“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.

There is this very promising news — yes, for showing a lot of promise! — released by the City Information Office.

It reads: The city’s top businessmen vowed to pool their resources for the common cause of promoting Cagayan de Oro City as a globally-competitive and investment-conducive city.

During the meeting, the group agreed in principle to acquire a tourist bus; organize a trade mission to China; assist schools to design globally-competitive education programs; hold a water summit in December and an environmental summit in January next year.

The said roundtable discussion basically aims to help the administration of Mayor Jaraula in crafting a support system that will enhance local governance and help the city achieve greater heights of progress and development.

Endorse or oppose

In another interesting news, the city government is calling on all sectors in Cagayan de Oro to share their technical expertise and views in a bid to come out with a firm decision as to whether endorse or oppose the construction of the proposed 132-megawatt Bulanog-Batang hydro power plant in nearby Talakag, Bukidnon.

“We are trying to solicit facts and opinions from the different sectors or groups in our society so that the city government could come up with a solid basis for our stand,” says City Councilor President Elipe, chairman of the city council’s committee on energy.

Read more about the stories in NEWS in the City, here.

Join the CCDOKAY roundtable

Sounds promising indeed. Look here, our dynamic Mayor and concerned businessmen might just drop by CDOKAY and get to read our voices. You may click the comments tab below and pitch in your views. This is CDOKAY roundtable for you.

Were it not for the Christmas tree that got installed in the lower floor, the man may have spent Christmas in hell. And this is not the first time this happened…

Read more: ‘Editorial: Fourth floor jinx’ at Sun Star Network.Online

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

Hi there! I found this website while searching in google. I ve been to CDO a hundred times while in high school and college. Congratulations to your website. CDO has really improved a lot.

I am writing though uncertain whether you can help or not. I am searching for my aunt’s old friend. It may help if I give the name; his name is Edwin “Popoy” Dayon. The last time I know he was a 1st lieutenant in the Army.

I would really appreciate it if you could probably send me phone numbers from the directory so I can trace him from there.

I am currently based outside the country.

Thanks alot

Alyne Parian Thomas

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Alyne is presently based in Kuwait.  For confidential purposes, responses to this email may be sent through email at: info@cdokay.com

We started a list of Famous Kagayanons in our CDO-u-KNOW section. We admit to haven’t had scouted enough for more noteworthy personalities who in one way or another considered Cagayan de Oro as their home or have fondest memories of our city (or for all you know we had things lacking, wittingly, so you would notice).

Whatever, the delight is on us and the rest of trivia-avid Kagayanons because some went the extra mile with their own research — proving that there are indeed a lot of things about CDO that we are still clueless about, stuffs ‘CDO-u-KNOW’ are made of.

Then have some more. We have here the latest to enter in our inbox (info@cdokay.com) contributed by one good fellow named Francis Tahud. (Thanks and cheers sent).

———————————————-

Here is an addition: Aaron Aban from the Alaska Aces basketball team.

Player’s Profile:

Experts say that this hardworking small forward out of Letran College could have easily been a top five pick in the 2006 draft. But the former Knights standout slipped to No. 7 and Alaska was happy to have him. The Cagayan de Oro City native is known for his great work ethic and tenacious defense which is why coach Tim Cone did not hesitate to take him in the draft.

The 25-year-old Aban played for the Toyota-Otis in the PBL where he averaged 10.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in the Unity Cup. He also shot a respectable 49 percent clip from the perimeter in that tournament and that showed his efficiency on both ends of the court. Aban has big shoes to fill as the understudy of team captain Jeffrey Cariaso at the No. 2 spot.

(taken from alaskaaces.com.ph)

Also, I still remember a certain PBA player back then in the 90’s by the name of Jun Jabar. He’s also from Cagayan de Oro.

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Francis is a 20 year old, Information Management student at Xavier University.  This guy from Iponan sings for a ska band named The Superflirts.  Check out more of him and his music at at www.myspace.com/cagayandeorocityska. 

Meanwhile, we invite you all to pull another ‘Francis’ — that is send interesting information about CDO, and make the rest of us nod and say “Hmmmm…really? Good.”

