Caraga rising paradise

journey into a mystical place caraga.

Butuan City Hall Complex – another landmark in butuan city

November 30, 2007 Leave a Comment

Butuan City Hall Complex another landmark in the heart of Butuan City. It was a huge success on the part of Butuanons before another landmark was found, of course, the grand aura of the now newly celebrated 2nd Magsaysay Bridge. Long time ago, a city dreamed of having a place where officials and its constituents – the Butuanons – meet in a convenient and nicest way, and possibly in a modern way. Until, such then, a dreamed became a reality!

It is just of having a modernized City Hall coming to this new generation replacing the old ones. And now, it is one of the best City Hall in the country, and the best in Mindanao.

The modern City Hall building was placed at the center, standing majestically. You have to take a walk for hundred meters from the gate before reaching the entrance of the building. A very spacious surroundings with well-planned landscaping.

Butuan City Hall Complex was inaugurated in August 2, 2005, the day when Butuanons celebrate its 55th Charter Day with pride and honor.

Well, cheers to all Butuanons!

2nd Magsaysay Bridge – a landmark in butuan city

November 29, 2007 Leave a Comment

So much to cheers to all Butuanon when the 2nd Magsaysay Bridge was inaugurated and open in public last April 30, 2007. After a decade of waiting that another bridge will be constructed to support the voluminous traffic in the aging 1st Magsaysay Bridge, finally became a reality, the construction of the 2nd Magsaysay Bridge.

The aging 1st Magsaysay that was built in 1950’s always undergoes major renovation for years. This prompts me to become uneasy person as I passed by to the center of the bridge. But this old bridge was proving to be mightier than a mighty because it lives there for years.

Now, the 2nd Magsaysay, which is 3 kilometers from the existing 1st Magsaysay Bridge has the two-lane, 870-meterlong, 6.7-meter wide which is considered as the longest suspension bridge in the entire Mindanao. This new bridge has been a success after the achievement of another landmark, which is the Butuan City Hall Complex.

The 2nd Magsaysay Bridge has 13.21-km bypass road with 11.4 meters wide became the longest road span in the Philippines as well as in the whole world that will compare to England’s London Bridge. This road span traverses Iligan-Cagayan-Butuan City Road on the north and General Santos-Davao-Butuan City Road on the south.

The 2nd Magsaysay Bridge will boost economic progress in the city. As we know the 1st Magsaysay Bridge share the most part in Butuan‘s economic progress. Butuan, aside from its rich in historical background, it is considered as the center of of commerce and industry in terms of its strategic location in Mindanao. The existence of these two bridges will link Butuan to Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Surigao provinces as well as Bukidnon. This will also encourage partnership of distant cities of the region in economic and business activities.

Congratulations to all Butuanons!!!

pix from butuanon.net

Tinuy-an Falls – niagara of caraga

January 17, 2007 2 Comments

When I went to Bislig City – a City by the Bay – with my companions from different agency for monitoring, we are invited by mayor Garay to take a visit to Tinuy-an falls. I’m so excited because I learned that the discovery of this magnificent falls, when years back, was just a result of logging boom in 60’s and 70’s (although, i’m not sure about the story). When loggers tried to set back in the heart of thick green virgin forest near the boundary of Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur and found the heavily covered majestic Tinuy-an Falls when cleared the area.

When I saw the falls, it was covered with mist and its cold…how big it was! I tried to go at the top of it with a stairway along the side and found another falls – all in all a three layered falls. I thought it was the widest and the biggest falls i’ve ever seen of my entire life.

Tinuy-an Falls as one of the widest water curtain in the country (possibly the widest), has a total height of 55 meters and a bathing area of 95 meters. It can be reached by a car within 30 minutes from the heart of the City of Bislig.

Guyam – white island can be reached by feet and hands

December 28, 2006 3 Comments

Pristine white island facing the town of General Luna of Siargao. Guyam island is so stimulating that it can be reached with your feet and hands during low tide. You can enjoy the ride by kayaking with friends or swimming or just walking before reaching the coral white island.

If you want to shout as loud as you can…go! and you’ll feel the excitement of this paradise..like no one else have shown it before… the experience that unfolded before your eyes.

Sometimes when I saw the island, it reminds me of other beautiful, cute, white coral islands within Caraga when I traveled to Surigao del Sur like the Hagonoy Island of Bislig City and General Islands of Cantilan, to name a few, but this one so unique for being closer to the mainland that really captivates your eyes curiosity. Those crystal blue water was tantalizing, and would love to swim before those colorful fishes on the ground. So much fun!

Guyam Island is one of the island that is found in Siargao, Philippines. In front of this island is the boom sugar white sand beaches of the town of General Luna across for miles. While on the other side was Dako Island, where you can see a bigger island with a stretch of fine white line of sands. Closer from this island is the surfing site known as Cloud 9 where internationally known competition was held in September.

You can reach Siargao by MV RORO for 4 hours or by super cat for 2 hours from Surigao City, and from Butuan City to Surigao City for 2 hours by bus.

Bucas Grande – hidden paradise on the east

December 7, 2006 4 Comments

When my father went to this place, he told us that this is the most beautiful place he ever visited. He will never forget, still refreshed in his memory, the beautiful experiences shared by this nature created perfectly by God. The only thing that you will forget is your… problems.

The cool refreshing winds, the green mountains, the seas, the sounds of the waves reaching the pristine whiteshore, islands grouping as the sun sets, never ending beautiful sights masterfully created by God. All can be yours at that moment, the world placed at your feet, and you will see magnificent things in every glimpse of your eyes.

My father added some account, and that is, sick persons can become a new person as it heal you…you feel rejuvenated with renewed strength. Heart and soul energized your being that you will live longer with your life. Yeahh….that’s the wonder as you enter this hidden paradise of Caraga…that is Bucas Grande.

Bucas Grande Islands, untouched and unexploited scenery, is located at Siargao Island – the surfing capital in the Philippines! I can say it as parts of Siargao in terms of political subdivision in the province of Surigao del Norte. So many islands and islets that form a group in different forms with all the white sand beaches, crystal blue water, and coral reefs. This is also the place where you can find the unique Suhoton Cave in which you can only came in when it is low tide, and pass out before high tide gobble-up the cave entrance. The cave entrance was so small, and yet, when you are inside, it is so wide that you can view the sun and mountainous side. You can splash in a very clear and cold water to beat the heat within you, and refresh yourself. One thing, another cave exists inside, and when you go there, it will gave you a brilliant color of your skin, glutathione users will be a loser here. Hehehe!

pix from islomaniac

You can reach Bucas Grande Islands for 1 hour and 30 minutes from Dapa, Siargao, then Siargao by MV RORO for 4 hours or by super cat for 2 hours from Surigao City, and from Butuan City to Surigao City for 2 hours by bus.