| Misamis Oriental |
Capital: Cagayan de Oro No. of towns: 26 Land area: 3,570.1 sq. km. Location. Located in the northern portion of the island of Mindanao. The province Misamis Oriental is bounded on the north by the Mindanao Sea, on the west by Iligan Bay, on the south by the province of Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte, and on the east by the province of Agusan del Norte. Brief history. Misamis Oriental used to be a part of Cebu. In 1818, it became a "conregimento" comprised of 4 "partidos" or divisions; namely, Partido de MIsamis, Partido de Dapitan, Partido de Cagayan and Partido de Catarman. During the latter part of the 19th century, Misamis was one of the 6 districts of Mindanao, and later, one of the seven districts in Mindanao and Sulu at the close of the Spanish era with Cagayan de Misamis, now Cagayan de Oro, as its capital. When it was still a part of the district of Cebu, there were 12 Spaniards and 9 Filipinos who successively served as "governadore" with Mayor Carabello as the first governor in 1874. Legislative Act. No. 3537, approved in November 2, 1929, divided the province of Misamis into two provinces due to the lack of geographical contiguity: Misamis Oriental and Misamis Occidental. However, it was not until 10 years later that the division was implemented by an amendment, Act. No. 3777, adopted on November 28,1939. When Misamis Oriental became a separate province, Don Gregorio Pelaez was its first Governor. Since then, there were 14 past governors who were elected and appointed by operation of law. The earliest known settlers of the territory were the Negritoes. Centuries later, Malay colonists with Mongoloid features, fought the natives for the control of the rich Cagayan River coastal plains. The struggle for possession has finally won the native Visayans over the Bukidnons. In the 1500´s most of the Mindanao area had fallen under the Muslim and the inhabitants were converted into Islam. As part of Mindanao, the people of the territory were obliged to pay tribute to the Muslim rule. Political Subdivisions. The province is one of the twenty two provinces of Mindanao. It has 2 cities, Cagayan de Oro and Gingoog, and 24 municipalities. The eastern portion comprises the municipalities of Tagoloan, Villanueva, Claveria, Jasaan, Balingasag, Salay, Lagonglong, Binuangan, Sugbongcogon, Kinoguitan, Balingoan, Talisayan, Medina and Magsaysay. The western municipalities are: Opol, El Salvador, Alubijid, Laguindingin, Gitagum, Libertad, Initao, Naawan, Manticao and Lugait. Cagayan de Oro is the capital of the province and the regional center of Northern Mindanao. The farthest municipality from the provincial capital is Magsaysay having a distance of 151.94 kms. 339 barangays comprise the 24 municipalities. Climate and Rainfall. The 2 types of climate exist in the province based on rainfall, distribution, the second and the third types. The second type which occurs in the towns of Kinoguitan and Magsaysay is with no dry season and has a very pronounced maximum rainfall from November to January. The third type is relatively dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year. This climate occurs in the central and western part of the province from Sugbongcogon to Lugait. The climate is generally pleasant having warm days and cooler nights. The month of September recieves the heaviest rainfall registering 18 mm for 25 years average. The annual average rainfall of the province is 5.35 inches or about 16.78 days rain. The province is exposed to about 7% of the typoons frequenting our coutry. Dialects. Dialects spoken in the province are Cebuano, Tagalog, Hiligaynon (Ilongo), Maranao, Lineyte-Samarnon (Waray) Major Industries. Its people depend on both the sea and the coastal areas for their livelihood. Fishing is an important industry, while coconuts, corn, coffee and bananas are major crops. From the mountain ranges comes the mining concessions that have only been recently exploited to the maximum. The mineral wealth of the province has led to more than just economic wealth. Points of Interest. Initao Cave. Located at Tubigan, Initao, 4 kms. from the poblacion, where you can find an unsual species of bats with cauli-flower-like noses, the only one in the country and perhaps, uninque in the whole world. Cueva Con Agua. Located in Laguindingan. Features include water dripping from the cave roof, just 4 kms. from poblacion and less than an hour from Cagayan de Oro. Punta Diwata. Consists of 13 caves lying in the eastern tip of the province, in the Municipality of Magsaysay, some 160 kms. from the capital. The