Marawi City | 5 Friendly Reminders before Visiting Marawi City and Lanao Del Sur

Marawi City, the provincial capital of Lanao Del Sur, is predominantly 99% Muslim in population which makes it the only “Islamic City in the Philippines”. But let me guess, if you haven’t visited this city yet, you would probably think that this city is just synonymous to “danger”. And the worst part, because of such negative publicity, Marawi City became one of those cities least visited by tourists and travelers.

It was even more disheartening to know that I was once guilty for treating this glorious city that way. Honestly, I have to admit that once in my life I got so scared visiting Lanao Del Sur and Marawi City. Once in my life, I still could not shake that frigging “Marawi fear” off.

But thanks to my On-the-Job-Training (OJT) for I was given a chance to visit not only the City of Marawi but as well as some secluded municipalities in the province of Lanao del Sur which helped me realized and found out by myself that not all the nasty things I have heard, read and saw on social medias about Marawi City are true.

Contrary to public belief, Marawi City is also friendly city for travelers but with much considerations and so, here are my 5 good willed reminders before visiting this city;

1. It is advisable to have a local tourist guide.

I am not saying that you should hire a professional local tourist guide but maybe you can just simply ask a friend who is living there to be your companion while roaming around the city. Swear, it will help you a lot not only for simplicity purposes but more on your security and safety.

2. Shutterbug around town is not always okay!

Always politely ask permission when taking photographs first…not all are happy when strangers are talking photos at their respective places!

3. People are deeply embedded with their culture. Be respectful!

It is an Islamic City and as a tourist you are obliged to follow their rules and regulations and respect their religion and practices. Also for girls, be conservative enough –never wear shorts and skirts that will show your skin… you know!

4. It is advisable to stay overnight inside Mindanao State University – Marawi Campus

Unlike any other universities, MSU-Marawi has its own community inside the campus where you can stay overnight, eat and roam around. However, you will not be allowed to bring and drink alcoholic beverages inside the campus and no one is even selling it there. Lastly, if you’re a Globe user the signal is very limited inside the campus so it is advisable to be a Smart user for the mean time…

5. Eat their food delicacies first before leaving the city!

Your Marawi City Adventure will never be complete without trying this. You can try eating beef randang, palapa, dudol, and others…

*Those are only massive generalization based upon my personal experienced. I will be very glad if others will comment below their suggestions and reactions for the improvement of this article. Thanks J

My Travel Diary

As mentioned above, I have visited Lanao Del Sur and Marawi City not as a tourist but as a worker doing his job, however, the experienced was not only helpful for me to grow in my field of profession but greatly as person. And this is my story…

It was 4 in the morning of April 7, 2016 when we started our journey. From Bulua Bus Terminal in Cagayan De Oro, we travelled 2 hours to reach Iligan Bus Terminal for 120 pesos. Then we transferred to a Jeepney and traveled for another 1 hour to reach Marawi City for 50 pesos. Finally, it wasn’t long enough before our tummies called us, so we decided to take our breakfast and ordered a plateful beef randang.

First Destination: The Dream Road of Lanao Del Sur

After we took our breakfast, we travelled another hour to reach our first destination –the on-going construction of so-called “The Dream Road of Lanao Del Sur”. It is a 53-km road and bridges stretching from the municipalities of Molundo, Maguing, Bumbaran and Wao, all in Lanao Del Sur to the Municipality of Maramag in Bukidnon.

Abutment of the on-going bridge construction for the Dream Road of Lanao Del Sur!

Actually, I was not informed that we will be going as far as those places but I swear to God I am very happy that it happened. It was a life changing experienced to have a glimpse of what it feels like to be a Civil Engineer assigned in such particular place where you can and you need to mingle with the natives/tribes, terrorists and other armed forces.

It was even my first time seeing and being surrounded by real MILFs carrying high powered ammunition like bazooka, M16 machine guns, bombs, etc. and even my first time taking  a selfie with the MILF! Ha-ha

It was definitely a series of stupefying encounter with the Philippine army, MNLF and MILF. BTW, we went as far as Butig, Lanao Del Sur too but no ISIS-inspired terrorists were found!

Second Destination: The On-going circumferential road construction of Lake Dapao

But before reaching Lake Dapao, we took a break and enjoyed the scenic view of Lake Lanao…how cool is that…

We traveled another hour to reach Lake Dapao and there, another memorable things happened. Unlike the previous site, wherein the MNLF, MILF and PH Army were in a complete uniform while carrying those highly powered guns, here in Lake Dapao, we were escorted with people dressed in a civilian manner but still carrying those deadly weapons…

Third Destination: MSU-Marawi for Overnight Stay

It was around 5pm when we reached MSU-Marawi Campus and the streets were still busy back then but surprisingly after 2 hours, it started to become a ghost town… the temperature dropped and I felt exactly the same like I was in Tagaytay –very refreshing!

