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There are several historical parks present in Cagayan de Oro City. One such park is Vicente De Lara Park, formerly known as MacArthur Park. The park was named in tribute of General Douglas MacArthur who arrived in Cagayan de Oro after evading the Japanese assault from Corregidor. Its obelisk shrine is a mark of respect to the Filipino soldiers who perished in the war. It is located in front of the Provincial Capitol Building.

The Bonifacio Park is where the monument dedicated to Andres Bonifacio and the local town heroes is found. Beneath the monument are the remains of local armed forces members, including Captain Vicente Roa, who died during the Philippine-American War in the Battle of Agusan Hill.

Rizal Park in Divisoria was dedicated on the 19th of June 1917 in honor of the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, who was executed on 30th of December 1896 by the Spanish authorities.

The Golden Friendship Park is located in downtown area and is a series of parks dedicated to national and local heroes. Cagayan was constantly affected by fire that burned most of the town. In 1901, local authorities decided to build a “divider,” now Divisoria, analogous to the town to provide a fire break.

In front of San Augustine Church, Gaston Park was the location of the first Spanish settlement in 1622. A stone fort was built around the surrounding area, but was later demolished by the Spanish authorities. It also became an execution ground for Spanish criminals and a boot camp for local soldiers during the Philippine-American War.

Lastly, the Malasag Garden, located within the 200 hectare reforested area of Malasag Hill, showcases facsimiles of various tribal houses of the region. The place serves as a preserve of the ethnic culture prior to the assimilation of western culture. Various recreational activities and unique attractions are also available in the park. The Malasag Garden is open from 9 am to 5pm on weekdays and 7:30am to 5pm on weekends.

-by Mark Anthony Daposala-
(Photo taken from orophotographicsociety.com)

Discover the fascination of the fine-looking paradise at Philippine archipelago that has remarkable standards of accommodation rates, lodging houses, and discount hotels. It is an enjoyable destination for conference guests, business and leisure travelers. If you are looking for a place to sleep that’s comfy and clean then Philippine hotel is right for your taste. If you want to spend your next vacation in the Philippines we have a wide preference of Philippine Hotel for you. It offers inclusive facilities and incomparable services. Thus exceptional for family tranquility and recreation.

One of the finest hotel is superb situated in the very heart of Cagayan de Oro City. Essentially, keeping hectic program will simply appreciate Cagayan de Oro Hotels that have numerous entertainment and first class conveniences that includes outdoor swimming pools, hanging bridge, bar and restaurants and overlooking bay and city. Every hotels have well-furnished rooms that come with an array of modern amenities including a comfortable suite, well appointed business centre and provides a comfortable retreat from the bustling city life.

These are the brief summary list of hotels you desire:

• Cha-li Beach Resort - Cugman, CDOC
• Coconut Bay Resort - Baloy, CDOC
• Country Village Hotel - Villarin St Carmen, CDOC
• De Luxe Hotel - Cogon, Discovery Hotel & Restaurant -LimKetkai Drive, CDO
• Dynasty Court Hotel & Restaurant - Tiano Corner Hayes St, CDO
• Garden of Malasag Echo Tourism Village - Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City
• Grand City Hotel - A. Velez R.N. Abejuela Sts., CDOC
• Hotel Conchita - Guillermo-Yacapin Ext. Sts. CDO
• Hotel Koresco - Pueblo De Oro Golf Estates, Airport Road, Lumbia, CDOC
• Lauremar Beach Resort - Opol, Misamis Oriental, Philippines
• Mallberry Suites - Florentino St., CDOC
• Maxandrea Hotel - JR Borja St. CDO
• Middleton Apartelle - Carmen, CDOC
• Park View Hotel - T. Neri St., Cag. De Oro City
• Pryce Plaza Hotel - Carmen Hill, CDOC
• Ridgeview Chalets - Xavier Estates, CDOC
• The VIP Hotel - Velez St, CDOC
• Casa Crystalla - Pabayo - Chavez Sts. CDOC
• Fort Santiago Pensionne - 2nd- 19th Sts., Nazareth Subdivision, CDO
• Natures Pensionne House - Hayes St.,CDO
• Vines Pensionne House - Aguinaldo St., CDO

The entire hotels invite you to share its relaxed rhythm of life and yet far enough to enjoy its peaceful environment. You will surely admire its exquisite cuisine while discussing business or exchanging casual conversation with your folks and friends. So, enjoy more and spend less!

contributor:
lovelyn lawas

To get in CDO you can choose which way you are well situated. You can choose via Air, Land and Sea transportation. By air trip, you can go to LUMBIA AIRPORT – It is located in Barangay Lumbia in Cagayan de Oro. Lumbia Airport is said to be substituted by the bigger Laguindingan International Airport, presently under construction. By sea trip, the port is situated in Barangay Macabalan in front of the Macajalar Bay. It serves as a major transport link both for domestic and foreign delivery, as well as an export channel of the enormous agricultural products from Bukidnon. By land trip, the city has three bus and jeep terminals with regular land trips. The Eastbound-Gusa Jeep Terminal, Agora Integrated Bus Terminal and Westbound-Bulua Integrated Bus Terminal. The City is plenty of jeep with different routes, taxi, tricycle, and buses which make getting around the city pretty easier. You can also take a ride in any vehicles at their dispatching areas or by simply waving your hand in the city sidewalks.

