Butuan City — Caraga rising paradise

Light Up Butuan for the Holiday Season

December 8, 2010 Leave a Comment

photos and words by Guest Blogger Jocelyn E. Morano on December 1st, 2010

Butuan City – Annual Light Up Butuan of the city government have drawn big crowds from all walks of life including visiting tourists who gathered at the Rizal Park to witness the tradition of the Mayor’s ceremonial switching on of twinkling lights, the festive decorations and revelries on the first day of December.

This is just one activity for Caraga tourist spots or your Caraga destinations when December comes.

“In this holiday season, we hope to forget some problems that comes our way, let’s enjoy the festive atmosphere and the beautiful parols we see everywhere,” said Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. in his message before the ceremonial switching on.

He likewise praised the leadership of Engineer Walter Butao of the Electrical Division in City Engineering Office saying, “They have done an excellent job of putting up the decorations around Rizal Park and main thoroughfares in Butuan and without their effort, Light Up Butuan wouldn’t be as great this.”

There were also Lighted parols on electric posts along G. Flores Avenue, Montilla Boulevard, Magsaysay Bridge, Diosdado Macapagal Bridge, AD Curato Street and Governor Rosales Street.

The city government have also stretched lights across city hall area and put a huge ribbon on its façade creating a gift design.

The Amante administration aimed to make Rizal Park and the City Hall area a family destination for the must see Christmas decorations and admire the lights during the holiday season.

To add glisten, through the City Tourism Office the city government of Butuan launched the Best Lighted Establishment and shall award 10,000 cash to those who can decorate with Christmas symbols and lights to the façade of their edifice.

The judging starts on December 6 until 10 following a criterion of: Lighting effects – 40%; presentation – 25%; materials used – 20% and design impact – 15%.

All business establishments along JC Aquino Avenue are encouraged to participate.

Butuan City – Masawa Hong Butuan, the 2nd Balangay Officially Launched into Agusan River

February 4, 2010 3 Comments

written by Guest Blogger Jocelyn E. Morano on February 3rd, 2010

The 24.7-meter long 2nd replica of Balangay christened Masawa Hong Butuan, was finally launched on January 31, 2010 witnessed by local and foreign tourists amidst the muddy ground of the Luna Compound in Barangay Bading, Butuan City and intense heat of the sun. Caraga and Butuan City proudly celebrated the historic launching of Balangay boat that comes to life.

Astoundingly, Masawa Hong Butuan glided into the Agusan River at past 1 in the afternoon almost the same hour when the 20.12 meter long Diwata ng Lahi was launched into Manila waters in June of last year.

It took more or less 3-hours, 2-backhoes we luckily got on short notice from the Bradco Attachment Parts online shop. We couldn’t of done it without the help from the experts to lift the Masawa Hong Butuan from the muddy ground of its building site.

People screamed when the 7-ton Balangay tilted a little bit on its side as soon it touched the strong current of Agusan River, but with a little push Masawa Hong Butuan move smoothly into the river with cheers from people who witnessed the historic event.

In a very touching and inspiring message, former DOTC Undersecretary Arturo Valdez, Voyage of the Balangay Team Leader said in his speech, “People of Butuan, you should be proud because in your veins run the proud blood of an Ancient Kingdom which you can tell to everybody, ‘we have a civilization long long long before’, five times earlier before the coming of Magellan and the Europeans. I’m asking the people of Butuan you should realize that sense of pride, that you have such great inheritance as a people. I hope with the Balangay Project you will be together as a people to show to the whole country, that KAYA ng BUTUAN, KAYA ng PINOY.”

Masawa Hong Butuan will be joining the newly repaired Diwata ng Lahi to continue the journey of the Voyage of the Balangay on February 4, 2010 for their Mindanao 6th leg which is the Butuan – Ozamiz route and the first stop would be in Carmen, Agusan del Norte.

After finishing the journey visiting ports of Mindanao, Voyage of the Balangay will begin its Southeast Asia travel before coming back to Manila by the end of October while Masawa Hong Butuan will be back in Butuan on December, 2010. This could be an astounding accomplishment of the peoples of Butuan and Caraga.

Mr. Greg Hontiveros, Chairman of the Butuan Boat Building Committee said the cost of re-creating the second Balangay is more or less 1.7 million pesos, spearheaded by the Butuan Global Forum, Inc supported by Butuan Historical and Cultural Foundation and the city government of Butuan.

