Showing posts with label Iligan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Iligan. Show all posts

Monday, November 19, 2012

Lanao Del Norte: A Hidden Treasure: Tinago Falls

by lakwatserong tatay



We just had a day tour in Iligan City, so we did not waste any time to see at least two of scenic waterfalls on this city, as we all know that Iligan City is known as "City of Majestic Waterfalls", so right after roaming around at NPC compound, witness its Nature Park, Power plant and Maria Cristina Falls. We immediately back on the highway and ride Buru-un bound jeepney. Together with my 3 co-xplorer buddies, Jayson, Regie and Johari explores the hidden treasure known as "Tinago Falls", a filipino term means "hidden", where the falls is hidden in a deep ravine.

our guides...^_^

Tinago Falls used to have a resort and a vast developed land area for a vacation trips. Unfortunately, the resort has closed down and what is now left is a rundown buildings and cottages structures, its just like a resorts ruins...^_^


The falls is still accesible and open to the public through old resorts property. You may ask some locals for directions or maybe accompanied by a guide, like we have some of the children playing around was our guide to overgrown grasses and bushes of the old resorts.


It was just few minutes of walking inside the old resort's property, if im not mistaken it took us about 10 minutes walking thru, however after this walk thru experience. Trekking to the falls is required, i may say you may feel your both knees shaking after descending to cemented stairs that has more or less 500 steps, called the winding staircase.

start of winding staircase

within the winding staircase...^_^
The falls plunges 240 feet (73m) high from a cliff, with its very cold waters cascading beautifully into a deep and calm basin-like pool ehich appears like a blue-colored lagoon, which reminds me of Small Lagoon in El nido. Under the falls is a small cave where people can enter and just stay, chillax while listening to rumbling waters of Tinago Falls.



A legendary story is commonly heard about Tinago Falls...and here it is....

Legend has it that there once lived an influential and powerful Sultan Agok and his wife. They were appointed by their people as their king and queen. But they became too proud of themselves and became selfish rulers of their kingdom. When the sultan's wife was pregnant, an enchantress, disguised as a beggar, begged for their help but instead they exiled and rejected her. Because of this, the enchantress cursed the couple that the child will become ugly but they did not take it seriously and permanently banished the enchantress.

The child did become ugly. The couple was sad and disappointed, expecting the baby to be as lovely as her mother. They hid the child in a cave to avoid embarrassment and named the baby Tin-ag, which means "hidden face". They visited and took care of the baby in the cave.

When the child grew up, she came out of the cave and became amazed at what she saw. The enchantress, who cursed her parents, saw her and made an offer to transform her into something of great beauty and splendor. She accepted the offer and became the Tinago Falls.



It was such a tiring trek descend, however the lush green and fresh air scenery greeted us, was a great reward to our aching bodies that time....^_^. Even though the falls and the place that time was quite crowded with fellow tourists and locals swimming around.....we still enjoyed it, got souvenir pictures in each of its corner, and right after the photo sessions.....of course, what we should do.....swimming time!!!!!

the visitors that time...

x-plorerboyz in swimming mode...^_^

tara!!!! ligo nah....sa Tinago Falls...^_^

Entrance and Miscellaneous Fees:

Entrance :  Free or Donation would be fine.
Life Jacket Rental : php20
Bamboo Raft Ride Fee : php 10/per person
Cottages / Tables Fee : php 50-100

How to get there:

It is located 13.8 kms. away from city proper and accesible through two points, Brgy. Buru-un, Iligan City and its neighboring municipality, Linamon, Lanao Del Norte. Tinago Falls is can be found in deep ravine of Brgy. Ditucalan, Iligan City. From city proper take a jeepney bound to Buru-un. Tell the driver to drop you off at Buru-un Market (Talipapa). Fare is php 14.00. From there, take a habal-habal (single motorcycle) ride and ask the driver to take you at Tinago Falls jump off, fare is php 30.00 each.


Done with Chasing Two of Majestic Waterfalls in Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte, "Maria Cristina Falls" and "Tinago Falls". Even though we had limited time, and 2 of 23 waterfalls can be seen, we really had great time and experience, and surely go back if we were given a chance. Next stories are Farewell Time to Northern Mindanao, and Compilation of Itinerary, Accommodation, Expenses and each stories behind Our Northern Mindanao Adventures.


This is part of our 6-Days Northern Mindanao Escapades. Visited and X-plored 4 Provinces: Misamis Oriental, Camiguin Island, Bukidnon and Lanao Del Norte. Our fourth stop is Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte, that is known as the "City of Majestic Waterfalls", the 4th province of Northern Mindanao.


