There’s something deeply Filipino about this phenomenon. We’ve always been a people who adapt rather than abandon, and why should the cool mountain climate stop us from enjoying one of our most beloved desserts? Instead, we’ve turned it into an act of cultural defiance—a sweet rebellion against the idea that certain foods belong only in certain weather. The social aspect remains unchanged too: families still gather around shared halo-halo servings, friends still debate over the proper mixing technique, and vendors still take pride in their secret ingredient combinations. The cold weather, if anything, makes these moments feel more intimate, more special.

So the next time you find yourself in the highlands of Northern Mindanao, don’t let the cool weather fool you. Find a local halo-halo vendor, order that towering glass of colorful goodness, and embrace the beautiful contradiction of eating ice cream in a sweater. After all, in Bukidnon, we don’t just weather the cold—we sweeten it.