall Pine Trees at Sitio Tabionan
Leisurely lying on the Picnic Tables in Tabionan Campsite
To get to Bucari, ride a “San Miguel” jeepney in the Jaro Big Market and tell the driver to drop you off at the terminal where the Leon jeepneys are parked (15 to 20 minutes). Once there ride a “Leon” jeepney, which will drop you off in the Leon public plaza (15 to 20 minutes). Ask around to find out where the jeepneys bound for Bucari are stationed and tell the driver to drop you off in Brgy. Bucari (45 minutes to 1 hour).
Rough road going to Bucari
A challenging trek from Sitio Camandag to Sitio Tabionan, one can opt to ride the jeepney if available
There is usually one jeepney leaving for Bucari every hour from 7am to 3pm. The last trip to Leon town proper leaves Bucari at around 2pm to 3pm. If you do not wish to spend the night in Bucari, I highly suggest to reach Leon Town Proper as early as 7am so that you can catch the last trip at 2pm and reach the city at around 4 to 5pm. Be sure to inform the tourism office in Leon before embarking on your trip to Bucari so that they can help you plan your trip well.
Leon Tourism Office Contact Details:
Contact Person: Ma. Annaliza Camago, Municipal Tourism Officer
Landline No.: (+63)(033)3310036.
Click Here to View more Pictures of Bucari, Leon.
My great grand mother Fortunata catahum came from Bucari,I live in Tigbauan but Im working here in GenSan, a Manila base construction happen to have a project here. I will surely come to visit the land of my apoy Natang when I go for a vacation this December.!!!
What I hear from NEDA is that roads will be fully concreted by 2014. Already roads have been concretized up to brgy. Dusacan which is near na the pine trees. So I think (the government) they are serious about it. Mayor Lito Cajilig was able to secure an MOA with the DENR to develop an ecopark in Tabionan, Bucari. He is planning to put zip lines and walls. He is calling on all stakeholders most especially the community of Bucari to help develop a masterplan to make the place an adventure capital of Region 6. There are more beautiful places yet to be explored even more pristine than imoy falls which was affected by poor planning. The baranggays are now,wary of visitors that don’t care about conserving and protecting the environment. The biggest enemies of Bucari are mining firms out to destroy the environment for profit – Profit which they plan to repatriate to their countries abroad. They have been slowly infiltrating the communities offering bribe money to baranggay officials to approve excavation. Mayor Cahilig is against this.
As far as alternative sources of income for the community are concerned, slowly but surely things are moving in a positive direction: the Bucari National High School has opened 3 cottages for guests and charges a minimal P150 per person. Each cottage can accommodate 6 pax. There is a canteen nearby. Also there are homes that allow overnight stay for less than a P100, I think. The Pineridge Resort Spa also opened last Feb.2012 and entrance to their viewing deck is P150 per pax with good brewed coffee and dessert. Ay naku, the view is “awesome.” Food is classified as “gourmet.” Meaning a bit pricy but very delicious, filling and class A quality. “Organic” daw. Bubon falls charges P20 entrance to go to their falls. You cannot eat in the falls or cook there coz pine trees are highly flammable. You can eat in their Baranngay hall for P15 corkage fee per person or bring food and have them cook it for P200 for every 10 pax. There are 25 natural pools all in all; each with falling water. The people there are very friendly and accommodating. Something has to be done with the transportation though. It is a major setback. Sinong tourist would want to be jampacked like sardines in a smelly jeep? Thre are no vans. You have to bring your 4×4 pickup or hire a jeep for 2-3 thousand. Siguro kun fully concreted na then visitors will pick up. that won’t be til 2014. But just like Boracay, many visitors who have been there in the 80′s say it was better when it was inaccessible. Now, boracay they say, is overdeveloped, too commercialized – like Baguio.
William Shakespeare: “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.”
Had heard much about Bucari many years ago. It is known for its cool climate and as a vegetable basket in Iloilo specially cabbage is grown on year round. I’m looking forward to vist that place in the days to come.
@mur2s……. eeewwww…. shut up talking about your thing ……why youre just wishing on a star….all you got to do…is to plan it out… make your creative itinerary like what i am doing …. make bucari as one of your destination and youll have the feat and much more of course a girl youll carry with you to make your trip ALL_FUN….. is it good idea? lol since you are soo fond of them…..just as billy is fond of chasing every boy in town…. well…thats an understatement…. i could say…sleep with every boy in town…hahahahahahahahaha
maybe bill nd vicky just like 2 touch nd feel our masculine part. wish i kud go 2 bucari minus d npa.
@Billy… why youre that ill-humoured ha>>.. hihihihih…. is that a bad idea..you need to unwind relax and visit Bucari… i forget…… if youre tired of chasing every boy in town..you can switch to going Bucari…. and please bring luy-a too…..
