Eleven years ago, my brother brought  me here to show this blessed place hoping that I’d be convinced to stay for good. I was hesitant at first not only because in my years of a happy-go-lucky kind of life, living in Lanao never crossed my mind for I was enjoying my life in Cagayan de Oro City then. All I thought was that this place was home of lawlessness and poverty. But my brother’s constant prodding made me visit Tubod, the seat of the provincial government, the center of commerce and the banana capital of the province and to my amazement, I immediately fell in love with the richness and beauty of the place and the simplicity and camaraderie of the people. After several visits, my husband and I decided to take our chances here with Baroy, the clay town of the province, as the place of our residence.

My work as a division coordinator has allowed me to catch a glimpse of the wondrous verdant sceneries in Sultan Naga Dimaporo and Sapad-Nunungan, the majestic cathedral falls in Kapatagan where the rich ricefields abound. The fisponds of Lala and Kapatagan produce the delicious “alimango and pansat” and the plush natural resources as you travel to Tagoloan, Matunggao, Pantao Ragat and Pantar make one feel angels reside there. Linamon, Kauswagan, Bacolod, Munai and Maigo’s fruits and vegetables are among the best in Mindanao. Salvador, Kolambugan, Poona Piagapo, Tangcal and Magsaysay offer a wide array of rootcrops, corn and coco products while Baloi’s durian can compare with that of Davao’s.

The Provincial Capitol and the Mindanao Civic Center proves that the provincial government has been working with determination to make this province an economic giant in the country.

I fell in love with this place that is inhabited by three ethnic groups: the Christians, the Maranaos and the Indigenous People because despite diversity, the people have established a culture of peace which the provincial government headed by Governor Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo, Representative of the First District Imelda Quibranza Q. Dimaporo, Representative of the Second District Fatima Aliah Q. Dimaporo and the department of education headed by Schools Division Superintendent Maria Luisa B. Mutia are advocating.

The term Lanao comes from the Maranao word “ranao” which means a body of water. “Maranao” is taken to mean lake dweller. Maranaos are the natives of the place, occupying the land around Lake Lanao which is situated at the center of then undivided Province of Lanao. The Maranaos are of Malay-Arabic descent. They settled the area long before the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. They have a distinct culture which sets them apart from the other Filipinos. They have their own language, customs, traditions, religion, social system, music and architecture.

Schools here teach young children the value and importance of peace through the yearly conduct of the Peace Village Residential Experience.

My prayers are for hostile people to truly understand the essence of peace so that our tourism will flourish and so that our young children will grow up to become productive and successful leaders who will lead this country with pride and dignity.

- Maria Eva S. Edon

“ All what you see are the fruits of our sacrifices”, said Governor Mohamad Khalid Quibranza Dimaporo , Provincial Governor of lanao del Norte.

Lanao del Norte is indeed  the Land of beauty and bounty. A place where different cultures and diversities exist. The only province which comprises various ethnic groups, but still PEACE is very visible. The fact that the province is governed by a man of vision and action, putting Lanao del Norte at its peak in terms of agriculture and tourism.

Gov. Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo was born in San Juan, Metro Manila on Feb. 16, 1980. Being the eldest of the five siblings of our former Congressman and Governor Abdullah Dimakuta Dimaporo and Congresswoman (1st Dist.) Imelda Quibranza Dimaporo. Gov. Khalid has placed Lanao del Norte on the map during his governance. To prove his worth, we had our World-Class Sports Complex and made the province a “Motocross Capital of the Phil.” Despite of being one of the young governors in the country, Gov. Khalid had achieved exemplary performance making the province more progressive and productive.

As a young governor continues to envision progress and development of the province, he had made commendable accomplishments during his governing terms. With this reason, Lanao del Norte had won back the trust and confidence of the neighboring provinces that PEACE in Lanao del Norte is now stable.

Gov. Khalid is indeed the man behind Lanao del Norte against all odds and challenges. This made the 2011 NMRAA Meet a great success….

Congratulations Gov. Khalid and more power.

-Joy Rechel dela Cruz, Kapatagan NHS

-Celia Abarquez, Maranding CES

- Elena Maramara, Linamon CES

MCC–Mindanao Civic Center . . . a product not merely of the imagination, but rather of the sweat and brilliant minds coupled with an utmost concern for the people’s welfare of Lanao del Norte by the couple, Hon. Congresswoman Angging Dimaporo and the former congressman of the 2nd district of Lanao del Norte Sir Bobby Dimaporo, the parents of our recent governor Hon. Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo.

It has been the fondest dream of the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte to have this, and at long last, it has finally come to light. We could not just imagine how it was realized considering the meager income of the province. However, the thing that seemed to be impossible was made possible. As the saying goes “ If there’s a will, there’s a way”. Hence, the birth of MCC happened.

The Palarong Pambansa 2003, a nationwide undertaking, was one of the great events that have ever happened in the history of Lanao del Norte. It could never be put into oblivion no matter what, no matter when. Now, we have this Palarong Pampook 2011 . It really boosts the magnanimity and prestige of the province that everyone could not deny.

After this, what’s next ? Another Palarong Pambansa? We look forward to it!

- Arlene D. Manginsay