Author Archives: Mike Baños

Guerrilla Raid on Talisayan

22 March 1945

One of the most unusual guerrilla operations in the Philippines during World War II was the guerrilla raid on Talisayan, Misamis Oriental, which was conducted with the assistance of the US Navy to eliminate and wipe out the Japanese garrisoned at this key objective.

Amphibious in nature, the operation involved guerrilla units of the 110th Infantry Division, 110th Division United States Forces in the Philippines (USFIP) with an original strength of 200 men but which rose to 350 when a call for volunteers was issued.… Continue reading... “Guerrilla Raid on Talisayan”

Life During Wartime

75th Cagayan Liberation Feature

When Cagayan de Oro had to mark the 75th Anniversary of its Liberation from Imperial Japan on May 12, 2020 behind closed doors, it recalled a similar situation when everyone’s freedom of movement was drastically curtailed by the Japanese Occupation from 1942 to 1945.

The Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) imposed tight restrictions on travel between towns and travelers had to provide “passes” similar to the Barangay Exit Pass permits only one person to step outside a residence for essential errands like medicines, foods and the like.… Continue reading... “Life During Wartime”

75th Cagayan Liberation Anniversary Feature – Maj. Jose Manuel Corrales Montalvan, 1st Camp Commander of the‘Kampo’

 Few Kagay-anons today are aware that the first camp commander of the Philippine Army’s biggest military camp in Mindanao was a Lumad (native Kagay-anon).

1st Lt. Jose Manuel Corrales Montalvan as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve in 1928 (Montalvan Family Archives)

Major Jose Manuel Corrales Montalvan was initially assigned as Cadre Commander of the 2nd Misamis Oriental (Machine Gun) Cadre at Camp Bulua (present day Camp Edilberto Evangelista) in Cagayan, a post he served in from January 1-Dec.… Continue reading... “75th Cagayan Liberation Anniversary Feature – Maj. Jose Manuel Corrales Montalvan, 1st Camp Commander of the‘Kampo’”

May 12, 2020 – 75th Anniversary of Cagayan de Oro’s Liberation during WW2

May 12, 2020 is the 75th Anniversary of the liberation of what was then known as Cagayan (or Cagayan de Misamis to the older folks) from the Japanese Empire during World War II.

US Army forces conducting clearing operations against Japanese troops at the Sayre Highway, Bukidnon.

Unfortunately, due to restrictions enforced by the city government according to the IATF general community quarantine guidelines, no public ceremonies are still allowed to mark this milestone in our local history.… Continue reading... “May 12, 2020 – 75th Anniversary of Cagayan de Oro’s Liberation during WW2”

Local inventor rolls out green disinfection innovations vs. COVID-19

There’s no stopping the Magus of the Seven Seas, Cagayan de Oro’s Pride and representative to the Parthenon of game changing inventors like Nikola Tesla and Thomas Alva Edison.

The younger generation knows Engr. Elpidio M. Paras better as the man behind two of the region’s most popular tourist attractions, Dahilayan Adventure Park in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, and the Seven Seas Waterpark and Resort at Opol, Misamis Oriental.… Continue reading... “Local inventor rolls out green disinfection innovations vs. COVID-19”

Post COVID-19 Scenario: PCCI submits proposals for resumption of Economic Activities in Mindanao

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry has endorsed to the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases a resolution from its regional chambers in Mindanao detailing suggestions for the resumption of economic activities in the island.

Residents observe social distancing in queueing up for the Bayanihan Rolling Store of Tago Chamber of Commerce, Tago Business Club & LGU Tago.
… Continue reading... “Post COVID-19 Scenario: PCCI submits proposals for resumption of Economic Activities in Mindanao”

CCIFII Rolling Stores enhance ECQ in Iligan

Iligan Chamber Rolling Stores

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation of Iligan, Inc. has launched its rolling stores in a bid to enhance the effectiveness of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Iligan City.

As defined by the Iligan Chamber, a Rolling Store is a “One-Stop-Shop” where consumers can buy their groceries, vegetables, fish and meat items within their barangays without going to public and supermarkets to lessen their risks of infection from the COVID-19 coronavirus.… Continue reading... “CCIFII Rolling Stores enhance ECQ in Iligan”

CDO Filipino-Chinese Community donations to NMMC breach P4.3-M

NMMC Chief Dr. Jose Chan receives the 5th batch of donations from the CDO Filipino-Chinese Community headed by Pres. Sonny Choi April 7 at the Cagayan Town Center. (photo courtesy of Jeffrey Ang)

Cagayan de Oro’s Filipino-Chinese Community showed its unequivocal support for the city’s battle against the CoVid-19 coronavirus with its biggest donation yet to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center on April 7.… Continue reading... “CDO Filipino-Chinese Community donations to NMMC breach P4.3-M”

Academe mobilizes urgently needed supplies for front liners

Three of Northern Mindanao’s leading universities are in the thick of the fight versus the COVID-19 pandemic through their campus laboratories.

Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan (Xavier Ateneo) in Cagayan de Oro City, Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Bukidnon, and Mindanao State University (MSU) through College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at its main campus in Marawi City and  the Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) in Iligan City, have mobilized their available resources to supply hospitals with urgently needed medical supplies like alcohol and disinfectant.… Continue reading... “Academe mobilizes urgently needed supplies for front liners”

Waterpark repurposes machine to produce surface disinfectant

Seven Seas Waterpark & Resort (image courtesy of Project LUPAD)

Since the Seven Seas Waterpark and Resort was shuttered on March 17 in response to the government’s plea to help curb the spread of COVID-19, the facility, hailed as “Mindanao’s Showcase of Sustainable Tourism” has lain idle except for a skeleton crew cleaning and maintaining its various attractions.… Continue reading... “Waterpark repurposes machine to produce surface disinfectant”