Region 10 - thru the Golden Gateway Region 10, usually called Northern Mindanao, is composed of the 5 province of Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, Camiguin and Lanao del Norte and their 9 cities of Cagayan de Oro, Gingoog, El Salvador, Ozamiz,Tangub, Oroquieta, Ma- Iaybalay,Valencia and Iligan. The whole region covers a total land area of 19,279.60 sq km. with a total population of 3,505,558 as of 2000 Census, some 84 municipalities and about 2,020 barangays. Geography The region is a combination of rugged mountain ranges, rolling hills and plains with rich agricultural and mineral resources. Its four bays of Panguil, Iligan, Macajalar and Gingoog provide deep harbor for ships and a long coastline of gray and white sand beaches and spectacular coral reefs. Its strategic and typhoon-free location with its modern port facilities and an ex- tensive road network linking it to various parts of Mindanao makes the region an ideal gateway to Mindanao and an ideal destination all year round. Economy The region is considered the dominant economy in Mindanao contributing about 27.2% of the island's total production in 2005 with the services sector as the region’s largest and fastest growing industry at 39.4% share,followed by the industry sec 30.7% and agriculture, fishery and forestry sector at 29.9%. Meanwhile,the region's real per capita GRDP in 2005 was P14,820,the highest among the Mindanao regions and the third highest among all the regions in the try. In 2006, Region 10 was the country's sixth largest regional economy contributing 4.8% to the country's gross domestic production. Investments Throughout the region, Misamis Oriental accounted for the bulk of the regional investments, sharing about 68%. It was also
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Region 10 - thru the Golden Gateway
Region 10, usually called Northern Mindanao, is composed of the 5 province of Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, Camiguin and Lanao del Norte and their 9 cities of Cagayan de Oro, Gingoog, El Salvador, Ozamiz,Tangub, Oroquieta, Ma- Iaybalay,Valencia and Iligan.
The whole region covers a total land area of 19,279.60 sq km. with a total population of 3,505,558 as of 2000 Census, some 84 municipalities and about 2,020 barangays.
GeographyThe region is a combination of rugged mountain ranges, rolling hills and plains
with rich agricultural and mineral resources. Its four bays of Panguil, Iligan, Macajalar and Gingoog provide deep harbor for ships and a long coastline of gray and white sand beaches and spectacular coral reefs.
Its strategic and typhoon-free location with its modern port facilities and an ex- tensive road network linking it to various parts of Mindanao makes the region an ideal gateway to Mindanao and an ideal destination all year round.
EconomyThe region is considered the dominant economy in Mindanao contributing about
27.2% of the island's total production in 2005 with the services sector as the region’s largest and fastest growing industry at 39.4% share,followed by the industry sec 30.7% and agriculture, fishery and forestry sector at 29.9%.
Meanwhile,the region's real per capita GRDP in 2005 was P14,820,the highest among the Mindanao regions and the third highest among all the regions in the try. In 2006, Region 10 was the country's sixth largest regional economy contributing 4.8% to the country's gross domestic production.
InvestmentsThroughout the region, Misamis Oriental accounted for the bulk of the regional
investments, sharing about 68%. It was also the fastest growing investment area ing by 44% between 2005 and 2006. Bukidnon was the second biggest contribut the 2006 annual investment. Misamis Occidental with a 26% growth was the second fastest growing area in terms of investment.
Language and EthnicityBisaya, Cebuano and Boholano are the major ethnic languages in the region.
Native languages still considerably used are Higaonon in Misamis Oriental, Binukid in Bukidnon, Maranao in Lanao del Norte, Subanen in Misamis Occidental and Kinamiging in Camiguin.
Hiligaynon, a language in the Visalas, is also used in Bukidnon.English is generally understood. Tagalog is also understood but not commonly
spoken.
ReligionRoman Catholicism is the major religion. Others are Aglipayan, Evengelicals and
Seventh Day Adventist. Islam is considerably high in Lanao del Norte and Iligan City but Roman catholicism remains to be the dominant religion.
Cagayan de Oro – the Golden GatewayCagayan de Oro is a highly urbanized city. It has a major port, an international
container yard about 25 kilometers away, an airport with at least 6 flights to and from the capital of Manila, 3 universities, several highly competitive private, secondary schools and at least 4 major shopping malls. This regional capital –the golden gateway to Northern Mindanao –is the center of trade, education and shopping in Region 10.
With its numerous tourism facilities such as hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, nightspots and tourism attractions and activities within the city and its nearby environs plus a highly efficient information technology facilities, the city is a favorite choice for various national convention every year.
Being the hub of the region, this travel handbook, will take Cagayan de Oro as the main reference point for travel to the region in this edition.
AccessibilityRegion 10 has four at least 4 major port facilities: the cagayan de Oro port, Iligan
port, the now operational Mindanao Container Terminal in Tagoloan within the 3,000 hectare PIHVIDEC Industrial Estate and the Ozamis port, the busiest port in terms of passenger traffic.
By air, the region is most accessible through Cagayan de Oro airport which has 7 daily flights from Manila and 1 daily flight from Cebu. The city is serviced by several shipping lines plying the Manila-Cagayan routes. It is accessible by land from Davao, Butuan and Zamboanga.
Cagayan de Oro: A Walking Tour of the old settlement by the river:
The Cagayan River
Cagayan River, stretching up to 69,518 meters long, is a major witness to the city's life and history. Its riverbanks were said to abound with "lambago"trees in the past. The term Kagay-an is believed to have come from a Proto- Malay word "kagay"which means river.
Ysalina Bridge
The first bridge of the city, YsaIina bridge, connects barangay Carmen to the Poblacion area. Its predecessor built in 1892, made of stone and bricks and spanning 128 meters long, was then called "the longest hanging bridge of the Philippines."
San Agustin Metropolitan Cathedral
This church's history started as early as 1626 when a Portuguese Augustinian Recollect Fray Pedro de San Agustin, popularly called El Padre Capitan,decided to transfer the early inhabitants from their original settlement in Himologan since he found the latter to be a difficult location to defend in case of attacks from the men of Maguindanao's Sultan Qudarat who wanted to regain Cagayan as part of Maguindanao territory.
Despite the transfer, the church was still torched by the invaders at least four times until 1834 when it was rebuilt replacing its old materials of old and nipa with marine stones from China.
In 1942, during the Second World War, it was occupied by the Japanese and subsequently bombed by the Americans. In 1946, Bishop James T.G. Hayes, S.J. D.D., the first bishop of Cagayan who arrived in 1933, rebuilt the cathedral along semi Gothic lines.
Gaston Park
On this site, El Padre Capitan built a wooden fortress called Fuerza Real de San Jose which served as the public plaza. Later, it was rebuilt in stones until it was demolished in 1875 and the stones were used to pave the streets of the growing town.
The park was named Gaston Park in the early 1960s after Segundo Gaston who was governor of Misamis and mayor of Cagayan before World War II.
On the north side of the park is the site of the Battle of Cagayan that took place on 7 April 1900.The battle was part of the Philippine-American War which saw the death and heroism of almost a hundred Cagayan revolutionaries who fought under the banner of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. A marker was installed in solemn ceremonies by the National Historical Institute on 7 April 2000, the centenary of the Battle of Cagayan. Across the northeast side is another historical marker that marks the spot where hundreds of Cagayan members of Club Popular, a local organization of nationalistic cause, signed a manifesto on 6 January 1900 signifying their intention to fight in the Philippine-American War in Cagayan.
City Hall
The City Hall building or Casa Real on Capistrano St. or Calle Real during the Spanish period, along with the water tank and the Archbishop's Palace nearby, are the only remaining American period built buildings in the area.
Casa del Chino Ygua
Built in 1882, this "balay nga bato"or house of stone is made of bricks, transported from China by Chinese junks.The bricks served as ballast for the long voyage.The owner, Sia Ygua, was a Chinese merchant from Amoy, China.
During the Philippine-American War, Sia Ygua supported the Filipino revolutionaries in the Battle of Cagayan on April 7,1900 against the Americans. During the centenary of the battle on 7 April 2000, the National Historical Institute honored the brave revolutionaries with a national historical marker.The house stands on the corner of Apolinar Velez St. and Hayes St., formerly called Calle del Mar y Calle Victoria.
Plaza Divisoria
This elongated promenade was built in 1901 by Cagayan's town mayor Tirso Neri, to serve as a fire breech or"divider"to contain the spread of fires in the town. It also divided the town into north and south sections.Today, it is also called the Golden Friendship Park.
Along the stretch of the Plaza are monuments of national heroes and local lead-ers such as that of national hero, Jose Rizal, which was inaugurated in 1916,-- considered one of the earliest Rizal statues in the entire Mindanao.The Centennial flagpole beside it was inaugurated in 1998 during the Philippine Centennial to mark the country's independence from Spanish colonialism.
The monument of former President Ramon Magsaysay was inaugurated in early 1960s by Vice President Emmanuel Pelaez and Israeli Foreign Minister Golda Meir who later became Isarael's Prime Minister.
