Your VOICES.

Located at the northern coast of Mindanao, Cagayan de Oro City is the starting point of trips to Camiguin, Bukidnon and the rest of Northern Mindanao. Not only is this city the gateway to the northern reaches of Mindanao, it is also in the midst of urban development and growth. In fact, Cagayan de Oro is the regional center for industries like retail, education, business, health care, and manufacturing among others.

Although there are residents who want to get out of Cagayan de Oro, they will want to go back the minute they leave. I, for one, moved to another province once, but felt that the city was the only place I can call home.

Cagayan de Oro City has just about all the modern amenities anyone needs, from fast food establishments to good schools to travel destinations. Yet, this is not the main reason why the city is the only place where I belong. The area is filled with hospitable, warm people. Residents and visitors alike will feel welcome by the town’s friendliness. For this reason, the city has earned the name “The City of Golden Friendship.”

Aside from this, residential properties are not that expensive compared to other large cities in the Philippines. The cost of living is relatively lower, too. Plus, with so many work opportunities, locals and non-residents have plenty of reasons to stay in or move to Cagayan de Oro.

Furthermore, it is only in Cagayan de Oro City where people will find various attractions. The region boasts of the Malasag mountain range and white water rafting in the adventurous rapids of the Cagayan River. It was no less than President Gloria Arroyo who tested the rapids and touted its charm through worldwide television. Since then, Cagayan de Oro’s tourism sector further increased and people from all over the world never failed to visit the water adventure attraction.

Another feature that makes the city unique is its world class academic circles. The area is the home of Liceo de Cagayan University, Capitol University, and Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, which has an excellent museum that displays archeological finds from all over Northern Mindanao.

While Cagayan de Oro offers almost all the services the modern world provides, it still possesses a certain rustic appeal. It exemplifies a perfect combination of big city conveniences and small town friendliness, which is mostly the reason why I call it my home.

-by Gillian Abonitalla-
(photo taken from philippineholidays.com.au)

Wildlife preservation is another way of protecting our ecosystem. With the number of endangered species constantly increasing every year, the threat to their extinction is already expected. There are many factors that result to the threatened existence of our wildlife species. These are pollution of any type, human-animal conflict and habitat loss. Wildlife preservation of leopards, elephants, seals, whales, manatees, sea turtles and many others are encouraged as this helps conserve their habitats.

The world is filled with dozens of unique wildlife habitats. Wildlife preservation centers all over the world are taking great measures to breed and preserve endangered species so that one day, when their numbers have increased, they will be returned to the wild. People from all over the world are working hand-in-hand to make a difference in the efforts to protect our wildlife and their habitat.

Even in the Philippines, many wildlife preservation programs are set up to preserve the different kinds of endangered species. A nature park such as the Mantianak Zoo and Nature Park in Misamis Oriental is just one of the wildlife preserves found in Mindanao that takes care of giant tigers. Tourists from all over the country visit the park to view the giant tigers that are rarely seen in the Philippines. Aside from this, the park also features other wildlife animals like monkeys, birds, and reptiles among others. Donated to the government as a tourist attraction, the area is rich in natural resources and is therefore conducive for wildlife preservation. It will only be a matter of time before animal preservation programs will recognize this place and fund its potential for the breeding and preservation of rare giant tigers.

There are also other wildlife parks in Misamis Oriental like the one Ostrich and Crocodile Farm in Opol.

Wildlife preservation is an important factor in our efforts to save the ecosystem. However, this does not involve just the wildlife as taking care of our natural resources is the most basic factor in saving Mother Nature. After all, our wildlife needs wide open spaces, rich natural resources and an unpolluted area in order to survive.

In an age where global industrialization is threatening our ecosystem, the need to save Earth starts now.

-by Jessica Jane Villegas

“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.