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Cagayan de Oro, as a city of progress, has developed more and more establishments where people can go to and enjoy a drink or two. And one of its latest is Chaibodia Bistro and Café.

Situated along the streets of Tiano and Montalban, and settled right across Steve’s Grill and KTV, Chaibodia is a mini-restaurant that has grown to have frequent customers since it first opened.

What makes Chaibodia so special and unique among other bistros and cafes, you say? The first thing you will notice is the venue’s interior; almost every corner is filled with paintings and other displayed works from various local talents. The bar’s interiors, according to a patron, is said to be a resemblance of the Kilimanjaro in Timog.

What compliments the artworks is music. At Chaibodia, a self-service café, it never runs out of playlists comprised of great tunes from local to international artists, ranging from pop to alternative, to folk, to OPM and the like. Occasionally, Chai invites a few musician friends to jam at the bar, acoustic-style, making the venue a great place to appreciate both fields of art.

The second factor you will notice is its ambiance, which is the kind that lets you want to just sit back and sip on your favorite beverage – be it an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink – or munch on some of the finest cooking prepared by the owner itself, Michelle Veloso, otherwise known to her acquaintances as “Chai-Chai.” Apart from being a good place to chill, Chaibodia is one of the safest venues out there, with a 2 o’clock curfew and a “no deadly weapons/firearms allowed” policy. And since it is a small place, almost all people who hang out there are already acquainted with each other, which is an assurance that there will not be any trouble or any fights that usually happen in a bar, especially at night.

The entrance to the place may be a bit crowded, but it has a second floor that is even wider, providing more room for the customers. All in all, it seats about 50 people.

The third and probably the most promising element about Chaibodia Bistro and Café is the food. They serve the perfect variety of chow that suits every customer’s chill trip and dining experience. One of the must-try foods made available by the café is the nachos, which is supplemented by the best and freshest salsa prepared by Chai. Another set of must-try foods are the silog meals (longsilog, tapsilog, etc.), pasta and calamares, which are likewise delectable and mouth-watering. Cooked with the best ingredients, Chai’s menu never runs out of food trippers ordering more of her specialties. What adds appeal to the selection of foods at Chaibodia is that they are sold at affordable prices.

Truly, Chaibodia Bistro and Café is one of the hippest bars that cater to the budget backpacker. Unlike other bars and cafes that have strict dress codes, Chaibodia welcomes all customers regardless of age and/or attire.

-by Rose Anne Quirante-
(Photo taken from explorecdo.com)

The city government has come up with a new plan that would highlight one of the city’s biggest assets, the CDO River. This government project, the “Boulevard Along the Riverbank,” is part of the initial phase of the city government’s river bank protection project, which costs about Php10,713,669.99 million.

The concept of the boulevard, which is currently being constructed, was announced months ago by City Mayor Constantino Jaraula. According to the mayor, the boulevard will consist of two “promenades.” One would expand about 600 meters long from the city hall to the 5th bridge, while the other one, which expands about a kilometer, will be called the “Golden Mile” and would be built from Toribio Chaves Street up to JR Borja Street.

Apart from these structures, the development plan along the river also includes the construction of a Legislative Building that will be occupied by some of the city government’s offices. This would be a good idea since relocating some government offices or placing some of them in the same location would make them more accessible to the people. The construction of a new amphitheater, as well as a multi-storey building, has also started.

In line with the mayor’s plans for the development of the city, he also allocates a budget for a separate project that addresses the urgent need for the rehabilitation of Cagayan de Oro’s drainage network system. In preparation for the rainy season, Mayor Jaraula concentrates on relieving the flow of water from the city’s most clogged up drainages, such as the one surrounding Divisoria.

The city mayor has ordered the participation of several key department heads to speed up and ensure the implementation of the five major drainage system projects. He has also set aside a budget of Php24.9 million obtained from the 20% Development Fund of Cagayan de Oro.

-by Mara Tismo-
(Photo taken from skyscrapercity.com)

The Holy Week procession happens during the Holy Week in most countries and cities populated with traditional Roman Catholics.

