Cagayan de Oro facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cagayan de Oro
Highly urbanized city
Skyline of Cagayan de Oro
Flag Seal
Etymology: Cagayan de Misamis
Nicknames:  City of Golden Friendship Whitewater Rafting Capital of the Philippines City of Gold
Anthem: "Cagayan de Oro March"
Map of Northern Mindanao with Cagayan de Oro highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Cagayan de Oro Location in Philippines
Country	Philippines
Region	Northern Mindanao
Province	Misamis Oriental (geographically only)
District	1st and 2nd districts
Settlement re-established	1626
Town	1871
Cityhood	June 15, 1950
Highly urbanized city	November 22, 1983
Barangays	80 (see Barangays)
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Panlungsod
Area
• City	412.80 km2 (159.38 sq mi)
Elevation	428 m (1,404 ft)
Highest elevation	2,892 m (9,488 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 census)
• City	728,402
• Rank	10th
• Density	1,764.540/km2 (4,570.14/sq mi)
• Metro	1,687,159
• Households	190,225
Demonym(s)	Cagayanons; Kagay-anons
Economy
• Gross domestic product	₱261.7 billion (2022) $4.62 billion (2022)
• Income class	1st city income class
• Poverty incidence	6.80 % (2021)
• Revenue	₱ 4,239 million (2020)
• Assets	₱ 11,848 million (2020)
• Expenditure	₱ 3,855 million (2020)
• Liabilities	₱ 3,244 million (2020)
Service provider
• Electricity	Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company (CEPALCO)
• Water	Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD)
• Cable TV	Parasat Cable TV
Time zone	UTC+08:00 (PST)
ZIP code	9000
PSGC	[https://psa.gov.ph/classification/psgc/?q=psgc/barangays/{{#pro000&regcode={{&provcode= p {{#property:P988}} ]
IDD : area code	+63 (0)88
Native languages	Cebuano, Tagalog
Abbreviations	CdeO, CDO, CDOC, Cag. de Oro
Feast date	August 28
Patron saint	Augustine of Hippo
Website	cagayandeoro.gov.ph

Cagayan de Oro (CDO), officially called the City of Cagayan de Oro, is a major city in the Northern Mindanao region of the Philippines. It is known as a highly urbanized city. In 2020, it had about 728,402 people, making it the 10th most populated city in the Philippines. It is also the biggest city in Northern Mindanao.

Cagayan de Oro is the capital of the Misamis Oriental province. It is also the main business center for Northern Mindanao. The city is part of a larger area called Metro Cagayan de Oro. This area includes nearby towns like El Salvador, Opol, and Tagoloan.

The city is located on the north central coast of Mindanao island. It faces Macajalar Bay. To its west is Opol, to its east is Tagoloan, and to the south are the provinces of Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte.

Cagayan de Oro is famous for its exciting white water rafting and kayaking adventures. These activities take place on the Cagayan de Oro River.

What's in a Name? The Meaning of Cagayan de Oro

The name Cagayan de Oro means "River of Gold." This name came about when Spanish missionaries arrived in 1622. The area was already called "Cagayán." This word, and similar ones like karayan and kayan, all mean "river."

Later, in the 1950s, a former Vice President of the Philippines, Emmanuel Peláez, added "de Oro" (meaning "of Gold") to the name. This made it "Cagayan de Oro."

There are other places in the Philippines named "Cagayan." For example, there's a province called Cagayan in northern Luzon. These places also refer to their local rivers with a similar name.

A Look Back: History of Cagayan de Oro

Ancient Times

People have lived in the Cagayan de Oro area for a very long time. The oldest human remains found are from the Huluga Caves. These remains are about 1,600 to 1,700 years old. The caves were once used as a burial place.

Many old items have been found in the caves. Near the caves is the Huluga Open Site, which is believed to be where the first settlement, "Himologan," was located. This site is about eight kilometers from today's city.

In 2009, a grave site was found with ancient Chinese and Thai pottery. This shows that the region was part of an old trading network in Southeast Asia. Skulls found here also show that early Kagay-anons shaped their heads as a sign of social status.

Colonial Period

Spanish Rule

When the Spanish arrived in 1622, the Himologan settlement was still active. Spanish missionaries described the people as a mix of mountain people and sea travelers. They noted that the men had tattoos and the women wore beautiful jewelry, some made of gold.

