Your VOICES.

While there are Cagayan de Oro residents that opt not to vote during the May 10 polls (or any other election for that matter), there isn’t exactly a penalty for not exercising the right to be part of the ballot. Still, we cannot deny that choosing the right person for a certain position is important if we want a better society to live in. Thus, people should take voting seriously.

Cagayan de Oro City also has its share of political issues. If we want all the political and social turmoil to lessen, voting wisely is perhaps the best thing to do. With all the campaign ads, however, it might be difficult for citizens to choose a candidate.

Familiarizing ourselves with the issues is often a good way to create an informed decision. An uninformed voter cannot necessarily differentiate the list of candidates for a certain position. So, get to know what’s going on in the local government. Start reading the newspaper, watch the news on TV, or read online news. There are so many ways available for gathering information. There is no reason for anyone not to be informed. One can even get information from word of mouth.

It would also help if we get to know each of the candidates the best way we can. Gather information on who’s running where and what, and know what they stand for. Just as it’s important for us to be knowledgeable about the issues, it is imperative to know the candidates in order to make the right decisions.

Of course, in order for us to vote, we must register. It sounds complicated to do, but it is actually about the easiest procedure involved in the elections process.

The actual voting part doesn’t take more than 10 minutes. Registering and voting does not take much time out of anyone’s busy schedule. So, why not vote and take part in this major national event? Be important. Exercise your right to vote!

-by Gillian Abonitalla-

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

August is a busy month for all Kagay-anons. It is also the perfect time to visit and explore the city because it is when the feast of St. Augustine, Cagayan de Oro’s patron saint, is celebrated.

Patterned after the famous mardi gras, the Kagay-an Festival is actually a three-hour parade that takes place every 28th of August. It is participated in by various civic-military groups and students from some of the city’s best schools. It features participants in colorful costumes, with some riding on beautifully decorated floats vying for top honors in the Golden Float Parade. Some parade participants execute choreographed movements that synchronize with lively music provided by some of the city’s best school drum and bugle corps.

Aside from the parade, Cagayan de Oro’s fiesta celebration, which actually begins in mid-August, offers other interesting attractions like the Kumbira culinary show and exhibit, agro trade fair, drum and bugle exhibition and contest, several business conventions, and concerts by popular Filipino and foreign performers.

The annual search for Miss Kagay-an Tourism never fails to attract a large crowd composed of both local city residents and curious visitors/tourists. Other well-attended activities include the fluvial parade and the colorful and entertaining street dancing competitions.

Apart from the Kagay-an Festival, there are many more reasons why one will easily fall in love with Cagayan de Oro. Its friendly and accommodating people, the beautiful sights and attractions, and the historical riches of the city, are just some of these reasons. You have to come and see for yourself just how wonderful Cagayan de Oro is!

Contributor:
Maia Poblete

“Less for self, more for others, enough for all.”

Cagayan de Oro made history when the different youth organizations such as Youth for Christ, National Youth Commission, Provincial Youth Development Council, Campus Organizations,Parish Youth, Sangguniang Kabataan and other city-wide organizations take part in Gawad Kalinga activities for a common cause. It was the first Gawad Kalinga (GK) Youth Bayani Empowerment that continuously inspires the young and the young at heart all over the world. The Empowerment was quite a unique experience. It showcased the different AVP’s of the stirring scenes that gave a glimpse of what GK is but most of all, the different talks and sharings of changed people made everyone realize how beautiful our “Bayan” is if we would just answer the call of Patriotism and be a “Bayani” by promoting the spirit of “Bayanihan”.

Cagayan de Oro City’s GK Pasil at Kauswagan is home to more than 60 families with dilapidated and seemingly floating houses in polluted stagnant water. The whole area made it impossible to allow the children and adults to be living in an environment free from juvenile delinquents, theft, misdemeanors, drug abuse, drunkenness and gambling.

On October 10, 2001, the GK team and the residents began building 10 houses with the generosity of the del Fierro family. After only two years, 54 of the 60 target units are already completed, with site development 90% complete, making the whole area ideal for visitors and tourists alike. Gone are the conflicts between residents and visitors can come freely at any time of day and night, confident in the new environment that GK has created.

Indeed God was triumphant once again through the success of the activities and fund-raising. Just recently, about 5000 people took part in the Gawad Kalinga Concert entitled ONE YOUTH, ONE LOVE, ONE NATION at the Limketkai Atrium. Truly, a new generation of Kagay-anons and Misamisnons were born. Personally, if we could just keep the fires blazing in our hearts, countless lives would be moved and with that we could transform the facade of our world. Just try to imagine traveling on a plane and seeing the world below so colorful only to realize that those were Tatag Houses in the different GK sites all over the globe. It maybe impossible for some, but for us Bayani, it is attainable! See how Gawad Kalinga here in Cagayan de Oro blooms.

Gawad Kalinga is more than just about building houses for the poorest of the poor. Providing a decent home is just the beginning of the transformation of the people and the community.

Together with its partners, Gawad Kalinga is now in the process of transforming poverty stricken areas with more than just the goal of building 700,000 homes in 7,000 communities in the span of 7 years (2003-2010), but a symbol of hope for a growing movement. To date Gawad Kalinga is in over 900 communities all over the Philippines and in other developing countries.

We must go beyond religion, beyond politics, beyond whatever that creates that superficial barrier among us Filipinos.

The youth of today is looking for the face of hope. It is time for the youth to move the nation. Every youth should be convicted that this country is not hopeless. GK youth is a movement that will define the lifestyle of the new generation - passionate AND patriotic, with an intense love for God, country and fellowmen. All youth sectors, schools, organizations, and individuals regardless of religion unite to build a nation. They say that the “youth is the hope of the future” but we say that “the youth CAN BE the hope of today!”

More than just a city, Cagayan de Oro is indeed a training ground to many aspiring nation-builders. Together we exclaim “Bawat Kabataan Bayani!” It is a declaration that we will not take the problem of poverty sitting down. We shall rise to action through “bayanihan.” The world will see what the Kagay-anon youth can do…youth power!