Lanao del Norte | Tourist Spots, Festivals, and more

Dubbed as the Land of Beauty and Bounty, the province of Lanao del Norte is a place not to miss. It is home to several exciting places and underrated festivals with authentic blend of rich culture and history.

The province of Lanao del Norte is accessible from the capital – Manila by air through Laguindingan, Ozamiz and Pagadian Airports; through sea by Iligan City and Ozamiz City ports. On the other hand, buses such as Rural Transit and Super 5 and other means of transportation are also regularly traveling back and forth from Cagayan de Oro passing through Iligan, the province of Lanao to the southern most part of Mindanao. It is also accessible from Cotabato via Marawi City or through Sultan Naga Dimaporo route.

How to get here

The province is bounded by Iligan, in the north, Lanao del Sur and the province of Bukidnon in the east, to the southwest are Illana Bay and the Celebes Sea; and Zamboanga del Sur and Panguil Bay to the west. The term Lanao is derived from a Maranao word “Ranao” which means a body of water, of which “Maranao” means “Lake Dweller.” The Maranaos are natives of the place, a Malay-Arabic descent occupying the lands around Lake Lanao, situated at the central part of Lanao del Sur. Lanao applies to the entire area before its division.

It has a total population of 1,010,563 individuals encompassing the estimated total number of 90, 092 households of which a majority or 69% are Christians and 31% are Maranao. Lanao province has a total land area of 382, 478.66 hectares or 3, 692 sq. kms. Forty percent of the total land area are plains that is why most of their populations are farmers and a considerable percent are fishermen. The municipality of Tubod is the present capital town of the province upon passing Republic Act No. 9724 separating the City of Iligan its former capital city from the 18 Legislative District of the province of Lanao del Norte to constitute the Lone Legislative District of the City of Iligan. At present, Lanao del Norte despite its colorful past is considered to be the frontier of peace in the northern Mindanao region. Why? Because even if the province is comprised of 22 municipalities (462 Barangays) namely: Bacolod, Balo-i, Baroy, Kapatagan, Kauswagan, Lala, Linamon, Magsaysay, Maigo, Matungao, Munai, Nunungan, Pantao Ragat, Pantar, Poona Piagapo, Salvador, Sapad, Sultan Naga Dimaporo (Karomatan), Tagoloan, Tangkal and Tubod with diverse culture and religion, still peace and unity prevails.

The province is known from its breath-taking caves and waterfalls such as Sta. Cruz Falls, Cathedral Falls and the famous Tinago Falls, located in the municipality of Linamon (also claimed by Iligan as it is in the boundary between the city and the municipality of Linamon). However, Lanao del Norte is more than that. Here are some of the best tourist sites you shouldn’t miss when in Lanao.

Where to go

Pikalawag Beach

This underrated beach is considered by locals as a vibrant place for relaxation. It is located in the municipality of Sultan Naga Dimaporo with fine sand and rich underwater resources. Locals mostly visit this beach enjoying fun activities like boat riding “sakayan,” and also their latest amenities – the inflatable waterpark.

La Libertad Lake

It is located in the municipality of Kapatagan, a 20 minute drive from the town proper. The lake is small, but its clean and properly managed. Several fun activities such as a boat ride around the lake, swan pedal boating, aqua-cycling, kayaking and many more. Locals come and visit this place during special occasions, like birthdays, family picnics, and fishing. Make sure to wear life jacket if you decides to swim or whenever engaging the lakes amenities.

Cathedral Falls

It is named after the marvelous rock formation surrounding the falls resembling like a cathedral. What’s good thing about Cathedral Falls is its accessibility. Unlike before, you can not get near the falls during rainy days, because of floods as visitors needs to cross the stream to see its beauty. Now, new paved road has been opened which go directly to its view-deck allowing tourist to marvel its beauty rain or shine.

Provincial Ceramic Center

Mineral resources both metallic and non-metallic are known to be found in some municipalities. Clay is abundant in the municipalities of Baroy and Tubod allowing their Provincial Ceramic Center to enjoy an unlimited supply. If you love and enjoy learning how to make pots, this good place for you.

 Dapit-alim

Located in Tubod/Kolambugan, nestled in 51/2 hectares of land with 243 steps going up overlooking the blue waters of Panguil Bay and fronting the majestic Mt. Malindang. It is a place for retreat, a center for prayer, reconciliation and holistic healing, a healing of our relations to God, His other creations and our fellows.

Pagayawan Falls

Locals refers it as “mini waterfalls” located at Pagayawan, Bacolod, Lanao del Norte, but upon getting near to the view-deck and gazing the falls itself, it is actually and literally breath-taking! The falls is a tributary falls cascading into a bed of volcanic rocks which is a potential source of power.

 Kauswagan Boardwalk

Just like any boardwalks, the place is much enjoyed early in the morning and late afternoon. The best thing about these hours are the sunset and sunrise which is just soothing and relaxing both mentally and physically.

Where to Eat

Soy Cafe and Diner

A road-trip adventure in Lanao del Norte will not be complete without trying their local flavors. This modern Filipino cafe is a homegrown of the town of Lala. Time is a luxury, so we do not have time to stay longer, so we decided to taste their best sellers only. Their version of baby back ribs is surely a run away.

