Butuan

Diwata ng Lahi in Butuan!

2009-10-07T14:05:00.046+08:00

Good news Butuanons! "Diwata ng Lahi" is expected to arrive in Butuan on the first week of December. Team Balangay will then go on a 24-day Christmas/New Year break and resume the voyage on January 7, 2010. That means "Diwata ng Lahi" will remain docked in Butuan for the holidays! Visiting Butuanons will have more time to see the balangay in Butuan. Go ahead and spread the word! I, for sure, will have my pictures taken with "Diwata ng Lahi" and Team Balangay.

To read more about the Voyage of the Balangay, read this POST or visit www.balangay-voyage.com.

Walk for a Cause

2009-09-30T10:05:00.007+08:00

Our lone source of water in Butuan City has been endangered by the illegal mining, illegal logging and illegal constructions within the Taguibo Watershed area. Socio-civic organizations have been actively creating public awareness to save our only source of water here (there are pending cases too, but we can't talk about it here).

As I went down the office today, I chanced upon the Walk For Cause to save our said watershed. The front-liners were our diocesan priests, followed by the officers and employees of Fr. Saturnino Urios University, the seminarians in the St. Peter’s Seminary, students from the various schools in the cities, and so on and so forth.

The Walk intended to call and pressure those lawless individuals to cease their illegal operations in the Taguibo Watershed Forest Reserve Area. By the looks of the wrath brought about by Ondoy, I hope those !@#$$ persons heed the persistent plea and stop already, por favor!

By: yenskay

Taguibo Watershed: Before and After

2009-09-26T10:13:00.002+08:00

This is a video that was uploaded on Youtube by a fellow Butuanon to show the damages within a month of continued illegal activities at Butuan City's main source of potable water, the Taguibo Watershed.

To know more about the issue read this previous post.

Walk and Pray for the Taguibo Watershed

2009-09-19T10:22:00.003+08:00

From Save Taguibo Watershed Network (STWN):

Voyage of the Balangay

2009-09-05T19:47:00.003+08:00

Team Balangay has finally set sail aboard Diwata ng Lahi towards an epic journey from Manila Bay to Mindanao and later on to Southeast Asia. For more updates from Team Balangay, visit the official website. Lawig balangay!

Note: Diwata ng Lahi will be joined by another balangay once it docks in Butuan City. The balangay construction in Butuan will be paid for by private citizens.

To read more about the Voyage of the Balangay, read this POST or visit www.balangay-voyage.com.

Water is Life

2009-07-18T09:04:00.006+08:00

There is an ongoing battle in Butuan. Concerned citizens from all sectors are staging a fight against illegal loggers and miners to save the Taguibo River Watershed Forest Reserve (TRWFR), Butuan's primary source of potable water and farmland irrigation.

The Taguibo watershed is one of the critical watersheds in Caraga that was declared as a Forest Reserve by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 1076 issued by then President Fidel V. Ramos on September 4, 1997. It covers a total area of 4,364 hectares for protection and conservation under the public domain of the City of Butuan and Municipalities of RTR and Cabadbaran in the province of Agusan del Norte.

It was discovered as early as 2005 that illegal activities such as logging, mining, and road construction, have been going on at the watershed. It has been four years since the issue was first raised by BCWD to the Regional Development Council (RDC). The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) has issued a Cease and Desist Order dated August 9, 2005, but the issue has resurfaced. Unlawful activities have resumed at the protected area, causing the rise in water turbidity level and forcing the Butuan City Water District (BCWD) to shut off water supply in Butuan during rainy days.

Butuanons are alarmed that if these illegal activities will not be stopped, further destruction will be done to the watershed and the whole city might end up with no water in the near future.

The advocacy to save the Taguibo Watershed is being spearheaded by BCWD, managed by Engr. Anselmo Sangtian, and the Fr. Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) community, headed by Rev. Fr. John Christian Young.

If you want to know more about how you can be part of this worthy cause, you may visit the following links:

http://www.savetaguibowatershed.com/
http://savetaguibowatershed.ning.com/
http://bcwdtaguibowatershed.multiply.com/
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/325349/45764240

(photos courtesy of bcwdtaguibowatershed.multiply.com)

Diwata ng Lahi

2009-06-28T21:31:00.008+08:00

This is an update on the Voyage of the Balangay Project led by Art Valdez. The balangay, named "Diwata ng Lahi", is now finished and it was officially launched yesterday, June 27. Team Balangay will set sail on the first week of July, if weather permits. Below are some pictures taken during the launching. Pictures courtesy of Butuan Global Forum.

The balangay before the launching.

