Golf in the Philippines Misamis Oriental

Misamis Oriental is the most progressive province of Northern Mindanao. Bordered in the west by the province of Lanao del Norte, in the south by Bukidnon, in the east by Agusan del Norte, and in the north by the Bohol Sea. The province holds a central position.

It is a mountainous province with highest peaks around 2500 m. Many of the mountains are dormant or extinct volcanoes. Most of the province, except west of provincial capital Cagayan de Oro, has a very narrow coastal plain. Main sources of income: Agriculture, forestry, fishery and Industry.

Agriculture. The fertile volcanic soil and abundant rainfall create an excellent environment for agriculture. Main crops are pineapple, tomatoes, garlic, corn and coconut.

Forestry. Badly hit by the partial log-ban, but on a better basis (in combination with replanting), certainly with good potential.

Fishery. The Bohol Sea offers excellent deep-sea fishing. Also aqua-culture (prawns, tilapia, lapulapu) has bright prospects.

Industry. The province is part of the CIC, the Cagayan de Oro - Iligan Corridor, a zone designated for the development of heavy industry.

In Iligan City, about 100 kms west of Cagayan de Oro, there is the huge plant of the National Steel Corporation In Bugo, just 7 km. east of Cagayan de Oro, is the main canning complex of Del Monte.

Provincial Capital is Cagayan de Oro City, a thriving city with close to 400,000 inhabitants. The city has modern hotels, restaurants, a big university (Xavier University), 23 churches, parks and large shopping malls. It has a national airport, Lumba Airport, and a major shipping port.

Cagayan de Oro was originally a village that was part of the Sultanate of Kudarat. The Recollects Fathers established their mission here in 1622. The settlement was earlier the target of Muslim raids. The Recollect Fathers organized strong defences for the town, which the Manobos razed to the ground in 1649.

The town fought stubbornly against the American occupation in 1899. Foremost leaders of the Filipino resistance were General Nicolas Capistrano, Major Justo Gaerlan and Major Apolinar Velez, who, in June 1900, scored a victory against the superior American forces in the Makahambus Cave, just over the provincial border with Bukidnon. The main street of the city is named after Velez.

During the Pacific War, the town was occupied by the Japanese and was made as a supply center for the Northern Mindanao area. In 1945, the Allied Forces freed Cagayan de Oro from the Japanese invaders.

How to get there?

Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Air Philippines maintain negular flights to and from Lumbia Airport, near Cagayan de Oro City.

Several shipping companies are plying routes to and from Cagayan de Oro port. There are direct ferries, for instance, to and from Manila and Cebu. There is also a fast-ferry service between Cagayan de Oro and Cebu and Camiguin.

Several bus companies maintain regular services to major towns and cities along the coastal highway, as well as to southern cities such as Davao, Cotabato and General Santos.

What to see?

The Cagayan River bisects the city of Cagayan de Oro. the two parts of the city are connected by a large bridge

Worthwhile to visit is the San Augustin Cathedral with its unusual water tower. The Xavier University has an excellent small museum with archaeological findings from Northern Mindanao. Some artifacts go back as far as the late neolithic times.

There are also several places worthwhile to visit outside Cagayan de Oro. Very interesting is a tour around Del Monte's canning factories and plantations. It can be arranged at the canning factories in Bugo, just outside Cagayan de Oro (east side). There are several good beaches, mainly on the west side of the city. Opol, for instance, is only 6 km. Outside the city limits, close to the beach are restaurants and resorts. A road inland at Gugman leads to the attractive Catanico Falls. About 14 kms south of Cagayan de Oro is the Makahambus Cave, where a small band of ill-equipped Filipino soldiers scored a major victory over a superior American Force, in 1900. Also interesting are the Huluga Caves where artifacts were unearthed dating 5,000 years back. In barangay Balulang, some 6 km. South of the city, is a huge old tree, probably one of the oldest of the country. A fifty meters high embankment protects it.

Where to stay?

Cagayan de Oro has a wide range of accredited hotels to choose from:

First Class: Pryce Plaza Hotel

Standard: De Luxe Hotel, Discovery Hotel, Dynasty Court.Hotel, Exelsior Hotel, Grand City Hotel, Harbor Light Hotel,Philtown Hotel, Southwinds Hotel, VIP Hotel.

Economy: Cagayan Riverview Inn, Casa Crystalla, Hotel Ramon, and Hotel Conchita.