Fun Fun Fun at Campuestohan- A Highland Resort in Negros Occidental

It was a gloomy Sunday morning in Bacolod, but I was excited because we were heading somewhere fun today—Campuestohan Highland Resort. I guess a visit to Bacolod is never complete without seeing this famous resort.

I was supposed to be in bed at home that early morning, feeling sentimental about life, knowing that it was about to rain, the weekend would soon end, and we’d be back to the grind. But no, this day felt different. For one, I was in a new place—free from anxiety about the upcoming Monday, away from my usual routine, and breathing in something new. It smelled like freedom. I felt happiness—pure, unfiltered fun. Sometimes, not being part of a workforce, doing something different from the others and just doing something you love, is the only thing we need in life to enjoy it at its fullest.

Fun! I almost forgot what that word meant. I don't want to be overly dramatic because I know I’m not carrying the heaviest burden on earth, but we all have struggles, and we all have the right to not feel okay sometimes. I was just glad I had this chance to explore the Philippines once again. As I continue my goal to visit all 82 provinces, fate brought me here to Bacolod, Negros Occidental—perhaps not just to discover the beauty of the country, but to escape the usual and rediscover joy.

Adulting really takes its toll on me. And while we can’t fully escape that reality, we can always find ways to roll with it and enjoy life a little. As we approached Campuestohan Highland Resort, I felt like a kid waiting for an ice cream treat. I already knew what this place had in store. I was also glad to be with a bunch of people I’d come to like after four days of exploring parts of the Visayas with them. I knew we were going to have so much fun—and I had already promised myself that no matter what, I was going to enjoy this experience.

True to its name, the themed resort is actually located on high ground. I noticed we were ascending, though not quite heading to a mountain. Still, we were clearly getting higher. Upon arrival, we walked a bit from the parking area to the entrance, and the first thing we saw was the wave pool area. If swimming isn’t fun for you, then I don’t know what is! The resort is vast, and aside from the pool, there were several areas we planned to explore that day.

I really wanted to swim, but I figured I’d save it for another day. Just as we entered the resort, the water in the pool began to overflow. They said that at certain times of the day, they intentionally release the excess water.

Also, there was a foam party happening at that moment. Everyone was ecstatic, playing with the foam. I looked around and realized that every corner of the resort was made for Instagram. It reminded me of my visit to RR Spring Resort in Bukidnon, but this one was even more aesthetic. Even the trash bins were part of the show—you’d see T-Rex heads everywhere. And before you mistake them as decorative pieces, know that they’re actually garbage containers.

I finally met the famous Manok ni Kano Guwapo. This building holds the Guinness World Record for being the tallest building in the shape of a chicken. Yes, you read that right. It’s not just a statue or a decoration—it’s a fully functional building. I was so amazed. Heaven knows how much money they poured into constructing such a unique structure. If their goal was to impress onlookers, they definitely succeeded.

Aside from that, I was also wowed by the King Kong building—yes, another functional structure. It’s so huge, it felt like I stepped into a King Kong movie. It was my first time seeing anything that massive.

And if you love art, you’ll definitely enjoy it here. Art installations are scattered everywhere, like an outdoor museum filled with different structures, movie characters, icons, and more. Everywhere you look is a visual feast. Like children, we were giddy over every sight and experience. Every inch of this place is Instagrammable—I couldn’t help but be in awe the entire time.

The resort also offers a variety of activities—some for adrenaline junkies, and some just for simple fun. I noticed that most of them were still closed at the time, though. No one was on the bike ride or the rainbow slide—maybe we were just too early.

Not only did this resort take me back to my childhood, but it also transported me to the land before time—the dinosaur era. I've always been fascinated by these creatures. They have all sorts of dinosaur species here, and they didn’t just replicate their size and form—they also mimicked their movements and sounds. Some of them were even animated!

Who says crossing a hanging bridge isn't fun? It’s actually so much fun—especially when you're up there and get to see the rainbow slide, the pool, and other beautiful spots and structures around the area.

Out of all the places we visited in the Visayas, this one stood out as the most unique and the most fun. It was truly a memorable experience, something I’ll cherish as part of my core memories.

I know I’ll soon return to the real world, where work will consume most of my time. But I’m grateful for the opportunity to experience this. Because maybe one day, when I’m anxious or stressed, I can pull out this memory and remember what it felt like to just be happy.