caves by the sea are said to be enchanting. Sapong Spring . Located in Lagonglong, 5 minutes ride from poblacion, mountain spring for swimming. Its water is crystal clear and cool the whole year round. Alibwag Spring. Located in Duca, Medina, 2 kms. from the poblacion. Kanapulan Falls. Located at Barangay Tagbalogo, Naawan. Sometimes a venue for the meetings of Naawan Sangguniang Bayan. Mat-i Waterfall. This 100 feet high waterfall has always retained its natural and unspoiled beauty. It is found in Barangay Mat-i, Claveria. Cagayan de Oro´s Tourist Attractions: Catanico Falls. located aboout 10 kms. away from the city. The falls drop into a swimming pool where bathers could dive from where the waters descends; concealed by huge boulders and covered with ferns and moss. Raagas Beach. Found in Bonbon. Golden Friendship Park. The park stretches along the city´s commercial center featuring the community´s Amphitheater, a bandstand and statues of national heroes like Jose Rizal, Andress Bonifacio and Ramon Magsaysay. Gaston Park. Named after Segundo Gaston, who was Cagayan´s first mayor. The park features a circular fountain serving with San Agustin Cathedral and Archbishop´s Palace backdrop. Mc Arthur Park. Named after Gen. Douglas Mc. Arthur. Located right in front of the Provincial Capitol. Dauw Cagayan Park. A mini park covered by old age acasia tree located at the foot of Carmen Bridge facing the Cagayan River, dedicated to the Cagayanos who came home the Dauw Cagayan Project. Museo de Oro at Xavier University. Located on Corrales St., the museum is the repertoire of primarily Bukidnon and Maranao cultures, these being the heritage of Cagayan de Oro. Other Muslim folklores, folkways and things have survived the ravages of time and can be gleaned from the University Museum. Macahambus Cave. The scene of a battle where out-numbered Filipino troops emerged victorious in over the well-equipped American soldiers, is found 24 kms. southeast of the city. One of the tunnels leading to a point overlooking Cagayan River. About 30-50 meters further is a 130 ft. gorge. It is actually a "miniparadise" of ferns, wild trees and gigantic rocks. Malasag Tourist Points. It is a scenic reforestation area consisting of several mountain ridges overlooking Macajalar Bay on the north, Cagayan de Oro City in the west, Bugo Cannery on the east and Bukidnon on the south. Lawndale Spring Resort. It is named after Cagayan de Oro´s sister city in California, USA. It is a 6 km. south at Taguanao, Macasandig. The spring is shaded by century old trees and produces 600 gallons of refreshing cold water per minute. It is 90 ft deep and 4 meters and 26 centimeters wide. Pelaez Sports Center. Constructed for the Palarong Pambansa in 1975, the sports complex is one of the best in the Philippines today. With an area of 9 hectares, it boasts of the following facilities: one main grandstand which accommodates 10,000 people; two side grandstand each with a capacity of 5,000; a track oval surfaced with volcanic cinders; volleyball courts. The grounds are likewise used for parades and cultural shows. Sport activities are held throughout the week as early as 5:00 in the morning when Cagayanos and guests like to do their respective physical fitness program. Shell Museum. For shell lovers and those who appreciate art and the sea, the Sontillano Collection features shells like the Haitian Tree Sanil, Pink-mouthed Murex and Conus Ammirales-located at the City Library Bldg., A. Veles Street. Muslim Wares. Common sights in the stalls of Cogon Market are arrays of decorative and functional Muslim crafts like earrings, bracelets, rings, wall decors, vases, jars and other brasswares which are for sale at reasonable prices. Art Piece Crafts. Located in Barangay Puntod. Sells export quality items; ornamental, utility or office miscellaneous; souvenirs and giftable, too. Export quality ceramics which come in the forms of adornments, utility items, household and office miscellaneous and easily bought as giftables or souvenirs ; located at the shopcenter of Paras Ceramics in Puntod or in the major outlets like Ororama, Gaisano, City Tourism Information Center. Roan Beach (Opol). Equipped with picnic tables and cottages. San Pedro Beach (Opol). Also equipped with picnic tables and nipa huts. Yasay Beach (Opol). Equipped with picnic tables. Ebuña Beach. Equipped with picnic tables and cottages. Midway Beach / Lodge. The lodge is equipped with sound system and conference hall with 300 sitting capacity. The beach is also lined with picnic tables and cottages. Calamcan Beach (Talisayan). Owned by