Misamis Occidental « Valerie Caulin

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Where have you been in 2009?

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

Revamping this site to feature destinations and travel in general as much as possible, I looked back for this year in terms of where I have set foot in. Turns out that I have traveled so much this year! Yipee! Take the fact that my son has become older that I can leave him for a night or two for some “me time” traveling. Likewise, he is bigger to bring along to further destinations.

I excluded Roxas City and the rest of Capiz province as well as Kalibo and Aklan since we always go there. So here are the places that I have been too this year:

1. Zamboanga del Norte

Dakak

I have been to Mindanao a thousand times ( my mom is from Lanao del Norte), it is still a path unknown to me. And to visit and explore the peaceful Zamboanga del Norte was amazing. We’ve been to Dakak ( I just love it), Dipolog and Dapitan. I love the unspoiled scenery of Zamboanga.

2. Misamis Occidental

Aki having fun with the monkey in Cotta

My husband hails from Ozamiz City and we visited their place during the Holy Week. I have been to Ozamiz City before I even met him and last Holy Week, we went to different places in the province like Jimenez with their old church and passed different municipalities along the way.

It was my first time to see real dolphins..haha!

For my baby who loves the water so much ( just like me), we visited the Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park (MOAP) in the town of Sinabacan which is just 25 minutes away from Ozamiz City. I found this blog which has complete information about MOAP. Click here!

3. Guimaras

Alubijod, Guimaras

Oh, the romantic and tranquil island of Guimaras. I visited the island once again this year with my high school barkadas last June. And an interesting fact that one of the women I admire, Daphne Osena-Paez worked and lived in Guimaras for a year. We stayed in Villa Igang Resort and visited Guisi Beach, Guisi Lighthouse and Ruins, Trappist Monastery, etc..

4. Cebu

Aki swimming with his cousin, Boodie in Shangrila Mactan

Should I include this? I’m from Cebu and of course, Iloilo is just an hour away by plane. But this year is different since I came home many times, 4 times to be exact. Even as a local of Cebu it was my first time to visit Shangrila Mactan, the Parola in Lilo-an and the Museum of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Cebu.

5. Manila

"Can I feed them Ma?"

Manila as the capital city serves as the stoppver for many our trips and sometimes we stay for one night to check out this vibrant city. When we went to Mindanao last Holy Week, we treated our son to the Manila Ocean Park but it was not as impressive since we came from MOAP where we really touched sea animals in their own habitant.

When my husband went to Ilocos, we stayed for one night in Manila before going home. And a creepy thing happened, my husband saw a vision of a child burning in pain while we slept in our hotel room. Creepy! I won’t share what hotel it was..I don’t want to ruin their business..haha!

6. Ilocos Norte and Sur

Where is Simon Ibarra?

Our Ilocos trip was the best for this year. I have been dreaming of Ilocos in years and if I remember it right, I once said that I will marry the man that will take me to Ilocos. haha!

There was a storm, Santi hitting Luzon when we went there with some flights cancelled but we conquered them all and had a wonderful time in Ilocos. When we were in Vigan, we missed our son so much that we didn’t have much fun as we should have.

7. Boracay

ahh..unwind and relax..

I have been to Boracay six times and I shouldn’t put this on my list since I can always go here if I wanted to. But nevertheless, I include this since we spent our special Christmas day in Boracay and it turned out to be the best Boracay trip I ever had. Lessons learned- stay in Station 1 and avoid avoid the peak season during summer.

There is my list. How about you? Where were you in 2009?

Tags: Cebu, Guimaras, Ilocos, manila, philippine destinations, zamboange
Posted in Cebu, Churches, Guimaras, Ilocos Norte, Misamis Occidental, Zamboange del Norte, beaches | No Comments »

El Fuerte De Nuestre Señora de la Concepcion del Triunfo: Cotta of Ozamis City

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

cotta

Cotta is one familiar place for the residents of Ozamis City even among the neighboring provinces of Misamis Occidental (where this port city is located) in the northernmost part of Mindanao. Though most people visit this landmark due to altar made in honor of the Birhen sa Cotta ( Our Lady of Cotta) in the western part, this landmark is also culturally significant for the city for centuries.

