HISTORY
Oroquieta was called before as Layawan. The now city was then a barrio in the province of Misamis since 1861 to 1879. The early settlers were Boholano peddlers. Since much of the animals can be found along the river, the named the place Layawan, which means place of many stray animals.
After some years, Misamis was divided into two provinces, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental. In 1880, Layawan converted into a town and the name of the place was changed to Oroquieta. Some folks say that the the place was named after the famous barrio in Spain where Father Toas Tomas Casado, the first parish priest and General Domingo Mariones y Murillo, a hero in the battle of Oroquieta, were born.
Many years had passed, Oroquieta progressed by leaps and bounds 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.
POPULATION/ LANGUAGE/ AREA
2010 Population Census states that Oroquieta City has a total populace of 68,945 all living in a land area of 23,788 hectares. The people speaks Cebuano as their native language. The city has lowland plains and wide coastal lowlands on its eastern side and rolling to wide highlands and mountains on its western side.
Oroquieta City has lowland plains and wide coastal lowlands on its eastern side and rolling wide highlands and mountains on its western side. The Bureau of Soils has classified the city’s land features into four slope categories, namely 5-8%, gently sloping or undulating; 8-15%, moderately sloping or rolling; 0-2%, level to nearly level and 2-5%, very gently sloping.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Oroquieta City is known for its hospitality and peace loving people. The city is also a major agricultural trading center, such as coconut and several ‘coconut-processing’ factories. Oroquieta is also a leading producer of copra since it became a city.
TOURIST SPOTS
Ambak-Ambak Falls – offers relaxation to both locals and tourists due to its greenery background and fresh air. One can surely frolic in this falls.
Layawan River – this river was awarded as the cleanest river in the Philippines last 2002.
Mount Malindang – this is a national park where endangered species such as the Philippine Eagle is housed. The mountain’s peak is 2,402 meters high and 7,233 feet above sea level.
Sebucal Hot Spring – this is one of the most interesting spot to visit in Oroquieta City. Most avid mountaineers and trekkers will truly enjoy the route starting from Oroquieta, seeing the nature in its splendid form. Mount Sebucal is approximately 4,500 feet above sea level and the mountain is also noted for its constant change in temperature and feeling of thinner air to breathe.
FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS
Tabanog Festival – held every summer time, this is a kite-flying festival where every legal residents of the town are invited to participate.
Inug-ong Festival – is the Suban-on’s version of the Sinulog of Cebu. This is a weeklong fiesta every October 2nd week. Street dancing featuring tribal dance is presented as a tribute to Oroquieta City’s patron saint, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.