To The Road Less Travelled

I have always wanted to go to Limunsudan Falls ever since I saw a picture of it.  But for many years never got the chance.  In 2011 though, I had a chance to see it, in aerial view (my story with that trip can be found here).  

Aerial view of Limunsudan Falls, Barangay Buru-un

Then last year, when I started my business on souvenir items for Iligan City, I told Pat that we need to go to Limunsudan Falls so we could have our own picture of it which we can use in the souvenirs.  And I need to talk to the Higaonon women for some project. 

After waiting for  quite some time, on March 14, 2014, my goal was finally accomplished! :-D

Pat and I, and some other members of the Iligan Bloggers Society left early morning for Limunsudan.  But since the Iligan-Bukidnon Road is not yet completed, we have to take the other route - via Talakag, Bukidnon. 

Picture-picture with the junction sign.  

This is the Mamaon-Iligan Road Junction.  We have to turn right to be able to reach the Limunsudan community.

This is the road leading to Limunsudan.

Unfortunately, the bridge that we would have to pass through was under repair.  And our vehicle has a low body, it could not pass the alternate route.   We have no choice but to hire habal-habal (motorcycles) to take us to Limunsudan.

We walked to get to the other side of the bridge where our new ride is waiting for us.

This is the submarine bridge.  The rocks sure are big. :-)

Our ride for the rest of the way.  Two persons for one motorcycle.  :-)

All set to go!

From the bridge up to Limunsudan, the road is rough.  No cemented portions yet.  And some areas are really very rough. But even with the rough ride, I can't help but take photos along the way.  I want to document it.  I didn't know how my photos would turn out because of the bumps.  I just took my chances and hope some would turn out not blurry.  :-)

Balancing act of the driver with his motorcycle.

Selfie moment with Pat while the motor is moving.  It turned out just the way I want it.  :-)

Along the way, we also had some stops and hikes.  The motorcyle drivers would let us walk when the road is a bit steep and the rocks are loose.  This is to avoid accidents.

In this photo the road is ok.

In here, the road is muddy.  If it will rain, it would be very slippery for the motorcycles.  A 4-wheel drive vehicle would really be ideal.

Yes! After the bumps and the hikes, we finally reached Limunsudan community. :-)

Tribal Hall of Limunsudan where they hold their meetings and other gatherings. 

Visitors have to register in their record book.

Inside the tribal hall.  They have an area allocated for visitors. 

It was timely when we arrived because the tribal leaders were gathering for some important meeting.  We have to wait for them to be complete to do  the ritual prayer that they need to perform for the visitors who want to view Limunsudan Falls.  It is a way of getting permission from the spirits of the forest and to protect the visitors from the bad ones that no harm would happen to them. This is because the Limunsudan Falls is sacred to the Higaonons.

Before the prayer, each of us have to give halad (offering) to the spirits, any amount will do.   Though I don't know where the offering will go hehehe :-D 

The prayer ritual.  

Picture-picture with the tribal leaders before heading to Limunsudan Falls.  And it was good that we already had this photo before going to the falls because when we came back their meeting has already started.

The road leading to the parking area for the Limunsudan Falls.  Also bumpy and a couple of stops and hikes.  It is about 13 minutes from the tribal hall to the parking area, including the short hikes.

The 10-15 minute trekking starts here. :-D

I think this is about half-way of the trail.   We have to climb 2 short steep slopes and then go down again.  But less than 5 minutes on the trail we could already hear the sound of the waterfalls.  The guide told us about the sound that could already be heard, hehe :-)

Tada!  After climbing the first steep slope.  This is what we saw! 

After looking at it for a few seconds, selfie dayon! I didn't mind much the ants on the ground which were already biting me, hehehe ;-D

Jam took this photo for us. Thanks Jam. :-)

Climbing up for the second slope to where the viewing area is.

When we arrived at the viewing area, the rest were already silently watching Limunsudan Falls, mesmerized.

Prayer ritual to the spirits. 