       There is also a collection of other entertainment attractions assembled for the purpose of entertaining a large group of people providing attractions both caters adults, teenagers, and all for all ages.Gaston Park and Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral. The park is known for its water fountain, is a preferred place to relax and family day during Sundays. Mapawa Nature Park is ideal for horseback riding, biking, zip line and nature trekking. Gardens of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village are located in Malasag Hill good for unwinding and it gives a lucid view of Macajalar Bay.Vicente de Lara Park is in facade of the Provincial Capital of Misamis Oriental with longstanding mahogany trees good for jogging and strolling area during the morning. Plaza Divisoria and Bonifacio Park is also a good place to meet people with new faces at all ages.
  

      For Museums and Historical Places in the city there are a lot of museums that exhibits both tangible and intangible heritage of humanity and environment from the past, for the purposes of education, study, and enjoyment. There are various institutions that collect, safeguard and make accessible artifacts and specimens, which they hold in trust for city history which are left untold. Macahambus Cave is known and very historic for its historic Battle in Makahambus Hill between local and American soldiers during the Philippine-American War. It is a subversive cave with a 130 foot (40 m) circular ravine. The gorge is chunky with different kind of plants and huge trees. A range of Museums with various historical stories are scattered along the city the Museum of Three Cultures, La Castilla, Museo de Oro, Huluga and Plaza de Los Heroes.
  

      The most exciting along the city is the night life. The Bar hopping every Friday and Saturday nights in Divisoria, mall hopping, and “tiangge shopping” along city sidewalks when dusk is approaching. The City is acknowledged to be the shopping capital of the Northern Mindanao region. People in nearby provinces even foreigners abroad visit the city to shop and enjoy the mall amenities and quality services; the city has copious department stores with low cost garment items. Malls are situated everywhere, restobars , and movie houses. One of the most visited malls in the city is the Limketkai Center, located in Barangay Lapasan, near the National Highway. Other malls are Robinsons Cagayan de Oro is located behind the Limketkai Mall, Gaisano City Mall, SM City Cagayan de Oro and MAKRO Cagayan de Oro shopping center. Indeed ,the city is CDO okay!!!!

zheda

Being born in th City of Golden Friendship, Cagayan de Oro, I am proud to say that I am a Kagay-anon. What’s there to be proud of? Let me name some.

The city’s history dates from way back 377 AD when the island natives lived in settlement nearby Cagayan de Oro. It was when Fray Agustin de San Pedro persuaded the Datu Salangsang to transfer his settlement down the river that they marked the early inhabitants when the city later on came to be. After General Carlos Maria de la Torre issued a decree declaring Cagayan the permanent capital of Segundo Distrito de Misamis which was later changed to Cagayan de Misamis. As many years passed, the efforts of Congressman Emmanuel Pelaez paced way for the town of Cagayan de Misamis to formally be a city on June 15, 1950 and its name changed to Cagayan de Oro. Congressman Pelaez appended “de Oro” to “Cagayan” in recognition of the gold mining activities in the area known to Spanish explorers.

Aside from the place being blessed with a location rarely visited by typhoon, it has rich agricultural environments as it comprises 44.7% agricultural land. It is also known to be a farming area to a booming commerce and trade center as it includes 25 kilometers of coastline and a fine deep water harbor.

As it is a city located outside the typhoon belt, cagayan de Oro experiences a tropical climate. And because of this fact, many tourists and even the local people easily find places around the city to unwind themselves or get entertained. The heart of the city gives you the most visited
and famous Night café which opens every Friday and Saturday from 7:00 PM to 2:00 AM at the century old Golden Friendship Park formerly called Divisoria.

You may be delighted to know that Cagayan de Oro is home to a number of fun and excitement-filled adventures! From the spellbinding Monigue Cave to the breathtaking view from the Mapawa Nature Park to witnessing the wonder of F.S. Catanico Falls to the must experience walk on a stay bridge at Macahambus Adventure Park to the fourteen rapids that await you in Whitewater River Rafting… Whitewater rafting like any other sport has its own place in this adventure filled world. A river journey like this would definitely make any outdoor recreation best fitted for those who venture into becoming one with nature. CDO is getting to be a favorite adventure resort destination.

Strategic landmarks that dot the city suggests that there’s more to offer. Take a look at the Rodolfo and Elsa Pelaez family memorabilia at the La Castilla Museum. Some artifacts dug from Huluga Cave and repertoire of Bukidnon and Maranao Cultures in Museo de Oro. The archaeological site, Huluga, which features the a fragment of the woman’s skull dated 377 AD. And the Plaza de los Heroes located along the Masterson Avenue.

From history down to the very city that stands before us today - Cagayan de oro has emerged to an economically growing, industrially competitive, favorite investment and tourist haven and one of the fastest growing cities in the country.

Home to many of the great people we know and respect today, home to the future leading people of the country… To name some we have Emmanuel Pelaez, Aquilino “Nene” Q. Pimentel, Jr.,Nestor Torre, Jose “Pepito” Chaves Alvarez, Elpidio Paras, Rufus Rodriguez, and the list goes on. Cagayan de oro continuously creates an environment for men and women conducive to sustainable growth and development that would generate investments, increase exports, generate jobs, and foster consumer protection.

There you have it. Though no exact amount of words could ever encapsulate the wonderful whole of Cagayan de Oro, the next step there is for you to take part and discover it yourself.