DON’T let embassy travel advisories and unsavory news stories about Mindanao deprive you the opportunity of exploring the hidden charm of the so-called Land of Promise. Its northern corridor, which spans five provinces, is a serendipitous getaway with its blend of culture, adventure and nature, and everything in between.
And just like the fabled aurora borealis which exudes a natural light display in the sky, Region 10 may as well be the northern lights of Mindanao.
I have been roaming the region since the early-1990s, when tourist establishments weren’t as sophisticated as they are now, but its innate allure more than compensated for its shortcomings in the frills department. But with the advent of high-class hotels, resorts, restaurants and activities, Northern Mindanao can now offer the charm of countryside and dash of modern lifestyle.
Lanao del Norte
Its name might sound intimidating, but it is a most pleasant surprise you’ll encounter in your journey. The province is home to some of the most enchanting waterfalls in the country—the legendary Maria Cristina in Iligan City, Cathedral in Kapatagan and Tinago in the Linamon-Iligan boundary. The latter is the most enticing to nature lovers with is curtain-like drop and ice-cold blue-green pool.
The capital town of Tubod is home to the Mindanao Civic Center, a massive sports complex which also doubles as the country’s biggest motocross race tracks during tournaments. A stone’s throw away is a cozy resort hotel owned by the provincial government, which seem to transport you to an Asian tropical getaway.
Misamis Occidental
This intriguing province is a well-kept secret, perhaps because some other characters overshadowed its charm. Ozamiz City, its air and sea gateway, takes pride with its heritage spots—the circa-1750 Spanish fortress Cotta Fort Santiago which is now a museum and park, and the National Artist Leandro Locsin-designed Immaculate Conception Cathedral, which has a massive German-made pipe organ, the biggest in Mindanao and the country’s second biggest.
Also within the city is the 9-hectare Naomi’s Botanical Garden, the province’s first farm-tourism site.
The mountain-top Hoyohoy Highland Stone Chapel Adventure Park in Tangub City beckons with its breathtaking view of Mount Malindang Range, dual-line zipline, and a host of recreational facilities.
The Belvedere Viewdeck at Fertig Hills is another viewpoint which has a sweeping panorama of the mountains and the sea.
Come December, Tangub becomes a crowd-drawer for its “Christmas Symbols Festival” which boasts some of the most mesmerizing Yuletide displays you’ll ever see.
Misamis Oriental
Nicknamed Mis Or, it is the region’s gateway and most progressive province because of its airport and seaport. An obligatory pit stop is the Divine Mercy Shrine is a prayer and pilgrimage center in El Salvador City. The iconic 15-meter statue of Jesus Christ can be reached by ascending a 100-step staircase where devotees can say a prayer and marvel at the panorama.
Opol town is known for its seafood restaurant row and the 7-hectare Seven Seas Waterpark, one of the country’s biggest inland resorts with 20 pool slides, rides and food outlets. Uphill is the Philippine Ostrich and Crocodile Farm, which is a sanctuary to some 600 species of flightless birds, crocodiles, Chinese chicken, sheep, peacock and Hyacinth Macaw.
Cagayan de Oro, dubbed the City of Golden Friendship, is Mindanao’s second most progressive center with scores of Department of Tourism-accredited establishments which have made it a favorite site for large conventions. Adrenaline junkies shouldn’t miss Mapawa Nature Park and Macahambus Gorge for canyoneering, trekking and rapelling, and the Cagayan River White Water Rafting.
Take a peek at the Museo de Oro, the Museum of Three Cultures and City Archives Museum for a glimpse of the region’s rich heritage. The tribal-themed Gardens of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village in the city’s uplands is a must-see because of its cultural presentations and crafts which will virtually transport you to the ancestral domains of northern Mindanao’s indigenous peoples.
The eastern towns of Jasaan, Magsaysay, Media and Gingoog City are unheralded but equally exciting scuba-diving sites because of their lush marine sanctuaries, coral gardens and artificial reefs. Duka Bay Resort, a secluded beach hotel along Gingoog Bay, is arguably the top spot because of its underwater altar 60 feet below.
Bukidnon
This landlocked province offers something different—a mountain, ranch and tribal experience, being the domain of seven indigenous groups.
The capital city of Malaybalay is sought-after for the Monastery of Transfiguration, a hilltop pyramid-shaped Benedictine church designed by Leandro Locsin. It is open to the public for Masses and occasional breakfast with the monks where guests can savor their organic Monks Blend products.
A new novel attraction is the Hobbit-inspired lodge at the Mount Kitanglad Agri-Ecological Techno-Demo Farm and the Maputi Bird Preserve Camp.
Valencia City, once a bucolic ranch town, is the commercial hub and “bedroom” with its small shopping malls and quaint lodging. Those looking for country charm and modern comfort can hit the sack at Double M, the most stylish hotel in the city and the home to food outlets which have been part of Valencia’s culinary scene.
Not to be missed is the placid Lake Apo, which shuts you out from the hustle and bustle slowly creeping in Valencia. Once hailed as the region’s cleanest lake, it is ideal for rafting and picnics with its floating cottages.
Camiguin
With a land area of only 238 square meter and a 64-kilometer. circumferential road, this island province is a veritable paradise in a nutshell which you can have to yourself. Its most photographed spot is the White Island sandbar which was used by Philippine Airlines as a poster image in the 1990s, which has captured the fancy of beach bums.
Because of its compact area, you can go around it in a day or two, and take Instagrammable shots of the Katibawasan Falls, Ardent Hot Spring, Sunken Cemetery, Taguines Lagoon Aqua Sports, Walkway to the Old Volcano, Santo Niño Cold Springs and Binangawan Falls.
You can fly on a single-propeller Champion Super Decathlon plane of Camiguin Aviation so you can see the island from a different viewpoint, and do occasional heart-pumping aerial aerobatics.
For scuba divers, snorkelers or simply beach lovers, Mantigue Island is not to be missed with its diverse marine species, powdery sand and gin-clear water. At about this time of the year, the sweet and seasonal fruit lanzones is ready for picking, especially during the Lanzones Festival in late-October.
The great thing about Northern Mindanao is it can be visited, or portions of it, in one seamless trip. With its eclectic charm waiting to be discovered, who cares about advisories?
Image credits: Bernard L. Supetran