CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Long known as a “well-kept secret,” Cagayan de Oro is quietly — but steadily — stepping into the global spotlight.

That was the takeaway after Harvard alumni chose the city as the very first stop of their newly launched Harvard Travel Series: Beyond the Greens, a blend of travel, learning, and on-the-ground immersion led by the Harvard Club of the Philippines Global (HCPG).

For Chrysler B. Acebu, vice president for Mindanao and general manager of Pueblo de Oro and PDO Development Corp., the choice was no accident. He told the DAILY TRIBUNE that the visit gave participants a front-row look at a city now being positioned as the country’s fourth metropolitan area, alongside Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao.

“This wasn’t just a leisure trip,” Acebu said. “It was about understanding why Cagayan de Oro is emerging the way it is.”

Learning beyond the socials

HCPG co-president Patricia-Ann T. Prodigalidad, managing director of ACCRALAW, explained that the travel series is designed to go beyond reunions and golf games.

“A Harvard event has to involve learning,” she said. “We mix socials with conversations on how cities grow, what makes them competitive, and why some move ahead faster than others.”

Every interaction — whether with industries, professionals, or communities — was meant to be part of that learning experience.

The biannual series is hosted in cities where a Harvard alumnus resides. For its maiden run, HCPG chose Cagayan de Oro, hosted by Guillermo D. Luchangco (Harvard ’67), chairman and CEO of Pueblo de Oro Development Corp.

‘We were blown away’

For many in the group, the city exceeded expectations.

“We were blown away,” said Maria Carolina V. Dominguez, president and CEO of John Clements Consultants and HCPG’s immediate past co-president. “Uptown feels vibrant and sophisticated — almost Makati-like. The restaurants, the culture, even the golf course — you don’t easily find that level of refinement in other highly urbanized cities.”

Why not the second city?

During a luncheon at SM CDO Uptown’s North Wing, Luchangco pushed the conversation further.

“If Chicago is the Second City after New York,” he said, “why can’t Cagayan de Oro aspire to be the Philippines’ second city?”

He recalled developing 360 hectares of upland terrain in 1995 — land that was once bare and overlooked. What made the gamble work, he said, was the city’s strong economic base.

Data he shared showed 77 percent of Cagayan de Oro’s population belongs to the middle-income class, with only 18 percent low-income and five percent high-income.

“It’s rare to see numbers like that,” Luchangco said.

Acebu added that the city’s role as Northern Mindanao’s main trading and logistics hub, anchored by the Mindanao Container Terminal, has been a major driver of growth.

Numbers that back the buzz

National and global rankings are starting to reflect what locals have long felt.

Cagayan de Oro is now recognized as the country’s fourth metropolitan area and is the only city in the Visayas and Mindanao included in the Top 12 Highly Urbanized Cities with the highest GDP per capita in 2024.

Oxford Economics, a UK-based think tank, ranks the city as the sixth largest urban economy in the Philippines in its list of the world’s 1,000 largest urban economies for 2025 — marking its second straight year on the list.

Financial indicators tell a similar story. In 2024, the Bureau of Local Government Finance recorded P3.15 billion in locally sourced revenues, second only to Davao City. Despite having just 40 percent of Davao’s population and 17 percent of its land area, Cagayan de Oro posted 36 percent higher revenue per capita, Acebu noted.

Banking data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed total deposits reaching P163.39 billion, second only to Davao in Mindanao.

Metro push gains ground

Momentum is also building in Congress. House Bill No. 1843, authored by Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez, has cleared key committees and seeks to create the Metro Cagayan de Misamis Development Authority.

If passed, the body would coordinate planning, transport, waste management, flood control, land use, and housing — while preserving the autonomy of local governments.

Still flying under the radar

Despite the numbers, Acebu said Cagayan de Oro remains surprisingly under the national investment radar.

Haidee Enriquez, president of the Contact Center Association of the Philippines and CEO of Microsourcing, agreed.

“What stood out was how coordinated the ecosystem was,” she said. “The LGU, investment offices, industry groups, even universities were all present. That doesn’t happen everywhere.”

She added that limited national visibility — not lack of talent — has kept the city a secret.

“Investors won’t come if they can’t see the talent pipeline,” Enriquez said, urging schools to be more proactive in showcasing their graduates.

Building the next chapter

To further elevate the city, Luchangco unveiled two major Pueblo de Oro developments.

Masterson Mile North, a five-tower residential complex designed by global firm Gensler, aims to introduce upscale condominium living. Southridge, a 31-hectare project near the Pueblo-Laguindingan Road, is envisioned as a Silicon Valley-inspired district combining residential spaces, offices, BPO hubs, retail and green areas.

A World Trade Center is also being explored, potentially expanding Pueblo de Oro’s footprint beyond Metro Manila.

As the Harvard alumni wrapped up their visit, the message was unmistakable: Cagayan de Oro is no longer just a “well-kept secret.” It’s a city finding its voice — and its place — on the national and global map.