Summer In Mindanao: Dela Mar Resort, Timoga, Iligan City

Are you planning an exciting trip to the south part of the Philippines? Do you prefer cold springs on the sweltering summer day? Have you ever heard about Lanao del Norte? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, consider visiting this place.

About Timoga

Timoga Springs is one of the most popular group springs in Timoga-Buru-un, Iligan City, Philippines. It is known for its icy-cold and crystal-clear water that flows freely to swimming pools.

Why Choose Dela Mar Resort?

As I have mentioned above, Timoga Spring is a group of springs. So, there are cold-spring resorts in the area, but (for now) Dela Mar Resort is the biggest and has lots of lovely amenities that family and friends would enjoy. 

Dela Mar Resort is a child-friendly resort as some of their pool are not quite deep, perfect for kids. The resort has three (3) levels: The first level has a big swimming pool that is not quite deep and a slide, perfect for kids. The second-level swimming pool is the biggest of all. It has different sections according to the depths. 4ft. deep, 5ft. deep, 6ft. deep, and even 16ft. deep with a diving area. Lastly, the third level (the uppermost part area) has many swimming pools with slides for kids, perfect for kids aged 2 to 7 years old.

Dela Mar Resort, Timoga, Iligan City

Dela Mar Resort, Timoga, Iligan City

Dela Mar Resort, Timoga, Iligan City

Entrance Fee, Cottage, and more:

   •  Adult and Children = Php 100

         However, children under age 4 are free of charge. 

   •  Cottage = Php 100

   •  No Corkage Fee

   •  No Dress code 

Additionally, no need to worry about food if you didn't bring or prepare any. The Timoga area is known to have the best-tasting lechon (roasted pig), so you can just easily find one in the locale. In light of this, there are lots of shops/stores where you can buy food across the resorts such as barbeque, boiled bananas, boiled sweet potatoes, hanging rice, and more.

(With my cousins, aunt and my lovey)
Sharing with you all some of our snaps at Dela Mar Resort in
Timoga-Buru-un, Iligan City, Philippines

Safety Reminders 

To those who are planning to visit Dela Mar Resort in Timoga, Iligan City. Let's all be responsible. Let's practice and observe health and safety protocols all the time as we are still under the pandemic.

Where to book a flight?

• Check it here: Click Here 

My Hometown: Bacolod Lanao del Norte, Philippines

Sunset view at Purok Cinco Pantalan (or Purok Cinco Harbor)

Ever heard of a small town in Lanao del Norte named Bacolod? Whenever someone heard of "Bacolod" the first thing that comes up to people's minds is the city on the northwest coast of Negros Island, Philippines. Yet, what I'm talking about now is my hometown, the province of Lanao del Norte. The southern part of the Philippines.

BACOLOD LANAO DEL NORTE is the 4th municipality in the province of Lanao del Norte.  It is just a small town with a number of 23,034 people on the 2015 census according to Wikipedia, and it consists of 16 barangays. It has a small market (which is still continuously renovating until now due to the tragic fire last Sept. 2018) near the park and town hall. 
The people living in town has two major religions, Roman Catholic and Islam. Despite the contradictory beliefs people live harmoniously. 

What's special in my hometown?

Poblacion

Poblacion or Población is a Spanish word that means town in English. It is a common term used for the central, downtown, old town, or central business district area of a Philippine city or municipality.

Poblacion Bacolod Lanao del Norte has three (3) cold springs namely "Tubig Dako" (Big Water), "Tubig Gamay" (Small Water), and "Balok-Balok". The cold springs are used by the public to bathe and wash their clothes for free. It has also two harbors called as "Pantalan" or Pier (in English) namely Purok Cinco and Purok Seis (Cinco and Seis are Spanish words meaning Five and Six), and people love to swim or catch fish in there. 

The second spring - "Tubig Gamay" 

The supply of the water from the spring is low due to the El Niño. (May 2019)

However, on normal days, it's a bit strong. People also get water here for drinking.

Just like the other places in the Philippines, Bacolod also has a patron saint, and it's Sr. Santo Niño. Its feast day is usually celebrated every 18th of January before yet was changed by the new parish priest to every 3rd Sunday of January just like in Cebu. However, some people still choose to celebrate the old date as they were accustomed to it. 

Furthermore, farming and fishing is the main source of living for the locals. Coconut is the most produced crop, so the buy and sell of copra is common in the area.

My hometown is not that huge, and no much special things. However, it is the memories of the place and the people who're part of it that makes it extraordinary. Well, as what people say, home is where the heart is. 

“Home is where one starts from.” –T.S. Eliot

Note: The difference between Dock, Pier, and Harbor: A dock is a place where a ship enters where there's a gate closed behind it, and the water is pumped out. A pier is a structure where vessels "moor" by tying up with lines. Harbors are defined areas of water along a coastline that offers shelter to ship and watercraft from the effects of the large swells of the ocean. Harbors contain piers, docks, floating dry docks, and quays, which are walls built along the waterfront to support cargo loading warehouses and equipment and to which ships may also moor. 

Butuan City Delicacies

It is already part of the Filipino Culture that whenever someone will go somewhere on a vacation a friend of yours, a family member, or colleague says "pasalubong nya ha" or "don't forget my souvenir" (in English). As a matter of fact, this has been passed from generation to generation.

So, whenever someone goes on vacation in the southern part of the Philippines or Mindanao they surely don't forget to bring something like Pastel (from Cagayan de Oro City), Durian Candy (from Davao City), Cheding's Peanuts (from Iligan City), etc. Now, I'm going to introduce my newly found souvenir from Butuan City. Just a quick introduction about the City. It is a city in the Agusan del Norte in the Philippines. Located at the Northeastern part of Agusan Valley sprawling across the Agusan River and is known for its colorful history and culture.

COCONUT CANDY

Its taste is suitable for people who don't like too sweet candies. It is a little bit chewy with its coconutty texture.

Ingredients: young coconut, milk, sugar, and flavorings. 

(The Coconut Candy of Butuan City)

Buko is a Tagalog word for Coconut

COCONUT BISCUIT

It is a coconut cracker version. Not so sweet yet flavorful. Just like coconut candy, it has a coconutty texture. It would be complete with a cup of coffee in the morning as breakfast or snack during a morning break.

Ingredients: Flour, Grated Coconut, Sugar, and Baking Powder.

(The coconut biscuit of Butuan City)

Try it yourself and leave a comment below. Thank you.

☺