A Heritage to Treasure (The City of Golden Friendship)

      Located along the costal coast of Northern Mindanao with a total land area of 488.86 square kilometer representing 13.9% of the entire Misamis Oriental Province is suited the City of Golden Friendship, Cagayan de Oro City. Thousands of years have passed since the first Kagay-anons stepped in the floor of the old Cagayan de Oro City and I bet the young perks didn’t know the history of our City. Let us all reminisce the past and treasure it as we go beyond. Sit back and enjoy.

            The History

            The City’s history dates back many centuries before the Spaniards came to Cagayan when territory was called Kalambagohan or Kalambaguhan. Its main town, Himologan, was a hill-top fortress situated some eight kilometers south of the present Poblacion.

·         Two thousand years ago, there were already ancient Kagay-anons around the vicinity of Huluga, Himologan and Tagbalitang caves around 8 kilometers of Cagayan de Oro City. An archeologist and a Filipino folklorist of a known University here in Cagayan de Oro had collected tools, implements, potteries and shards from these areas and subjected to the Carbon Dating process at the Philippines Historical Museum to determine their age and it was found that the tools was used by the ancient Kagay-anons during the Neolithic Age.

·         Kalambaguhan has a small settlemen of Bukidnon who lived along the river banks of the Kalambaguhan River (Now the Cagayan de Oro River) was so known because of the “Lambago” tress that grew profusely along its banks.
During this times, the archel Corralat (Sultan Kudarat) marauding warriors attacked the places of Manticao, Tgnipa (El Salvador), Iligan and Kalambaguhan to bring these places as their domain. They’ve captured women, children and working animals and were brought to their Sultanate. Because of these constant raids, the Bukidnons along the river fled to the hills of Huluga led by their ruler, Datu Salangsang. To protect the Bukidnons from constant raids of Muslims from Cachel Corralat, El Padre Capitan built a fortification around the settlement, which is now the Gaston Park. It was from small settlement that the Present Cagayan de Oro originated. A small church was built on the site, which later became the present San Agustin Cathedral. Kagay-anons came from a blend of two culturesof the Muslim and Bukidnons. These were the native people that had settled in the region long before the Spaniards came. In fact, the first Christians among these native were Muslims from Lanao who were the descendants of the Samporna clan. They were the First to be baptized along with the Bato-Batos, Wagas, Abas, dagumbas and several Families.

The Entomology

            There are lots of versions that clarify why Cagayan de Oro got it name. Some are very interesting and some are just jokes but I chose the best.

·               Pre war- folks said that Cagayan came from “Cagaycay”. It is an ancient Bukidnon word which means rake in the earth or with one’s bare hands or with a piece of wood.

·         The name Cagayán de Oro can be traced back during the arrival of the Spanish Augustinian Recollect friars in 1622, the area around Himologan (now Huluga), was already known as "Cagayan".In fact, early Spanish documents in the 16th century already referred to the place as "Cagayán". The area of Northern Mindanao, which included Cagayán de Oro, was granted as Encomienda to a certain Juan Griego on January 25, 1571. It was Emmanuel Peláez who appended de Oro to Cagayán in recognition of the gold mining activities in the area, harking back to the Spanish colonization. Thus, the city's full name is a combination of the ancient Malayo-Polynesian and Spanish languages that translates to "City of the River of Gold".

The Mayors

The mayors of Cagayan de Oro from 1901 to 1941 were the following.

1. Tirson Neri	1901 – 1904
2. Cayetano Pacana	1904 – 1905
3. Pedro Velez	1905 – 1906
4. Cipriano Vamenta, Sr.	1906 – 1908
5. Isidro Vamenta	1908 – 1909
6. Anastacio Neri	1909 – 1910
7. Ramon B. Neri	1912 – 1916
8. Uldarico Akut	1912 – 1916
9. Segundo Gaston	1916 – 1919
10. Pedro P. Mabulay	1919 – 1922
11. Fernando Pacana, Sr	1922 – 1925
12. Vicente P. Castro	1925 – 1928
13. Apolinar Velez	1928 – 1931
14. Lucio S. Ramos	1931 – 1934
16. Julio B. Pacana	1934 – 1937
	1938 – 1941
	(First Mayor to be re-elected)
17. Herminiglido Wanceña	1941 – 1945
After the war, the following Mayor were elected:
1. Lucio S. Ramos	1946 – 1947
2. Maximo Y. Suniel	1948 – 1953
3. Pedro SA. Baculio	March 1953 to December 1953
4. Justiniano R. Borja	1954 – 1964
5. Jesus V. Seriña Sr.	1964 – 1971
6. Reuben R. Canoy	1972 – 1976
7. Concordio C. Diel	1976 – 1979
8. Pedro N. Roa	1978 – 1980
9. Aquilino Pimentel Jr.	1980 – 1984
10. Pablo P. Magtajas	1984 – 1998
11. Vicente Y. Emano	Present Mayor

