Philippine Travel (Mindanao)
It is my privilege to have been to some of the most beautiful places in the country. I would like to share with you some of my travel experiences. This page is dedicated to all domestic tourists. (Credit to MC for the dancing lady which she says was her expertise during her younger days, many decades ago....).
COTABATO CITY
Oct. 2, 1999 - I have just been to Cotabato City, a city with such a tainted image but yet so colorful. The first reaction whenever I tell people I am going to Cotabato is the worried faces for the risk I am facing in going to a place where peace and order is always on the balance. You always read in the newspapers of encounters between the army and the rebels, of kidnappings, bombings and other disturbing news occurring in Cotabato City. Landing at the Awang airport, one is greeted by men in fatigue with armalites and heavy ammunition. This is but natural as the airport is inside the military base. But reaching the city, the same sight greets me. It seems that here in Cotabato, the gun is a necessity. It is a symbol of security and power at the same time.
But Cotabato City is just like any other city in the country. The peace and order situation is also the same as in other cities. Sure there are crimes, but which city doesn’t have the same problem. The city also suffers the same problem as any other metropolis; traffic, garbage, etc.
But the city is so colorful with the Muslims in their native attires plus the tricycles and jeepney adding to the mixture of colors. The people may sometimes be wary of strangers but they are hospitable as any other Filipino. I have been to the city for 3 times now and so far, all I have encountered are the warm smiles of the people. Cotabato is indeed a city of contrast.
In Cotabato, I recommend HOTEL CASTRO along 47 Sinsuat ave. (tel no. 4217523-24). It has nice rooms but avoid getting the rooms along the street since it can be very annoying as it is facing the market. The hotel is complete with an ihaw-ihaw and sing-along bar at the roof deck (it served me and my companion the best sea foods), a coffee shop at the 3rd floor and a fast food/bakery at the ground floor. So if you believe that you must not go out at night in Cotabato City, then this hotel offers a complete amenities. The hotel is very accessible as it is in the center of the city. Rooms are reasonably priced (from P650 /$13-single standard to P1980 /$41 -suite room). A friend told me of another good hotel, the ESTOSAN GARDEN HOTEL (tel. no 421-6777 / email address: ) located along Gov. Gutierrrez Ave. My friend said this is the best hotel in the city.
Here is an account of one of my trips to Mindanao sometime in early 2000. From Cagayan de Oro City to I traveled to Ozamis City , proceeded to Dipolog, crossed by fast ferry to Dumaguete City and then traveled across Negros Island to Bacolod. It took me 4 days to complete this trip. Hopefully, I can give you some travel tips.
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - I started my journey in this center in Northern Mindanao. A very nice place to go to, plenty of hotels and restaurants, hospitable people..........
The City of Golden Friendship. That is how Cagayan de Oro City is described. This capital of Misamis Oriental is the hub of trade and development in Northern Mindanao. This is the city where I can walk unafraid even at midnight for it is very well known for its peace and order. The city is accessible by sea and air travel from Manila and Cebu. It also has numerous hotels which offers reasonable rates but nice accommodation. But a point of advice is to verify if there are any conventions in the city for this sometimes makes the hotel rooms scarce. An advance reservation is highly recommended.
The most famous hotel nowadays is the DYNASTY hotel right in the middle of the city. PRYCE PLAZA (tel. no [08822] 72-6464)Hotel offers a panoramic view of the city since it is situated atop the hill but access can be a problem. DISCOVERY Hotel (tel. no. [08822] 727-320/725-837) is my usual hotel since it is a walking distance to the Limketkai Mall (the Glorietta of Cagayan) where you can do some shopping, eat Jolibee or MacDonalds, play bingo, bet on Lotto, watch a movie or do just about anything. But avoid checking in during Sundays if you want peace and quiet since it is just in front of the cockpit arena. But if you like to gamble and cockfight, then this is the right place. The hotel is also near the place to buy the best ham in town, PINES, which along Osmena st. Another recommended hotel is PHILTOWN Hotel (tel no.[08822] 726-335)which offers delicious buffet breakfast and has a seafood restaurant which I like to eat often. I also would like to recommend PEARLMONT INN which offers good accommodations at very low prices. During promo periods, their Standard Single Room costs P550 ($11) while their Family room costs P1,200 ($24) which includes free breakfast. It is located near the Limketkai Mall.
Mobility around the city is no problem as the street is flooded with aircon taxis (flagdown P20/$0.40). An advice though, if getting a taxi at the airport going to the city, insist on a metered charge. The drivers may sometimes charge you a P150 fixed rate but a usual metered rate is around P100 only. Motorelas, a combination of a tricycle and jeepney is still the cheaper from of travel around town. Miniature ‘Minicas’ called ‘PU’ used to lord the streets of Cagayan de Oro but has now vanished.
