Cagayan de Oro

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Cagayan de Oro (abbreviated C.D.O.) is one of the important cities in Mindanao. It is the capital of the province of Misamis Oriental, Philippines and the regional center for Northern Mindanao (Region X). According to the 2000 census, it has an estimated population of 461,877 people in 200,000 households.

The city has many names, it is called the Gateway to Northern Mindanao, the City of White Water Rafting and River Trekking. But most of all, it is through its warm and hospitable people that the city got its name as "The City of Golden Friendship".

Cagayan de Oro is base to multinational companies such as Del Monte Philippines (formerly Philippine Packing Corporation). It has been operating in Cagayan de Oro since the 1930's. Pineapples in nearby Bukidnon Province are transported to their Processing Plant in Barangay Bugo and shipped to the entire Philippines, Asia and the Pacific.

Cagayan de Oro City is the center of education in Northern Mindanao. The city is the site of large state-run educational institutions and universities.

Current Mayor of Cagayan de Oro City is Vicente Y. Emano and current Vice-mayor is Michelle Tagarda-Spiers.

Geography

It is located at [8°29′N 124°39′E], in Mindanao. It is bordered by the province of Bukidnon to the east and south and by the municipality of Manticao, Misamis Oriental to the west. On the north lies Macajalar Bay in the Bohol Sea. The Cagayan River divides the city in the middle. The river is crossed by four bridges in the city. The city is surrounded by municipalites. It is located in the province of Misamis Oriental and Region X. Cagayan de Oro is outside the typhoon belt, but it is affected by the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone. The city is bordered by Opol, Tagoloan, and Bukidnon.

Accessibility

Cagayan de Oro, as the gateway to Northern Mindanao, is very accessible. From Manila, it is an hour and fifteen minutes away by plane and from Cebu it is an hour and ten minutes. The Lumbia Airport caters daily flights to and from Manila and Cebu. Cagayan de Oro and Northern Mindanao will soon have the Laguindingan International Airport that will cater international flights to South Korea and other parts of the world. By sea, there are regular trips to Manila, Cebu, Tagbilaran, Jagna, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Iligan, and Iloilo. By land, there are regular bus trips to Gingoog, Davao, Butuan and Surigao in the CARAGA Region, Valencia and Malaybalay in Bukidnon, Iligan, Ozamiz, and other parts of Mindanao.

Language

Majority of the people in Cagayan de Oro speak Cebuano (also called Bisaya), although most residents understand Tagalog. The national language of the Philippines is Filipino and all students in elementary and high schools in CDO take classes in Filipino. Most government employees and business people have good command of the English language.

People from Cagayan de Oro are called Cagay-anons.

History

The area of present Cagayan de Oro has been occupied by indigenous people for approximately 40,000 years. The first inhabitants were the Higaunons, and later on, the Visayan groups.

Two thousand years ago, there were already ancient Kagayanons living around the vicinity of the Huluga Caves. There were also ancient tools used by the ancient Kagayanons. When the Arab missionaries came, Kalambaguhan (or present Cagayan de Oro) was part of the sultanate of Tagoloan. Kalambaguhan was a small settlement of Bukidnons who lived along the riverbanks of Kalambaguhan River.

During this time, Sultan Kudarat would raid these places. Datu Salangsang, their leader, led the Bukidnons to transfer to the hills of Huluga. In 1622, Fray Agustin de San Pedro went to see Datu Salangsang and to transfer to present day Gaston Park. The raids of the Maguindanao warriors were repulsed by Fray Agustin de San Pedro.

Mindanao was divided into two districts. Cagayan de Misamis (or present Cagayan de Oro) became the capital of the district. Pope Pius XII created the first Catholic Archdiocese in Mindanao, which elevated the Diocese of Cagayan. During the American Occupation, revolutionaries fought with the Americans. However, the Americans gained victory. During the Japanese Invasion in 1942, many houses were burned. In 1945, Cagayan was liberated by the Americans.

It was from this settlement that the present Cagayan de Oro originated. In 1845, a stone church was built on the site, which later became the present San Agustin Metropolitan Cathedral. The Church was destroyed during the American liberation in 1945. Later on, the church was reconstructed through the efforts of Archbishop James T.G. Hayes, Cagayan de Oro's first Archbishop.

Through the efforts of Congressman Emmanuel Pelaez, the town of Cagayan de Misamis became a city on June 15, 1950 and its name changed to Cagayan de Oro. Since then, Cagayan de Oro became one of the peaceful and progressive cities in the whole archipelago.

