CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — More than 4,000 runners and supporters filled the streets of Cagayan de Oro for the sold-out EastWest Dream Run 2026, turning race day into a celebration of fitness, family, and community, with actor Donny Pangilinan among the event's biggest attractions.

The Cagayan de Oro leg marked the third stop of EastWest Dream Run's four-leg nationwide series, following successful events in Manila and Iloilo. Organized by RUNRIO in support of the Department of Tourism's Love the Philippines campaign, the event drew participants from Northern Mindanao and neighboring areas.

With all race categories sold out before race day, the strong turnout highlighted the growing interest in running events and sports tourism in Cagayan de Oro.

Donny Pangilinan Brings Extra Excitement to Race Day

EastWest brand ambassador Donny Pangilinan added star power to the event, drawing cheers from fans and participants throughout the morning.

Attendees took the opportunity to snap photos and selfies with the actor, while some runners enjoyed surprise encounters with him during race-day activities. His appearance added a dose of excitement to an event that brought together people with different fitness goals and reasons for joining.

From serious runners aiming for a personal best to first-timers looking for a fun challenge, the event welcomed participants who wanted to be part of the growing running community in the City of Golden Friendship.

From 1K Dog Run to Half Marathon, There Was a Race for Everyone

EastWest Dream Run 2026 offered five race categories: the 1K Dog Run, 3K, 5K, 10K, and 21K.

The variety allowed participants of different ages and fitness levels to take part, including families running together and furparents who brought their dogs along for the experience.

Runners traversed portions of the BCI Highway before heading to the festive finish area at Limketkai Center. The venue became a meeting point for participants, friends, families, and supporters celebrating their race-day achievements.

For many, the experience went beyond the distance covered. It was an opportunity to spend time with loved ones, stay active, and be part of a large community event.

Race Village Offers Treats, Games, and Activities

The excitement continued after participants crossed the finish line, as the race village at Limketkai Center kept the celebration going.

Runners enjoyed complimentary taho, donuts, ice cream, and other treats while collecting their race entitlements, loot bags, and giveaways. Event partners also offered exclusive deals and product experiences through various sponsor activations.

Music and games added to the festive atmosphere, giving participants and spectators more reasons to stay and enjoy the event even after the races were completed.

The setup helped make the Dream Run more than a traditional road race, creating an experience that extended to families, friends, and other supporters who came along.

Aialou Guinayon and Mark Calamba Gumaya Win the 21K Divisions

While many participants joined for fun and personal milestones, the event also featured competitive racing in its premier 21K category.

Aialou Guinayon topped the women's half-marathon division, while Mark Calamba Gumaya claimed the men's 21K championship.

Their performances highlighted the competitive side of the event, which brought together runners with different levels of experience and ambitions.

EastWest Expands Its Presence in Northern Mindanao

The Dream Run also coincided with the recent opening of EastWest's new Limketkai Store, located just steps away from the event venue.

The opening reflects the bank's continued presence in Northern Mindanao and its commitment to serving customers in the region.

Martin Reyes, EastWest Chief Marketing Officer, said the Dream Run reflects the bank's mission of helping customers make their dreams more attainable, whether through homeownership, car ownership, business growth, financial independence, or securing their families' future.

He added that the thousands who participated demonstrated that dreams come in different forms but begin with taking the first step.

EastWest also expressed its enthusiasm for bringing the experience to Cagayan de Oro and reaching more communities across the Philippines in the years ahead.

Cagayan de Oro Strengthens Its Position as a Running Destination

The successful staging of the EastWest Dream Run adds to Cagayan de Oro's growing calendar of sporting events and reinforces its potential as a destination for sports tourism in Mindanao.

With participants coming from across Northern Mindanao and neighboring areas, the event brought together local communities and visitors through a shared interest in fitness and an active lifestyle.

The combination of road racing, family-friendly activities, celebrity appearances, and a lively race village also demonstrated how running events can attract a broader audience beyond competitive athletes.

For CDO, the sold-out turnout was another opportunity to showcase the city's capacity to host large-scale community events while bringing people together through sports and recreation.