@mur2s…. what can you say Bud???? hihihihihih….
ara ka na naman nga Vic agi ka ha…umpisa ka na naman….lungion ko kamo karon ni murion nga duha…makita nyo…
@mur2s…. just let Bill alone hes harmless.. even he would spend every day chasing every boy in town … :) maybe we could invite Bill to trek to Bucari ,, lets just ” bring your own Baon and partner ” kay lamig na didto perfect gd…..hahahahahaha
Still manami man sa gihapon ang bucari leon,Im a native of barangay Buga, leon …plan to visit this coming december if not busy…
s der some goat n sunk der named bill?
bucari mountain trek is great idea as long as the road is paved in there, theres lodging in there and food is ready in there…so what could you ask for more?…
calos s just above u, bc may malisik?
uhm..taga bucari gd tkon mum..kadto bla kmo dya nami2x hay…para makataklad man kmo x bukid..fresh air fresh water..
miss @julieth can you give us the detailed of present situation of bucari? the road facility (the improvement and transportation schedule) accommodation facility? (how many room or resort in bucari as today) or other facility as define by LGU as a tourist attraction?
bsta ah..kadto lng kamo 2 ah…
wel I’m also from Leon but I’ve never been to Bucari.ehehe
myb this summer I will go trekking wid my friends.Im excited to explore my hometown..
mabalik balik gid ko sa bukid.. taga ukid gid nga dan mga relatives ko.. i miss the mountains of leon..
Yes to all your concerns. I’m a frequent visitor of the area. There’s a spa resort being constructed now and some of the roads are being concreted. heard the plan is to concretize roads from leon, to bucari, to camandag all the way to San Remigio, Antique. But it’ll be done in portions. it’s peaceful there now unlike in the eighties. Those were Godless times in Leon’s history. The camandag falls have recovered from Typhoon Frank. Nature is rather resilient. From one vantage point you have a commanding view of iloilo city and a portion of Guimaras. You can see how polluted iloilo city is….it’s already covered with smog and the newly hatched coal fired plant in Ingore La Paz looks like a real smoke “belcher” ..but thank God being 600 meters above sea level makes one feel “above and beyond the reach of all that melee and death” down there. Hmmm the price of progress and corruption. Organic farming is fast catching up in Brgy. lakadon and bacolod which are adjacent sitios to bucari. It is as pretty as the above pictures. Small hawk Eagles “dapays”(local term) are still present and fireflies. Pine trees are old growth and nothing beats it here in Region 6… Salvador Benedicto in Negros is more accessible what with concrete roads and only a 40 minute drive from Bacolod but they are just planting pine trees and most of the mountains are bare…but not so in Bucari. People up there seem friendlier and more innocent.
@manny hanny: do you know who is the developer of the spa resort? I wonder if they are companies planning to put up developments in bucari like that of camp john hay scale? Salamat in advance for the info!
few minutes ago my friend watched tv patrol, it’s about the spa resort but located in bacolod, leon….i try to research ‘coz she said the place has a terrific view, and i want to see it, but only this site i found and so glad coz i’ve been in bucari twice, we do hiking from school til camandag, we stay in tabionan too, really like that place even leon is not my hometown, leonians please take care ur paradise!
wow really a great pleasure to see leon again after staying here in manila…me and my centro escolar friends are planning to have a trip in iloilo specifically in leon….im sure they whould love if i roam them around in bucari…the summer capital of iloilo…nice sorroundings and,nice people and delicious foods awaits us……welcome us leon,,the delegates of CentroEscolarUniversity…
ei… im from leon also… sira na ba talaga ang imoy falls after ng frank? i have been there ne pero before pa ng bagyo? i just want to confirm… tnx..
Hi I’m tumandok of Leon and very proud of what my native town has…Bucari of course! Since I graduated nursing I never stayed that long in Leon maybe 1month every 2 yrs makapuli, so I never been in Bucari to be honest but I heared many nice comments abwt the place & I’m dying to go & see my self next time I go back home.Even leaving here in UK my heart still cry out to go home dyan sa Leon. By the way my parents from Agboy Sur. I want to knw if the place hit by flood b4 esp Emoy water falls is been rebuilt/redevelop again or not? thank u…!
still manami mangud ang bucari..hope to go back there..miss ko na gid ang leon.
I really proud of what my native place have. I thank those who appreciate it, but, we need to take care our nature because we depend our life in our environment. We can just say that nothing will change after all, remember we are just a gifted creature.