Museo de Oro
Museo de Oro, a folkloric museum started in August 1967, displays an array of relics of the Bukidnon and Maranao cultures. Among those that one would find in the museum are paintings and ethnographic artifacts that depict the ancient stories of the origin of the world and of man in mythic tradition. The various displays also highlight the belief in supernatural beings or spirits, the institution of shamanism and the rituals for curing; the ways of settling disputes and their peacepacts..
A notable piece in the museum collection is a human skeletal remain found at Huluga Cave, calibrated by the University of California in San Diego as dated 377 A.D., one of the earliest known human existence in the entire Mindanao.
Another is one of the three extant copies in the en1 tire Philippines of the menu in the presidential banquet of Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898 in Malolos, Bulacan.
The museum is located inside Xavier University, Ateneo de Cagayan--the first university in the entire island of Mindanao and the first of all the Jesuit Ateneos in the country to become a university having been declared as such as early as March 1958.
During World War Il,the university was used by the occupying Japanese forces as a garrison and concentration camp and was the regional headquarters of the Japanese Military Command. It was severely damaged by American bombs in 1945.
Makahambus Hill-A Historical Landmark
The Cagayan revolutionaries had the historic record of winning the first battle against the Americans in the entire Philippines in the Battle of Makahambus Hill that took place on 14 June 1900.
Makahambus Cave is a short cave where the end opens to a precipice that over looks the meandering Cagayan river. On top of the cave is the Makahambus Hill.At the other side of the present road is the Makahambus Gorge, a 130 foot circular gorge where an underground river flows from one cave to another cave. Today, the parkis being used as an adventure park where one can do skybridge, rapel and zipline.The ravine is covered by lush tropical rain forest trees and various species of plants.
Gardens of Malasag
Eco-Tourism Village
Located in a 7.2 ha. botanical garden on the slopes of Cugman watershed with a breathtaking view of historic Macajalar Bay, this cultural showcase offers the visitors a glimpse into the rich and colorful cultural heritage of Northern Mindanao. Here, one can interact with some of the regions' tribal people such as the Higaonons and the Talaandigs of Bukidnon and the Subanons from Misamis Occidental who live in their own tribal homes found in the village where they grow some of their crops their crafts. Everyday, around 3:30 p.m. the tribalpeople perform their dance to the visitors to the beat of their own music.
Adventure Tours
Whitewater Rafting AdventureMikhail Angelo F. Bautista
White Water Rafting is so much fun! I've actually done it twice already-and I'm still looking forward to doing it again and again! My rafting days have been among the best experiences of my life.
Waking up at around 4 AM to prepare for the rafting adventure was nothing. I was a little hung over but as the day progressed my headache was soon forgotten as I had one exciting, exhilirating, action-packed day!
My first time was a tour with about 50 other people including my cousins, a few friends, and some strangers. But this didn't faze me because everyone there was super nice ... as what they say, Kagay-anons are friendly(ahem!). Anyway, we drove for almost an hour through the mountains until we arrived at our starting point somewhere in Barangay Kabula. It was such a beautiful day. Clear vivid blue sky with the sun shin- ing so brightly amidst cotton candy white clouds.The hillsides were lush and green and many of them terraced all the way to the top.The scenery was spectacular!
When we got to the drop-off site, all of us had to put on helmets and life jackets. The very accommodating and friendly river guides then gave us a few instructions safety procedures and a brief orientation on what to expect.We were taught the tech-
niques of paddling and as well as what to do in case we falloff the raft (scary!).One of the guides informed that this particular ride was not that dangerous, as it was the shorter course. If that doesn't make much sense let me put it this way, some of
the rapids were so strong you could be thrown off the raft if you didn't hang on for dear Iife.There were about 7 rafts with six people each.The raft I was in had 7 riders, including one guide, a requisite in every raft.
We went on. Our guide asked us if we wanted to hit the surf and we all eagerly agreed. He told us that when the boat flips or if we fall, we musn't panic, instead he instructed that we try to grab the rescue rope and if we miss it, we should assume the safety posi-tion (by facing downstream with our legs elevated) and one of the trained rescuers would get to us. It was really intense. Luckily, nothing of that kind happened to me or my friends. However, there was a raft behind us that got turned upside down while they were maneuvering one of the higher class rapids. When I looked back after we safely got out of that rapid, I saw addles and some people immersed in the river.Only four of them had managed to hang onto the overturned raft. Fortunately,the two others were safe and had managed to bravely swim their way to the riverside, inspite ofthe very very strong current. Our guide flipped it back over and hoisted them up. After getting everyone back together and organized again, both rafts, ours and theirs, set off once more. From there, we went to the snakes'cave, bats'cave and many more captivating views and challenging currents. At the end of the river run, we had a super awesome and delicious lunch at the endpoint.
Basically, on my second rafting adventure, I shared the fun with my cousins andrelatives, there were around twenty of us. It was so much more exciting since we all knew each other.And having this as my second time around, I was definitely more prepared. Nevertheless, it was still full of surprises--another truly awesome and memo-rable experience!
White water Rafting runs
1. Mambuaya-Kabula Run
This run starts at Sitio Aura in Bgy. Mambuya, the put-in point, and ends at Sitio Kabula,the take-out point, on the border of Bgy Lumbia and Bgy Bayanga. Covering about 12.32 kilometers,the run takes about 3 hours, including lunch and sidetrips.One sidetrip,taking about 10 minutes, is toTumilaong River which is already a part of Bukidnon. Here, the rafters get off the raft and cross the river (river-crossing) with arms locked to those beside them to counter the strong river current.
2. Ugyaban-Kabula Run
This run starts at Sitio Ugyaban in Bgy. Dansolihon where there are higher rapids along the course. It is considered the master's course and open for those who have done the basic Mambuaya-Kabula run. The run from Ugyaban-Mambuaya covers about 4 kilome-ters, making the whole stretch from Ugyaban to Kabula a total of kilometer run in hours, crossing 25 rapids of class II-IV.
3. Kabula-Taguanao Run
This is the main course for tubing e fondly called, Pinoy Rafting--another fo of white water rafting which uses inflat, tubes. This run covers 6.4 km with IN classes of rapids.Optional activities with Pinoy Rafti include a 30 feet bridgejump and a rock jump from the graduation Rock. Another option is to do a cliff rapel at the exit of the historic Makahambus cave.
All white water rafting adventure tour’s are run year round!
CAVING
This is technical caving which includes rapelling110 feet down to the entrance of the cave and exploration of an underground river. So, definitely expect to get wet as you will have to swim to be able to get to the exit of the cave!For bookings:Please call Gerome Garcia at (0919) 4043930.
Canopy Walk
This is a real high adventure for those who dare. Located in Mag-bais, Mat-i in the municipality of Claveria, Misamis Oriental about 40 kilometers from the city of Cagayan de Oro.
Before getting to the canopy walk proper, be ready to trek the slopes of the rainforest for at least 30 minutes, depending on your speed. At the Walk, you will be pulleyed up to a deck where you start The Walk through 6 hanging bridges that swing at least 100 feet above the ground. Enjoy your once-in-a-lifetime experience of being on top of the world with the birds and being close to Mother Nature.For bookings:Please call Gerome Garcia at (0919) 4043930.
MACAHAMBUS ADVENTURE PARK
An interesting stop before or after a white water rafting activity is the Macaha-mbus Adventure Park which opened on 28 December 2004. It is located in a 72-hectare forest reserve, 17 kilometers away from the city proper.
There are three activities that you can do in the park: skybridge,zip line and rapel. Before the activity, adventurers will have to wear the safety equipment such as a helmet and a safety harness which is attached to a safety line above the head.
SkybridgeSkybridge is a bridge with wooden planks and cable railings. It hangs over Maca-hambus Gorge which has a depth of approximately 150 feet.The bridge consists of 3 spans totaling 123 meters.: the first span is 51 meters; the second has 18 meters; while the third span has 54 meters.
Zip lineThe zip line has a 120 meter distance from the zip station to the starting deck.You zip through the distance in only 14-20 seconds, depending on your weight!
RapelThis activity starts at the 1 st deck --after the 1 st span of the skybridge-- from where the adventurer rapels down Macahambus Gorge.Cost: P300- skybridge and zip line; add P200 if including rapel
Contact: Chisum Factura of Sinkhole, Inc. at (088) 856-3972.
Golf Tour
Pueblo de Oro Golf CourseCagayan de Oro
Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club, operating since 1980, is conveniently lo-cated at the Pueblo de Oro Township, about 6 kilometers from the airport and 5 kilometers from the city center.
It is considered one of the top golf courses in the country with an18-hole, par 72, all-weather championship golf course designed by world-renowned golf course architect RobertTrent Jones ll. Its daunting natural ravines, especially its signature Eleventh and Thirteenth Holes are said to pose a challenging play to any golfer.
The golf course has played host to various tournaments such as the PAL Interclub, the Rotary international Foundation golf tournament, the Southern Ladies Club and Samsung Golf Tour. It has magnificent views of the mountains of Bukidnon with occacasional glimpses of Macajalar Bay from the back nine holes.
