Rough Groove

Around Mindanao, 6 – Ozamiz City

Ever since I was a child, my Mindanao roots have always been here in Misamis Occidental since my father is from here. Well, Ozamiz has always been the entry point in my countless times of going to our Mindanao home. Its actually a bustling city but not the capital of the province. Oroquita, the provincial capital a few kilometers up north is more laid back than compared to this growing city.

A few years ago, by the time it gets around 1900H, the streets tend to be silent and the city asleep. However, when I was last there, there are already a couple of 24 hour fastfood chains like Jollibee and Dunkin Donuts. Other symbols of commercialism like other fastfood chains: Chowking, Greenwich, McDonalds are also present in this once sleepy town. While progress seemed to have made its impact, it still retained its notoriety as a haven of crooks, murderers and the dreaded Kuratong Baleleng.

Left, Bucagan Hill, the famous landmark of Ozamiz. Right, a symbol of progress (?) and commercialism, a McDonalds sign.

Left, Ozamis City is connected by a 15 minute ferry trip to Mukas in Kolambugan, Lanao del Sur. This ferry, has been servicing the route for decades and has cut the travel time between points by more than an hour. The alternate route is a long road travel down south. A few years ago, one of the ferries was bombed. Right, these pedicabs are still a sight in the city.

Left, it was marang season and naturally, these delicious fruits are cheap and all over the place. Right, a serving of halo halo in North Pole, an Ozamiz City food shop that has seen big competition with fastfood chains. A favorite snack place way back, its halo halo servings now are not as good as before.