Iligan, Philippines

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Iligan, Philippines

Region: Lanao del Norte


Geographic Coordinates: 8.230000, 124.250000
Temperature Range: 25.0°C to 35.0°C (77°F to 95°F)
Population: 363115
Language: Filipino

Iligan City, Located in the province of Lanao del Norte, Mindanao, Philippines is a highly urbanized city with over 20 waterfalls within its vicinity. It is known as the City of Majestic Waterfalls with Maria Cristina Falls being the most famous waterfall that supplies hydroelectric power to Mindanao. Apart from its natural beauty, Iligan City is also a hub for education and industry in Northern Mindanao. The city has several universities and colleges providing quality education to students from different regions. Industries such as steel manufacturing, Agribusiness, And food processing contribute significantly to the economy.

The culture of Iliganon people reflects their diverse history and influences from various ethnic groups like Maranaos, Higaonons, Cebuanos, And Ilocanos. Festivals like Diyandi Festival are celebrated every year on September 29th to mark St. Michael Archangel’s feast day. Tourists can enjoy various attractions apart from waterfalls such as Timoga Spring Pools where they can swim in fresh spring waters or indulge in adventure activities at Maria Cristina Eco Park like ziplining or wall climbing.

For history enthusiasts who love architecture marvels there are landmarks worth visiting: Fort Santiago del Norte built by Spanish conquistadores during colonization; Saint Michael’s Cathedral built during American colonial period; Macapagal Ancestral House showcasing traditional Filipino architecture. Iliganon people take pride in their local delicacies like tinolang manok (chicken soup), Lechon (roasted pig), Palapa (spicy condiment made with coconut), Kakanin (rice cakes) among others which reflect not only local taste but rich cultural heritage too.

Iligan City offers visitors an opportunity to experience nature’s beauty while learning about Mindanao’s rich culture & history along with tasting unique flavors of local cuisine making it a must-visit destination for tourists.



Important Landmarks

  1. Maria Cristina Falls
  2. Tinago Falls
  3. Mimbalot Falls
  4. Timoga Cold Springs
  5. Macaraeg-Macapagal Ancestral House
  6. Iligan City Public Market
  7. Divine Mercy Shrine
  8. St Michael’s Cathedral
  9. Anahaw Amphitheater
  10. Iligan Baywalk Park

Primary Industries

Major Industries and Businesses in Iligan, Philippines

  1. Manufacturing
    • National Steel Corporation
    • Mindanao Regional Steel Mill
    • Philippine Sinter Corporation
  2. Agriculture
    • Rice
    • Corn
    • Vegetables
    • Fruits
    • Livestock
  3. Tourism
    • Maria Cristina Falls
    • Tinago Falls
    • St. Michael’s Cathedral
    • Fort Pilar Shrine
    • Timoga Spring Pools
  4. Education
    • Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT)
    • Saint Michael’s College (SMC)
    • Southern Technical Institute of the Philippines (STIP)
  5. Healthcare
    • Adventist Medical Center-Iligan City (AMC-IC)
    • St. Peter’s Hospital Medical Center (SPHMC)
    • Mercy Community Hospital Inc.
  6. Retail/Commerce
  7. Banking/Finance
    • Loans
    • Savings accounts
    • Credit cards
  8. Mining
    • Coal

Iligan is known as the Industrial City of the South due to its numerous manufacturing companies. In addition to manufacturing, Iligan also has a thriving agricultural sector. Tourism is another significant industry in Iligan, with several tourist attractions. Education is also an important industry with several universities and colleges. Healthcare services are provided by several hospitals in Iligan. Retail stores selling various goods ranging from clothing to electronics to groceries can be found throughout Iligan while banking/finance services are provided by several banks with branches here offering financial services such as loans, savings accounts, credit cards, etc. Finally, mining activities for coal have been taking place here since decades now contributing significantly towards the economy of this region.


Noteable History

  1. The Spanish colonial period: Iligan was originally part of the Lanao province, which was under Spanish rule from the 16th to the 19th century.
  2. The American colonial period: After Spain ceded control of the Philippines to the United States in 1898, Iligan became part of the Moro Province.
  3. World War II: During World War II, Iligan was occupied by Japanese forces and suffered significant damage during the Battle of Iligan Bay in 1945.
  4. Maria Cristina Falls: This iconic waterfall located in Iligan is considered one of Asia’s most beautiful waterfalls and has become a popular tourist attraction.
  5. Emmanuel Peláez: A native of Iligan, Peláez served as Vice President of the Philippines from 1961 to 1965 under President Diosdado Macapagal.
  6. Vicente Yap Sotto: Another notable figure from Iligan, Sotto was a prominent politician and senator who authored several important laws during his tenure in office.
  7. National Power Corporation (NPC): NPC established its headquarters in Iligan City because it is home to two hydroelectric power plants that generate significant amounts of electricity for Mindanao Island.
  8. Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute Technology (MSU-IIT): This university is one of Mindanao’s leading academic institutions and has produced many notable alumni over its history.

Museums and Things To See

  1. Maria Cristina Falls
  2. Tinago Falls
  3. Mimbalot Falls
  4. Iligan Anahaw Amphitheater
  5. St. Michael’s Cathedral
  6. Iligan City Public Market
  7. Timoga Swimming Pools
  8. The National Steel Corporation Plant Site and Museum
  9. Mausoleum of Dr Jose Rizal in Iligan City Cemetery


Sports Teams

  1. Iligan City FC – Founded in 2011, the football club is one of the most successful teams in Mindanao. They have won several championships and have represented the city in national competitions.
  2. Iligan Crusaders Rugby Football Club – Established in 2009, the rugby team is composed mostly of students from different schools and universities in Iligan City. They participate regularly in local and regional tournaments.
  3. MSU-IIT Eagles – The basketball team represents Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) and has been competing since the 1980s. They have won several championships at the regional level.
  4. Team Iligan Dragon Boat Racing Team – This team was established to promote dragon boat racing as a sport among young people in Iligan City. The team has participated successfully both locally and internationally.
  5. Team Sibugay Basketball Club – This basketball club represents Sibugay town located within Iligan City’s jurisdiction that participates actively during summer leagues held annually by LGUs within Lanao del Norte province including its component cities such as Tubod where it also competes with other towns’ teams for bragging rights or cash prizes offered by sponsors or organizers depending on their respective league rules or policies.