  

The mysterious Oro

If you’re a native Cagayanon, you have probably heard of the “giant fish” tale along the Cagayan de Oro River. Some say it’s just a myth, a legend, a tale from the old age carried over the years. Based on the story, the giant fish even ate a priest from nearby St. Augustine Church.

If we follow the legend, only few locals know of an old tablet carved from stone depicting that “incident involving the priest and the giant fish”. Many years before, this tablet was located somewhere on the southwest concrete fence of what is now St. Joseph’s Garden of St. Augustine Church. Interestingly, this tablet (shown above) was transferred right at the back of the Archbishop’s Palace, away from the public view. A closer view of the tablet clearly shows the hapless American priest being caught by the giant fish….Now, is this still a myth? The tablet is believed to be very old. Who would have made this and why would someone carve this “incident”?
But if you’re not into myths and legends, the tablet would be that of Jonah who was swallowed by a whale as written in the Bible.

In modern times, there really exists a giant carp as shown below and is very common in Southeast Asia. Still, this giant carp could be very much bigger in the older days which can easily gobble up anything the size of a man. Now, this giant fish is often depicted in the floats during the annual fiesta.

            Some says that it was maybe the Prophet Jonah. Here’s the story:

Jonah is also the central character in the Book of Jonah. Ordered by God to go to the city of Nineveh to prophesy against it “for their great wickedness is come up before me”  Jonah seeks instead to flee from “the presence of the Lord” by going to Jaffa and sailing to Tarshish, which, geographically, is 180 degrees in the opposite direction. A huge storm arises and the sailors, realizing this is no ordinary storm, cast lots and learn that Jonah is to blame. Jonah admits this and states that if he is thrown overboard the storm will cease. The sailors try to get the ship to the shore but in failing feel forced to throw him overboard, at which point the sea calms. Jonah is miraculously saved by being swallowed by a large fish specially prepared by God where he spent three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17). In chapter two, while in the great fish, Jonah prays to God in his affliction and commits to thanksgiving and to paying what he has vowed. God commands the fish to vomit Jonah out.

But some says that it was maybe the giant fish. A person commented that when she was 5 or 7 years old there was news that they saw a giant fish in the CDO River. Some says that their grandparents told them that their lots of secrets that was not reveled in the Garden of Saint Agustin Cathedral.

            Histories in some places are very valuable, some can preserve it but some can’t because of the rise of technology and urbanizing. I hope that we Kagay-anons will remain the same as time goes by. I hope that we can preserve the history, the myth, and the reasons behind why we are known as we are right now. Always live in the future but remain vocal to the past. 

source :http://www.cagayandeoro.gov.ph/?page=about&cat=1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cagayan_River_(Cagayan_de_Oro)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_Cagayan_de_Oro
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cagayan_de_Oro
http://heritage.elizaga.net/history/index.html
http://www.ormanmanansala.com/?s=Oro+Fish

Treasure A Friend

“Ang tunay na kaibigan ay makikita sa oras ng pangangailangan”

                I can’t imagine life without friends. It seems that my life is not complete. I know some of us don’t have a friend because we are being teased by some and being bully by others. When I was in my elementary year, I don’t have a friend. Some says that they don’t like me because I am a gay and I don’t have the brain. I didn’t mind it in my part, for me that time, friends are just stupid creatures. ‘If you want to trust someone, better to trust your family” that are y point of views when I was a kid but I got insecure by some kids, lil’ chit chat with their friend and jokes. They play together and they do what thinks funny. I envy those kids but when I approached them to play, they run away. At that age, I realized life is cruel but didn’t stop me.

