My Iligan Story
A Trip Down Memory Lane

by Charles Sy
(Cebu City, Philippines )

Here's my Iligan story. One of the things I did when I was in Iligan not too long ago was to revisit the places that were familiar to us during our early days. It's a way of tracing our near-forgotten roots and seeking a connection to a city that was home to us for many years before our family transferred to Cebu in 1975. I spent an afternoon surveying on foot the entire stretch starting from the city plaza toward Quezon Avenue, Cabili Avenue, Sabayle Street and farther on to Roxas Avenue, and Aguinaldo Street before returning to rest my feet back at the Maria Cristina Hotel.

Like taking a trip down memory lane, the long walk along the city's major thoroughfares brought back many fond memories of our yesterdays. I paused briefly near San Cha Trading on Quezon Ave. and remembered the Raymar's Tailoring somewhere across the street. Raymar's was our favorite tailoring in the mid 1960s when tight water-repellent pants were in vogue. A short distance away, I couldn't help but remember the Canton Restaurant, home of the best siopao I've ever savored. Canton was the city's premier dining place in the 50s and 60s that played host to many wedding banquets on its second floor dining hall. Along Cabili Avenue I scanned the Lu Do building where the Al Toro Hotel was once a dominant landmark. The legendary hotel of the Diago family is gone and the building has since been leased to the Gaisano Department Store as a warehouse. Across the street is Coco Grove where the Lanao Mail once had its office and printing press. The site brought back memories of my early college days when I did a column for the newspaper. From my frequent visits with its editor Emilio Alcuizar in his office I became acquainted with the irrepressible Nonoy Bartolome who was his partner in the hard-hitting radio program, "Saksak Sinagol."

I stopped by the port area to catch a glimpse of Iligan's magnificent sunset and discovered a new look in the city's harbor. New reclaimed land now connects the three old extended piers that allows bigger berthing space for today's large vessels. Along Sabayle St., the aroma of freshly roasted peanuts led me right to the shop of Cheding Peanuts, now a big name in peanut delicacy for which Iligan has become famous. In the same vicinity is St. Peter's College, still nestled on the same spot. Although a few new buildings have been added to the campus, the same familiar iron-wrought arch on its main portal still stands there, like a relic frozen in time, to greet students and visitors alike. Not far away around the corner is the old Sacred Heart Hospital of the Casiņo family. It was a daily sight for many of us on our way to school during our years at the old Lanao Chinese High School -- Roosevelt campus. The hospital has long been idle, yet the edifice still lies there looking every inch like a patient on the verge of rigor mortis.

So much memories come flashing back whenever we take a step back in time to trace our old beaten tracks. These tracks underscore a cherished chapter of our lives, now etched in our memory like virtual footprints in the sands of time.


Joan's reply

Hi Charles. All I can say is wow!
Talking about tracing your steps. Your story grabbed me and took me to all those places you mentioned. It felt like I was there too. I can totally relate but I must admit it's blurry on some areas (it's the age thing). I do remember the Canton Restaurant and the siopao...hmmm...now I'm getting hungry.

I really connected with your story and I hope you continue to reconnect to the city that was your home and mine for many years through our website, from the comfort of your home. Visit us often.

And thank you for the trip down memory lane...

Joan