The Higalaay Festival a.k.a. Cagayan de Oro fiesta has kicked off in CDO. The extended Martial Law in Mindanao obviously didn’t deter the Cagayan de Oro local government from planning and organizing the Higalaay Festival 2017. In fact, this year’s Higalaay CDO Festival 2017 is part of the ongoing #BusinessAsUsual campaign of the CDO government.
Anyways, if you have plans of joining the revelries, a list of the core events of the 2017 Kagay-an Festival / CDO Fiesta / Higalaay Festival can be found below.
August 3 to 5 – Mindanao Fashion Summit, Rotunda of Limketkai Center
August 8 – ASEAN Landmark Lighting, Kiosko Kaawasan, Divisoria
August 18 to 20 – Cowboy Festival / Horse Show, CDO Uptown
August 18 to 29 – Kahimunan Regional Trade Fair, SM Downtown
August 20 – Kagay-an Festival Marathon, Ayala Centrio Mall
August 20 – Cagayan de Oro Carnival Street Dance Competition, Luna-Velez Streets to Divisoria
August 22 – Higalaay Choral Competition, Ayala Centrio Mall
August 26 – Miss Cagayan de Oro 2017 coronation night, The Atrium of Limketkai Center
August 27 – Higalaay Street Parade and Floats (Civic Military Parade), Rodelsa Circle (starting point)
August 27 – Centrio Mall Bisperas Fireworks Display, Du-aw Kagay-an Park
August 28 – Religious Procession, Augustine Cathedral
August 28 – Fluvial Procession, Macajalar Bay
August 28 – Pyro Musical Display, Pueblo de Oro Business Park
August 1 to 31 – Major malls in Cagayan de Oro will hold sale events. Participating malls: Centrio Mall, Limketkai Mall, SM City, Gaisano Mall and Ororama Supercenter
There will also be parallel events such as these:
August 11 – 2nd Kagayhaan Gold Cup Dragonboat Competition, Liceo de Cagayan University
August 16 to 18 – Manresa Days, Manresa Farm, Masterson Avenue
August 19 – “Sukwahi” Exhibition, Capitol University Gallery
August 23 – Fiesta Diskwento Caravan, City Hall
August 24 – Amateur Boxing, Gaston Park
August 29 – CDO People’s Gala, Activity Center of Ayala Centrio Mall
Where To Stay In Cagayan de Oro
I love Pacifico Boutique Hotel CDO. Located along Velez – Fernandez Streets, it’s value for money and definitely a good choice this fiesta season. Imagine a 12-inch thick mattress, blackout curtains, FREE and fast Fiber Internet, rainshower head and modern bathroom, super spacious suite and the location? It’s actually just a few meters away from where the Higalaay Festival 2017 Street Parade will begin! And to top it all off – they even have the city’s only rooftop bar where you can enjoy real good music, your favorite drinks and affordable food under the night sky. Book your CDO hotel room below:
Where To Eat In Cagayan de Oro
Everyone’s talking about POPS All Filipino Eatery. Located along Corrales Avenue (beside 7/11, near Chavez Street and across Sprint Multisport Store), they’re the current talk of the town. Naturally so – POPS CDO has their unbeatable Friday lunch buffet (only Php 199 for an eat AND drink all you can – that’s a winner!), really affordable and delicious dishes, the super tipid boodle feasts (Php 695 for 5-7 people) and comfortable interiors that even include a patio where you and your friends can chill. Check them out over at their official Facebook page. They accept credit cards and have function rooms.
If you’re looking for something light and a little quirky, how about heading to CDO’s only bike friendly cafe? Bike Republic Cafe CDO is just a few steps away from POPS CDO, actually. Located at Corrales Avenue corner Chavez Street, Bike Republic Cafe is my go-to place for delicious churros, huge and juicy burgers and pasta dishes. Affordable prices for absolutely good food. Need proof? Check out their Instagram page.
What To Do In Cagayan de Oro
What’s a trip to Cagayan de Oro without experiencing world-class white water rafting? Now, I know there are a couple of CDO rafting outfitters out there but if you ask me, I will only trust one that can GUARANTEE two river guides per raft, one that has 110% CLEAN record and one that can even give me a package that could include ziplining over at Dahilayan Adventure Park at a LESSER COST. Only Great White Water Rafting can do this and trust me, one look at all their guest reviews and you know that they’re the real deal. Their rates usually include FREE transportation to and fro the rafting starting point, FREE snack and lunch (or dinner) and hey, they’re sister companies with Dahilayan so of course they’re the company to go to for the MOST AFFORDABLE raft and zip package rates. Visit the Great White Water Rafting Facebook page for more details.
SHOPPING! EATING! Aaahh don’t we just love that? You can do that over at S&R Membership CDO! S&R CDO always has irresistible shopping treats for all of us (Buy 1 Take 1 – woot woot!) and then, of course, they have all those delicious treats at their food area. For this CDO Fiesta 2017 occasion, why not bring home the Cinnamon Dessert Pizza? Or you can bring all of your family and friends and treat them at S&R CDO instead. This special pizza has oatmeal, cinnamon powder, cream cheese, and vanilla extract – in other words, it all has the goodness we all love. S&R Cagayan de Oro is located along Kauswagan Highway. If you’re coming from Cagayan de Oro proper, it’s on your right just before you take that turn towards Bulua Bus Terminal. Go, go, go! You know S&R is a must-visit!
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Mindanaoan is a multi-awarded blogger, content creator, seasoned social media strategist and publicist with undeniably successful track record. 2012 International Visitor Leadership Program (for global leaders) alumnus and O visa grantee (for people with extraordinary skills and who have risen to the top of their field). Avid traveler and a proud relief operations volunteer. Regular resource person for social media, blogging and content creation. Available for work and travel – [email protected]