After each prayer ritual, the Higaonons chew on ma-ma' -  a combination of a part of a seed from sort of a palm tree and a leaf.  The guide showed us the tree and and its fruit.  I forgot to take a photo of it.  Here, Jeff took a piece of the ma-ma' to taste it.  I wanted to taste it too but decided not to when the guide told us that it is very spicy and at times it will upset the stomach of first timers.  I was having hyperacidity then.  But I hope to really be able to taste it next time. :-) 

One of the steep slopes.  Here we are tracing back the trail going back to where the motorcycles are parked.

The resting shade for the trekkers! :-D

One of the hikes and stops in going back to the tribal hall from the falls.

A close up view of the river on upper tier of the falls.

A close up of the lagoon of the upper tier.

Given the chance to go back again, I would hope to get really close to the waterfalls.  The guide said it is a 3-hour trek to the bottom of the falls, to and fro.  Hmm.. maybe next time, hehehe...

I really had a sore body for two days caused by the trip.  But I didn't mind.  It was all worth it.  :-D

Picture with some members of the Iligan Bloggers Society :-)

With My Love, who made it all possible :-)

Me and Limunsudan Falls, with the big smile on my face :-D

The Limunsudan Falls  :-D

PS.  Pat and I would like to thank DPWH-Iligan City for their assistance. 

Iligan's Keepsakes by Keepsakes Iligan Souvenirs and Crafts

There was a time in my life (about in 2000) when I wanted to make souvenir items for Iligan City since there's not much Iligan souvenir items a tourist could bring back home.  Just the usual Cheding's Peanuts and malongs.

But that was only written in a notebook as part of my "To-Do List" in the future.

Then, when I went to Germany in 2006-2007, that feeling again of making souvenir items for Iligan City surfaced as I toured a bit of Europe and saw that every place we visit always have souvenir items for tourists to bring back home.

Few years passed, still I was not able to even make a single item as possible souvenir for Iligan.  Then the time came in 2011 when Pat already have many requests of souvenir items from tourists he accompanied.  He then asked me if I could already start making my souvenir items.

So, I researched and tried creating some souvenir items.  In 2012, I was able to make some refrigerator magnets and key chains.  I ordered blank acrylic from Manila.  And by end of September 2012, I decided to register a name for my business.   And in January 2013, I secured a business permit to make my business legal and so that I could already pod labels on my souvenir items. 

This post really is already so loooong overdue, hehehe.   It took me quite a while to write this 'cause I couldn't get my thoughts to focus.  I had so much on my mind then.  :-)

Anyways, below were some of the first batch of key chains and refrigerator magnets I made.  I used pictures of Maria Cristina Falls and Tinago Falls taken by Pat.  I was not able to take photos of the other items though.

Framed-rectangle shaped key chain

House-shaped key chain

Small rectangle-shaped key chain with "I love Iligan" at the other side.

Square-shaped refrigerator magnets

My business is already one year old.  It is not yet really that established but somehow it's beginning to pick up.  I am currently also making a website for it.  I'll update this post for the URL when it is already complete.  

My Kalimulan Experience : A Dream Come True

1990.  I was on my fourth year of high school.  I heard of the Kalimulan Dance Troupe.  As I like to dance (though I don't know if I really dance well,hehe), I thought of joining the group. Have thought about it over and over again.  And told myself, yes, I would definitely want to join the group.

But.

An announcement informed me that for anyone who wants to be a part of the Kalimulan Dance Troupe, one has to audition.  And with their own cultural dance number.

I froze.  

Audition? Dance Number? Oh NOOOOOOOO!!!

I don't have a dance number to use for the audition.  I don't even know how to make one.  :-(

I didn't know what to do then. 

I sigh.  And.  Just ignored the audition.  And moved on with life.

Or so I thought.

I studied in MSU-IIT for the next 4 1/2 years after high school.  And every time I see the Kalimulan group practice and perform (since 4th year high school), my heart ache, telling myself I could have been one of them if  I auditioned. 

