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.

Around Mindanao, 5 - Home in Tangub

We have a house and property in Tangub City, Misamis Occidental since my father is from there. Actually its a farm with fruit trees and remnants of a piggery and a chicken farm in my father’s attempts to do the negosyo side but unfortunately, it failed. Its only the couple of mango trees, a lone durian, ponkan (I didin’t even now that we have this one), chestnuts (castanas), rambutan, longkong, guava, guayabano, and other fruit trees and a herd of cows that’s left. However, as per one of the last wishes of my father, he wants it sold and currently, my mother is busy with the legalities.

Thus, when I was last in Mindanao, I made it a point to visit this place where some summer vacations were spent with my cousins hunting for wild birds and fruit bats, experiencing the bucolic life and assisting in preparing coconuts for copra.

The road to the farm is not exactly a good one. The constant rains that’s been keeping Mindanao for a few days when I was there soaked up the pathway and it became muddy, left. Right, a view of the small abode as well as the payag and unused chicken shelter.

Left, the bed with mosquito netting. The last time I used this one was more than many years ago in Cebu. Right, a calf running away from me.

Left, the mango trees found in the farm. It already started to bear fruit a few years ago. Right, a red and ripe rambutan ready for the picking.

Around Mindanao, 4 - Jimenez Church

The Parish Church of St. John the Baptist in Jimenez, Misamis Occidental is considered the best preserved heritage church in Mindanao. This unique church (so much different compared to the typical Spanish era churches in the rest of the country) is listed as one of 26 colonial churches considered as National Cultural Treasure and one of two from Mindanao (the other is in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental). Constructed by the Augustinian Recollects in the second half of the 19th century. Conservation measures are currently done inside the church as part of the NCCA (National Commission for Culture and Arts).

When I entered this church, I just can’t help but gasp at its very beautiful interior. Paintings at the top of the church’s nave, as well as sides are just amazing. Right, the impressive colors of the dome. Left, the rather squat facade is rather simple but inside, its just awesome.

The gothic style altar is impressive, left. Holy water font, dating back to 1878 can be found a few feet from the door, right. This church has also a pipe organ that is no longer used located at the choir loft.

Left, at the upper part of the belfry can be found, still intact but no longer functioning, the church’s clock. Its almost the same clockwork device that I have seen in Tayabas, Quezon and Oslob in Cebu. Right, still original tiles of the church’s floor still intact.

Around Mindanao, 3 - Rizal Shrine

For four years, Jose Rizal was exiled in Dapitan from 1892 - 1896, critical years that marked the start of the end of Spain’s more than 300 year rule in the country. The Rizal Shrine, the major tourist draw in this peaceful city was bought by Rizal and there, he built (all are replicas now) a couple of wooden houses, a clinic, schoolroom, quarters, etc.

Its really a lovely place with lots of foliage, trees and fresh breeze from the sea. There is also a building constructed in 1972, the Rizaliana which supposed to be a sort of a museum but when I visited it, it was really in bad shape.

Left, Casa Quadrada is Rizal’s main house where he resided. Right, is his room.

Left, Casitas Hospitales is where Rizal received his patients while, right, Casa Redonda an octagonal structure served as his pupils’ quarters.

Around Mindanao, 2 - Dapitan church

Left, the Church of St. James which was built by the Jesuits in 1883 where Jose Rizal goes to for Sunday mass. Its an imposing edifice with few embelishments on its facade and lords it over the plaza. Right, the interior of the church with its mesmerizing cieling.

Left, the place where Rizal usually stands during mass. Right, unlike other churches which hosts a population of bats, this one have swifts making there nests.