The streets of modern-day Iligan City are an interesting paradox of the past and the present. In the middle of all its towering modern edifices strolls the tartanilla, a heritage that has survived decades and has plastered itself in the ever-growing history of the town, making it a recognizable Iliganon symbol.
A tartanilla is a horse-drawn carriage which was introduced by the Spaniards to the Philippines in the 18th Century. It is rarely seen in the roads nowadays and only Iligan, Cebu, and Vigan have preserved and still use the century-old example. These horse-drawn carriages are no longer allowed in the main streets of Iligan but one can regularly catch them along Badelles Street down to Tambacan Road, its designated route, and enjoy a trip for only five pesos. There is also a special “Tartanilya Express Ride” around the city streets during the month-long celebration of Iligan’s Diyandi Festival. Riding on a tartanilla is an exciting, memorable, jump-back-in-time experience unmatched by any of our modern-day modes of transportation.