Remembering Boy Daku...

Photo source: amazing butuan

I just got the news that the former mayor of Butuan, Democrito "Boy Daku" Plaza II, passed away last Friday afternoon.  Who would have thought that a strong man like him would soon succumb to death?  He had survived a kidney transplant operation about a week ago but he did not live long thereafter..

My condolences to his family and constituents...

House and Lot For Sale

I am selling my house (120sq.m. floor area) and lot (354sq.m. lot area) in Butuan City, Philippines. This property is ideal for foreigners who would like to settle down and retire in the Philippines.

The house has four rooms: master bedroom, 2 guest rooms, and maid's room. it has also a garage and an outdoor dirty kitchen. It is already semi-furnished, inclusive of double-decked beds and cabinets, among others.

The lawn has growing fruit trees particularly indian mango, coconut, and guava. It is landscaped with korean grass and plants. The pathway is cemented. The master bedroom has its own bathroom and mini-kitchen. It has also a separate entrance/exit door to the lawn/garage.the two guest rooms share one bathroom while the other bathroom is located near the maid's room. The servant's quarter is composed of the following: maid's room, bathroom, dirty kitchen, pantry, and laundry area. It has its own entrance/exit door to the lawn.

If the house is too big for you and if you want to earn additional income, you may have the master's bedroom and the servant's quarter rented out to others as two bachelor's pads.

My property is priced at P1 million.

Should you have further questions, please let me know. you may contact me thru this email: guiamadelo@gmail.com or thru my mobile no. at +63-915-363-9066.  Please note however that this cp no. is available only on weekdays (Monday to Friday).  I would rather suggest that you contact me BOTH thru email AND mobile phone.

God bless! :)

Science High School in Butuan

I didn't know that Butuan does not have a science high school, not until I read this article from pia.gov.ph.  If I'm not mistaken, Surigao City, Butuan's neighboring city, has already its own science high school.

According to the latest news, the earnest planning of local government of Butuan is already underway to put up a branch of Philippine Science High School in the city.  For the complete details, please click this.

Not Again!

According to Manila Bulletin online, Mindanao (including Butuan) will suffer another rotating brownout which might start anytime this week.  It is feared that the dreaded brownout might last until end of this year.

Imagine the inconveniences one has to go through (again!) for this power shortage...

By the way, have I already posted in this blog that a friend of mine bought a generator about a year ago because of that rotating brownout?  Well, he will find that unit useful again in the coming days.. :(

Fact Facts About Butuan: Points of Interest

Lake Mainit from skyscrapercity.com and mb.com.ph

Lake Mainit –hailed as the deepest lake in the Philippines and contains rich marine biodiversity making it ideal for snorkeling, diving, or simply swimming.

Kalinawan River -The pristine and picturesque river is Lake Mainit’s only outlet. It holds historical importance as one of the oldest trading missionary routes in the Philippines.

Mt. Hilong-hilong –An adventurous trek in this mountain requires a climb of 4 ½ to 5 days which includes passing by seven waterfalls and seeing endemic flora and fauna.

Mapaso Hot Spring - This geothermal spring is ideal for trekking, camping, and swimming as well.

Sak-a Falls – engulfed with numerous falls cascading over huge boulders, developing into a natural swimming pool deep enough for a safe vertical plunge and wide enough for a satisfying swim.

Sumaliklik Falls - An exotic waterfall serving as a rewarding site for outdoor enthusiasts.

Agusan River - The long and winding river in the province’s capital, Butuan City nicknamed  “The Timber City of the South”.

Historic Magellanes Marker - Erected in 1872 under Governor Maria Caravello, this historic marker commemorates the celebration of the first Catholic Mass in Mindanao.

Source:  online version of manila bulletin

Fast Facts About Butuan: The Festivals

Photo source: butuantoday.tumblr.com

Here are some facts about Butuan, particularly its festivals, as featured in the online version of manila bulletin:

• Baoto Festival - The festival pays tribute to the native “baoto” or dug-out canoe and is held every 2nd of September.

•  Lisagan Festival - A religious celebration showcasing Manobo dances and rituals, which re-enacts a miraculous healing in 1910 of a Manobo while dancing in front of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

• Araw ng Agusan del Norte – a celebration of the founding anniversary of the province of Agusan del Norte held every second week of June.