I wish to be here…someday
i like the pictures that you post….. i appreciate you the way you describe our place….i just want to correct that camandag is not a sitio of bucari..
pd kapamangkot sa naka balo? Kaya ayhan sakaon ang 125cc nga motor ang bucari? Bali e setup lang nga dirt bike?
thanks sa maka suggest, kay ga plan man ko mag ride pakadto dira.
Kag isa pa, wla pko ka kadto guid dira.
i just want 2 correct camandag is a bgry not a sitio
Hello marcos. I just want to thank you for posting those pictures!!!! I was born in Bucari, and graduated at Bucari National High School. Now I am living in the U.S. and I really miss my homeland. My geat grandfather and his extended families pretty much own a big portion of land in Bucari. It is certainly a beautiful place; however, it needs help from the goverment before its ruined. I planted 150 pine tress before I left Bucari. When I went home 3 years ago, I was really saddend by the deforestation of the locals in order to have land for plantations. I wish that our goverment will continue to support the forestry preservation in Bucari, so in the future the next generations of the Philippines will be able to see the enchanting parts of our lands. MABUHAY!
What a great place you have. That’s really a gift from God…as i saw sa inyo photos ang way pakadto sa Bucari is really difficult…but i know wonderful & beautiful attractions are waiting. Go on, improve your place, develop that well. You have a good views…!
I was born in San Miguel, but was raised in Metro Manila. I have been living in the Metro since 5. I visited Bucari twice, 18 and 15 years ago, I think. It was recommended to me by my uncle who visited it in his youth. I remember the very cool climate and the waterfalls. There was also a school being run by missionaries, Americans I think. I remember asking one of the kids where he lived and he answered that he was from Antique, and that it took him three days hike to go to Bucari. I also saw a teenage caucasian girl, who spoke fluent kinaray-a. I also saw the locals drying coffee beans.
Are the pics above recent? It seems the place has been preserved well.
bucari dont really need big investors… im an architecture student and im working right now on my thesis entitled “bucari Highlands development”, a master plan of bucari..
the main principle of my proposal is that the locals will be the first to benefit in bucari’s gift. i dont want bucari to be the next BORACAY THAT HAS BEEN INVADED BY BIG INVESTORS, ALIENATED THE LOCALS BY MISPLANNING AND OVERDEVELOPMENT..
I am interested un your master paln for bucari. I hope its main concern is environment protection n thre least internvention.
Brick houses will look good thre just like the firsy beautiful houses in Baguio near the pink sisters convent.
This is something different in Iloilo. Bucari
Rough dirt roads from several points are the only way to travel to see a spectacular view in what we consider as our own summer destination but we need better roads and transportations. Bucari is inviting, charming, breathtaking and serene. It will attract domestic and foreign tourist. Transforming Bucari into a prime tourist destination could be just a dream. But that could be realized in a short time too if the local and national government would just put their heads together. I’m calling on the government to build concrete roads, parks and establish proper guidelines for future development. Politicians and Department of tourism cannot do this alone. Architects, engineers and environmental planners, master planners and other professionals are needed to achieve proper development and aesthetics. I am also calling on developers & private sectors to contribute in shaping to what could become as one of the best tourist destination in the country. I would like to see hotels, resorts, restaurants, a theme park (maybe), residential developments and a lot business in Bucari’s future. Let’s just develop what we have in Iloilo. This could generate income for local professionals, contactors and businesses
elow..
taga leon man ko,, architecture student.. 5th yr na,, kag ang thesis ko is development sang bucari.. i hope makabulig kmu by suggesting whats gud and not para sa bucari..
email nu ko.. melkie_villalobos@yahoo.com
wow naman , makadto ko bala da sa bukari pag puli ko, sino masunod???
Uhmm.. Upod ko sa imo makadto didto karmoy..heheeh.. Nami na da mo, tour kita?heheh.. Galing nahadlok lng ko maglatay sa taytay nila kay kalawig.. Kung malakampuwas kna sa hanging bridge you will amazed the beauty of the nature falls.. Ang sarap maligo doon.. Sayang dati hndi kami nakapaligo jan, nagoutreach lng kasi kmi sa NSTP namin. Hope to be back there again in little bagiuo..
Yes, Iloilo is truly beautiful and i’m truly proud of it!
More good things to come as the city is fast developing into a metropolis!!!
Ilonggos let’s promote and take care of our beloved Hometown!!!
[re=64367]bingkent[/re]: truly a fascinating place if terrorist would not spoil it. just be extra careful when you go there.
Wow, I show this site and the you tube to my aussie workmates and they are impress how beautiful my hometown is. It is also good to see Tay Molong (town mayor) in the video. I am hoping I can bring my ids and hubby ther next time on vacation.