Andrew’s Pizza

This homegrown pizza house in Tubod, Lanao del Norte is surprisingly very good. They have established new branches in Maranding and now in Iligan City. Whenever you are nearby just drop by at their address at Dela Cruz Bldg., Cabili Ave.

Campilan Bakery and Barbecue

This ancient bakery, yes ancient but gold, because they have been in the food industry business since 1960’s and up to the present, they are still using their traditional brick oven, locally known as pugon when baking their best sellers such as ensaymada.

Festivals

The province of Lanao del Norte is home to several exciting and colorful festivals, showcasing its population’s diverse ethnic background, their rich and authentic culture and arts. These festivals serves as their expressions of thanksgiving for bountiful blessings.

Kinhason Festival of Bacolod, featuring the abundance of fish and various seashells which has been institutionalized as a yearly affair in conjunction with the annual town fiesta in honor of their patron saint Sto. Nino and Local Tourism Month held every 16th of January.

Nangkaan Festival of Maigo, featuring the abundant produce of their town which is Nangka or Jackfruit, celebrated together with the Maigo Charter Day.

Alimangohan Festival of Lala, inspired from their town’s abundant produce of alimango or crabs.

Hugyaw sa Kadagatan of Kauswagan, the locals thanksgiving to the Gods for a bountiful harvest in the sea celebrated along with their town fiesta and Foundation Day on the 25th day of April.

Niyogan Festival of Magsaysay, first celebrated in the year 1997 of which the main objective of the festivity are to promote the potentials of Magsaysay in coconut production, promote and develop the coconut industry for tourism, establish the municipalities identity from that of other municipalities and to promote peace and unity in spite of cultural diversities.

Lechonan Festival of Baroy, featuring the roasted pigs participated by its 23 barangays of which each of them fashionably dressed their roasted pig and carried while they march through the way during their parade, winners are chosen by the way its presented, dressed and most specially the taste.

Sagayan Festival of the Province, is celebrated in honor of Datu Bantugan the legendary hero of the Darangen, a Maranao Epic, in his quest to rescue his sister abducted by another ruler of another kingdom of which in the end the two warring groups were pacific and reconciled.

Kahumayan Festival of Kapatagan, a tribute to the rice farmers, who are undoubtedly the most important part of the province’s if not the country’s food security highlighting the importance of rice and the engagement and participation of individuals and organizations in the attainment of the celebrations goal which is to improve production and access to rice.

Sagingan Festival of Tubod, being the primary agricultural town of the province of which 80% of their total land area are dedicated to agriculture and primarily banana as its crop, the festival is conceptualized highlighting the presentation of the different varieties of banana.

Bangsamoro Basic Law | What is it for Lanao del Norte?

The plebiscite actually determines the fate of 6 towns namely; Tagoloan, Balo-i, Pantar, Munai, Tangcal, and Nunungan who initially agreed to be included in the embattled Bangsamoro Basic Law during the plebiscite in 2001. With BBL the present Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao will be demolished and the new BBL now Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) which was passed into law and signed by President Duterte which will establish a new autonomous region. BBL is the result of the long and tedious peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front whom at the same time responsible for the creation of ARMM in the year 1996 under the leadership of Nur Misuari.

The province is not actually against the BOL. It is actually campaigning against the inclusion of the aforementioned 6 municipalities. It is grounded on five valid (bloggers’ viewpoint) reasons:

1. First, the province as we can see is already enjoying a constant peace. This is evident on how the towns in this province prosper all throughout the years. The people of Lanao del Norte want to send this message that regardless of religion each one of them are united even felt stronger when they are working together.
2. Secondly, the province argued that BBL does not provide or there is no provision that provides the creation of new local government unit.
3. The aforementioned towns historically serves as the buffer-zone for the people dwelling in the low lands. Historically, people who have bad intentions who wants to penetrate to the more populated towns in the valleys of the province requires them to pass through these town in question. With the control of these towns resides on the province of Lanao del Norte it was easier for them to quell the bad elements.
4. The province’s Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) will diminish. We all know that the access and distribution of this funds is calculated based on land area and number of populations. With 6 towns separating from the province this would mean that a considerable land area and number of population will be taken away which means a lower IRA for the province.
5. The people of Lanao del Norte can not allow its parts to be removed. Like a human body, each municipalities are considered as its parts. For centuries, it functions well and is dependent on each other. It would be hard to take them apart, crippling through menacing consequences.

Final Thoughts

Nevertheless, the final say lay to the hands of the people of Lanao del Norte. It is no wonder that this single vote requires them to evaluate the pros and cons of their decisions thoroughly. Given the present order, it would be prudent that before these six towns should be included with the new autonomous region by virtue of BOL. If these towns really wanted to be included after the plebiscite, why not give enough time (transition period of 5 to 10 years) to the present ARMM to be demolished and establish itself first as the new autonomous region by virtue of BOL. When time proves that this new order is actually working soundly, then that is the time we start the process of inclusion of the aforementioned territories. However this should only applies to the towns who really voted yes for the inclusion during the plebiscite. We should not haste to decide of including the six towns of a new system that would threaten the existing peace and order of the province.