Fr. Joesilo Amalla of Butuan City officiating the Catholic boat blessing rites. (Tausug and Protestant rites were also conducted).

Art Valdez cutting the rope to release the balangay into the water.

The balangay finally on the waters of Manila Bay!

Diwata ng Lahi ready to set sail!

Click HERE to see the complete list of Philippine ports wich will be visited by Team Balangay.

Butuan Pride

2009-06-20T11:00:00.000+08:00

I just read on the net that a Butuanon dance group called Next Block Crew bagged the top prize at the Dunkin Donuts Icy Coolers Dance Dunkdown. The contest was held last May 28, 2009 at SM Mall of Asia. The group won in the Young Adults category while another group from General Santos City, Experience Kids, won in the Kids category. Both groups were awarded P100,000 each. Madyaw gid kadyaw ang Butuanon!

A Journey Into History

2009-06-13T13:58:00.003+08:00

On June 27, 2009, the Filipino Mount Everest Team, led by Art Valdez, will embark on another journey. This time they will travel by sea aboard a balangay. A balangay is a wooden boat which was used by our ancestors to travel around Southeast Asia to as far as Polynesia in the East and Madagascar in the West. Team Balangay will attempt to retrace those ancient travel routes starting at Manila Bay.

Balangays, also called Butuan Boats, were dug up in Butuan City in the 70's. These balangays were carbon dated 320 AD.

A sketch of the balangay at the National Museum

One of the original Butuan balangays on display at the Balangay Shrine in Butuan City

Here is a detailed list of places in the Philippines which will be visited by Team Balangay:

1st Leg: MANILA TO BORACAY
1. Manila to Sangley, Cavite 5.3 nautical miles (nm)
2. Ternate, Cavite 17.4 nm
3. Nasugbu, Batangas 19.5 nm
4. Calatagan, Batangas 16.5 nm
5. Batangas City 29.0 nm
6. Puerta Galera, Or. Mindoro 14.2 nm
7. Calapan City, Or. Mindoro 16.0 nm
8. Pola 27.0 nm
9. Maestre de Campo 26 nm
10. Calatrava, Romblon 26.2 nm
11. Odiongan, Tablas 16.7 nm
12. Looc, Romblon 30.0 nm
13. Boracay, Aklan 20.7 nm

2nd Leg: BORACAY TO CEBU CITY/MACTAN
13. Boracay, Aklan
14. Kalibo, Aklan (Port Batan) 38.5 nm
15. Roxas City, Capiz (Port Capiz) 12.5 nm
16. Estancia, Iloilo 51.0 nm
17. Barotac Viejo, Iloilo 42.0 nm
18. Iloilo City, Iloilo 30.8 nm
19. Bacolod City, Negros Occ. 23.3 nm
20. Silay City, Neg Occ 7.5 nm
21. Sagay City, Neg Occ 23.3 nm
22. Bantayan Island, Cebu 40.o nm
23. Daan Bantayan, Cebu 23.4 nm
24. Bogo, Cebu 16.4 nm
25. Danao City, Cebu 35.2 nm
26. Cebu City, Cebu 10.7 nm
27. (Mactan - Cebu Departure)

3rd Leg: MACTAN TO BUTUAN
27. (Mactan - Cebu Departure)
28. Argao, Cebu 27.0 nm
29. Dumaguete City, Negros Or. 38.5 nm
30. Siquijor (Port Canoan), Negros Or. 16.5 nm
31. Panglao, Bohol 28.7 nm
32. Jagna, Bohol 31.5 nm
33. Maasin, Southern Leyte 43.0 nm
34. Limasawa, Southern Leyte 16.6 nm
35. Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte 56.3 nm
36. Butuan City, Agusan del Norte 6.3 nm

4th Leg: BUTUAN TO ZAMBOANGA
36. Butuan City, Agusan del Norte
37. Gingoog, Misamis Or. 25.7 nm
38. Mambajao, Camiguin Island 34.0 nm
39. Cagayan de Oro City 49.7 nm
40. Iligan City, Lanao 48.2 nm
41. Ozamis City, Misamis Occ. 10.5 nm
42. Oroquieta, Mis. Occ. 29.5 nm
43. Dapitan, Dipolog 37.6 nm
44. Liloy, Zamboanga 54.0 nm
45. Ciocon (Port Sta. Maria), 49.0 nm
46. Sibuco, Zamboanga 31.0 nm
47. Zamboanga City 34.8 nm

