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In honor of Saint Augustine, Cagayan de Oro City celebrates
its Kagay-an Festival 2012 or its
fiesta on August 28, 2012. Unlike last year when the activities were
administered by the City government in partnership with Promote CDO Foundation
Inc., a private organization, this year’s activities are being undertaken solely
by the city government. The pattern of celebration is very much similar to the
fiestas that were held in the past. It involves the holding of different core
events that culminates in the day of the festivity on August 28.
The celebration of the fiesta is a manifestation that the
city has gotten over the devastation caused by the ravages of Typhoon Sendong
which claimed thousands of lives and resulted to the loss of millions of pesos in properties in December last
year.
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| Miss Kagay-an 2012 |
This year’s Kagay-an
Festival started with a marathon on the morning of August 19, 2012 from the
Rodelsa Circle to the streets of the City. On August 25, the P.E. Rhythmic
Festival was held at the Pelaez Sports Center Complex (PSCC). It was
participated by students of the city’s schools. On August 26, 2011 there was
the Cultural Street Dancing competition on which different representative
groups started at the Rodelsa Circle and moved along the city’s thoroughfares. The
colorful native costumes worn by the participants added liveliness to their
show as they entertained people as they marched and danced in the streets. One
of the most interesting events of the festival was the Miss Kagay-an 2012 Coronation Night which was
held at Lim Ket Kai Atrium on the evening of August 26, 2012. The program was
led by no other than Vicente Emano, the mayor. He was assisted by the different
committees led by local city officials as well as private groups or persons who
are sponsors of that particular event. Greanne Trisha T. Mendoza was crowned
as the Miss Kagay-an 2012. On August
27, 2011 there was the Civic-Military and Float Parade in the main streets of
the city. Participants of the parade included NGOs, military and police units
and industrial and commercial entities. On the same day in the evening there was a Pyro Festival where participating groups display their fireworks in view of
many people outside the Shoe Mart Mall.
Other activities that were held included the Agro Fair in which different agricultural products from the barangays of the city are displayed near City hall. On August 24 was the start of the Rodeo show near SM mall.
August 28 is the fiesta. The day is started with a mass at
the Saint Augustine Cathedral. In the morning there is also a fluvial parade in
the Cagayan de Oro River.
The banquet in the homes of the Kagay-anons is an integral and the most important part of their
celebration. The fiesta is the day where hosts treat their friends, relative
and even strangers with sumptuous foods they can serve on the table. Guests are
also served drinks such as wine and beer. The serving of foods and drinks is
not complete without a lechon or a
young roasted pig on the table.
Most people hold their banquet at lunch. Others do it in the evening. Still others, especially those who have the means start the celebration on the eve of the fiesta and continue feasting the following day which is the occasion.
Majority of them being Roman Catholics, Kagay-anons always celebrate the fiesta because the practice has embedded in their culture and traditions. Through it they are able to show their
hospitality, friendliness and generosity to other people from other places. Those
are some of the traits that have helped make Cagayan de Oro a prosperous City.
The city fiesta also known as the Kagay-an
festival is also a means to advertise the city to the rest of the country and
the world that it is a good tourism and investment destination in the Philippines.
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Such a very festive event to witness. Very colorful ang parade.
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