MISAMIS ORIENTAL TRAVEL INFORMATION
Where to Stay in Misamis Oriental | Brief History | Misamis Oriental Descriptions
Major Industries | Cultural, Religious and Man-Made Attractions
Natural Attractions | Festivals
BRIEF HISTORY
 “Misamis” is derived from the word “Misa” which is the Spanish term for the Eucharistic Mass. When Christianity was yet new in the Philippines, the word “Misa” was shouted by converts everytime priests traveled around the province. Thus, over a period of time, the Spanish Missionaries started calling the province by the name Misamis.
Other sources revealed that the word “Misamis” is derived from “Kuyamis,” a variety of sweet coconut, which was the staple food of the earliest known Negrito settlers of the territory. The word “Kuyamis” was corrupted to Misamis when the Spanish colonizers came.
Capital city is Cagayan de Oro which is also the regional capital of Northern Mindanao. Gingoog City which is a component city of the province is located on the eastern part of Misamis Oriental.
MISAMIS ORIENTAL DESCRIPTIONS
Nature tripping is a never-ending possibility in Misamis Oriental, one of the five provinces of Northern Mindanao. From watersports and fine beaches to cave exploration and ethnic settlements, the list of nature-communing endeavors to be experienced in the province is longer than enough to fill a lifetime’s itinerary.
Seas and beaches offer a limitless aqua adventure. Go scuba diving at Duka Bay and Mantangale, also a primary dolphin and whale shark watching destination. Find glorious hideaways in the white sand beaches of Midway Beach, Maputi White Beach, and Opol Beach Fronts. Go white water rafting and tubing in the rapids of Cagayan de Oro River, one of the longest rivers in Mindanao. Or simply get picture-happy at the San Isidro/Sagpolon, Palalan, and Tiklas waterfalls as well as Sapong Spring and the Cold Spring at Lagonglong.
Geography
Misamis Oriental is one of the five provinces of Northern Mindanao. Falling between 8°28'38"516 Latitude and 142°38'35"235 Longitude, the province is located along the northern coast of the island of Mindanao. It is bounded on the north by Macajalar Bay, on the west by Iligan Bay, on the south and southwest by the provinces of Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte, and on the east by Agusan del Norte.
Political Subdivisions
Misamis Oriental is one of the 22 provinces of Mindanao and one of the 4 provinces of the new Region 10. It has two cities, Cagayan de Oro, the capital, and Gingoog City, a component city, and 24 municipalities with 349 barangays.
Population
Total population is 664,338 as of 2000.
Language/Dialect
Cebuano, Tagalog, Maranao, Hiligayon, Ilonggo, Waray, and English.
Climate
Two types of climates in the province are based on rainfall distribution. The first type, which occurs in the eastern municipalities of Kinoguitan to Magsaysay, has a very pronounced maximum rainfall from November to January and generally wet the whole year. The second type, which occurs in the central and western part of the province, is relatively dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year. It covers the municipalities of Sugbongcogon in the east and down to Lugait in the west. The climate is usually pleasant with warmer days and cooler nights.
Economic
Sundayag (Northern Mindanao; August 16-30)
A display of the different agri-fisheries products of Region 10.
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MAJOR INDUSTRIES 
Del Monte Pineaaple Cannery. Production area in Bugo, Cagayan de Oro City; processes juices and cocktails, among others.
Mindanao Product Showroom. Display area of all handicrafts in Region 10; managed by the Department of Trade and Industry in cooperation with the Cagayan Oro Chamber of Commerce.
Ostrich and Crocodile Farm (Opol, Misamis Oriental). Owned by local Filipino-Chinese entrepreneurs and supplying the local markets and Manila.
Mindanao Silk Mulberry Farm (Claveria, Misamis Oriental). Houses the Philippine Textile Research Institute Mindanao Office.
PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate (Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental). Home to several multinational corporations and big industries.
Ceramic Making (Bulua, Cagayan de Oro). Items include jars, plates, and ornamental/gift items, among others.
APTPCO (Gingoog City). Produces plywood.
INDO Philippine Oil Mill (Medina, Misamis Oriental). Produces coconut oil.
CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS, AND MAN-MADE TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Cultural Attractions
Vega Ancestral Home
Located at Balingasag
Lagbas Ancestral Home
Located at Sugbongcogon
Religious Attractions
Holy Week Rites
Performed at all the Roman Catholic Churches in the Province during the Lenten Season.
Century Old Church
Can be found in Jasaan
Man-Made Attractions
Xavier Sports and Country Club (Cagayan de Oro)
Owned by the A.Brown Corporation; houses bowling alleys as well as a swimming pool, tennis court, and basketball court, among others.
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NATURAL TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
 Agutayan Reef
Also called White Island, Jasaan. This is a small island with a wide expanse of coral reef. On the side there is a drop-off starting at 50 ft. down to 150 ft. There are plenty of cracks and crevices along the wall. Pelagic fishes such as surgeon fish, barracuda, tuna, eagle rays, and occasional sharks can be sighted here.
