The sister cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan mark their 76th Charter Days within a day of each other on June 15-16, 2026.
On June 15, 1950, President Elpidio Quirino signed Republic Act No. 521 in Malacañang that created the new chartered city of Cagayan de Oro.
A day later President Elpidio Quirino signs Republic Act 525, Iligan City Charter on June 16, 1950.
Cagayan de Oro City’s Charter Day has been commemorated within the Himugso Festival since June 2015. It was launched by the city government to rebrand and combine the celebrations of the Philippine Independence Day (June 12) and the city’s Charter Day (June 15) into a joint multi-day event. The festival’s name comes from the Visayan word himugso, which means “birthing”. The annual celebration in recent years has featured inter-agency sports fests, cultural exhibits, historical heritage tours, and civic parades, among others.
With the theme “Gasa sa Kagahapon, Garbo sa Karon, Giya sa Kaugmaon” (Our Gift, Our Pride, Our Guide) for this year’s celebration, Himugso Festival features the Heritage Walking Tour, 128th Philippine Independence Day rites, Inter-School Drum & Lyre Competition, City Charter Day and State of the City Address, and 2nd Kinaadman sa Kasaysayan.
Just 88 kilometers to the west, the 76th Araw ng Iligan similarly celebrates a Grand Triple Day Celebration which likewise commemorates Philippine Independence Day on June 12 and the 76th Adlaw sa Iligan on June 16, as it continues to serve as an opportunity to honor the city’s history, celebrate its people, and showcase the diverse talents that contribute to a vibrant, resilient, and forward-looking Iligan.
Mr. Jules Verne A. Padilla, Chief of Staff and Chairman of Adlaw sa Iligan 2026, emphasized that this year’s celebration will highlight local talents and provide greater opportunities for Iliganons to showcase their creativity, skills, and contributions through various cultural, artistic, sports, and community-centered activities throughout the citywide celebration.
Hanna Mae Padilla Standfield, Vice Chairman of the Grand Triple Day Celebration, also provided important updates on traffic management and public safety, including scheduled road closures in selected areas due to major celebration activities. The public is encouraged to stay informed, plan routes ahead, and follow official advisories to ensure a safe and orderly observance of the festivities.
Meanwhile, Atty. Laurentino Badelles, Overall Chairman of the Grand Triple Day Celebration, invited all Iliganons and visitors to take part in the festivities and witness the various activities prepared for the celebration. He highlighted the significance of the city’s Grand Triple Day observance, which commemorates Philippine Independence Day on June 12 and the 76th Adlaw sa Iligan on June 16, making it a meaningful occasion to celebrate freedom, local heritage, community pride, and the continued progress of Iligan City.
