My trip to Wao, Lanao del Sur
Yesterday was April 1, there were two things that i can’t forget. It was both birthday of my late grandfather(my mom side) and my friend from state. I really admired my Lolo (the named we used to call him) because he was a man of great dignity. Everybody loved him. He was even an idol. His words, disciplined remained until now.
Instead of celebrating my Lolo’s birthday, my Uncle Bob and Aunt Feyma took Gladys and I to Wao, Lanao del Sur. That was my first time to visit those placed. We left almost 5 in the morning in our house, and we pick up Gladys in her boarding house. At around 6:15 AM, we had our breakfast in Mt. Seagull Beach Resort,in Bukidnon. I had a cup of instant coffe, chorizo, fried egg and plain rice, while they others have also the same. Before we reached to Wao, we passed by Quezon and Maramag Province and then turn left going to Wao.
From Maramag, i think it took us 15 kilometers down to Wao. We passed by Kuya, Kili-kili, Pangantukan, Kalilangan, and different Villages and Barangay. At around 10:00 we reached Wao. We just stayed there for atleast 20 minutes and have some photo shoot and then Uncle Bob drove us to Valencia City and had our lunch at Roadhouse Cafe. The best cafe in town. I really like their fried bread. It tasted like Shakoy (filipino term). We also had french fries.
The thing’s that really enjoyed this kind of trip is the scenery that you can see along the way. It’s kind of something that i haven’t seen before. From Maramag going to Wao, you can probably noticed their agricultural land are so rich. I am tempted to buy those kind of land where you can plant a good corn, and stuff. You can raise a different farm animals. We even teasing each other that we will buy a mountain for each of us and Uncle Bob will be the in the middle so that if we don’t have food we will directly asked from him. 
After lunch, we headed home bring all those nice scenery and of course the unpayable experinced we had. We do enjoyed our trip yesterday and i’m looking forward to visit more places here in MINDANAO!
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I grew up in Wao, Lanao del Sur but haven’t been there in something like 15 or 16 years. I wonder how it looks like now. Your description and photos of the place are so few. If you have more photos, could you post them? Thanks!
Benelynne - September 24, 2007 at 1:55 am
Hi Benelynne,
Thank you for visiting my site, I appreciate it very much. Well, i’m hoping that I can go back again and I can explore to the other places too so that I can impart to somebody else. If you have time you can visit to one of my Uncle’s site: http://www.mindanao.com/photoblog ,here you can see different photo of different places he’d visited and his co-blogger. Some foreigner also who happened to visit Mindanao share thier precious photoshot in this site.
regards,
Glenda
buday - September 24, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Hi Glenda,
I am very much delighted for a nice feature you made to our town, somehow you could visit us ones again to see the changes. You are gladly welcome specially on every February 22 as we celebrate Araw ng Wao where entertainment for tourist and lots of farm productsa being sold.
Oliver
oliver - July 3, 2008 at 7:31 am
Hi Oliver,
thank you so much for dropping by. Wow, how I wish I can comeback there one of these days. But who knows. it’s so good to be away sometimes in the city. I hope we guys could meet.
Regards,
Glenda
buday - July 9, 2008 at 2:29 am
I remember this trip…that was fun.
I miss you
Gladys - July 9, 2008 at 3:42 am
Hi Madam Glenda,
It happened that I browse the name of our place and I am very happy to see your site, I’m from that place and I’m with young, I am a seminarian. God bless po!
jerry Villahermosa Peladra - August 19, 2008 at 1:00 am
Hi Glenda,
I am such a proud Waonian! My grandparents are one of those who first came to Wao (so called Settlers) in the early 1950’s
Thank you for visiting our place. I went home last August and the scenery is a little bit different compared as when you were there. April is planting time… while July and August is harvest time.
There are a number of posted photos in Friends of Wao Friendster site. Enjoy browsing!
Regards,
Glen
Glen D. Ceballos - August 28, 2008 at 3:10 am
Hi Jerry,
Thank you very much for dropping by. There’s no place like home, as it says. Good Luck on your career, hope you will be the key to Peace in Mindanao.
Hi Glen,
As time goes by, the scenery that we used to saw before has been gone. Especially now that more and more infrastracture has been developed.
Regards, I hope I can go back one of these days.