O.J.T ‪#‎thexuixuiWay be like: "Night 8: Staying at Mindanao State University Main Campus - Marawi City with the MSU Students (of-course) after a very memorable site inspection/visit!" Tag y'self guys! ‪#‎CivilEngineering

We were so tired that day so we slept as early as 10:30pm and woke up around 6am next day for an early morning walk around the MSU Campus…

Around 9am we traveled back to Cagayan De Oro. By the way, going back to Iligan City is also a hassle free since there's a Jeep Terminal inside MSU-Marwi which will only cost you 50 pesos!

Been there already? How was your experience? Let me know in the comments section or message me on Facebook!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marklowillalmedaa

SAMAL ISLAND | 3 REASONS FOR SAYING “WOW, SAMAL!”

How I got there?

                Actually, Island Garden City of Samal is no longer new to me since I have already heard so much good about this place from my college classmates, friends and other travel bloggers who have been there. However, the thoughts of having no companions and spending days out there would be so expensive hinder my visit, luckily, I was so thrilled upon hearing such “yes!” from my friend when I asked if she could join me visiting Samal Island, a week right after Sinulog 2016.

                

My Travel Diary

            We departed Agora Bus Terminal, Cagayan De Oro City around 7pm of January 23, 2016 and took us 8 hours to reach Davao City. It was raining that day so upon arriving at the terminal, we took a taxi going to Sasa Port and there, we waited for the first trip going to Samal Island which was exactly 6am that day. And here are some points that set Samal Islands apart from the other tourist destinations in the Philippines…

1. THE FARE IS UNBELIEVABLY CHEAP.

                a. From Sasa Port, Davao City the barge just like what is shown below will take you to Samal Island for about 15-18 minutes for only 10 pesos only. How cool is that?

b. From Samal Port, you can hire a motor cycle going to the other side of the island or to the port heading to Talicud Island or you can simply ask the diver to take you to the different tourist spots in the island for a minimum fare of 100 pesos each person. Also, the drivers are very friendly that you can easily get along with them.

For us, we decided to directly go to our first destination the Kaputian Beach Resort. It is actually a much undeveloped beach resort with fine white sand. I guess, that’s the reason why the entrance fees isn’t that expensive but seriously the beach is a promising one.

Fronting Kaputian Beach Resort is the Sub-Station going to the Talikud Island. There you need to wait for the pump boat (shown below) to fully occupied until it will depart the station.

So while waiting for the pump boat to be fully occupied you can do some crazy stuff for you not to get bored like posing a very gay-ish pa-cute photo at the station with the Kaputian Beach Resort as the background…ha-ha

TALIKUD ISLAND

2. THE FOOD IS GREAT!

                In Talikud Island, Samal, you don’t need to go expensive and fancy restaurants and classy hotels in order to experience the finest delicacies of the island and eat like a King or Queen because even eating in the carenderias will make you say, “Wow, Samal!” This Carenderia is located near Sta. Cruz Wharf, Talikud Island.

3. NUMEROUS TOURIST SPOTS TO CHOOSE FROM

                Just like my very own Camiguin Island, Island Garden City of Samal is also a haven filled with amazing world class natural tourist spots. When searching for fine white sand beach, you will never go wrong with the virgin white sand beaches of Talikud and Samal’s.

Unexpectedly, because of our friendly driver, we found a very good spot for some overlooking view of the Davao City Skyline… 

A NIGHT AT DAVAO CITY

            After beach bumming at the white sand beaches of Samal Islands, we went back to Davao City and spent a night out there before going back to Cagayan De Oro dawn of the next day.

1. VISITING ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY

                It was Sunday so I decided to attend a mass in the university thinking there will be a 5pm mass just like in my school –Ateneo De Cagayan but it turned out to be none. So instead, we just roam around the campus and by the way, that was my first time visiting another Ateneo school. Ha-Ha

2. FOOD TRIP AT ROXAS NIGHT CAFÉ

                We deserved some Alacart de Davao! Just was exactly the same as Night Café in Cagayan De Oro before ….

3. FOOD TRIP AND ROAMING AT JACK’S RIDGE DAVAO

                It was exactly the same again as High Ridge of Cagayan De Oro. Perfect for some fine dining while gazing at the city lights of Davao!

4. VISITING PEOPLE’S PARK DAVAO

                Finally, we reached our last destination before hitting our bed –the people’s park! To be honest, I don’t usually visit public parks because I was thinking it would be just like any other parks in the Philippines which are not maintained so it looks boring and dirty but with the People’s Park Davao I was surprised how lovely it was –clean and perfect especially for kids. 

Been there already? How was your experience? Let me know in the comments section or message me on Facebook!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marklowillalmedaa