I miss sitting lazily on my veranda
Watching the sunset say goodbye; saying “I luv ya”
I can smell mom’s afternoon coffee and ensaymada
while dad fixes his hair with his pomada

My mouth waters for banana cake at Kairo and Rocket
My love used to offer me that instead of a bracelet
Life was simple, sizzling, and exciting
Life was just easy, you can hear the birds’ singing

They say you’ve found a sanctuary
You can stay inside in solitary
At St. Augustine cathedral, “pray for us”!
A politician cried, “The bishop is against us”

Now that I am here in Lonestar State
A place I might easily forget
For you Cagayan de Oro sits on the gate
Reminding me, “I must come home before it’s too late!”

———————————————————-

I dedicate this poem to all you guys who stayed in CDO. I would like to commend you for your enthusiasm to serve CDO in spite of all the challenges you are facing right now. I encourage you to continue helping CDO the way we want the world to know it to be. I made this poem during our poetry sessions with my 9th grade students.

This one is for you CDOKAY Staff…Mabuhay kayo!

Sincerely,

Ms. Thelma Macas
Contributing Writer; Texas, USA

All is fair here. CDOKAY sees it as a healthy debate.

(ASP statements are in italics and Mr. Elizaga’s replies are in bold text)

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Statement of the Members of the
University of the Philippines-Archaeological Studies Program
Cagayan de Oro Project

August 14, 2007

We write in response to the specific statement in the Philippine Daily Inquirer article entitled “Cagayan de Oro’s Lost Treasure” (PDI August 12, 2007 p. A17). It was stated by the writer, Ma. Cecilia Rodriguez, that the Heritage Conservation Advocates (HCA) called our archeological report a “mock report”.

The HCA does not call the ASP report a “mock report”. The phrase I used during the interview with Ms. Rodriguez was “debatable and not scientific”. This is my opinion. Other HCA members might have a different view.

My reasons for describing the ASP report as “not scientific”:

1) The report does not mention the midden discovered by Dr. Erlinda M. Burton on August 5, 2003. At the time of the discovery, ASP archeologist Leee Anthony Neri and Clyde Jagoon were present at the midden site. This midden is only about 20 meters away from the ASP excavation in 2004. It is known also to the National Museum.

2) The ASP report ignored the fossils and artifacts found by HCA in 2003, such as the whale harpoon.

3) The ASP dug only on top of Obsidian Hill, which is heavily eroded. Burton said the cliff had eroded. There is a need to have a geomorphologist, said Burton, to study the site. I don’t know if ASP brought a geomorphologist during their research.

4) ASP jumped to conclusion when it stated that Huluga Open Site is not the Himologan site described by the Spanish missionaries in 1622. Even if ASP is correct, Huluga is still an archaeological site that deserves protection under Philippine Law. I would welcome the discovery of the “real Huluga”, if that is the case, but it wouldn’t refute the fact that Huluga is an archaeological site.

The UP-ASP team was invited by the Historical Commission of the city of Cagayan de Oro, (CdeO) to help improve our basic knowledge of CdeO’s early history.

HCA has no copy of the HISCCOM invitation to ASP. We also have no knowledge that the City Council ever made a discussion and resolution to invite ASP. HCA has no copy of the ASP project proposal to HISCOMM, which should contain the proposed project cost. HCA, however, has a copy of the draft contract between ASP and City Hall. In short, the deal made by ASP with City Hall was largely secret. The amount of P450,000 paid to ASP was not even revealed. I had to get information about it myself.

(Follow-up email on August 18):

In my email yesterday, I wrote, “We have no knowledge that the City Council ever made a discussion and resolution to invite ASP.”

I just checked my archive and found this information:

“On January 19, 2004, the City Council — monopolized by members of the mayor’s political party– enacted an ordinance authorizing the mayor to hire the ASP for the research and excavation of Cagayan de Oro …”

Monopolized because all councilors, the vice-mayor, and the mayor were members of the same political party that time, PaDayon Pilipino.

We reviewed the literature, followed protocol, secured the proper authorization from the National Museum of the Philippines, and conducted our research work from October to November, 2004.

ASP didn’t follow archaeological code of ethics when it made a secret negotiation with then mayor Vicente Y. Emano, didn’t consult local historians, anthropologists (one happens to be an archaeologist also), and other people interested in heritage conservation. It didn’t ask permission from Edna Dahino and the Gales family to dig in Obsidian Hill. One Gales member drove about 10 kilometers from her government office to rebuke the group.

A reinvestigation of the Huluga site was done, as well as new site surveys. At Huluga, we were interested to know if systematic investigation of the archaeological site can support the idea that there was a dense, permanent settlement on the hill top of Huluga that could represent the remains of the earliest site of Cagayan de Oro settlement.