                Years have passed when I reached the 4^th grade and I started to socialize with my classmates and I find it very positive. But I find out that they just making friends with me just to copy answers and cheat with the test. Well, because of being teased as a dull I learned to be the top 1 of the class. By that, I realized to be alone. I learned to trust my family but that didn’t enough. And then I meet my High School friends and my Barkada. They made me feel to be free again; we do things that my parents didn’t know, we do stuffs that we think is very funny and so on. For me friends and Barkada and is different. For me friend defines as the people I can share my secrets and feeling and Barkada defines me as the persons that we laugh our own mistakes, we do stuffs that are so hilarious and we also, I can share problems, secrets and feeling. They maybe look very similar but for me, it’s a different story.

                You know what, friends can help you. They can be your teacher (positive side), your special someone or you look them as your family. A true friend can are found in times of problems and when disasters come. They are the persons you can treasure that you cannot barter with other people. You share your secrets that others do not know. It’s quite alarming for those “plastics”. They’re just good in front but seaweeds when they are at the back. We can’t please everybody that is why chose your friends wisely. Others can be a Bad Influence and others can be a good on but for as long you feel comfortable, be with them. Treasure every moment you are with them because by time comes, you start laughing by those moments. Seems very hilarious to imagine those times but it can’t be bought by other people those moments so treasure it. Treasure your friend.

Thanks to: Mariel Alexis Reyes, Carren Ann Orquillas, Shiena Bilas, Mhara Alexa, Eula Maritoni Langit, Jiseca Sy, Cyndy Joy Calapiz, Milfeb Ancajas, Marvelous Bencio, Chuck Wilbur Sasuman, Jovelyn Ganzan, etc. Thanks for being a part of my life.

Celebrating the Kagay-an Festival 2011

Every time August is approaching, I can’t hide my excitement. And I didn’t notice that I have been counting the days already. Ha-ha, sounds corny but true, I can’t wait for the Kagay-an Festival, the most exciting and liveliest fiesta here in the Philippines. And of course, before the marked date arrive, August 28, 2011, lots of shows first before the finale.

                First things first. 5 days before August 28, a very extravagance pageant held in Limketkai Atrium catches the mind of Kagay-anon. The most awaited Miss Kagay-an 2011. Ms. Krista Kleiner and the ever dynamic Mama Renee Salud are one of the judges of the prestigious event. And of course a nursing student from Capitol University, Ms. Angel Carbajal won the pageant and crowned as Miss Kagay-an 2011. Everybody in the atrium was like crazy when it was. The pageant is not only beauty and brain but also the beauty in the inside. What ever the judges have decided why they chose Ms. Angel Carbajal as Ms. Kagay-an 2011, well, they have a good taste. CONGRATULATIONS ANGEL!

                Secondly, the most waited eye catching event in Cagayan de Oro City is the PyroTechnoWorks Display or commonly known as the FIREWORK display. The event will be happening in August 26 at the SM Cagayan de Oro. Different cities and different schools will be competing to as the next champion of this event. The night sky of Cagayan de Oro City will be painted red, blue, yellow, green and so much more. The night sky will be colored by this event and of course traffic jam will be there also. Ha-ha, Good luck!

                Since, running is already part of a daily life of an athlete and also an ordinary Pilipino who wants to run and to run, a Fund Run will be happening this August 27. It would be a long run but at least you can help someone if you join. I can’t enumerate all the events that would be happening by this week but I’m pretty sure that there would be a lot. But we should not forget what the fiesta is really all about. We should celebrate the patron of Cagayan de Oro City, Saint Senior San Agustin. A real Kagay-anon values its historic past and a real Kagay-anon knows how to value the real meaning of fiesta. Fiesta is not just time for celebrating, not just time for fun or eating but it is time to reflect and give thanks to our Creator and to St. Agustin. And a good place for thanks giving is the church. I know that there would be lots of Kagay-anons who will be there on that events but just don’t forget to secure your valuable things, okay? Have a great fiesta ahead and Viva Senior San Agustin!

