News Every Day | 14 April 2025, 06:30

Holy Week traditions and destinations in Cagayan de Oro

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – The capital city of Northern Mindanao is growing fast and is expected to emerge as the country’s fourth metropolitan area.

Over the years, it has become an increasingly popular convergence point for residents and visitors from nearby towns and cities, not only for traditional Holy Week rituals but also as a vacation destination afterward.

The city boasts numerous churches and sacred sites, offering opportunities for reflection and spiritual renewal.

Known as the “City of Golden Friendship,” Cagayan de Oro is renowned for its warm and hospitable people, making it an inviting destination for spiritual journeys. During Holy Week, the city comes alive with faith and devotion, fostering a strong sense of community and shared experience.

Traditions

Perhaps the most popular tradition for Catholics is the Visita Iglesia (Seven Churches Visitation), where devotees visit multiple churches to pray and reflect on the events of Christ’s Passion. Among the most visited churches in Cagayan de Oro for this tradition are:

Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral
Immaculate Conception Parish Church
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Church
Saint Francis Xavier Parish Church
Jesus Nazareno Parish–Shrine of the Black Nazarene
Sanctuario Eucaristico–Sacred Heart Parish
Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel
Saint John Marie Vianney Parish Church

Another Holy Week tradition is the Panaad (sacred vow), where devotees express gratitude to God for blessings received in the past year.

The two most popular destinations for Panaad are the Malasag Stations of the Cross in Barangay Cugman and the Guadalupe Shrine, accessible through barangays Balubal, Tablon, or Agusan.

Malasag is typically open from 4 am to 11 pm, while the Guadalupe Shrine through the three access points opens at 4 am and closes at 5 pm.

For those seeking a deeper spiritual experience, the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Tablon is famed for its “miraculous healing powers.” Pilgrims must cross several rivers to reach the shrine – a tiring journey meant to deepen one’s spiritual devotion.

GUADALUPE SHRINE TREK. People line up as they trek toward the Guadalupe Shrine in Cagayan de Oro for their annual ‘panaad’. courtesy of Francis Mansibugan Jr.

A less demanding Panaad involves a three-kilometer climb to Malasag Hills, following the Stations of the Cross up a steep path that ends at the Chapel of the Birhen sa Medalya Milagrosa (Virgin of the Miraculous Medal). Just a few minutes from the city proper, its entrance is located along the highway in Cugman.

A retreat house in Malasag offers peaceful surroundings and a picturesque view of Cagayan de Oro City and Macajalar Bay – an ideal place for quiet reflection.

Other notable traditions include Good Friday processions featuring the Stations of the Cross. The most prominent are organized by the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro (ACDO), which begins and ends at Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI), which follows a similar route, culminating at the IFI Cathedral along Pacana-Pabayo Streets.

Various Christian denominations also come together during Holy Week, fostering unity and interfaith harmony through joint prayers and worship services.

GUADALUPE PILGRIMAGE. Devotees make their way in long lines, crossing a river, toward the Guadalupe Shrine in Cagayan de Oro, taking part in the yearly panaad tradition. courtesy of Francis Mansibugan Jr.

Unwind

After completing their Visita Iglesia or Panaad, local and visiting pilgrims often head to their favorite hangouts to unwind.

For those preferring traditional ablutions, the Seven Seas Water Park and Resort in nearby Opol, Misamis Oriental, is ideal especially given the high heat indices the region has been experiencing.

As the largest pirate-themed waterpark in the Philippines, tired pilgrims can rejuvenate in adrenaline-pumping waterslides, a relaxing lazy river, a children’s play area, and a dual wave pool where the more adventurous can go skimboarding – perfect for families looking to beat the heat.

BEAT THE HEAT. People can unwind after fulfilling their religious vows at the Seven Seas Water Park in neighboring Opol, Misamis Oriental. courtesy of Seven Seas Waterpark and Resort

If you’d rather stay dry and relive youthful memories, Limketkai Center’s newly opened Spin City skating rink offers a nostalgic ’90s vibe, once again becoming a go-to adventure spot for all ages.

Nearby, the SM Game Park on the fourth floor of SM CDO Downtown offers family-themed entertainment. It features a flagship 16-lane bowling alley, billiards, table tennis, archery, arcade games, KTV rooms, a Taters Sports Bar, and a Gel Blaster/Armas zone. – Rappler.com