While we in Renegade Junctures are intent to finish our Project82PH challenge, we never thought that it would not even take a full year before we would be back in Mindanao. Planning actually started as early as July 2025, just three months after our extensive trip to the entire Zamboanga Peninsula and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu ang Tawi–Tawi. For our return to Mindanao, however, we would be journeying to its northern region: Region X.

The tenth region of Mindanao is comprised of five provinces: Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte and the island province of Camiguin. Save for Bukidnon, all provinces of the region have coastal access to Bohol Sea. Known as Mindanao’s Nature Frontier, the region enjoys a moderate climate owing to its considerable elevation and expansive forest land.

The Bangsamoro province of Lanao del Sur was also included in the itinerary.

The choice of Region X as our next Mindanao destination was mainly for the sake of contiguous completion. From the BaSulTa island provinces to Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao is the next neighboring region. Since we are marking on the map the provinces that we have visited, having the marks adjacent to one another definitely looks better than having blanks that would seem skipped.

Our flight to Mindanao would not be until 04:05 AM but Ran and I was in the airport as early as 10:00 PM. While excited for our trip, it was not really the reason why we went there early. For some reasons, the administration of our flat decided to conduct pest control and fumigation treatment at 09:00 PM on the night before our trip. Left with nowhere to stay as we needed to be away from the unit during the treatment, we went off already.

With a very long night ahead of us, we tried out best to get comfortable on the airport benches while remaining equally on our guard, lest we miss our flight if we sleep in. We just enjoyed the chilly atmosphere of the airport while waiting for our boarding time.

Just around 10 minutes before 06:00 AM, we finally reached Laguindingan Airport in the Province of Misamis Oriental.

Laguindingan Airport bears a little of history, keeping the IATA code CGY as remnant of the not-so-distant past when the airport was still in Cagayan de Oro City. Due to the latter’s elevation, mist and rains would usually cause flights to divert, hence the decision to transfer the airport to Laguindingan which is nearer to sea level.

We would be staying for seven days in Northern Mindanao. The first two days would be a DIY trip, while the next five would be courtesy of Aura Adventures, the same organizer that we engaged during our trip to ZamPenBaSulTa. For the DIY part, we booked our accommodation at Elejea’s Inn and rented a car from FunRide Rent a Car.

As soon as we landed, we got in touch with Maria from FunRide. She was the one assigned to deliver the car to us in the airport. After checking the car and settling some fees, we got into the car, and that was it! We were back in Mindanao!

Early morning sneak peak of Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental.

There was definitely an uplifting feeling the moment we stepped back on the soil of Mindanao. We had yet to experience its hospitality again but there was already a sense of warmth within us despite the rather gloomy and cool weather that welcomed us. Whether it was the feeling of sweeter the second time around or second time’s a charm, we were not sure. What would eventually prove certain was that we were about to experience travel and adventure on a whole new different level, accentuated by the warmth of friendship and companionship.

Thinking about it, Mindanao is the Land of Promise after all. On our second trip to the country’s southern island and our first to its northern region, we would eventually be shown the promise of beauty and appreciation in every mile we would take. It would turn out to be a trip to an intangible treasure where X marks the spot.