Why people visit Cagayan de Oro

TYPHOON-FREE weather, traffic-free

roads, a thriving business community,

easy access to nature, mountain views

and a sparkling-clean river.

These are just a few of the delights of Cagayan de Oro City,

which is fast becoming a popular business and vacation

destination in Mindanao.

First-time visitors are always pleasantly surprised--and they

keep coming back. Here are some reasons why:

o Garden of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village.

The only ''eco theme park'' in Mindanao lies on the slopes

of the Cugman watershed, where hikers can glimpse

breathtaking views of Macajalar Bay.

Malasag is a self-sustaining community. Families belonging to

the Subanon, Talaandig and Higadnon tribes, known for their

weaving skills, live in traditional huts in the village and earn a

living by supplying fine weaves to select city shops and

restaurants.

Only 15 minutes away from the city by car, it offers cottages for

P150 (dormitory) or P960 (air-conditioned) a night, as well as a

campsite. There's also a restaurant, a swimming pool, and a

multipurpose hall for seminars and conferences.

o White water rafting.

''You have to ride the rapids in order to really appreciate the

river,'' says Ruperto Domingo, a pioneer river guide of Cagayan

de Oro White Water Rafting Adventure, the only water-rafting

outfitter in the Philippines.

The 3-to-6-hour trip is a wild adventure down the unspoiled

Cagayan River, from Mambuaya to Kabula or Ugyaban to

Kabula. Rafters shoot a total of 14 rapids.

White Water clients are fully equipped with life vests and other

safety gear, and provided basic water survival training.

Bookings may be arranged through Eco Point, phone numbers

(08822) 723673 and (088) 8574741; e-mail

riv3r@fasrmail.1-next.net

o The property market.

The city is an investment haven, with the best deals to be made

in real estate.

Dominating the property sector is Xavier Real Estate, located at

the Airport Uptown Road. Funded by A. Brown Company, the

firm began infrastructure development in 1994 in a 256-hectare

area. By the time it entered the market in 1995, the estate's roads,

sewer system, water lines and clubhouse had been put in place.

Xavier envisions itself as a self-contained city within Cagayan

de Oro in the next 10 years. Its infrastructure plan includes a

200-room hotel, hospital and school, as well as an access road

from Iligan.

o Restaurants, night spots, etc.

Check out this variety: Bigby's Cafi at 8 Arch Hayes Street, with

its Rack-a-Bye spare ribs special, coffees and fruit shakes;

Loreto's Grill Restaurant at the corner of Tomasato and

Nazareth, known for pork barbecue and kilaw (raw fish in

vinegar); Consuelo Steakhouse at 192 Corrales Avenue,

specializing in beef dishes (roasted, braised or ''cowboy-style'');

Tia Nanang's Filipino Cuisine at the corner of Corrales and

Ramon Chaves, with must-orders steamed crab and oxtail

kare-kare; Compadres Bar at the Pryce Plaza; Picasso at the

Dynasty Court Hotel; and Colors, just around the corner from

Bigby's.

o Shopping.

There's Lim Ket Kai, the biggest mall in the city, which carries

local and foreign brands comparable to those found in Manila.

Don't forget to buy the famous Piqa ham at its factory on

Osmeqa Street or at the airport.

How to get to Cagayan de Oro?

By air: Philippine Airlines and Air Philippines have daily flights

from Manila; Mindanao Express flies the Cagayan route once

daily, Mondays to Fridays.

By sea: Superferry sails thrice weekly from Manila.

By land from Davao: Bachelor Express departs every 30 minutes.

Cagayan de Oro can be reached in six hours from Buda, and in

10 hours from Butuan.