BUTUAN CITY TRAVEL INFORMATION
Where to Stay in Butuan City | Brief History | Descriptions
Tourist Attractions | Feasts and Festivals
BRIEF
HISTORY
Long before the Philippines had been a country, Butuan had been a city. Located at the northeastern part of Agusan Valley, sprawling across the Agusan River, is the deep-rooted city known for its colorful history, culture, arts, and people that all date back to the 4th Century.
Butuan’s lengthy past makes it an exciting source of artifacts and significant finds in Mindanao. As early as during the 10th Century, based on the Chinese song “Shi” (history), the people from Butuan had already established trading relations with the kingdom of Champa in what is now South Vietnam.
By the 11th century, Butuan had become the center of trade and commerce in the Philippines. The best evidence to prove this fact is the discovery of 9 Balangays (Butuan Boats) and other archaeological finds in the vicinities of Butuan City, particularly in Ambangan, Libertad near the old El Rio de Butuan and Masao river.
 No description of Butuan is ever complete without infusing it with the significance of the Agusan River. It is the river and its tributaries that provide the valley with rich soil from periodic floods and its serpentine routes. The river has provided the people with an easy means of transportation for trade and commerce, and encouraged settlements along its banks. The Agusan River greatly helped the booming logging industry that made Butuan the “Timber City of the South.”
The name Butuan is believed by some to have originated from the sour fruit “Batuan“ and by others to have come from “Datu Buntuan,“ a chieftain who once ruled Butuan. Scholars believed it was derived from the word “But-an,“ which literally means a person who has a sound and discerning disposition.
It is difficult to pinpoint the exact time when the name Butuan first emerged. Certainly, the name Agusan came into being upon the creation of the province in 1914. Before this, the entire area had been known as Butuan, and had always been known as such as can be borne out by old historical books.
Butuan became a city by virtue of Republic Act No. 523 otherwise known as the City Charter of Butuan, which formally converted the municipality into a city on August 2, 1950. In 1995, Butuan was declared as the Regional Center of the Caraga Region (Region 13).
BUTUAN CITY DESCRIPTIONS
Geography
Butuan City lies on the northeastern part of Agusan Valley sprawling across the Agusan River. With a land area of 70, 800 hectares, it lies flat along the banks of Agusan River following a long course within the province of Davao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Agusan del Norte. The national highways from Misamis Oriental, Surigao, and Davao traverse the city and meet at the junction of Barangay Ampayon, effectively linking the Northern Mindanao provinces together.
Political Subdivision
The city is made up of 27 Urban Barangays and 59 Rural Barangays.
Population
In 2000, Butuan City placed its total population at 267,279, which is expected to double by 2015.
Language/Dialect
The people are multi-lingual, speaking predominantly Butuanon, Cebuano, and English.
Climate
The Dry Season is from March to September while the Wet Season is from October to February. Temperature falls between the minimum of 66° F and maximum of 85° F.
Major
Industries
Banana, wood, prawn, furniture, handicrafts, and coconut.
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TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Cultural Attractions
National Museum - Butuan Branch (City Hall Compound, Doongan)
The repository of historical and cultural materials and artifacts that prove Butuan’s pre-Hispanic existence as well as cultural heritage. Has two exhibit galleries: the Archaeological Hall, which exhibits specimens of stone crafts, metal crafts, pots, gold, burial coffins, and Ethnological Hall, which features the cultural communities of the Manobo, Mamanua, Higaonon, and lowland Butuanons.
Balangay Shrine Museum (Ambangan, Libertad, Butuan City)
The repository of Balangays (Butuan Boats) and associated cultural materials. The Butuan boats are similar to the contemporary Badyaw/Sama Laut’s lepa boat and the barangay boat described in 17th century A.D., according to the book, “Patterns of the Past: The Ethno Archaeology of Butuan.” It is only in the Philippines where a flotilla of such prehistoric wooden boats exists throughout the world.
Private Antique Collections
At the height of archaeological excavations in 1976, many pot hunters indulged in illegal diggings and sold their finds to private collectors. These antiques turned out to be rare pieces and are now kept at these private collectors’ houses. They may be viewed through prior arrangement with the private collectors.
Natural Attraction
Mt. Mayapay
The 700-meter tall Mt. Mayapay, with its unique lopped off top, is the landmark of Butuan City. Local lore has it that the mountain got its name from the Madjapahit Empire which counted Southeast Asia within its sphere of influence around the 10th or 11th Century.
Religious Attractions
Diocesan Ecclesiastical Museum (St. Joseph Convent, Butuan City)
Showcases a collection of religious and liturgical arts and maters used by Catholic missionaries in the country. It is the first ecclesiastical museum in Mindanao. The collection ranges from all kinds of church vestments to paraphernalia such as chalices, relics of saints, and others, already rare these days. Prior visit arrangements are requested.
Sto. Niño Diocesan Shrine (Km. 5, Barangay Libertad, Butuan City)
Declared a Diocesan shrine by the Bishop of Butuan in Jubilee Year 2000. Magellan first brought the image of the Sto. Niño (Holy Child) to Butuan before it stayed in Cebu. Devotees grow in number yearly. Mt. Mayapay serves as a backdrop of the altar.
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FEASTS AND FESTIVALS
Commemoration of the Hoisting of the Philippine Flag in Mindanao
(January 17; Butuan City)
The first formal hoisting of the Philippine flag in Mindanao was done on January 17, 1889 in Butuan City. The commemorative events are spearheaded by the Butuan Local Government and Butuan Historical & Cultural Foundation.
Kahimunan Festival (third Sunday of January; Libertad, Butuan City)
Butuan City’s version of the Sinulog Festival of Cebu, it is celebrated to pay homage to the city’s patron, Sto. Nino. Kahimunan is the Lumad term for “gathering.” The annual fest is a mixture of Christian and folk elements celebrated with pomp and pageantry.
Butuan Trade Mission to China (March 17; Butuan City)
Annual commemoration of the first Butuan Trade Mission to China which took place on March 1001.
Balik Butuan (May & August; Butuan City)
The Balangay Festival and Adlaw hong Butuan celebrations present an opportunity for Butuanons residing elsewhere to come home and reunite with old friends and family.
Cultural Festival / Tourism Consciousness Week
(last Sunday of July up to August 2; Butuan City)
Tourism-related activities include nightly cultural shows, Laro ng Lahi, Speak Butuanon Drive, photo exhibit, mountain bike and motorcross competitions, and BMX exhibitions.
Abayan Festival (last Sunday of July; Butuan City)
Day-long festivity of baroto race, fluvial procession, and parlor games in honor of St. Anne, patroness of the Agusan River.
Adlaw hong Butuan (August 2; Butuan City)
Charter Day celebration of Butuan City. Highlighted by a thanksgiving mass, motorcade, Palagsing Festival, street parties, and the Recognition of Outstanding Butuanons & City Employees Night
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Where to Stay in Butuan City | Brief History | Descriptions
Tourist Attractions | Feasts and Festivals
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