Blaze razes Bukidnon Benedictine Monastery guest house

Cagayan de Oro City — A fire destroyed the guest house of a well-known Benedictine monastery and retreat destination in Bukidnon province Tuesday evening, authorities said.

The fire at the Monastery of the Transfiguration, also known as the Abbey of Transfiguration, broke out at 7:45 p.m. in Barangay 4, San Jose. No casualties were reported.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said guests were dining when they noticed power fluctuations followed by an explosion that triggered the blaze. Witnesses said the fire spread rapidly through the lodging facility, forcing visitors and staff to flee to safety.

Firefighters from Malaybalay responded to the scene and battled the flames for two hours before the fire was extinguished.

The guest house is a key part of the monastery complex, providing lodging for visitors seeking spiritual retreats among the area’s pine forests. The monastery, established in 1983, is a major tourist and pilgrimage site famous for its pyramid-shaped church designed by the late National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin.

The Benedictine monks who run the complex are also well-known for producing “Monk’s Blend” coffee and other local goods sold to travelers.

BFP investigators are looking into whether the explosion reported by witnesses was linked to the building’s power source. Officials have not yet released an estimate of the total damages.