Happy Fiesta Cagayan de Oro !

What's Trending ?

“If you don’t have a FACEBOOK account, you’re out!’

                Facebook and Twitter are almost invading the web.  Actually, it is the most visited sites rather than Google. As a young perk, it is true.  It is very easy to look for a friend in Facebook than to look for an Investigatory Project in Google or in FactMonsters. It is very easy also to know what the most has talked about persons, happenings and even Movie in twitter rather than waiting for the trend to be televised.

                Social networking sites are already part of a Human’s Life. Even a baby who is not yet born has already an account on Facebook and on Twitter.  Even I visit those sites several times before I go to sleep. I even dreaming to tweet at least 500 tweets per day but it’s hard. It seems like it is part of my daily routine. I feel like my day is not complete if I don’t post or even tweet. It serves as my energizer everyday. Social networking sites are can also give you so much information of your relatives, friends and even love ones.  “Just a click of a button, you can know what your love one is doing.” Sir Andrew Acobo, our Guidance Orientation 1 instructor.

 But have you questioned yourself what are the effects of this habit?  I bet you REALLY don’t know. Here are some of the effects of to much exposing to computer.

1.       You may suffer from symptoms such as back pains,  anxiety and even insomnia.

2.        You Gain weight.

3.       Blurred eyesight.

4.       Putting off peeing when you have to go, because it takes time away from being online....Can get some nasty bladder infections from these.

5.       Choosing the PC as your personal friend rather your family.

6.       Eye Strain.

7.       Body Odor ( From not Bathing)

8.       Lack of Friends (from not socializing)

9.       No Sex Life

Those are the effects which I believe a person is suffering right now. We should always remember that an average computer user spends only 40 minutes in front of a PC. Why should spent hours if you may get ill and remember a patient is not allowed to use computer or laptop inside the hospital so just abstain from being so addicted by these stuffs to avoid serious illness.  Well, I hope you still believe in “PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE”.

Remember:  40 minutes !! hahah

source : www.findarticles.com

               www.wikianswers.com

Interview

   I am very nervous when I am about to enter our silent classroom because I know, in a moment we will be going out to do some activity which I believe the very first time I've done. I need to interview at least one person. That's quite easy in my mind but it's very hard to do in actual.
   The first thing I did was to look for a very quite spot in the mall which I believe the best thing to start my interview. I saw an sales lady in a boutique. She looks similar with my mother, and in the back in my mind I know they had also similarities with my mom and that made my decision to chose her as my interviewee. When I asked her if I can interview her, she has no sign of saying "no" instead, she seems to confident saying "of course" and I told myself, "just like my mom". I started a very simple questions. I asked her name but I forgot to ask her age. And I started the real question. I asked her how hard is it to find a job especially you're not a graduate of any degree course. I can see it in her faced that she thinks very deep looking for an answer that suits my question and that can satisfy and she paused for a moment and said "It is really hard.Especially I am mother of three and I send them to school. You know, I can see the real disadvantages and advantages of  a graduate students and I am very sad that I was not able to pursue my degree course due to financial problem." I saw her sincerity in her eyes and hoping that she can bring back the time that have lost so I change the question. I asked her how she feels when she faces the interviewer when she apply a job. She just told me "I  find uneasiness every time I am about to be interview by the HR". And I stop my interview because I don't want to invade personal life. I just tell her a very big thank you and went out.
  Now, it's pretty obvious that you can really relate to those persons who you are interviewing. They can also interact with questions because they gone lots of experiences. All I am saying is by doing this stuffs whether it is personal or business interviews gives a great help. An ordinary chatting and questioning to your friend is the simplest way of interview. Interview can also measure how confident a person is and how he/she can answer questions veering away from his/her personal life. It's quite nervous to be interviewed especially when there a camera or a video recorder but this is only to measure how an individual can take the risk of giving out information to those people he/she doesn't know.

The Mighty Pinoy !

"officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (Filipino: Republika ng Pilipinas), is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean."

  We Filipinos posses leadership. The leadership we posses  is not being taught to us by our loving teachers but it is already in our bloodstreams. Rizal, the most known to Hero in the Philippines is globally known not only in Asia but also in Europe.

