Why is Uptown Cagayan de Oro an Ideal Place to Invest in a Home and Business?

View of Fireworks Show from rooftop of Primavera Residences 21 December 2013

Aside from being flood-free, pollution-free and the fact there is a great view, there are five more reasons Primavera Residences has a great location in Cagayan de Oro.

 

Primavera Residences, a green architecture landmark in Cagayan de Oro City, is picking up more and more residents and unit owners. Tower A is full and Tower B is almost sold-out even if the construction is still ongoing and the completion is not until third quarter of this year.

“Why?” you might ask. Because Primavera Residences – the first project designed and developed in Cagayan de Oro City by ITPI Corp. (ItalpinasEuroasian Design and Eco-Development Corporation), an Italian-Filipino company that develops energy-saving and energy-producing properties in the Philippines, is now the talk of the town because of its green and eco-friendly features.

Executive Chairman and CEO of ITPI Corp., Italian architect Romolo V.  Nati, is an advocate of developing houses and buildings that can withstand typhoons, floods and other calamities due to climate change. He and his Filipino partner, Atty. Jojo Leviste were cited by National Geographic this year as “New Philippine Business Leaders.”

So, why is Primavera Residences situated in uptown Cagayan de Oro? Architect Nati said the company chose uptown Cagayan de Oro – located 110 meters above sea level – because of its good urban planning, better air quality and higher land area.

Aside from being flood-free and pollution-free , I can enumerate 5 more reasons Primavera Residences has a great location:

  1. Stone-throw away from SM City Mall – where you could shop, dine, or unwind.
  2. Restaurants are nearby – Prawn House, Anabel’s Restaurant, Blue Moon Café, Ambrosia Restaurant, Jeanette’s Pizza, Barkadahan Grill, and many more
  3. City’s top private schools – Xavier University High School and Corpus Christi School
  4. Recreational area – Pueblo de Oro Golf Course
  5. Companies – Concentrix, Hotels, and other soon to open companies in the IT Ecozone

Given these reasons, uptown now seems to be the ideal place to invest in a home and business establishment.

Do you want a tour of Primavera Residences? Click here.

 

A Personal Tour at the Breathtaking Primavera Residences

Testimonial - Rosanna Lim experience at Primavera Residences

The tour got me thinking that living in Primavera Residences is perfect and stress-free – a place where you could definitely rest after a long day at school or work in the city.

 

Before 2013 ended, I felt really privileged to experience the life of living in a modernly designed eco-friendly condominium uptown – Primavera Residences. It is the 1st green building in Mindanao with its structure designed and developed by an award-winning Italian-Filipino eco-development company recognized internationally for its expertise in green architecture – ITPI Corp.

ITPI Corp. (Italpinas Euroasian Design and Eco-Development Corporation) aims to create a better environment to improve the quality of people’s lives. This project is headed by a multi-awarded Italian architect Arch. Romolo Valentino Nati and Filipino business leader and innovator Atty. Jojo Leviste.

When we arrived at Primavera Residences we were welcomed by the condo building’s accommodating staff. They brought us to our awesome and very spacious two-bedroom unit with an interior that is mixed modern and contemporary. The unit we were in had a fantastic view of the Macajalar Bay and an overlooking view Cagayan de Oro. It had ceiling-to-floor windows that gave us all the fresh air we could get. After we got settled, we took a tour of Primavera Residences.

During the tour we were able to see their green courtyard with natural lighting and ventilation. We got to experience how it cools down the place and how it is so pleasant to just hang out there.

Just a few steps from the courtyard are their indoor salt-water pool and gym. Next – we were then toured to each available unit for rent. There, we were able to check out different interiors each designed by the unit owners. We were told that almost all of the units in tower 1 are sold out – but tower 2 is almost done and will be ready for residents sometime in September. Some of the unit owners also rents out their units, with prices ranging from Php28,000-Php60,000/month.

There’s a rooftop if you would want to hang out and just check out the panoramic city view and breathe-in fresh air. Up there, there are laundry cages installed and I’m told it will also be where the solar panels will be set up. At the ground floor are shops and restaurants for the convenience of the residents. Plus, the building has round-the-clock security system.

