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If I was given an opportunity to work in CDO, I would definitely grab it.

CDO is just amazing.

The place, the people, the hangout places, the events, its just awesome.

During the last 4 days I spent there with my friends, I was really in a bliss.

I fell in love with CDO. There’s nothing like it. I can’t even compare it with Cebu.

Career-wise, IT industry in CDO is not that big yet. There are only a few IT companies there, and as far as I’m concerned, there are no BIG names there yet like IBM, Epson, Lexmark, etc. there yet. I haven’t heard of any start-up freelance companies there yet (maybe I can start one). So if ever I get to work there, I would have a hard time looking for a company that is basically the same culture as my current company now. Maybe I can start one, but it’s a high risk. If ever I build a company, I would start here and just branch out in CDO. The city is really a good place to invest in IT since schools there like Xavier University produces lots of capable and awesome programmers too, and it would be great if they’re exposed to these startup ideas..

Financially-wise, there’s only one thing about why CDO is better than Cebu: the way of living is cheaper in CDO than in Cebu. I mean the rents for houses and apartments there is almost 50% cheaper than in Cebu. If you have 8k/month budget there, you can already have a really decent house. And the jeepney/tricycle fare is cheaper too by 1 peso. And the taxi there is much better than Cebu. Almost all taxis there are Altis, Vios or Avanza, and only a few cranky, old models (so taxi fare is worth it there).

There’s only one two Starbucks there though (I think the only one in Mindanao), but hopefully more of it will be established there..

CDO is also great in parties, bars and hangout places. I never even expected that there are a lot of disco pubs to hang out there. And only in this city I found a karaoke place that has a PC and internet inside your room (with own toilet). Much more convenient than any karaoke place here in Cebu. Not to mention the weekly Night Cafe every friday and saturday nights where you can shop and eat cheap in Divisoria. Check out here for more CDO night life bars you can hangout: http://www.incdo.com/2010/03/nightlife-in-cagayan-de-oro-city.html

I don’t know why but I’m happier in CDO. Never been this happy in most years I spent in Cebu. I was with my friends, my relatives, my new found friends, and I was really happy. I was more myself just being with CDO peeps. Maybe because we speak “Chada” and add “lugar”, “gina” and “gaka” in all our conversations, but nevertheless, I feel contented there than in Cebu. That does not mean I don’t love Cebu anymore, I still love Cebu. I have my cool friends here, an awesome job and the place rocks too. But if ever I get to choose between the two, I would choose CDO.

Oh CDO, what did you do to me to make me love you more? 😀