Wood used in building the Masawa Hong Butuan which the Manobo’s from Barangay Binicalan, San Luis, Agusan del Sur called the Dungon Tree, or Yakal tree as it is known by many was donated by the Banwaon Manobo Talaandig Tribe.

photos courtesy from Jocelyn E. Morano

Butuan City – Kahimunan Festival, a Success Despite Heavy Downpour

January 20, 2010 8 Comments

written by Guest Blogger Jocelyn E. Morano on January 20th, 2010

Heavy rains blanketed Caraga Region since January 10 until the day Butuanons celebrated Kahimunan Festival on January 17, nevertheless JC Aquino Avenue was full of spectators lining up sides along JC Aquino Avenue to witness the street dancing parade.

Spectators lined along the street wet and unmindful of the cold to watch and took some pictures every time contingents from Agusan National High School, Libertad National High School, Caraga State University (NORMISIST) Cabadbaran, Libertad Women’s Organization and Butuan City Hall passes by.

The Kahimunan Festival is celebrated every third Sunday of January in celebration of Barangay Libertad fiesta with its patron Señor Sto.Niño – the counterpart of Sinulog Festival in Cebu City.

Kahimunan is a Lumad term which means “gathering”. One of the most prestigious gatherings in Caraga and Butuan City.

The main theme of the ceremonies in the Kahimunan Festival is a combination of the pre-colonial culture and its affiliation with Christianity that reflects Butuan colourful past.

During the street parade participants’ line up the streets to present exotic dances and ceremonies where dancers are all dressed up in colourful costumes as they dance to an indigenous music.

Theatrical performances of ceremonies and dances are highlighted as they decorate the streets with their exotic costumes and native ornaments such as baskets, native wide brim of hats and other accessories.

The City Sports Complex in Libertad was likewise jam packed with people, devotees, local and foreign spectators to witness each contingents dance performance.

Agusan National High School was adjudged this years’ Champion receiving 200 thousand pesos cash prize.

Declared 2nd winner is Butuan City Hall contingents with 150 thousand pesos cash prize while Caraga State University (formerly NORMISIST) in Cabadbaran won 3rd prize with 120 thousand pesos cash prize.

Contingents from Libertad National High School and Libertad Women’s Organization were also accorded 10,000 pesos as consolation prize.

The city government supported Kahimunan Festival in its effort to boost tourist potentials of Butuan City.

photos courtesy from Jocelyn E. Morano

Butuan City – Voyage of the Balangay Made It, Diwata ng Lahi is Finally Home

January 5, 2010 3 Comments

written by Guest Blogger Jocelyn E. Morano on January 3rd, 2010

November 28 was a big day for Butuanons who waited anxiously for Diwata ng Lahi to finally come home in Butuan. The historic fate comes to life as the Pre-Spanish sailing boat known as Balangay Boat or the Butuan Boat reached the historic City of Butuan and the region of Caraga.

At past 9 in the morning, a message from those with the Voyage of the Balangay Team said that the Balangay has entered the mouth of Agusan River, used to be the homecourt of travel companies, slowly navigating towards PPA Port where a good number of crowds were waiting.

However, the strong current makes Balangay to sail at a slow pace since it is manoeuvred manually.

The Balangay anchored PPA Port at exactly 11o’clock in the morning, greeted with cheers from crowds, some are waving flags and others were teary eyed as they watched Balangay slowly cruising her way at the famous Agusan River.

Riverside Barangays in Butuan City also had their way of welcoming the historic event wherein bancas decorated with colourful flaglets joined the approaching Balangay.

City Tourism Council Chairperson in her message said, “Madyaw nga pagkani Butuan. You have honoured our Butuanon people with this epic voyage that highlights the significance of the Balangay boat and validates our claims to history. To Team Balangay headed by former DOTC Undersecretary Art Valdez, let me thank you for your invaluable contribution in awakening our people’s historic consciousness.”

In a grand celebration held at PPA grounds, City Councilor Benjie Calo announced in public that the Sangguniang Panglunsod of Butuan have adopted through a resolution the crew of Balangay as Honorary Citizens of Butuan.

Meanwhile, Mayor Democrito D. Plaza II wished the Balangay Team the success of such historic expedition including all activities they initiate in every port of call. “Being the Honorary Citizens of Butuan City let me assure you that you are still welcome here the next time you will be visiting,” said Mayor Plaza in his speech.