The tour got me thinking that living in Primavera Residences is perfect and stress-free – a place where you could definitely rest after a long day at school or work in the city.

Inner Courtyard at Primavera Residences

Testimonial - Rosanna Lim experience at Primavera Residences

Inner Courtyard at Primavera Residences

Testimonial - Rosanna Lim experience at Primavera Residences

Want to arrange your own tour of Cagayan de Oro’s best kept secret? Click here to talk to a representative.

 

Blogger Sanna Experiences Green Living In Uptown Cagayan de Oro

Testimonial - Rosanna Lim experience at Primavera Residences

Living uptown for a few days was a totally stress-free experience. Knowing you are safe from flood and surely enjoying a pollution-free environment was a different living from what we were used to for years.

As we turn over this new leaf this year, you might want get a hold of the green living at Primavera Residences. I got to experience it first hand before 2013 ended, and it was something I couldn’t get out of my system. It is the living I would want to have, for my family, in the near future. Living there for two days changed my perspective of how our lives should be lived and how families should really consider having a list of practicalities and what-to-have’s for one’s family when acquiring a home.

Being Typhoon Sendong and Pablo survivors for one, Primavera Residences’ current location seemed to be the ideal place to invest a home in. Its current location is situated 110-meters above sea level so it is flood-free and for me it is pollution-free. The fresh air and ambiance is unlimited!

Living uptown for a few days was a totally stress-free experience. Knowing you are safe from flood and surely enjoying a pollution-free environment was a different living from what we were used to for years. Being a survivor of a few of the biggest storms in our city is traumatic and having the peace of mind living in a place where you are sure no flood is going to get you – that surely is something one would want to achieve for your family for sure.

Our first morning at the unit we stayed in at the 9th floor of Primavera Residences was totally an awesome experience one wouldn’t want to exchange for anything. With a breathtaking view of the Macajalar Bay which we woke up to with and that all the fresh air – it was a marvelous good morning greeting from the universe, from Primavera, and the pizza parlor at the ground floor – Jeannette’s Pizza – who delivered our food right at our doorstep.

The peace, fun, and the ease – you should try to check out. Maybe rent a place at Primavera for starters or even just a few days. It’ll definitely change your perspective of real living.

Testimonial - Rosanna Lim experience at Primavera Residences

Testimonial - Rosanna Lim experience at Primavera Residences

Testimonial - Rosanna Lim experience at Primavera Residences

Do you want your own uptown experience? Make the first step by clicking here.

 

 

 

View of fireworks from the rooftop of Primavera Residences

When in uptown Cagayan de Oro, do not miss the fireworks display, best viewed from the rooftop of Primavera Residences.

Earlier, the residents and tenants of our eco-friendly, mixed-use condominium trooped to the rooftop. We enjoyed a sort of an impromptu picnic. We sat on our chairs and enjoyed the show.

For those who also wish to experience uptown living, it’s not too late–but you have to rush. Tower 1 is almost sold out, while tower 2 is 30% percent complete. No reason to wait–Primavera Residences is ready for occupancy! You can immediately enjoy the rewards of your investment, even as you experience the thrill of being part of an exclusive community in an Italian-inspired and internationally-awarded building!

 

View of Fireworks Show from rooftop of Primavera Residences 21 December 2013View of Fireworks Show from rooftop of Primavera Residences 21 December 2013 View of Fireworks Show from rooftop of Primavera Residences 21 December 2013 View of Fireworks Show from rooftop of Primavera Residences 21 December 2013 View of Fireworks Show from rooftop of Primavera Residences 21 December 2013 View of Fireworks Show from rooftop of Primavera Residences 21 December 2013 View of Fireworks Show from rooftop of Primavera Residences 21 December 2013 View of Fireworks Show from rooftop of Primavera Residences 21 December 2013 View of Fireworks Show from rooftop of Primavera Residences 21 December 2013 View of Fireworks Show from rooftop of Primavera Residences 21 December 2013 View of Fireworks Show from rooftop of Primavera Residences 21 December 2013 View of Fireworks Show from rooftop of Primavera Residences 21 December 2013

How to get around CDO

How to get around Cagayan de Oro

Cagayan de Oro City is known to be the melting pot of Mindanao because it has grown tremendously from being a farming-fishing area in the 1900’s into a booming city of trade, commerce, and tourism and now one of the must-visit places in the country.

