Visit Number 7 PART TWO

So many interesting things from Visit Number 7 that I have had to make this into a multi part Blog.  So here is the second part of my 2013 Visit to Iligan where, for me, it is always MORE FUN !

At the half way point between visit 6 and 7 there was a lot of excitement and multi media press coverage of the all new " Jollibee Tropical " that opened in Tubod, Iligan. This all new design and imaged Jollibee is the first of its kind for all of Mindanao.  After viewing all of the information about its opening via internet this was a must see for me.  I went early in the morning to get some good pics before it became crowded.

                              Jollibee, Tubod Branch, Iligan CIty

                            As always, Jollibee welcomes me


There is always some kind of festive occasion happening in Iligan. When I am there it is National Correctional Consciousness Week, a celebration of Jails in The Philippines. As in past visits I had made many donations and contributions to Iligan City Jail, when I came to visit the jail this time I had tears of joy in my eyes to be greeted by a banner informing me that once again Iligan was awarded Best Jail  in Region 10 plus the Best Jail Warden in Region 10.  I was informed that my continuing contributions played a good part in making this a reality.In between  last visit and this one I donated a 43 inch tv and satellite receiver to the jail to be installed in the new Visitor area that was constructed in 2012.  This will enable inmates and visitors to watch all of the major sporting events not shown on regular tv as well as world news and educational programming.  This is the only jail in Region 10 that has Satellite TV.  Thanks to Imperial Applaince Plaza. Iligan Branch. one phone call from my home in New York did it all. This may even encourage more visitors to the jail for those that do not usually get visitors.

                             This banner brought tears of joy to
                              my eyes when I first viewed it.

It seems the closer it gets to the time of the year for me to visit the faster the time goes. In the few weeks before I get there  it seems like a time avalanch with the clock going faster and faster. As much as I tried, I did not practice  the " Iligan March " at home in front of my internet screen as I had planned on doing.  When it came time for a performance during the many Jail festivities I kind of declined the first request for me to join in. When the Filipina inmates said  " Kuya Bob please come and dance with us "  how could I refuse them. Of course I joined them, had a great time and did rather well despite the lack of practice.

                             Participating in the " Iligan March "

It is standard policy of Philippine Jails that they do not provide personal care items for the inmates. These are to be supplied by family and friends that come to visit them. It is unfortunate that some inmates do not get any visitors at all and have to go without. As I did last year, I had a " meeting with the Minors " where I presented them with personal care items I had brought for them. During my meeting with them I found that at least half of them did not have any visitors. In comparison to the many other contributions I have made to this " Award Winning " facility, my gifts for the Minors is the most emotionally significant one to me. Anyone can make donations  and as you can see, even just a bar of soap for an inmate that has none is very well appreciated.

                             My " Meeting With The Minors " 2013

                             Minor Inmates express their gratitude
                             for the gifts I brought for them.

A most unique celebration at the jail is a Mass Wedding, which is something I had never heard of before.  This was the second of these celebrations I have participated in while visiting Iligan City.  Newly elected Mayor Regencia officiated the ceremony and officials of Region 10 BJMP also participated.  In a meeting with Mayor Regencia, Warden Jalagat and officials from Region 10 BJMP, we discussed additional major construction and improvements for the jail.  I can assure you of some major projects that are now in the works and I hope will see completion for my visit Number 8 of 2014.

Much to my surprise, a few days later I was being driven to Region 10 BJMP Headquarters in Cagayan De Oro to receive an award for my continuing interest and contributions to the " Multi Award Winning " Iligan City Jail. Not many would consider spending their vacation time visiting a city jail and participating in some of the activity there but for me part of this is my way of expressing my appreciation to the City of Iligan for the best vacations I have ever experienced.

                             BJMP Region 10 express their thanks
                             for my continuing contributions to the
                             " Award Winning " Iligan City Jail.

Back in the " always something new in Iligan " department, something else I had looked forward to was visiting the Fabulous Iligan City Hotel-Casino !  The first two floors of the Plaza Alemania Hotel in Iligan are occupied by a PAGCOR Casino.  Prior to entering the casino I asked if I could have a look at this recent ground up restoration and refurbishment of the hotel.  A hotel employee was assigned to be my guide and I was very impressed with this hotel which includes a beautiful rooftop restaurant. The Casino opened at 6 PM and I spent several very enjoyable hours in it. The staff was very welcoming and answered any question I had about it.  The Casino offers a limited food and beverage menu so I enjoyed my evening meal there with some of my Iliganon friends who were also visiting the Casino for the first time. As with all Casinos, photos inside are not allowed so I got one at the entrance with a very nice Filipina Security officer. The casino itself was very clean, attractive, great air con, excellent Comfort Rooms ( rest rooms ).

                                    Plaza Alemania Casino Hotel
                                    Iligan CIty



Several years ago an area known as " The Strip " began to develop in Barangay Pala-O. This has been transforming into an outdoor food court over the past several years with different restaurants, and ice cream desert shop and now a bakery and fish fry place. I visited it during the day as I wanted to get some updated pics for my reviews on the travel websites. Those websites require the reviewer to use only their original pics and not those " borrowed " from elsewhere. Yes, I brought my appetite with me.

