Philippine Travel: Cagayan de Oro

Known as the "City of Golden Friendship" Cagayan de Oro is a little less than 500 miles south of Metro Manila (approximately 80 minutes plane). It is around thirty hours from Manila by sea. By land, the city can be reached within forty hours from Manila. Cagayan de Oro is the capital of Misamis Oriental Province and the principal city of Northern Mindanao. The native Cagayanon is a mixture of American, Chinese, Bukidnon and Maranaw blood. Bisaya local dialect however most of the locals can speak and understand Tagalog and English. Roman Catholic is the dominant religion. Other religions practiced in Cagayan de Oro include Iglesia Ni Kristo, Baptist, Protestant, Islam, Philippine Independent Church and Pentecostal. Originally just Cagayan, Spaniards added "de Oro", which means gold, pertaining to gold they had found in the Cagayan river. Nowadays Cagayan de Oro expresses the "golden friendship" and hospitality of the locals. Some places to stay in Cagayan de Oro: Gardens of Malasag (recommended!) Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City (088)8556183 Contact Number from Manila - (02)5242495 or 2502 The Gardens of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village is a 7 hectare Botanical Garden which features cottages, flora and fauna collections, campsites, pools, restaurants and a museum. Dynasty Court Hotel Hayes cor. Tiano Sts. Tel (088)8571250 Standard air-conditioned rooms, restaurant and coffee shop as well as function rooms Pryce Plaza Carmen Hill, Cagayan de Oro City (088)8584536 to 37 (088)8583111 Contact Number from Manila - (02)8994401 or 9430 Standard/deluxe air-conditioned rooms, pool, caf