LET’S SEE. I covered four major places this December: Cagayan de Oro City; Villanueva in Misamis Oriental; Davao City; and Bohol. Naturally, the stretch is quite long, broken by seas in the case of Bohol to Mindanao; and characteristically landlocked suitably describing the cities and provinces comprising Mindanao. Not bad, given all the trips that I missed in the prior months! There is always an offset, and I am a grateful child of God!
For a bit of history.
Cagayan de Oro City
Heritage Conservation advocate Antonio J. Montalvan, Ph.D. said that beginning 1946, Misamis Congressman Pedro S. Baculio lobbied in the Philippine Congress to declare Cagayan de Misamis, which was then tottering from the ravages of war, a city. On December 17, 1949, the new Congressman Emmanuel Pelaez introduced House Bill No. 54, entitled “An Act Creating the City of Cagayan de Oro.” On June 15, 1950, President Elpidio Quirino signed Republic Act 521, the city charter of Cagayan de Oro.
Interestingly, Pelaez appended “de Oro” to “Cagayan” because of the gold mining activities in the hinterland barrios known to Spanish explorers in the 1500s, according to Montalvan’s article.
“During the regime of the dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, Cagayan de Oro earned the reputation as the center of political opposition in the Philippines. Independent-minded politicians in Cagayan de Oro helped restore democracy at EDSA in 1986.” I must agree with Dr. Montalvan since at the time, I was a college student and avidly observing the political developments in the country.
Cagayan de Oro City is a very progressive city and ranks No. 6 in the “Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City” category in the Philippines this year.
Villanueva, Misamis Oriental
According to a government website, the natives called “Magahats,” named the place “Bongloy,” on account of three huge Bongloy trees that grew in the area where the Catholic church and the town plaza stand today. I wonder if the Bongloy tree species is still thriving at present.
Captain Villanueva, a Mexican-American soldier, who was an occupant of the Balingasag Convent during the American occupation of the Philippines, was requested by Father Gregorio Parache, SJ, then parish priest of Jasaan, to assist him in the plans and later commissioned him to develop a potable water and irrigation system in the Bongloy area. As the years progressed, “the Magahats moved eastward below the town of Claveria and began calling Bongloy as Villanueva in honor of the captain.” “Villanueva” stuck and succeeding generations of inhabitants had adopted it.
The town’s economy, although largely agricultural, is flourishing aided by the contributions of Philippine Sinter Corporation, STEAG State Power, Inc., Purina, and Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc.
Christmas Day in Bohol
As I write this piece, on a very cozy Christmas afternoon, in the hermosa casa of Uncle Boy (younger brother of my mum) and Ate Nyng Lungay of Balilihan, Bohol, with impeccable accommodations in the neighboring casa amarilla of Uncle Benjie (another younger brother of my mum) and Ate Malu Lungay and Ate Sally Lungay (younger sister of my mum), I am also listening to cool music pervading the house, interrupted only but frequently, by mananaygon (carolers) of varying ages, genders, and sizes. So fun to be in the province during Christmas especially when one lives in the center of town, I mean the Poblacion. All activities are just happening right before your very eyes!
Post-Christmas Day 2024
During the Christmas season, many of our family members are sick, ugh! So, Thursday morning, I drove a family member to the city to buy meds, obtain the result of a prior lab test, etc. The interesting part is traffic is light; it was easy to drive. Wish everyday were like this, haha! On a corner, the city government “clamper” asked if we were parking long – oh, oh, did I miss that! we said we are just buying meds from the nearest farmacia. It sounded right to him, and he allowed us to park. Hmm, must be the Christmas spirit. Still, I parked away. I’m not ready to part with my hard-earned money to pay a clamping fee on post-Christmas Day. It is anti-climactic!
New Year 2025
Now, as we await New Year 2025, we find ourselves – again – on a crossroads between a passing and an upcoming year which can bring us either joy or pain. Not to sound pessimistic, but life always ushers in the unexpected, and given our ages, well, my age, I believe we must always be ready. We keep our hearts open, spirits high, minds sharp, and brawns sturdy to face the highs and lows of the gliding new year.
My New Year 2025 Prayer for all of us:
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. – Mark 11:24 (King James Bible)
***
The writer hosts Woman Talk with Belinda Sales every Saturday, 10 a.m. at 91.1 Balita FM Tagbilaran City. Momentarily, Woman Talk is taking a short break. Email at belindabelsales@gmail.com. X @ShilohRuthie./PN