Del Monte Golf CourseCamp Philips, Bukidnon
Del Monte Golf and Country Club was built as early as 1928 right within the vast pineapple plantation. It offers a cool and scenic location about 620 meters above sea level and provides a good view of the Mt. Kitanglad range.
It has an 18-hole par 72 golf course with challenging, tree-lined fairways, man-made lakes, treacherous sand traps,fast and slow greens and a sloping front 9 con-sidered by golfers-pros and amateurs alike-as one of the most scenic and difficult courses in the country.
The golf course's first 9 holes were designed by the company's first general manager James McNeil Crawford while the second 9 by former Del Monte employee, and later 7-time Philippine Open Champion Celestino Tugot together with former Del Monte Executive George Richardson.
The location is at Cawayanon, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, approximately a 45 -minute drive from Cagayan de Oro.
The golf course has produced world -class champions such as Celestino Tugot and the famous Frankie Minoza who made the golf course his playground when he was still a child.
It has been the site of the country's most prestigious tournaments including the annual M ,u U . gion Tour ament since 1975, the Philippien Golf Circuit and the Philip Morris Open and the PAL interclub.
Camiguin
Camiguin, the smallest of region 10's provinces is a favorite tourist destination in the region popular among sun-lovers, divers and those who simply want to take a break from their busy lifestyle.
This pear-shaped island with a total land area of only 292 sq.km. offers visitors the simplicity and tranquility of a provincial destination with warm and honest people.
It 64-kilometer road circumference makes it easy for the tourist to tour the island during a weekend, covering its five municipalities of Mambajao,the capital town, Mahinog,Guinsiliban, Sagay, and Catarman and trying out its natural hot and cold springs nd beautiful, white sandy beaches.
Originally inhabited by Manobos from Surigao,this island still largely remains agricultural, producing mainly copra, rice, corn. Fishing is also major source of income.
Old Spanish documents indicate that the great explorers Ferdinand Magellan and Miguel Lopez de Legaspi landed in Camiguin in 1521 and 1565 respectively, but it was not until 1598 when the Spanish settlement was established in what later came to be Guinsiliban.The first major settlement of the Spanish era was Catarman which grew and prospered but was destroyed by the 871 Mt.Vulcan Daan.Today,what remains of this illustrious past are the ruins of the buried ancient Spanish church and convent located at the center of Catarman.
PLACES OF INTEREST
CATARMAN CHURCH RUINSLocated in Brgy. Bonbon, Catarman, these ruins of adobe walls, belfry and
convent that are testimonials to the devastating 1871 earthquake and volcanic eruption that wiped out the illustrious town of Catarman established earlier as a Spanish settlement in 1697.
CROSS MARKER AND SUNKEN CEMETERY The huge cross was installed to mark the community cemetery which sank during
WHITE ISLANDThis uninhabited small white sandbar, 2 kilometers off Agoho beach, is ideal for
swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling. From here, one could get a good view of Mt. HibokHibok and old Vulcan.
ARDENT HOT SPRINGLocated six kilometers southwest of Mambajao proper, this hot spa of the locality
is a natural pool of about 40 degrees centigrade coming from the bowels of Mt. Hibok Hibok.TAGUINES LAGOON
This man-made lagoon located in Benoni, Mahinog, is said to be the crescent of a sunken volcanic crater. It has a good seafood restaurant where one can go fishing for your meal in one of its fish pens.
OLD VULCANLocated 13 kms. west of Mambajao, this is the newest landmark for PANAAD, a
holy week activity, when devotees come to offer prayers and sacrifices while trekkinq around the island and up the 14 Stations of the Cross on the mountain.
STO NINO COLD SPRINGLocated four kilometers up Catarman town, this pool measures 25 meters by 40
meters. Its depth goes up to two meters deep of cold spring water sprouting from a sandy bottom. Picnic huts are available and one can ask some locals to cook your meal while you go for a refreshing swim.
KATIBAWASAN F FALLSLocated five kilometers southeast of Mambajao, this waterfalls Irops 250 feet
down to a pool surrounded by ground orchids, wild ferns,trees and boulders.Its cold water provides in ideal summer splash o bathers and picknickers.
How to get thereTake a public bus or van at Agora Terminal, Bgy. Lapasan in Cagayan de Oro for
Balingoan, 88 km. away from the city.Travel time is about 2 hours. If taking a private vehicle, travel time may take only about 1.5 hours. At Balingoan, take a ferry bound for either port in Camiguin: Benoni port in Mahinog or Guinsiliban port. Ferry ride takes about 1 hour. Boat fare is about P110, one way.
This 200-hectare park, a recipient of Galing Pook Award in 2005, serves as an aquacul- ture production center as weil as marine and wildlife sanctuary. It also has a Dolphin island, a recreational area off the mainland, where visitors can feed the dolphins, swim with the turtles and fishes and go snorkeling at the Giant Clam Garden.
Other activities include diving anc kayaking. Scuba, kayak, snorkeling gea and a glass bottom boat are available for rent.There are also dining and accommodation
facilities, and large meeting halls for meetings and seminars. For bookings: contact Janice Salvador at (0927) 2622756.
THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES OF NORTH-CENTRAL MINDANAO
Of the regions in the Philippines, Mindanao has the most number of indigenous ethnolinguistic groups. There are about 30 or more of such communities distributed throughout the island including the outlier islands-Basilan and the Sulu archipelago.The indigenous communities are distinguished from the migrant lowland settlers, who originally came from other regions of the archipelago such as the Bisayans, Ilocanos,Tagalogs, etc., for they are called the Lumad (native) since their ancestors had lived in Mindanao from time immemorial. They had occupied their welldefined ancestral domains and maintained their cultural traditions, values, patterns and practices.
In order to understand the peopling of Mindanao, specifically north-central region, we have to trace back to where the indigenous peoples came from in the distant past. According to archaeological studies,there were several movements of human population that came through Mindanao.The earliest were the ancestors of the Aetas and Mamanua, who came around 30,000 years ago.This was followed by groups of Austronesian speakers, believed to have originally come from South China and moved down through the Malay Peninsula, Indonesia, and reaching the shores of Mindanao on the southwestern region around 3,000 years ago. The earliest group of autronesian speakers that arrived was the Proto Manobo. Based on the linguistic studies of Richard Elkins,the Proto Manobo had the most variant speakers distributed throughout Mindanao and also the largest ethnolinguistic group.
It is believed that over time the Proto Manobo had dispersed throughout the island of Mindanao as they searched for resources and finally occupying different ecolo-gical zones-coastal, riverine, valley, and montane.The groups that went northward (northern variant) reached the Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin. They inhabited the mountains and plains of Bukidnon, and the coastal areas of Misamis Oriental and Camiguin. Today, they are known by different ethnic identity, but speaking the binukid language, namely the Higaonon who are living in the highlands of northern Bukidnon,Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin; theTalaandig are found in the municipalities of Lantapan and Talakag, Bukidnon. Other binukid speakers are also found in Agusandel Sur ( Esperanza, Las Nieves, San Luis [Banwaon]) and in the boundary of Agusan deI Sur and Bukidnon, specifically along the Umayam River.The sub-variant western Manobo peakers-Matigsalug,Tigwa, and Pulanginon,-are inhabiting along the SaIug,Tigwa, and Pulangi Rivers, respectively, and scattered throughout the municipalities in southern Bukidnon.
The speech patterns of these ethnic groups are variants or sub-languages of the Manobo linguistic stock.They share many common word cognates and thus could inte-lligibly understand each other. However, there are many terms/words that vary among their speech patterns in the vocabulary and intonations. Linguistics attribute this to the length of time of separation wherein they developed their own language gloss as they adapted to their particular environment and interacted with other ethnic groups including the lowland migrant settlers.
Culturally, these indigenous communities in north-central Mindanao share many commonalities in their subsistence patterns, social organization, political system, reli-gion and belief system, and the aesthetic preferences. However, many of these groups attempt to claim their own ethnic and tribal identity based on the nature of ecological zone and the name of the natural feature such as rivers or plateau, valley, etc. Each of these groups has its own history of origin, where they came from, but they share a common story-the epic of Aggio found in the Ulaging of the Talaandig and Higaonon and Ulahingan of the Manobo.This appears to be indicative of a common origin. More-over, each ethnic group developed over time their own unique ways different from their other "relatives; which may be functional to a particular group, but no longer worked for the others.
Today,there are supposedly seven "tribes"in north-central Mindanao-- Talaandig, Higaonon, Bukidnon, Matigsalug,Tigwahanon, Umayamnon,and Pulangihon-who were derived from the Proto-Manobo ancestors.
The North-Central Mindanao Indigenous Communities: Brief Cultural Description.