Tours & Activities:
Iligan City Church: St. Michael's Cathedral
NPC Nature's Park
Maria Cristina Powerplant
Lumbia Airport: It's Time to Say Goodbye for Now.....Mindanao..

Chasing Waterfalls:
Enchanted with Maria Cristina Falls
A Hidden Treasure: Tinago Falls

Friday, November 16, 2012

Lanao Del Norte: Get Enchanted with Maria Cristina Falls!

by lakwatserong tatay



Maria Cristina Falls is a waterfall of the Agus River, that generates 70% of Mindanao's electricity. A landmark of Iligan City, known as the "City of Majestic Waterfalls", because of the presence of more than 20 waterfalls in the city. The second highest falls in the Philippines at 320 feet high, sometimes called "twin falls" because of the flowing waters is separated by a rock at the edge of the waterfall. The falls is also the primary source of electric power for its city industries, generated by the Agus VI Hydroelectric Power Plant.


This waterfalls has also a man-made control set up by the National Power Corporation, thats why sometimes the flow of water is on its full blast and you will have the chance to see its full grandeur and natural beauty.

Me @ Maria Cristina Waterfalls....^_^
I remember way back my school days, Maria Cristina Falls is always part of history and science subjects. Always seen on textbooks and even educational shows in TV. Since then, i'm thinking of it, a dream that i didn't believe, it will come true and get enchanted and be glance with this majestic waterfalls.


As you walk along the power plant's walkway. you will hear the rushing of the water coming from its majestic falls and be glance with its mighty water flowing downwards. You would think what if your swimming under those waters....hmmmm...^_^


The experience is such rewarding, being in front of this waterfall is really one great memory that just few of us could enjoy. Seeing the strong cascading of waters flowing downwards and the greenery scenery on its surroundings is such an alluring experience. Lucky for our group when we visited it. It was on full blast, maybe they controlling it that time....^_^


A very pleasant view of waterfalls can be seen from the viewing deck. It has 2 levels, you may opted to choose in 2nd level, but its more rewarding if you will go another floor which is the 3rd level of the building. The view is truly fascinating! How you wish you could swimming near the falls and on Agus river...^_^


How to get there: 

It is located 9.3 kilometers away Southwest of the city proper at boundaries of Brgys. Maria Cristina, Ditucalan, and Buru-un. From the city proper, take a jeepney bound for Buru-un. Tell the driver to drop you of the Maria Cristina compound. Fare is about php12.00 and travel time is around 20 minutes. Then walk towards the NPC complex for about 10 minutes.

X-plorerboyz @ Maria Cristina Waterfalls...^_^
Done with the 1st waterfalls of Iligan "Maria Cristina Falls". Next stop is one of the Hidden Treasure falls of Iligan, known as "Tinago Falls".


This is part of our 6-Days Northern Mindanao Escapades. Visited and X-plored 4 Provinces: Misamis Oriental, Camiguin Island, Bukidnon and Lanao Del Norte. Our fourth stop is Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte, that is known as the "City of Majestic Waterfalls", the 4th province of Northern Mindanao.


Tours & Activities:
Iligan City Church: St. Michael's Cathedral
NPC Nature's Park
Maria Cristina Powerplant
Lumbia Airport: It's Time to Say Goodbye for Now.....Mindanao..

Chasing Waterfalls:
Enchanted with Maria Cristina Falls
A Hidden Treasure: Tinago Falls

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Lanao Del Norte: Iligan City's Maria Cristina Power Plant

by lakwatserong tatay

Aside from its nature park, this facility also holds one of the power plants that supplies electricity of the province. Sad to say we just have the glimpse of it, we wasn't able to see and get inside the power plant that time. But being there and standing in front of Agus VI Hydroelectric Plant is one of a kind experience.

Maria Cristina Power Plant

stairs leading to the power plant

the walkway going to 2nd & 3rd level
This power plant has 3 levels which offers you the great view of Maria Cristina Falls. Each levels has different facilitating area which maybe used in this hydroelectric plant.

One of the great rewarding views of Agus River

Maria Cristina Falls powers the Agus VI hydroeletric plant, one of the several hydroelectric plants that harness Agus River. The power plant has a 200 mw potential capacity supplied by a water flow of about 130 cubic meters per second.


Located at the 3rd level is a photo memorabilia, how Maria Cristina Power Plant started. From a simple and very serene waterfalls and turned into a hydroelectric power plant.

how it started......




Agus VI is operated by the National Power Corporation and was commissioned on May 31, 1953. Under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Mindanao Super Region development plan, the Agus VI is planned to undergo a 1.856 billion peso upgrading project.

