BUTUAN....

"In the beginning there is NO Philippines but there was BUTUAN"

Butuan City is a swamp area and one of the Philippines oldest civilized settlements. It's located at the Northeastern part of Agusan Valley sprawling across the Agusan River, known as the second longest river in the Philippines. They believed that Butuan originated from a sour fruit "Batuan" or come from "Datu Buntuan", a chieftain who once ruled Butuan. According to the scholars that the word But-an means a person who has a sound and discerning dispositon.
As early as 10th Century Butuan was already in contact with China. According to the Chinese song "Shih" that has recorded the first appearance of the Butuan Tributary Mission at Chinese Imperial Court. People from Butuan have already established trading relation with the Kingdom of Champa which is South Vietnam now. Later Butuan made to be the center trade and commerce in the Philippines in the 11th Century. This is proven by the evidence of the Nine Balangays (Butuan Boats) and other archeological facts like masks, Chinese porcelain, weighing scale, gold and jewelries found in Ambangan, Libertad near the old El Rio de Butuan and Masao River.

EXPLORE BUTUAN’S BEAUTIES

TRY our Traditional and Delicacy Foods

KINILAW - anexotic spicy Food

Puto Kunsinta, Sapin-sapin, Kamoteng Kahoy, Palagsing, Bud-bud, Buko halo-halo, Bukayo, Lacsoy etc...

SPEND Time, RELAX and ENJOY Jamming in "New Timberlance"

Located along Pizarro St. Butuan C

ity

The Philippine Centennial Tree

Visit one of the Philippines oldest, beautiful, blooming and living for 5th Century tree. Found in Magallanes...

Take a BREAK and EAT

at Lutong Bahay ni Aling Cora....

Located in Front of GAISANO

WEEGOLS

Located DOONGAN (City Hall)

TITA'S CAFE

specialty in SAOPAO and LOMI

They are just 3 of Butuan's Famous Rest

aurants....

For sure you'll gonna love all the food's they'll served!

You can DROP BY at PIT STOP CAFE

Located along J. C. Aquino Avenue

It looks like a Car Store but its only car parts

are used for its furnishing...

.

Coffee Tables are made from old tires

Washbins are old mag wheels etc..

.

While taking a warm sip from your coffees you can enjoy watching the sunset view from Mt. Mayapay...

MAGSAYSAY BRIDGE

An arched type Steel Bridge. Built during early 60's that spans the Agusan River

ECO PARK

Experience the Beauty of Nature Here!

You'll surely enjoy its Eco friendly ambiance...

Located in Bonbon

"MASAO"

Magellan's Anchorage...

In 1521, It is believed that the First Mass was held in

this site and not in Limasawa, Leyte..

MASAO'S FISH POND

Don't worry if you forgot to brought foods while your in the Masao Beach because their is alot of mini Store where you can buy sea foods and puso( heart shaped rice) etc. Yummy!

RIZAL PARK

Where the First and Formal Philippine Flag Hoisting in Mindanao

BALANGAY SHRINE MUSEUM

It exhibits Balangay (Butuan Boat) and other artifacts excavated.

MT. MAYAPAY

ST. JOSEPH CATHEDRAL

Constructed in 1954 by the Dutch Missionaries and where the Spanish Jesuit Church of the Parish ( partially destroyed during World War II) once stood in 1879 .

BANZA CHURCH RUINS

Constructed in 1625 by the recollect friars but was reduced to ashes in 1753 by Moro Pi

rates. Only the Bell Tower was left.

Within the roots of this old Balite Tree, it remains to be one of the living witnesses to the reliance of the kingdom that thrives by the Agusan River...

STO. NINO CHURCH

One of the prominent landmarks. Constructed in Late 90's. One of the Philippines unique as its main altar offers.

CITY HALL

This structure is currently having the most Modern City

Hall building in Mindanao.

CITY LIBRARY

Its facilities as well as it looks easily earned itself as Mindanao's Most Modern Public Library. It contains the City's local historical documents and a wide collection of data that solidifies Butuan's Claim as the first Christian Mass in the country. They also had free internet connection services.

In front lawn stands the Veteran's War Memorial and one of the newest landmarks in the City.

AGUSAN RIVER CRUISE

Boat

A motorized boat ride starting from the riverrine port in New Asia that will take you upstream to the riverside barangays of Bit-os and San Vicente.

DROP BY to DIOSDADO MACAPA

GAL BRIDGE

..

Japanese Engineers constructed this bridge using their technology in 2007. It cost 2 Billion pesos.

It is one of the structural marvels of the country today.

BUTUAN’S FESTIVALS

KAHIMUNAN

Which means the "gathering"

Held every 3rd Sunday of January

A way of showing its gratitude towards one of its Patron saints.

During this Festival, participants lines up to the street to present a native music, dances, ceremonies and theatrical performances. Dressed up in a colorful customes and accessorize with native ornaments.

ARAW NG KARAGA

Held every February

Celebrates for Anniversary of being a REGION 13 KARAGA!

BALANGHAI FESTIVAL

Held every 3rd Week of May

Commemorates the historical significance of the 9 Balanghai Boats as a strong proof of But

uan's economic and cultural role in the ancient Asian Maritime Trade through exotic performances, colorful costumes and floats. It is also happened to be the feast of the City's

Patron, St. Joseph.

ABAYAN FESTIVAL

Held every 2nd Day of July

Known for its "Baroto Race" along the Agusan River. It is celebrated by a colorful fluvial procession of decorative boats carrying the image of their Patron Saint, St. Anne.

ADLAW HONG BUTUAN

Held every 2nd Day of August

Pays Tribute to Butuan's Administrative Status as a City.

It represents the City's Modern Culture through street parties, beauty pageants and motorcades.

Parade of performers with there colorful floats.

HISTORICAL FACTS

GOLDEN TARA

Known as Butuan's Home Treasure. A figurine of Buddha's consort, a

n array of lustrous, most intricate jewelry, a collection of priceless ceramics from Sung Dynasty. Presently in Field Museum in Chicago.

9 BALANGAY (Butuan Boats)

There were 9 boats discovered in Butuan City by the National Museum Archeologist in Late 1970's. It was preserved and displayed in Libertad, Butuan City. The first boat had undergone carbon-dating and dated at year 320. The second boat, dated 1250 that is located now at Maritime Hall of National Museum in Manila. The Third boat is placed in the Regional Museum. The six remaining boat was under process of excavation and preserved inorder to remain in their original waterlogged conditon to protect the artifacts.