Higaonon. This group originally inhabited the coastal area of Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte. In the past they were engaged in fishing and horticulture (kaingin).When the Spanish established their hold of Misamis Ooriental, many were converted by the missionaries (Recollects and Jesuits) and became Christianized. However, many also left the coast and moved up to the mountains/uplands of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon because of their dislike of the Spanish occupation and the com-ing of the Dumagats from other parts of the archipelago.The people were thus named Higaonon because they came up from the coast (naghigad). Today, Higaonon commu-nities are distributed in the uplands of Misamis Oriental (from Magsaysay up to Lanao del Norte) and northern Bukidnon.
Talaandig/Bukidnon. The Talaandig/Bukidnon (people of the slope) communi-ties are distributed in southwestern part of Bukidnon, particularly the municipalities of Lantapan and Talakag, which are on the foothills of Mt. Kitanglad. The Talaandig used to occupy the plateaus of Bukidnon but retreated to the uplands of Mt. Kitanglad upon the exploitation of the plateau by the Spanish government for agriculture and ranching. But there were also many who were converted by the Spanish missionaries who went up to Bukidnon to convert the natives.The Christianized communities became the bulk of the population until the coming of the migrant settlers in the early 1900s.
Umayamnon. This ethnic community is a sub-group of the eastern Manobo speakers who inhabit along the Umayam River, a tributary of the Pulangi and links with the Agusan River. Their community is within the political jurisdiction of the municipality of Cabanglasan, which borders on to Agusan del Sur Province.
Matigsalug. The Matigsalug are a sub-group of the western Manobo speakers who are distributed along the Salug River, a tributary of the Pulangi River. They are mostly confined in the municipalities of San Fernando and Kitaotao, Bukidnon and spread up to Marilog district of Davao City.
Tigwahanon. The Tigwahanon are also western Manobo speakers like the Matigsalug, except that they lived along the Tigwa river, another tributary of the Pulangi River in the municipality of Valencia and northern part of San Fernando.
Pulanginon. This ethnic community also belongs to the western Manobo speak-ers who lived along the Pulangi River and Plateau in southern Bukidnon. They are largely distributed in the municipalities of Maramag, Quezon, Kadingilan, Pangantucan, Dangcagan,Kibawe,and Damulog.The cultures of these ethnic communities have similarities and differences. The similarities can be found in their way of production in the past and still is practiced by some of these groups who opted the traditional farming pattern, which is swidden cultivation/farming.They all used to hunt wild animals and fish in the rivers and forage the forest for edible plant foods.Today, many of these communities are engaged in lowland farming using the draft animals and planting lowland crops. Hunting and foraging is no longer a part of their lifestyle since they are now into domesticating animals.
Practices and BeliefsMarriage practices among these groups also have similarities in the past.
Generally the marriage pattern was by arrangement (buya) between two families even when the prospective groom and bride were still children. The groom's family was expected to prepare the bride-price/wealth to be given to the bride's family during the betrothal. Among some of these communities such as the Higaonon and Talaandig, before the wedding takes place,there was haggling or bargaining of bridewealth (carabao, money, sacks of rice, etc) between the relatives of the couple until such agreement was reached.The ceremony was always officiated by the chieftain (datu) or shaman (baylan), which was done by the couple feeding each other with a ball of rice, signifying union. Among all of these communities, feasting would follow. After the sacrife wedding, the new couple would reside with the bride's parents (matrilocal) or with the groom's family (patrilocal) for a year or so until they are able to build their own residence.Today, many of the young people from these communities follow the lowland ways of getting married, that is selecting their spouse and married in the church, although some of the communities still adhere to the traditional ways.
Polygyny (having more than one wife) or duay used to be practiced by those who could afford to support more than wife. Sometimes a wife may encourage a husband to get another wife to help her with the house and farm chores.The wife selects the woman for the husband and would help her husband in obtaining brideprice to be given to the family of the woman.The second wife lives in the same household with the first wife as the manager. Since many of the indigenous communities had been Christianized and educated, the duay system is hardly practiced, except for the older generation.
In the past these indigenous groups were animists who believed in nature spirits called diwata. They were perceived to dwell in different places such as the forest, mountains, rivers, trees, soil, and the sky. Their supreme deity was Magbabaya (Hi-gaonon and Talaandig) and Manama (Matigsalug and Tigwa) and the diwatas were his aides and guardians of the environment.These diwatas were believed to impose taboos on the people and should be careful not to breach them.They had to perform a ritual by offering a sacrifice (chicken or pig) to appease a diwata whose taboos were violated lest he would become sick. Thanksgiving is celebrated through the Kaamulan of the Higaonon and the Talaandig or the Kahimunan of the Manobo when someone becomes well from illness, or when giving thanks for post-conflict victory.The Baylan ((shaman),
who served as a medium between the diwatas and the people, performed most of the rituals for different occasions-during illness, planting and harvest, hunting and fishing, and settlement of conflict.
Today, many indigenous communities have been converted to different Christianfaiths and had abandoned their indigenous religion.The baylan has lost her/his function in the community and as the repository of traditional knowledge. However, there are still some members of these communities who persisted to follow their indigenous beliefs and practices or even when they are Christians they continued to believe in their traditional religion and blended or syncretized the two belief systems.
Political HierarchyThese indigenous communities have their own way of governance, which is
under the leadership of the Datu or Igbuyag (Matigsalug) and recognized by the Philipine government. In the past, the power of a Datu was encompassing for he served many functions: chief warrior, arbitrator/settler of intratribal conflict; he was assisted and guided by the council of elders. Under the Datu were his warriors called Bagani by the Manobo groups and Alimaong by the Talaandig and Higaonon.These warriors were believed to be protected by their own patron diwatas during warfare.
The Datu's leadership and authority today is mostly confined within his ancestral domain and his function is respected by the Philippine authority.The political structure had changed in that the warriors no longer exist, except in one Talaandig community of Sungco. The Datu and his council of elders are allowed to exercise their customary laws over concerns of their community. The Indigenous People's Rights Act (IPRA) has mandated for the indigenous communities to have rights to their ancestral domain, some of which have already been titled.
Arts and CraftsThe arts and crafts of these communities show some comparable similarities
especially in the woven crafts made into baskets, containers for different kinds of foodstuff. These are usually made of bamboo, rattan and tikos vine. In the past, they used to make their own tools for cutting, weeding, and for warfare; they had the knowledge of blacksmithing.The easy access to obtain blade implements in the market led to the stoppage of the practice of iron smithing.
Weaving is still practiced in these communities, done mostly by women, usinghemp/abaca fiber made into material purposely to make bags like the kamuyot of theTalaandig and Higaonon. It is believed though that they had cotton veaving in the distant past but was not preserved by the succeeding generation of women. The Matigsalug Manobo of upper Kalagangan, San Fernando composed of Simsimon, Dapiluan, and Malunasay settlements, still possess the knowledge of cotton weaving and preserved by the old women. It is imperative that this indigenous knowledge be transferred to the younger women for continuity of cultural heritage. Bead making is a common livelihood occupation among the women for they can sell these during the Kaamulan festival or during town fiesta.
Music and Dances
These ethnic communities have different musical instruments. The Higaonon and Talaandig share common types of instruments, such as the kubing, saluray, kudlong, agong, and gimba, which also are found among the Manobo groups. However, the Matigsalug Manobo has a unique instrument, the bangkakaw, which is a hollowed log slightly suspended on two wooden poles and pounded by players using the butt end of the poles to make a drum-like sound while men and women dance to the tune.
The communities have dances, though some differ from each other, yet there are similarities in others. Most of their dances depict occupational activities such as planting and harvesting, hunting, fishing or foraging; imitation of denizens in the forest, like the monkeys, frogs, birds, etc.; and cultural events such as warfare, marriage, religious beliefs. The Higaonon and Talaandig are famous for their dance called dugso, which isassociated with farming and danced only by the women. The Manobo groups, on the other hand, a couple-man and woman- sing and dance together, with the man playing the kudlong while the woman dances and sings to the tune of the kudlong.
These communities have preserved some of theiroral traditions, which are recited through chanting-olaging in the Talaandig and Higaonon, and ulahing among the Manobo. Men and women in these communities sing the limbay (lullaby) to their children; and the young men would sing the bayok (courtship song) to a young woman, the object of his admiration.The dasang (debate), which is recited by two men composing the issue to be debated upon is strong popular among some Higaonon groups, but no longer practiced by other Bukidnon and Manobo groups.
CULTURAL-HISTORICAL Destinations
Fuerte de la Conception y del Triunfo
This solid, rectangular fort, popularly known as "Triunfo"fort was built in 1756. It formed part of a network of fortifications in Mindanao, particularly, in Iligan, Cagayan, Tandag and Zamboanga.
The fort was constructed upon an elevated platform strategically located at the mouth of Panguil Bay. It was planned and constructed by Fr. Joseph Ducos,S.J.and Fr. Paver. Fr. Ducos was a Jesuit missionary who also had the title of Captain General as the leader of an armada that patrolled the Mindanao Sea against Muslim pirates. In one of the sea battles, Fr. Ducos lost one eye. He is the same man who had led the people of Iligan in a successful defense of their town against a Muslim raid.
