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Lanao Del Norte Region














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August 24, 2007

In The Land Of Lanao (Part I)

Lanao_land2 months have passed since I got here in Oz. And things are kind of getting usual being in a small, quiet city. Now, I get the chance to get out of here and change scene. I am exploring Lanao del Norte, a chunk of land southeast of Ozamiz. I always see this mysterious land from the lodge i am in, and now it's time to check out what this land has to offer.

Bye_bye_ozBarge_to_lanaoGirl_to_lanaoAcross Panguil Bay. Along with a friend, I got into this barge for 25 Pesos. The barge was once bombed years ago... From the top of this barge, I can see another perspective of Ozamiz, and a closer look of Bukagan Hill. Soon, The barge started to cruise thru Panguil Bay. The land of Lanao is getting bigger in sight. The view was really amazing. It was a realization that I am really in new land.

Mukas_portArriving_in_mukasArriving At Mukas. The barge docked at Mukas Port after a 20 minute ride. Vehicles, jeepneys await here. I got ino this jeepney and took me south, passing Tubod the capital of Lanao del Norte. The sights were also a treat going there as the sun was going to set across the Panguil Bay.

LalaLala_cowFlower_lalaLala Land. And soon, I finally reached a place called Lala where I stayed at my friend's house for two nights. I usually wake up with the sounds of rural life -- chickens feeding, roosters crowing, huge trucks passing towards cities as far as Cagayan De Oro, Iligan or Pagadian.

Spring_lanaoStream_lanaoPool_spring_in_lanaoA Spring. Saturday morning, I set to travel inland, towards this hidden spring where the locals usually go. It's in Salvador, a 15 minute 'habal-habal' ride (a motorcycle ride) from Mr_monkey Maranding-- the nearest commercial town in Lala, it was busy as I passed at noon. This hidden spring is packed with people as I entered. A sign says "Generalao Mountain Resort".. It's actually a man-made pool from a fresh source. It reminds me of Tubod, a spring back in my home province. It was just like this only this one was much larger. Cottages, video karaoke, a small pool for kids were also here. I took a swim and absorbed the surroundings. It is a good time to unwind, see Nature at her best. Trees surround the area, fresh water, and cool breeze. All was good. The site also hosts a captive monkey and a small python.

Strip_of_river_in_lanao_salvadorRow_the_boatStrip_riverWith A Paddle. Later in the afternoon, I get to borrow this fishing canoe for 30 Pesos an hour and get to row it around this small stretch of river just beside the spring pool. With my friend, i had a hard time maneuvering this wooden canoe until i got the hang of it. The sight was pretty amazing and just relaxing.

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August 31, 2007

In The Land Of Lanao (Part 2)

Going_back_to_marandingCorn_fieldsHarvesting_corn_in_marandingSalvador On A Motorcycle. Leaving the spring I discovered in Salvador, I took another motor ride back to the town. I can't help Salvador_banana_truckMarandingbut observe the things that I see along the way. I pass along fields of corn stalks and in one corner, people harvesting these corn. I also saw truck loads of bananas in Salvador which i think is one of the major flourishing industries in the area. And after about 15 minutes, we reached back to Maranding town.

Hiway_night_lalaHighway Evenings. The nights here are quiet. People sleep early. And it gets really dark in this part of Lala. A great thing to do here is hang out by the side of the highway, talk to the locals, and enjoy trucks passing by. Or even stargaze, but there ain't no stars at this time.

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Lovebirds_lalaLala_orchidsLala_1Morning In Lala. I woke up to a beautiful sunday morning. I enjoyed my morning observing the early sceneries. It's typical rural life. I can even see the hill which my friend said was the place where the spring that we visited yesterday was.

Bday_sacrificeStory Of A Duck.The folks that took me in their home, were preparing to kill a duck. It was my friend's birthday and he was given a cross sign in his forehead with the duck's blood -- A tradition for some people during birthdays but it could also be chicken's blood. By the way it tastes just like chicken. Poor duck.

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Towns_passing_back_to_mukasLeaving Lanao. In the afternoon, I was preparing to leave. The folks that took me in were really accomodating and I am very thankful for their hospitality... I headed back to Mukas as the sky started to get dim. I cross these coastal towns that line Lanao Del Norte. It was sparkling in the midst of night and it made me feel good. I had a very brief but very wonderful adventure and for sure, this would not be the last of Lanao. There is more to Oz_1discover here. Despite of the many dark rumors about Lanao -- of thieves, of Muslim extremists (the ones that promote violence, no offense to my muslim friends, you know what I mean), I had not seen any of that. Instead, I see good-natured locals. And it's one realization that we are all just the same. But I know I still had to be careful. It's just one lesson to be learned -- to broaden your minds, and explore... From the barge, in the middle of Panguil Bay, I can see the twinkling lights of Oz, inviting me to come home. My home away from home.

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September 08, 2007

In The Land Of Lanao (Part 3)

Mosque_in_lanao

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A month later. Just this weekend, I journeyed back to the land of Lanao. I was invited for a feast. The exams were finished and I took the opportunity. It seems that Lanao is a rich land full of adventure and treks to be discovered but few people, even the locals, do not know. Little by little I uncover this land in my little trips here. This time, i visit a town called Tubod.

