WITH Danna Rose Socaoco recently winning the first runner-up for Miss Millennial Philippines 2018, it became an advantage to further promote Misamis Oriental as a tourist destination.
It also took a huge bite out of the perception of Mindanao as an area of conflict, a stigma that has been in people's minds for years. In fact, there are several beautiful places in Mindanao where you could relax and take a break from the busy life you have in the city. Particularly in Misamis Oriental, the province has variety of things to offer to local and foreign tourists.
Among the tourist destinations, apart from the Seven Seas Waterpark and Resort in Opol town, Misamis Oriental has the Sagpulon Falls, Alibuag Beach Resort, Tubajon Aqua Marine Park, Philippine Ostrich and Crocodile Farm, Mantianak Botanical Garden and Zoological Park, and Lagbas Ancestral House.
Sagpulon falls, located in Barangay San Isidro, Jasaan town, is a natural waterfall with a towering height of almost 150 feet.
Apart from the falls itself, there are manmade swimming pools for both children and adults where you can get to feel and enjoy the cold water, especially since arriving at the destination means taking a hike for a few minutes. Although, the walk is not that tiring as you still get a glimpse of the Sagpulon Falls which will give you the energy to move in excitement.
Entrance fee will cost P20 for adults and P10 for children. The parking fee for four-wheeled vehicles is P30 and P5 for motorcycles. Cottage fee will cost P150 for the big one and P100 for small.
If waterfalls is not your cup of tea, perhaps the underwater spring, fine white sand and crystal clear waters of Alibuag Beach Resort will fascinate you.
Dubbed as Instagrammable beach resort, Alibuag Beach Resort in Sugbongcogon offers an amazing and perhaps romantic view of both sunrise and sunset.
Tubajon Aqua Marine Park in Laguindingan is a nice place to take in the ocean breeze and appreciate what Mother Nature has to offer.
You can enjoy and tour around the area via the bamboo-bridges and boardwalks that connect several points throughout the park. This will give you the opportunity to observe the mangrove forest and the tiny fishes and other organisms in their habitat.
A reminder, though, that there are rules set for the visitors in order to protect the area and its inhabitants. It is encouraged for visitors not to throw their trash around the area and illegal fishing is prohibited.
If you're an animal lover, perhaps the Philippine Ostrich and Crocodile Farm will delight you.
Located in Barangay Malanang, Opol, the Philippine Ostrich and Crocodile Farm houses several crocodiles, hundreds of ostriches, peacock, and others.
The animals might look friendly and cute, however, feeding them without consent is not allowed.
Mantianak Botanical Garden and Zoological Park, located in Barangay Poblacion, Sugbongcogon, is another destination that animal lovers are bound to enjoy.
The Mantianal Zoo is home to a variety of wild animals such as monkeys, tigers, wild boars, deer, crocodiles, etc. There are also several kinds of birds like peacocks, parrots, pheasant, ostriches, and others.
The place also has butterfly garden where colorful butterflies and free to roam around and if you're lucky, some might perch on you.
If you still have the time to go back to the past and appreciate the stories of our ancestors, you can also visit the Lagbas Ancestral House in Barangay Poblacion, Sugbongcogon.
The Lagbas Ancestral House, also known as “Dako Balay” is around 100 years old and still remains standing in the land owned by the Lagbas family.
It was erected in 1918 by Benedicto Lagbas, the founder of the Sugbongcogon town, and his wife Buenaventurada Lagbas.
It was said to have been used as refuge/shelter for those who were affected during the World War II and also as a temporary school for students when the schools were destroyed during the war.
From aquatic destinations to the zoos and back to the past, here are just some of the places tourists will love to travel in Misamis Oriental.