This is a valid purpose. But the decision to exclude the midden and found relics in 2003 is questionable.

Unfortunately our systematic excavation could only tell us that there was human habitation, but it was not likely that the hill top was ever extensively populated for any period of time. On the other hand, through the surveys we conducted, we were able to find denser archaeological deposits just north of Huluga along the Cagayan de Oro River. These sites can also be candidates for the location of the old settlement of Cagayan de Oro, for they also fit the description of the landscape written in early Spanish accounts. In the course of our study, we also recovered stone tools that belong to a very old technological tradition. If more examples of these tools are found in their original context, they can tell us that humans, and most likely pre-modern humans ( i.e..Homo Crecus), were present in the Cagayan de Oro landscape. This can possibly push the history and heritage concern of the region by tens of thousands of years.

ASP should be congratulated for this discovery. The site should also be protected and preserved. This finding, however, should not decrease the importance of other archaeological sites, which by law also deserve protection.

All of these findings are detailed in our site report and in a special edition of our peer-reviewed archaeological journal, Hukay (Volume 7, 2005). The site report contains the complete account of our methods, data, illustration, interpretations, limitations and the future prospects for the study of CdeO’s early history. We cannot understand, therefore, the statement coming from a member of the HCA that calls our report “mock” and that “the ASP team should themselves be investigated for bungling an important scientific study”.

Not only ASP, but the National Museum (where some ASP members also work) should be investigated. The National Museum mysteriously stopped its promised plan to file a case against Emano in November 2003. In January 2004, HCA discovered that ASP and the National Museum had made a deal with Emano to have ASP dig in Cagayan de Oro.

We wonder how the members of the HCA, specially Elson Elizaga can tell a mock report from a real one, when they have not done analysis of archaeological raw data or written an archaeological report at all.

I don’t write archaeological reports. I’m not an archaeologist. But anyone who knows the five steps of the scientific method can tell.

The most that a member of HCA has done is a very preliminary report on an excavation of the site way back in 1975.

This report was written by Burton.

This, despite the fact that excavation have been conducted by certain HCA members as late as 2004, without securing authorization from the National Museum and without a properly disseminated site report.

After observing the destruction of Huluga, and seeing the damage on the midden site, Burton sent a request to the National Museum to secure a permit to do excavation in Huluga. The National Museum, however, replied only after three months, and told Burton to send found artifacts and fossils to the museum in Butuan City. Government offices are required by law to reply to letters within 15 days.

I took photos of some of the pits dug by Burton and her students in 2004.

We will be more than happy to read a report, of any sort, that gives us an idea of the archaeological context/merit of all the artifacts and investigation that they have done (and proudly placed on the web) at the Huluga site all these years. In fact, ethics that practitioners of archaeology should write and share reports, or they are no better than your average treasure hunter.

I’m sure Burton can write a report of the findings. The information I got so far was plain, clay pottery shreds were found.

The way we see it, the damage that our scientific report can only have done is on the spirit of the HCA members who are holding uncritical belief in a self-proclaimed truth that the Huluga hillside is the location for the earliest settlement linked to present Cagayan de Oro. We see the value of this archaeological site within the fundament fact that it is a known heritage site of Filipinos and not because of the claim that it is the “oldest” or the “original”. We therefore will not blindly accept a belief for settlement origin when the archaeological evidence does not support it.

I’m not certain also that Huluga is the oldest and original settlement of Cagayan de Oro. When I was interviewed on-air by Nits Arancon of DxJR in 2003, I told him that there could be older archaeological sites in Cagayan de Oro, way ahead of ASP’s suspicion that Huluga may not be Himologan. But again, any present or future discovery will not decrease the value of Huluga as an archaeological site. The law does not say that archaeological habitation sites or camp sites with relics should be destroyed.

Burton, on the record, told me she knows what a camp site is, and strongly states that Huluga is not a camp site, but a settlement site.

There is so much to learn about our collective past in the Cagayan de Oro landscape. Much more study is needed; the potentials are really looking good. We fully support and join the appeal to all institutions in the position to stop the continuing destruction through quarrying of the Huluga site. We also show our solidarity to those sensitive to the heritage of Cagayan de Oro that were maligned by the HCA, and support any effort to end the HCA’s selective and arrogant claims as protectors of Cagayan de Oro’s Heritage and of our collective heritage.

