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 )