For one, the fort also known as Fort Santiago has been around for more than 159 years and protected Ozamiz City then the town of Misamis from pirate attacks. During the Second World War, this fort served as barracks for the arm forces.

The one who should be accredited to the construction of Cotta is Fr. Jose Ducos, a Jesuit priest. He spearheaded the construction of this fort for two reasons- to protect the new territory from Muslim pirate attacks and to the Spanish fleet that entered Pangul Bay.

cotta

Like most Spanish colonial edifices, the fort is made of coral stones specifically mixed with sandstone and then glued together with lime. Though these coral rocks can be found in the banks of Pangul Bay, some stories ran that coral stones all the way from the Visayan island of Siquijor were transported and used in the construction. Also, there is no doubt that this fort is another result of forced labor where well-able male natives were obliged to render services in many Spanish constructions like forts and churches.

Inscription at the foot of the ramp

The fort is square in shape with bastions placed in its four corners and typical to many Spanish fortresses, it has a four meter ramp. This ramp is for easy mobility for both soldiers and cannons during an attack. Just a few steps from the ramp is the fort’s arsenal where all the arm supplies were kept.

It may have witness more than a hundred years of history but it suffered during the 1955 earthquake in Ozamiz City. The said earthquake sunk the western part of the fort which is can no longer be reconstructed.

Cannon facing Pangul Bay

At present, the city government made an impressive effort to reconstruct and promote this historical landmark. Cotta also houses the city’s museum, a cultural stage for some events, souvenir shop and even a small snack café.

one of the items inside the museum

From a military structure that helped the economy of Ozamiz as one of the ports of entry in Mindanao, El Fuerte de Nuestre Señora de la Concepcion del Triunfo is a historical treasure that every Ozamiznon should be proud of.

Entrance fee: 10 pesos

How to get there: Cotta is just a minute of walking from the port of Ozamiz City. You can ask around or ride a trisikad and the driver can bring you there.

Tags: Cotta of Ozamiz City, Ozamiz City, Philippine fortresses, Things to see in Ozamiz City
Posted in Misamis Occidental, landmarks | 1 Comment »

St. John the Baptist Church of Jimenez, Misamis Occidental

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

I came to know about this centuries-old church when we visited my husband’s hometown during the Holy Week. While on our way to Dakak in Dapitan, we passed by the town of Jimenez and my brother in-law Matt, mentioned about its very old church – he knows that the mere mention of something of the antiquity can ring my bell…and so when we left Dakak and before going back to Ozamiz City ( my husband’s hometown), we made a short stop in St.John the Baptist Church in Jimenez, Misamis Occidental.

Unlike most parish churches, you can’t see the church along the national highway, you can to take some turns to reach the town center of Jimenez. Old and silent – these words welcome us as we drive towards the church. There are some old houses and you don’t have to be clever that the town is really old. Finally, the church is there….St. John the Baptist.

The church's ceiling

One look and I know that is has been around for a very long time – the structure and the coral stones used in the construction. Entering the dim interior, you will be surprised to see the old wooden pillars that supports the church. and when you look up at the ceiling with its painting –it’s really old. My companions that time who are not into my addiction of heritage were even impressed on how old the church is.

When we came, some men were doing some repairs of its altar. And when we came, we met an old woman who was friendly enough to give me some first-hand information about the church. One of the interesting tales she mentioned was that how the parish priests ordered that each churchgoer must bring one block of coral stone for the church. The result? The locals diverted into another religion.

St. John the Baptist Church of Jimenez in Misamis Occidental needs more support from the local government since you rarely see this colonial church is Mindanao. I love how the church was preserved by the whole community, the way it is.

Tags: colonial churches, Jimenez Misamis Occidental, old churches, Philippine Churches
Posted in Churches, Misamis Occidental | No Comments »

Valerie Caulin

Archive for the ‘Misamis Occidental’ Category

Where have you been in 2009?

El Fuerte De Nuestre Señora de la Concepcion del Triunfo: Cotta of Ozamis City

St. John the Baptist Church of Jimenez, Misamis Occidental

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