Another all new from the ground up was a new branch of the original Zoey Cafe.  This purpose built building has a dining room and coffee shop on the first floor ( handicapped accessible ) .  The second floor is a catering hall which can accommodate up to about 120 people. I was fortunate to be able to attend the Culmination Night dinner of Iligan Business Month to once again meet some familiar faces  from prior visits and those who I had not had the pleasure of meeting before. I enjoyed several meals during my visit in the main dining room with some of my Iligan friends. The all new Zoey Cafe is owned and operated by the same family of the original Zoey Cafe in Iligan and of course it was wonderful to be greeted by familiar faces when I entered this restaurant for the first time.

                             New from the ground up, Zoey Cafe
                             Umbaldo Laya Branch.

In visit Number 6 I experienced Tita Fannies restaurant at  the Gaisano Mall. This visit I wanted to experience the original Tita Fannise, the one that started them all. I was also looking forward to another one of those famous Tita Fannies Bila Overload Combo Platters that I waited another year for. I had a very enjoyable meal topped off with a Halo Halo Buko.

All good things seem to come to a conclusion so fast and it seemed as if in the blink of an eye it was time to go back home to New York. I will miss you Iligan City until Visit Number 8 later this year if all goes well.

                             Ready for Departure at Languidingan

Visit Number 7 PART ONE

As I always like to comment there is always something new and things to look forward to on my visits to Iligan City and Visit Number 7 brought something new on the way to Iligan.  This would be my first time experiencing the all new Languidingan Airport, one third closer to Iligan than Lumbia Airport was.  Little information was available about door to door transportation ( taxi or car service ) from the airport to Iligan.  I was quite surprised stepping out of the arrivals exit to find a similar situation to how Lumbia was. The Hawkers, Squakers, sign wavers were all out there. In the original plans for this new airport this was not supposed to be there but I guess the new airport gave in.  Taxis would not offer a metered ride to Iligan. A number of private vehicles were offering transport to Iligan.  One of my original Iligan friends was there to meet me who spotted a private vehicle and driver from Iligan that was familiar to him so we took it. The cost was appropriate at 1000 PHP.

                             Arrival for Visit Number  7

                             AN Unexpected Welcome

Arriving safely in Iligan City about an hour later and after checking into the hotel, I stopped in at the new Chamber of Commerece office and was welcomed by members of  the Iligan Bloggers Society who just happened to be there. Next of course was my favorite place in Iligan, Jollibee Tibanga for some of my favorite Jolli-Food.  I don't think I had even removed my jacket that I had on in New York some 22 hours earlier because it is cold in New York at this time of the year.  My first bite of a Jolli Hot Dog tole me it was good to be in Iligan again !  I waited a whole year for this.

                         I flew half way around the world for this


On visit Number 6, my favorite place to stay in Iligan, the Elena Tower Inn was in the process of refurbishment. The exterior was being painted and decorated for the first time and now it was completed giving this fine lodging facility a new look.  One of the things I like most at Elena Tower Inn is that the same employees are there year after year.  This indicates to me how loyal they are to their employer and to their guests.  I have always felt I am treated more like family here and not as a foreigner or a stranger.

                             Elena Tower Inn on Tibanga Highway

One of many things I like about staying here is the ever increasing amount of restaurants and eateries of all kinds that continue to open up within a few steps of this hotel.  On visit Number 6 a brand new McDonalds was under construction right across the street.  It was now in full 24 hour operation and I found it very nice when I wanted fresh brewed coffee around 2 AM while I was catching up with things on the internet from my hotel room. Of course I sampled some burgers and fries but when I am in The Philippines Jollibee will always be my first choice.

                              McDonalds,  Tibanga Branch

My favorite place for Pizza in Iligan, The Iliganon in Pala-O  opened a branch on Chelina Arcade right next to the hotel. It seems so many of my favorite things are moving closer to where I like to stay when I am in Iligan.  I enjoyed this new restaurant many times during Visit Number 7 and had a pizza of one size or another with just about every meal I ate there. The sizzling steak meal  quickly became a favorite along with a Mango Shake.

                                      Iliganon, Tibanga Branch


On my previous visit in 2012, unfortunately I caught a case of pneumonia and was in Mindanao Sanitarium Hospital  ( renamed Adventist Medical Center )  for 5 days. The treatment and care I received there was excellent and I feel the staff at times went out of their way to make my stay as comfortable as possible. A part of this health care facility includes the MSH Cares Foundation which conducts free Medical Missions to areas of Iligan and elsewhere in Mindanao. They have also conducted medical missions in Tacloban after the Yolanda Typhoon Disaster.  As an expression of my appreciation and gratitude this year I brought donations of stethoscopes and Bp Cuffs for the MSH Cares group.  Additionally I donated a good quality stethoscope and Bp Cuff to two school selected students of the Mindanao Sanitarium Hospital College which also shares the grounds of MSH. My donations were well received and although no one knew it at the time, my donations went along with the MSH Cares members to be used in their medical mission in Tacloban.

            One of Two boxes of donations to MSH Cares Foundation

Two, college selected students receiving stethoscopes and aneroid Sphygmomanometer from me as a form of a scholarship award. These are required items for nursing students and I am sure my donation to these " working students " will be a big help to them.  After the presentation ceremony I had each of the students check my blood pressure with their new items. At 130 / 70  I would say the result was favorable.





(  TO  BE  CONTINUED )