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Shopping Spree in Cagayan de Oro

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

As the melting pot of Mindanao, Cagayan de Oro is still one of the best business centers here in Mindanao. A lot of business oriented people are lining up to invest new businesses in town. Due to these developments there are no doubt that Cagayan de Oro will flourish in the commerce arena. Kagay-anons never get outdated when it comes to developments and infrastructures even when it comes to the latest trend. Most especially when we talk about fashion, Kagay-anons will always be updated of the latest.

Cagayan de Oro will never get outdated when it comes to fashion. Where in fact, the City can name and boast a few fashion designers that are famous in the industry. Fashion designers that is PURELY KAGAY-ANONS. In fact, shopping malls are accessible here in the city. With the latest developments of the city and the construction of new malls and establishments it is much predicted that fashion boutiques and designer stores will come ramping around the city.

The imminent presence of shopping malls in the city you can shop all you want. There is a lot of shopping spree varieties to choose from. Below are some of the best things that Kagay-anons can do:

  1. Ukay-Ukay. Here you can find the cheapest deals in clothes. If you want to look like a fashion icon but don’t want to spend much this is the best deal for you. Where are these ukay-ukay stores located? The fact is you can find them all around Cagayan de Oro city. The only downside of this shopping spree activity is that you might find it hard to find clothing that might fit you and the clothes that you might pick may have a little damage already or stains that remains forever.  Also, these places are not advisable for asthmatic people.
  1. Night Market. Only opens every Friday and Saturday. If you don’t want the hectic line nor the dust or the possibility of not finding the right dress for you then the Night Market is the best for you. Hanged with hangers and of course clean and dust-free clothes. Though, they are more expensive than of the Ukay-Ukay they have the mere advantage of people not fond of crawling to a dust filled clothes or doesn’t have the patience in finding the right clothes the Night market is the best answer for you.
  1. Shopping Malls. With a lot of investors coming to town and with the love of fashion of the Kagay-anons there is no wonder that businessmen would invest for fashion stores around the city. If you don’t want to go to dusty and would always go for original clothes then there are a lot of clothes that shopping malls can offer you. From designer clothes, shoes and cheap deals of the best clothes. Name it. They have it.

So these are the best places to do shopping spree in Cagayan de Oro. Places where you can choose what is best for you. Enjoy your shopping everyone.

Posted in Attractions and Landmarks, Events and Nightlife, Food and Dining, Shopping | No Comments »

Top 3 Places to Spend your Holy Week 2012

Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

Spending Holy Week is more fun in the Philippines. Every first week of April, the Philippines would celebrate another enormous event other than Christmas: The Lenten Season. In this season, Filipinos would commemorate the death of Jesus Christ. Others would hit the beach to take advantage of the long weekend vacation. Others would go to places where they can meditate and commune with the Lord.

Here in Cagayan de Oro City, there are a lot of places you can choose other than churches. Below are the top 3 places to spend your holy week.

 

Divine Mercy Shrine. Located in the heart of the City of El Salvador, Misamis Oriental. The shrine can be accessed via jeepney that will drop you off to the highway.  From the highway, you can ride a habal-habal (motorcycle) that will lead you to the first gate of the shrine. There you will see the gigantic statue of Jesus Christ decorated with lush greeneries and beautiful landscapes.  The Shrine has its own rules to follow including dress codes and other things to observe in the chapel at all times.

 

Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine.  Located at the depths of the forests and rivers, near the boundary of Brgy. Balubal and Tablon.  This maze-filled road will allow you to enjoy the wonders of nature and meditation. The shrine made it to the top 2 list of the cdokay.com website. You will have to cross a maximum of 9 rivers before you can reach the chapel. The adventure of going there takes around 3 hours and 3 hours back to the city. This is dangerous if you cross all by yourself. Pack a company to be with you along the track.

  1. Malasag. Located at the heart of Cagayan de Oro city. This place garnered the last spot for the top 3 places to spend the holy week. The zigzag road beneath the lush trees enables the devotee to have a cool and fresh meditation during the procession and prayer.

There you are the top 3 places to spend your Holy week and enjoy your communion with the Lord. Just remember to pack the things you need and no extra baggage. Enjoy your long weekend everyone.

Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy

Schedule for Holy Week

April 1 to April 8 2012

    • April 1 – Palm Sunday ( Holy Mass)

1st Mass – 8:00 AM (Cebuano)

2nd Mass – 10:00 AM (Cebuano)

3rd Mass – 3:00 AM (English)

    • April 4 – Holy Wednesday ( whole day Recollection)

9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Recollection

11:00 AM – 12:00 NN – Holy Mass

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Holy Mass

2:30 PM – 6:00 PM – Confession

    • April 5 – Holy Thursday ( Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper)

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

(Washing of the feet)

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Last Supper

*Follow after the Holy Mass are Reposition Vigil until 12 midnight at PEA beside the Divine Mercy Statue and Film Showing will follow at Mary’s Garden Field Ground

    • April 6 – Good Friday (Passion of Christ )

4:00 AM – 6:00 AM – (Dawn Station of the Cross around Divine Mercy Hills)

6:00 AM – 6:30 AM – 1st Day Divine Mercy Novena (Field Altar Ground)

12:00 NN – 3:00 PM – Confession (Ridge View Chapel)

3:00 PM – 4:30 PM – Veneration of the Cross (New Church)

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM – Procession of Santo Intierro around Divine Mercy Hills

5:30 PM                    – Kissing of the Cross (New Church)

    • April 7 – Black Saturday

5:30 PM – 6:00 PM – 2nd Day Divine Mercy Novena (New Church)

6:00 PM – 10:00 PM – Easter Vigil Mass (New Church)

    • April 8 – Easter Sunday

3:00 AM – 4:00 AM – Sugat Procesion

4:00 AM – 4:30 AM – 3rd Day Divine Mercy Novena

(Mary’s Garden Field Ground)

4:30 AM – 5:30 AM – Holy Mass (Field Altar Ground)

8:00 AM – 2nd Mass (New Church)

10:00 AM – 3rd Mass (New Church)

3:00 PM – 4th Mass (New Church)

Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine Tablon

  • Mass schedule – 10 am every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month

 

Malasag Cursillos En Cristiandad Station of the Cross

    • April  5, 2012 Wednesday – 8:00 AM Station of the Cross

- 1:00 PM Recollection, Confession and Holy Mass

  • April 6, 2012 Thursday – 5:00 PM Washing of the Feet
  • April 7, 2012 Friday – Tentative time 7 Last Words

 

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The horseback riding at Kaamulan festival 2012

Wednesday, March 14th, 2012

Kaamulan festival is one of the highlights in Mindanao festivals and one of the best tourist destinations is the horseback riding in Malaybalay Bukidnon. Malaybalay is one of the coldest city in bukidnon and rich in culture. Their produce shown the richness of their land and the people are very hard working. The lanscape of Malaybalay is really good for horseback riding.  Kaamulan festival showcases the vast rich culture and preserving the tribes which made bukidnon known for it. The horseback riding is one of the enjoyable rides in Kaamulan festival. You will see the beautiful landscape and the sumptuous scenery.

The horses were taking cared of some tribe people and they really loved to assist the people in riding the horse. The horse was really friendly and they are very calm it shows that they are loved and well taking care of. You can ride the horse when it reaches 3 years old and above. It can handle two to three people riding on it. But for beginners riding the horse is not as easy as it looks on the movie but you don’t need to worry because the owner will guide you on how to ride the horse. The trail would be about 10 to 15 minutes within the capitol ground where the Kaamulan festival is held. Any age can ride the horse as long as they are not afraid of the horse. They can make the horse run or just simple walk and enjoy the calmness of the place.

Many tourist and locals enjoyed the horseback riding not just for its cheap price but also the nice climate of Malaybalay and the place it’s like you travelled from other place pine trees are only found in cold places like Bagiuo.



 

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Kaamulan Festival 2012

Wednesday, March 14th, 2012

The Municipality of Malitbog clad in costume combined with their placid movements.

Festivals are more fun in the Philippines. True, that it is more fun in the Philippines when they celebrate their local festivals. Every year, different festivals are celebrated in the Philippines coming from every corners of the country and one of these highlighted festivals is honored to the Kaamulan Festival.

The Kaamulan Festival is the trademark festival of the Province of Bukidnon. Kaamulan is a term derived from the native tongue of Bukidnon “amul” means to gather.  This gathering of tribe people is held with a purpose. The event is celebrated in honor to the lumad or indigenous people in the province of Bukidnon for their major contribution in culture and arts.

The gathering may consist of datuship ritual; this is practiced when a person attains the position of leadership; it can also be a wedding, thanksgiving for an abundant harvest, a peace treaty or the combination of the aforementioned.

It was believed that the Kaamulan Festival started around the late 1960’s or the early 1970’s wherein different individuals made effort to gather other tribes to manage a celebration for the indigenous people contribution to the culture of Bukidnon. Until 1999 the festival was officially settled to mid-February ending to March 10.

Every year, 7 different tribes naming Bukidnon, Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon and Umayamnon gather to celebrate one of the highlighted events of the Philippines. The Kaamulan festival portrays a modern classical type of culture.