Whether chasing a championship, completing a first race, running alongside family, or enjoying the day with a furry companion, the EastWest Dream Run 2026 gave thousands of participants a reason to celebrate their own milestones.

For more information about the nationwide series, visit EastWest Dream Run 2026.

ABBA’s timeless music is coming to life in a whole new way this November as the Metropolitan Kagay-an Orchestra (MKO) brings the legendary Swedish pop group’s greatest hits to the concert stage in Cagayan de Oro City.

Dubbed “Thank You for the Music: A Metropolitan Kagay-an Orchestra Concert,” the special two-day production will be held on November 13 and 14, 2026, at the Capitol University Gloria Laureana San Pedro Rosales Mini Theater.

The concert will feature orchestral arrangements specially prepared for MKO, giving audiences a fresh and grand interpretation of some of ABBA’s most beloved classics.

ABBA Classics Meet the Orchestra

From Mamma Mia and Super Trouper to other unforgettable ABBA songs, the concert promises to transform familiar pop classics into a rich orchestral experience.

While MKO has already staged major performances in the past, this marks the first time the homegrown orchestra will dedicate an entire concert repertoire to the music of a single musical group.

ABBA makes for a fitting choice.

With songs that have remained popular across generations, ABBA's music continues to find new audiences decades after the group's biggest hits first took the world by storm. For many concertgoers, hearing these familiar songs performed by a full orchestra could offer an entirely different appreciation of the music.

A Celebration of Cagayan de Oro’s Homegrown Musicians

Leading the orchestra is Maestro Krenz B. Sabanal, MKO’s Head Conductor and Director.

The full orchestra will bring together homegrown musicians, combining emerging young talents with seasoned performers. Through its performances and community initiatives, MKO continues to create opportunities for local artists while making orchestral music more accessible to audiences in Cagayan de Oro.

The orchestra has also taken steps toward professionalizing the local orchestral community, including implementing a formal onboarding and contract-signing process for its members.

For MKO, the goal goes beyond putting on concerts—it is also about building a stronger community for musicians and setting a higher standard for collaborative music-making in the city.

Featuring Special Guest Performers

Adding even more excitement to the concert are guest performers Jessa Bernaldez, Gerikha Amper, and the Capitol University Glee Club.

Their performances, together with MKO’s orchestral interpretations of ABBA’s music, are expected to make Thank You for the Music a memorable musical experience for both longtime ABBA fans and those simply looking for something different to enjoy this November.

Five Shows Over Two Days

Music lovers will have several opportunities to catch the concert.

Thank You for the Music: A Metropolitan Kagay-an Orchestra Concert will be presented on:

November 13, 2026

• 10:00 AM
• 3:00 PM
• 7:00 PM

November 14, 2026

• 3:00 PM
• 7:00 PM

All performances will be held at the Capitol University Gloria Laureana San Pedro Rosales Mini Theater.

Tickets are priced at ₱350.

Those interested in attending can reserve their seats through the online reservation form: Reserve your seats here

For inquiries, corporate bookings, and seat selection, you may contact 0935-214-0231 (primary line) or 0907-900-3076 (secondary line).

You may also reach out through the Metropolitan Kagay-an Orchestra Facebook page.

A Musical Night to Remember

After spending the first half of 2026 performing at various local events and organizing community initiatives—including the Kwerdas Summer String Workshop at Carmen Art District—MKO is bringing the year to a grand musical finish with a tribute to one of pop music’s most iconic groups.

Whether you grew up listening to ABBA or simply know their songs from movies, radio, and pop culture, Thank You for the Music offers a chance to hear these classics in an entirely new setting.

So, get ready to sing along to familiar melodies, experience ABBA through the power of a live orchestra, and support Cagayan de Oro’s talented homegrown musicians.

Thank you for the music, indeed.

See you at the Capitol University Mini Theater on November 13 and 14, 2026!