MukasDsc01906Hand_structure_of_dapit_alimWay To Tubod. From Mukas, we headed to a 15 minute jeep ride to Tubod. Along the way, I could see good spots worthy for a stop but I guess it is for another time. One place I wanted to venture is the Dapit Alim Viewpoint, where you could see the whole Panguil Bay from a bird's eye view. There's so much things to see here... Soon, I reached the municipality of Tubod, the capital of Lanao Del Norte, which I heard that my pops visited in his early years.

Tequila_bisdakTequila Bisdak. I visited a mentor's place here in Tubod where a feast is brewing. Eventually, I got a little drunk because I could not reject an offer of brandy. I was also offered a different kind of drink-- It was the first time that I got introduced to a home-made tequila. It was the mentor's invention. Funny story was, he got the ingredients from a dream... Eventually, i tried and I really liked it. It's got a sweet and salty aftertaste. It is mixed with Tanduay Rum, lots of lemoncito and Sprite Soda. The preparation is very tricky as well, only the mentor knows how to concoct such drink. Finally, salt surrounds the glass' rim. He calls it by many names, Jamaica, Tequila Bisdak, etc. Hey, only in Lanao! :)

MarangMarang_seedDurianThe Land Of Marangs & Durians. In this trip, I also tasted a unique fruit found south. It is the Marang, a close relative of the Jackfruit and the Durian (i think). The seed's whitish coat is the one that is being eaten. It has a similar taste from the jackfruit but the jackfruit is much sweeter. I also tasted the Durian, which I think is not your typical fruit. I haven't smelled its infamous odor but the taste is bland.

Dsc01915Dsc01932Barangay Karaoke & Drag. At night, I watched a Karaoke Contest and a Ms. Macho Gay competition. All was in good fun. The barangay people flock to the venue and watched the event. I realized how important is singing in our culture. Almost all of us Filipinos could sing karaoke, and it is very prevalent in town fiestas such as these. The next portion was the very funny Ms. Macho Gay, where real men do a fake gay pageant. It is always funny to see men in drag and it is always a way for people to have an easy good laugh especially in fiestas.

AbandonedDsc01951Dsc01950Abandoned. In the morning, I tried to make the best out of my short stay here. I roamed around to check the locale. Just Dsc01955Dsc01946beside the place i slept in is an abandoned house, somewhat of a church before. There's nothing interesting to talk about here but I just liked the setting for photoshooting purposes. It's got vandals all over inside. I guess it is a good place for ghost hunting at night.

Dsc01945Dsc01959Teacher's Pets. Beside the house was a pig pen and some chirping Lovebirds from Basilan that my mentor owns.

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Mt_malindangSleeping Giant Across The Bay. Soon, i went back to Mukas, still lacking of more things. I guess it's for later times. Going back, i can greatly appreciate Mount Malindang from Panguil Bay, wrapped in cummulus clouds.
















December 09, 2007

Dapit Alim

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243 Steps. Months ago, I came across an area in Lanao del Norte. It is revered by locals as a solemn place over the hill. From there, one can see a scenic view of Panguil Bay and even Ozamiz City. This is Dapit Alim, which imparts the message of coming closer to our God, our Allah, and give ourselves to Him through prayer and loyalty. From the foot of this hill, a very distinct mark welcomes visitors both near or far - It is a unique huge wooden sculpture of an opened hand. I wondered how one came up with this work. And from below this hill, I took two hundred and forty-three steps until I reached the top.

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Works. More of these sculptures stand on the grounds. All unique and one of a kind. The confession area in particular, is different as well. It all adds up to the ethereality of the place. I eventually learned that these were works of Kublai, a famous contemporary artist around Mindanao. I have heard and seen this guy on the television before. I never thought I could be this close to his art. I was amazed.

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Peace, Serenity. A priest lives here but for today, he was not around. Only his keepers were left. They welcomed me and was very hospitable. The priest had some wild pets and some unique flowers and plants that were growing from everywhere... I also heard they conduct masses early on Sundays, which I would have wanted to experience as the sun rises from the horizons of the Panguil Bay with great view and high definition. I took the rest of my time on this hammock and had a quick rest. I took advantage of the serenity and the calmness..

DSC00002.jpg picture by xon86kh dapit alim

Artist's Poem. Back to civilization, I came across this poem from Kublai while he was sculpting his works:

LANAO WORK

Two hundred and forty-three steps
Up the hill
And seven concentric circles
I have arrived here in Dapit-Alim

One hand loaded with tools
Another hand with my family
I have carried with me
My treasure
And I intend to bury myself alive
Without reservations

Spending days working
Under the ecumenical sunlight
Resting in crescent moons at night
And waking up on rainbow beds

Mosques and mosquitoes
Morning prayers and evening sickness
Rainy working days
And coconut breaks

My life revolves inside a tree stump
Each day springs to a new leaf
Flying birds
Bugging flies
And fucking dogs

Hardworking boys
My lovely wife
And our bulging baby