WOW LANAO

source: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=617611824925488&id=114920205194655

by Samera Gutoc-Tomawis

It is 54 years of Lanao and 10 years of stay for me here in Marawi. Goodness, I gave up the mall-visit ritual in the metro where I studied in college. Enrolling in law school in the lovely MSU campus in 1998 entailed a sense of discovery for me to be "back" in Marawi because I did not grow up here. Other cono Meranao kids would say, living here would be a step back in staying in the bukids (not "cool" for the yuppies) but I have grown into the place.

As Laguindingan airport in Misamis makes travelling by plane nearer and thus cheaper, here's hoping more visitors add to the list of friends from Japan, Italy and Malaysia who have come and found tourism to be about friendly conversation and the cause of making Lanao come out of its shell.

Tourist spots in Lanao's capital Marawi include the following as listed by wikipedia:

- Aga Khan (Mindanao State University, Marawi City). It has a collection of indigenous art, displayed ethnic music tape recorded, the native folk dances from different regions of Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan, the native tools and weapons used by the Muslims and different artistic designs of houses are the main attractions of museum. Indigenous art and cultural material are being displayed.

- Moncado Colony (Moncado, Cadingilan). Moncado monuments and wild animals monuments can be found here.

- Torogans and Sambitory old Building (Amito, Dayawan, Marawi City, Sambitory building, Barrio Naga, Marawi City), an antique royal high roofed with curving designed houses of Maranao.

- Beautiful Rolling Hills and Mountains. Signal hill, Arumpac hill and Mt. Mupo are considered beautiful but mysterious. Angoyao hills served as natural watch over tower to the water of the Lake Lnao. Mt. Mupo is known for its untouched trees, beautiful and perfect cone.

- Lake Lanao. Marawi lies in the rolling terrain commanding majestic view of the fascinating Lake Lanao, the 2nd largest deepest lake in the Philippines.

- Bagang Beach (Caloocan, Marawi City). It is located 2 meters away from the commercial site of the city; filled rocks and boulders, trees in the lakeside that served benches and the latter as shades. Beside them are floating woods, where the brgy. residents take a bath and ablution; ideal for picnics, nice place for boating and swimming because of the clear water.

- Agus River. Located in between Saduc and Lilod, Marawi City. Swiftest river in the country, its famous cataract is the Maria Cristina Falls, outlet of Lake Lanao to Illana Bay.

- Golf Course. Located at the MSU, Marawi City. A 9 hole course laid out on the gentle greenery of one of the largest Mindanao campus . Visitors who play golf will enjoy playing at the greenery ground.

- Kilometer Zero Point Marker. An important landmark in Lanao del Sur, from which all distances in Mindanao are measured. This is similar to the measures of distances in Manila which begin at the Rizal Monument in Rizal Park.

- Mindanao State University (MSU). Marawi City draws the most number of visitors within Lanao del Sur in which the MSU is located. Founded in 1961, it serves as an educational institute and a center of social and cultural integration.