Cagayan de Oro City has always something to offer for almost everyone. If you prefer to experience nature, the beaches and the mountains are just nearby and readily accessible. If you are the adventurous kind, you must try and experience the majestic Cagayan de Oro River with the river rafting adventure, explore the caves, and the adventure parks. These breathtaking environments have been known to be a must try for people who want to unwind and relax. What’s best is that it’s available all throughout the year.

If you are not that much of an outdoor person and prefer shopping, the city also has a good number of shopping malls to offer namely SM, Ayala – Centrio, Limketkai Center, and Gaisano. Most, if not all, carrying the signature boutiques and shops one fashionista would aim to check out. These and a whole lot more.

In the event you decide to visit Cagayan de Oro, there are also a number of hotels and condotels to choose from, like Primavera Residences, that offers both accommodation and assistance to travelers. They assist travelers from the newly launched Laguindingan airport to your destination on modern and comfortable shuttles. Their structures and buildings are eco-friendly too! Something people should really support.

In going around Cagayan de Oro City, there are a number of ways to get transported, you could get a taxi with a flag down rate of P40.00, a Motorela ( CDO’s tricycle version) which would cost P7.00 only, and Jeepney which costs P7.00 to P10.00, depending on the distance of where you are going.

Tour packages are also readily available with the city tourism office along with licensed tour guides to assist you. Itineraries already setup and prepared for an individual or a group. You get to tour around the must see spots, must try food, and the places to be all around the city. If you haven’t explored this amazing city yet, maybe it’s about time that you do.

Traveling to Cagayan de Oro? Need assistance on booking a hotel, transfer and ground transportation? Click here for immediate assistance.

Uptown living now a rising lifestyle in CDO

Uptown Living in Cagayan de Oro City

When Cagayan de Oro was granted a city status more than half a century ago, it probably was not envisioned to be the busy hub it is now. Although still a city that sleeps at night, it becomes uproarious when it wakes. Rush hours could find you finishing an entire section of candy crush stuck in traffic. And the heat and dust could leave you weary after walking only a block in the city center. And when the rains come, the drainage can sometimes be a problem.

But, not to be discouraged by these things, we have built ourselves a nice and comfy hub away from the hub – if I can put it that way. Uptown living – that is, geographically the high places, and now even socially speaking, in Cagayan de Oro – is now a rising lifestyle. Let me give a short rundown of what this Uptown Cagayan de Oro City is all about.

Where to stay in CDO

Although most of the hotels, inns and resorts are in downtown Cagayan de Oro, two of the most luxurious hotels are in the upper part of the city. One is Hotel Koresco which is located within the Pueblo de Oro Golf Estates, and the other is Pryce Plaza Hotel, located in Upper Carmen, majestically overlooking the entire city. Guests staying a week to a month can now opt to stay at Primavera Residences which offers condotel services.

Where to shop in CDO

While Centrio, a new addition to the Ayala Malls nationwide, is the busiest place for shopping and a favorite hangout among the youngsters, if you want a laid-back browsing, SM City, which started to lull when the airport was transferred to the town of Laguindingan, is a good alternative. Very good brands such as Maldita, Body Shop, and Neutralizer can be found in the mall – and you can browse with less competition.

Where to eat at in CDO

The bulk of restaurants and cafes are still of course in downtown Cagayan de Oro. But the uptown community is not far behind. Prawn House, located in Pueblo de Oro, is a must in any food trip in the city. Also in the vicinity are the two restaurants at the Primavera Residences – Jeannette’s Pizza, Pasta and More, serving their unique home cooking styled pizza, and Barkadahan Grill, another homegrown restaurant famous for its pork belly.

To top it off, white water rafting, among the top CDO attractions, usually starts in Barangay Dansolihon, further on from the old Lumbia airport.