The mighty MOTORELA of Cagayan de Oro
Dining in Cagayan is no problem. Restaurants with varied delicacies abound. The city is known for its meat and pineapple product (a Del Monte plantation is nearby). The native ‘lechon’ is very delicious but strangely offered without the usual liver sauce (sarsa). Chicken ‘inasal’ or chicken BBQ is also recommended. Delicious sea food delicacies is also offered in most restaurants. The best Sweet Ham are found in this city. And if you want to try Ostrich meat, a restaurant in the city serves this delicacy. One does not leave Cagayan with an empty stomach.
The LIMKETKAI Center is Cagayan de Oro’s own version of Ayala Center. You’ll find just about everything here, mall, cinemas, restaurants, etc. A visit to Cagayan de Oro is not complete without a visit to LIMKETKAI.
ILIGAN CITY - This city is the mixture of Christian and Muslim life. However, this is not one of the cleanest city that I have been to in Mindanao.
Iligan City is the industrial capital of Lanao del Norte. Big companies are located here such as the National Steel Corp. Jacinto Steel, Cement factories and the National Power Corp. But the current financial crisis heavily affected most of these industries thereby posing problem to the existing jobs. Sadly, the National Steel Corporation has been shut down due to the severe financial crisis. But efforts are being done to reopen the big source of employment in Iligan City.
Majestic MARIA CRISTINA FALLS
MARIA CRISTINA FALLS used to be a top tourist attraction but is now the source of hydro-power in Northern Mindanao. But the place is still open to visitors after going to the usual process of screening at the gate. TINAGO Falls on the other hand is said to be as majestic if not more beautiful than Maria Cristina Falls and is highly recommended for a visit. I’ve been to this place a couple of times and I always marvel at nature’s wonder, the majestic waters cascading down while at the same providing power to the region.
Iligan City is also a warm mixture of Muslim and Christian communities. It still retains some of the Spanish Colonial Period houses. I don’t know of any hotel which I can recommend as I usually stay in Cagayan de Oro which is an hour and a half drive only.
OZAMIS CITY - On the way to Ozamis, we passed by the small town of KAUSWAGAN which was severely hit by a freak flash flood. A sad sight for me as the small wooden homes were heavily damaged and all the poor residents’ personal belongings were scattered all around. A makeshift bridge was finished just in time so we were only delayed for a few minutes. Arriving at Ozamis City is always a treat since its access from Cagayan de Oro is via a 30 minute ferry ride. The leisurely cruise gives me an opportunity to view the scenic mountains of Lanao province.
Ozamis City is a bustling city of Misamis Occidental. Direct air travel is suspended as of the moment so it is accessible by sea via Negros Navigation, WGA and Sulpicio Lines which has regular shipping schedules to and from Manila; or by Air via Dipolog City (a 3 hour drive thru good roads) where PAL has regular flights to and from Manila. One can fly to Cagayan de Oro where PAL, Air Philippines and Cebu Pacific have regular flights too and then drive for about 4 hours (beautiful scenery along the way) including a 30 minute ferry crossing. There is also a daily ferry to and from Cebu via Cebu Ferries (leaves Cebu at 7 pm and arrives at Ozamis at 5 am ).
The only hotel I can recommend for visitors of Ozamis City is ROYAL GARDEN Hotel (tel. nos. [088] 521-2888/89,521-2784). The hotel is highly recommended since it offers spacious rooms at a reasonable price, delicious food and free shuttle to and from the pier or the bus terminal, plus an elevator. A single room costs around P800 ($16) which is a bargain considering its fine interior and luxurious amenities. The only drawback is the mosquitoes and the small TV (it should be 20") in the rooms.
Ozamis City is not well known for cleanliness and the city government should do something about this to attract more tourists. No special delicacies except for the small crabs caught from a nearby town. Toasted ‘Turones de Mane’ is a cheap but an addicting snack.
DAPITAN CITY - This is a very historic city. My impression of this place is that it has had only few changes since the days of Dr. Rizal. I’d say this is one of the cleaner city that I’ve been to in Mindanao.
Me along the shore of Dapitan where Dr. RIZAL used to walk centuries ago.
This is the historic place of exile by the National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Replicas of the original house and structures still stand and the place has been preserved to its original state. A must for tourists.
The City Plaza is one of the most beautiful park I’ve seen. Plus add the fact that this is the park where Dr. Jose Rizal used to walk and contemplate. The people are also very hospitable so you would always enjoy your visit here.
Dapitan is also well known for DAKAK Resort, a five star hotel and beach resort but the place is also infamous for its very expensive fees. There are other reasonably priced hotels and beach resorts along the way to the city proper and is more advisable to budget tourists. However, the sand in this area is gray unlike the pristine white sand of Dakak.
The city is conveniently located about 15 minutes away from Dipolog City where the airport and sea port is located.
Marker of Rizal Shrine
Me in front of the Rizal’s house
Me in front of Rizal’s clinic
DIPOLOG CITY -The present gateway to Northwest Mindanao. I stayed overnight in this city during my journey. All that I can say of Dipolog is sardines.