The week starts on Palm Sunday, when Catholics honor the day Christ arrived in Jerusalem. Then they celebrate Holy Thursday, the day Christ and His 12 disciples had the Last Supper and the beginning of His passion. On Good Friday, Catholics remember the crucifixion of Jesus. Holy Saturday is the day the body of Christ lies in the tomb and the day the Blessed Virgin Mary is in solitude after the death of her son. And on Easter Sunday, it is when the Catholics celebrate the resurrection from the dead of the Son of God.

Filipinos, majority of whom are Roman Catholics, practice this tradition. In Cagayan de Oro City in Northern Mindanao, Kagay-anons celebrate this Catholic custom every year, with an increasing number of participants.

The procession per se starts right after the 3 o’clock service on Good Friday, which is the reading of the passion of the Christ, as well as his adoration. Every Catholic Church in the City of Golden Friendship has this service with some Parish churches performing the procession, where people perform a long walk from the church to the various streets of Cagayan de Oro reciting the Holy Rosary and then going back to the church once the prayers have ended.

One of the most notable processions in the city happens at the San Agustin Cathedral. After the Good Friday service, participants gather outside the church to prepare for the walk around the city. Candles are lit, rosaries and prayer books are taken out from people’s pockets and statues symbolizing the personalities of the passion of Jesus Christ are carried by mobile vehicles.

Once everything is prepared, the procession then starts. Traditionally, from San Agustin, people pace to the streets, starting from Dolores Corrales, the turning left to Corrales Avenue (passing Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan), and then turning left to Development Bank of the Philippines, or DBP before moving on straight to Capistrano street and turning left back to the church.

During the procession, people recite the entire Holy Rosary: the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries. The Joyful Mystery comprises of the Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, Presentation and the Finding in the Temple. The Sorrowful Mystery recounts the Agony in the Garden, Scourging at the Pillar, Crowning of Thorns, Carrying of the Cross and Christ’s Death and Crucifixion. The last one, the Glorious Mystery, is the story of Christ’s Resurrection, Ascension to Heaven, the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, Mary’s Assumption and Mary’s Coronation.

Apart from reciting the Mysteries of the Rosary, participants of the procession also sing several Lenten songs as they start the march.

Other Parish churches in Cagayan de Oro City celebrating the Holy Week are:

-The San Antonio Parish in Nazareth
-Hesus Nazareno Parish Church in Osmeña
-St. Fatima Church in Camaman-an
-Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Carmen
-Sto. Niño de Oro Parish in Cogon
-San Isidro Labrador Parish in Gusa
-Sacred Heart Parish at RER Drive Subdivision, Carmen

-by Rose Anne Quirante-
(Photo taken from yugatech.com)

The Divisoria Night Cafe

The blossoming city of Cagayan de Oro is becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines. Some of the reasons may be the city’s rich eco-tourism and bustling nightlife. Apart from this, the city’s growing economy has also caught the attention of numerous businessmen around the country. Thanks to these businessmen, the city’s dining, shopping and entertainment scenario has become more lively. In addition to the city’s Limketkai Center, Gaisano Mall, and Ororama chain of stores are SM City, Makro and Robinsons. A number of coffee shops, bistros, dessert venues, spa salons and bars are sprouting all over the city like mushrooms. All these new establishments provide both local Kagay-anons and foreign visitors a suitable place to dine and unwind.

Club 1150 (Photo taken from http://huhlexwong.multiply.com/calendar/item/10084)

Kagay-anons are also looking forward to the addition of new hang-out spots such as the Pacific Island and the Ayala Mall. Once finished, these malls and shopping venues will provide the locals, as well as the visitors, additional venues where they can shop, in addition to the city’s already thriving shopping hot spots.

During the weekends, the streets of Divisoria are closed as the people gather around the city’s famous night café and market to enjoy music, cheap but delicious food and to scout for the best bargains. Aside from this, the city is also home to Mindanao’s most exciting bars and clubs. People from neighboring towns and provinces often flock to the city to enjoy its thriving nightlife.

As the city continues to attract foreign investors with its location, its friendly people and entertainment choices, more establishments are expected to rise within the city, bringing in more fun, new faces, and more earning opportunities.

-by Mara Tismo