Be Healed and Die

# 7

          Hair-raising. Bloodcurdling. Chilling. Horrifying. Spine-chilling movie. The Healing, a Filipino horror suspense movie directed by Chito S. Roño, starring Vilma Santos (Seth) and Kim Chiu (Cookie).

          With Seth's father extremely ill, she decided to bring him to Manang Elsa, a faith healer, who healed him and prescribed a herbal medicine. As they were about to leave the place, a man, on the line of those who wants to be healed, fainted and was immediately sent to Manang Elsa. The next day, Seth was surprised upon seeing his father regain his strength again. The neighborhood was also surprised, knowing that Seth's father was already bed-ridden because of stroke. On the party, held in Seth's house, a group of her neighbors who have disease asked her if she could bring them to the faith healer. Her son also asked her if she Cookie, his half sister, could also go to the faith healer as she was suffering an illness called glomerulonephritis. As they reached Manang Elsa's house, they wer told by Melchor, Manang Elsa's brother, that she could not perform faith healing because she was sick. But because of the persistence of Seth, Manang Elsa accepted them. 

        The horror part then started as they went home. One by one, all of the healed neighbors died. Chona, the one who suffered from goiter, slashed her own neck with a pierced glass.Greta, the one who suffered from cyst, killed her husband by decapitating him with a sword and then committed suicide by hanging herself. Ding, a policeman who suffered from psoriasis, was forcefully shot by his co-policeman because of shooting everyone he saw.Alma, who suffered from a disease on her foot, broke into massacring her dorm mates and eventually immolates herself on fire. Cacai, the blind girl, massacred the praying monks and murdered herself by falling into a flagpole.  

       The movie was definitely one of a kind. It is not a typical Filipino horror movie that is predictable. in this movie, you will be shocked and surprised on what will happen next. If you want to scare yourself to death, you better watch THE HEALING.

Experience Iligan

     Iligan City is a highly urbanized city located in the northern part of Mindanao, north of the province of Lanao del Norte and west of Northern Mindanao, also known as the "City of Majestic Waterfalls". It covers an area of no less than 813.37 square kilometers, that is composed of 44 barangays, which is home for more than 300,000 people. Due to its location Iligan offers a unique mixture of rich cultures.

     As its name suggests, Iligan City is endowed with many great, magnificent and majestic waterfalls. The most popular of these is the Maria Christina Falls. It is located 9.3 kilometers away southwest of the city proper. Its 320 feet (98 meters) high waterfall is separated by a rock at the top of the waterfall. It powers the Agus VI Hydroelectric Plant which is the primary source of the city's electric power.

Maria Christina Falls
(c) http://davaocitybybattad.blogspot.com/2011_10_01_archive.html

     Another famous waterfall of Iligan city is the Tinago Falls, tinago is a Filipino term which means "hidden". It is located 13.8 kilometers away from the city proper. Going to the falls requires approximately 500 descending steps called the winding staircase. Its 240 feet (73.152 meters) high waterfall which falls graciously unto a deep and basin-like pool that appears like a blue-colored lagoon. Hidden underneath the falls is a small cave where tourists can enter and listen to the songs of the water.

Tinago Falls
(c) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tinago_falls.jpg

     Iligan City is not only blessed with magnificent water forms but also with beautiful land forms. Proving this is Mount Agad-Agad that is approximately 1,600 feet-high above sea level making it visible in the downtown of Iligan City. The name Agad-Agad suggests that any-one, even those who do not have any mountain climbing experience, can  easily climb the mountain. Climbing the mountain is divided into two difficulty level. The first level, or shall I say the easy level, is nothing but a walk on a wavy terrain. The fun and excitement begins on the second level, or the difficult level, where your knees sometimes meet your chin. At the peak, you could see the tantalizing panoramic over-looking view of the of Iligan City and the Iligan Bay. But that is not the end of the reward for your sweat. When the sun goes down and the moon shines, you will witness the grandeur panoramic over-looking view of Iligan City lights that will seem to be the refletion of the map of shiny stars above. Mount Agad-Agad may be very small compared to the Philippines highest peaks, Mount Apo, but the unique experience on the peak, which is indescribable, makes it different to others.

Over-looking view on the peak of Mt. Agad-Agad (day)
(c) http://tourista.wordpress.com/ 

Over-looking view on the peak of Mt. Agad-Agad (night)
(c) http://www.flickr.com/photos/mariejoy_anhaw/

     Visiting Iligan City is like visiting a themed park. It offers many adventures that could satisfy all our cravings. From swimming to mountain climbing, or even just sight-seeing. There are still many wonderful places in Iligan City that is not mentioned here. Places that could amaze every tiny cell in your body. So what are you waiting for? Come to Iligan City, come to the City of Majestic waterfalls, come to the City of Great Enjoyment and you could feel nothing but happiness and excitement.