For sure, in time, the residences that are being built in this area would be of great value. They have already increased in value after the geo-hazards map had been released by the MGB who assessed the city in view of the climate change. I just hope they have a better foresight than the planning – if there had ever been – in downtown Cagayan de Oro so the future would not see congestion and confusion again.

Like this story? Click here to check out the newest lifestyle and business center in Uptown CDO!

Top 5 Things to Do in CDO

Every city in the Philippines will tell you why it’s “MORE FUN” there, but not all of them could provide the thrills that only Cagayan de Oro can. Before you start to raise your eyebrows, let me give you a quick run down of the attractions, tourist spots, and all the fun things you can do while you’re in CDO.

1. Go on an adventure!

You can’t go to CDO without getting in touch with everything nature has to offer. And when we say you got plenty of exciting adventures to choose from, you really do!

Whether you’re in the mood for some trekking, ziplining, kayaking, river tubing, skimboarding, whitewater rafting, canyoneering, rappelling and all sorts of heart-pumping, breathtaking action, CDO has all that to offer! You can choose to stay within the city for those exhilarating high-adrenaline action (Makahambus Adventure Park, Mapawa Nature Park, Jatico Adventures, Gardens of Malasag)  or you can venture into the nearby Dahilayan Adventure Park for even more choices of adventure!

CDO is also near the beautiful provinces of Bukidnon (with its cool air and beautiful scenery) and Camiguin (with its jaw-dropping white beaches). And if you still have time to spare, there is the City of Iligan nearby, and its majestic waterfalls will surely have you coming back for more.

So make sure you got your cameras ready because you’ll definitely come across a lot of picture-perfect (and Instagrammable) sights here!

Top 5 Things to Do in CDO - Whitewater Rafting


Haven’t tried this yet? Oh my, you’re missing half of your life! (Photo courtesy of Cagayandeoro.com)

2. Eat!

The city is teeming with restaurants that offer mouth-watering creations. From the usual Filipino fare (with a twist!) to Italian, Korean, Japanese, American diner-style, and fancy restos, CDO’s got it covered! Wanna give your taste buds a different kind of treat? Then how about some delicious Turkey or Wagyu steaks? You should try the wildly popular Kagay-anon fare Sinuglaw too!

 

Top 5 Things to Do in CDO - Sinuglaw

It’s the sinuglaw! Ta-daaah!!! (photo from the adventuringfoodie.com)

 

3.     Partaay!

If you’re in the mood to chill out, dance the night away, or simply see and be seen, there are plenty of spots scattered around the city that you can choose from. There’s a bunch of restos and bars at J.R. Borja Extension, Rosario Strip, Centrio, Corrales and Divisoria where you can party the night away!

4. Go Shopping!

Heads up ladies, there’s plenty of malls and shops popping up all over the place! Whether you’re on the lookout for some bargains or pricier finds, you can check out the different shops all over the city. Be sure to ask the locals for some recommendations, we’d be absolutely glad to help!

5. Hang Out With The Uber-friendly Locals!

But of course, CDO isn’t called the City of Golden Friendship for nothing. Come on over and experience first-hand the delightful smiles and the sparkling friendly laughter of the Kagay-anons. We’d looove to hang out with you!

Cagayan de Oro is pure fun, exciting adventures, gorgeous sights and fun-loving locals all rolled into one and wrapped up in a delightful, friendly package. Spend a week or two and you could be so enamored you might never want to go back home. In which case, there’s always the Primavera Residences that’s a perfect new home for you.  Located in a posh neighborhood, it’s eco-friendly uptown living at its finest!

So see you soon in Cagayan de Oro. And oh, don’t forget to say “tsada!” when you’re here!

Love top 5 things to do when you’re in Cagayan de Oro?  Click here for more.

 

Italian Pizza or CDO Pizza?

meat overflow

Meat overflow – Meat Overflow (front): with beef toppings, pepperoni, ham, bell pepper, onions, double cheese. Easily my baby nephew’s favorite. To the left is the Cheesy Madness: beef toppings, mushrooms, bell pepper, cheese melt, double cheese.

