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Fashion trends come and go, and sometimes they even come back after many years. For this reason, it can be hard for fashion conscious men and women to keep up with the latest trends.

The city of Cagayan de Oro is filled with stylish people who give importance to keeping up with the latest look. Since the summer season is on its way, people can expect to find summer fashion to be the popular taste within the next couple of weeks.

If you, however, don’t have a clue about getting updates on the latest craze, read on for ideas in finding what is in.

Fashion magazines can always do the trick. They are usually filled with information and articles about what’s hot and what’s not. Even non-fashion ones like celebrity magazines contain details on the newest styles.

It can also help to search for fashion-related websites. The Internet is a bevy of information for just about anything, including local fashion trends. Sometimes, it is the major fashion authorities that set the latest styles - and once they do, the minor designers tend to follow. Thus, it can help if you check out the major fashion-oriented websites.

You may also consider what celebrities are wearing. TV and movie figures are known to be trendsetters. Watch updates about social events and look at actors or actresses who are wearing the hottest outfits, purses, shoes and jewelry. Sometimes, it only takes a few pictures for people to copy the look of famous entertainment types.

And, last but not the least, is the option of looking at stores in malls and shopping centers.

Before the rainy season ends, many stores in Cagayan de Oro already begin to stock their shops with the newest shoes, blouses, shirts, dresses and accessories – even those designed for the summer season. So, if you want to be a trendsetter yourself, you can go to the nearest shopping district and get ahead in new fashion before summer officially begins.

-by Gillian Abonitalla-

Menzi Orchard, previously a vacation house, ranch and a plantation for the famous Filipino businessman Gen. Hans M.S. Menzi, is an 81-hectare village situated at Damilag, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. It has an American country lifestyle ambiance; cool and nostalgic.

Co-owners of the village are G&P Builders Inc, one of the top contractors in Northern Mindanao, and M&M Consolidated Inc, both of which brought to life the vision of Gen. Menzi that revolved around these three concepts: Community, Legacy and Greeneries.

Village residents can enjoy the facilities and amenities of Menzi Orchard, including a clubhouse with swimming pool, picnic areas, entrance gate with 24-hr security, view deck, basketball court, children’s playground and plant nursery.

There are also future developments for Menzi Orchard such as the chapel, village museum, leisure park and the orchard groove.

It opened its gates to the public in 2008 with a simple ceremony that brought together realty brokers, invited guests and Ruben Paras, the G&P Builders Inc president, who delivered an opening speech thanking M&M Consolidated Inc for collaborating with the company and making the project possible. Their joint venture’s arm is JCA, which is headed by Edward Argayoso.

Since it is the former Silver Saddle Ranch of Gen. Hans Melchior Menzi, where he stabled his 16 horses, M&M Consolidated chief executive officer Onofre Grino told the press that the Orchard would serve as a legacy of his late friend and boss, Gen. Menzi.

According to Grino, 60% of the profit goes to G&P Builders and 40% goes to M&M Consolidated, which then benefits the Menzi Scholarship Foundation, aiming to expand the partnership’s scholarship trust fund.

The richness of nature and the luxury of country living will not only be beneficial to the residents of the village, but will likewise extend to the students who deserve the right to an academic education through the Menzi Scholarship Foundation.

-by Rose Anne Quirante-

These days, one of the most superlative locations to settle in is in the uptown area of Cagayan de Oro City. Living uptown has its share of advantages like protection against seasonal floods and heavy rains. Most of the homes uptown do not get flooded with water due to bad weather, while most houses downtown are the ones that are easily affected by such natural disasters.

Another factor to take into account is the lovely view of the city. Regardless of which subdivision you choose, there is always a spectacular view of Cagayan de Oro, mostly the Macajalar Bay, which is one of the iconic sites in the city. Firsthand experiences of the twilights and daybreaks uptown are like no other.

Moreover, the serenity of the location is something that is not commonly found downtown, as the city proper is a busy place. In addition to this, with rich greenery all around, there is never a worry about pollution.

Three of the most excellent uptown subdivisions in Cagayan de Oro are Alegria Hills, Pueblo de Oro and Teakwood Hills.

Alegria Hills, a private community established by the Ayala Land Premier, is situated on a highland plateau in the city. It has a 360-degree view of the Macajalar Bay, as well as the city’s lush green mountains. Situated in an area that is about 10 minutes away from Limketkai Center and other major business establishments, Alegria offers secure and tranquil homes.

A 360-hectare real estate for mixed use development, Pueblo de Oro is between the downtown area and the Cagayan de Oro Domestic Airport. Established in 1995, the township project is owned by Louis Berger International. Its Morning Mist Village is beside establishments such as SM City and Xavier University High School and Grade School.

Teakwood Hills, the newest subdivision developed in Barangay Agusan, was inaugurated last September of 2007. It is owned and manned by A Brown Company Inc, the same company that formed another uptown subdivision - Xavier Estates. Considered as the east side version of Xavier Estates, Teakwood Hills offers a breathtaking view of the sea and mountains.

Basamanggas Resort in Jasaan

The summer season is almost here and people are beginning to hit the hottest beaches to get that perfect tan and engage in various summer activities. Even Westerners travel to tropical countries to enjoy diving spots and exotic beaches, which the country is best known for.

In Cagayan de Oro, guests will enjoy frolicking under the sun since the City of Golden Friendship has a wide range of beach hotels and resorts fit for their summer vacation adventures.

Here are some of the Kagay-an beach resorts offering the best services:

-Apple Tree Resort and Hotel. Located in Opol, Misamis Oriental, this resort hotel has 37 guest rooms classified into Suite (P4,000), Lanai (P3,000), Deluxe Family (P2,300) and Deluxe (P1,800). Each room comes with a complimentary breakfast that is good for two persons. Guests can also access the hotel swimming pool for free.

-Cha-Li Beach Resort. This resort has 26 hotel rooms, 10 bungalows and 6 cabanas. The Deluxe Cabana (single/double) costs P2,850, the Superior Bungalow (single/double) costs P2,450, the Standard Bungalow is P1,850, the Superior Hotel Room (single/double) is P1,850 and the Standard Hotel Room is P1,550. Situated in Cugman, Cha-Li’s Club Room costs P1,950 and is good for three persons.

-Mantangale Alibuag Dive Resort. Consisting of 21 rooms, it is located in Mantangale, Balingoan, Misamis Oriental. Here are its accommodation rates: Presidential Suite (with complimentary breakfast) – P5,000, Standard (with complimentary breakfast) – P2,200 and Economy – P1,500. The Mantangale Alibuag Dive Resort is one of the best spots for diving – and learning how to dive – in the whole region.

Guests can also visit Basamanggas Resort in Kimaya, Jasaan, Misamis Oriental, or head off to Duka Bay Resort in Medina, Misamis Oriental. Both resorts offer world class amenities at affordable rates and packages.

Duka Bay

Apart from going to beaches, vacationers can also go whitewater rafting or river trekking in the mighty Cagayan River.

Whether to the river or the beach, there is something fun to do in the summer in Cagayan de Oro, the Philippines’ “Gateway to Northern Mindanao.”

-by Rose Anne Quirante-
(Photos taken from cagayandeorodev_files_wordpress, skyscrapercity.com, farm1.flickr.static.com, and media-cdn.tripadvisor.com)