Oh yeah, a big thanks to all those who participated in the question I posted. Be it an email response or a comment on my blog entry…thank you. I wish there was more participation, but well, what’s done is done.
Anyway, I compiled 8 reasons why CDO is so dear to me and the respondents. I will put 4 here, the rest will be in a later entry.
1. Relatively little traffic and pollution.
Lesser traffic is one of the more obvious blessings of CDO when you compare it to other cities in the country. Ok, this year’s Fiesta is an exception because of the construction of several flyovers, but when all that is done traffic will be even easier to stand than before.
My friend, Penny’s response was that you can get to anywhere in the city in 20-30 minutes max. She’s right. I can get to the mall in two minutes; the wet market in ten minutes; work in a little less than fifteen (including picking up carpoolers); the airport in five; the hospital in ten; church in twenty…you get the picture.
The quality of the air is also more tolerable as compared to our other cities. In our nation’s capital city, my gosh. White streamers hanging outside turn brown in no time; and asthma is rampant. But in CDO? Well, unless you hang around Divisoria all the time, the air is better here. This is especially true if you live in the Xavier Estates/Pueblo de Oro area, like I do.
2. The beach and the mountains are very close by.

I don’t recommend going to the beaches right on the edge of town, though (you’ll have to travel out of town for a few minutes). But still, we are so blessed to have both very close by.
3. Cheap, healthy, and abundant food.

And indeed, the food here is great. Our visitors envy us that we can enjoy a plentiful supply of durian, marang, jackfruit, lanzones and others. In trying to stock up on the things we so abundantly enjoy, they stink up the planes and other transpo on their way back to their own homes.
I also love the roadside stalls on the highway on the way to the beach or to the mountains, selling all kinds of fruits at very low prices. Not only do I love the prices, but I also love that much of the stuff is grown at the sellers’ backyards, so there’s no herbicides and pesticides and other bad stuff that you wouldn’t want on your food.
4. Very nice people.

Sure, there’s poverty in many parts of CDO, and so you’d have to be careful with your stuff. Indeed, I’ve had some bad experiences with petty theft since I stayed here. But take it as a lesson in vanity, and a lesson in the need to take care of your things. I don’t wear the kind of bling I used to wear, and I feel fine. Better even.
In spite of that, this city truly does earn its reputation as the City of Golden Friendship. Filipinos are known for being hospitable, but Cagayanons take it to another level. I’ve been treated so well since I came here. Maybe it’s because I was the new kid in town and I had an American accent, but still…people here are so, so, so nice.
There are four more reasons why I love Cagayan de Oro City so much, and I will post them in part two of this article. You can also do some last minute suggestions in the form of comments, and I will do my best to include them as well.
Happy Fiesta everyone, and enjoy the long weekend.
Update: Here’s part 2 of this article. Enjoy!
number 2 is perfect.:) there are more beaches going farther east or west of the city but the beaches in opol (which happen to be nearer than the others) are so far, the best for me. it doesn't have white sand but at least there's more sand than rocks or dead corals.;)
ReplyDeleteYes, the Opol beaches are closer, but…well, it could be too close to the big city for me. I feel safer (read: cleaner) swimming in the waters of the beaches a little ways away.
ReplyDeleteRUSH!!!! Seller living in US…Lot for sale in CDO Xavier Estates Phase 4 – 250 SQM. Email me for pricing at larose787@gmail.com or if you're in US you can call me at 702-509-0660. Rose
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