"City of Waterfalls" Top 5 Page for this destination Iligan City by glengyl_iligan

The City of Iligan (Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Iligan; Tagalog: Lungsod ng Iligan) is a highly urbanized city north of the province of Lanao del Norte, Philippines, and the province's former capital. It is approximately 795 kilometers southeast of Manila. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 318,040 people.

Iligan is predominantly Christian (93.61%). Iliganons compose of the Cebuano speaking locals and the minority that compose of the Maranao, Tagalog and some other cultural minorities and immigrants from other places. It is not only rich in natural resources and industries but it is also the home of a mix of cultures, Maranaos of Lanao del Sur, Higaonons of Bukidnon, and many settlers and migrants from other parts of the country. It is known for its diverse culture.

Iligan had its beginnings in the village of Palao, north of the present Poblacion. It was the earliest pre-Spanish settlement of native sea dwellers. The monotony of indigenous life in the territory was broken when in the later part of the 16th century, the inhabitants were subdued by the Visayan migrants from the island kingdom of Panglao. In the accounts of Jesuit historian Francisco Combes, the Mollucan King of Ternate invaded Panglao. This caused Panglaons to flee in large numbers to Dapitan City|Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte. In Dapitan, the surviving Prince of Panglao, Pagbuaya, received Legazpi's expedition in 1565. Later, Pagbuaya's son Manook was baptized Pedro Manuel Manook. The Christianized Manook subdued the Higaunon village in Bayug and established it as one of the earliest Christian settlements in the country. The settlement survived other raids from other enemies, and, because of their faith in God and in their patron saint, Saint Michael the Archange, the early Iliganons moved their settlement from Bayug to Iligan. The name Iligan is from the Higaonon word iligan or ilijan' meaning "fortress of defense of the ancients" against frequent attacks by pirates and other hostile Mindanao tribes.

A stone fort called Fort St. Francis Xavier was built in 1642 where Iliganons sought refuge during raids by bandits. But again, the fort sank due to floods. Another fort was built and this was named Fort Victoria or Cota de Iligan. In 1850, because of floods, Don Remigio Cabili, then Iligan's governadorcillo, built another fort and moved the poblacion of the old Iligan located at the mouth of Tubod River west of the old market to its present site. Iligan was already a town of the once undivided Misamis Province in 1832. However, it did not have an independent religious administration because it was part of Cagayan de Oro, the provincial capital. It was one of the biggest municipalities of Misamis Province. In 1903, the Moro Province was created. Iligan, because of its Moro residents was taken away from the Misamis Province. Then Iligan became the capital of the Lanao District and seat of the government where the American officials lived and held office. Later in 1907 the capital of the Lanao District was transferred to Dansalan.[1]

The Spaniards abandoned Iligan in 1899, paving the way for the landing of the American forces in 1900. In 1914, under the restructuring of Moroland after the end of the Moro Province (1903–1913), Iligan became a municipality composed of eight barrios together with the municipal district of Mandulog. After enjoying peace and prosperity for about 40 years, Iligan was invaded by Japanese forces in 1942. The liberation in Iligan by the Philippine Commonwealth forces attacked by the Japanese held sway in the city until 1944 to 1945 when the war ended. On November 15, 1944, the city held a Commonwealth Day parade to celebrate the end of Japanese atrocities and occupation.[2]

Using the same territorial definition as a municipality, Iligan became a chartered city of Lanao del Norte on June 16, 1950.[3] It was declared a first class city in 1969 and was reclassified as First Class City "A" on July 1, 1977 by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 465. In 1983, Iligan was again reclassified as a highly urbanized city. - WIKIPEDIA

Iligan is also known for its numerous waterfalls, the most famous of which is the Maria Cristina Falls, which is the main source of power for the surrounding districts and nearby provinces. Only 9 kilometers from the city, you can reach it by taking a jeepney ride from the pier to the Agus Bridge. From here, you can walk the rest of the way for about half an hour. The falls is 320 feet high and plunges into the torrential Agus River. Swimming here is dangerous. But you can get a good view of the falls from the Agus Bridge, where a path and concrete steps lead straight to the waterfall. Aside from this attraction, you will be awed by the thick, undisturbed virgin forest around you.

Maria Cristina Falls stands grandly 320 feet high. The volume of the water is 100 cubic meter per second. When the cascading water strikes at the base it creates a pressure of 224 pounds per square inch. The falls is not only very beautiful but it is full of myths and legends.

THE NEWLY DEVELOPED NPC ZIPLINE NATURE PARK OFFERS VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES AND IS ALREADY OPERATIONAL AFTER UNDERGOING ITS ANNUAL SAFETY CHECK-UP AND MAINTENANCE REPAIRS.

Entrance fee to the NPC Nature's Park is PhP30.00 per person
Shuttle Service within the Nature's Park is PhP10.00 per person

Zipline fee is PhP200.00 per person.

Safety Features:

This zipline features safety equipment including a dual-pulley/dual-cable system, which can support more than ten times the average weight.
Harnesses used are from Petzl, the leading manufacturer of leading supplier of zipline safety equipment throughout the world.

The launching or landing platforms are sturdy and spacious. The platforms also have guard rails, which help reduce the potential for someone to accidentally step off or trip and fall off the platform. Guides also make sure that the participants are securely attached to the rails and wires while waiting for their turn to zip.

Highly trained guides accompany each group down the course. They are mountaineers with extensive experience in rappelling, zip-lining, and rock climbing, among others. They also provide riders instruction on how to land at the landing platform.

There are traffic lights in the platforms, signaling the guides on the landing platform that they are ready to receive you.

Most importantly, they conduct weekly maintenance checks of the cable wires and equipment. They do this every Tuesday, which reminds me, if you intend to try the zipline, do NOT go on Tuesdays.

Check more photos at : http://www.panoramio.com/user/532700/tags/Waterfalls

Tinago Falls is one of the most beautiful falls in the country. Tinago means hidden. As the name implies, it is indeed hidden by nature in a deep ravine covered by trees and other wild vegetation. The falls is 420 feet high.

One has to go downhill and follow the winding trail to take a look. It is located in Barangay Ditucalan, 13 kilometers from the city center.Tinago Falls or Hidden Falls in Barangay Buru-un is another interesting sight.

It is perhaps among the most beautiful waterfalls in Mindanao. It is 13 kilometers from the center of Iligan City. There are exactly 379 steps that will lead you to the falls, hidden deep within lush forests. From an elevation of 420 feet, its ice-cold waters crash into a depth of an estimated 60 feet. You can take a swim in its big, natural pool, although you will be deafened by the fall's roaring sound.

Limunsudan Falls is a two-tiered waterfall located in Barangay Rogongon, Iligan City, in the Province of Lanao del Norte, Philippines, 55 kilometers away from the City proper. It is said to be the Philippines' highest waterfall with the height of 870 feet, with the lower part cascading alone higher than the Maria Cristina Falls also in Iligan City

• Pros:Amazing waterfalls!
• Cons:So hot during summer! plant more trees Iliganons especially at the city centre!