the municipal government of Talisayan. Its facilities include social hall, training center with 70 sitting capacity, and a dorm. Picnic tables can also be rented. White Beach (Bayabas). Equipped with picnic tables. Gingoog City´s Tourist Attractions. The Only City Hall. Is the "Old Casa", and the seat of Gingoog´s first government. The building stands opposite Magsaysay Park and Sta. Rita Church as a witness to the changes of the city. Daan-Lungsod. Barangay Daan-Lungsod is the site of the first settlement of the native Gingoognons. The ruins of the Catholic Church built from the limestone and coral by the spanish friars still mark its exact location. Old houses still exist reminiscent of the culture that once existed in the area. Libon - Lawit Waterfalls. This tourist spot is a packaged area. There are 3 waterfalls connected by the same stream intervals at 100 and 80 meters. This is some 13 kms. from the poblacion and the natural integration of these falls is indeed a unique phenomenon. Tiklas Falls. Located upstream in the Balantian Creek, this waterfalls is estimated to be 120 ft. in height and has a 30 meter-diameter pool. The deepest portion is 20 feet or more. Kilubag Falls. This is more than 50 kms. from Balantian Bridge and represents as major attraction of the three falls. As you approach the falls, you can hear the rumbling amplified by a cavern which was probably carved by the falling and twisting water through the centuries. You will then pass into a cave-like, solid-stone, high river banks after which you will reach the cavenous earth´s drink. Bangbang Falls. This is the 3rd falls, about 70 feet high with a pool that is a little less in size than that of Tiklas. From this point, one will have a chance to marvel at the panorama of the Gingoog River, more than a kilometer below. Bakid-Bakid Falls. This cataract is 100 feet in height and is originated from a creek; can be reached by jeeps, motorcycles and other off-the road vehicles. Malibud Falls (San Isidro). Located 18 kms. from poblacion, this falls is located within a reforestation area; it is 10 ft. high with a pool area, utilized by nearby residents for picnics. The location is also ideal for retreats and momentary congregation with nature. Odiongan Falls. Towers 150 ft. high and can be seen from different portions of the Odiongan River. Badiangon Beach and Spring. This resort is a combination of a cold spring and beach. The cold spring is formed by a flowing stream which flows to the sea overlaying the salt water with its refreshing coolness over a radius of 100 meters. This is 4 kms. west of the poblacion and a few meters from the superhighway. Kabasag Beach. Located on the eastern shoreline of Gingoog, this beach is less than a kilometer away from the poblacion. Cottages with conference and fresh water facilities are also located within the area. Agay-ayan Sunog Cave. Located 3 kms. from the national highway; its floor is abundant with organic fertilizers. Tinuluyan Cave. Also located 3 kms. from Barangay Tinuluyan, nearby, is a cold spring that provides sojourners with water for drinking and washing. Don Paquito Lopez Pass. Locally known as Kisoong Ridge, is 4,200 ft above sea level. Located in the pass, is the Logger´s view, which overlooks the green forest below, similar to Mines View park in Baguio. Special Interest Six worthy, world´s class diver´s paradise: *Underwater gardens and fresh water springs; plenty of big game and school of fish are to be found in Duca, Medina. The site is acclaimed as the best divesite around. *Sunken pontoons overgrown with marine life are waiting to be explored in Pampangon, 30 minutes by pumpboat from Duca. *Underwater hill sitting atop a plateau dotted with caverns and abundant marine growth sits unperturbed by the growth of Gingoog City. *Sulawan Point, Punta Gorda and Agutayan Island are farther dive sites characterized by underwater caves, sloping terrain and sudden drop-offs. These are inaccessible to all but the most determined and experienced divers. Festival Kagayhaan Festival. Cagayan de Oro´s local answer to Mardi Gras and celebrated during the annual feast of the city´s patron St. Augustine. Traditionally done in a 3-hour parade of civic military groups, the event is colored by participation of contigents in bedecked costumes, choreographed movements, lively sounds and gimmickry to bring out desired theme or social message. Added attractions are the inclusion of huge floats in parade and school drum and bugle corps. How to get there. Philippine Airlines flies to Cagayan de Oro daily. It is also
easy to get to Cebu and Davao. |