5th Leg: ZAMBOANGA CITY TO GENERAL SANTOS
47. Zamboanga City
48. Panubigan Island 15.7 nm
49. Bangaan Island,Port Banga 24.2 nm
50. Bagalamatan 16.0 nm
51. Suba Nipa 29.5 nm
52. Limbug Cove 43.6 nm
53. Pagadian City 22.2 nm
54. Port Baras, Cotabato 35.0 nm
55. Cotabato City 25.0 nm
56. Linao Bay, Mati 40.0 nm
57. Port Lebak, Kalamansig 17.0 nm
58. Milbuk Harbor, Milbuk 35.3 nm
59. Kling , South Cotabato 41.5 nm
60. General Santos City 41.5 nm

6th Leg: GENERAL SANTOS CITY TO DAVAO CITY
60. General Santos City
61. Glan, Saranggani 16.0 nm
62. Butulan Cove, Butulan 36.0 nm
63. Jose Abad Santos (Caburan) 22.3 nm
64. Malita, Davao 33.2 nm
65. Digos, Davao Del Sur 25.0 nm
66. Davao City, Port of Sta. Ana 25.3 nm

7th Leg: ZAMBOANGA CITY TO SILUAG
67. Isabela, Basilan
68. Jolo/Patikul, Sulu
69. Siasi, Sulu
70. Tumbagaan Island, Tawi-Tawi
71. Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
72. Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi
73. Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi
74. Siluag Island, Tawi-Tawi
While on port, Team Balangay will conduct several activities in the area which include medical missions, school visitations, coastal cleanup, awareness seminars, and visits to local places of interest.

From Tawi-Tawi, Team Balangay will trace the migration of our ancestors and the ancient trade routes of Southeast Asia.

Catch Team Balangay in your area and be a part of this historic endeavor!

Caraga: Madyaw Kadyaw!

2009-04-25T13:59:00.006+08:00

I found this very nice video on Youtube showcasing the best of Caraga Region. Byahe na!

Agusan River Cruise

2008-04-08T07:50:00.006+08:00

In the summer of 2005, I participated in the Agusan River Cruise hosted by the Department of Tourism. We started the day at around 8AM. We hopped on the specially painted motorized bancas and headed upstream. I am always in awe of the mighty Agusan River. Loboc River in Bohol pales by a mile in comparison. We rode up to the NIA complex in Bit-os enjoying the view of lush greenery along the river banks, passing by the construction site of the new Butuan Bridge (completed in 2007). We turned back in Bit-os and headed towards Banza, where a local high school choir awaited us. There, we were treated to local snack delicacies and various Butuanon songs.

The next stop was Magallanes. After docking, we were brought by land to the century old Bitaug tree. This tree is recognized by the DENR as the Philippine Centennial Tree. If this tree could talk, it surely has a lot of stories to tell!

Then we went to the Holy Rosary Parish Church. I went inside to say my prayers and later joined the rest of the pack at the Magallanes Marker. This marker was built in 1872 under to commemorate the celebration of the first mass in Mindanao held on April 8, 1521. Then, we had lunch right there in the mini-park surrounding the marker. After feasting on seafoods and local desserts, we continued with our photo ops until we were herded back to our bancas to head back to Butuan City.

Our day continued with a trip to the Regional Museum, after which, we were brought to the Balanghai Shrine in Libertad. These two stops should always go in tandem for a better appreciation of Butuan's history.

Our last stop was at the Buod promontory in Pinamanculan. This eco-park is believed by a lot of historians to be part of the lost isle of Mazzaua, the island which Ferdinand Magellan visited in 1521 where the first Christian mass on Philippine soil took place.

This experience is interesting enough as it is. This is made more exciting with recent news that future tourists and balikbayans will now enjoy the cruise in style. They will be cruising in balanghai replicas!

Read about it here: Balanghai River Cruise and here: DOT Supports New River Cruise in Mindanao.

Dining in Butuan

2008-04-05T09:56:00.011+08:00

Let us now jump to my favorite topic: food. Filipinos love to eat. That is a fact. When visiting Butuan, expect to be offered food everytime you step inside a Butuanon's house. The best dining experience would be at your host's house. You are lucky if your host knows how to cook. If not, a hired cook may prepare the usual visitor's fare. In our home, visiting relatives are usually offered steamed prawns and crabs, grilled fish, kinilaw and lechon with leche flan or cake for dessert. If available, they may be lucky enough to sample local delicacies such as palagsing, tumpi, buntaa and inisab. If you prefer dining out, here are a few restaurants to try:

Manay Maling's, Almont Inland Resort - This is Butuan's default go-to place for tourists. Nothing beats eating with a view of the pool and man-made waterfall. It offers mainly Filipino dishes. Daily lunch buffet costs P200+/person. Don't forget to try the halo-halo.

