The Maguindanao Experience | Upi, Maguindanao, Philippines

More often than not, people from all over the world have associated Maguindanao with the tragic Ampatuan Massacre. Even before that incident, when we hear the word Maguindanao, "war" would probably be the first thing that would cross our minds - and I'm guilty of that. But, I was wrong (but not totally though, lol), let me share some of my experiences in Maguindanao and take you on its other side - Upi, Maguindanao.

Upi, Maguindanao or North Upi is a third class city in the province of Shariff Kabungsuan, Philippines. 

There are only few (or even close to none) articles available over the internet that speaks about the beauty of Upi, Maguindanao. You can try and search it in Google and all you can see are the basic information about the province. I was so lucky that I got the chance to visit this wonderful place. I owe it to my cousin who's a friend of Ms. Jen Paragas Teves of the Paragas clan.  Ate Jen who's based in Wichita, Kansas, invited my elder cousin, Ate Valynn, to their hometown to shoot for her brother's wedding. Since my cousin was into landscape photography and not that familiar with wedding photography, there came my name, she suggested that she would bring me along as I am more exposed to wedding photography. And so to make the long story short, I had the chance to travel for free - simple joys of being a wedding photographer, wink!. Not to mention, my first airplane ride, lol.  

Jan + Christine Wedding (December 28, 2010)

The Paragas clan is quite famous all over the Maguindanao Province, a Christian family that is not just known because of their lands or wide network of businesses but also because of their humility and charity to the community.  And, we were very lucky that this family was our host during our stay in Cotabato and Upi, Maguindanao. We really felt at home with them, they are very humble and simple with their lifestyle. Thank you!

After the wedding coverage, Ate Jen and her family toured us around their lands and some scenic spots of Kabutoyen, Upi. The place was really amazing, it was as if you are not in the Philipppines (as if I've already been abroad, haha). But really, kidding aside, I didn't expect that Maguindanao has these potential tourist spots.  

Wonderful Tourist Destination: Tinago Falls | Iligan City, Philippines

The Hidden Beauty of Tinago Falls

    

Location: Buru-un, Iligan City

               Philippines 9200

   

Tinago Falls is one of the main tourist attractions here in Iligan City situated in between the borders of Buru-un, Iligan City and Linamon, Lanao del Norte. 

Tinago is a Filipino Cebuano term for "hidden", and was named such because the falls is hidden in a deep valley surrounded with big trees. If you want to go and see the falls, it is advised that you must be in healthy physical condition because the only way of seeing Tinago's beauty is walking down through a winding staircase. The stairway has more or less 400 steps, but the exhaustion is really worthwhile once you get a glimpse of her (Tinago Falls). 

I was born and raised in Iligan City, but its quite funny to think, that I was already 22 then, when I had my first glance of the beautiful Tinago Falls. But I know I'm not alone among my Iliganon friends, lol. Fortunately, at last, I, together with my brother and my best friend, decided to go on a photo walk at Tinago falls. It was a long long way going down, my knees shook but I was really fighting my acrophobia or else I would be forever ignorant of my  hometown's very own pride.

I conquered my fear and it was worth it because I was really in awe when I saw Tinago Falls right in my very own eyes, indeed, a nature's wonder. 

My second visit at Tinago falls:

Photo by: Valynn Mag-usara

The view down there is  great and the very cold blue-green colored water is really tempting. If you would like to stay longer, there are cottages/tables for rent, it would cost you around P50.00 to P300.00 (Philippine Peso) depending on the season. You can actually negotiate with the caretakers especially during off-peak seasons. Tourists are allowed to swim, jump from the cliffs and even swim near the cascading water falls but at own's risk of course. There are also for-rent life jackets available and also a raft that would transport you (with the aid of the locals) near the main falls so that you would really enjoy the view under the falls.

HOW TO GET THERE:  

There are actually two routes\staircases in going to Tinago falls and I strongly suggest that you should take the newest one, that is, located at the municipality of Linamon, Lanao del Norte. The staircase at Linamon is far better than that of the Buru-un route. 

• Buru-un Route 

      FARE

      Jeepney: Iligan City Proper - Buru-un (P13.00)

      Motorcyle: P30.00 - P60.00 

1. Take a Buru-un route Jeepney near Pop Rock Cafe (Iligan City Proper), and kindly tell the driver or his assistant to drop you at Buru-un's Market  specifically at the motorcycle terminal.
2. From there, take a motorcycle going to Tinago Falls.

• Linamon Route: 

1. Take a Linamon route Jeepney near Pop Rock Cafe (Iligan City Proper), and kindly tell the driver or his assistant to drop you at the Linamon proper specifically at the motorcycle terminal for Tinago falls. 
2. From there, take a motorcycle going to Tinago Falls.

     FARE

     Jeepney: Iligan City Proper - Linamon (P14.00 - P16.00)

     Motorcyle: P30.00 - P60.00 

TINAGO ENTRANCE FEE:  P10.00

OR


Kindly coordinate with Iligan City's Tourism Office. Click here.