Arts & Culture, History, News & Features from Metropolitan Cagayan de Oro
By Tito Mike The 30th edition of the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association’s (COHARA) Kumbira culinary show and live competitions ended with a bang as local establishments dominated the Professional and Student Categories. Limketkai Luxe Hotel topped the Professional Division with seven (7) gold, nine (9) silver, and nine (9) bronze medals for …
Continue reading “Limketkai Luxe, Liceo de Cagayan crowned Overall Champions for Kumbira 2026”
The Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (COHARA) marked the 30th Anniversary of its founding by honoring its founders and everyone who was crucial for the success of its signature event during the past 30 years on October 14th at The Atrium, Limketkai Mall in Cagayan de Oro City. KUMBIRA!, the longest running and …
Fifty six hospitality establishments, schools and individuals have signed up to participate in the 30 competitive events lined up for the 30th Anniversary of Kumbira, the longest running and largest culinary show and live competitions outside Metro Manila. “In 2025 we had 24 competitions and categories, but to match the anniversary number, we have a …
By Tito Mike CAGAYAN DE ORO— Northern Mindanao’s hospitality industry marked another milestone on 24 September 2026, as Newdawn Hotel Plus hosted a Media Launch and Partners Night to celebrate the certification of Aster Kitchen, the hotel’s dedicated banquet kitchen making it the city’s First Halal-Certified Hotel Kitchen, offering Halal-Food Services: Banquets, Events, Catering, Buffet …
Kumbira began as the 1st Cagayan de Oro Cultural and Culinary Festival on August 23, 1996, a very modest one-day event by today’s standards even though the Cagayan de Oro City Council passed a resolution declaring it a one week celebration on August 23-30. However, COHARA wanted something local, so while discussing what name was …
By Eileen C. San Juan Vice President-Hotel Division & Past President, COHARA Thirty years is a significant milestone—especially for an organization that has endured changing times, economic challenges, industry disruptions, and a pandemic, yet continues to move forward. But before we celebrate, let me take you back to 1996—where it all began. Where It All …
By Tito Mike Bulawanong Bahandi 2026, the Creatives Art Festival of Cagayan de Oro City, continues its month-long celebration with the opening reception Wednesday morning at the lobby of the city’s premier Limketkai Luxe Hotel. With the theme Friendship and Patronage to the Arts, the event seeks to link the city’s visual artists with their …
Continue reading “Higalaay Art Gallery Walk Opens at Limketkai Luxe”
KUMBIRA 2026: Three Decades, One Culinary Legacy The Philippines longest culinary festival and competition celebrates its 30th Pearl Jubilee on October 14, 15 & 16, 2026 at The Atrium, Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City. “This year, KUMBIRA celebrates its 30th year of bringing together culinary talents, creativity, passion, and the love of food!” said COHARA President Jerome …
Continue reading “COHARA celebrates 30-Year Pearl Jubilee with Grand KUMBIRA!”
Exactly fourteen years ago I wrote and had the following feature story published. I am sharing this again in remembrance of a dear friend and artist exemplar whose works deserve a place in Cagayan de Oro’s Pantheon of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Awi Chaves’ Cakeistry CDO: Sweet Dreams are made of these It’s quite difficult to pigeonhole Ma. …
A two-volume book on the life stories of inspiring Kagay-anons and Misamisnons will be launched later today at the Mindanao Book Fair happening at the Event Hall of SM Cagayan de Oro Downtown from June 18 to 20. Authored by veteran provincial writer and community journalist Rene Michael “Mike” Baños, it is published by Papel-Papel …