The fort's name "Conception"referred to Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title of the Immaculate Conception while the "Triunfo"was in honor of Father Ducos's flagship in the armada, a galley called "Triunfo."
This fort, as in other forts, was a key instrument in the establishment of Christianity in the islands of the Philippines, from Luzon to Mindanao.
The Blessed Virgin Mary under her title of the immaculate Conception is the Patroness both of the fort and of the town of Misamis.
Her image on the wall continues to be a venerated shrine to which many people make a pilgrimage on July 16, to honor her as Virgin del Triunfo" or"Virgin sa Cota"(the"Virgin of t he fort").
In Spain, it is said that this date also marks the special commemoration of the "Triumph"of the Cross" in the Battle of Las Navas deTolosa of 1212, when the united Christian armies under the command of king (later Saint) Fernando of Castille defeated the Moors and drove them out of Andalucia, with only Granada remaining in Moorish hands.
HULUGA SITE COMPLEX:Its significance to the Culture History of Cagayan de Oro and Northern Mindanao
Mindanao Island has a place of importance in Philippine culture history for it served as a corridor for the early human populations in their movement from mainland Asia via a land bridge about 30,000 years ago. Over time later different human groups followed and occupied different ecological niches in the archipelago.The vestiges of their culture were imprinted on their material things (artifacts) interred in caves, or left embedded in ruined settlements and abandoned by time.
Archaeological sites,where past material culture are found,have been discovered in different regions of the Philippines including Mindanao, a few of which were investigated by the National Museum of the Philippines, but many of these sites were disturbed and destroyed by treasure seekers in search of Yamashita's gold. The de-struction of the sites has negative implication-the loss of the local cultural heritage of the region, which is the hubris of the country's patrimony.
Discovery of the Huluga Site ComplexIn 1969, a resident of sitio Tagwanao, Pedrito Baccaro reported to Fr. Francisco
R.Demetrio, S.J. of Xavier University about a cave, which he found on the cliff of a promontory about 100 feet above the waters of Cagayan River. He showed some of the artifacts from the cave and showed him the location. Fr. Demetrio, who had just opened a small museum, reported the site to the National Museum in Manila. The latter sent two archaeologists in 1971 to investigate the caves in the Himologan or Huluga vicinity and also conducted reconnaissance survey of other sites around the area.
The cave, which was of limestone material, when initially surveyed by the archaeologists revealed physical human remains (parts of a skeleton) such as the cranium and pieces of bone fragments from the upper and lower extremities. Associated with these remains were funerary goods, which included broken pieces of pottery, small stone adze, and shell ornament (armlet).The cave, apparently, was used as a burial place. About 100 meters away from the cave, part of the promontory lies the open site, which the archaeologists also investigated.The site was littered with potsherds and obsidian (volcanic glass) flakes and chips, and shards of porcelain. The presence of such material culture was indicative of human activities, i.e., people must have settled and inhabited the area.
In the summer of 1975, Fr. Demetrio had invited the writer, an archaeologist, to train some students of Xavier University who had organized an archaeological society, in field archaeology. Pedrito Baccaro reported another burial in the Huluga cliff a few meters away from the main cave. It was more of a hole on the cliff which contained skeletal remains (skull, arm and leg bones and some ribs) in association with funerary
goods such as a small broken pot, polished stone adze, tip of iron implement (knife or spear), shell ornaments, and a few carnelian beads. In 1977, a small bone sample was sent to the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at La Jolla, California to be dated through the amino acid racemization calibration to determine when the person had Iived.The result gave a date of 1,600 B.P. (Before the Present).
Included in the training was the exploratory excavation in the open site.Trenches and pits were layed out to determine deposition of material culture and also the horizon levels of occupation. Surface materials were systematically collected according to qua- drant (eg. NW, NE), which included potsherds, obsidian flakes, chert flakes, and porcelain shards.The open site was badly disturbed since it had been used as a farm and had been plowed many times over. Therefore, it was impossible to determine the stratification of occupation.
The presence of obsidian (volcanic glass) flakes/chips, some of which were worked, is an interesting phenomenon for northern Mindanao archaeology because it is only in Cagayan de Oro sites where obsidian had been found. Although volcanic activi-ties were quite obvious to have taken in these parts many thousands of years ago, it needs further intensive study to locate the source or provenance,which could be outside of Mindanao or the Philippines.
There had been further archaeological reconnaissance surveys conducted by the National Museum archaeologists around Cagayan de Oro City area and vicinities, specifically along the Cagayan River and plateaus in the 1980s, which revealed several archaeological sites, some of them were rockshelters and burials. Unfortunately, many of these have been destroyed by road construction, putting up housing subdivisions and other infrastructures, and by treasure hunters.
In 2003,the City of Cagayan de Oro constructed a road from Macasandig up to Tagwanao cutting the open site into half and built a bridge over Cagayan River con-necting to Barangay Balulang. While shifting through the debris of dirt, a member of the Heritage Conservation Advocate found a segment of a metal harpoon (iron) and a Spanish coin minted between 1788 and 1808 during the reign of Charles the 4th the king of Spain.
On the lower western slope of the open site lies the kitchen midden (garbage pile) where a good number of pottery shards with various designs and animals bones, both domesticated and feral, were uncovered. Different species of mollusks were also associated.The contents of the midden gave good information on the diet of the people. It is unfortunate, though, that the construction has destroyed the open site and the material culture therein.
Cultural Reconstruction of the Huluga Site Complex.From the archaeological finds in Huluga site complex, it can be inferred that Ca-
gayan de Oro was inhabited from prehistoric times (ca. 2000 years) up until the advent of the Recollect missionaries in 1622.The physical environment then around Huluga was believed to have been heavily forested and rich in biodiversity, which could have enticed early human populations to live in the area where they could hunt wild game and forage the forest for wild edible plants.The presence of pottery in the site assemblage could indicate that they had subsisted on food crops that were planted. It is
probable that they were engaged in simple horticulture through the slash-burn technique (kaingin) to clear areas to plant their crops.
Like many early prehistoric societies in other parts of the world, caves had served not only for habitation, but internment of the dead. In Huluga,the limestone caverns served that purpose wherein their dead were placed inside the caves along with their personal possessions/effects. This practice was common among many societies in the past, which had been interpreted by scholars to be related to the belief in life after death.
The water level of Cagayan River then was higher than it is now and abounded in aquatic life, including several varieties of fresh-water fish, mollusks, and edible plants that grow along the banks of the river. Because of the rich natural resource, Huluga area became a haven for human habitation. It was probably occupied in different time periods from the late Neolithic (new stone age) around 2000 years ago up until the onset of the Spanish regime in the Philippines. The earlier groups intermittently inhabited the area since they were more nomadic hunters and gatherers; but the later occupation seems to point a more semi- sedentary life to more sedentary station, wherein houses were permanently built. It is highly probable that the open site was occupied in different periods by different groups of people.
It is also evident that the inhabitants in the open site manufactured pottery of varied forms and types, such as cooking pots,jars, and dishes.Although the obsidian flakes and chips were found intermixed with the pottery materials, however, it does not necessarily mean that the bearers of obsidian materials were contemporaneous with the pottery making people; they could be older. Moreover, the great bulk of pottery shards collected from the open site could attest to the presence of a community, a settlement or village, not merely as a camping site as contended by a group who conducted an excavation in the open site two years ago.
Where is Himologan Village?One of the crucial questions frequently asked: Is Huluga site complex linked to
the existence of the earliest settlement called Himologan as cited in the oral history of Cagayan de Oro? In the account of the Recollect missionaries who visited Himologan in 1622,they related that the place was a steep inaccessible rock along the Cagaiang River (where the name Cagayan was perhaps derived). It had no way of approach or mode of ascent but ladders made of rattan and was fortified and protected. Himologan was under the leadership of Salangsang with five hundred followers. The account continues on to tell that the site was perched on top (of the promontory) with a large house resembling a cloister (a long house) where many families dwell. In the middle of the place was a structure called diwatahan, a house of worship. (Blair and Robertson, The Philippine Islands:The Early Recollect Mission. 1624,Vol.21).
Moreover, according to the oral history of the Cagayanos that the place was also called Huluga, another derivative term from Himologan because of the trees that were felled or cut were dropped into the river to be carried by the current down to the mouth of Cagayan River.The activity of cutting down trees was on going during the Spanish regime when timber were needed to build ships and even for residences in the village of Cagayan de Oro.
The beginning of Cagayan de Oro is not merely based on myth or legend It is supported by historical accounts and attested by the presence of archaeological eviden-ces in the open sites. Himologan tells the ethnohistory of the Cagayan de Oro City-its origin, peoples, events, and cultural development. Its destruction also meant the loss of the cultural heritage of the Cagayanos.
In 2001, the National Museum declared 26 Spanish colonial-era churches in the country as "National Cultural Treasures. Of the twenty-six, 'wo are found in Mindanao. One is the church of San Juan de Bautista in Jimenez, Misamis Occidental built by the Recollects and the other one is the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental built by the Jesuits.