Education

Cagayan de Oro City is the center of education in Northern Mindanao. The city is the site of large state-run and private educational institutions. Some of the colleges, universities, and schools are the following:

• Lourdes College (LC)
• Ateneo de Cagayan University (Xavier University)
• Liceo de Cagayan University (L de CU)
• Capitol University (CU)
• Mindanao Polytechnic State College (MPSC)
• Cagayan de Oro College (COC)
• Southern de Oro Philippine College
• Pilgrim Christian College
• STI College
• AMA Computer College
• Aguilar College
• Asian College of Science and Technology (ACSAT)
• Philippine Women's University
• Corpus Christi School (CCS)
• Montesorri de Oro (MDO)
• Regional Science High School
• St. Agustine's School of Nursing
• St. Mary's School (SMS)
• St. Mary's Academy
• Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori School
• Kong Hua School
• Oro Christian Grace School (OCGS)
• Immanuel Mission School
• Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS)
• International School (IS)
• Shekinah Glory Christian Academy
• Marymount Academy
• Bugo School of Arts and Trade
• Cagayan de Oro High School

Highlights

Cogon Public Market along J.R. Borja Street

• Macahambus Cave & Gorge is an underground cave with a 130-foot circular gorge. The ravine is thick with various species of plants and huge trees. It is the site of the historic battle between local and American soldiers during the Philippine-American War (1900).
• Whitewater Rafting along the Cagayan de Oro river has gained popularity through the years after President Macapagal-Arroyo herself went whitewater rafting last 2003.
• San Agustin Metropolitan Cathedral is the home of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro. Rebuilt in the 1950s, this place of worship is also famous for its century old stained glass.
• Catanico Falls is concealed by huge boulders, the rapids, cascading falls and natural pool of Brgy. F.S. Catanico.
• La Castilla Museum is a museum of Philippine household heirlooms and antiques. This is the Rodolfo and Elsa Pelaez family memorabilia administered by the Liceo de Cagayan University.
• Mapawa Nature Park is ideal for horseback riding, biking, zipline and nature trekking.
• Gardens of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village is located in a reforested area in Malasag Hill. This 6 hectare village has replicas of tribal houses in the region and a panoramic view of Macajalar Bay.
• Vicente de Lara Park is situated in front of the Provincial Capitol of Misamis Oriental with age-old mahogany trees that provide a therapeutic canopy for the promenades. The park, used to be known as McArthur Park, is a popular jogging area during the morning.
• Plaza Divisoria was built in the early 1900's as a town divider (divisoria) or fire breaker after a great fire that almost burned down the entire town. It is now a park dedicated to local and national heroes. A City Tourism Information Center and the Park Cafè is located in Plaza Divisoria.
• Bonifacio Park is among several parks located within Plaza Divisoria. Most of those local soldiers who died during the Philippine-American War of 1900 are buried beneath the monument.
• Xavier University was founded in 1933 as a boys school named Ateneo de Cagayan by an American Jesuit Missionary, Fr. James T.G. Hayes, who became the first Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro. In 1958, it gained university status and changed its name in honor of the Jesuit Missionary, Saint Francis Xavier.
• Lourdes College is a catholic college owned and managed by the Religious of the Virgin Mary Congregation. This prestigious college was founded by Archbishop James T.G. Hayes, S.J. wayback 1928 and is considered as the oldest educational institution in the City of Cagayan and was known to be the second oldest educational institution in the whole Mindanao after University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC, also known as ICC, Oldest University in Mindanao), which was founded in 1905 by the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM) Congregation, a premier, high-standard university in Davao, even in the whole Philippines. Lourdes College is also a consortium of Xavier University and University of the Immaculate Conception, Davao City.
• Museo de Oro is a museum located within the campus of Xavier University. It exhibits artifacts dug from Huluga Cave and repertoire of Bukidnon and Maranao Cultures that have survived the ravages of time.
• Huluga Caves are two caves where two skeletal fragments of a child and a woman who inhabited Cagayan in 377 A.D. were found. It is unfortunate however, that the complex where the caves are located had been destroyed by the construction of a largely underutilized and controversial bridge--the Pelaez bridge, named after former vice-president of the Philippines Emmanuel Pelaez who, ironically, was a cultural and environmental conservationist.
• The Cagayan de Oro River is being groomed into a prime tourism destination in the city. Floating restaurants and a couple of river taxis cruise the river. There is also a river resort located near the Emmanuel Pelaez bridge.
• The Night Café at the Divisoria area is set up on Friday and Saturday nights. Locals and visitors gather in the streets of Divisoria to have barbecue and seafood, among many choices, and enjoy the music, beer, and also the great bargains from the nearby Night Market.
• Pueblo de Oro in upper Cagayan de Oro is an expansive business and residential area. This is where SM City Cagayan de Oro, Hotel Koresco, the world-class Pueblo Golf Course, and a host of middle to high-end residential areas are located. It is also home to the Pueblo de Oro IT Park, the first PEZA-registered IT park in Mindanao. The IT Park currently houses one of Cagayan de Oro's call centers.
• Limketkai Center is located in downtown Cagayan de Oro. Shopping venues like Limketkai Mall, Plaza Fair Department Store, and Robinsons Mall Cagayan de Oro are located within the premises. Also in the center is Rosario Arcade, which houses a strip of coffee shops, bars, and restaurants, the Mallberry Suites Hotel, and the Grand Caprice Restaurant and Convention Center. The Pearlmont Inn and Discovery Hotel are only a few meters away from the complex. A couple of call centers also operate within the area.

