By: James Murillo Elaco
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY- Despite heavy rain, the City of Cagayan de Oro launched the Higalaay Festival Market at Rio de Oro Boulevard on August 9, 2024. Even with the bad weather, spirits were high as over 80 vendors showcased a variety of products.
District 1 City Councilor, Hon. Jay R. Pascual, addressed the challenges faced in inaugurating the festival market amidst the unfavorable conditions. “It has been a very challenging step in opening this because it’s one of the first in Cagayan de Oro City,” he remarked. Emphasizing optimism, Pascual added, “This is just a blessing, this is a blessing of our Lord that he gave to us. This will not rain forever; it will somehow stop and it will produce rainbows.”
The Higalaay Festival Market are offered an extensive variety of things to choose from among others presented there as well. For instance, people can visit shops selling printed T-shirts, plush toys and other souvenirs so it becomes a full cultural and commercial experience for them.
Despite the rain, the market’s opening drew a large crowd, eager to explore the different products and support local businesses. The festival market is expected to attract even more visitors in the coming weeks, helping boost the city’s economy and showcasing its rich culture.
The success of the Higalaay Festival Market, even with the challenging weather, shows the strength and resilience of Cagayan de Oro’s community. It highlights the city’s dedication to promoting local businesses and culture, no matter the circumstances. (JME/OB)
Photo 1: Ribbon-Cutting Under Rain: Cagayan de Oro Mayor Klarex Uy (right), City Councilor Jay R. Pascual, and Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez (left), and City Councilors members open the Higalaay Festival Market (KCS/CDOLifestyle)
Photo 2: Despite the heavy rain, the spirit of the community shines as people continue to flock to the Higalaay Festival Market at Rio de Oro Boulevard. (JME/OB)
Photo 3: District 1 City Councilor Hon. Jay R. Pascual discusses the difficulties of launching the festival market in the rain. (JME/OB)
Photo 4: The rain may have poured, but the enthusiasm of the crowd remained undampened, highlighting the resilience and dedication of Cagayan de Oro’s residents. (JME/OB)