In 1626, a Spanish friar convinced the local chief, Datu Salangsang, to move his settlement closer to the Cagayan River. This new spot is where Gaston Park is today. The Spanish then built defenses there to protect against attacks.

In 1871, the area became a town and was named Cagayan de Misamis. It was made the capital of the Misamis province. By 1883, it became an important Spanish government center in Mindanao.

American Rule

American forces attacking Makahambus, around 1900s.

After Spain gave the Philippines to the United States in 1898, many people in Cagayan de Misamis resisted. They fought against the Americans in the Philippine–American War.

On April 7, 1900, Filipino fighters attacked the American soldiers in the town center but were pushed back. On May 14, another battle took place at Agusan Hill, where many Filipino soldiers lost their lives. However, on June 4, Filipino forces won a battle at Makahambus Hill, which was the first American defeat in the war.

After these conflicts, the city became a busy center for trade. Many people from other parts of the Philippines moved here. The Philippines gained independence from the United States on July 4, 1946.

Japanese Occupation

On May 3, 1942, Japanese forces invaded Cagayan de Oro. American and Filipino soldiers fought bravely but had to retreat. The Japanese burned much of the city. They used the Ateneo de Cagayan University as their base.

Filipino and American guerrilla fighters resisted the Japanese throughout the occupation. American planes bombed parts of the city in 1944. The Japanese were finally defeated when American and Filipino forces landed in Cagayan de Oro on May 10, 1945.

Modern History

In 1950, Cagayan de Oro officially became a chartered city. This was a big step for the city's growth.

During the time of martial law in the Philippines, Cagayan de Oro was known for its strong opposition to the government. Many people in the city stood up for their rights. When martial law ended in 1986, the city supported the new president, Corazon Aquino.

In 1990, there was an attempted coup where rebel soldiers took over a military camp in the city. However, they were soon stopped by government forces.

Dansolihon Cave Discovery

In July 2024, a new, untouched cave was found in Dansolihon village. This cave is like a time capsule, with water dripping, rock formations (like stalactites and stalagmites), and a bat colony. It's the second cave discovered in the city, after the Macahambus Cave.

Major Calamities

Aftermath of Tropical Storm Sendong (Washi)

Cagayan de Oro has faced several natural disasters.

• In December 2011, Tropical Storm Sendong caused severe flash floods. Many people living near the Cagayan de Oro River lost their lives or homes. Despite warnings, some residents did not evacuate.
• In January 2017, heavy rains from a low-pressure area caused widespread flooding. Many streets were underwater, and students at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) were trapped. Shopping malls were also heavily flooded.
• In December 2017, Typhoon Vinta also hit Mindanao, causing three bridges in Cagayan de Oro to close due to rising water levels. Thousands of people had to evacuate or move to higher ground.

Where is Cagayan de Oro? Geography

NASA—satellite image captured of Macajalar Bay and the metropolitan area.

Cagayan de Oro is located on the north central coast of Mindanao, the second-largest island in the Philippines.

The city is bordered by Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte to the south. To the west is Opol, and to the east is Tagoloan. To the north, it faces Macajalar Bay, which is part of the Bohol Sea.

Cagayan de Oro covers about 488.86 square kilometers. This is about 13.9 percent of the entire Misamis Oriental province. A large part of the city (44.7 percent) is farmland, and 38.4 percent is open space.

Barangays: City Districts

Cagayan de Oro is divided into 80 smaller areas called barangays. Each barangay has even smaller parts called puroks or sitios.

The city is often split into two main districts:

• The 1st District is west of the Cagayan River and has 24 barangays, mostly suburban areas.
• The 2nd District is east of the river and has 56 barangays, including the main city proper.

Climate: Weather in CDO

Cagayan de Oro has a tropical monsoon climate. This means it's generally hot all year round, with an average temperature of 28 °C. The highest temperature recorded was 39 °C in June 1998.

The city does not get the same amount of rain throughout the year. March and April are the driest months. August and September are the wettest months. The rainy season is from June to November, and the drier season is from December to May. Cagayan de Oro is usually outside the main typhoon path.