Masawa Hong Butuan, The Largest

Photo source: chrispforr.net

I just learned that among the three vessels which are currently sailing around Southeast Asia, "Masawa Hong Butuan" is the largest.  The names of two other balangays are:  Diwata ng Lahi and Sama Tawi-tawi.

To know more updates about the expedition, please click this link to gmanews.tv.

Pirates Almost Did It To Balangay Sailors

Photo source:  The Borneo Post

It was scary to imagine that the Balangay team sailed into the pirate-infested waters somewhere off the coast of Mindanao.  They however managed to take refuge into the cove from the powerboats with the pirates on board.

To read more, please click this.

Earthquake Hits Butuan Again

A 3.8-magnitude quake, tectonic in origin, hit the southern province of Agusan del Sur around 12:47 p.m., local time. The epicenter was traced about 37 kilometers northwest of the southern city of Butuan.

Source

Butuan Mayor On Training To Korea

Butuan City (20 August) -- City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. left Butuan on August 18, 2010 to join 14 other Mayors from other regions of the country to attend a14-day training from August 21 to September 3 in Local Administration Improvement to be held in Seongnam and Suwon, Korea. Participants will be housed at the KOIKA International Cooperation Center.

The South Korean government, through the Korea International Cooperating Agency (KOICA) will conduct the trainings that are aimed to help promote faster and more sustainable growth in the Philippines, and paved the way for future collaboration and aid opportunities in particular cities or municipalities.

The 15 participants from the Philippines will undergo a short study program with the objectives of offering Korean perspective of national development by introducing Korean development experiences, to enhance understanding of Korean local administrative system and to promote better understanding and more friendly relations between Korea and participating countries.

It was learned, that KOICA offered to invite 132 Filipinos for 2010 to Korea to attend 36 training courses, five of which were designed exclusively for Filipinos, one of which is the Local Administration Improvement that Mayor Amante will be attending.

The trainings offered by KOIKA are the following: National Integrated Vehicle Management and Inspection System Development, Economic Development in Mindanao, Immigration Management, and Railway Management and Operations.

"The interaction of Mayor Amante and Korean experts may help identify areas where the Korean government can provide interventions as well as for us in the city government to adopt Korean best practices in relation to effective governance," said Vice Mayor Lawrence Fortun.

The Vice Mayor was appointed to act as the Officer in Charge from August 18-20 and shall seat as the Acting Mayor of Butun City on August 21 until September 3, 2010. (dxBN-Radyo ng Bayan Butuan/PIA-Caraga)

Butuan: Historical Mecca

photo source

According to the Manila Bulletin online article, Butuan  City (Region XIII) of Caraga is the historical mecca of the Philippines with good access to Agusan marshlands and surfing capital of Siargao.

To read it for yourself, click here.

Mayor Reaching Out To Butuanons

Executive Order No. 3 issued by the incumbent Butuan Mayor is a welcome development for Butuanons.  The Order provides for the creation and establishment of Adlaw Hong Butuan every Wednesday of the week.  This is a chance for every Butuanon to personally meet and raise his/her concerns with the Mayor.

Source

3 Balangays Make History Again

ABS-CBNNEWS.COM reported that the wooden balangay "Sama Tawi-Tawi" would be launched in Butuan City, today, July 16, and will join two other balangays, "Diwata ng Lahi" and "Masawa Hong Butuan" in Zamboanga City for an expedition across South East Asia and then to China on July 26.

Since I am writing this post almost too late already, I wonder if it was successfully launched?

Read more

P48 million Budget for Butuan Bridge Rehab

The Magsaysay bridge which connects Davao, Surigao, and Agusan del Sur to Butuan City is now under rehabilitation. Allotted budget amounted to P48,161,187.83 which main objective is to strengthen its sub-structures.  The rehabilitation is estimated to be completed in 300 days.

The 50-year old bridge is believed to be the oldest bridge in Northeastern and Northern Mindanao regions.

Source

Earthquake in Butuan

An earthquake hit Butuan and nearby cities (Cabadbaran and Surigao City) yesterday at around 10:11am. The tremor, with a magnitude of 4 caused panic among the residents. As of this moment, authorities are still checking whether there were injuries or damages incurred. They however assured that there were no immediate casualties reported.

It is worthy to note also that a 4.1 earthquake magnitude previously shook Butuan City on the day of elections, Monday, May 10, 2010.

