Butuan City.. The Place to be...

Butuan ~ Summers and Sundays

Its a Sunday once again on a fine summer season. A great opportunity to wind up and spend the whole day outdoors in the beachfront of Punta Diwata, a 40 minute away by car ride from the city offers the sights…the sun and sand for the weary urbanite. Punta Diwata is the westernmost tip of Agusan del Norte as its coastline merges with that of Misamis.
Punta Diwata Parola beacons you….www.butuantoday.tumblr.com


Photos by Philip Cadabuna
2 years ago

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Butuan ~ Street Scene

Butuan’s urban landscape is rapidly changing with the construction of new buildings both from private enterprises and government. Since its elevation to a highly urbanized regional capital city, numerous significant improvements have been visible throughout its cityscapes. Malls, hotels, convention centers, department stores are making its presence in the city. Significant improvements are also visible in its telecommunications and transport connections.
Go and Grow with Butuan…Go Explore  www.butuantoday.tumblr.com

2 years ago

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Butuan ~ Festival City

Butuan provides many activities for its guests. Aside from the nature-related activities such as swimming, spelunking, mountain climbing and water sports, Butuan  also provides its guests the opportunities for a cultural immersion. The culture of Butuan City demonstrates their day-to-day living, beliefs and livelihood. Thus, Butuan’s cultural heritage is manifested though its events and traditional festivals:
Come, Feast and Celebrate with BUTUAN at  www.butuantoday.tumblr.com

Kahimunan Festival

Held every third Sunday of January, Kahimunan Festival is Butuan’s way of showing its gratitude towards one of its patron saints, the Sto. Nino, also known as the Child Jesus. The word “Kahimunan” is from a dialect meaing the “gathering”. On the day of the Kahimunan Festival, participants line up the streets to present exotic dances and ceremonies. Dancers are dressed up in colorful costumes as they dance to native music. Theatrical performances of ceremonies and dances are highlighted as they decorate the streets with their exotic costumes and native ornaments such as baskets, spears and other accessories.

Adlaw Hong Butuan Festival

The Adlaw Hong Butuan is a yearly event in Butuan that celebrates its Charter Day. The Adlaw Hong Festival pays tribute to Butuan’s administrative status as a city. It therefore honors Butuan’s municipal officials, citizens and past leaders who have contributed their loyalty and efforts to the city. Adlaw Hong Butuan presents the city’s modern culture through its street parties, beauty pageants and motorcades. There is also a parade of performers and colorful floats to as the highlight of the event. Adlaw Hong Butuan is celebrated on the second day of August.

Balanghai Festival

The Balanghai Festival commemorates the historical significance of the nine Balanghai Boats as they provide the strongest evidence of Butuan’s economic and cultural role in the ancient Asian maritime trade through a night of exotic performances, colorful costumes and floats. There are also contests, exhibits and other festivities during the said event. Balanghai Festival is celebrated during the third week of May, and also coincides with the feast of city’s patron saint, St Joseph.

Abayan Festival

The Abayan Festival is known for its yearly baroto race along the mighty Agusan Riverl. The festival is highlighted by a colorful fluvial procession of decorated boats carrying the image of St. Anne; the patron saint of Agusan River. The festival is held every the last Sunday of July.


photos by Erwin Mascarinas
2 years ago

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Butuan ~ The Golden History

The name Butuan already existed long before the Spanish conquistadores arrived in the Philippine archipelago. Once an ancient kingdom by the river, is reportedly the site of the oldest civilized settlement in the Philippines. Its history, culture, arts and people dates back to as early as 4th century AD as showcased in its museums and archeological sites.

As early as 1001 AD, Butuan was already in contact with China. The Chinese Soong Shih has recorded the first appearance of the Butuan Tributary mission at Chinese Imperial Court on 17 March 1001 AD and described Butuan “..(P’u-tuan) as a small country in the sea that had a regular connection with Champa …” (a kingdom in Central Vietnam) and intermittent contact with China.

According to the Chinese Soong Shi, the people of Butuan have already established trading relationswith the Kingdom of Champa in the 10th century and later made Butuan the center of trade and commerce in the Philippines in the 11th century. This is proven by evidence of the discovery of the nine balangays - (The Butuan Boat) and the discoveries of other archeological facts like death masks, Chinese porcelain, weighing scale, gold and jewelries found in Ambangan, Libertad near the old El Rio de Butuan and Masao River.

Butuan Balanghai Boat  and The  Golden Image of Butuan (Golden Tara)

The Butuan Boat, wooden boats excavated and dated to as early as 320 AD, reveals that the ancient Philippine maritime technology predated European boat construction. Called Balangay, these boats are evidence that early man in the Philippines was seafaring and was relatively technologically advanced. Of the nine boats that are known to exist, three have been excavated so far.

Other evidences that support Butuan’s postion in the ancient Asian trade are the numerous jars/artifacts [Chinese (tenth to fifteenth centuries AD)… Khmer/Cambodian (ninth to tenth centuries AD)… Thai (fourteenth to fifteenth centuries AD)… Pre-Thai Satingpra (900-1100 AD)… and Haripunjaya (800-900 AD)… pre-trade Vietnamese (eleventh to thirteenth centuries AD)… and Persian (ninth to tenth centuries AD)] dug within the vicinities of Ambangan, Archeological Site, in Libertad well attest to the historical account that Butuan traded with the Chinese and Southeast Asia countries in the past.

Butuan Golden Mask and ancient jewelries
Explore Butuan’s Gilded Glorious History at  www.butuantoday.tumblr.com
2 years ago

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Butuan ~ City on the Rise

Butuan today is marked by a fast changing urban landscape. Buildings under construction here and there….new hotels and tourism facilities sprouting all over the city have helped a lot in this city’s bid to become one of the Philippines’ favorite travel and convention destinations. What is noticeable is that these facilities are now even at par with the standards found in Metro Manila.
Book a room to explore Butuan today at  www.butuantoday.tumblr.com
Almont Citi Cafe


2 years ago

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Butuan ~ City Sunsets

Words wont be enough to describe Butuan sunsets as seen from the Diosdado Macapagal Bridge. It is the time when you see the sun fading its red haze from the horizon and the beginning of electric blaze of lights from sodium lamps of the bridge.
Explore beyond your horizon…Explore Butuan at  www.butuantoday.tumblr.com

photo masterpiece by Toplokk
2 years ago

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Butuan ~ Summer Time

Summer time is in full swing and city folks find it very easy going to nice destinations like Veranda Beach in Carmen due to its accessibility, a clean beachfront and good facilities. What a nice way to while away time strolling along the sand or frolicking in the clear waters… or just sitting by on its pier waiting for sunsets..
Enjoy summer time here at   www.butuantoday.tumblr.com 

2 years ago

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Butuan ~ Coming Out of the Fence

Butuan daily street scene is a kaleidoscope of colors. One dominant color you will find now in the city is Orange…even the center island of the six-lane Montilla Blvd. has now ethnic inspired red-orange colors. As of this writing, many buildings too have undergone repainting, renovating or being demolished to give way to new much updated structures.
Take a stroll in Butuan today at  www.butuantoday.tumblr.com
a file photo of Montilla Blvd.