HCA members never claimed to be protectors. The HCA is a private advocacy group. It has no legal authority to protect and preserve. These duties are assigned by law to the National Museum (and I think also to the local government). Which is why when Helen Dahino asked me what to do with her claimed portion of the hill this month after a landslide, I told her “We can only tell you what the law says. We have no authority to tell you what to do. We can only make requests.”

We are concerned that such an important issue such as heritage protection is being hijacked by a narrow-thinking group. Their outright dismissal, rather than engagement, of a new data seems to miss the fact that diverse interest can cover under a heritage protection position. We are also of the mind that as more data and knowledge are put to light through sustained study of the Cagayan de Oro past, reality will definitely be more exciting than fiction.

HCA has no informal nor formal dismissal of the ASP report.

My view — and this is not the HCA view — is the ASP archaeologists who came to CDO to dig in 2004 and the National Museum that approved this project should be investigated, by the Senate if possible, 1) for making deals with Emano, 2) for violating the archaeological code of ethics, 3) for making what appears to be a report meant to please Emano, 4) for not recommending the protection of Huluga and other archaeological sites, 5) for using a treasure hunter as guide, 6) for not asking permission from claimed landowners of Obsidian Hill, and 7) for jeopardizing the reputation of ASP as a science institution and the University of the Philippines as a reputable school.

The HISCCOM and Emano should also be investigated for using the ASP report as basis for the continuous “development” of Huluga, and for tolerating treasure-hunting made by a City Hall employee only about 100 meters from Kagay-an Resort, which is managed by a member of the HISCCOM.

I encourage the ASP and the HISCCOM to request a Senate inquiry on this issue, and to include Burton, her students, and myself in the investigation. We can handle that.

Thank you very much.

CITY INFORMATION OFFICE

————————————————————
Statement of the Members of the
University of the Philippines-Archaeological Studies Program
Cagayan de Oro Project

August 14, 2007

We write in response to the specific statement in the Philippine Daily Inquirer article entitled “Cagayan de Oro’s Lost Treasure” (PDI August 12, 2007 p. A17). It was stated by the writer, Ma. Cecilia Rodriguez, that the Heritage Conservation Advocates (HCA) called our archeological report a “mock report”.

The UP-ASP team was invited by the Historical Commission of the city of Cagayan de Oro, (CdeO) to help improve our basic knowledge of CdeO’s early history. We reviewed the literature, followed protocol, secured the proper authorization from the National Museum of the Philippines, and conducted our research work from October to November, 2004. A reinvestigation of the Huluga site was done, as well as new site surveys. At Huluga, we were interested to know if systematic investigation of the archaeological site can support the idea that there was a dense, permanent settlement on the hill top of Huluga that could represent the remains of the earliest site of Cagayan de Oro settlement. Unfortunately our systematic excavation could only tell us that there was human habitation, but it was not likely that the hill top was ever extensively populated for any period of time. On the other hand, through the surveys we conducted, we were able to find denser archaeological deposits just north of Huluga along the Cagayan de Oro River. These sites can also be candidates for the location of the old settlement of Cagayan de Oro, for they also fit the description of the landscape written in early Spanish accounts. In the course of our study, we also recovered stone tools that belong to a very old technological tradition. If more examples of these tools are found in their original context, they can tell us that humans, and most likely pre-modern humans (i.e..Homo Crecus), were present in the Cagayan de Oro landscape. This can possibly push the history and heritage concern of the region by tens of thousands of years.

All of these findings are detailed in our site report and in a special edition of our peer-reviewed archaeological journal, Hukay (Volume 7, 2005). The site report contains the complete account of our methods, data, illustration, interpretations, limitations and the future prospects for the study of CdeO’s early history. We cannot understand, therefore, the statement coming from a member of the HCA that calls our report “mock” and that “the ASP team should themselves be investigated for bungling an important scientific study”. We wonder how the members of the HCA, specially Elson Elizaga can tell a mock report from a real one, when they have not done analysis of archaeological raw data or written an archaeological report at all. The most that a member of HCA has done is a very preliminary report on an excavation of the site way back in 1975. This, despite the fact that excavation have been conducted by certain HCA members as late as 2004, without securing authorization from the National Museum and without a properly disseminated site report. We will be more than happy to read a report, of any sort, that gives us an idea of the archaeological context/merit of all the artifacts and investigation that they have done (and proudly placed on the web) at the Huluga site all these years. In fact, ethics that practitioners of archaeology should write and share reports, or they are no better than your average treasure hunter.

