Cagayan de Oro

Cagayan de Oro,Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Cagayan de Oro; Filipino,Lungsod ng Cagayan de Oro), officially the City of Cagayan de Oro, is the provincial capital city of the province of Misamis Oriental in the Philippines. It lies along the northern coastline of the island of Mindanao in the country's south.

Dubbed locally as the "City of Golden Friendship" (Dakbayan sa Bulawanong Panaghigala-ay in Cebuano, as the phrase appears on the city's seal) for the camaraderie and hospitality that are inherent and traditional traits of its people, considered as a melting pot of Mindanao.

Cagayan de Oro is a growing metropolis classified as a first-class city and serves as the regional center being the most populous highly-urbanized city in Northern Mindanao (Region X) noted for its accessibility, business growth, and tourism attractions. According to the 2007 Census, the city has an estimated population of 553,996 inhabitants.

The area was first inhabited around 377 C.E. (the late Neolithic period), island natives lived in a settlement then known as Himologan (now known as Huluga), eight kilometers from present day Cagayán de Oro. The natives were polytheistic animists and paid tributes to Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat, the Sultan of Maguindanao.

In 1622, two Spanish Augustinian Recollect missionaries came in contact with the natives of Himologan and in 1626, Fray Agustín de San Pedro persuaded the chief of Himologan, Datu Salangsang, to transfer his settlement down river, to the present-day Gaston Park. De San Pedro later fortified the new settlement against Sultan Kudarat's raiders

In 1738, Spanish dominance was felt in Cagayán de Oro. When Misamis gained status of province in 1818, one of its four districts was the Partidos de Cagayan. In 1871, the "Partidos" became a town and was made a permanent capital of Misamis.

On February 27, 1872, Governor-General Carlos María de La Torre issued a decree declaring Cagayan the permanent capital of Segundo Distrito de Misamis. During this era, the name of the town was known as Cagayán de Misamis.

Etymology

The name Cagayán can be traced back during the arrival of the Spanish Augustinian Recollect friars in 1622, the area around Himologan (now Huluga), was already known as "Cagayan".

In fact, early Spanish documents in the 16th century already referred to the place as "Cagayán". The area of Northern Mindanao, which included Cagayán de Oro, was granted as Encomienda to a certain Juan Griego on January 25, 1571.

It was Emmanuel Peláez who appended de Oro to Cagayán in recognition of the gold mining activities in the area, harking back to the Spanish colonization. Thus, the city's full name is a combination of the ancient Malayo-Polynesian and Spanish languages that translates to "City of the River of Gold".

Economy

Cagayan de Oro is the "Melting Pot of Mindanao" because of its accessibility, business growth, attractions and most of its entire warm and hospitable people. It is also a business hub of Northern Mindanao region, considered as one of the most progressive and competitive cities in the country.

It was recorded to have reached the annual income of 1.345 billion pesos as of the fiscal year 2006. The city's economy is largely based on industry, commerce, trade, services and tourism. These are the major financial sources of the city and it has been sufficient for the city's economic growth development.

Concentrix and Arriba Telecontact are among the few call centers that have recently opened their doors to the city. With the ongoing construction of the Laguindingan International Airport located in the Municipality of Laguindingan with international standard, business analysts predict the entry of more foreign and local investments and an increase in tourism activity in the region will make Cagayan de Oro as one of the chief cities in the southern part of the Philippines.

Cagayan de Oro is also a favorite destination among businessmen because of its stable peace and order, urban amenities, active private business sector, good banking system and credit facilities, strategic location of the city via international to domestic markets, center for transportation, malls and telecommunications.

City events

There are several notable events in the city. Each barangays or barrios has its own feast locally known as Fiesta literally as festivals honoring their patron saints after achieving recognition in their own rights.

Kagay-an Festival[10] is a week-long festival in celebration of Cagayan de Oro's patron saint Señor San Agustin, held every month of August. "Kagay-an" thus means a river. Highlights of the Kagay-an Festival are Kagay-an Agro-Trade Fair that features the native products of the city and province particularly on agriculture products, Miss Kagay-an, Higaonon Street Dancing which features colorful attires and cultural dances of the Higaonon tribes, Golden Float Parade and Halad sa Lambagohan. There are also cultural shows, competitions and celebrity concerts.

Charter Day is the city's celebration of its cityhood established on June 15, 1950. It is a non-working holiday and a roster of special activities is lined up annually to mark this special occasion.

Kumbira is a culinary show and exhibit started in 1996 by Kagay-anons hoteliers and restaurants. It has been evolved over the years and it now hosts a culinary competition among students and professionals all over Mindanao. The competition is divided into students and professionals where Hotel and Restaurant Management schools and professional chefs compete against each other in their respective categories. This is usually held in mid of August as part of the Kagay-an Festival.

Halad sa Lambagohan, organized way back in the mid 1980's, this fluvial parade, also called Lambagohan Festival is held in the Cagayan de Oro River.

Golden Float Parade was started in the year 2007; it includes marching bands from different city schools. It is also participated by local government departments and commercial establishments.

A Holy-Week Trek, March or April (Movable) on the eve of Good Friday (Thursday evening), where thousands of Kagay-anons trek Malasag Hill for the annual Via crucis or way of the cross. This event is the city's catholic devotees in observation of the holy week.

Miss Kagay-an is a beauty pageant presenting the native beauty of Cagayan de Oro lads. It is one of the most prestigious beauty pageants in the city.