Ann Gorra Shares the City of Gold With Canada
The City of Cagayan de Oro holds one of the richest histories and vibrant cultures in the Philippines. If you’re a Kagay-anon, just like me, you should be proud of your home city. After all, the city is home to numerous influential people who have their share in shaping the course of Philippine history and culture.
Whether you were born as a local of the city or you’ve been a resident for several years, the city and its people will definitely leave its mark on you. That probably explains why Ann Gorra, one of the city’s former TV news anchors, has remained attached to the city years after she has left its borders.
Now residing miles away in Canada, Ann Gorra recently launched a book dedicated to the people who have played a major role in making the city into what it is now.
City of Gold, which was published last October 20, presents an image of the current structure, as well as the history of the city through the varied views and opinions of people who have firsthand experiences of what it’s like to live in Cagayan de Oro.
Though she lives miles away from the city and the country, Ann Gorra has created a patchwork of true Kagay-anon stories that depicted Cagayan de Oro’s unique character. Included in this patchwork image are Col. Leonardo Hernando, a soldier who defended the city during the WWII; Wadhu Dharamdas Uttamchandani, one of the city’s oldest entrepreneurs; Bienvenido S. Cruz, a local journalist; Rafael Floirendo, inventor of the famous motorela; and many other influential Kagay-anons who, in their own little ways, have contributed to the city.
The world has heard countless inspiring stories from all sorts of people, Americans, Canadians, Europeans and other dominating ethnicities. It wouldn’t hurt to share a little bit of the city’s success stories to the world to give it a chance to form its own identity; well, at least that’s what Ann Gorra thinks.
Having made a comprehensive compilation of diverse life stories from various Kagay-anons, Ann Gorra has somehow obtained enough confidence and perhaps proof that Cagayan de Oro is indeed a unique city because of its people.
About the Book’s Author
Ann Gorra was born in one of Cagayan de Oro’s nearby municipalities, Balingasag. She and her family came to the city two years after her birth. Raised in Cagayan de Oro, Ann Gorra developed a certain attachment to the city during her earlier years. The attachment she felt remained even after she left the city to finish her mass communication degree in Silliman University.
After obtaining her degree, Ann Gorra worked as a news anchor for Newscope TV 12, alongside former DILG officer Raf Benaldo. In addition, she also contributed articles for various publications including the California based magazine Filipinas, as well as the BC Christian News and the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Following her stint as a co-anchor for Newscope TV 12, as well as her work as a contributor for various publications, Ann Gorra moved to Vancouver, Canada with her husband. Although she has secured permanent residence in a different continent, Ann Gorra still manages to come back to the Philippines, and to the City of Gold, Cagayan de Oro, for a visit.
-Mara Jayne Tismo-
