When my professional wedding photographer-brother Bon told me that I was to serve as one of his 2nd photographers in a wedding to be held in Ozamiz City, I need not think twice. I haven’t been to Ozamis City yet and I’ve always wanted to visit the place. For one, I’ve always been curious of the place and of the many things I’ve heard about it. Secondly, any road trip around Mindanao is always a welcome thought for me. And thirdly, any chance for me to be a wedding photographer is always great news.
Together with fellow photographer Onat, the video coverage team members and Bon, we left Cagayan de Oro City for Ozamis City last January 7, 2010. From CDO, we traveled towards Iligan City (2 hours from CDO) and then onwards to Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte (about an hour after Iligan).
In Kolambugan, we boarded one of those Roll On, Roll Off (RORO) ferries at Mukas Sea Port. Mind you, the RORO ferry had a large airconditioned area with cushioned seats for passengers and even a few tables where passengers can eat or have coffee (like we did :D) From Mukas Port to Ozamiz City, we only paid P20.00 per person and the trip was pretty fast. It only took us about 20 minutes!
Here’s a photo I took at Mukas Port using my cellular phone:
When we reached Ozamiz City, some of the few things that I noticed right away were — mode of transportation was either via tricycle or side car, there were a lot of seafood vendors (crabs are sold really cheap in this area), streets were a bit narrow and get this — there were so many lechon manok booths all over the place! It seemed every street had at least two lechon manok sellers 😀
The team then proceeded to Clarin. We were then billeted at a beautiful beach resort that also doubled as a post-nuptial location for Garry and Quennie, Bon’s client-couple. Mindanaoan will share some of the shots we took of them in the coming days.
In the meantime, here’s a very brief preview of the fresh, fun, funky shoot we had near the Cotta Shrine (yep, we attracted a huge crowd at the time!):
Garry and Quennie – after the wedding from Irene A. on Vimeo.
Ozamiz City, by the way, is a 3rd class city in the province of Misamis Occidental, Mindanao. Named after Jose F. Ozamiz, this city is officially spelled with a “Z” in its last letter and not with an “S.” From Ozamiz, you can reach Tangub City within 30 minutes, Oroquieta City within 45 minutes, Dipolog City in about 3 hours and Pagadian City in about 2 hours.
What about you? Have you been to Ozamiz? How was your experience like?
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Mindanaoan is a multi-awarded blogger, content creator, seasoned social media strategist and publicist with undeniably successful track record. 2012 International Visitor Leadership Program (for global leaders) alumnus and O visa grantee (for people with extraordinary skills and who have risen to the top of their field). Avid traveler and a proud relief operations volunteer. Regular resource person for social media, blogging and content creation. Available for work and travel – [email protected]
Gurl, third line first paragraph your Ozamiz is spelled with an “S”. Check out your last paragraph. Sometimes we can be funny without really trying! Bantay, gabasa baya ko sa imong mga posts! Hasta la vista….
Ngiii Sir Mike uy =( Grammar police kaayo huhu. I know I should spell it with a “Z” but I wrote some parts with an “S” kay for SEO purposes bah. A lot of people still search using “ozamis” and I want my article to be among those that will show up sa Google and other search engines =( Sorry na gud huhu =(
.-= Taga Mindanao´s last blog ..Tabo Sa Umahan 2010 – 80th Founding Anniversary of Misamis Oriental =-.
i am from misamis occidental, so i knew ozamis, the place is nice, im in manila now so i really miss the city…
Hi Keachy! Thank you for visiting my humble blog =) How long did you stay sa Ozamiz?
great post! I will be doing this too before the end of the year!
@Eric – go go go! 🙂 hope to meet you soon!
Hi! thanks for the post and the blog. Our family will be on the road starting Marcg 31 starting from Davao to Ilocos Norte and back to Davao approximately on April 20-21. I would just like to know the Roro schedule from Ozamiz to Mukas to help us plan the trip. We’ll be returning via the Batangas-Mindoro-Caticlan-Ilo-ilo-Dumaguete-Dipolog/Dapitan-ozamiz-Mukas route so timing and good scheduling is necessary. If you have available Roro rates, it will be a big help. We’ll be on an Isuzu Sportivo Vehicle. Thanks.
Is there a direct bus from CDO to Ozamis?