Cagayan de Oro celebrates feast of Saint Augustine

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Street dances. Carnival king and queen. Parade. Fireworks. These were all part of the recent celebration here in honor of Saint Augustine. 

The streets were filled with cultural dancers in colorful outfits as 10 villages competed and showcased their best and in the end, the village of Macabalan was hailed as champion, bagging P150,000 cash prize.  

The village of Puerto came in second place and won some P90,000 cash prize. The third was the village of Kauswagan which bagged P65,000 cash prize. The village of Macabalan was also awarded “Carnival King” while the village of Puerto was this year’s “Carnival Queen.”  

Prior to the holding of the joyous event, all street “dancers and participants were asked to present their COVID-19 vaccination cards to ensure the safety of everyone. 

"Dako nakong kalipay ug pagpasalamat sa tanan nagtambong, nagpaluyo, nagsuporta sa nagkalain-laing programa sa dakbayan. Kung kamo mga katawhan wala nagkooperar, wala nitabang, dili mahigayon ang kasaulogan sa kapistahan sa tumang kasadya ug kalipay,” said Mayor Rolando Uy. 

Various floats from the local government and national government agencies, and security sector also snaked throughout major roads with local cheering all the 110 contingents. 

Bagging the first place for the Street Parade and Floats competition was the CLIMBS Life and General Insurance Cooperative with P120,000 cash prize. Their float’s main highlights was the “Banga” or earthen clay that commemorates the famous landmark in the village of Bulua.  

The float was also adorned with a “Giant Goldfish,” representing the City of Golden Friendship, and the goddess of the Cagayan de Oro River, which symbolizes the provision of nourishment and life. 

The Carmen village’s “Golden Tartanilla” came second and won P90,000 cash prize. The Tartanilla symbolizes Cagayan de Oro’s most utilized mode of transportation in the early 1990s, and was embellished with a “Golden Horse” - sharing golden opportunities to people around its neighboring towns in Misamis Oriental. 

The Oro Backyard Gardeners bagged the third place with P70,000 cash prize. Their float was adorned with miniatures cathedral, fish, tropical flowers, and white water rafting symbols. The celebration also brought together various shows - from agricultural to trade fairs - and attracted hundreds of people.  

Religious procession was also participated by the faithful which ended at Saint Augustine Cathedral. Organizers also held a fluvial procession and fireworks at Duaw Park. (Recthie Paculba)