Yes, Christmas is for the children. And also for the children at heart. So, on Christmas day, our family – from our grand aunt, uncle, aunt, cousins, nephews, and nieces – we trooped to one of the latest attractions in Negros Occidental, the Campuestohan Highland Resort in Talisay City.
But from our home, it was about 30 minutes away, going through Granada and Alangilan. The view of the mountains, sugarcane plantation, farms, and small villages greeted us along the way. It was an uphill climb, which we never felt because the road was paved. There was a certain point when it became a rough ride as concrete gave way to stones and dirt.
When we got there, several vehicles were parked inside the resort as well as along the main road. An entrance fee of P150 per head for every adult in our group was charged. But with the fee, we could already enjoy the attractions inside the resort.
Campuestohan is a great spot to enjoy the beauty of nature. With the cloud-covered mountains on the backdrop that seemed to be reachable through a few hour-ride, it was a great place to feel the cool breeze of the highlands. Much so with the view of the plains below, overlooking the cities of Talisay and Bacolod.
The first thing that caught our eyes was the zip line as some participants try the thrill of hanging by the rope and zipping through the expanse of Campuestohan. But what really got us jumping was the giant King Kong that growls. Adults had a fun time posing with the towering statue of the famous ape while children were scared of it. Around King Kong were sculptures of a broken missile, crashed helicopter, and bones.
There was also a giant shoe which reminded me of the nursery rhyme. Scattered all over the place were cottages that seemed to jump out of a children’s book. Other attractions included the larger than life statue of the cast of Kung Fu Panda and famous heroes like Thor, Ironman, Spiderman, Green Lantern, Hulk, and Wonder Woman. There were also statues of basketball legend Michael Jordan and king of pop Elvis Presley.
And to make the Christmas spirit come alive, there were Santa Claus figures in front of the lodge, along with reindeers and a giant Christmas tree. Carols were also played, which could be heard as we explored the resort.
Apart from these characters, there were gardens and a man-made stream rushing in the middle of the resort. Cabin lodges could also be found in the compound. There were swimming pools where children could take a dip and have fun and a playground where they could play.
There were restaurants, food stalls and ice cream corners inside Campuestohan. For those who want to stay the night and watch the sunset while the city lights come alive below, there is accommodation available as well. Campuestohan is definitely a place for the family and tourists visiting Bacolod and Talisay have another attraction to explore.
For inquiries, contact:
Campuestohan Highland Resort
Sitio Campuestohan, Brgy. Cabatangan,
Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Telephone : +63-915 211 1406 | +63-34 702 0964 | +63-917 300 5007