The way we see it, the damage that our scientific report can only have done is on the spirit of the HCA members who are holding uncritical belief in a self-proclaimed truth that the Huluga hillside is the location for the earliest settlement linked to present Cagayan de Oro. We see the value of this archaeological site within the fundament fact that it is a known heritage site of Filipinos and not because of the claim that it is the “oldest” or the “original”. We therefore will not blindly accept a belief for settlement origin when the archaeological evidence does not support it.

There is so much to learn about our collective past in the Cagayan de Oro landscape. Much more study is needed; the potentials are really looking good. We fully support and join the appeal to all institutions in the position to stop the continuing destruction through quarrying of the Huluga site. We also show our solidarity to those sensitive to the heritage of Cagayan de Oro that were maligned by the HCA, and support any effort to end the HCA’s selective and arrogant claims as protectors of Cagayan de Oro’s Heritage and of our collective heritage. We are concerned that such an important issue such as heritage protection is being hijacked by a narrow-thinking group. Their outright dismissal, rather than engagement, of a new data seems to miss the fact that diverse interest can cover under a heritage protection position. We are also of the mind that as more data and knowledge are put to light through sustained study of the Cagayan de Oro past, reality will definitely be more exciting than fiction.

UP-Archaeological Studies Program

Victor Paz PhD.
Lee Anthony Neri, Msc.
Jun G. Cayron, MA.
Anna Jane Carlos, Graduate student
Michelle Eusebio, Graduate student
Vito Paolo Hernandez, Graduate student
Andrea Malaya M. Ragrario, Graduate student
Emil Charles Robles, Graduate student

—————————————————————-
Statement of the Members of the
Historical and Cultural Commission
Cagayan de Oro City

We, the members of the Cagayan de Oro Historical and Cultural Commission deplore the biased and questionable article written by a Ma. Cecilia L. Rodriguez entitle “Cagayan de Oro’s Lost Treasure” that appeared in the Phil. Inquirer, Augu. 12, 2007 issue.

We condemn the quarrying by the Dahino family in their land in Huluga, sitio Taguanao for we believe that their land is part of the cultural treasures of our city.

We condemn the Heritage Conservation Advocates (HCA) for their high-handed and bullying tactics in handling sensitive heritage issues. They only want to divide and confuse Kagay-anons instead of helping to promote our culture.

We condemn the seemingly endless and vicious “Emano bashing” over the Huluga issue for we see this as having strong political undertones. In 2004, then Mayor Vicente Emano funded the archaeological exploration and excavation of the Huluga open site to find out once and for all if the place was the ancient settlement of the city as claimed by Dr. Burton and her HCA group. The archaeological findings showed that Huluga is a habitational place and not a settlement site of ancient Kagay-anons. But still, this place should be protected from quarrying and the like. What is HCA’s part in the protection of the area aside from maligning and bashing individuals and conjuring tales to support their stand?

We condemn the malicious and libelous portrayal of Wilson Cabaluna as some kind of a treasure hunter who after digging for gold and pottery in Huluga left and could not be located. Mr. Cabaluna is an employee of good standing in the city government since 1981 under then Mayor Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and is a resident of Taguanao since the 1950s.

We condemn the claim of Elizaga that the UP-ASP has given a mock report about Huluga and should be investigated for bungling in their work. The team of archaeologists from UP-ASP has been working closely with the National Museum around the country for years. They are highly respected among their peers worldwide and are known for their professionalism and academic integrity.

The article clearly shows that Ms. Rodriguez never bothered to research on the findings of the team of archaeologists from the University of the Philippines in Huluga. Instead, she heavily relied on the highly improbable and fantastic theory about the obsidian source and the Irawaddy dolphin yarn of Elso Elizaga of the HCA. This is an example of irresponsible journalist at its “best”.

Like Antonio Montalvan of the HCA, we are not angry anymore but sorrowful over the fact that there are indeed individuals with high academic titles who are consistent in their yarns and half truths just to support a claim that has been scientifically proven to be untrue.

From the:

CAGAYAN DE ORO HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL COMMISSION
Ramon P. Chaves – Chair
Members:
Sandy R. Bass
Thaddeus A. Bautista
Paulita R. Roa