Before, whenever I had friends coming to visit me, I panic because I had no idea where to bring them. We don’t have waterfalls like our neighbor Iligan is famous for. We have beaches but the nearby Camiguin is more tempting with its white sands. The culture that the Indigenous Peoples share is not even truly ours anymore as we, settlers, have driven the communities to the mountains of Bukidnon.

Visitors always say they want the authentic CdO. So I thought, what do my friends and I do? We eat, we chat, we hang out at coffee shops, tea shops, and really binge on food. We do have the white water rafting but it does not really take two days to go down the river. If my friends have already had their fill of the extreme outdoors that we offer, I take them on a food trip.

salami

Yummy Salami: salami, bacon bits, bell pepper, onions, black olives, double cheese. The house’s pride.

Let me do a sample tour and start with one restaurant review. While most of the hang outs are in downtown Cagayan de Oro, it does not hurt to chill in a more relaxed and quiet space from time to time – make that twice or thrice a week. I have two favorite places to just hang out and stuff myself silly with amazing food – one is by the sea which is in the next municipality so I will not talk about it right now as I want to focus on restaurants in CdO. The other is a homey pizza place near SM City which used to be bustling when our old Lumbia airport was still used commercially.

Hula – the favorite of Irene’s little girl. Hawaiian Pizza

Hula – the favorite of Irene’s little girl. Hawaiian Pizza

Jeannette’s Pizza, Pasta and More is undoubtedly my favorite pizza place. Just thinking of their Cheesy Madness and lasagna always makes me ready for lunch even at nine in the morning. What I absolutely love is that their pizza crust isn’t oily but it isn’t desert dry either. And although most of the surface is covered with melted cheese – that’s for the Cheesy Madness favorite – it doesn’t taste like bread and cheese shoved into an oven. It tastes like a proper pizza. And cheesy too. I’m sorry but I’m really all about cheese too bad I forgot to ask the owner – who is there day in and day out as a hands-on worker – what kind of cheese they use. But I was assured by one of their staff that all ingredients are just bought locally.

Jeannette's Pizza Restaurant in Uptown Cagayan de Oro City

Lasagna – the very cheesy lasagna. My favorite. And apparently, it’s one of their best sellers too! 

Irene Stuart, the owner, admitted that their restaurant isn’t aiming to be like the fancy pizza parlors scattered all over the city. They do everything in little portions because she doesn’t want to store the food for which she would need preservatives. She is particular about this because the restaurant actually serves as their family’s kitchen – both her children being pizza fans, which was actually the inspiration for her and her husband’s putting up the business. So everything is fresh – the dough for the pizza made almost every day, the other recipes cooked according to the schedule we usually cook at home.

Jeannette's Pizza Restaurant in Uptown Cagayan de Oro City

Jeannette’s Restaurant also serve different dishes for lunch and dinner.

This pizza place is located at the ground floor of the Primavera Residences. Far from the bustle of the city, it is perfect for some catching up with the lives of your friends, your friends’ neighbors and even your friends’ neighbors’ relatives. You can talk all you want because you don’t need to compete with the usual city commotion and hurt your throat in the process.

Jeannette's Pizza Restaurant in Uptown Cagayan de Oro City

Coziest spot in the restaurant

When I am asked what unique food we have in CdO, I do not have a ready answer for this. Because it’s always that everything turns unique when prepared the CdO way. Italian pizza? Nope, Jeannette’s pizza is our pizza. CdO pizza.

Still can’t decide whether it’s Italian Pizza or CdO Pizza? Drop by Jeannette’s Restaurant by clicking here.

 

Where do you find classic Filipino comfort food in CDO?

A modern take on the classic Filipino comfort food. How do you feel about that? As for me and my ex-bf (now husband), we looove it!!! I’ve always been a big fan of burgers, especially the grilled and juicy ones, and this is what started our love affair with what used to be a simple and nondescript restaurant in the center of Divisoria in Cagayan de Oro. The first Barkadahan Grill opened in 2005 and we discovered it first because of its burgers – the burgers that we consider the best ones in town.

Barkadahan Grill Burger - Cagayan de Oro Restaurant - CDO Cuisune

THIS.

 

The burgers reined us in, but it was the overall atmosphere of the restaurant that made us keep coming back: good customer service, clean interiors, relaxed setting, and of course, the delicious food.