Hotels and accommodations

These are some of the hotels and accommodations in the city, ranging from first-class to budget-type:

• Pryce Plaza Hotel
• Dynasty Court Hotel
• VIP Hotel
• Grand City Hotel
• Maxandrea Hotel
• Casa Crystalla
• La Mar Inn
• Nature's Pensionne
• Hotel Ramon
• Cagayan Park View Hotel
• Marco Hotel
• Chali Beach Hotel
• Harbor Lights
• Country Village Hotel
• Ridge View Chalets
• Coconut Bay Resort
• Southwinds Hotel
• Pearlmont Inn
• Discovery Hotel
• Mallberry Suites Hotel
• Hotel Koresco
• MASS-SPECC
• Y.M.C.A.
• Mountainview Suites
• Middleton Apartelle
• Philtown Hotel
• Hotel Conchita
• De Luxe Hotel
• Demiren Hotel
• River View Inn

Shopping

Cagayan de Oro City is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. The number of malls, department stores, and supermarkets have increased in the city since the year 2000. Among the biggest malls in the city is Limketkai Center. It was established more than a decade ago. It has recently been renovated and it houses Plaza Fair and the department store section of Robinsons Cagayan de Oro. Gaisano City Mall is also noted in the city as a multi-level mall with two big buildings connected by a sky bridge. SM City at the Pueblo Business Park and the Robinsons Mall at the Limketkai Center are now serving Cagayan de Oro and the region as well and these have greatly contributed to making the city as the "shopping capital" of the region. Ayala will start to construct its business park this December in Indahag and this project is reported to include a mall. Another SM Mall with a Hypermarket is being planned to be constructed in front of Gaisano City Mall. Here is a list of some of the shopping centers in the city:

• Limketkai Center is located in Brgy Lapasan, near the National Highway. The Atrium located inside the mall is ideal for conventions, concerts, exhibits, and other events. This venue can accommodate a large group. Events held in the Atrium include concerts by local and foreign artists, beauty pageants including the annual Miss Cagayan de Oro, and local and national conventions.
• Robinsons Cagayan de Oro is located behind the Limketkai Mall. It is right beside Grand Caprice Restaurant and Convention Center.
• Gaisano City Mall is at the Claro M. Recto Avenue cor Corrales Extension, Lapasan Highway. Gaisano also has branches in Cogon and Carmen.
• SM City Cagayan de Oro at the Pueblo de Oro Township, Masterson Avenue cor Gran Via Street. The mall is across the Manresa Farm and SEARSOLIN of Xavier University.
• Plaza Fair is located inside the Limketkai Mall.
• Makro at Kauswagan Highway.
• Golden Bell at Gen Capistrano Street.
• Ororama Chain of Stores in Lapasan, Cogon, and Carmen.
• Trendline Department Store in Cogon.
• Wanchai RTW are ukay-ukay stores in Dolores, Pabayo and Carmen. Known for great bargains and great clothes from Hong Kong.
• Cogon Market Area is where many smaller shopping centers are located and where items are sold at bargain prices.

Barangays

Cagayan De Oro City is politically subdivided into 80 barangays.

Agusan Balulang Bayabas Bonbon Bugo Bulua Camaman-an Canitoan Carmen Consolacion Cugman Gusa Iponan Kauswagan Lapasan Lumbia Macabalan Macasandig Nazareth Patag

Puerto Puntod Tablon Baikingon Balubal Bayanga Besigan Dansolihon F.S. Catanico Indahag Mambuaya Pagalungan Pagatpat Pigsag-an San Simon Taglimao Tagpangi Tignapoloan Tuburan Tumpagon

Barangay 01 Barangay 02 Barangay 03 Barangay 04 Barangay 05 Barangay 06 Barangay 07 Barangay 08 Barangay 09 Barangay 10 Barangay 11 Barangay 12 Barangay 13 Barangay 14 Barangay 15 Barangay 16 Barangay 17 Barangay 18 Barangay 19 Barangay 20

Barangay 21 Barangay 22 Barangay 23 Barangay 24 Barangay 25 Barangay 26 Barangay 27 Barangay 28 Barangay 29 Barangay 30 Barangay 31 Barangay 32 Barangay 33 Barangay 34 Barangay 35 Barangay 36 Barangay 37 Barangay 38 Barangay 39 Barangay 40

External links

• [Wikitravel Cagayan De Oro]*
• [Misamis Oriental Provincial Website]*
• [Cagayan de Oro Socio-Economic Profile]*
• [Visit Cagayan De Oro Tourist and Travel Website]*
• [Your Online Portal to Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines]*

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