As the Filipino people have earned a reputation for being warm and inviting, numerous visitors find themselves drawn not solely to this trait but also to the country's exquisite destinations for tourism. With that being said, there exists an urban area in the Philippines acknowledged as the "City of Golden Friendship," and that metropolis is none other than Cagayan de Oro. Cagayan de Oro is sometimes referred to as the "City of Golden Friendship" because of the infectious grins and sincere hospitality of the inhabitants. Every traveler would be enticed by this community because the place fosters a sense of belongingness along with a phenomenal milieu. However, what exactly makes Cagayan de Oro such a fascinating city to visit? Well, there are countless activities to do and explore in this city and this article will touch on those topics, so be sure to keep reading!
Before delving into further depth about what makes Cagayan de Oro enjoyable, here is some background information on the town: Cagayan de Oro is also referred to as simply "Cagayan" and is sometimes shortened as CDO. As aforementioned and as the first fact, Cagayan de Oro is known as the "City of Golden Friendship". Cagayan de Oro serves as the capital of the province of Misamis Oriental and the first-class, highly urbanized city in the region of Northern Mindanao. Furthermore, as the city is situated in northern Mindanao, it is located in the southern Philippines.
- Climate: The city has a tropical weather condition.
- Religion: The city's dominant religion is Roman Catholicism.
- Dialect: Cebuano (Bisayan) is widely spoken, along with Tagalog and English.
- Celebrations: The city celebrates "Himugso", which means "city birth", every June 15th. On the other hand, the city fiesta was formerly referred to as the Kagay-an Festival, which is celebrated from August 26th to 28th in honor of Cagayan de Oro's patron, Señor San Agustin. However, the festivity is now known as the Higalaay Festival.
Highlights of the festival
1. Miss Cagayan de Oro
2. Agro-Trade Fair
3. Carnival Street Dance Competition
4. Street Parade and Floats
5. Fluvial Procession
Significance of the Cagayan de Oro River
The history of Cagayan de Oro is very rich, especially in terms of the river that the city possesses. That is why the name Cagayan de Oro, which translates as "River of Gold," can be traced back to 1622. Initially, the Cagayan River operated as the primary route for travel to Manila. Given that circumstance in previous times, the Cagayan River is regarded as the watercourse with the largest and longest length in the Philippines. Having said that, Cagayan de Oro city is divided in half by the Cagayan River, with the Poblacion—the downtown—located on the eastern side.
The adventure capital of the Philippines
- Due to the plethora of recreational opportunities available in the region, Cagayan de Oro is known as the "adventure capital" of the Philippines. Whitewater rafting, zip-lining, and kayaking are among the intense activities that the vicinity is often renowned for, making it an appealing choice and a haven for adventure seekers.
Universities
- The Ateneo de Manila University of Cagayan is also known as Xavier University. While Ateneo is a well-known institution and one of the top four universities in the Philippines, Cagayan de Oro is also acknowledged for the outstanding education that it provides to its citizens. Aside from Xavier University, Liceo de Cagayan University and Capitol University are also made accessible to the locals for quality education.
Country Club
- There is an abundance of famous golf courses in Cagayan de Oro where golfing enthusiasts can indulge in a game while admiring the picturesque surroundings. The Pueblo de Oro Golf Club serves as one of the most popular venues for this. Here, you may enjoy the sport while getting a cool breeze.
Business Outsourcing
- There is no doubt that the outsourcing industry is experiencing rapid growth in Cagayan de Oro. This is due to the city's economic development being aided by several international corporations that have established business process outsourcing (BPO) facilities there.
Shopping Malls
- In addition to having a thriving outsourcing business, Cagayan de Oro is also known for its attractive retail district. Shoppers may find both domestic and foreign brands in malls like Limketkai Center, Centrio Mall, Grand Central, Gaisano City Mall, Robinsons Cagayan de Oro, and SM CDO Downtown Premier.
Dahilayan Adventure Park
- If you consider yourself an extreme explorer, you should surely attempt Asia's longest dual zipline at Dahilayan Adventure Park. A few hours away from Cagayan de Oro in the province of Bukidnon lies Dahilayan Adventure Park, which has the longest dual zipline in all of Asia.
Malasag Eco-Tourism Village
- Guests may spend a leisurely day exploring the botanical gardens at Malasag Eco-Tourism Village, which is located in Barangay Cugman. This allows both foreign and local tourists to observe the city's natural attractions. There is also a museum named Museo de Oro, as well as coffee shops and a mini bar if travelers just want to chill for a while.
Divin Mercy Shrine
- Your journey won't be complete if you don't go to the Divine Mercy Shrine. This is due to the 50-foot-tall figure of Jesus Christ, which is the shrine's most prominent landmark. The stairs that appear to take the devotee up to the statue's body are actually the "rays" that emanate from its body. Additionally, the temple is situated above Divine Mercy Hills. There are also other holy establishments present in the city hall, which are Nazareno Parish Church, Iglesia ni Cristo, and San Agustin Metropolitan Cathedral.
Macahambus Adventure Park
- You must experience the heart-pounding Macahambus Adventure Park Rappel if you enjoy extreme activities. You may go rappelling from a 150-foot gorge in Barangay Lumbia, which is only ten minutes from the airport and city transfers.
Whitewater Rafting
- While everyone else is enjoying the white-sand beaches, you should attempt whitewater rafting in Cagayan de Oro since it is among the most popular and must-do adventure-filled sports. On this leisure excursion, your group will ride a raft along the Cagayan de Oro River.
Cagayan de Oro may be a desirable place to visit due to the wide array of activities that are present in the region. You may find yourself exploring city malls, museums, neighboring towns, and famous parks. The city is definitely a great place to visit with your family and friends because they offer sports that are organized by groups. Next time you take a break or aim to decompress, put Cagayan de Oro on your bucket list.
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