The Place to Be

  I am actually not an Iligannon. And in fact, the only tourist spot that comes to my mind located at this city is the Maria Cristina falls. Ironic, but with the few months I had stayed in Iligan City, I have experienced and seen enough. Enough for me to feel at home.

  Iligan City is located in the province of Lanao del Norte, Philippines, and is the province's former capital.It is found in the northeastern part of the island of Mindanao, surrounded by the provinces of Balo-I and Linamon on the south, the town of Lugait of Misamis Oriental on the north, the lands of Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon on the east and Iligan Bay on the west. It has quite a number of scenic landmarks including falls, cool springs, fine beaches and caves more than enough for you.  Accessible by land, air, and water, Iligan is surely a worthy place to go. This little town is popularly labelled as "The Land of Majestic Waterfalls." It is so because it is home to 23 breathtaking, eye-catching, wondrous waterfalls, each with their own unique way of attracting travelers and making them ask for more.

The Limunsudan Falls, a sight to behold.

  To give you a peek to one of its countless natural attractions, I give you, the Limunsudan falls. A 27-kilometer trip from the city proper, the famous Limunsudan waterfalls claims to be the country's highest standing waterfall. The said waterfall is close to the boundaries of Iligan, Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur. It has an astounding full height of 870 feet that is surely a sight to behold. From afar, it's rushing waters are so magnificent to look at and seeing it appear in the midst of the opulent rain forest vegetation gives the sheer impression of a strange bliss and admiration that would surely catch your breath.

The busy streets of Iligan.

 But if you're not into long trails and the lush greens, you may rather have a fun joyride on a jeep in Iligan's energetic and busy streets. In the sidewalk, are fruit stands of all sorts and peanut stalls that would surely satisfy you. The night market is a street market which operates at night and is generally dedicated to more leisurely strolling and shopping. This includes dry goods and ukay-ukay, footwear, and general merchandise. Also, the night market is open to serve those who are hungry but on a budget with Halang-halang, bulalo and other yummy dishes that absolutely fills an empty tummy. To fiish it up, other services like reflexology, massage clinics and entertainment are allowed inside the night market.

I'm absolute you're now enticed as I am to spend your wee hours at the City of Waterfalls. May it be through land, air, and water, Iligan is just one ride away. Open for service are its tourist facilities accredited by the Department of Tourism such as the Maria Cristina Hotel, Iligan Day Inn Plaza, Casa Royale Inn and other high-rated establishments. 


I have only shown parts of this vast urbanized city. For sure it would be alot more enjoyable to experience it yourself. For an outsider, I believe that the beauty of Iligan is not simply felt and seen just on the 23 iconic waterfalls it possesses but also on the sense of hospitality and belongingness  you experience once you enter its premises. Promisingly, It's more FUN in ILIGAN CITY!

*An official entry to the Iligan Blogging Contest 2012*

#7 I HAVE SEEN WORSE :')

“Beautiful people get it way better. That’s just the way it is.”

   These were the words of the famous Kyle Kingson- the rich, popular, good-looking guy with a famous dad who is every girl’s dream boy at Buckston University. After winning his title as the Green Committee President, he comes across Kendra Hifelty and then bullies her, not knowing of her magical powers. She then magically transforms the flawless Kyle into a tattooed, bald, and scarred beast. She turned her into a monster as unattractive he was outside with the curse that if he does not find someone who loves him as he is by the next spring, he would stay in his very ugly state forever.

   After his father finds out about how his son had turned into a monster, he then sends him somewhere far from the city to hide together with Zola, his maid, and a blind tutor, Will. Kyle felt helpless and hid for months for he believed that no person in his sane mind would fall for his ugly face. But not until Lindy Taylor came. A girl whom he had kept a distance from his former school, Lindy was the type who saw through Kyle and loved him despite his hideous countenance. Beauty was not at all what she sought but what was in the heart.

  As I watched, I loved most the part when, as Kyle was about to give Lindy her CDs, he sees his photo with Lindy when he was still handsome wallpapered on Lindy's laptop. He asks her about the guy sha had taken a photo with and she then shares her deepest secret feelings for the guy infront of her. She shares that somehow, she felt a tiny chance that Kyle might like her a bit. Kyle was so brought by his feelings that he had no idea he had already said, "That's why I Like You." This is what happens...

BEASTLY is a story of romance, fantasy and drama. Its lessons were straight forward and could be applied in every teen’s life. It was a story of love- a love that goes beyond what’s underneath. Can you imagine that love?

#5 MING MING :D

What could be more heart-touching than a live dramatic play like Ming Ming? Nothing I guess, for a first-timer like me. Indeed what I saw has amazed me in the sense that I realized the big difference between watching drama live than that onscreen. In the four walls of the Mini Theatre, I witnessed a breath-taking 1-hour production of pure talent and skilled directing all encompassing 70 years of the life of three generations of a controversial and powerful political family. The act was deeply moving. Add the experienced artists who played their part so well. They were so professional that even their funny lines have not got them laughing. Not to mention the feel of the setting that brought shivers to my spine. Every line spoken by the artists were connected in some way and unraveling its hidden story is the most exhilarating part for us viewers.

All in all, it was exceptional. Salutes to the ever dynamic playwright-director, STEVE PATRICK FERNANDEZ!