City Of Good Life

Welcome to Oroquieta City

Layawan was the oldest name of Oroquieta, which was the barrio in the province of Misamis since 1861 until 1879. The early settlers then of the barrio were Boholano peddlers. They found so many stray animals along the river, thus they named the place Layawan, which means a place of stray animals. A little later, Misamis was divided into two provinces, Misamis Occidental and Oriental. Then in 1880, Layawan changed its name into Oroquieta when it became a town. Some sources revealed that the town got its name from a famous barrio in Spain where Father Toas Tomas Casado, the first parish priest here and General Domingo Mariones y Murillo, a hero in the battle of Oroquieta, were born.

Another version is that Oroquieta had derived its name from the word ‘ORO’ and ‘KITA’. The early inhabitants then had found gold along the river. Thus, the name ‘ORO’ which means Gold and ‘QUITA’ or ‘KITA’ which means to find.
Many years had passed; Oroquieta progressed by leaps and bounces until finally it became the capital town (cabecera) on January 6, 1930. As capital town, people of various neighboring provinces came and inhabited in the place where they earn their living through fishing, farming, merchandising and other forms of businesses. Soon afterwards its income increased simultaneously with increase in population.

It is worthy to note that sometime in 1942, Oroquieta was made the capital of the free Philippines by the guerillas. (Personal interview with the late Atty. Vicente Blanco, Municipal Mayor during the Japanese Occupation)
It must be remembered that during this time the late President Manuel L. Quezon together with the late Sergio Osmeña, Sr., a bodyguard and Major Manuel Nieto, Sr. landed in Oroquieta after their evacuation from Corregidor to Australia.
The seat of government of the Free Philippines then was the Capitol. The Free Philippine Government was then issuing Misamis Occidental emergency notes. Late President Quezon, upon knowing that Oroquieta was made a capital of the Free Philippines and that the town was issuing emergency notes, authorized the Printing of the Mindanao emergency note.
Another noteworthy incident during the Japanese occupation was the visit of the former President of the Philippines, Ferdinand E. Marcos and Major Manzano to Oroquieta. That time, the Commanding General of Mindanao was the late Col Wendell Fertig.
Oroquieta was created a City under R.A. 5518 and inaugurated as a chartered city on January 1, 1970. The charter converting the municipality of Oroquieta into a city are signed by President Marcos on June 25, 1969 in the presence of the then City Mayor, the late Ciriaco C. Pastrano, with the newly elected councilors and other city officials.
Oroquieta City is and will always be the home of hospitable and peace loving people.

Oroquieta City Profile

Oroquieta is one of only three thriving cities in Misamis Occidental.  Its strategic location was a major consideration when it was made the capital of the province in 1930 and 40 years later became a chartered city.

There are two prevailing traditions as to the origin of Oroquieta.  One, that Oroquieta got its name from two Spanish words “oro” and “quita” meaning “gold” and “to find” respectively.  Oral tradition has it that early Spanish settlers found gold nuggets along Layawan River hence, the name.
Early recorded history tells that Oroquieta was formerly called “Layawan” – the present name of the city’s biggest river that supplies most of the irrigation needs of the lowlands.  “Layawan” is taken from the root Visayan word “layaw” which means “astray” or “wild”.  The place, being endowed with lush vegetation and foliage, was a haven for roaming wild life which explains why it was called, Layawan.
Layawan, a former barangay of the municipality of Jimenez, became a town in 1880 and named Oroquieta, by Rev. Fr. Tomas Casado, an Augustinian Recollect priest who hailed from a town in Pamplona, Spain called Oroquieta.  Father Casado was instrumental for the development of Oroquieta.
Oroquieta City is located in Northern Mindanao.  It is the capital of the Province of Misamis Occidental and is nestled in the northeastern region of the province with its coastline facing Iligan Bay towards east.  It is within the grid square of 8 33’33” north latitude and 123 44’35” east longitude.  To its north lies the Municipality of Lopez Jaena; to the east is the wide open Bay of Iligan; down south is its sister town of Aloran; west-northwest is the remote town of Concepcion; and to the northwest is Sapang dalaga.  Its total area is about 263m 934 square kilometers roughly 13% of the Northern Mindanao land area.
Oroquieta City, the provincial seat of government, is 42.3 kilometers north of Ozamiz City and 115 kilometers southeast of Dipolog City.  It is accessible by sea with direct overnight voyage from Cebu and land transportation through cemented or asphalted semi-circumferential highway that traverses parallel to the coastline which links the 3 cities and 12 towns of the province except for the hinter towns of Don Victoriano Chiongbian and Concepcion.
Interior barangays of Oroquieta are connected to the coastal areas through a network of feeder roads while the remotest barangay, Sebucal, can only be reached through foot trails.
Courtesy of :  The City Government of Oroquieta

