June 10th 2008

THE CAGAYAN DE ORO FIESTA: KAGAY-AN FESTIVAL 2008

THE CAGAYAN DE ORO FIESTA: KAGAY-AN FESTIVAL 2008
PROJECT BRIEF
Cagayan de Oro is one of the fastest growing cities in the country today. With
a bustling economy and a host of tourism related amenities and attractions,
the city is poised to become one of the premier cities in the country. However,
while it has succeeded in attracting investments in trade, services and real
property development, it has not hitched on the tourism bandwagon. Like
most areas in Southern Philippines, its promotion efforts are always marred by
the Mindanao stigma. Despite the very stable peace and order condition of the
city and its relative success in being known for its adventure tourism
attractions, visitor arrivals pale in comparison to more famous destinations
such as Cebu, Bohol, and Boracay, to name a few. In fact, Cagayan de Oro is
not included in the tourism anchor destinations of the country.
The primary objective of the project is the creation and launching of a
signature festival that will carve the name for Cagayan de Oro in the tourism
sector and ultimately put it in the Philippine calendar of major festivals to see
and be seen. Cities such as Cebu (Sinulog), Bacolod (Maskara), Iloilo
(Dinagyang) and Davao (Kadayawan) have succeeded in coming up with a
festival that have become synonymous with the place and have also become
great crowd-drawers. Cagayan de Oro has come up with a festival that would
hopefully pave way to a successful promotion of the city.
The project started with a BRANDING CDO FIESTA” – A Search for catchword
to naming CDO Fiesta signature event wherein all the collective minds of the
people of Cagayan de Oro were invited to come up with a signature brand name
of the city fiesta. The intention is that the people of the city should have
ownership of the event/ festival before we can promote it outside of the city.
With a new brand name, The Cagayan de Oro Fiesta Celebration will now pave
way in carving a name for the city in the calendar of festivals in the country.
Since this would be second launching year and with the limited time available
for preparations and promotions, the Promote CDO Foundation has decided on
six (6) core events, namely:
1. The Second Golden Float Parade Competition –“Beyond the Usual”
This event is a collective effort of Department of Tourism-10 and Promote
CDO. The concept of the competition is that each float should depict a
conceptualized drama recounting history, an activity, and a cultural or
corporate event of Cagayan de Oro City. Each entry is corporate based.
2. “Lambagohan”
Lambagohan-Fluvial Parade is open to all Barangays of Cagayan de Oro
City especially those that are located along the banks of the river. This event
will grandstand the natural bounty and beauty of the Cagayan de Oro River.
3. Kahimunan Mindanao 2008
This is in line with the DTI’s thrust of implementing the market
promotion activities for the OTOP Program. The fair will showcase the best
products of SMEs and OTOP of the Mindanao Regions. These include
handicrafts, furniture, processed food, organic and natural products and
services.
Various activities such as pre-fair trade seminars, technical sessions on
industry and market updates will also be featured during the event. There
will also be market matching activity wherein meeting with local and
international buyers, exporters and distributors will be arranged for the
exhibitors.
4. Higaonon Dance Festival 2008
A narrative dance competition anchored on indigenous tradition of the
Higaonon, an indigenous tribe in Mindanao.
The Higaonon Dance Festival is open to all Barangays, Government
Agencies, Schools, Cultural Communities or any other community or
Organization within the City of Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, and
other provinces of Northern Mindanao.
5. Ms. Kagay-an 2008
Dubbed as the most sought after beauty pageant in the city, The Miss
Kagay-an 2008 brings a first rate entertainment production in a multitude of
presentations. As the epitome of loveliness, glamour and prestige, local
beauties vie for the honor to represent our city as ambassadors of goodwill.
Numerous activities have been lined up for the grand celebration.
6. Festival of Rhythmic Dances
A new core event to be participated by Physical Education (PE) students
of the different schools, colleges and universities in Cagayan de Oro City.
This year, winners will receive trophies, plaques and certificates of
participation. Each participating contingent will receive P10,000 (maximum
of 10). Winners to be declared are: Best in Rhythmic Formation; Best in
Artistry and Best in Costume.

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June 7th 2008

Kagay-an Festival 2008

Kagay-an Festival 2008

Kagay-an Festival

Quoted: ”…once they’re here, introduce to them the best that the city can offer that will make them come back again and again.” Rudolfo Meñes, president Promote CDO Foundation

Promoting Cagayan de Oro as a major tourism destination for the global community is the focus of this year’s Kagay-an Festival.

Rudolfo Meñes, president of Promote CDO Foundation tasked by the city government to lead this year’s annual fiesta celebration, disclosed that the goal of Kagay-an Festival is to succeed in attracting more international tourists to come to Cagayan de Oro during the month-long celebration.

In a press conference preceding the launch of the 2007 Kagay-an Festival held at the Kiosko Kagawasan in Divisoria over the weekend, Meñes pointed out that visitors who first come to Cagayan de Oro for tourism often come back to the city to explore its business potentials.

”The key here is to give them one good reason to come over to Cagayan de Oro, and once they’re here, introduce to them the best that the city can offer that will make them come back again and again,” Meñes said.

Promote CDO Foundation unveiled during Saturday’s launch, the five core events that make up this year’s Kagay-an Festival as well as the official logo and music video of the festival.

These events include the street dancing competition; float parade competition; agro-industrial trade fair; river activities such as dragon boat race, fluvial parade, river rafting and kayaking; and the Search for Miss Kagay-an Tourism.

The foundation also unveiled other accredited fiesta activities such as horse race, airsoft competition, and live-band competition, among others.

Meanwhile, Ruben Vegafria, chair of the 2007 fiesta management committee disclosed that this year’s street dancing competition promises something different and new as competing performers will have to perform using only one Higaonon beat.

Vegafria also said that prizes of the various competitions in this year’s Kagay-an Festival will be more attractive compared to the previous celebrations.

On the other hand, Ramid Gualberto chair of the Miss Kagay-an Tourism 2007 committee said that the beauty pageant committee will undertake a tedious process in screening the candidates of this year’s search.

Gualberto explained that this will ensure that the successful lady who will be crowned Miss Kagay-an Tourism 2007 can truly deliver the tasks expected of her as the city’s ambassadress of goodwill and as a key figure in the promotion of Cagayan de Oro as a major tourism destination in the country. (City Information Office)

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