Fast forward to eight years later and today we see that the Barkadahan Grill business has grown so quickly.What started out as one restaurant now became four, scattered in the top spots all over the city. First was Divisoria, followed by J.R. Borja Extension, then Centrio Ayala, and the latest one at the ground floor of Primavera Residences in uptown Cagayan de Oro. Next year, they’ll be opening up more branches in Iligan City and in Quezon City.

So what made Barkadahan Grill become such a favorite among local Kagay-anons? I met with the lovely couple Mr. Noel and Ms. Aileen Martinez for lunch at Barkadahan Grill in Primavera, and it was easy to figure out why their business is such a hit. The happily married couple run and manage the family-owned business, and it is something they both know and love since their family has been in the restaurant business for quite a while. Both foodies, they love to take trips and try different new restos and cafes and bond over their shared passion for food. This kind of genuine love for what they do is reflected in the atmosphere of their restaurants and you can just feel it with every visit.

Barkadahan Grill - Cagayan de Oro Restaurant - CDO Cuisune

Mr. Noel and Ms. Aileen Martinez of Barkadahan Grill

 

Even though I’ve always been a fan of this chain of restaurants, it was my first time to visit their newest branch in Primavera. Here’s what I thought about it.

THE LOCATION

The ground floor of Primavera Residences is a fantastic choice of location. It is just beside SM City and located right smack in the middle of the housing developments and business complex of Pueblo de Oro. The exteriors are clean and well-maintained, with ample parking spaces available.

 

Barkadahan Grill - Cagayan de Oro Restaurant - CDO Cuisune

 

THE INTERIORS

Clean, well-ventilated, comfortable and spacious. It’s the perfect mix of cozy and stylish comfort. The ambiance has the right blend of laid back fast food-type atmosphere with just the right amount of upscale feel.

Barkadahan Grill - Cagayan de Oro Restaurant - CDO Cuisune

The main dining area

 

Barkadahan Grill - Cagayan de Oro Restaurant - CDO Cuisune

The conference room

 

THE SERVICE

One of the things I love about this place is their happy and friendly staff. Everyone is sporting a smile on their faces, and they all look truly happy to be of service! This is something you won’t find in most restaurants in the same range. Here is a place where you will always feel welcomed and treated like the special customer that you are!

Barkadahan Grill - Cagayan de Oro restaurant - CDo cuisine

The customer-friendly staff

 

THE PRICE

Whether you have the budget of a well-paid yuppie or a student living off of your meager allowance, this is a place where you can afford to eat good food. The prices are quite affordable and reasonable, which is one of the reasons you’ll definitely keep coming back for more.

Barkadahan Grill - Cagayan de Oro restaurant - CDo cuisine

All your Pinoy food favorites are here – at a price you can afford!

 

THE FOOD

Of course, this is the most important part to consider. And does Barkadahan Grill make the cut? You bet!!! Try their house specials and see for yourself! I especially love the grilled blue marlin (flavorful and cooked just right!), but I’m quite fond of their chicken inasal too! Aside from the burger (which I already mentioned that we’re crazy about), the lechon kawali, fresh lumpia, sisig, and the fresh fruit shakes are all winners! For dessert, you can’t go wrong with their buko pandan and buko halo-halo!

 

Barkadahan Chicken

Barkadahan Grill - Cagayan de Oro restaurant - CDo cuisine

Barkadahan Grill - Cagayan de Oro restaurant - CDo cuisine

Image00003

 

Barkadahan Grill - Cagayan de Oro restaurant - CDo cuisine

 

Barkadahan Grill - Cagayan de Oro restaurant - CDo cuisine

Given all these things I have just said, is it any wonder why Barkadahan Grill is among the favorite food destinations here in Cagayan de Oro? Fab food, good place, great location, excellent customer service – we could definitely expect to see a lot more from Barkadahan Grill. So if you want to find awesome new restaurants in CDO, visit their new location at Primavera Residences and enjoy awesome Filipino food at a very affordable budget!

Love to try the food at Barkadahan Grill? Check out this cool new restaurant in Uptown CDO by clicking here!