Maria Cristina Falls
ILIGAN CITY. The City of Majestic Waterfalls, as it is most popularly known because within its boundaries are 23 alluring and enchanting beauty of different display of waterfalls. Maria Cristina Falls is the most splendid and popular among others. The falls is situated at Barangay Maria Cristina, about 9.3 kilometers away from the City proper. The falls towers at 320 feet high. Its waters flow through the Agus channel and come from Lanao Lake, a lake located in Marawi City.This majestic beauty invites local and foreign tourists. This breath-taking display of glory is considered by the Iliganons as the greatest heritage and one of the Philippines' most popular landmark. Planning to visit the place? To see its full glory, its best to visit during weekends because for about 15 minutes Maria and Cristina is visible. During weekdays, 90% of its waters are being utilized for hydroelectric power plant; therefore during weekdays Maria is only in display. While, Cristina is busy working by supplying electricity for the industries around Mindanao. It is important to note, that it is impossible for anyone to get near with the falls. However, a viewing deck is provided in the plant building. From that viewing deck, you can find an adjacent glass room where historical facts about the falls and the installation of the hydro power plant are being displayed. In addition, you can also find the story of how the falls came into existence, "The Legend of Maria Cristina Falls."
Once upon a time, Lake Lanao is in hands of Omaca-An. Omaca-An, is a giant monster that eat human beings and animals and even fishes inthe water. There were thus a few people around the lake because of the monster that ate everything he saw. Many years passed when Rajah Indarapatra came with his beloved brother Rajah Solaiman. Rajah Solaiman was the first to come and he fought the giant, but was killed. Rajah Indarapatra followed, looking for his brother Solaiman. Indarapatra encountered the giant Omaca-an, and killed the giant monster-man eater. On land, he looked for the ring of his brother by asking the small and big animals he met. On water, however, he went swimming everyday and gathered both big and small stones beneaththe water. He stayed for several years along the shores of the lake, but still he did not find the ring. He constructed an irrigation system that went very far and covered a big distance which later became a river (Agus River). The river had a portion which dropped down a deep ravine now the Maria Cristina Falls.
Many years passed, and there lived two loving sisters, namely: Maria the younger and Cristina the elder. These two beautiful ladies loved each other very much. Maria gave everything she had to Cristina, her beloved sister. Many people knew they were the ones living nearthe falls. They also loved their neighbor as they loved themselves. Datus and Sultans came to ask for their hands in marriage but the two sisters refused. There was a man, however, son of a prominent Sultan living somewhere beside the Lake Lanao. For many years he was unhappy because he could not find a suitable partner. He roamed around the lake until he saw the two maidens ofthe falls. He fell in love with the two sisters, but the two sisters did not know whom he really loved. Many days passed and Maria discovered that she loved him very much, which made her very sad and she went to the top ofthe fallsand jumped. When Cristina found out that Maria was dead, she likewise went to the top ofthe falls and threw herself down the deep ravine. When the handsome young man discovered the situation and found the bodies, he buried them underthe falls. After the death of the two sisters, he never married until he perished. He also namedthe falls, Maria Cristina after the two sisters he loved.
"Hydro-power Turbines"
Going ThereFrom the City proper, you can take a jeep "Buru-un" line for P12.00. To make sure you arrived safely, tell the driver you are going to Maria Cristina Falls. Then the driver will dropped you just the other side of the Agus Bridge crossing to the falls. From the crossing, you can walk for about 5 to 10 minutes then you will arrived at the National Power Corporation gate. An entrance fee of P35.00 will be collected in the gate, upon entering. If you wish to take the shuttle cab, you can add P10.00 as fare. On the other hand, walking from the gate towards the falls is possible, you can take that as an opportunity to get a little exercise for about 15 minutes.
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