To honor indigenous roots, boost tourism Balaba bats ‘Maayad’ as official Oro greeting

COUNCILOR Joyleen Mercedez Balaba, the newly elected chair of the committee on tourism, is proposing that the Higaonon word ‘Maayad’ be declared as the official daily greeting in service-oriented establishments in Cagayan de Oro.

According to Balaba, ‘maayad’, used during community gatherings and rituals of the Higaonon tribe, means good, peaceful, and beautiful.

She stressed that, as the city opens itself to the world, it is important to anchor the city’s hospitality in hotels, restaurants, airports, ports, and bus terminals with a greeting that is reflective of the respect, warmth, and deep sense of peace and goodwill of a Kagay-anon.

With the diamond celebration of the Higalaay Festival nearing under the theme ‘Proud of roots, bold in our dreams’, the lady councilor described the greeting as both a timely revisitation to the city’s origin and an homage to the Higaonon people.

‘Atong ipakita ang maayad nga kasingkasing, ang atong gugma sa atong Yutang kabilin, sa kalikopan, ug sa isig ka tao,’ Balaba remarked.

She also underscored that tourism should not only promote destinations but also deepen human connections and cultural pride.

‘Let us make sure that our tourism is not just about places but about people, not just photos but connection, not just income but identity,’ urged Councilor Balaba.

Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, presiding officer of the 21^st City Council, referred the matter to the committee on tourism for further study and deliberation. (FDC/SP)