Cagayan de Oro City

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**City of Cagayan de Oro**

Location
Map of Misamis Oriental showing the location of Cagayan de Oro.
Government
Region	Northern Mindanao (Region X)
Province	Misamis Oriental (capital)
District	Legislative districts of Cagayan de Oro City - 1st and 2nd districts
Barangays	80
Income class:	1st class city; highly urbanized
Mayor	Vicente Y. Emano (PaDayon Pilipino-Lakas-CMD)
Cityhood	June 15, 1950
Physical characteristics
Area	488.09 km²
Population Total (2000) Density	461,877 785/km²
Coordinates	8°29′ N 124°39′ E

The City of Cagayan de Oro (abbreviated C.D.O. or C. de O. ; Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Cagayan de Oro; Tagalog: Lungsod ng Cagayan de Oro) is the trade and services center of Mindanao & the premier city of Northern 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.

People from Cagayan de Oro are warm and hospitable giving it the name the City of Golden Friendship.

Cagayan de Oro is base to multinational companies such as Del Monte Philippines. 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.

1 Geography
2 Accessibility
3 Language
4 History
5 Myth
6 Education
7 Highlights
8 Hotels and accommodations
9 Shopping
10 Barangays
11 External links

[edit] 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.

[edit] Accessibility

Cagayan de Oro, as the gateway to Northern Mindanao, is very accessible. From Manila, it is an hour and twenty-five 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, 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.

[edit] Language

Cebuano or Bisaya is the city's main dialect. Most residents of Cagayan de Oro can also converse in Filipino and English.

[edit] History

The area of present Cagayan de Oro has been occupied by indigenous people for approximately 41,114 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.

[edit] Myth

The old myth was that Cagayan de oro is on top of a giant crocodile which the head of the animal is located under the Cathedral Church and his tail lies at the pier or macabalan. It is said that there was a priest who was swallowed by the giant crocodile and was found at the pier. The old people said that everytime there is an earthquake they say that to giant animal has moved. They also called the crocodile "Oro" but in spanish it means gold.

Another myth is that under the Cathedral church there was a gold burried by the Japanese. you can see an blocked entrance from the bridge that it is visible at low tide.

[edit] 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 and Universities in the city:

Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan
AMA Computer University Cagayan de Oro Campus
Asian College of Science and Technology
Cagayan de Oro College
Capitol University (formerly Cagayan Capitol College)
Holy Cross School of Nursing
Liceo de Cagayan University
Lourdes College Cagayan de Oro
Mindanao Polytechnic State College
Philippine Women's University
Pilgrim Christian College
Southern de Oro Philippines College (SPC)
St. Agustine School of Nursing
STI College Cagayan de Oro Campus

[edit] Highlights

Scenic view of Cagayan de Oro city

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.
Gaston Park is located across the San Agustin Metropolitan Cathedral area. Famous for its water fountain, the park remains to be a favorite place to unwind for many people, especially during sundays.
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.
Kagay-an Resort used to be the Lawndale Spring Resort in the Taguanao Area. The resort has recently been opened to the public again, and the place is usually packed with families and groups on weekends to refresh themselves with the cold and refreshing spring water.
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 like President Ramon Magsaysay, Andres Bonifacio, Dr. Jose Rizal, and former Cagayan de Oro Mayor Borja.
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.
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 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 Golf & Country Club
The Pueblo de Oro Township in upper Cagayan de Oro is an expansive business and residential area. This is where SM City Cagayan de Oro, Hotel Koresco, the 18-hole Pueblo Golf Course designed by Robert Trent Jones II, 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.

[edit] 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 Hostel
Y.M.C.A.
Mountain Suites Business Apartelle
Middleton Apartelle
Philtown Hotel
Hotel Conchita
De Luxe Hotel
Demiren Hotel
River View Inn
DDD Habitat Inn
Malasag House

[edit] Shopping

Cogon Public Market along J.R. Borja Street

Limketkai Mall, one of the city's major homegrown malls

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. 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 Masterson Avenue cor Gran Via at the Pueblo de Oro Township. 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.
Cogon Market Area is where many smaller shopping centers are located and where items are sold at bargain prices.