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Unsafe Spot in Cagayan de Oro City

Thursday, May 31st, 2012


            Cagayan de Oro City is a peaceful place to live. Cagayanons are friendly and hospitable people. The heart of the city reveals the fast growing economy of Cagayan de Oro City. A lot of people would come to visit Cagayan de Oro City because of its natural tourist spots.

You will enjoy the adventures that CDO can offer. Cagayan de Oro has a lot of things to be discovered by tourists. Like the caves, white water rafting adventures, zip lines, the beauty of nature, serenity of landscapes, the bounty of fruits, and the luscious of sea foods. With the friendly people and all the tourist destinations, you will surely get satisfied.

Unsafe spot in Cagayan de Oro City is considered to be the isolated and remote areas of CDO. If they have some encounters, there would never be in Cagayan de Oro City. Some places in Mindanao are considered to be unsafe because of the some bandits and armed people from the remote areas who are against the government. They are considered as the enemy of the government. These people are trying to deviate from the norms of the society. They are trying to prove to the government that they can survive without the help coming from the government. The government is trying to give them chance to surrender and to live a normal life as what the cagayanons do. But they are hard to convince maybe because they are the victims of oppression. They think that the government is the one doing it to them. They want justice for what they believe is right.

To sum it all Cagayan de Oro City is the safest place in Mindanao. That’s why it is known as the city of the golden friendship.

 

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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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CdOkay Asian Travel Guide: Shanghai, China

Monday, June 20th, 2011

Since everyone seems to be getting a huge dose of everything Chinese these days, why not plan a trip to Shanghai, China’s largest and most prosperous city?

Here is a city that never seems to run out of visitors. Everyone, from all social classes, goes to Shanghai for job opportunities, business, and pleasure. Now that is something that we Kagay-anons are very familiar with!

What’s in Shanghai?

Aside from finding the entire spectrum of Chinese social classes in Shanghai, tourists will also get to experience the traditional Chinese culture and practices that are still being observed by the locals. At the same time they will enjoy the familiarity of the Western accommodations and lifestyle. Although China gives the impression of a strict Communist country, Shanghai is in fact very friendly to Western culture.

A lot of public transport drivers and airport personnel can also converse in English, but it would help if you bring along a friend who’s fluent in Mandarin.

Places you shouldn’t miss:

Try searching for the top tourists spots in Shanghai and you will see that most of them are buildings whose architecture reflect European styles.

Oriental Pearl TV Tower – Shanghai is beautiful at night when the skyscrapers are all brightly lit up—and the brightest of them all is the Oriental Pearl Tower, the third tallest tower in the world.

People’s Square – A very wide expanse of grass and concrete located in the middle of urban Shanghai, it is the perfect stopover when you’re checking out the skyscrapers and other sights downtown.

Nanjing Road – Try to visit this street in the morning, especially at night when lights up and practically resembles Las Vegas. This 5.5-kilometer road is filled with commercial establishments with European architecture where you can shop and take tons of pictures.

If Asian urban adventure is your thing, Shanghai is the place for you. You can also save on your trip if you avail of this very affordable travel package from Sameah Travel and Tours. You’ll enjoy the accommodations of five-star hotels in Shanghai itself and go on guided tours for four days and three nights. Check out their offer on their website.

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CdOkay Asian Travel Guide: Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh, Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta

Monday, June 20th, 2011

We have previously featured Ho Chi Minh City in an earlier Asian Travel Guide edition. However, we haven’t included two equally interesting tourist destinations in Vietnam.

The Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta are both located outside Ho Chi Minh City; the former is situated a little further in the northwest and the latter is at the south.

What to expect in the Tunnels and the Delta

The Cu Chi Tunnels are not sophisticated, James Bond-ish passageways; they are more of an Indiana Jones version complete with secret passageways, dark chambers, dirt stairways and concealed entrances and exits. You will definitely need a flashlight to see your way through. To make the experience more exiting though, try getting old-fashioned torches and gas lamps and experience the tunnels the way the war-era Vietnamese experienced it.

Mekong Delta has all the things that one would expect from a fertile delta with plenty of water sources: fields of flowers, peaceful lagoons, bucolic villages and lush greeneries. Almost everywhere you look, there is a pretty picture waiting to be captured. Located at the southernmost tip of Vietnam, there are also beaches and coves that you can visit.

Places you shouldn’t miss:

Ask for a guide when you go to the Tunnels so that you will be shown the hidden entrances and exits of the tunnels. Scattered around Cu Chi are also pool-sized bomb craters.

Do take a walk through the grain and fruit fields of the delta! You might just see the locals bent down with only their iconic conical hats visible above the tall shrubs and reeds. Such a peaceful, provincial, and truly Asian setting would definitely be worth capturing on film and video.

You can visit these places, plus Ho Chi Minh City, at affordable rates with this travel package offered by Sameah Travel and Tours. This is a 3-day tour that will run until December 31, 2011. Check out Sameah’s offers and trip itinerary at their website.

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CdOkay Asian Travel Guide: Beijing, China

Monday, June 20th, 2011

Beijing, China–another popular Asian city that lots of Kagay-anons wish to visit, for sure. We see Chinese products–and people!–everywhere in the city and one can’t help but wonder what it’s like to actually be in a genuine Chinese city, especially one as bustling as Beijing.

What’s in Beijing?

Noodles, steamed street food, ancient temples, and skyscrapers all have their places in this city. Beijing is a wonderful blend of pure, traditional Chinese culture and urban progress and lifestyle.

Places you shouldn’t miss:

The Forbidden City – This is one of the most interest tourist sites in China. With palace buildings and architecture originating from way back in the 18th century, you will definitely get a dose of the Chinese culture and history. Prepare your most comfortable sneakers though, because you’ll have 250 acres of palace grounds and 9,000 rooms to explore!

Tiananmen Square – Another historical location that has earned global fame because of a tragic incident in 1989. Nowadays, this 440,000-sq. meter courtyard is frequented by foreign tourists. The might of Chinese communism is really evident in the rigid lines and stone structure of the gatehouse, Great Hall of the People, the Museums, and the People’s Heroes monument.

The Great Wall – Now this is one place you definitely shouldn’t miss! The Great Wall is the most distinctive symbol of China. Be sure to put on your hiking shoes and winter clothes because it’s going to be one long, cold, hike. Perfect place for taking pictures too!

Bird’s Nest – Not all tourist sites in Beijing was created in ancient times. The Bird’s Nest is China’s 21st century equivalent of the Great Wall: iconic, a remarkable human feat, and definitely one of a kind!

If you’re already planning for a Beijing trip, see this wonderful year-round travel package offered by Sameah Travel and Tours. Their package includes tours to these four incomparable, must-see places (and more). So don’t ever forget your cameras!

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