Balangay Team Leader Art Valdez on the other hand said in his speech, “Seeing the big crowd, seeing the warm response, seeing kids, children along the river some waving the flag as we pass by gets us emotional and you get moved and humbled as we enter the PPA port.”

“We in the Team Balangay feel honoured by the warm reception by the people of Butuan,” added Mr. Art Valdez.

Balangay is synonymous with Butuan, as the site of the excavation which makes a glorious history in the Philippines when the first Balangay was dug up in 1976, a proof of good maritime heritage long before colonialism.

The Voyage of the Balangay is a great pride of Butuanons as local historians have once said that this shows proof of civilization in Butuan where trading with neighbouring countries is full of life.

After sailing for 3 months, anchoring at 35 ports and braving 8 storms, Diwata ng Lahi will stay at Luna Compound in Bading –site of Butuan Balangay boat building-to undergo major repair.

Voyage of the Balangay will then wait for the completion of the second replica of Balangay built in Butuan and together they will continue the journey in January 2010.

The Butuan Balangay Crew composed of Toto Calo, Sato Raypon, Nico Calo and Lemzar Manginsay has now been declared by Art Valdez, as official crew members of the Voyage of the Balangay.

Butuanons and neighbouring people in the region of Caraga will also have their opportunity to experience a river cruise in Agusan River with the Diwata ng Lahi.

Agusan River became one of the major seaports in the Philippines in the 1970s turning a hub to travel companies where passengers meet en route to different destinations in the country.

This week, the Balangay Team will conduct disaster preparedness seminar, coastal clean-up at Barangay Masao, mangrove tree planting in Barangay Lumbocan and Marine Conservation and Effect of Climate Change symposiums to different schools before heading home for the Christmas holidays.

photos courtesy from Jocelyn E. Morano

Caraga Parks – natures finds its way through the parks

May 31, 2009 35 Comments

I have been to different parks of Caraga. But this time I am planning to go to Bonbon Eco-Park at Butuan City. Also dreaming with the Denali Park – the opposite end of the globe, this is found in Alaska. The place was known as world class adventures as the Alaska Travel. But here when you are dreaming with the love of your life in Caraga where mountains and waterfalls mixed in a form of natures as an art. You are lucky, because you live in Caraga.

The last time when I’m having a trek when I was in college was eighteen years ago. We walk with my friends after stopping in the mountain foot from where we drop from the vehicle that went there for half an hour. There, as we started our climbing moment to different mountains, we able to meet ordinary water falls in one of the mountains in the hottest scene in summer. This waterfall has an old name but now it was called Bonbon Eco-Park.

Bonbon Eco-Park was well preserved with respect to natures activities. The lingering freshness of the air coming from the mountains filled the place since it was nestled in the mountain’s lair where water falls streaming flows ends, and develops as hotspot.

We passed different mountains as we walk just for fun, and our target was reaching the foot of Mt. Mayapay, one of the highest mountain peaks in Caraga. We able to pass a troop of mountains that invited a lot of trekkers in which hidden waterfalls unnoticed to anyone because of being an ordinary falls that I have seen. The falls was just simply a work of unseen treasure that awaits development in the future.

Loaded with Globe Fresh Air

Mountain lines and trees are embracing you, and looks what is beyond horizon. The oxygen filled my lungs, a newly-formed individual exist in time. You’ve gotta feel the coming of fresh air that breezes from the mountains from different location as we move forward, and witness the skyline of historic Butuan. Amaze me so much how can you say that Butuan was a floating city, when in the mountains it was just a progressive city in the making soaring high.

When you are in the mountains, different possibilities are coming in. While going upward to the top, it will move your muscles up, and new strengths are coming in. The process of inhaling and exhaling are renewing as your lungs was filled with oxygen. Youthful gain is at peak when you go home from the peak of a mountain. Aside seeing from the window of your soul the beautiful creation of one of God’s masterpieces, you can not say anymore how perfect Mother Nature is, and say to yourself that you are proud at this moment when you are at the top.

The Park Sparks

The water falls that we met have grown into a different place. This falls is now called the Bonbon Eco-Park. Years have passed and it became into one of tourist destinations in Caraga, like the smell of Travel Alaska in my choice. When you are in the mountains and submerge yourself in one of the coolest in Caraga in a hot summer trek, yes, pour yourself in Bonbon Eco-Park. So much for mountains, trees, and fresh air plus lovely waterfalls in the making.

source of pix: freida of butuanon.org at http://www.butuanon.org/yabb/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.cgi?num=1211686271/195