Component city in Misamis Occidental, Philippines
Photo: Thomas Galvez, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ozamiz, known as the "Gem of the Panguil Bay" and the "Gateway to Northwestern Mindanao", is a city in Misamis Occidental in Northern Mindanao. With a population of 143,620 (2024), it is the largest city in the province.
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Locally known as the Cotta Shrine. A shrine dedicated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and of the Triumph of the Cross of Panguil Bay, locally known as the Birhen sa Cotta. The shrine is located at the south wall of the Fuerte de la Concepcion y del Triunfo and is a known pilgrimage destination in the city.
Cotta in Bisaya
Called "Fort of the Conception and of the Triumph" in English. Established in 1756, this fort is the oldest structure in the city. Inside in the fort is a garden, with a museum displaying artifacts from the fort and the city. On the southeast bastion is a lighthouse.
Built from the remains of the original parish church after the earthquake of 1955. This cathedral was designed by National Artist for Architecture, Leandro Locsin. His simple style of squares, circles, and half circles are evident throughout the external and internal designs of the church. Alterations to the façade of the cathedral were performed later. The cathedral is home to the wooden image of the Birhen sa Cotta.
The only existing pipe organ in Mindanao, and one of only a few anywhere in the Philippines. It was Father Sean Lavery, an Irish-Columbian priest in charge of music at the cathedral, who first thought of the idea of an organ at Immaculate Conception. Funds were raised through donations and a musical extravaganza, organized by the parish, to buy the pipe organ. Father Lavery requested the aid of a German priest, Father Herman Schablitzki S.V.D., in designing the organ. Father Schatblitzki visited Ozamiz to take measurements to give to the organ builders back in Germany. Father Schablitzki himself, assisted by one carpenter and one electrician, assembled the organ in six weeks, and it was completed on May 31, 1967. It was inaugurated on July 16, 1967.
At the top of the hill is a bell tower that houses four great bells, named "St. Peter", "St. Marien", "St. Joseph", and "St. Michael". They were originally purchased by Bishop-Prelate Patrick Cronin, D.D. for the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. However, the bells weigh 7 tons and were found to be too heavy and too large for the cathedral's belfry. Given the recent costs of installing an organ at the cathedral, it was commonly thought that the installation of the bells would prove too expensive but, through the efforts of then Mayor Fernando T. Bernad and Jesus Y. Varela, the bells were finally given a place at Bukagan Hill.
Locally known for their grilled foods with unlimited rice.
The restaurant is locally known for Chinese food.
Formerly known as Naomi's Botanical Garden and Tourist Inn. The garden has now become one of Ozamiz’s attractions. The nursery of Timfanel Garden has grown to become one of the biggest supplier of plants used for landscaping in Mindanao. The environment afforded by the greenery surrounding the building has made it a favorite venue for different community activities, conferences and weddings. It now has three reception halls for these events.
Single rooms with own bathroom.
A/C single and double rooms with own bathrooms and cable TV. The GV Hotel Ozamiz has 62 rooms.
Nice size fan single/double rooms with own bathroom and cable TV. Free Wi-Fi. cheapest single rooms in town.
Has a McDonald's and a cinema, among other notable stores inside the mall.
The biggest mall in Ozamiz.
By plane
The Labo airport has daily flights from Manila and Cebu.
By bus
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Ozamiz · Regional · OZC
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