People and Culture

Cagayan de Oro is home to many different groups of people. About 44% of households have mixed ethnic backgrounds. Many people are Cebuano (22.15%), and some are Boholano (4.38%). Other groups include native people like Higaonon, Subanen, and Manobo. There are also Muslim groups like Maranaos and Maguindanaons. People from other parts of the Philippines, like Tagalogs and Ilocanos, also live here.

Religions in Cagayan de Oro

Roman Catholicism

Roman Catholicism is the main religion in Cagayan de Oro, with almost 70% of the people being Catholic. The city is home to the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro. The main church is the Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral.

Black Nazarene Shrine

In 2009, a replica of the famous Black Nazarene statue from Quiapo, Manila, was brought to the Jesus Nazareno Parish Church in Cagayan de Oro. This allows people in Mindanao to celebrate the annual traslación parade without traveling to Manila. It is the biggest traslación parade in Mindanao.

Other Christian Faiths

Many other Christian groups also have churches in the city. These include Pentecostalism, Adventists, Latter-day Saints, and Methodists. Other churches like the Iglesia Filipina Independiente and Iglesia ni Cristo also have many followers.

Islam

Islam is practiced by many residents, especially Maranao settlers. Most Muslims in the city follow the Sunni branch of Islam. Many Muslims have moved to Cagayan de Oro from nearby areas like Iligan and Marawi for work or study.

There are several mosques in the city. The oldest is Masjid Oro Jammah, founded in 1930. The largest mosque in Northern Mindanao is Masjid Sharif Alawi in Barangay Balulang.

Other Religions

Some local Chinese residents practice Buddhism and Taoism. There are also followers of Sikhism and Hinduism among the Indian residents.

Languages Spoken

Most people in Cagayan de Oro speak Cebuano. Tagalog is also widely used. English is common in business and schools. The city's Muslim community often speaks Maranao. Other languages like Subanen, Binukid, and Higaonon are also spoken by different ethnic groups.

Economy and Business

Cagayan de Oro skyline 2021

Cagayan de Oro is the main business and logistics center for Northern Mindanao. The city's economy relies on industry, commerce, trade, services, and tourism.

Many large companies have invested in Cagayan de Oro. In 2014, the United Nations called Cagayan de Oro an "emerging city of tomorrow." This is because of its strong economy and good business environment.

The city is home to big international companies like Del Monte and Nestle. It also has many local businesses.

Shopping and Services

International hotel chain Tune Hotels along CM Recto Avenue

Cagayan de Oro has many shopping malls, including Limketkai Center. These malls have many stores and supermarkets.

The city also has a growing BPO (call center) industry. This creates many jobs for people in the city.

Cagayan de Oro is also known for its many cooperatives. These are businesses owned and run by their members. They help provide jobs and support the local economy.

Culture and Fun Events

Cagayan de Oro has many exciting events and celebrations throughout the year. Each local area, or barangay, has its own Fiesta to honor its patron saint.

During the Higalaay (Kagay-an Festival) 2014

The Higalaay Festival is a week-long celebration in August. It honors Cagayan de Oro's patron saint, St. Augustine. Highlights include:

• The Kahimunan Trade Fair, which shows off local products.
• The Miss Cagayan de Oro beauty pageant.
• Street dancing and parades with colorful costumes.
• Kumbira, a big cooking show and competition for students and chefs.

In December, the Pasko de Oro festival takes place along the Rio de Oro Boulevard. This festival features dragon boat racing, street dancing, and a religious procession on the river.

Every January 9, the city holds a "Traslacion" procession for the Feast of the Black Nazarene. Hundreds of thousands of people take part in this religious tradition.

"Himugso," meaning birth, is a week-long celebration in June. It marks Cagayan de Oro's Charter Day (when it became a city) and Philippine Independence Day.

The RODELSA Hall and Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts are places where you can enjoy plays, concerts, and other cultural performances.

Food in CDO

Cagayan de Oro has a mix of food cultures due to its history. The city is known for its sweet pastel bread, crispy chicharrón, and Hamon de Cagayan (ham). You can also find popular street food like kwek-kwek (fried quail eggs), fish balls, and grilled meats.

The city has many restaurants, from local eateries to Chinese and Korean places. There are also plenty of fast-food spots, snack bars, bakeries, and coffee shops.

Sports and Recreation

Cagayan de Oro has its own basketball teams, the Cagayan de Oro Stars and Cagayan de Oro Rapids. The city is also known for its old lawn tennis clubs.

