05 Feb 10 Fun Facts about Cagayan de Oro
Kagay-anon’s favorite expressions are “Tsada” and “bibo”
The Visayan dialect used in Cagayan de Oro is similar to the Cebuano dialect, which is considered the main Visayan language of the country. However, CDO’s Visayan dialect differs with Cebuano in the use of some words.
For instance, Cagayanons love the expression, “Tsada,” which is sometimes spelled as “Chada.” It means “nice,” though the Cebuano equivalent to it is “Nindot.” Kagay-anons enjoy this expression to describe anything positive or that give feelings of happiness. Simply put, Tsada is an expression for anything “nice.” In relation to Tsada is “bibo” and this word means “lively” or “fun.” Bibo is used to describe anything that gives off an aura of festivity or fun like fiestas, parties, parades, concerts, etc.
It’s not called the “city of golden friendship” for nothing, and you can add adventurous to CDO as well
Many foreign and local tourists are taken aback by the really sincere warmth and hospitality of Kagay-anons wherever they go in the city. This is probably why it’s called the “city of golden friendship.”
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And add to this warmth and hospitality the fact that Cagayan de Oro is fast becoming the adventure capital of Mindanao, let alone the Philippines.
CDO’s White Water Rafting as well as its adventure and nature parks are fast becoming popular as tourist attractions. These attractions though still carry that warm and sincere friendliness of Kagay-anons. For instance, anyone who has experienced the white water rafting in CDO are often surprised by the friendliness, warmth, and even comedic character of the white water rafting guides. Even at the adventure parks that showcases ziplines and other thrilling rides, the same friendly atmosphere is always there. This is becoming a fast trademark for Cagayanons.
CDO’s motorela is the most unique
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The Philippines can boast of the venerable jeepney and having the cheapest taxi fares in Asia. Foreign tourists are encouraged to experience riding the jeepney. But did you know that CDO’s motorela is the only one of its kind in design? Unlike in other places in the Philippines that uses the “tricycle” type of sidecar that can ride 2-3 passengers, the motorela is almost similar to Thailand’s Tutktuk in which up to 6 passengers (8 if two more ride beside the driver) can ride in the cab. And while you’re at it, experience riding in a multicab, a miniature version of the jeepney found only in the Philippines that can seat up to 10 passengers.
There’s a bar named after the city
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There’s a bar in the city that has actually named itself after the city, The CDO bar. It’s located at the Paseo del Rio near the new bridge. It’s also a unique bar given the fact that it has a strict closing time of 11:00 p.m., unusual for a bar in the city since all other bars close at around 2:00 or 3:00 a.m.
Acoustic pubs and bars rule the city
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Unlike Manila and Cebu bars that still houses live full instrument bands with their singers and different playing genre, all pubs and bars in CDO have reverted to “acoustic bands.” There are usually 2 or 3 members with one or two guitars and either a laptop or beatbox to provide the background beat. No one can explain this phenomenon and how it began. The only other bars and pubs around the city without acoustic bands instead play DJ dance mix music or have reverted to KTV bars. There isn’t a single bar in CDO that features a live full instrument band. The usual favorites around the city are Loreto’s Grill, Lokal Grill, Inilog Grill Restaurant, Lexi’s Bar and Grill, Blue Duck Bar (Mallberry Suites), and De Kalsada Bar and Grill.
Got a vehicle? When in CDO hang out by the… bridge
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There’s something about bridges that people in CDO love hanging out there. Back in the 1980’s and 90’s people used to hang out at the Don Mariano Marcos Bridge; they would bring their own drinks and play music from their vehicles. During Fridays and weekends, it was normal to find vehicles lined up on the side of the bridge and groups of friends and even families just hanging out. When a local ban was issued against this, the trend sort of died down at first. But when the new Pelaez Bridge near Pagatpat, the new bridge at Paseo del Rio, and the new bridge at Licoan/Kauswagan went up, the trend quickly returned. Perhaps there’s something magical about the Cagayan River that draws people in to hang out at the bridges while partaking of food and drinks and conversing while staring out into the waters.
Kagay-anons love food trips
Boodle Fight
Kagay-anons love to eat, and any new restaurant will catch the people’s attention when it opens. There’s something about trying out new food that attracts the palates of Kagay-anons. The usual favorites are notably restaurants that serve those large groupie “boodle fights,” seafood restaurants that serve food in plastic bags and make you don a bib (Red Tail and Choobi-Choobi), and there are even those favorite street foods along Pabayo Street and near schools like “proben” and “kwick-kwick.”
Kagay-anons love to sing as stress release
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Walk around the busy parts of the city like Divisoria, Corrales Avenue, or visit the entertainment arcades like the Lifestyle District and Grand Central and you’ll find most KTV bars grouped there. Again, like the Japanese, Kagay-anons seem to have picked up the habit of “enjoyment singing” as a means of releasing stress after a hard day’s work. It’s not unusual to find groups of office mates or friends even during weekdays going to KTV bars all over the city to belt out songs at any note.
Coffee or tea?
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Cagayan de Oro must be the only city in the Philippines with a tea shop and coffee shop density that equals at least two per block. No kidding. Just walk around Divisoria and count the number of tea shops (milk tea drink shops included) and coffee shops lining the streets, more so if you go to the malls, along Corrales Avenue, and the entertainment arcades. There’s something about going into tea shops or coffee shops, ordering a drink or two, and relaxing with a friend in conversation or scanning something on the laptop or tablet.
Kagay-anons have a sweet tooth
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Not content with coffee and tea shops? Now try counting the number of sweets and pastry shops around the city. You’ll really see a lot. And those tea and coffee shops are also filled with sweets and pastries.
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In fact, CDO is fast becoming the sweet and pastry center of Northern Mindanao with the number of sweet and pastry establishments sprouting around the city and the number of sweet and pastry chef schools around as well. The more popular ones are usually Missy Bonbon, Bread Talk, Sweet House, and Lexy’s Sweet Kitchen.
Conclusion
With the fun facts presented above, this once again proves that Cagayan de Oro is more than just a “city of golden friendship.” It is also the city of great and awesome fun. So, if you’re looking for quiet fun, entertaining fun, or adventurous fun, Cagayan de Oro has it all, and perhaps more.
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