These churches, constructed prior to 1898, were both found to have kept intact much of their church complex (church, convento, church yard), preserved much of their pre-1898 interiors including furnishings and even ambience; and their respective architecture and chosen locations were representative of some artistic style of the origi-nal church-building orders, such as the Recollects and the Jesuits in Mindanao.
Church of San Juan de Bautista
This church, located on high grounds, was said to have been built in 1862 by the Re-collects headed by Fr. Roque Azcona. Other priests who succeeded him and continued the building were Fr. Jose Abad in 1886 and Fr. Constancio Asencio in 1891.Fr. Asen- cio was the parish priest until 1898 and it was said that it was during his term that beau-tiful icons and painting works were done on the ceiling, that the imposing 19-meter high bell tower with a clock was built, and that the most beautiful ornaments, including the pipe organ which arrived from Spain in 1894, were received.
A tremor sometime in 1976 was said to have damaged the church causing some major repairs to be done until 1977.The exterior walls, except the front wall, were reinforced by adding a layer of hollow blocks and cement plaster. Potico openings were braced with reinforced concrete.
In 1995, the bell tower base, formerly the baptistery, was renovated and converted into a chapel for St.Jude.
In 2002,the nave and chancel ceiling paintings on canvass were restored by the National Museum.
Church of the Immaculate Conception
This church was built in the latter part of the 19th century by the Jesuits. The church complex is located on high grounds near the sea. Its old convent found on its right side is still being used as a convent. Recorded renovations start in the 1950's when portions of the chancel and central aisle floor was replaced by granolithic marble finish and cement tiles.
In the 1980's up to the 1990's, renovations in the exterior and interior parts were made. Included here was that of the wooden pediment of the facade which was replaced by a concrete wall.The bell tower walls were covered by galvanized iron sheets and concrete plaster.
The grill-covered windows - each opening is 1.20 m. wide and 2.45 m high, and is 1.63 m above the nave floor level.The church's facade.
Old Houses
Old houses, dating back to the Spanish and American period still exist in various municipalities or cities.
These houses, are usually a two-storey rectangular building with a balcony or a balcon from where one can watch processions or parades passing the street.
Some of these houses follow the style of bahay na bato, or "house of stone" which is made of stone and wood. This style, an improved version of the bahay kubo in terms of materials and space allocation, is also labeled a Spanish style house displaying influences Spanish art such as tiled roof, wooden spindles, iron grills and latticed upper wall above the window transom.
Festivals
KAAMULAN FESTIVAL, Bukidnon Every 1st Saturday of March Kaamulan is an indigenous term for "gathering"-whether for a datuship ritual, a wedding ceremony, a thanksgiving festival during harvest time or a peace pact. In November 1977, the provincial government spearheaded the annual celebration of Kaamulan Fes-tival which includes a street parade participated in by various indigenous communities, a trade fair, and a rodeo. Main venue for the celebration is at the Kaamulan Park located at the back of the Provincial Capitol.
KAGAY-AN FESTIVAL, Cagayan de Oro3rd or 4th week of August (28th of August Feast of St. Augustine)
This festival is celebrated in honor of St. Augustine, the patron saint of the city. The celebration starts around the 3rd week of the month of August.There are trade fair events at the Capitol Grounds like "salo-tabo"where different producers from the province gather to sell their agricultural products; river festivities such as long boat race, white water rafting competition, and a fluvial parade, dubbed"Sakay-sakay sa Lambago"and a food festival called "Kumbira." Highlights of the festival are street dancing and the Search for Ms. Kagay-an Tourism.
KALIGA FESTIVAL, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental 23 July
This is a thanksgiving festival with a street dancing performance to celebrate the city's charter day every 23rd of July. Activities include the Search for Binibining Gingoog Tourism, skim boarding competition and annual mountaineering climb of Mt. Lumot in Bgy. Lunotan
LANZONES FESTIVAL, Camiguin
Every 3rd week of OctoberThis is to celebrate the bountiful harvest of lanzones, locally called,"buahan "
which is said to be sweetest in Camiguin. Highlights of the festival include an agrifair, streetdancing contest displaying traditional dances and ethnic costumes.
VIVA SENOR SAN MIGUEL29 September, Iligan City
This feast is held to honor, the city's patron saint, St. Michael the Archangel.The feast has three parts:
1) Pagpakanaug, held every 20th of Sept at 8 a.m.This is the ritual transfer of the statue of St. Michael from the main altar to the side altar for his bath and change of clothes.
2) Its dance parade called Kasadya Festival, a dance parade usually held on the 27th of September.
3) Comedia de San Miguel or Yawa-yawa,the Iliganon term for this indigenous stage play said to date back to 1890.This play focuses on the conflict between St. Michael the Archangel and Lucifer.
SAGAYAN FESTIVAL, Tubod, Lanao del Norte July 4,Tubod: Started in 1992 and held during the Araw ng Lanao del Norte and
participated in by all municipalities of the province. A cultural centerpiece is a colorful and spectacular Maranao war dance depicting the Maranao - Maguindanao epic "Darangen"(Datu Bantugan and BaeLawanen).
CHRISTMAS LANTERN FESTIVAL, Tangub City, Misamis Occidental
The whole month of December sees a colorful display of huge Christmas lanterns in this city. People from far places come to witness this unique lantern festival.
Pasalubong Shopping
There is a wide array of choices for pasalubong available in the region.Try the various hams Cagayan de Oro is known for: Pines (Montalban St.), Oro
Ham (Corrales St.) or SLERS (Velez cor del Pilar Sts.).Or visit Vjandep Bakeshop (Tiano St.) which sells its famous pastel of Camiguin,
a soft dough coffee bun, which comes in various flavors like "yema,"durian, mango, andpineapple. Also available in this store are products of Iligan like Cheding's greaseless peanuts and Iligan's famous "Pinakurat"vinegar of different flavors, from sweet to spicy and cashew nuts of Lumbia and Soling's Piniato, peanut brittle made of high-grade peanut, honey and sugar.
Salay handmade paper is available in a shop along Pabayo St., Cagayan de Oro, contact (088) 858-7517.
In Cogon market in Cagayan de Oro or in Jolo Barter Trade in Iligan City, one can buy Muslim wears widely used in Mindanao, such as "tubao"or headcloth and the"malong"ortubeskirt. A"malong"may be used for everyday wear or for ceremonial and
gala occasions (e.g., the "landap"and the "andon" which are intricately designed). The malong and tubao usually come in colorful, checkered or geometric design.
In various malls such as Gaisano Mall (Corrales St.), Lumad shop in Ororama (Lapasan), Limketkai Mall (Limketkai Center) and SM Mall (Masterson's Ave.) in Cagayan e Oro, one can buy t-shirts, bags, caps and shorts and other souvenir items.
At the fruit stand, one can buy varied fruits of the season like mangoes,"rambutan,"durian,"marang,"mangosteen, sweet lanzones from Camiguin.
In Bukidnon,ZetaTrading sells local handicrafts.In Misamis Occidental, especially in Tangub, as well as in Lanao del Norte, crabs
are aplenty and people usually bring home pails of this as pasalubong. Seafood, like dried fish-is also widely available in public markets.
Also, a popular choice is the lechon, of the wild boar type Iligan or just the regular type but just as popular from Cagayan de Oro, like Anon's, Poldo's to name only two.
From Camiguin, bring home packs of Maestrado Tablea, a uniquely-shaped cocoa tablet molded out of freshly-ground cocoa beans (contact Pura M. Maano at (088) 87003) and La Salud Turrones de Mani, homemade peanut candies wrapped.
Tour Packages
CAGAYAN de ORO CITY TOUR w/ MAKAHAMBUS Cave & Gorge Tour Code: CCT
• HULUGA OPEN SITE/CAVES . GARDENS OF MALASAG• UPTOWN CAGAYAN . SHOPPINGS• ORO GARDENS . MUSEUM VISIT• SAN AGUSTIN CATHEDRAL . OSTRICH AND CROCRODILE FARM• PLAZA DIVISORIA
inclusions: Roundtrip a/c transfers, ent. fees, tour guide, lunch Duration: half-day; pick-up: 8 a.m.cost/person: P3,000 (2-3); P2,500 (4 and up)
ILIGAN DAYTOUR Tour Code: IDT • MARIA CRISTINA FALLS
• TINAGO FALLS• TIMOGA SPRINGS• MACARAEG ANCESTRAL HOME
Inclusions: Roundtrip a/c transfers, entrance fees, tour guide, lunch Duration: full day; pick-up: 9 a.m.Cost/person: P3,000 (2-3); P2,500 (4 and up)
BUKIDNON COUNTRYSIDE TOURw/ DEL MONTE PINEAPPLE PLANTATION
Tour Code: BDT• MANGIMA CANYONS • KAAMULAN PARK• MONASTERY of the TRANSFIGURATION
Inclusions: Roundtrip a/c transfers, entrance fees, tour guide, lunch Duration: full day; pick-up: 8 a.m.Cost/person: P3,500 (2-3); P3,000 (4 and up)
SUN, SAND & SEA DAYTOURswim, sunbathe, feed the fishes, snorkel! Tour Code: SDT
Inclusions:Roundtrip a/c transfers from Cgy de Oro, entrance fees, tour guide, lunch Duration: full day; pick-up: 8 a.m.Cost/person: P3,000 (2-3); P2,500 (4 and up)
SIGHTS & CULTURE A TOUR of REGION 10 Tour Code. GT-101 (Min. 10)
This is a specially designed tour for those who want to experience firsthand the different cultures of Northern Mindanao, visiting ALL FIVE provinces in the region, seeing the spectular sights, tasting the people's local cuisine, and interacting with the local people.