For this year’s competition, 7 contingents from different municipalities gathered to compete for the highlight of the festival naming the float parade, street dancing competition and ground presentation. Different municipalities portrayed the lives of ancient civilization. The participants were from the municipalities of Maramag, Malitbog, San Fernando, Cabanglasan, Valencia City, Quezon and Kalilangan.

The float parade and street dancing competition started around 7:30 in the morning. Wherein, different municipalities showed off their artful costume and float designs. Old and young performed their tribal dances.

The parade started off in the streets of Fortich Street ending to Rizal Park otherwise known as Kaamulan Grounds. Participants were clad in colorful costumes. Most of their costumes were dominated by the color red and accented by black, white, yellow or blue. Their floats were filled with crops that are majorly produced in their municipality.

For this year’s street dancing competition, the Municipality of Maramag outshined other contingents. Followed by the Municipality of Malitbog dragged the 1st runner-up slot. San Fernando grabbed the 2nd runner up slot. Maramag replaced the position of last year’s winner the Municipality of Lantapan.

The Municipality of Malitbog, grabbed the championship for the float competition. The Municipality of Quezon grabbed the 1st runner-up slot and Valencia City garnered the 2nd runner-up slot. Malitbog replaced last year’s winner; the Municipality of Lantapan who did not join for this year’s competition.

The Municipality of Malitbog was honored as the winner for the ground competition. They entertained thousands of spectators surrounding the Kaamulan grounds.  Malitbog took the spot of Malaybalay City who did not join this year’s competition. For this year’s competition, the top 3 winners of each category will receive cash amounting to Php. 40,000.00 and non-winners will receive cash amounting to Php. 20,000.00.

If you weren’t able to catch up this year’s Kaamulan Festival catch it next year. Bukidnon is located at the central plateau of Mindanao. There are no airports in Malaybalay City. You can only access it via land transportation.

If you are from the other side of the archipelago, book a ticket for Cagayan de Oro City. After arriving here in Cagayan de Oro City take a ride either on a metered taxi or van that will take you to the Eastbound Terminal. The fare may cost from PHP 300.00-PHP 500.00.

If you are in a tight budget, you can ride a jeepney that will take you to Xavier University. After dropping at Xavier University, ride another jeepney going to the Eastbound Terminal (LA Lapasan).  The fare will only cost you around PHP 20.00/person. From there, you can take a bus from the Eastbound Terminal of Cagayan de Oro City that can land you to the capital of Bukidnon, Malaybalay City.

Witness it live and be amazed by the wonders of nature, culture and arts. Culture, Arts, Nature and Celebration is more fun to experience in the Philippines.  See you on the next Kaamulan Festival.

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The Golden Friendship Park Children’s Playground

Thursday, July 14th, 2011

Situated in the heart of Cagayan de Oro City is the Golden Friendship Park, which is also known as Plaza Divisoria. Plaza Divisoria sits right at the city’s downtown area and is a long stretch of islet-parks that stretches all the way from Burgos Street to Corrales Avenue.

A History of the Golden Friendship Park

The whole park was built in the early 1900s and has been an integral part of Cagayan de Oro’s downtown. During that time, a huge fire almost burned the whole downtown area; hence, the Plaza was created to serve as a fire break to prevent another huge fire from burning the whole downtown. Today, the Plaza serves as a park that functions as a venue for different activities.

Plaza Divisoria is surrounded by plenty of establishments, shops and offices. During the weekend, the whole Plaza is closed down and transformed into the Night Market and Night Café – where the streets are filled with food displays, as well as stalls selling every kind of merchandise you can think of. In the middle of the plaza are masseurs of different kinds with their plastic chairs, offering their massage service for as low as PHP 50. These weekend nights are crowd drawers, and families from all over Cagayan de Oro flock together to eat, buy or just hang out.

The park has seen a number of renovations and improvements over the years, and the children’s playground is the newest among them.

Playground in the Golden Friendship Park

Today, there is all the more another reason for parents to take their kids to Plaza Divisoria, and that is because of the new playground that has recently just been constructed.

The playground is erected on the plaza island near the Divisoria Kiosk, right in front of Columbia Computer Center, Rika Pharmacy and Nova Rosa Parlor. On the other side of the playground, you will find the numerous DVD stalls. The playground is adequately sized and is designed with a small tower, some bridges, decks, tunnels and slides that kids will certainly enjoy. Now, parents can sit back and enjoy a quick foot massage or shop for bargain clothes and shoes while their little kids run around and play.

Once your kids are done playing, you can take them to a number of fastfood or snack areas in the vicinity. Right in front of the playground is McDonald’s and Mang Inasal, while on the opposite side is Cinnamon Bakeshop. Jollibee is located in the next block, so you can always grab a quick bite once your kids are tired from all the running around and playing.

-Justine B. Raagas-

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