Then I graduated college, worked at city hall. Somehow, forgotten about my Kalimulan dream.  Then 9 years ago, I married Pat,  a very close friend of Mr. Christian Aguado, the Director of Kalimulan Dance Troupe.  And every year, we get invited to attend the Kalimulan Anniversary celebration.  And we get to see it almost every year.

Which.  Brought me back to my dream that I thought I have already gotten over with.  Every time the Kalimulan performs, I imagined myself dancing with them.  My heart aches. Still.

But now.

After 23 years, from the day I set my mind on joining the Kalimulan. And. After 9 years of watching them perform, finally my wait is over. 

On the 25th Anniversary of Kalimulan, Pat (finally) asked Sir Christian if it would be possible for me to join the Kalimulan when they dance during the Pagpakanaog ni Sr. San Miguel.   Sir Christian said yes and told me to be on the practice day (every Sunday at 1:00pm-5:00pm) at the CASS Lobby of MSU-IIT.  That would be 4 Sundays before the Pagpakanaog, September 20, 2013.

I got excited.  Finally, a step to making my dream come true. :-D

Yet.  Something is not quite right.

Then it hit me!  Sundays are my class day for my cooking/ baking.  Ohhhhh nooooooo!!!!

Finally, my dream is now within reach.  Why does it have to have conflicts? huhuhu

Pat said I have to make a decision.

After a heart-to-heart talk with Pat,  we decided I take a leave of absence from my cooking class so I could join the Kalimulan practice.  But since I also don't want to totally miss the lessons in the cooking class, I asked my sister to attend in my behalf and video record the discussions.   I know then that the time for me has come to perform with Kalimulan when my Cooking Instructor gave me permission to be absent and allowed my sister to attend for me.   And my sister cancelled all her Sunday activities for me.   Weeeeeeeeeeehhhh! I was really all smiles from ear to ear.  :-D

Practice Day 1.  I was asked to just observe first the performers practice and probably choose a dance set that I would want to perform.  Pat went home to get a camera so I could video record all the dances.  

No practice for Day 2.  MSU-IIT Palakasan (Sports Fest).

So I have to content myself with the video.  I studied their moves and tried to memorize the sequence of the dance that I want to perform.

Practice Day 3.  Sir Christian was not around, but two Kalimulan members taught me the basics of the dance steps.   And they had me dance with a group to check.  For my first official practice, I did some mistakes.   BUT.  I was smiling from ear to ear when they told me I did ok.  One male member even commented that I could still be a Kalimulan dancer (Pwede pa ka mag Kalimulan mam.).  I was so happy I was wearing a big smile on my face as I walked out of campus.  And as much as I want to tell Pat, then and there, I can't .   I forgot my cellphone at home, hehehe...

Practice Day 4.  Last day of practice.  Officially, my second time yet to practice with the group.  And Sir Christian was there to watch the practice.  And I got so tensed.  I got conscious.  The result?  I made so many mistakes.  Grrrr....  Ulaw kaayo ko!!!  :-(

Tensed and pressured.  Even as I practice at home, I could not get the steps right. It came to a point where I thought of quitting. Of cancelling my performance.  But I know it would not be right.  It would definitely hurt Sir Christian if I don't show up on the day.

So, even if I lost confidence in me, I showed up.  And waited for our time to perform.

I can't describe the feeling I had when the first set of dancers started performing.  I really had goosebumps all over my body.  My heart felt so great.  And I can't help but smile to myself.

This is it.  Finally. :-D

Below are snapshots from my sister's video recording :

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, from a different angle, below are snapshots from Pat's video recording :

During the finale together with all of the performers :

 
Well, I did ok.  I had a few mistakes, yes.  But Pat said, for a first timer, I did better than some of the real dancers. Hmmm.... sipsip...hehehe...

 Photo with Pat before the performance.  All smiles. :-)

 

 Photo at our house, after the performance.  All smiles :-D

 I asked my sister to video record my performance. 

 

But, as the dance was about to finish, the camera's battery drained out.  So, the recording was not complete.  Good thing Pat also did a video recording.  Below is Pat's video on a different angle.

Thank you Lord for another dream come true.  Thank you Pat.  Thank you Sir Christian. :-D