Sport venues include the Pelaez Memorial Sports Center. This is one of the biggest sports complexes in Mindanao. It hosts many sports events and even concerts.

White water rafting and kayaking are popular annual sports events on the Cagayan River. The city is also known for chess and has held many championships since the 1990s.

Cagayan de Oro also has go-karting tracks, like the Speed Master Go Kart Race Track. For golf lovers, there's the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club.

Getting Around: Transportation

Sayre Highway in upland Barangay Puerto connecting the city to the province of Bukidnon

Cagayan de Oro is easy to reach by land, air, and sea. Inside the city, you can get around using metered taxis, jeepneys (which follow set routes), and motorelas (motorcycle taxis). Newer options include trisikads (pedicabs) for short distances and vans for travel outside the city.

Ports

Port of Cagayan de Oro, one of the busiest ports in Mindanao

The Port of Cagayan de Oro is one of the busiest seaports in Mindanao. It handles many cargoes and has regular trips to and from major cities like Manila, Cebu City, and Iloilo City. Other companies like General Milling and Del Monte Philippines also have their own port facilities.

Airport

Laguindingan Airport

Cagayan de Oro's main airport is Laguindingan Airport (CGY). It handles domestic flights to and from cities like Manila, Cebu City, and Davao City. The airport is about 46 kilometers northwest of Cagayan de Oro. It was officially opened in 2013.

You can get to and from Laguindingan Airport using yellow taxis, regular taxis, and shuttle vans.

Bus Terminals

Cagayan de Oro has two main bus terminals:

• The Eastbound Integrated Bus Terminal (Agora) connects the city to eastern parts of Mindanao, including Butuan and Davao City.
• The Westbound Integrated Bus and Jeepney Terminal connects to western parts of Mindanao, including Iligan and Zamboanga City.

City Services

Public Utilities

• Water: Water services are provided by the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD). It was the first water district in the Philippines.
• Electricity: Electricity is mainly supplied by Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company (CEPALCO). CEPALCO also operates a large solar power plant in the city.
• Telecommunications: Phone and internet services are provided by companies like PLDT, Globe, and Smart.

Safety and Security

Cagayan de Oro is a regional base for the Philippine Air Force, Philippine Army, and Philippine National Police.

The Philippine Army has its largest military camp in Mindanao, Camp Evangelista, located in Barangay Patag. The Philippine National Police (PNP) also has its regional headquarters in Barangay Lapasan. The PNP and Army work with the local government to keep the city safe.

In 2017, Cagayan de Oro improved its emergency services. You can now dial 911 to connect directly to the city's emergency response center.

Learning and Education

Lourdes College Inc.

Cagayan de Oro has many schools and universities.

• Universities and Colleges: The city has five major private universities: Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, Capitol University, Liceo de Cagayan University, Lourdes College, and Cagayan de Oro College. The University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines is the only state university.
• High Schools: Notable high schools include Cagayan de Oro National High School and Gusa Regional Science High School - X.
• International Schools: There are also foreign schools and Chinese schools like Kong Hua School and Oro Christian Grace School.

Famous People from CDO

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, although she was born in West Germany, she had her hometown in Cagayan de Oro, in the Philippines

Cagayan de Oro is the hometown of Pia Wurtzbach, who became Miss Universe in 2015.

Sister Cities

Cagayan de Oro has friendly relationships with other cities, both in the Philippines and around the world. These are called "sister cities."

Local Sister Cities

• Quezon City
• Surigao City (since 1984)
• Batac (since 2023)
• Iligan
• Imus, Cavite (since 2019)
• Zamboanga City (since 2023)

International Sister Cities

• Lawndale, California, United States (since 1986)
• Tainan City, Taiwan (since 2005)
• Harbin, Heilongjiang, China (since 2007)
• Norfolk, Virginia, United States (since 2008)
• Gwangyang, Jeollanam-do, South Korea

Images for kids

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  North Concourse, Limketkai Mall

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  CM Recto Flyover

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  Whitewater rafting or kayaking adventures in the Cagayan de Oro River

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  A Tribute monument to the slain members of the press

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  CM Recto Avenue with Centrio Mall at the background

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  Photo taken from Uptown CDO

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  New Dawn Hotel Plus Building

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  Cagayan de Oro City as seen from Upper Puerto