Note: These are just some examples of sports teams based on my research, there may be more existing teams that I haven’t included here yet due to limited information available online about them specifically related to their history or background stories which are often not publicly available especially for small-scale local clubs/teams operating at grassroots levels without much media exposure outside their own communities unless they make headlines for winning major competitions/events happening regionally/nationally/internationally.



Cultural Events

  1. Diyandi Festival is a week-long celebration in Iligan City that honors St. Michael the Archangel, the city’s patron saint. The festival features street dancing, parades, and religious activities.
  2. Kasadya Street Dancing Competition is a colorful competition among schools and barangays in Iligan City that showcases their dance routines and costumes.
  3. Pista sa Kinaiyahan is an event that celebrates Iligan City’s natural resources and promotes environmental awareness through tree planting, clean-up drives, eco-tours, and exhibits.
  4. Kuyamis Festival is an annual celebration of Misamis Oriental province where Iligan City is located. The festival features cultural shows, food fairs, sports events, beauty pageants and other fun-filled activities.
  5. Feast of San Roque is a religious festival honoring the patron saint of Barangay San Roque with masses, processions and cultural presentations.
  6. Tago Jazz Festival features local jazz artists from Iligan City as well as other parts of Mindanao to showcase their talents in music.
  7. Sinulog sa Iligan is a dance festival inspired by Cebu City’s famous Sinulog Festival which showcases traditional dances to honor the Sto Nino de Cebu.
  8. Hugyaw Kansilay Festival lasts for two weeks every October in Talakag Bukidnon where they showcase their culture through street dances, cultural shows, and many more exciting events!

Cuisine

  1. Lechon de Iligan – A roasted pig dish popular in Iligan.
  2. Tinolang Manok – A chicken soup dish with ginger and vegetables.
  3. Satti – Skewered meat served with peanut sauce and rice cakes.
  4. Kinilaw – Raw fish marinated in vinegar, onions, and spices.
  5. Cheding’s Peanuts – Famous peanut brand from Iligan City.
  6. Pater Alimango – Crab meat wrapped in banana leaves and deep-fried.
  7. Kakanin (rice cakes) such as puto, bibingka, suman, and kutsinta.
  8. Jacko’s Kan-anan – A local restaurant known for its seafood dishes.
  9. Cafe Hermoso – Serves Filipino comfort food like adobo and sinigang.
  10. The Strip – Offers grilled dishes like pork belly and chicken inasal.

Parks and Recreation

  1. Maria Cristina Falls
  2. Tinago Falls
  3. Timoga Spring Pools
  4. Dodiongan Falls
  5. Iligan Anahaw Amphitheater
  6. Iligan City Public Plaza
  7. Macaraeg-Macapagal Ancestral House and Museum
  8. St Michael’s Cathedral
  9. Divine Mercy Shrine
  10. Mount Agad-Agad Forest Park

Suitcase

Discover The World.


Explore more:

Stavropol, Russia

Reading Time: 5 minutes Stavropol, Russia Region: Stavropol Krai Geographic Coordinates: 45.050000, 41.983300 Temperature Range: -40.0°C to 40.0°C (-40°F to 104°F) Climate: Cold winters and warm summers with moderate precipitation throughout the year. Population: 450680 Language: Russian Stavropol is a city located in the

Read More »

Eltham, United Kingdom

Reading Time: 8 minutes Eltham, United Kingdom Region: London Geographic Coordinates: 51.451000, 0.052000 Climate: Data not available. Population: 48964 Language: English Eltham, A charming suburb located in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Is a historic town in the southeastern part of London, United Kingdom.

Read More »

Putian, China

Reading Time: 6 minutes Putian, China Region: Geographic Coordinates: 25.439400, 119.010000 Temperature Range: 10.0°C to 30.0°C (50°F to 86°F) Population: 3210714 Language: Mandarin Putian is a coastal city situated in the southeastern part of Fujian province, China. It spans an area of 4, 200

Read More »

Chilakalūrupet, India

Reading Time: 9 minutes Chilakalūrupet, India Region: Andhra Pradesh Geographic Coordinates: 16.089200, 80.167200 Climate: Data not available. Population: 101398 Language: Telugu Chilakalūrupet is a vibrant city located in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Nestled amidst picturesque landscapes and surrounded by lush green

Read More »

Volta Redonda, Brazil

Reading Time: 5 minutes Volta Redonda, Brazil Region: Rio de Janeiro Geographic Coordinates: -22.522800, -44.103900 Temperature Range: 15.0°C to 35.0°C (59°F to 95°F) Climate: Climate: Tropical savanna climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Weather patterns: Warm temperatures year-round, with the hottest months being

Read More »

Grand Junction, Colorado

Reading Time: 5 minutes Grand Junction, Colorado USA Geographic Coordinates: 39.087700, -108.567000 Temperature Range: -20.0°C to 40.0°C (-4°F to 104°F) Climate: Dry and sunny with low humidity in the summer, cold winters with occasional snowfall. Population: 134074 Language: English Grand Junction is a city

Read More »