Sunday, July 02, 2006

Hidden Paradise in iligan

The Tinago Falls is one of the main tourist attractions in Iligan, a city known as the City of Majestic Waterfalls. Tinago is a Filipino word meaning "hidden", the falls being hidden in a deep ravine. Trekking to the falls requires approximately 500 descending steps called the winding staircase. It is said that Tinago Falls is a sanctuary for weary souls seeking to commune with nature. The trip to the falls actually exposes you to a variety of wildlife. Today, the trail is refurbished into a wildlife park hosting different species of wild animals.
The falls is approximately 240-feet high, its very cold waters cascading beautifully into a deep and calm basin-like pool which appears like a blue-colored lagoon. Under the falls is a small cave where people can enter and listen to the rumbling waters. The foot of the falls is a very ideal place for swimming. The place also has man-made swimming pools for children. It is truly a majestic place that resounds an atmosphere of serenity, a perfect escape from the noisy metropolitan. -SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA

the other day, my friend jo, a doctor, told me that she was going home next week to iligan city, in the mindanao region ..far far south. she was going to travel by plane, since travel by ship would take about almost 2 to 3 days of trip. She relates to me that Iligan city is a wonderful place. i mean i have heard of it but i didnt really know, what makes it special. well, ive been living here in manila since birth but i never thought that there's such secret and very much more paradise-like places in other remote provinces of the philippines.

she showed me pictures of Tinago falls, and wow, was i mesmerized and i couldnt take my mind off of it. she tells me, that this falls was open to the public since she was a child (well, she's almost 35 plus now), and it has always been this secluded place, and interestingly, the bottom of the Tinago falls has never been measured or dived because it was believed to be very very deep..more like an abyss probably underneath. She also tells me of maria cristina falls, which is more of the popular one, since its one of their primary sources for electricity, "geothermal energy"..that's why she tells me, life in iligan city is simple and not costly.

she tells me stories of a barbecue stand which is usually open by night and they sell barbecues so cheap for just almost 7 to 10pesos and its really tasty and has a delicious sauce. She told me that at night, if u want to get a good view of the whole city, u just have to hang out infront of the city hall, because in front of it, lies the whole overlooking view of the city and probably breathtaking. She tells me the Iligan fiesta celebration is in September, i told her to invite me there..but she tells me, i could go there anytime i want to, because i might not really enjoy the place at times when the whole city is crowded.

gosh i love this falls, i love batis-like places..i always fall in love with the serene nature of waters and falls. I could stay there forever.


Tinago falls
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iligan fiestA
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maria cristina falls
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dimbalut falls

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scenes from Tinago falls
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