The best hotel in town is the TOP PLAZA with nice clean rooms for P900/$19 (double). One of the few hotels in Mindanao that has an elevator plus a nice restaurant. Tel. nos. are [065]212-5777/212-5535/212-5888/212-5536/212-5289).
DIPOLOG CITY is the capital of ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE. Dipolog’s Cathedral is one of the more beautiful churches I’ve seen.
I recommend the famous product of Dipolog, the Spanish sardines, as a favorite pasalubong to friends. The well known brand is Montano. I believe a bottle cost something like P35/ 70 US cents.
Regular flights to Manila via PAL. This is also where you can board a fast but very comfortable ferry boat to DUMAGUETE City (Negros Oriental) or CEBU. Travel to other destinations in Mindanao (Oriquieta, Pagadian) by land can be via aircon vans (Mitsubishi L300, Toyota Hi-Ace, etc,). But the air-condition van can sometimes be more of an inconvenience as it only leaves the terminal when it is full and travelling on a packed van (like a sardine) can be an ordeal.
DUMAGUETE CITY - After a relaxing trip on board a SUPERCAT fast ferry, I arrived at the most cleanest and peaceful city in Negros Oriental. Dumaguete is always associated with the century old SILIMAN University. This is a highly recommended place to go in Western Visayas.
One of the cleanest city I have been to. DUMAGUETE City boasts of being the most peaceful and cleanest city in this region Negros Oriental. It hosts one of the best educational facilities of the country, the SILIMAN UNIVERSITY (which is presently celebrating its 100th year....GORIO/ August 2001) . The atmosphere is like UP Diliman or UP Los Banos, a big campus ground in the middle of the city, a dominant student population and numerous student-oriented business establishments.
The most famous spot, especially at dawn and dusk, is the ‘Boulevard’ which is like Manila’s Roxas Boulevard, a street in front of the seashore. Here the whole city seemed to gather either to watch the sun rise or the sun set. This is the place to go to in Dumaguete.
The best hotel is BETHEL GUEST HOUSE (Tel. nos.4228000/2252000;e-mail:bethel @mozcom.com) with cheap rates P630/$13 for a studio type room and a spectacular view of the sea. The recommended restaurant is CHIN LOONG which offers delicious Chinese cuisine at cheap rates. Chicken ‘Inasal’ is also very common here and should not be missed by visitors.
Dumaguete is accessible to and from Manila by air, Air Philippines flies daily or by sea, regular schedule by Negros Navigation. One can cross to Cebu also by fast ferry boats.
Life in Dumaguete is so laid back. No pressures. Other cities I’ve been to are either too modernized like Manila or are just too boring (Ozamis). Dumaguete is just right for me. I would like to go back to DUMAGUETE CITY again.
If you wish to see dolphins and whales in their natural habitat, then nearby BAIS City is the place to go to. The city has its own eco-tourism program of arranging boat trips to watch the dolphins and in some instances, whales. The local authorities assures its guest of 99% odds of seeing the dolphins but the catching sight of a whale is seasonal. I’ve seen on TV the successful trips of some of the guests and I plan to go to BAIS just for this purpose in the future.
BACOLOD CITY - I rode across Negros Island from Dumaguete to Bacolod on a bus. The 5 hour trip is afforded me with the nice scenery of the Negros countryside, mountains and sugar fields. The Ilongos are very warm and hospitable people (and beautiful too!). Bacolod is a fitting end to my 4 day journey. I can now relax at my hotel room and have a sumptuous meal of my favorite prawns at relatively cheap prices.
The familiar scene of the BACOLOD countryside....canefield (photo by Don Pirot)
BACOLOD is the capital of Negros Occidental. It is well known for its Spanish period houses. Some of the old haouse have been preserved in its original form so scholars of architectural history can find a rich source of information (especially in SILAY City).
I usually stay at the GOLDENFIELD GARDEN (tel no. [034]433-3111)in Bacolod as it is located right in the middle of the city’s nightlife. It is in the GOLDENFEILD COMPLEX which features a casino, disco houses, KTVs, 24 hour convenience stores, internet cafes, bowling alley and numerous restaurants. The hotel offers reasonable rates and has a mini-ref in side the rooms. If you want a more luxurious accommodation, then check in at the L’FISHER Hotel but the price there is higher though. The BACOLOD CONVENTION PLAZA is also a good hotel. But avoid the SUGARLAND Hotel even though this was newly renovated, as the hotel is along the path of the airplanes to the airport so it can be very noisy whenever a plane lands or takes off. (Sorry I don’t have the present room tariffs of these hotels right now but if GoldenFiled Garden costs around P900/$19, then L’Fisher and Bacolod Convention Plaza will cost twice as much)
BACOLOD is well known for its Chicken Inasal and the prawns. Piyaya is also a popular pasalubong by visitors from this city as well as the barquillos.
Air flights to and from Manila via PAL, Cebu Pacific or Air Philippines are on a regular daily schedule to this city as well as the regular shipping schedules of Negros Navigation and WGA SuperFerries.
*All of the hotel mentioned offers aircon rooms, hot and cold shower, with phones and cable TV.
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