Lake Lanao

            I’ve been  to MSU campus thrice, the last time using my KMX-125 motorbike all the way from Cagayan de Oro,  visiting my two students studying there. I must confess that at first I was jittery learning all those sad stories on the road given various check points conducting regular inspection among private vehicles. What  with all  those bombing stories destroying  infrastructure projects like malls and bridges and communication facilities like station towers and other vital installations in Iligan and other municipalities.

But thanks that  those sad stories are all over now and already considered history. I am just looking forward and  my fervent hope that said  incidents would be the last to secure back the momentum and  the gains earned and  reaped by the two province’s officials for  their people and most specially trusting  visitors looking for peace and contentment in each travel like me. This column therefore  would  like to pay tribute for all the beauty the two provinces bring and commend them both for the job well done particularly the apparent restoration of peace and order situation more than the maintenance of  concrete pavement from Iligan to MSU making each travel a breeze.

Traveling on my motorbike as has been my tradition practically just make my day in that it enables me to visit friends and relatives rekindling those old reminiscences down the memory lane renewing rare  bonding moments together. By far it seems that I have  almost covered the entire Mindanao island from Cagayan de Oro via Boda to Davao, Davao del Sur to Mati, Davao Oriental,  General Santos City via Sarangani and back to CDO via Cotabato and Bukidnon, Caraga to Surigao del Sur via that scenic 99 passing over the world’s largest ore deposit and now CDO to Lanao del Sur and Norte provinces.  I would have traveled too as far Zamboanga del Norte via Ozamis were it not to an incident where my co MARO employee of DAR was summarily gunned down on motorcycle on his way home from office in Bonifacio, Mis. Occidental.

 Why all these travel all throughout Mindanao? We’ll actually I’m looking forward of writing a book about Mindanao and the vast resources and tourists attractions and the promise  it has. Apparently, a separate project projecting more on the enchanting beauty that is Mindanao unlike those articles coming from sensitive issues written on this column. Writing a good book comes only when you personally see those places first hand traveling far away uncharted and or less traveled places.  What more when you meet those people up and personal  and learn personally how those  beautiful landscape, the kaleidoscopic view of its surroundings and all that comes from it, one that would truly make your product stamped with finality, one that is done the best it should be – that is, with character.

Which is why exploring the beauty that is Lanao del Sur is such an invitation to  travel. And what the beauty Lanao Lake has to the eyes of the beholder. The cold and biting air caressing your face, fresh unpolluted surroundings with fresh fruits and Muslim delicacies displayed in makeshift shanties for sale to commuters along the road are added attraction. Further, there’s no traffic jam on the way practically making  each travel fast saving you precious hours you could use sightseeing and strolling  campus-wide enjoying each minute of going the round.

Forget that one drawback of uneasiness  when you squeeze  through yourself to passengers of alas puno  PUJs that ply their routes from Camague terminal to MSU campus causing you some discomfort.  Just try anyway going there as  all is not well yet until you reach MSU. That’s only part of your bonus that ends well.

The big bonus though  of your trip lies somewhere.  It is right when you arrived at MSU campus. And I confess that among the beauty the campus  offer that smitten that artistic talent that is in me is, no it’s not that   fresh and biting weather remembering that cool breeze of September. Nor its ambiance,  serene and quiet library,  well manicured landscape but the who could  forget remembering that  majestic panoramic view of Lake Lanao seen from the top lying in the horizon.  It’s actually one hour only travel by pump boat covering the perimeter of  the famous lake encompassing thirteen municipalities along the lake, enthused Venjay and Bernie Capucao couple of Malitbog, Bukidnon who are both alumni of MSU. But otherwise seeing the vast and wide  big bodies of lake water over the mountain is simply and always  such breathtaking experience.

            For what is Sun-moon lake of Taiwan or Laguna de Bay in Laguna to Pulangi river in Bukidnon is Lanao Lake for Lanao del Sur and Mindanao in general. Sad to learn  though that with Climate change taking its toll of its water affecting its tributaries to six  different Agus Hydro Electric Plant, Lake Lanao is in peril. It is behooved therefore among lawmakers representing the two district to continue lobbying decentralization of taxes to protect and to give what is due to preserve Lake Lanao.  As is, the 11% share given back by Manila  to Mindanao over roughly 68% share directed to Manila is now staring at our faces blankly.  Better to act and be resolved now addressing the issue as June where rains are yet to fall says Pag-asa is still far away.  It might be too late for Lake Lanao.