It was in 2014 when Cagayan de Oro was named as one of the nine “emerging cities of tomorrow” by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). The nine cities were chosen based on their size, rapid growth, geographical variety and significance as part of an urban cluster linked to cross-border exchange. At present, the city of Cagayan de Oro is continuously gaining growth as it serves as the regional center and business hub of Northern Mindanao.
Aside from its projected population growth, strategic location and economic ability, Cagayan de Oro is a home of cultural heritage and recreational destinations that attract local and foreign tourists, who have significantly contributed to the growth of the city as a whole.
There are many reasons to visit Cagayan de Oro. It offers outstanding scenic places ranging from historical landmarks, churches, museums, prestige beaches, rivers, majestic mountains and caves. In addition to this list, the city is dubbed as “The City of Golden Friendship” because of the friendly, hospitable and accommodating treatment of Kagay-anon people in which they treat their visitors like a family.
The rich history of Cagayan de Oro can be traced through the historical treasures located at its museums. City Museum of Cagayan de Oro, which was formerly known as the Water Tank Tower, is one of the historical places in the heart of the city that contains old photographs and paintings, artifacts, antiques and an interesting old Ostrich egg, which is believed to be centuries old. The establishment is the oldest public structure in the city, which was built in 1922 and renovated into a museum in 2008.
The Museum of Three Cultures in Capitol University houses a gallery of ethno history, Butuan archaeological artifacts, arts and crafts from the Higaonon and Manobo cultures, and a treasure of Christians lowland artifacts of Northern Mindanao region. It also has an art gallery and a coffee shop used to promote the local visual arts of Mindanao.
Other museums located in the city are: Museo de Oro that exhibits artifacts dug from Huluga Caves and repertoire of Bukidnon and the Maranao cultures; and the La Castilla, a museum dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the historical and cultural heritage found in the personal memorabilia of the founders of the Liceo de Cagayan University.
The most known worship venue in the city, St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral, is located at the right of the City Museum of Cagayan de Oro. It has a gothic style architecture, adorned with stained glass and beautiful paintings of the four evangelists. The establishment has gone through several changes since it was built in 1624. It was only in 1946 when the cathedral and the convent was rebuilt through Archbishop James Hayes, SJ.
Every year, the feast day of St. Augustine, known as Higalaay Festival, is celebrated. It is a week-long festivity filled with a series of colorful, culturally-rich and fun-filled core events that culminate on the 28th of August. The celebration has grown not only as the customary day of thanksgiving but also as an avenue to promote Cagayan de Oro City and the surrounding areas as investment and tourism destinations in the globe.
Just beside the St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral is the Gaston Park, which is considered as a favorite venue of the city’s residents after attending a Sunday mass. It was once the main plaza of Cagayan de Misamis during the Spanish colonial period which served as a training ground for local patriots in the course of the Philippine-American War.
Another noteworthy establishments in the city is Vicente de Lara Park, formerly known as MacArthur Park, where Press Freedom Monument and the Heritage Monument of Misamis Oriental designed by national artist Eduardo Castrillo are located. Most of the events in the city are being held here. At night, the park is being lit up with various colors by the pendant lamps hanging on the trees.
Local and international hotel chains have already put up their hotel accommodation in the city, as well as restaurants, making it easier for visitors and tourists to look for a place to stay and eat.
Cagayan de Oro is truly majestic. From a face of an emerging city filled with rich culture and history, it also offers a relaxing environment for tourists who seek peace and solitude or fun and adventure.
The city is dubbed as the “Whitewater Rafting Capital” in the Philippines due to its fun and thrilling rafting experience in Cagayan de Oro River. The river’s depth, incline and rock formations make the flow of water powerful that cascades over rocks and boulders. Kayaking is also a must-try adventure in the river, where you can face the rapids alone, unlike with rafting that comes with group.
Just a few kilometers away from the city, a beautiful forest reserve named Mapawa Nature Park lies. Exciting activities such as horse-back riding, zip-line, cliff jumping, canyoneering, water slide, and forest and river trekking await. The park also caters group events and conducts eco-lectures and team-building activities for companies, corporations and groups.
Other popular destinations in the city are: Macahambus Cave, also called a “thru cave” as another opening at the end of the cave can be found; Monigue Cave that boasts a sparkling formations of calcites inside; Catanico Falls, a small narrow falls surrounded by magma stone boulders; and Migtugsok Falls, a falls with five beautiful cascading waters. — Mark Louis F. Ferrolino
