Your VOICES.

“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!

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.

Mga igsoon sa media,

Sa akong panahon nga presidente sa Press Club, tiliwala nga gapungak pungak ang kapunongan sa ka walay pundo, napangitaan ko sa paagi nga ma hatagan ug insurance ang tanan sakop niini.

Ambut unsay nahitabo sa wala na ako kon nagpadayon ba ang maong insurance coverage sa mga sakop sa COPC.

Kinahanglan kini kaayo. Ang nahitabo kang Joe Pantoja usa na ka signal alang sa tanan nga ang hulga sa media ana-a sa akong likud lamang. Mangandam kita niini. Segurohon nato ang pamilya unya sa nabilin kon simbako unya duna na usab lain nga mahitumpawak sa yawan-ong tinguha sa atong mga kaaway.

Kon duna may insurance coverage karong panahona ang tanan, hinaut nga kini mabantayan nga dili mo expire ug kanunay activated para magamit dayon sa panahon sa panginahanglan.

Kaming mga taga COPC kanhi nga ania na sa Amerika kanunay naghandum kaninyong tanan ug andam makigbisug alang sa atong katungod. Magtinabangay kita. Dili kita mahadlok sa bisan unsang hulga sa hustisya ug kagawasan.

Mabuhay. Long Live Press Freedom.

Ben Emata
Kanhi President sa COPC

July 24, 2007

I saw your blog and your website by accident and decided to write to you…
I just arrived from my 2 weeks trip to Cagayan de Oro. Although my trip was memorable, I was dismayed by the chaotic traffic snarls of drivers in the city. Secondly, garbage on the streets and everywhere…I am ashamed to bring my American friends to Cagayan because I find the city very dirty.

I am sorry to say this but I wish your Mayor can do something about it. If you want tourist to appreciate the beauty of the city, they have to tidy up the place first.

Balikbayan,

AL.
(Alan Neri, writing to info@cdokay.com)

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Follow up email: July 28, 2007

The comments I made are not to downgrade the city where I was born but to comment on how we can better ourselves with positive criticism from others. My comments are not solely just coming from me but also from my siblings who are currently there now visiting and my relatives who previously visited the city.

My siblings are from different parts of the U.S. namely; Michigan, NY, Texas & California which I am based. I have lived here for almost 30 years and my eldest siblings have lived in this country longer than me.

Having a clean city is a consensus effort of everyone living in that city, being conscientious of their surroundings and to be clean.

If other countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand can do it, so can the Filipinos in the Philippines, don’t you think so?

Again, thank you for your response.

Cheers,

AL.

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But another honest voice. We appreciate Alan’s candor.

CDO is a small city at the crossroads of rapid progress – know that, of late, ours is the most progressive. Where the action and the vibe is, people tend to crowd at center of the happenings. These things – economic growth and urban decay, are seemingly inevitable. We leave it to nobody — to no one, but to ALL of us to keep up, step up and make ways.

On a note wishful thinking, our new Administration can learn a lesson or two from other cities that have seen extensive – and expensive! – refurbishing. We pray. Look now, read our NEWS and it came to our knowledge that there already are mince steps taken to making ways: the clearing of sidewalks, untangling of ‘spaghetti’ wires, etc. Even, we say “okay” when we heard our Mayor saying “If we can help each other, let’s define and agree on things for the good of the city and start working on what is attainable.”

Reassuring.

Balikbayan Alan’s voice is a plea for hope, after all.

How’s yours?