Source: Philippine Information Agency and Inquirer.net.

Who is Butuan's Dr. Ferdinand Amante, Jr.?

The surname rings a bell, however, I really did not know a single thing about Butuan's new mayor, Dr. Ferdinand Amante, Jr.  Not until I read an article from dateline.ph.

Accordingly, the newly-elected mayor was a first-term barangay captain of vote-rich Ampayon (which is just a few kilometers away from Butuan City proper).  Also a practicing physician, Dr. Amante, Jr., must have done something good in Ampayon that he gained the support of his constituents.

Although he was a neophyte barangay captain, Amante is actually connected with a clan of politicians in Agusan del Norte.  His father and Mr. Edelmiro Amante, a seasoned politician, are brothers.

Dr. Amante's impressive entry to Butuan City hall finally ended the 18-year reign of the Plazas in Butuan City.

Butuan Has A New Mayor

Last night, COMELEC has proclaimed Dr. Ferdinand Amante, Jr. as the new mayor of Butuan City.  This is surprising considering that the Plazas had been dominating the Butuan political arena for so long.  Who would have thought that the recent May 10, 2010 elections would force the Plazas to step down from City Hall for earning 56,763 votes only?  Dr. Amante won by 8,900 votes.

Source

This is Your Moment!

Calling all bloggers who want to gain friends in the blogosphere and build links at the same time –  BC Bloggers 3 is now open.  To join just visit Mommy Diary, read the requirements, and fill out the Application Form.

Attention: Butuanon voters!

Just when I thought that my What's in Butuan? blog is the most-widely read among my blogs, nobody seems to care of joining my survey of mayoralty bets for Butuan City.  There are about 20days more to go before the May 10, 2010 national and local elections.  FYI, I have respondents, for the surveys I conducted thru my other blogs, scribbles and ripples in surigao.  Although these respondents are few, but still they participated.  And that already means a lot to me.

Hey, butuanons!  Where are you?  Please make your presence known... at least in this blog.

Thank you. :)

Last Chance for Seat Sale

Few hours from now, the seat sale offered by Cebu Pacific will come to an end.  Opportunities like these are elusive.  We never know when Cebu Pacific will be offering another promo fare again.  So, if I were a Butuanon who happens to be miles away from Butuan, I won't miss this rare chance.

Sad to say, I'm not a Butuanon. Do i need to say more?  Hehehehehe

Macapagal Bridge is in Danger!

Cross at your own risk!  That warning should have been posted for motorists who use the new Butuan bridge just to reach their respective destinations.  The 2.2 billion bridge, which proforma photo in its grandeur was previously posted in this blog just last year, is in danger of collapsing anytime soon.

Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!

For details of the rehabilitation plan, please click this link.

Another Seat Sale from Cebu Pacific

Hey guys!

If you want to travel to your respective hometowns but is on a tight budget, now is the chance to grab that extended summer vacation! Cebu Pacific has just announced another seat sale which runs today, April 7, up to tomorrow, April 8, only. Travel period is between June 1 to August 31, 2010.

One-way promo fare costs P999 only, all-in! However, for those destinations like Surigao, which do not have direct flights, one needs to pay twice the promo rate. Or, I suggest to take the flight to Butuan and enjoy a two-hour bus ride to Surigao.

I must warn you that promo seats are limited.  So, what are you waiting for? Visit Cebu Pacific ticketing outlet or click this website! :)

Butuan Joins Earth Hour 2010

Tomorrow night, Butuan City Government will be having a short program at the Rizal Park to make the Earth Hour 2010 meaningful and to gather as much support from the public.

Read More

Hot, hot, hot Butuan

With the news that two major fires recently hit Butuan, Butuanons, particularly, those from the other side of the globe have reasons to worry about. Scorching heat triggered by El Niño and 4-10 hours of power failure posed serious danger to life and property. Hence, the local government of Butuan, spearheaded by Mayor Democrito Plaza, advised the locals to be extra careful and responsible enough in any undertaking that might be the possible cause of fire.

Source

P999 Seat Sale to Butuan!

Once again, Cebu Pacific is having a seat sale for those who want to travel from Manila to Mindanao (and vice versa) on June 1 to August 31, 2010. Mindanao destinations include Butuan, Cotabato, Cagayan de Oro, Pagadian, Davao, Dipolog, and General Santos.

