Sherwin Kasilen M. Laus on Cagayan de Oro

Travelling to Cagayan de Oro? Let Sherwin Kasilen M. Laus give you his insights on the City of Golden Friendship.

GOING THERE AND SETTLING IN

Going to Cagayan de Oro from Manila should be hassle free. Both Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have direct flights going both ways. The earliest flight leaves the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila at 4:15 AM. Travel time is approximately an hour and a half.

Laguindingan Airport replaced the old Lumbia airport in 2013 as the main hub that serves both Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City in Lanao del Norte province. This makes sense, because Lumbia is a bit farther from Iligan. There are concrete plans to build a complex aerotropolis around Laguindingan in the future.

There are now several world-class hotels in and around the city. Sherwin Laus recommends these hotels for the trendy and posh visitors:

1. Limketkai Luxe Hotel - This is a five-star hotel and boasts of an infinity pool and bar, a fitness center and sauna, and a restaurant among its amenities. The business center is fully equipped with IT hardware and services, and offers secretarial and courier services. The hotel has a total of 213 guest rooms, with nightly rates ranging from PhP 5,500 for the Deluxe Twin to PhP 9,000 for an Executive Room. It is also just a short walk from the Limketkai Mall.
2. Pryce Plaza Hotel - This hotel is situated atop Carmen Hill, and presents a spectacular view of Cagayan de Oro and Macajalar Bay. Whether you're looking for Japanese dishes, grilled seafood and barbecue, or just cocktails and drinks, the hotel offers guests different dining options from four different restaurants. Among its amenities are: a fitness center, an outdoor pool, and free wi-fi connection. Parking is also free.
3. Seda Centrio - This hotel has 150 rooms, and is located at the heart of the city. It also offers function and meeting rooms. Outdoor adult and kid's pool, fitness center, and free wi-fi are among its amenities. The Misto restaurant offers diners an experience in taste of the familiar and the new. It also shares the same general area with the upscale Centrio Mall.

For the budget conscious, Sherwin Laus recommends these affordable accommodations:

1. Mallberry Suites Business Hotel - The hotel is located at the heart of the city's business and commercial complex. The hotel boasts of multiple business/conference rooms, three restaurants, and an indoor pool.
2. Stonestown Suites - A simple by cozy hotel located at the outskirts of the city. Amenities include a restaurant, a fitness center, free parking, and free wi-fi across the entire facility. This hotel is the best take-off point if you plan to go white-water rafting.
3. Pearlmont Hotel - This beautifully designed hotel is located 20 minutes from the main city airport. Standard nightly room rates start at PhP 1,400, and PhP 3,400 for the Penthouse.The hotel has a restaurant, a business center, and a spa.

WHERE TO GO, WHAT TO DO

Cagayan de Oro is called the City of Golden Friendship. After spending a few minutes here, you'll understand why. The warmth and hospitality of the locals just seem to ooze out of them by nature. This makes travelling in and around CDO a pleasant experience.

The city center as typical as any highly urbanized Philippine locale. It is bustling; it is noisy; it is alive! The center of a lot of the activities is Plaza Divisoria and its surroundings. The place gets packed with locals and tourists during weekends. The scene of night markets, concert stages at different locations, and a lot of eating and drinking project a picture which can only be described as controlled chaos. The park is also known as the Golden Friendship Park.

A Philippine city cannot be a city without the sprawling commercial centers. The most notable is the locally owned Limketkai Center. Big retail chains like SM City, Robinsons, and Gaisano have also recently set foot here to compete for the business of the residents. The Ayala-owned Centrio Mall is also popular among the people of the city and surrounding areas.

But if you are looking for more adventurous activities, Sherwin Laus recommends the following:

1. White Water Rafting -
   
   this trip is definitely not for the weak-of-heart. A three-hour journey through rampaging water and gigantic boulders along the Cagayan River is both exciting and challenging. It's a good thing there are no man-eating reptiles in Cagayan River. A guide is assigned for every raft to help the city-dwelling pretenders successfully navigate the river rapids. If you're lucky, you'll end-up with one who will crack jokes that aren't funny even if you're stoned sky-high. After completing the trip, you're rewarded with barbecue and pastels. That prize itself makes the whole activity worth it.
2. Malasag Eco-Tourism Village -
   
   The village is managed by the Philippine Tourism Authority, and sits on a reforested area of Malasag Hill. Replicas of tribal houses and villages dot this seven-hectare landmark. It also offers a beautiful, panoramic view of Macjalar Bay. This place is peaceful, tranquil, enchanting, and serene, and is perfect if you are looking to relax and recharge your energy. There are simple, short-term accommodations available for activities like team-building and picnics. If you're looking for an escape from the stress and hassles of city living, this place can definitely offer you a temporary, but worthwhile respite.
3. Camiguin Island -
   
   Ten kilometers north of Cagayan de Oro is the volcanic island of Camiguin. The island is about two hours away by ferry from Macabalan port. Since Camiguin Island is volcanic in origin, the beaches have dark-colored sand. This fact does and should not diminish the appeal of the place. There are more to life than sea, surf, and sand you know. Aside from the seven volcanoes, there are several waterfalls, and hot and cold springs you can visit. A visit to the Sunken Cemetery might also tickle your fancy. But, if white sand is your fetish, then you need to head-off to the aptly named White Island. It is a C-shaped, uninhabited sandbar of immaculate bliss.

A quick reminder if you do visit the City of Golden Friendship: When travelling to any city in Mindanao, always be mindful of the customs and culture of the local residents. Yes, the people here are very warm and friendly. But, they are very sensitive when it comes to their values and traditions. This city is a melting pot of different tribes, religion, and beliefs. Remember to always respect others!

To know more about what's happening in Cagayan de Oro, do visit the official local government site at www.cagayandeoro.gov.ph before your trip. There might be some important announcements you need to know beforehand.

Disclaimer: If you've actually read this article, please take note that this is not a definitive travel guide to the city of CDO. This is just a simple guide based on the suggestions of Sherwin M. Laus.