CAMIGUIN ..."the island of your imagination"Tour Code. CIT
• KATIBAWASAN FALLS• CROSS MARKER & SUNKEN CEMETERY • CATARMAN CHURCH RUINS• STO. NINO COLD SPRING • ARDENT HOT SPRING• WHITE ISLAND
Inclusions: Two nights aircon accom. in an "AA"resort, roundtrip (rt) land & sea transfers from Cagayan de Oro, (rt) land transfers to resort from Camiguin port, daily breakfast, CAMIGUIN Tour w/ lunch, inclusive of transfers, local guide, entrance fees, government taxes and barangay fees. Plus, HOP to WHITE ISLAND wl 1 roundtrip boat transfers.
Go for Pure AdventureWhite Water Rafting + Canopy Walk Tour Code: PAD
Inclusions: Two nights aircon accom., roundtrip airport transfers, daily breakfast, White Water Rafting Adventure with lunch with jeepney transfers, safety gears and equipment, river guides, and bgy fees + Canopy Walk Adventure with lunch, van transfers, harness and other safety equipment, mountain guides, bgy fees. Assemble at pick-up point for
WWR: Plaza Divisoria, in front of McDonalds, approx. 7:30-8a.m. Pick-up at hotel for Canopy Walk Adventure. Important: MUST arrive Cagayan by 7 a.m. or add one night.
Canopy Walk is a high adventure that includes a forest trek ... a "swing for life"... and a walk through a hanging bridge about 100 feet high ...
The COTA and AQUAFUN Plus!Tour code: OAT
Inclusions: Roundtrip land and sea transfers from Cagayan De Oro, two (2) nights hotel accommodation, daily breakfast, historical and pilgrimage tour with seafood lunch, a day tour at the marine park with lunch, services of a guide and entrance fees.Cost/person : P9,950 (min. 2-3) P8,950 (min. 4-up) Option: Dapitan+DakakTour
THE PIPE ORGANof IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHEDRAL FORT of NUESTRA SENORA del TRIUNFO de la CRUZ MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL AQUAMARINE PARK
TOURISM DIRECTORY & Ad Index
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITYAccommodation, Dining, & Others
Barkadahan Grill (088) 8568484Bigby’s Quality Food Corp. Dolores-Veles-Sts. (088) 8575511Blueberry Café Velez st. (08822) 725291Bonair Inn Pres. Sergio Osmena st. (08822) 728735Bo’s Coffee Veles St. (088) 8553999Café Laguna Limketkai Center (088) 8582999Cagayan Pakview Hotel Tirso-Neri St. (08822) 726656Cagayan River View Inn Vamenta Blvd., Carmen (08822) 729039Casa Crystalla Pabayo – Chavez Sts. (08822) 722465Casa Luciana Guest House Sgt. A. Velez St., Mabulay Subd. (088) 8561580Chali Beach Resort and Conference Center Old Road, Cugman (088) 8552108Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Resort Baloy (088) 8552702Coffee Wats Limketkai Center (088) 8562240Consuelo Steakhouse Corrales Avenue, (088) 8561353Country Village Hotel Villarin Sts., Carmen (088) 8583004Countryside Steakhouse Limketkai Center (08822) 728953Covadongga Retreat House Upper Macasandig (08822) 724324Cucina de Oro Limketkai Drive, LapasanDEAR MANOK Tiano – Akut St. (088) 8564914De Luxe Hotel Capt. Vicente Roa St. (08822) 726527Demiren Hotel Tiano – Kalambaguhan St. (088) 8561398Discovery Hotel and Restaurant Osmena-Florentino St., Limketkai Dr. (08822) 727814Dynasty Court Hotel Tiano Bros. cor. Hayes Sts. (08822) 724516
FEM’S VINES PENSION HOUSE Aguinaldo St., cor. Yacapin St. (08822) 724582Fiesta sa Balsa Sugbahan Akut – Tiano Bros. St. (088) 8565149Fort santiago Pension House 2nd-19th St., Nazareth (08822) 729606Gardenia Guest House Biasong Tinib Road, Macasandig (088) 8572157Gardens of Malasag Eco-tourism Village Malasag, Cugman (088) 8556183Golden Ajirang (Korean Restaurant) C.M. Recto Avenue, (08822) 727876Goodnews Traveller’s Inn Capt. Vicente Roa St. (08822) 728244Grand Caprice Restaurant Limketkai Center (08822) 726955Grand City Hotel A. Veles St. (08822) 723551Green Haven Vegetarian Rest. LKK Center (08822) 724862Harbor Lights Hotel & Restaurant Old Road, Gusa (08822) 724878HOTEL CONCHITA Guillermo-Yacapin Extensiopn Sts. (08822) 727355
(088) 856 3856Hotel Koresko Pueblo de Oro Golf Estates (088) 8592299Hotel Ramon T.Neri – Burgos St. (08822) 724738Inilog Grill Veles St. (08822) 724846King William Inn Cruz Taal cor. Burgos Sts. (08822) 712888Kagay-anon Restaurant Limketkai Center (088) 8563843La Mar Inn J.R. Borja cor. Don A Veles Sts. (08822) 723474La Tegula Cucina 80 Hayes St. (088) 8572137Lexis Grill Tiano-Makahambus St. (08822) 714406 Mallberry Suites Florentino St. (08822) 724999Marco Hotel Alwana Business Park, Cugman (088) 8552198MASS-SPECC Hostel Tiano-Pacana St. (088) 8562340Maxandrea Hotel J.R. Borja cor. Aguinaldo st. (08822) 721029Middleton Apartelle Max Suniel St., Carmen (08822) 723665MINDY’S CDO Yacapin cor. A. Veles St. (08822) 720698Mountain Suite Business Apartelle Kimwa Compound, Baloy (088) 8551724Nature’s Pensionne T. Chaves St. (088) 8572274Oriental Garden Restaurant A. Veles- Makahambus St. (088) 8561813Oro Renaissance Kauswagan Nat’l H’way (08822) 724851Park Café Plaza Divisoria (088) 8564444Pearlmont Inn Limketkai Drive (08822) 728913Philtown Hotel A. Veles-Makahambus Sts. (08822) 726295Pizza d’ Amore Limketkai Center (088) 8567333Pips and Soy Diner 25 Tiano-Nacalaban St. (08822) 723161Pjoe’s Diner Limketkai Center (088) 8565555Pryce Plaza Hotel Carmen Hill (08822) 722791Queensland 7 Kauswagan National Highway, (08822) 738122Ramen Tei LKK Center (088) 8566222Reyna del Rio Floating Restaurant Burgos-Chaves Sts. (08822) 714264Ridgeview Chalets Airport Rd, Xavier Estates, Up. Balulang (088) 8587930Sentro Veles st. (08822) 721850Southwinds Hotel Capt. Vicente Roa Ext. (08822) 727623Sunshine Christian Guest House Mabulay subd. (08822) 723053Tapsi Time & Charlie Chan A. Velez-Makahambus St. (08822) 723551The Bam Rizal-Hayes St. (088) 8575009TOURMAKERS PHILS., INC. 57 R.N. Abejuela St., Plaza Divisoria (08822) 710185
(088) 8581448VIP Hotel Apolinar Velez cor. Pacana Sts. (08822) 726082Vienna Kaffehaus Don Apolinar Velez St. (088) 8576171Victoria’s Grill Pride Rock Business Park, Gusa (088) 8585169Young Men Christian Asso. (YMCA) Julio Pacana St. (088) 8569624
GINGOOG CITY
Accommodation & Dining
COMPANY NAME ADDRESS TEL. NO.
A & E RESTAURANT R.BaolSt.,Gingoog City (08842)7275ARTURO S. LUGOD GYMNASIUM Dugenio.St.,Gingoog City (08842)7260CENTURY PENSION HOUSE CV Lugod St., Gingoog City (08842)7834CITY HALL PENTHOUSE City Hall, Gingoog City (08842)7260CORRE'S APARTELLE Paz Village, Gingoog City (08842)7244D’NEW DEBONAIRE Rizal-Condeza Sts.,Gingoog City (08842)7724Eastland Restaurant Mountain air Hotel Gingoog City (08842) 7999GINGOOG MOUNTAIN AIR HOTEL Dona GraciaSt.,GingoogCity (08842) 7999GRAHE SIDEWALK GRILL Guanzon-Condez Sts.,Gingoog City (088) 8611080LARRY'S National Highway, Gingoog City (08842)7296LITTLE MANSION LODGE Lugod St., Gingoog City (08842) 7409MANSION BY THE SEA Rodriguez-Lugod Sts., Gingoog City (08842) 7409New Lane Restaurant Nat’l Highway (08842) 7246ONWARD INN Nat’l Highway, Gingoog City (08842)7773Sentro Music Lounge Nat’l Highway (08842)7527
MISAMIS ORIENTALAccommodation & Dining
COMPANY NAME ADDRESS TEL. NO.
