Exploring Cagayan de Oro, the City of Warm, Golden Friendships

CEBU, Philippines - As a child, I used to spend summers and Christmas vacations in Cagayan de Oro City visiting my aunts, uncles, and cousins from my dad’s side of the family. I remember eagerly looking forward to such vacations, starting from the boat ride, seeing and playing with my cousins again, and side trips to Iligan, Camiguin Island, and nearby Davao. Over the years, due to the distance, going to college, and eventually work responsibilities, my visits to Cagayan became less and less. Thus, when my cousin Ben Hur suddenly invited me for a week-long visit to discuss business matters, I took time off to go back to the city of my childhood.

My first impression of Cagayan, after years of being away, was that everything looked the same, but it seemed busier somehow, with more activity and excitement in the air. My cousins took me around town, and I have listed down the top places and things to see and do if ever you find yourself in Cagayan De Oro City these days:

1. White Water Rafting – Experience whitewater rafting at its best with the newest outfitters in the Cagayan de Oro River, the Cagayan de Oro River Tours Corporation. Safety is of paramount concern to them so their equipment are all imported and all brand-new. Guests are provided with complete safety gears such as helmets, flotation devices, rescue ropes, first-aid kit and dry bags. Their guides are well-trained, traversing the river 100 times as whitewater raft guides before they actually become full-fledged river guides. They are also trained by the Philippine National Red Cross in First-Aid, Basic Life Support and Swiftwater Rescue. They also undergo Tourist Relations Training with the Department of Tourism and Cagayan de Oro City Tourism Office. Safe and enjoyable whitewater rafting has never been this accessible. Jump-off area is within city limits and just less than an hour from the city. And at the disembarkation point, a fresh shower and clean comfort and changing rooms are available for the guests’ convenience. For more information or reservations, contact:

Cagayan de Oro River Tours Corporation

#112, 17th St. Nazareth, 9000 Cagayan de Oro City • Tel. (088) 857-7238 •email: [email protected]

2. Duka Bay Resort – This is owned by the Pelaez family and is a two-hour car ride away from Cagayan de Oro City. The road to Duka is cemented, smooth, and offers an interesting view of native coastal communities and natural vegetation. Located in the laid-back town of Medina, this is a tranquil, pleasant resort. Occupying a sandy shore and part of a hill, Duka is soothingly shaded by a cluster of large ancestral trees. Seven villas — spacious, elegant, and fully furnished — provide a breathtaking view of the bay and the island of Camiguin. A freshwater stream winds its way from behind the open-air restaurant, where one can savor an abundant variety of local and foreign cuisine. Guests can experience the excitement of getting fish right from the stream. And for sports buffs, there are kayaks, bancas, water bikes, and gears for scuba diving. If you wish to visit Duka, you may inquire on how to get there at their booking office in Cagayan de Oro at (63) (088) 858-4402 or (63) 9177067060.

3. Del Monte Clubhouse – Coming here for lunch truly felt like a step back in time to idyllic childhood summers with my cousins, when we used to enjoy leisurely lunch or snacks with our parents. The Del Monte sign at the front of the clubhouse looked exactly the same during the 80’s, even the dining area, the tables and chairs! The familiar beef roast tastes even better…this is always the dish to order when dining at Del Monte!

4. Dynasty Court Hotel & Restaurant – This business hotel, where I was billeted during my stay, is situated right in the heart of the city. Just across its doors are the major entertainment spots in the city and other business establishments are a short walk away. It is a mere 20 minutes away from the airport near the seaport and bus terminal. Taxis, jeepneys, and the ever durable “motorelas” or motorcycle-driven transports could be ridden right at its doorsteps.

5. Pearlmont Inn – This new hotel, fast becoming a favorite for out of towners, is excellently located just a stone’s throw away from the Limketkai Mall and is accessible to the city’s various business establishments and shopping districts. Aside from the hospitable and courteous services of the hotel staff, Pearlmont Inn also gives off a distinctive appeal with the mixture of its contemporary and classic interior design and furnishings.

