Cagayan de Oro as many people know, is a haven for treasure hunters. Many people from other countries like the United States and Japan come to Cagayan de Oro in search of treasures buried by the retreating Japanese Imperial Army. There are also stories of caches left behind by American forces that were intended to be used as currency by the newly-liberated Philippine Government.

Most of these items are not really buried in Cagayan de Oro City although, I would not be surprised if there are a number of sites which might even be in the center of Cagayan de Oro itself. The stories are that these items are located in various areas in Bukidnon, Lanao, Davao, Agusan which can easily be reached from Cagayan de Oro City.

Yamashita was the Japanese general who is credited with bringing these treasures to the country when the Japanese Imperial forces retreated from their strongholds in Southeast Asia. Ching's World is all about the Philippines and its natural treasures of which Cebu City, Dumaguete and Cagayan de Oro City are prime examples.

Ching's World, Cagayan de Oro City, Dumaguete, Cebu City

Cagayan sure has grown. If one is to equate growth with traffic and congested streets then Cagayan de Oro qualifies as having grown trememendously. If one were to gauge growth on the basis of malls that seem to sprout like mushrooms then Cagayan de Oro City would meet the criterion. There is the famous Limketkai mall, Gaisano mall, SM Mall and Robinsons's to name just the major ones. All in Cagayan de Oro City.

Cagayan has sure grown if one is to consider that new bridges are being built to allow the flow of traffic across the Cagayan River. Finally, something is being done about building bridges. Cagayan de Oro has needed bridges for a long time and this is surely now being addressed. Of course one could not fail to mention schools and hotels which are indicators of growth.

Cagayan de Oro City has grown. Ching's World is Cagayan de oro City, and Dumaguete, and Cebu City. Ching's World is the Philippines.

While in Cagayan de Oro City, I had the opportunity to meet with Roy Baltazar at Jessie Barlisan's place. It became an impromptu meeting when Pabs Calo arrived with Mario Reyes. Romy Gabriel also came. We then agreed, after many glasses of Tanduay to come to the XU-AAA Homecoming the following night.

This is what I miss about Cagayan de Oro, when friends who no longer have the luxury of time suddenly find the time to spend with old friends who talk almost exclusively about old times.

Cagayan de Oro, in our younger days was in fact a very quiet town and very few would venture to stay up late since there was not much to do. There was that jukebox at Marla's which constantly belted out "Those were the days my friend.......".

Cagayan de Oro City, Ching's World, Xavier University, XUHS Class of 1966

I was in Cagayan de Oro City for the XU-AAA Alumni Homecoming which was about ten days before the city fiesta and already the streets were festooned with buntings and streamers. The air was truly festive even before the fiesta. I would have liked to feature the candidates of the Miss Cagayan de Oro on the pages of Ching's World, the idea being to feature each year's candidates starting 2007.

I had no such luck. Photos were scarce or were proprietary materials. Oh well, I thought it was a good idea, to help promote Cagayan de Oro. I did manage to catch a short preview of the Cascades on their farewell tour at the Barbecue Night of the XU-AAA Homecoming. I saw Jun Tagud and Roland de Lara which was a welcome surprise as I had not seen them in a long time. I miss Cagayan de Oro City. I also miss having Miss Cagayan de Oro on Ching's World.