THE iconic first bridge in Cagayan de Oro City was made romantic, as the City Government officially lit up the Ysalina Bridge with colorful lights in circle on the night of Valentine's Day, February 14.
Kagay-anons flocked to the bridge to take photos, selfies and groufies, following the ceremonial switching-on of the lights.
The crowd found the bridge "tsada" or amazing, saying it was improved and became an added attraction to the people.
The Ysalina Bridge (named after Governor Paciencio Ysaina, former governor of Misamis Oriental), or commonly called the Carmen Bridge, is the first bridge in Cagayan de Oro built around 1888 to 1890 by the "Bridge Builder" Major Juan Zanon, a military governor of Misamis Oriental.
The bridge, at that time, was a bit unstable and made of bamboo. Not long after, it was reconstructed to carry a better design and structure and became a hanging or suspension bridge.
From then on, several improvements have been made. From a suspension bridge, it became fully concrete on August 26, 1931.
Leading the ceremonial lighting of the Ysalina Bridge was City Mayor Oscar Moreno. Also present during the event was the grandson of the former governor Paciencio Ysalina, Paciencio Ferdinand Ysalina Valencia.
"I'd like to thank everybody for supporting this. What seemed to be impossible a few days ago has now become a reality," Moreno said.
"I hope nga dili kini standbyan kay makabara sa traffic but we'll have to made some arrangement nga minos ang distraction sa traffic flow dinhi," he added.
Moreno said they are planning to light up the other bridges in Cagayan de Oro City, with the Marcos Bridge as the next target.
"Certainly, we need to do some more. Panigkamutan gyud, makaya man. Nahimo man nato ni. Sunod siguro Marcos Bridge," he said.
The Ysalina Bridge, Moreno said, will be lit up every night for the whole year round.