On visit 5, I enjoyed having dinner at Jacko's with members of the Iligan Bloggers Society Inc. After reading and viewing the aftermath of Sendong I felt I would never have that opportunity again as Jacko's Restaurant had a near complete washout and destruction. By the time visit 6 came along I was delighted to know that Jacko's had been completely rebuilt from the ground up with many new features and pleasantries incorporated into the new building. You can read more about it in my travel review here:
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Philippines/Iligan_City/Restaurants-Iligan_City-MISC-BR-1.html#tip=2275292
New for me on this visit was going to Tita Fannies ( Mall Location ) for the first time. On visit 5, I had my first taste of food from Tita Fannies in the form of a take out platter featuring a combination of different menu selections. Talk about an aftertaste, this one lasted me for a year until my next visit to try more.
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Philippines/Iligan_City/Restaurants-Iligan_City-MISC-BR-1.html#tip=2272519
After reading blogs by members of the Iligan Bloggers Society on their visit to Iligan Paradise Resort, it gave me the desire to see and experience some of it in person. I got a group of my Iligan friends together and we went there for part of a day. I went on the cable car ride but passed ( ok, chickened out if you will ) on their 2 section Zipline although I enjoyed watching my friends enjoy it. I think my " experience " on the NPC Zipline on visit 4 will last me for a long time LOL. As I was only at Iligan Paradise Park for a few hours I did not see or experience all of what this attraction has to offer and I may visit it again to see more.
My visits to MSU-IIT this time was hosted by the School of Computer Studies. Earlier this year they had posted a very entertaining video as their entry to a faculty and alumni video contest. By the time of my visit they were well aware of my enthusiasm of their video and arranged to do a re-shoot of it, this time with me as one of the participants ! This came as an unexpected surprise to me and was one of the highlights of visit 6 as can be seen here :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUKvWvNJBPg
On previous visits I had made donations to the Iligan City " Award Winning " Jail. Obviously this is not a tourist attraction but after viewing videos of it on Youtube and learning some of its recent history, to me it certainly is. My visits also just happen to be during the time of National Correctional Consciousness Week where week long events take place at the Jail.
This celebration begins with a motorcade through the city and I was able to view it from riding in one of the lead vehicles. WoW, what a way to have a tour of Iligan City !
The funding for tables in the visitors area from prior visits became a big help, especially on Visitors Day and also for the many organizations that sponsor health and welfare events for the inmates. Unfortunately the aging visitor / multi-purpose area was in dire need of an upgrade or outright replacement. While discussing this with Warden Jalagat and Mayor Cruz on visit 5, an estimate was drawn up. Out of the three of us, none of us could supply the funding for this. We came up with a plan that if the three of us pooled our available recourses we just might be able to make it happen and maybe even a bit more. You can read about it here:
http://liveinthephilippines.com/content/hey-joe-got-soap/
With all of the fun and activity taking place during visit 6, I guess I kind of over extended myself with the excitement I have visiting Iligan City. During the second week I was not feeling too well and rested for a few days not getting any better. I always wanted to have a comprehensive tour inside Mindanao Sanitarium Hospital although I never expected to do it this way !
http://liveinthephilippines.com/content/hospitalized-in-the-philippines/
I was quite impressed with my 5 day stay at MSH and included a review of it along with my travel reviews on the travel websites. MSH was impressed with a review from a foreigner and re posted it on their website, and yes, I would without a doubt suggest MSH to any visitor requiring any of the services and care offered there.
http://www.amciligan.org/bob-newyork
There are always many things of Iligan posted in many places on the Internet that keep me informed here on the other side of the world. One of those sources, as I have mentioned many times, is Youtube. From year to year, there is always one video that to me, stands out from all of the rest that I had viewed between my visits. I have a formula for determining what my " Iligan video of The Year " is. If at first I find myself watching it over and over again for about an hour, picking out every possible detail I can, I know it is a good video. Secondly, if it gives me a warm feeling inside and makes me want to laugh and cry with happiness and joy each time I watch it, I know it is a good video. If it is something I can share with many many others to illustrate why I want to make another return to Iligan City, thats the clincher in making it my own personal choice choice as the " Iligan Video of The Year ". This one was made by a group of students as some kind of school assignment. I do not know who they are or from what school they are from. This video comes together beautifully. The sound quality is excellent ( play it back through a club sound system and it could easily shake the walls ) , The video quality is very good and for those that can read and understand them, the words appear on the screen. I believe the language is in Tagalog but better still, no matter what language you are fluent in the message comes through loud and clear. I have recently received an English translation to the words so I can know for sure what the performers are singing. I am often asked to sing something on my visits to Iligan and I have surprised many when I sing " The Jollibee Song " which is a combination of English and tagalog. Hey, you never know, maybe on a future visits I will surprise people with this one >>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZlN0Qo5niA
Toward the end of Visit Number 6, I attended the Monday Morning Flag Raising Ceremony at City Hall and got another chance in performing Iligan March. To me, this weekly event really qualifies as a tourist attraction and it is a highlight of my visit to participate in it.
Always something new
Things to look forward to
Iligan City
Simply Amazing !
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