There aren’t enough words to express the common grief that we, residents of Cagayan de Oro City feel over the loss and devastation we have recently experienced. We are left clueless why something like this would happen to our beloved city, the City of Golden Friendship.
Born, raised and lived almost all my life in this small but thriving commercial center of Northern Mindanao, I have fond memories of its youth and, though I long for those days of the simple city life, I couldn’t help but feel proud of its fast and steady progress, of its stable political environment, of its economic growth; even enjoy the mostly warm and fair weather all year round. And then this tragedy–so sudden, unexpected and extensive. And it had to happen at Christmas time!
Indeed, this is a day of mourning for all of us. And perhaps, of learning, of faith, of hope and someday, of acceptance. But for now, cry, my beloved CDO.