6. Sentara Nail and Body Spa – Next door to Pearlmont Inn is this delightful spa which offers good, mid-priced massage services (from Swedish to Shiatsu) and beauty parlor services. They also have catchy packages such as “Tuesdays is Toesdays!”

7. Sentro 1850 – This restaurant located at the center of the city (at Don Apolinar Velez St.) offers excellent fine dining cuisine from Asian to Western-style dishes. One can also find a charming little store right next to Sentro’s called Little Bangkok, where you can browse for authentic products (T-shirts, food items, various knick-knacks) from Bangkok, Thailand.

8. Butcher’s Best Barbecue – A highly recommended food stop for barbecue lovers. They also offer their famous Butcher’s sisig and 100 percent Angus beef. It started as a food hobby in 1998 by enterprising young cousins and business partners Ben Hur Sia, Eric Yap, Kim Clark Yap, Bronson Ching, Kevin Ching, and Stephen Ching. It was very well received by the locals and tourists (some claim it serves the best barbecue in town) that they currently have two branches, one in 87 Hayes St. and the other one located in the university belt (Xavier University). Both places have air-conditioned and outdoor dining areas for its customers. 

9. Steve’s Chicken Barbecue – I was told this business started in Cogon market and they still have a stall there. I ate at their current location at JR Borja Extension, and indeed, for chicken barbecue, this establishment serves the best. They give JunJun & Malou of Cebu some serious competition!

10. Kagay-anon – This elegant restaurant tucked at the Rosario Arcade in the Limketkai Center is known for its famous and delicious native delicacies and authentic Filipino cuisine cooked & served in unique, innovative ways. Some of these popular dishes include kinilaw na tangigue in a clam shell, piping-hot bulalo, king crabs cooked in coconut milk and chili, as well as sinangag rice served in a bamboo tube. A house specialty is ostrich meat served as curried, tapa, or salpicado.

11. Cucina de Oro/Chicken Ati-Atihan – This restaurant is located along Limketkai Drive, near Limketkai Mall.  It has a cozy Filipino country atmosphere, specializing in grilled chicken and other grilled Filipino food.

12. La Vetta – Also located at Limketkai Center’s Rosario Strip, this is a new restaurant which boasts of the city’s first ever master chef from Europe. La Vetta (Italian for peak of the mountain) serves French Mediterranean cuisine from mid to high end pricing. It is owned and operated by Carsten Radke, a master chef from Berlin, Germany and his Filipina wife from Cagayan, Jenny Abarado. La Vetta’s French Mediterranean cuisine is filled with herbs, fresh vegetables, light sauces, and olive oil. Their popular menu items are their pastas and pizzas, imported rib eye and tenderloin steaks and fish dishes such as grilled blue marlin with tomato paste and beurre blanc (white butter sauce). All of La Vetta’s sauces and gravies are personally prepared in-house and cooked to the minute. They also have an open kitchen, so we could see the master chef and his kitchen brigade at work.

13. Fu – This club and bar, located at Corrales corner J. Ebarle Sts., with its comfy brown leather couches and glass tables reminds me of Treff in Waterfront Lahug. It is also known for bringing in the best DJs in the country and the first European DJ to play in Cagayan de Oro.

14. Bigby’s and Candy’s – I am told these two food establishments are the places to go for weekend hangouts, also located near Limketkai Mall. Bigby’s, which serves Western-style dishes, originated in Cagayan by Cathy Genabe and two other business partners. Candy’s, on the other hand, serves great pastas and desserts and is a nice place for coffee.

15. SM (located along Pueblo de Oro Estates, near the airport) and Limketkai Center (the biggest in the Mindanao region) – These upscale shopping malls carry a lot of the brands found in the Cebu malls. When I was there, the Mango store had just opened in Limketkai Center.

16. La Tegola, Sunburst, Ice Castle, Café Laguna, and Bo’s Café – I discovered that a lot of restaurants/café from Cebu, can also be found in Cagayan. This city truly knows its food and enjoys eating out!