BASAMANGGAS RESORT Kimaya,Jasaan (08822)760564Duka Bay Resort and Restaurant Medina (08822)722528Lauremar Hotel Opol (08822)735411LIYANG BEACH Jasaan (0921)7477333LIYANG HEIGHTS Jasaan (0921)7477333MANTANGALE ALIBUAG DIVE RESORT Balingoan (08822) 720707Tabing Dagat Restaurant Opol (08822)724488
Asian Tourist Inn Parojinog cor. Capistrano, Ozamis City (088)5211424Beb’sPalace Barangay 3, Tangub City (088)3953045Cebuano Lodge Mabini Ext., Ozamis City (088)5211704Century Pension House Independence St., Oroquieta City (088)5311225Chopstick RestoBar Independence St., Oroquieta City (088)5311225Country Lodge Ledesma Ext. Annex, Ozamis City (088)5210472Dad’s Pension House Las Aguada’s St., Ozamis City (088)5212058Dajao Lodge Pastrano St., Poblacion Oroquieta City (0910)6030492Daminar Riverside Garden Villaflor, Oroquieta (088)5311998DDC Noodle House Pastrano St., Oroquieta City (0906)9130071Dikyu's then Baboy Fastfood Haus (0921)8122768D’Palace Banadero, Ozamis City (0920)5461683Emily's Lodge Lower Langcagan, Oroquieta City (088)5311505Emerald Pension Abanil St., Ozamis City (088)5214636Executive Hotel Gallardo St. cor.Cebedo St. Ozamis City (088)5210360Kamayan sa Oro Pastrano St., Oroquieta City (088)5310155Irene’s Lodge Parajinog cor. Burgos St. Ozamis City (088)5212444Johann’s Cuisine Don Anselmo Bernard St., Ozamis City (088)5214351Minerva Tourism Inn Washington St., Ozamis City (088)5210065Naomi’s Tourist Inn Banadero, Ozamis City (088)5212441Palace Hotel Valconcha St., Ozamis City (088)5210573Plaza Beatriz Hotel Port Road, Ozamis City (088)5211394Rhapsody Inn Layawan, Oroquieta City (088)5311594Rosales Traveller’s Lodge Ledesma Ext., Ozamis City (088)5210359ROYAL GARDEN HOTEL Burgos cor. Zamora St. (088)5212888Rhovic’s Place Hotel and Restaurant City Plaza Blvd., Oroquieta City (0918)5801906Sheena’s Inn Barrientos St.cor.Del Pilar.,Oroquieta City (088)5311158Tatine’s Food House Independence St., Oroquieta City (088)531-131Tatong’s Beach Resort and Restaurant San Vicente Bajo, Oroquieta City (0919)2457305Triple K Barangay 3, Tangub City (088)3953149
LANAO DEL NORTEAccommodation & Dining
COMPANY NAME ADDRESS TEL. NO.
Alson's Palace Maranding, Lala (063)3887142AUNTIE MANNIE'S PLACE Tubod (063)3415126Auntie Manies Place Poblacion,Tubod (063)3414003BAROY FARMERS TRAINING CENTER (BFTC) Bagong Dawis, Baroy (036)3736398Bebeth's Casserole Crossing Baroy (063)4980179Calao Beach Resort Maigo (0920)3560208Dimavivas Residence Poblacion,Kapatagan (063)3828020Duhaylungsod Residence Poblacion, Kapatagan (063)4970082Farmer'sTraining Center Bag-ong Dawi, Baroy (063)3416398Hyksos & Dreams Maranding, Lala (0920)3655062JULTIRS LODGE Tubod (063)3415131Mindanao Civic Center Sagadan, Tubod (063)3415471MOFECC Catering Baroy (063)3736398Polka Dots Marauding, Lala (063)3887140Quirong Residence Poblacion,Tubod (063)3415990
Rianas Snack and Catering Services Tubod (063)3415557Xenus Pensionne House Poblacion, Tubod (063)3415471
ILIGAN CITYAccommodation & Dining
COMPANY NAME ADDRESS TEL.NO.
Cafe Hermoso Tino Badelles St., Ext. (063)2213675Casa Palmera Lluch Park, Pala-o (063)2212014Casa. Royale Tino Badellies St. (063)2213324Cheding Peanuts SabayleSt. (063)2215164Cheradel's Suite Bro. Jeffrey Road (063)2238118Corporate Inn Isabel Village (063)2214456Crystal Inn Tibanga Highway (063)2212779Elena Tower Inn Tibanga Highway (063)2215995Esmeralda Isabel Village (063)2213065Famous Pension House Brgy. San Miguel (063)2254780Farrah Hotel Sabayle St. (063)2216985Fleckstone Inn Tibanga Highway (063)221-927Jalexis Inn Cors. Juan Luna And Zamora St. (063)2238907Josefa’s Guesthouse Seminary Road, Pala-O (063)221813Jy Dimsum Gen. Aguinaldo St. (063)2213654Kingway Inn Tibanga (063)2233937Maria Cristina Hotel Gen. Aguilnaldo St. (063)2215308Maria Cristina Lounge Gen. Aguinaldo St. (063) 2215309Patio Alejandra San Miguel St. (063)2212754Rene’s Pension House Mahayahay (063)2213701Sunburst Fixed Chicken House T. Badelles St., Mahayahay (063) 2213401The Guesthouse Brgy. San Miguel (063)2217013Tip- Top Restaurant Torralba St. (063)2217653Tom's Diner De Leon St. (063)2238270Zoey Café Gen. Aguinaldo St. (063)2212876
BUKIDNONAccommodation & Dinning
COMPANY NAME ADDRESS TEL. NO.
BOONDOCKS TRAVEL AND TOURS G. Lavina Ave., Valencia City (088)8284288Chardy’s Seafood And Grill M. Fortich St,,Valencia City (088)8284098Dotz Lodge Valencia City, Bukidnon (088)8284146DRV TRAVEL AND TOURS Plaza Villahermosa Bldg., Valencia City (088) 8284184G & H Pension House Purok 7, M. Fortich St., Valencia City (088)8281292Halfway House Dalirig, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon (0915)4546022Haus Malibu Bonifacio Drive cor.Comesio St.Malabalay(088)2212714Hotel Valencia Hagkol, Valencia City (088)2222442Imee’s Lodge Valencia City (088)8280472Jocel’s Fastfood and Garden Pob. Valencia City, Bukidnon (088)8281247Kusina sa Valencia P-13 Hagkol, Valencia City, Bukidnon (088)8284150MGM MOUNTAIN SPRING RESORT Dologon, Maramag (0920)4225611Website: www.mgmmountainresort.comMindy’s Malaybalay City, Bukidnon (088)8281151Mindy’s Valencia City, Bukidnon (088)8133893
Plaza View Tourist Inn Malaybalay City, Bukidnon (088)2212503Pine Hills Hotel P&T Town Center, Fortich St., Malaybalay (088)2213211 Royal Hotel G. Lavena Ave., Guinoyuran Rd. Valencia(088)8283490Small World Travels Inn Rizal St., Malaybalay (088)8131206Taipan Restaurant Hagkol, Valencia City (088)8282007Villa Alemania Moreno St., Fortich cor., Malaybalay (088)8132301Waig Crystal Spring Resort Purok 8-A, North Poblacion, Maramag (088)3561111
(0921)2086304
Important Tourism – Related OfficesCagayan de Oro City
Department of Tourism – 10 Gregorio Pelaez Sports Center Tel/fax:(08822)Veles St., Cagayan de Oro 7263947/
723696,(088)86-4048
Philippine Tourism Authority Gardens of Malasag Eco-tourism Village(088)855-6183
Department of Foreign Affairs Geleng Bldg., Lapasan (08822)726578 724309
Bureau of Immigration and Deportation Osmena St. infront of (Gordiel AutoParts)(08822)726517
City Tourism OfficesCagayan de Oro City (088)8573164Gingoog City (088)8614219
(088)4427509Iligan City (063)2214342Malaybalay City (088)2212267Valencia City (088)8282015Ozamis City (088)5210270Oroquieta City (088)5311516Tangub City (088)3951591
Provincial OfficesTourismBukidnon (088)2213272Camiguin (088)3871091Lanao dal None (063)3415467Misamis Occidental (088)5311419
Misamis Oriental (08822)727275 (08822)729995
Source: GO 10 TRAVEL GUIDE AND TOURISM DIRECTORY FOR REGION 10, published by Tourmakers, Philippines, 2007