[re=60148]rein[/re]: There is an alternative way, from miag-ao, you can drop by to tigbauan caltex station.there’s a road from tigbauan shortcut to leon just around 10kms.You can take multi-cab or a jeepney from tigbauan to leon because i saw theres a jeepney from tigbauan to leon.You’ll be passing brgy.cordova, napnapan, then to brgy agboy, leon.
just to correct the way if u came from tigbauan yes u pass by cordova then pandan but u cant pass by agboy its going to the city if u will…so frm pandan u pass by anonang then straight to Leon town…there u go…!
[re=60148]rein[/re]: I think you need to go to the city first unless you have a private car then you go could go directly to Leon from Guimbal
how will I go to Bucari if I will be coming from Miag-ao? Is there a direct public transport from Miag-ao, or do I need to go to the city first? thanks!
[re=59890]Ronnie Calumpita[/re]: You’re welcome :) Well, I hope with the attention that Bucari been getting, they will start developing the roads into the area. Not only will it benefit its tourism industry but it will improve the delivery of their agri products to the market.
BTW, I do not take credit for the video. I just grabbed it from you tube ;)
Thanks Marcos for updating this topic about Bucari and uploading the episode of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Sojo featuring Bucari as well as some products and delicacies of Leon, the hometown of my father. I missed that episode in TV. Featuring Bucari through the Internet or in TV programs will help attract tourists to visit the area, whose climate is similar to Baguio and other places in the Cordilleras. Until now I haven’t visited Bucari. According to my relatives who live in Barangay Avanzada in Leon, the place is really beautiful. Hopefully the local government as well as provincial and national governments will make an effort to preserve Bucari.
I’ve asked the same question to the municipal tourism office and they said that it is safe to go to Bucari. Just to be sure, you can inform the tourism office about your visit beforehand so they can advice you about safety concerns during your trip
is it safe to spend a night there?
There is usually one jeepney leaving for Bucari every hour from 7am to 3pm. The last trip to Leon town proper leaves Bucari at around 2pm to 3pm. If you do not wish to spend the night in Bucari, I highly suggest to reach Leon Town Proper as early as 7am so that you can catch the last trip at 2pm and reach the city at around 4 to 5pm. Be sure to inform the tourism office in Leon before embarking on your trip to Bucari so that they can help you plan your trip well.
Leon Tourism Office Contact Details:
Contact Person: Ma. Annaliza Camago, Municipal Tourism Officer
Landline No.: (+63)(033)3310036.
how to get there in bucari?im planning to go there next month.is it safe to go there?or is there a cottage to stay or to rent?
I am very proud of this place..
A pride of all Ilonggo specially leonian…
Take good care of our mother nature…
GOD BLESS ILOILO………………
been to bucari for a couple of times, and its gorgeous out there, so quite and solemn, i like the fireflies at night you thought its another constellation of stars that have not discovered yet…my mom’s from buga leon…i like the mangoes too… :)
ahmm. really? My mom to is from buga..
bka magkamaganak tau.. :) ang ganda tlga ng bucari! sarap bumalik and sa pagbalik susulitin ko tlga..
way takun kaagi adto jan ra haw taga leon man ko pay..rayu be rah sa bayag sur mum .hahaha..sa sunod lang ah!.. nami nami galie to bah….
Why go to Baguio or Banawe pa e meron pala tayo dito sa Leon? The scenes are breathtaking really! Sana makapunta ako diyan, sabay hanap na rin ng mga kamag-anak diyan probabaly sa poblacion. Taga Leon ang nanay ng lolo ko na tatay ni mamu/lola sa tuhod.
See Boracay Island? Now look, Boracay rocks now, and nobody thinks it will happen. And it happened. There’s a possibility that Bucari would be the next Boracay in the near future. Good luck!
Bucari is not discovered yet by the international tourists so to speak. Once they get this access…I’ll be darned , tourists will come to Leon like the bugs from the nut hole. It’s true. I have the reason why I posted this site in my profile to help and promote Iloilo City, Philippines. God bless us all, and Cheers!!
wow what a good pix you’ve got here! the other pix look like a famous rice terraces of Benguet! how unfortunate i am that i haven’t visited Bucari yet! to think that i came from leon, specifically from Buga! hopefully i could visit the place when i go back home!
Kudos to all Leonians for a great place and great people! Padayon!
ey meg, anu surname mo??? kc u look familiar….nways my parents are from leon but i was born cavite but i usually visit leon since my dad died 10 yrs ago, i even graduated from cpu kc have to stay with my mom after my dad died….nway tabat-calasagsag relative ko.. nway in regards to this site leon da best…..even i have the heart of a caviteno since i was born in cavite still im ilonggo in blood…….tumandok sa leon parents ko and im proud of it…
I have been there in september 2010.
Quite un experience.