  Our nation had faced lots of trails and obstacles throughout the century but we are still standing. We have done through tough challenges. For instance, Bagyong Undoy is one of the toughest typhoon we encounter but after that tragic event we are still soaring high with a big smile in our face. And we are known to be the happiest people living in this universe.

  Pinoys are know to be the hospitable man walking here in this planet. We are knownby our boxing champ, Manny Paqciao. We should be thankful that we are born to be a Filipino. We should soar high and be proud to be one of the most gifted creatures ever living. We should be the one to say "Mabuhay Pilipino!!"

Freedom of Speech

 Article 3, Section 4 of the Philippine Constitution prohibits any law that abridges the freedom of speech, of the press or the right to peaceful public assembly.

   The biggest intrigue that is currently being tackled by the public is the "kulo" of CCP. Lots of discrimination and death threat was received by the artist of the said theme. Filipinos should know that Philippines is a democratic country an by that we have "Freedom of Speech or Expression".  What is freedom of Speech or Expression by the way? Some may be curious. As stated above, it prohibits any law that abridge the freedom of speech. A person like me seems very curious, is this law is just a piece of paper or  it is really implemented? I am not saying that I am in favor of the CCP but an ordinary person like cannot express my thoughts, ideas and even political opinions. Philippines is the dangerous place for a journalist.

 We Filipinos deserve to be respected and we deserve to express our opinion but sometimes we are scared of showing it. Guns are everywhere. You get what I mean?

  "Ibon man may layang lumipad, kulungin mo at umiiyak". Can you still remember those memorable lines?  Why cant we do the same thing?  Freedom of Expression seems to be more an illusion to me. I am proud being a Filipino but why the government officials hold our necks?  With due respect, I am very disappointed by the previous administration and I hope that P-noy can change those stupid acts of the previous officials are doing. I still love Philippines and I am proud being a Filipino but I hope that we can express our opinions without thinking that we may be killed, die or maybe massacred when we spoke to the public what we really feel and what we really need.
  I am hoping for a better Philippines.

As a working Scholar

 I can still remember the day before our graduation came, I am very nervous not because I'm nervous because the day of graduation is near but I'm afraid because i know I cant proceed to college and that made me nervous but 1 day my classmate told me to apply as Student Assistant of Capitol University. So I grab the opportunity to become one of the lucky aspirants and I was chosen! That made my mom so proud of me. I am the only child of the family who can pursue to college because of this Working Scholar opportunity For me, I don't look this opportunity as a blessing but I look this as a privilege. When the day of the training came, I was very excited that I even forgot to brush my teeth. haha. I was trained for two months and that made more confident to face new people because I was assigned at the Admissions and External Affairs. Two months have passed and the new semester came. First, I can cope to the new nature but days have passed, I realized that I have mutual responsibilities, my office which where I am working and the department which I am enrolled. I need to focus in studies but I need also to stay in touched with my S.A. life. I have faced already lots of disappointment but that didn't stop me. I need to strive to the new nature I am dealing with and I need to focus on my studies. I'm very busy but my Social Life is very active. I need to treat myself once in a week for me to pull out away all my stress. I expected lots of pimples and big eye circles and of course eye bags. I know this sacrifice I am doing has a reward and I can't wait to wait that reward but to make sure that I'll be satisfied by the reward, I should start striving hard at this moment. That's all for now, I still have my class. The English 1a (Study and Thinking Skill) .. heheh  .. Thanks for reading !!

My Journey To Famous

 "A dream without an action is a wish"

All of us dreams to be the "Famous" , the "greatest", the "known-to-be" and I belong to that dreamers. Yes it is true that if you are just dreaming to be one those and yet you are just sitting and waiting for an apple to be putted in your mouth then you are wishful thinker. Me, I dreamed to be one of the best student, the best businessman in the future and the best in all aspects of life. Some may say that I look forward to become a perfect creature but it is really my nature to act as perfect. That's the only way I can pursue my dreams. My journey to become famous starts here. I may be an amateur blogger but mind you, I can be as Famous as Bill Gates. Haha, sounds silly but I hope so that day would come. As for now, I'll just hang up my public journal for some personal stuffs. Thanks for reading..  :)