Glenda
buday - August 29, 2008 at 7:33 am
Hi again Glen,
You must go back to our hometown and see the difference. presently MILF scare spare the town hence Muslim and christian leaders and elders here wanted peace and development not war. This is the only municipality in Lanao even included IN ARMM and seldom visited by the politicians but trying its best to sustain the economic, political, cultural development of two warring tribes. Politicians visited only the place every elections and bring money for vote buying. The basic needs for infrastructure and technology hardly reach the place with 40% budget cut from the Region or province… However, the civil societies and social organizations were organized as recipients of foreign aides. The present mayor preserved Peace and order. And very active to implement natural environment preservations as to respond the call of the Global warming. The Office of the Municipal environment and natural resources gives seedlings of different varieties of Tree to be planted to vacant and idle lots. Beautification and landscaping of the town barangays are on going. We are also preparing for the Palaro Pangkawani for the camaraderie and bonding of government and private employees. this events will start on october 10, 208 to december 6 , 2008. Lapurisima High School will celebrate its golden anniversary on october 27,2008 so all LPHS alumni are invited to grace the celebration.
Oliver
oliver - September 25, 2008 at 2:16 am
hi! good day i am proud to be taga wao my parents meet there so i born to this world……………….good luck
dennis cahimtong - November 8, 2008 at 12:24 am
Hi GLENDA,
Truly heartwarming to read your testimony about your last visit in WAO. It has been two years now since I haven’t gone home. I’ve heard lots of development on going with of course the help of the Local Goverment Unit and the concern citizens in bringing about a whole new spectrum of WAO. Diverse culture makes Wao unique and a place to consider when you want to experience nature. With lush vegetation and fertile lands all covered with different locally grown crops plus the hospitable smiles of the people, will surely make your visit, one of a kind. Being away from my hometown I used to wander, left me a serene feeling of the memories I had. Hope to be there soon. GODBLESS WAO
AJ DAWIS - November 12, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Hi Oliver- that’s a good news to hear that your municipal officials do really care.
Hi AJ- Wao truly makes a different. It would be a great source of farm products as what we have seen the fertility and abundance of the soil in the area.
Hope to go back there someday and see the difference.
buday - December 3, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Hi Glenda,
I’m happy to read your article about wao. I haven’t been there since 1999. I’m looking forward to visit wao next year.
Lilet Cervas
Lilet Cervas - December 3, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Hi Lilet- Thank you that you enjoyed my little article about your place. I’m also hoping to go back..
Regards
buday - December 5, 2008 at 4:00 am
Hi GLenDa,
Where are you located right now? What are the last names of your relatives in WAO? are there any? Well I’m really glad finding this blog site for our HOMETOWN. It’s one way for us to promote the place itself and the many splendor things people can experience when they take time to visit the hidden paradise per se’. I believe ARAW ng WAO is past approaching, it will have it’s launch on 2nd week of FEB, so might as well check on that… It’s really festive and gay all throught out. Very colorful and happy. We call it the “KARIYALA FESTIVAL” a maranao term for MERRY MAKING.! It highlights on how MUSLIMS and CHRISTIAN dwell peacefully and driving towards making WAO a “HUB of WEALTH” in the heart of MINDANAO.
aj - December 10, 2008 at 12:12 am
Hi Glen,
I left Wao since 1983 for school, and eventually, found job here in Tagaytay after schooling. I really make it a point to visit my hometown especially during Christmas Holidays. That’s the only time I could meet my classmates and barkadas.
I was flattered while reading your comments. You really appreciated the very nature of Wao. Though it sad to note that development in this area is very slow. At least, he he there is a development.
I agree with the comment of Oliver that politicians came during elections…. to buy votes? Oh that is a sad reality.
But I still love Wao. Kahit malayo.
When I left Wao in 1983, the road was still rough. You would take 3 to 4 hours going to Maramag which today could be traveled by 45 minutes. You can only imagine how difficult the condition of the road at that time. It is good that when you visited our place, the road is already concrete.
Anyway, Glen, I hope you could visit our town once again and share again the good news you experienced there.
God bless you
Nestor - January 9, 2009 at 11:56 am
HI Nestor,
Thank you so much for dropping by. Hopefully, i’m wishing I could go back there.
Regards,
buday - January 13, 2009 at 1:12 am
My dear Lady Traveller,
I am very much happy to read your message. My husband comes from the place of Kili-Kili, Wao Lanao del Sur, however with the time passes by we got to separate our ways for good. Now I am living in Davao while my husband is still there in WaO.
Your letter reminds me of my past…thank you so much for bringing your experience to me.
Fe de la Cruz - January 13, 2009 at 8:44 am
Hi Fe,
Yeah, I remember we passed Kili-Kili. Sorry to hear that you and your husband has to ended up that way. There’s a lot more to come. Just don’t lost hope for anything.
Cheers
buday - January 16, 2009 at 2:47 am
Hi Nestor,
http://mindanao.com/blog/?p=1937=3. This is a blogsite where wao pips are exchanging recollections about WAO. You might wanna visit it and look for familiar names. The thread is very uplifting for we tend to link bonds from the past up to the present and onward to the future. Actually it’s goin global now. check it out!
