Rough Groove

Around Mindanao, 9 - Misamis Oriental

Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental was my work base for two years when I was still assigned in Mindanao. Compared to Davao where I also spent another two years, I prefer to live in this place if I was to chose between the two. It may not only that its much nearer to Cebu, my home province which only takes an overnight boat ride but maybe its much more cozy. Here I found love, lost it and found another one. Majority of my beetle collection is near this city (Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental). People are friendly, city is laid back and just too many happy and painful memories.

The new Cogon Public Market that now dominates the area. Still busy with vendors and consumers. For many years, that I’ve been passing this place, I just got accustomed to the seeming eternal traffic, people spilling its streets and chaos that I identify with this public market. Even with this new building, nothing much has changed.

I made a short visit to the grave of a very dear friend in Gingoog City and was just happy to see this place again.

On my way to Davao via Buda (the Bukidnon - Davao highway) it was raining hard and with the elevation, around 3,500 ft++, fog was very much present even in the afternoon.

Around Mindanao, 7 - Jasaan Church

I have always been intrigued when centuries old churches are mentioned in Mindanao since its just rare. Of the four that I covered, one of these is the Immaculate Concepcion church in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental. Built by the Jesuits late 19th century, it is perched atop an elevated area in this municipality.

Architecturally, left, I wasn’t so impressed with this church. Except for the lower portions that still retained the original stonework, the upper part of the facade is already new but I think that it still follows the original design. In the NCCA website, it also mentions that this is a provincial attempt to follow an urban design that is the San Ignacio church in Intramuros which was totally destroyed during WWII.

Right, the neo-Gothic retablo of the church.

Left, what impressed me very much with this church though, is the intricate design of its wooden ceiling, like a complex weave on a native basket or a piece of traditional tribal cloth. Right, the massive convent entirely made of wood with big tree trunks for its post inside.

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.