Almont City Cafe - Located at the heart of the city, City Cafe is a good date place. It has fewer selections compared to its sister resto, Manay Maling's, but everything on the menu is a must try. A pianist plays on scheduled hours.

Embassy Hotel & Restaurant - If you want major artery constriction, head to Embassy. Its bestsellers include kare-kare, filet mignon and crispy pata. For the health conscious, try the equally popular steamed lapu-lapu.

Luciana Inn & Restaurant - If you don't mind climbing 2 flights of stairs, then Luciana it is. My personal favorites are the chicken pillows, buttered chicken and pansit canton. Enjoy the hefty servings!

Narra Restaurant - Which Butuanon hasn't eaten at Narra? This is probably the oldest restaurant in the city. Narra has been relocated to two locations - one at Ochoa Ave. and another along J. C. Aquino Ave. in Libertad. Try their garlic chicken, lumpia shanghai and toasted bihon to taste what Butuanons have been eating at Narra all these years.

Margie's Kitchen - Margie's is the newest kid on the block and, presently, the most popular, specially among the younger ones. The place is packed each dinnertime. Margie's is more known for its desserts, but they also have regular meals on the menu. My favorite? Pandan-wrapped chicken. For merienda, my top choice would be the Black Olive and Tuyo Pasta.

True Brew - As the name suggests, True Brew is more known for its coffee and gourmet sandwiches. On top of the crop are Clubhouse Sandwich, Pastrami Melt and Cuban Grill. They also have Mexican Tacos. For thirst-quenchers, try the Mango Fizz or Soursop Spritz.

Minty Passion - Probably the most overlooked on the list, Minty Passion is located right beside True Brew. The Taco Salad and Chicken Cordon Bleu are worth a try.

Uncle Sam's Burger - Uncle Sam's was an institution of its own at its previous location along J.C. Aquino Avenue. It started as a burger cart and later evolved into a favorite dining spot which serves a number of specialties which include mouth-watering burgers, steaming hot bulalo, and sizzling T-bone steaks. Uncle Sam's Burger is now located near the City Hall complex and is open until 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning.

Aling Cora's - Chicken barbecue at its best! A well-traveled Manila-based friend once commented, "This is the best chicken barbecue I have ever tasted!" Other must-trys: kinilaw and crispy crablets. Did I say very affordable prices?

Weegol's - Before there was Aling Cora's, there was Weegol's. After their top rival opened, Weegol's has been losing steam. Loyal fans go back for their buko halo and buko pie. You can expect the stream of government employees from nearby City Hall at lunchtime.

Mering's Barbecue - Butuan's best kept secret. It takes a real Butuanon foodie to locate this place. It is the cheapest and most delicious dining option in the city. Hint: Drive to the police station and follow the smell and the smoke. Good news to all barbecue lovers: Mering's will open a not-so-secret branch near Gaisano Mall very soon!

Until the next new restaurant opens, I say, "Madyaw nga pagkani Butuan!"

Before there was Philippines...

2008-03-28T15:36:00.017+08:00

... there was Butuan. With a rich history dating back to the 4th century, Butuan City is now the regional center of the Caraga Region in the Philippines. It is located in Northeastern Mindanao, bounded by Agusan del Norte to the south, west and north, Agusan del Sur to the east and Butuan Bay to the northwest. Some say the term Butuan is derived from the name of the sour fruit "Batuan". Others believe it originated from the name of a chieftain named "Datu Buntuan". The more preferred belief is that "Butuan" came from the word "but-an", a local term used to describe a person with good character.

The discovery of 9 balangay boats in Butuan serves as evidence that Butuan is an old civilization which existed even before the Philippines came into being. Chinese history records mention Butuan as a center of trade and commerce, having trade relations with the Kingdom of Champa (now South Vietnam) and Srivijaya Empire of Java as early as the 10th century. Butuanons earnestly believe that Ferdinand Magellan dropped anchor in the vicinity of Masao, Butuan where he held the very first mass on Philippine soil on March 31, 1521, an Easter Sunday. (In 1998, the National Historical Institute ruled that the first mass was held in Limasawa, Leyte. This ruling is still being questioned by Butuanons and other supporters of their claim).

In August 2, 1950, Butuan became a city through Republic Act No. 523 or the City Charter of Butuan. By February 7, 1995, Butuan was classified as a highly urbanized city.

Other facts about Butuan:

Land area - 816.62 sq. km.
Estimated population - 350, 000
Total barangays - 86
Urban barangays - 27
Rural barangays - 59

For more information on Butuan City, please visit www.butuan.gov.ph.