Cagayan de Oro
Template:Infobox Philippine city 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 Emano and current Vice-mayor is Michelle Tagarda-Spiers.
Geography
It is located at 8°29′N 124°39′E / 8.483°N 124.650°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. The city is located in the province of Misamis Oriental and Region X. The city 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 Metro Manila, it is an hour and forty-five minutes away by plane. The Lumbia Airport caters daily flights to and from Manila. Cagayan de Oro will soon have the Laguindingan International Airport that will cater international flights to Korea and other parts of the world. By sea, there are regular trips to Manila, Cebu City, Tagbilaran and Jagna in Bohol, Bacolod, Dumaguete, and other destinations in the Visayas region. From Cagayan de Oro, buses travel to Gingoog City, Davao City, Butuan and Surigao in the Caraga Region, Valencia and Malaybalay in Bukidnon, Iligan, Ozamis, and other destinations in 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.
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 educational institutions. Some of the colleges, universities, and high schools are the following:
- Lourdes College (LC)
- Xavier University (formerly Ateneo de Cagayan)
- 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)
- Corpus Christi School (Cagayan de Oro)
Highlights
- 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 1950's, 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 treking.
- 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 provides a therapeutic canopy for the promenades.
- 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.
- 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,a.k.a 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 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.
- 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.
- 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. The Pearlmont Hotel and Discovery Hotel are only a few meters away from the complex.
Hotels & Accommodations
These are some of the hotels and accommodations in the city, ranging from first-class to budget-type (in random order):
Pryce Plaza Hotel Carmen Hill
Dynasty Court Hotel Arch. Hayes Street corner Tiano Bros. Street
VIP Hotel A. Velez Street corner Pacana Street
Grand City Hotel A. Velez Street corner T. Chaves Street
Maxandrea Hotel J.R. Borja Street corner Aguinaldo Street
Casa Crystalla T. Chaves Street corner Pabayo Street
La Mar Inn A. Velez Street corner J.R. Borja Street
Nature's Pensionne T. Chaves Street
Hotel Ramon Burgos Street corner T. Neri Street
Cagayan Park View Hotel T. Neri Street corner Gen. Capistrano Street
Marco Hotel Alwana Business Park, Cugman National Highway
Chali Beach Hotel Old Cugman Road, Cugman
Harbor Lights Old Gusa Road, Gusa
Country Village Hotel Carmen
Ridge View Chalets (with view of the city's valley) Xavier Estates, Upper Balulang
Coconut Bay Resort Tablon, National Highway
Southwinds Hotel (near Gaisano Mall) Capt. Roa Street
Pearlmont Inn (near Limketkai Mall) Limketkai Drive
Discovery Hotel (near Limketkai Mall) Florentino Street
Mallberry Suites Hotel (behind Robinsons Mall) Limketkai Center
Hotel Koresco(near SM City) Pueblo de Oro
MASS-SPECC Tiano Bros. Street corner Yacapin Street
Y.M.C.A. Julio Pacana Street - going Seaport
Mountainview Suites Kimwa Compound, Baloy
Middleton Lirio Extension Street, Carmen
Philtown Hotel(near Pelaez Sports Center) Macahambus Street corner Tiano Bros. Street
Hotel Conchita (near Cogon Public Market) Guillermo Street
De Luxe Hotel (near Cogon Public Market) Capt. Roa Street
Demiren Hotel Tiano Bros. Street
River View Inn Vamenta Blvd., Carmen
Shopping
Cagayan de Oro City is one of the fast-booming cities in the country. Many investors have invested in the city. The number of malls, department stores, and supermarkets have increased in the city since the year 2000. The Limketkai Center is one of the biggest and improved mall in CDO with the mall itself, Plaza Fair, Robinsons Cagayan de Oro, Rosario Arcade, and Malberry Suites, a hotel. Gaisano City Mall is also noted in the city as the tallest mall with two big buildings connected by a big bridge. The SM City CDO is also big mall. It is slowly improving ang expanding its mall. Ayala Center is also planned to be invested in the city. Here is the list of shopping centers in the city:
- Limketkai Center is located in Brgy Lapasan. The Atrium located inside the mall is ideal for conventions, concerts, exhibits, and other events. This venue can accomodate a big number of persons. Events held in the Atrium include concerts by local and foreign artists, beauty pageants including the Miss Cagayan de Oro, and local and national conventions.
- Robinsons Cagayan de Oro is within the Limketkai Complex.
- Gaisano City Mall is at C.M. Recto Avenue cor Corrales Extension, Lapasan Highway.
- SM City Cagayan de Oro at the Pueblo de Oro Township, Masterson Avenue cor Gran Via Street.
- Plaza Fair is located inside the Limketkai Mall.
- Makro at Kauswagan Highway.
- Golden Bell at Gen Capistrano Street.
- Gaisano Cogon
- Gaisano Carmen
- Ororama Megacenter
- Ororama Supercenter
- Ororama Carmen
- Trendline Department Store in Cogon.
- Wanchai RTW ukay-ukay branches in Dolores, Pabayo and Carmen. Known for great bargains and great clothes from Hong Kong.
Barangays
Cagayan De Oro City is politically subdivided into 80 barangays.
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External links
- Wikitravel Cagayan De Oro*
- Misamis Oriental Provincial Website*
- Cagayan de Oro Socio-Economic Profile*
- Visit CDO Tourist and Travel Website*
 Province of Misamis Oriental | |
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Cagayan de Oro (capital and largest city) | |
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| Highly urbanized city |
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