Festivals in Misamis Oriental are one of the unstoppable and growing provinces in Northern Mindanao. Cagayan de Oro is the capital of Misamis Oriental and is composed of 23 municipalities plus 2 component cities.
Misamis Oriental is the most convenient starting point when it comes to planning a trip to Northern Mindanao because its provincial capital, Cagayan de Oro, has daily flights to Manila and vice versa. For the adventurous type who seeks a thrill in nature, White Water Rafting in Cagayan de Oro would definitely be a fantastic idea. Citizens of CDO have developed the habit of rafting since the mid-’80s which is why it still remains one of the most popular pastimes in this part of the region.
Aside from the adventures that you would like to experience in Misamis Oriental, you must also experience the famous festivals in the province. The festivals are more likely related to religious, cultural, or both held to honor the local Roman Catholic patron saint of the town/city, to commemorate local history and culture, to promote the community’s products, or to celebrate a bountiful harvest.
Famous Festival In Misamis Oriental
- Kuyamis Festival – This is the festival of the Province Misamis Oriental that is held every January 5 – 10. This Kuyamis is the original name of Misamis before the Spaniards colonized it. The highlights of the festival showcase products and by-products made out of Coconut trees. It is a variety of sweet coconut, which was a staple food of the earliest known Negrito settlers of Misamis.
- Kagay-an Festival – This is the festival of Misamis Oriental capital, Cagayan de Oro and it is held every August 28th day and it is the feast day of St. Augustine– patron saint of the City of Cagayan de Oro. Mostly the festival celebration will take 3 weeks and it will start in the 1st week of the month. It is full of activities like pageant competitions, marathons, agricultural trade fairs, cultural street dancing parades, exhibitions, and sponsored events to the patron and fluvial parade.
- Sakay-Sakay Festival – Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, and is held every 3rd week of January. The festival is for the devotion of Sr. Sto. Niño also adapted the culture of dancing and parade in the street. The highlight of the festival is the Sakay-sakay Fluvial Parade at Balingasag Macalajar Bay.
- Hudyaka Festival – Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental and is held every 12th of July. A Street dancing competition depicting how Laguindingan became one of the municipalities of Misamis Oriental is the highlight the festival.
- Kaliga Festival [Street Pageantry] – Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, and is held every 22nd of July. The festival showcases street dancing, and cultural presentations. The locals also have a trade fair, in observance of the city’s charter day.
If you have plans to attend one of the festivals then you must plan your trip ahead so that everything will be all right when the time will come. The easiest way to go to Misamis Oriental is by plane or by ferry.
Guide to Get in Misamis Oriental
- If you are from Luzon of Visayas, the easiest way to get to Misamis Oriental is by plane.
- A ferry is one way to get to Misamis Oriental but it will take around 8 – 10 hours to travel time if you are from the Visayas and almost 40 hours if you came from Manila.
- You can try by land which also takes 40 hours if you came from Manila and around 8 – 10 hours of travel time if you are from the Visayas.