AJ - January 21, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Hi WAONIAN,, this is amazing. im not used of browsing here in comp, but the time i start knowing and reading about WAO. it gives me more enterest. every day after i came home from work or if im free i go on wao website, where i can read messages. its been so long time, yes i go and come to wao as my family is still there,Ferrarez family , this coming holy week were coming home celebrating holidays with my family in wao… i recall i have a friend name BUDAY.. is your mom a dress maker…. my warmest regards to all waonian.. mae
mae - January 22, 2009 at 5:49 am
Hi Glenda thanks for this Blog where waonians like a swan heard your voice and join the flock soaring high forunity and keep in touch… formy 17 years in wao…i have no regrets in my stay..i found the place most suitable for living,
cha - January 24, 2009 at 5:29 am
Hi Glenda thanks for this Blog where waonians like a swan heard your voice and join the flock soaring high for unity and keeping in touch… for my 17 years in wao..I AM FROM Carmen Cotabato…i have no regrets in my stay..i found the place most suitable for living, where both muslim and christians hand in hand preserveD the harmony of Peace and development. The town is a promissing town for development where almost all visitors promise to comeback and enjoy their experience s again..hope more investment will come…for economic growth… and hope you will vitis the town once again especially on Araw ng Wao the culmination of 3 festive activities of the town.
cha - January 24, 2009 at 5:41 am
where both muslim and christians hand in hand preserveD the harmony of Peace and development. The town is a promissing town for development where almost all visitors promise to comeback and enjoy their experience s again..hope more investment will come…for economic growth… and hope you will vitis the town once again especially on Araw ng Wao the culmination of 3 festive activities of the town.
cha - January 24, 2009 at 5:42 am
HI AJ- thank you for putting the link of MIndanao Blog Site.
buday - January 28, 2009 at 7:38 am
HI Mae- that’s cool to celebrate your holy week in Wao, it’s quiet and peaceful you can truly reminisce. My mom is a housekeeper and we live in Sarangani Province.
Regards
buday - January 28, 2009 at 7:44 am
Hi Cha- thank’s for inviting me. It so good to hear that people in a certain community even differ in culture but unite to give way on peace. I also spent my childhood days in Cotabato, particularly in Manubuan. About 7 years ago, my father and my brother revisited our place again. In my greatest expectation everything seems didn’t improve instead it turn to worst.
buday - January 28, 2009 at 7:50 am
Hello Waonians?! Im from manila and it’s my first time to visit Wao last May14-15 2007 to attend the burial of the mother of my friend whom i meet here in manila. I was surprised because it’s also an election day. The vote buying is very obvious and for a single registered voter he/she can collect almost 5,000 pesos. Unlike here in manila we have to pay for our transport going to the precinct. I cant believe it! also the municipality really needs improvement. I heard that there’s Mindanao Stae University – High School there. Well, goodluck to Wao. I hope i can see more improvements in my next visit soon…
Paul - August 12, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Hi Paul,
I’m from Wao. I’m glad you came to our place and if you’re from Manila I’m pretty sure alam mo ang nature of politics in this country. In my opinion politicians are taking advantage of the people of Wao. Well, regarding to the improvement you mentioned. I think wala nang budget na dumating sa municipality nang Wao kasi na ubos na pambayad sa dinner nang ating presidente sa New York get it. Anyway, thank for visiting Wao. Come again.
lilet - August 29, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Waonians,
Peace is the genuine legacy we have for our next generation.
as a team of the Philippine Army moved out from the town last week with their armored personnel carrier or simba and 105 mm canon which shaken the town hilly grounds previously, my heart pondered. for this is the manifestation of Peace. before the ramadhan almost weekly had been chaos like a muslim killed or a christian had been strafed. that was the time mayhor nono balicao called for a peace dialogue. I just praying to the Almighty God and Allah that that this situation will be forever for us waonians to think development and progress. and that investors may come in like Gaisano , SM, and other chinese or taiwanese businessmen. Hoping that the Local government may concentrate to develop the airport which the late mayor Eleazar started on 70’s. it Is a pride of the waonians to have an airport in the heart of mindanao. We already openned the public swimming pool at diomil village September 18,2009. and more infrastucture project may come in soon.. National election seems so near that we can smell its fragrance. Ms. Alma Moreno the showbiz star is now living in town giving medical missions to all the barangays and stablished her Botika ni alma. Provinicial leaders keep visiting here for the same purpose. Hope we cam shout here in this Glenda’s blog. Huwag na tayo Paluko.. Ang kwarta nga ila ibakal ka aton boto ila bawion kon sila na magdaog…DONT VOTE FOR VOTE BUYERS.. ini sila may mga ill motive nga pangkaugalingon… please pass it on
nono Oliver
oliver - September 25, 2009 at 10:34 pm