Plaza Divisoria Unveils Dancing Fountain

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Plaza Divisoria has gained a vibrant new attraction with the launch of its colorful Dancing Fountain, adding a fresh and exciting feature to one of the city's most iconic public spaces.

The newly installed fountain showcases synchronized water displays illuminated by colorful lights, creating a relaxing and visually appealing experience for residents and visitors alike. Located at the heart of the city, the attraction has quickly become a favorite spot for evening strolls, family bonding, and photo opportunities.

Aside from the colorful Dancing Fountain, an air-conditioned public restroom has also been added within the park for public use. Unlike before, visitors can now use the facility free of charge, eliminating the need to pay the usual ₱5 restroom fee. The addition provides greater convenience and comfort for both residents and tourists enjoying the area.

The improvements are part of the city's continuing efforts to enhance public spaces and make Plaza Divisoria a more welcoming destination for everyone.

Meanwhile, Mayor Rolando "Klarex" Uy has also shared plans to revive a portion of the popular Night Café concept along El Pueblo A Sus Heroes. Unlike the previous setup that featured various food stalls and vendors, the proposed concept will focus primarily on coffee shops operating every Friday and Saturday.

The initiative aims to create a relaxing weekend atmosphere where residents and visitors can enjoy coffee, socialize, and spend quality time in the city center. The planned coffee strip is expected to complement the newly launched Dancing Fountain and further boost nighttime activities in downtown Cagayan de Oro.

With these developments, the city continues to invest in projects that enhance public spaces, encourage tourism, and provide enjoyable experiences for Kagay-anons and visitors alike.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Kagay-anons and music fans across Northern Mindanao are in for a spectacular night as IV Of Spades officially includes Cagayan de Oro City in its highly anticipated Andalucia Tour 2026, set for June 27, 2026, at the Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr. International Convention Center.

The concert is part of the band's first-ever nationwide headline tour following their historic two-night sold-out comeback shows at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, which marked a triumphant return for one of the Philippines’ most beloved modern rock bands.

IV OF SPADES Returns Bigger Than Ever

Following overwhelming demand from fans across the country, IV OF SPADES and concert producer KARPOS are bringing the full Andalucia concert experience to key cities nationwide, with Cagayan de Oro selected as the Northern Mindanao stop of the tour.

Fans can expect a massive live production featuring a more than two-hour performance and a setlist of approximately 30 songs, including every track from the band's latest album, Andalucia, along with the fan-favorite hits that helped define a generation of Filipino music lovers.

The tour follows widespread praise for the band's comeback concerts, which showcased their signature sound, musical evolution, and undeniable chemistry on stage.

A Major Concert Event for Northern Mindanao

The Cagayan de Oro leg is expected to draw thousands of fans not only from the city but also from neighboring areas including Bukidnon, Iligan, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, and other parts of Mindanao.

Known for hosting major concerts and national events, the Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr. International Convention Center will serve as the backdrop for what could become one of the biggest live music events in Northern Mindanao in 2026.

For local fans who missed the sold-out Manila shows, this is a rare opportunity to experience the band's celebrated live performance without traveling to the capital.

Andalucia Tour 2026 Schedule

The nationwide tour includes five major stops:

• May 31, 2026 – USeP Gymnasium, Davao City
• June 6, 2026 – Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex, Santa Rosa
• June 27, 2026 – Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr. International Convention Center, Cagayan de Oro City
• July 18, 2026 – SM Seaside Cebu Arena, Cebu City
• August 16, 2026 – John Hay Convention Center, Baguio

Tickets Now Available

Tickets for the Andalucia Tour 2026 are now on sale through the official KARPOS website.

For ticket details and updates, visit:

KARPOS Official Website

Don't Miss IV OF SPADES Live in CDO

With a full album performance, fan-favorite hits, and a production inspired by their acclaimed arena comeback, the Andalucia Tour promises to deliver an unforgettable concert experience for Kagay-anons and music enthusiasts throughout Northern Mindanao.

Mark your calendars for June 27, 2026, and get ready to witness IV OF SPADES live in Cagayan de Oro City as they bring the magic of Andalucia to the City of Golden Friendship.