For only P999 (all-in), one can already book a flight online or thru any Cebu Pacific ticketing office. Sad to say, this promo shall end until tomorrow, March 10, 2010.

If interested, please visit Cebu Pacific website by clicking this link.

Shaking Butuan..

I didn't know that an earthquake shook Butuan last Saturday at 3.3 magnitude not until I read this e-news.

Now I am wondering, were Butuanons also affected by the Tsunami scare yesterday? :)

Domestic Seat Sale Extended

For those who were not able to buy the promo plane tickets, particularly for butuan-cebu, here's the good news: Cebu Pacific is offering another domestic seat sale which will run until sunday, february 28, 2010, but travel period starts on june 1, 2010 yet and will end on august 31, 2010.

for details, please visit http://www.cebupacificair.com

Erratum...

I posted yesterday that Cebu Pacific's domestic seat sale would end on that same day. I thought all along that yesterday was already February 25.

My apologies! :)

Butuan to Cebu in 30 minutes for P588

Today is the last day to grab the chance of buying promo plane tickets for travel period April 1 - July 31, 2010 for Butuan - Cebu route, among others.

Cebu Pacific is currently offering a domestic seat sale of P588. This is not bad compared to the hassle of traveling by sea for the same or higher fare.

So, with this promo, who says convenience is not cheap? :)

Amantes and Plazas Still Reigning in Agusan

I guess nobody can beat the powerful political clans in the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur. Read this excerpt from MindaNews:

In Agusan del Norte and del Sur, it’s still the Amantes and the Plazas with the Aquinos now making their presence felt in both provinces.

Erlpe John Malbas Amante (LK) is running for a third term as governor with Vice Governor Enrico Raymundo Corvera (LK) as running mate.

Amante’s opponent is Roger Macabali Patanao (Ind). While Corvera’s opponent is Mercedes Bacalso Atupan (Ind).

Amante’s sister, Angelica Malbas Amante, who was governor for three terms before Erlpe John became governor in 2004, is running for second district representative against Independent candidates Jovitte Cabrera Calo, Van Amelio Dolofina udalan and Jore Maceda Lomongsod.

In Butuan City, Leonides Theresa Borja Plaza (LK) is running against Ferdinand Magdamo Amante, Jr., (LP), Romeo Cuenca Buyan (Ind), Teodoro Alutaya Emboy (Ind), and Roberto Gillera Rosales (LM).

Plaza is married to incumbent mayor Democrito Galido Plaza II, brother of the Plazas dominating the political scene in Agusan del Sur.

Mayor Plaza’s son, Randolph Borja Plaza (LK) is running for councilor of Butuan City while another son, Roscoe Democrito Borja (NP), is running for mayor of Nasipit town against reelectionist mayor Roy Orlando dela Riarte Doyon (LK).

Rep. Jose Sabijon Aquino II (Lakas-Kampi) is seeking reelection as first district representative of Agusan del Norte against Angelo Azuar Jimenez (LP).

Aquino’s brother, Roberto (LP) is running for first district representative of Agusan del Sur against Maria Valentina Galido Plaza (LK), the incumbent governor.

In the second district, the governor’s sister, Evelyn Plaza-Millana(LK), is running for 2nd district representative against Bienvenido Macapal Cebuala, Ceferino Salva Paredes Jr. (LP) and Reynaldo Mordeno Quijada (PDP-Laban).

Their brother, Adolph Edward “Eddiebong” Galido Plaza, is running for governor against Dominador Cebuala Miolata and Isoceles Piencenevaes Otero.

Another brother, Rodolfo, who is ending three terms in Congress, is running for senator while another brother, Victor, is running for provincial board member in the first district.

Brownouts hit Butuan

I have learned from ABS-CBN tv news report recently that Mindanao is experiencing rotating brownouts. I didn't realize then that Butuan is also among those affected by the power crisis which lasted from 7-10 hours a day. Gush! That's too much!

To know more, click this link. :)

House for Rent in Butuan

For those who have been asking, please be informed that I no longer have a house for rent in Butuan. BUT MY PROPERTY IS STILL UP FOR SALE.

Also, I have just changed my contact number. For security reasons, I decided not to post my new number anymore. I would however appreciate it if you reach me thru my email address at guia_madz@yahoo.com.

Thank you. :)