Lakwatsa to Laguindingan!!

Laguindingan is a municipality of Misamis Oriental, around 1 hour of road trip away from Iligan City. I'm sorry I cannot tell you how many kilometers away coz I'm not that keen at researching for that specifics. Anyway, Laguindingan is quite known for the International Airport that is currently being constructed in the area. Luckily, one of my classmates, Faith who celebrates her birthday today, is originally from Laguindingan. In fact, her father serves as a councilor in the municipality. Faith invited us over and she even toured us around. First stop: Laguindingan International Airport. This is a special privilege given to us only because Faith's father is a municipal councilor. Not everyone can just barge in and go inside. From the highway, we thought it'd be just like some 5 minutes ride to reach the exact place but we were quite surprised that it took us almost 30 minutes or more to reach the airport per se where everything is still under construction. The dusty place reminds us of Dubai. Oh, not like anyone among us had been to Dubai but it felt like we were deserted in the middle of a desert. Here are some photos I took from my mobile phone so please bear with the quality of the photos because I perfectly know  how much it sucks. (#becauseIdon'thaveacameraandIcan'twaitforpeopletouploadourphotosatfacebook).

This future international airport is really vast that I believe it is even wider than the present NAIA. I cannot wait for the time when my classmates and I will become consultants and we go together on medical conventions both locally and internationally! Naks! That's what we were talking about the whole time, when this place is developed and I bet hotels and business establishments will sprout from all over Laguindingan until it becomes a business district where everyone from all over the globe flocks to and fro. But because we are a bunch of kuripot people, we will still stay at Faith's mansion which is nearby the airport whenever we have a flight coming or vice versa. 

This is the runway. 

 This is something I can brag to my future children and grandchildren that before any airplane can land at the would-be Laguindingan International Airport, we had our photos taken at the runway on a beautiful April Sunday. :) 

That's Angeli, Maryvic and Rose at an attempt to jumpshot. Such a major failure. 

Like I always said, traveling is best when you're with the best bunch of people. Here are the people I am with standing from left: Moi, Faith, Nash, Angeli, Maryvic, Pemots, Abby, Cor-cor, Gloi (standing in front of Cor), Zyra, Hazel, Alvi, Joni, Rose and Tisoy. Lairah was the one sitting in front with Baby Carl, Faith's nephew. 

With the birthday girl, Faith with Baby Carl. Happy, Happy Birthday Papet! Thanks for the wonderful experience we had at your place!

These people are having so much effort to perfect the jumpshot! Haha! I can't count how many takes it took them. 

Just like any progress story of a developing country, there are always people who are being displaced. When you look on the other side from the very edge of the runway, you can see tiny huts like these. They are the people who originally owned the vast land where the airport is being constructed. It was not easy for them to give up the land that they have inherited from their forefathers, the land that was passed on from one generation to another. They fought for it, but because they were weak, they lose their battle. Apparently, they were given monetary compensation and a promise that they will be hired once the airport is already functional. They can only hope. But that's the nature of evolution: elimination of the weaklings. I hope they were the given the due that they deserve and the promises given to them shall be fulfilled.

This is the ironic price of progress.

Next stop: Virgin Beach. As always, Tisoy cracked that those who are no longer virgins are not allowed to enter the bitch slut (beach lot, oh, do I have to explain this?!). He emphasized that everyone must check on their hymens if it's still intact. All of us looked straight at him who spoke as if he possess a hymen! 

Back to Laguindingan, this is the Virgin Bitch, situated on the very edge of Laguindingan. Again, I cannot tell you how many kilometers it is from the highway because it was really really far. Too bad, it was low tide so it was not perfect for swimming. (Haha, the swimmer speaks!) 

This place was named Virgin because once upon a time, there were fishermen who got lost in the middle of the sea and lost their way to the shore. After many days wandering without direction, they asked for a sign from God. Apparently, they saw a shining image of the Virgin Mary from the direction where this place is situated. They followed the direction and found their way home. And that's how this place got it's beachy name. 

People enjoyed dipping in the shallow water. Look, there are pretenders who swam on deep water!

Laguindingan is indeed a marvelous place where nature is now gradually removing its mask. I can see this place becoming a beautiful metro in the near future. I don't lose hope for my beautiful place Lanao which boasts for plenty of scenic views and natural resources. All we need is a leader who will stand by his principles to elevate the welfare of his people, not his own or his family's. Someone who will use his wits for his people to benefit from these God-given gifts, not giving ultra expensive gifts to their wives or children at the expense of his people's money. 

Photo courtesy of Nash. I promised to mention her here. She's my very very bright, topnotcher, doctora friend. :) 

It was already past 6:00 pm when we got back to Faith's house where her visitors were already waiting. Her mom specially separated the food for us non-pork eaters, and for that we thank her so much. :)) I love people who are very considerate when it comes to my religion. We got busy eating and chatting that I forgot taking a personal photo during Faith's party. But I tell you, their house feels like a rest house on a country side. Cool, breezy and silent. 

This day is indeed worth retelling to our future children. :)