Triangle Tour: Iligan City's Military Camp

The Iligan Bloggers Society members had a once-in-a blue moon experience when they went out on a Familiarization Tour called the Tourism Triangle last Sunday, August 2011.

The group left Jollibee Aguinaldo branch on time at 8:00 AM and the first stop was at the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade Light Armor Division of the Philippine Army situated in Barangay Maria Cristina of this city.   Just like most of us in the11-heads group, it was my first time to visit a military camp.  That is why I felt so lucky to be part of the group.

~~The US just before the take off ~~

Funny me, I had some expectations on the outward appearance of the campus maybe because i watched too much movies with war stories.  I was expecting a very lustrous green landscaped lawn and beautiful buildings.  I don't mean that they have shabby homes or buildings but thinking that it is a military camp, an army camp, a protectors camp, I just expect that they deserve better than what i saw.  Anyway, this thought is just me and it will not influence this post.

Let me share with you a bit of what transpired in the almost 3 hours time we spent at the camp.

They were expecting us because Col. Aldred L. Limoso, the Commander in Chief, was right there to meet us.   They knew our exact number because there were enough chairs for all of us prepared at their Friendship Park.   After shared pleasantries, we settled in our seats and then  Col. Limoso introduced himself and shared a bit of history of the camp.  Everyone were eager to listen to him.  One of us even got his pen and paper to take note of what is being said.


The camp is a community.  They have their respective houses/barracks, church, cafeteria or mess hall, maintenance department, barber shop, and clinic.   They have retainer nurse and doctor that visit them in a week.  For serious medical cases, they bring their personnel to their affiliated hospitals.

I can't keep myself put into my seat.  I felt there were so much to see around that even before the familiarization lecture was over, I was already up taking pictures and having a bit of chit chat with one of those in uniform. They served nice snacks but missed it because i was already hopping from one corner to another taking pictures.  Because of too much curiousity I want to start the campus tour right away.  But I have to wait.  I am with a group and for sure we will be guided by their personnel if we are going to see the whole campus. So after the talk, we are all eager to go and the first stop was at the Welcome Signage. ---

IBS with Col. Limoso and some of his staff.
Photo taken by Pat Noel.

And the APC!


 

All of us took advantage of the time to touch, see the insides and go up and down the APC.  Majority of us had photos taken standing at the target hole.  I said us because in spite of my huge size i managed to go up and come out of the hole with a big smile and pose for a shot. lol!  It was really an unforgetable experience for me.   I just wished for one thing.    How I wish they also gave us a sample of how it will sound when it is being used in the fight. lol!

Then from the spot where the APC stood, we walked down the road to their Administration Building.  The rooms were showed to us and after picture taking at the front, we proceed down the road to do the circle tour of the place.  We passed by their Maintenance area and there were several APC their that if they are give away toys, am sure each one of us would love to have one to be brought back to Tibanga.

~~this group photo is taken by Pat Noel using Noy Iko's camera~~

There were many areas and nooks that anyone would just stop to take a photo.  Like the lagoon, the group paused a moment there to have a pose.   It's the only lagoon you can see in Iligan probably so Noy Iko of Explore Iligan planned to make it as one of the trivia in his Explore Iligan page.

The lilies made the lagoon a charming spot amidst a silent surroundings.

From the lagoon, off we went to the shade where they keep their K9.  They have two, i bet they were couple, named Emma and JR.  And of all names why JR. lol!  So pinoy!   I was very thirsty that i did not enjoy much time with the dog. One cute puppy looks nice but not so friendly.  He gave me a spat.  So I went to the Officers Dining Hall to ask for cold water.  And wanted to stay there until the group decides to leave.  But then i saw the APC coming towards where we were standing.  I thought they gonna have dry run on the guns but nah!  They told us to climb as they are going to give us a ride.  And so, we had the APC ride of our life that day.  For us who sat inside experienced a bit of the feeling what it would be like when u are travelling in an APC and in a rugged terrain.  Good thing there is a suspended grip to hold on to or else, you will find yourself somewhere else inside that tank.

After the ride, we bid goodbye to the Colonel and the personnel who were around.  We thank them for a the warm hospitality.  If we did not have a schedule to follow, I am sure, everyone would love to stay longer for more APC rides.

As we left the campus, I said to myself, If i have not become a blogger, I would have not known IBS and would have not set foot in this military camp.

So, to all readers out there, Iligan is a safe place to visit.   And you may include 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade Light Army Division as your itinerary.   The Commander assured us that in time to come, the campus will have an improved surroundings.

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This tour is made possibly by the Iligan City Tourism Office so our heartfelt thanks goes to them. I personally would like to thank the members of the Iligan Bloggers Society  for being so active enough that we were blessed of this opportunity. Let's be active more and surely more related offers will follow.

 

You may check out the IBS blog for more posts regarding this activity.

More photos at the camp will be posted in the next post.  ^^

Have a nice day to all!

 

Xoxoxoxo,

 

Pinay