X-plorerboyz @ Maria Cristina Plant
Being situated along one of the banks of Agus River, it has an ideal viewing distance from Maria Cristina Falls, which most of the tourist alike got a good view of the falls from either the second and third deck of the plant. Along the sides of the falls and its surroundings are trees and other wild plants which seems unaffected by the activities of the National Power Corporation, through the years it looks like untouched forest even with such activities of the plant.

Me @ Maria Cristina Plant
Done with Maria Cristina Hydroelectric Powerplant. Next is the Majestic Waterfalls of Iligan, Lanao Del Norte, known as Maria Cristina Falls.


This is part of our 6-Days Northern Mindanao Escapades. Visited and X-plored 4 Provinces: Misamis Oriental, Camiguin Island, Bukidnon and Lanao Del Norte. Our fourth stop is Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte, that is known as the "City of Majestic Waterfalls", the 4th province of Northern Mindanao.


Tours & Activities:
Iligan City Church: St. Michael's Cathedral
NPC Nature's Park
Maria Cristina Powerplant
Lumbia Airport: It's Time to Say Goodbye for Now.....Mindanao..

Chasing Waterfalls:
Enchanted with Maria Cristina Falls
A Hidden Treasure: Tinago Falls

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Iligan City: NPC Nature's Park

by lakwatserong tatay



Before we start our adventure of chasing waterfalls in Iligan. We had our 1st stop around National Power Corporaton Complex. Where we will have the chance to see the Majestic Waterfalls known as Maria Cristina Falls, A Glimpse of Maria Cristina Powerplant and its Nature's Park. So let me start with its Nature's Park.


The NPC Nature's Park is located within the AGUS 6/7 HEP Complex, Tourism Triangle Boundary Maria Cristina-Buru-un, Iligan City. The park was launched together with groundbreaking ceremonies of Hydro Science Centrum, September 22, 2006 and after four years in the making, NPC Nature's Park has its Grand Opening and Ceremonies, July 9, 2010. The park aimes to boost its tourism potential and to enhance its conservation, development and maximum utilization of its natural resources as well as to help the improvement of standard living of individuals living near the park.


Before seeing the majestic Maria Cristina Falls, we roamed around the park to check out what it could offer us travelers alike. The park really got a big space, that you need to ride a shuttle to go from one place to another. But dont worry, shuttle service is just a call away from security post of each of its amenities, just inform any of the security personnel on duty and they will call the shuttle immediately.

our shuttle ride...

Entrance to one of its park
This eco-adventure park offers travelers alike the chance to see the spectacular Maria Cristina falls but aside from this, the park also presently offers mini zoo/ostrich area, crocodile park, butterfly garden, koi pond, lagoon, orchidarium, cottages, a bat cave, wishing well and viewing decks along the banks of Agus River, souvenir shop, canteen, and activities like rock climbing and zip line.

By the way, here are some of our photos, while roaming around the park.












***thanks to my co-xplorers Jayson & Regie for lending me some of their photos....till our next adventure..^_^

Entrance Fees and Schedule:

Php 35.00 (adult)
Php 25.00 (students and senior citizens, present ID's upon registration)
Php 50.00 (rock climbing/per person)
Php 200.00 (zip line/ per person)
Php 10.00 (shuttle ride)

NPC Nature's Park is open from Mondays to Sundays, 8:00AM to 4:00PM except from Tree Top Tour (Zipline) is closed every Tuesday for weekly scheduled maintenance.

Contact Information:

Contact Nos: (063) 221-9033 ; 221-3988
Email: npc_npark@yahoo.com
Website: http://npcnaturespark.com 

How to get there:  

From city proper, take a jeepney ride bound for Buru-un. Tell the driver to drop you off to Maria Cristina Falls compound. Fare is about Php 12.00 and travel time is around 20 minutes.

NPC Nature's Park Map
Done with roaming to NPC Nature's Park, next stop is glimpse of Maria Cristina Power Plant and the first time to see up close the Majestic Maria Cristina Falls.



This is part of our 6-Days Northern Mindanao Escapades. Visited and X-plored 4 Provinces: Misamis Oriental, Camiguin Island, Bukidnon and Lanao Del Norte. Our fourth stop is Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte, that is known as the "City of Majestic Waterfalls", the 4th province of Northern Mindanao.


Tours & Activities:
Iligan City Church: St. Michael's Cathedral
NPC Nature's Park
Maria Cristina Powerplant
Lumbia Airport: It's Time to Say Goodbye for Now.....Mindanao..

Chasing Waterfalls:
Enchanted with Maria Cristina Falls
A Hidden Treasure: Tinago Falls

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