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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.

Mayor Jaraula’s The Golden Mile flagship project was initiated in an effort to bring in more investors and tourists into the city. The initial phase of the project involves the construction of a 600 meter long walkway that extends from the City Hall to the 5th bridge of the city.

The idea behind the Golden Mile Project is to come up with a mixed use development that would become part of the city’s central business district. The goal of turning the area into Cagayan de Oro’s central business district would be consummated right after the completion of a 30-storey condotel designed by Korean proponents. The proposed location for the structure is at the posterior area of the amphitheater. In order to ensure the plausibility of the project, the city government recently purchased the substantial land area, which was formerly owned by the Chaves family. Fortunately, after selling their land, the Chaves family also made contributions for the separate amphitheater project.

This project complements Mayor Constantino Jaraula’s River Bank protection project that involves the construction of a kilometer long boulevard, extending from Toribio Chaves Street to JR Borja Street. The project’s main goal is to promote the city’s biggest asset, the Cagayan de Oro River. The River Boulevard was conceptualized as a part of the mayor’s efforts to enhance the tourism-related activities along the river. A budget has been set aside to include the construction of a walking bridge, a café station, a high rise fountain in the middle of the river, as well as a multi-level rotunda building housing a museum and a mini-library.

The construction of the River Boulevard Project has begun, as is evident in the ongoing pile driving happening behind the City Tourism Hall. Contrary to what most Kagay-anons believe, the River Boulevard Project is to be completed first before they start with the construction of a new Legislative Building.

-by Mara Tismo-

One of the best things about Cagayan de Oro is its location. The city is probably one of the most accessible places in Mindanao. It is located along the coastline and is near lots of other towns and cities. Three of the most accessible towns from Cagayan de Oro are Ozamis, Tangub and Dipolog.

Ozamis

Aside from Cagayan de Oro, Ozamis is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mindanao. Even local Kagay-anons themselves often go to Ozamis to relax and enjoy. Most tourists who are heading to the Zamboanga Peninsula often make stopovers in Ozamis to have a taste of colonial Spain at the Mount Manlindang National Park, or to simply take in the breathtaking view of the Panguil Bay.

For those who are planning to visit Ozamis, it is best to do so during the cold months of November, December or March. Another place to visit in Ozamis is the Fort Santiago, a structure built in stone by the early Spanish colonizers. Ozamis visitors can also enjoy the city’s line of shops and restaurants.

Tangub

Tangub City is best known as the Christmas Capital of Mindanao. People in this small part of Misamis Occidental celebrate the Christmas season for 60 festive days. In Tangub city, the yuletide season starts on the very first week of December and ends just after the first week of February.

However, the city is filled with huge Christmas arches and lanterns almost all year long. And by huge, I mean 25 to 30 feet high lavishly decorated lanterns! The yuletide revelers will definitely love Tangub, especially at night when all of the city’s Christmas arches are lighted. According to the folks in Tangub, a typical arch is made up of about 100 to 250 bulbs. Every year, just before, or maybe even months before, December, a team of electricians, designers, and carpenters gather to make sure the city is well-lit during the city’s 60-day long Christmas celebration.

The city’s giant or life-sized “belens” (Nativity scene) also draw in huge crowds during its 60-day Christmas celebration.

Surely, there are a whole lot more reasons why most people visit Tangub. However, the city’s massive display of tantalizing Christmas lights is probably one of the main reasons why a lot of travel enthusiasts set their sights on Tangub every year.

Dipolog

The city of Dipolog is the capital of Zamboanga del Norte in the northwest Zamboanga Peninsula region. This small first class city is known for its famous beaches along the Sulu Sea, as well as for its stunning view of the countryside.

Since it has all the necessary resources, the city has also become known as the “Bottled Sardines Capital of the Philippines.” This might also be one of the more plausible reasons why Dipolog has emerged as the wealthiest city per capita among the other cities in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

-by Mara Tismo-
(Photo taken from misoccnews.blogspot.com)

Once again, several homegrown artists took advantage of February being dubbed as the Philippine Month for the Arts and showcased their masterpieces in various events and venues. Over five events catering to visual arts took place in different venues around the city, and each event showed off the Kagay-anons’ unmistakable excellence in artistry.

The opening event was an assortment of painting and sculpture exhibits by three local artists: Jojo Sescon, Oca Floirendo and Errol Balcos. The exhibit was held from February 10 to 28, 2010 at the Capitol Gallery, located at the third floor of the Provincial Capitol Building in Cagayan de Oro City.

In Xavier University, the 2015: Visual Perception Art Exhibit was launched by the campus based art group, Circulo de Arte. Artists works were displayed on the 19th of February 2010. The exhibit ran until the 27th of February. The artworks centered on the theme of the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) 8 Millennium Development Goals. Although thematically based, the student-artists displayed various windows of the development goals. The 2015: Visual Perception Art Exhibit was on display at the 3rd floor lobby of XU’s Museo de Oro in Corrales Avenue.

Two more local artists, Chris Gomez and Michael Bacol, displayed their masterpieces from Feb. 20 to Mar. 5 2010 in an exhibit called “Persona.” Their works were displayed at the Tourism Showhouse in Divisoria. “Persona” showcased a collection of portrait sketches on paper.

As part of Xavier University’s Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA) celebration for National Arts Month, prominent local artists like Nick Aca, Kelly Ramos-Palaganas, Errol Balcos, Oca Floirendo, Michael Bacol, Marcelino Balugto Necosia, Soliman Poonon and Kurt Lluch joined an exhibit that runs from February 22 and until March 22, 2010 at the 3rd floor gallery of the Museo de Oro in Xavier University. The exhibit is a result of the efforts of Kontemporaryo, which has been putting together the masterpieces of a number of the Philippine Art Awardees for Mindanao for the past years.

Pintura’t Galaw took place last February 23rd at the XU Library Audio Visual Room 1. Organized as a tribute to the genius of National Artist for Painting Victorio Edades, the exhibit showcased seven solo presentations, all of which were based on Edades’ artworks. Works by exemplary artists like Felimon Blanco, Nick Aca, Sai Collado, Bart Savior, Ross Zerrudo, Leilani Fernandez and Ken Velasques drew in the crowds.

-by Mark Anthony Daposala-