LAST week when the newest commercial mall opened here, I could not help but get nostalgic about how Cagayan de Oro used to be. Back then, when I was still in high school, the newest mall that opened in the city was the Limketkai Center covering the areas of Osmeña St. and Barangay Lapasan.
The opening of Limketkai Center was not really anticipated by everyone. Its location, which was at an idle lot near Osmeña St., was not actually seen by many as an accessible site for a commercial establishment.
However, the opening of Limketkai Center has made a significant contribution to the economic history of Cagayan de Oro. The area became the city’s central business district. Over time, the mall itself became the city’s icon and pride. When it was established, it became the security gauge by small and large business companies alike of whether or not their business ventures can actually survive the steadfast competition.
Today, the 40-hectare mixed-use commercial property keeps on expanding.
It was only at least 10 years after that SM Cagayan de Oro opened its first mall in Northern Mindanao which was located in uptown Lumbia.
The location was also interesting since most residents in the city actually live downtown. However, after several years, real estate developers started expanding their residential projects in uptown Lumbia.
Today, uptown Lumbia is eyed to be the next central business district considering the year that typhoon Sendong brought devastation to the once flood-free Cagayan de Oro. Until today, the problem on massive flash floods is still causing anxiety among us. Thus, a lot of people are moving uptown.
At least another decade has also passed before a new mall came to sprout. As long as I can remember, the area where Centrio Ayala Mall now stands was a showcase area of vehicles with a small office downstairs. In front of it was the "pangmasa" mall, Gaisano mall. No one ever thought the Ayalas would take a risk in building a commercial mall just right in front of everyone’s noses.
Last week, the most incredible risk of an old-time business tycoon took place when the SM Downtown Premier finally opened. Again, I have to say, it was surprisingly amusing to see what seemed to be an immovable object which was known for years as a beverage plant, became the newest posh shopping district in Cagayan de Oro.
Unfortunately, traffic congestion is getting worse everyday. Crimes, too, are getting more heinous. Murder cases are increasing.
I fear that one day, Cagayan de Oro will be like Metro Manila. To be honest, this city is becoming a stranger to me everytime I see new development indicators in certain areas here. I am actually becoming anxious of unfamiliar faces I see on streets since tourists and visitors come by to see the booming city.
On the other hand, I am particularly curious on how business tycoons move everything according to their plans and risk-taking decisions. They can turn an idle lot to a pot of gold. They can move landmarks like objects on a chessboard.
As a hopeful citizen, I can only sit back and watch what Cagayan de Oro will become in the next 10 years. I hope businessmen will not forget that when they are building commercial establishments, they are also building people’s simple hopes and dreams of getting to live a more comfortable life someday.