Untold Wonders of Iligan

It is still my third month in this city, the city of Iligan and honestly I have never been to any of it's tourist destination, but what I can share to you is about the people of Iligan itself, how to survive the day in Iligan with the cheapest rates you can pay for, and about us student-tourists who makes it one of the most diverse cities in the Philippines.

I was from Polomolok, South Cotabato, but even though the distance between these places is more than 500 km. Iligan City is still known for it's MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology, that is why many high school graduates all across Mindanao came to Iligan City before and after enrollments during May. We chose MSU-IIT as our college university because of it's excellence and superiority in Science and Technology. I took up an engineering course in MSU-IIT, because MSU-IIT's College of Engineering is known for it's top notched skills in molding future board topnotchers in their courses. Not only that, College of Science and Mathematics of MSU-IIT has the distinction of being designated by the Commission of Higher Education (CHED) as Center of Excellence in all four departments of the College, namely Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. This accomplishment is shared by only three other campuses in the Philippines – UP Diliman, De La Salle University-Manila, and Ateneo de Manila University. It is truly the center of college education, not just in Northern Mindanao but in the whole Mindanao itself.

On the first day of school, I encountered a great mix of cultures from the different provinces of Mindanao. Some of my block mates came from Tawi-tawi, Agusan del Norte, and Sultan Kudarat, a province of the same region as mine. It was great to know that my friends came from all across Mindanao, and we will share to each other the different cultures and tradition each and everyone of us to one another. I also have friends who lives in Iligan. I was greatly overwhelmed of their hospitality and friendliness. They make me feel like I have childhood friends in Iligan.

I have eaten in different restaurants and eateries in the city, one of them is Macki's Fried Chicken, which you can in line with the KFC, that may be the reason why there is no KFC franchise in the city is because Macki's Fried Chicken is even better. And for less than 50 pesos, roughly $1, you can have a meal. It is cheap and mouth watering, a combo like no other.

Need to stay for the night in Iligan? Don't worry, motels and hotels are everywhere in the city. On the first day of enrollment, I didn't finished all the required stations of enrollment that's why I and my father have to find a place to stay for the night. We found the Famous Pension House, just a 100 meter walk from MSU-IIT. Their rates are 200 pesos, $5, for 12-hours and 300 pesos, less than $8, for 24-hours. Their rooms are for two, fully air conditioned, with free wi-fi, and a flat screen TV.

So what are you waiting for? For just only $10, or roughly 400 pesos, you can survive a day Iligan and see it's wonders, the wonders of the smiles, hospitality, and friendliness of the Iliganons. It's More Fun in Iligan.

“An official entry to the Iligan Blogging Contest 2012”

#7 Copacetic: "A Walk to Remember"

And so begins a tale of true love, first love, and everlasting love that you will never forget. Well, another story set in North Carolina. Isn’t that new with Nicholas Sparks? This story will make you shift your emotions from time to time. Yeah, weird but possible.
A Walk to Remember is such a film that never fails to be interesting, touching, at times fascinating. Sparks proves that he is a master of pulling heartstrings, and he waves his magic romance wand once again, this time over the idea of transformational first love.
He had written a sweet tale of young but amaranthine love, and though he told us to expect both joy and sadness, the tears will still come. A remarkable love story that like its predecessors, will touch the hearts of viewers everywhere.
It is a gentle, old-fashioned romance that reminds us just how powerful love can be. There’s no way this tender love story could disappoint us. Sparks created a bittersweet message that poignantly explored the innocence of love. He helps us to maintain that belief which tells us that love can be pure and that the good wins out in the end.
Sparks makes the story seem real, a slim volume that won’t give you a reason to stop it from playing. You’ll emerge cleansed by the tears and the luminosity of the story.
“Do you love me?” “Yes.” “Can you do something for me, then?” “Anything.” “Will you marry me?” these lines may be short but then, it moved every single string attached to my body. I felt like I don’t want this story to end. I won’t forget this, ever.

Every now and then I stumble across an extraordinary film that at first appears like it’s countless, unremarkable and easy to overlook. But then, when I find time to watch it, I’m amazed with the treasure hidden within. One of the films you’ll definitely want to see anytime, anywhere. This film quickly joined Sparks’s highly acclaimed creations. Indeed, at first you will smile, and then you will cry. And with fine reason, take this “walk” with Sparks and you’ll be glad you did.