Restaurants & Fast Foods

Courtesy of : Oroquieta City

• Restaurants/Fast Foods
• Bakery & Grocery
• Halang-Halang
• Resources"

The food and dining establishments in Oroquieta City today generate their food production in a "cooking in the kitchen" environment. Majority of them provide catering service which involves a lot of planning, ingredient control and most of all energy consumption. In spite of the costs involved in maintaining their operation, they continue to aim their goals in providing the customer with the best quality of service as well as highest quality and best tasting foods at affordable prices.

I myself have visited and enjoyed the foods of some of these restaurants (including Karen's), and I was very amazed and pleased to receive the best quality of service from the staff. Their delicious foods can lure your palate to have a voracious appetite. The aroma of "Chicken Adobo" and Siopao permeates the surroundings. The delicious cool taste of the frosty fruit-flavored Halo-halo soothes your needs to shelter from the hot weather. The proprietors' ways with food and attention to details of service and delicious tastes wave attractions. I believe that production planning and best quality service to customers are primarily the effective ingredients of their success.

Other food establishments in Oroquieta City are influenced by our Chinese ancestors. Commonly seen in and around the neighboring towns of Oroquieta City are the Chinese restaurants. Each of them features their signature delicacies which are multi-culturally trademarked. Many restaurants features Canton or Shanghai Chinese cooking from the cultural influences of Canton and Shanghai China, respectively. The meticulously layered soft noodles and crispy green vegetables enhances the deliciously reputable Chinese recipes.

With the choices of several restaurants in the area, many people have particularly enjoyed the Rhovic's restaurant. At Rhovic's, you will also enjoy this "spotlight" section where the eating venue is illuminated by the shining blue waters. Like Rhovic's many other restaurants in the city allow you to order from the menus of your hand-picked favorites that are distinct to your palate. For example, the chicken barbecue, siopao, and the delicious and perfect fruity frosty dessert, Halo-halo make Rhovic's and many others among the acclaimed food sites in Oroquieta City.

The pleasure of a "five-star" fine gourmet dining may not be found in Oroquieta City, but the Oriental-Filipino cooking is sensational enough to satisfy your quest for special dining. Aside from the food, the quality of service that you receive from the management and staff are golden privilege to enjoy the hospitality that is being provided. Their organized and task-oriented staff are working harder each day to ensure that their customers are treated with the utmost respect and diligence.

CHOPSTICK Independence Street Poblacion 2, Oroquieta City Contact Person: Mrs. Emma L. Lim Tel. No. (088) 531-1125 DDC CAKE SHOPPE & NODDLE HOUSE Enerio Street Poblacion 2, Oroquieta City Contact Person: Mr. Danny de la Cerna Tel. No. (088) 531-1912 KAREN’s BARBECUE & FAST FOOD Corner Enerio & Ozamis Streets Layawan District, Oroquieta City Contact Person: Mr. Julius Tac-an Tel. No. (088) 531-1162 NORTHPOLE Independence Street Poblacion 2, Oroquieta City Contact Person: Mr. Orlando Tiu, Jr. Tel. No. (088) 531-2026

PEARL JOY RESTAURANT Barrientos Street Poblacion 2, Oroquieta City Contact Person: Ms. Pearl Joy C. Roferos Tel. No. (088) 531-1138 RHOVIC’s PLACE Magsaysay Street Poblacion 1, Oroquieta City Contact Person: Mr. Rudy Ala Tel. No. (088) 531-1916 RUFING’s EATERY & LODGE Enerio Street Poblacion 2, Oroquieta City Contact Person: Mrs. Rufina C. Taladua Tel. No. (088) 531-2012 TATINE’s FOOD HOUSE Independence Street Poblacion 2, Oroquieta City Contact Person: Mr. Eduardo N. Matildo Tel. No. (088) 531-1131