Constancia Reef
This is a shoal approximately 3 has. in size with the shallowest depth at 20 ft. below the surface. On the south side, the coral reef is in good condition teeming with colorful tropical fishes, pelagic and territorial fishes, sea fans and sponges.
Sipaka Point
Known for its strong current, the spot is good for more experienced divers. The natural current feeds the marine ecosystem resulting to a majestic underwater garden. Huge seafans, basket sponges, hard and soft corals and feather stars abound in this area as well as stringrays, snappers, groupers, and colorful small fishes. For the underwater photographer, the clear waters of Sipaka is ideal for micro and wide angle setups.
Talisayan Shoal
This is a very small shoal fronting the town of Talisayan. It takes only about 10 minutes to get there from the Mantangale Alibuag Beach Resort. The shallow part of the shoal is covered with a very good coral growth with plenty of small colorful fishes, shells and other plants and animals. Turtles are often seen here as well as other pelagic fishes.
Sta. Ines Wreck
At the sandy and steep slope, there is an old WW 2 pontoon wreck at depths starting at 30 feet to about 150 feet. This wreck is now is now covered with fan corals, black corals and other marine growth and also serves as home to a lot of big and small fishes as Lapu-lapu, jacks, sweetlips, red snappers, surgeon and batfishes.
Medina Springs
Approximately 300 yds. from the white beach, at the edge of the shallow coral reef are two excellent dive spots. “The Paradise” is at 90 to 110 feet deep. It looks like a canyon with lots of cracks and holes. There is even a cavern that can be explored using an u/w flashlights. “The Aquarium” is good spot to make a second dive since the depth ranges only from 20 to 70 feet. In both spots, the unique attraction here are the underwater springs locally called “alibuag” which spews out large volumes of very cold fresh water from the bottom towards the surface. The marine life here is also very rich and abundant. The spot is located in Medina.
Punta Diwata
Located at the eastern tip of Gingoog Bay and part of the town of Magsaysay about 1 hr. by boat from the Mantangale Alibuag Dive Resort. The dive spot has a stair step type of carolline slope. The ledges and walls are beautifully covered with marine out-croppings, seafans and sponges. Fish inhabitants include colorful tropical fishes, lapu-lapu, sweetlips, snappers and occasional manta rays glide. This dramatic seascape is excellent for wide photos.
Manongul
Just out front of Mantangale is a busy reef called “Manongul”, the dialect for coral gardens. Here one finds shallow sandy areas with coral paths excellent for snorkeling or a long scuba dive. Blue spotted stringrays, convict damsels, lionfishes, colony of soft and hard corals and a variety of clown fishes are among the permanent inhabitants in the area. Having good visibility for most of the year it is suitable for U/W photography, a leisurely paced plunge or a night dive.
 Sagpulon Springs & Falls (San Isidro, Jasaan)
It offers the serenity and pristine beauty of Mother Nature where one can still get tranced by the sound of birds, fascinated by the kaleidoscopic vista of the wild flowers and virgin forested trees. Luxuriate under its showery waterfalls one can enjoy the cool, clear and gently flowing swimming pool. Excellent for weekend and family picnic or relaxation with cozy cottages and nature cooled rest houses. Only 45 minutes ride from the city.
Caves
The rare beauty of the caves captured the interest of spelunkers, anthropologists and tourists alike due to their amazing formation and the value they represent. Some of them are: Buslo Cave, Cave 1, Sicolon Cave, Liang Baho 1, and Cave 3.
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FESTIVALS
Kagay-an Festival (Cagayan de Oro; August 26)
Celebration in honor of the city’s patron, Saint Augustine. Features a street dancing competition, trade fair, sportsfest, beauty contest, and civic military parade.
 Kaliga Festival (Gingoog City; July 23)
Celebrated to mark the City Charter Anniversary; activities are street dancing, trade fairs, civic military parade, and awarding of achievers.
Lubi-Lubi Festival (Gingoog City; May 22)
Celebration of the Feast of Sta. Rita. Street dancers wear costumes made out of coconut materials.
Hudayaka Festival
As defined/described by the people of Laguindingan can be compared like the MASKARA FESTIVAL in Bacolod City, the SINULOG in Cebu City, KADAYAWAN in Davao City and many others where the significant historical events are being portrayed/dramatized through street dancing, merry making, and even cultural interpretative presentations. It was then officially launched July 12, 1996 sponsored by the Ayala Foundation, Inc. in cooperation with the local government of Laguindingan and the office of the Department of Tourism Region 10 in Cagayan de Oro City. The official launching was participated in by different groups from Opol to Gitagum, Misamis Oriental. The festival is one of the major attraction in the celebration of the “ARAW NG LAGUINDINGAN”.
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Where to Stay in Misamis Oriental | Brief History | Misamis Oriental Descriptions
Major Industries | Cultural, Religious and Man-Made Attractions
Natural Attractions | Festivals
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