Mindanao

Mindanao is the second-largest and the most southerly island, with a very different feel from the rest of the country. A variety of Muslim ethnic groups live here. In the southwestern tip of Mindanao is Zamboanga City, considered by some as the most romantic place in the Philippines and a favourite resort amongst tourists. The city is noted for its seashells, unspoiled tropical scenery and magnificent flowers. Zamboanga was founded by the Spanish, and the 17th-century walls of Fort Pilar, built to protect the Spanish and Christian Filipinos from Muslim onslaughts, are still standing. The city has a number of hotels, cars for hire, good public transport and vintas (small boats), often with colourful sails, available to take visitors round the city bay. The flea market sells Muslim pottery, clothes and brassware. About 2km (1.2 miles) from Fort Pilar are the houses of the Badjaos, which are stilted constructions on the water. Water gypsies live in boats in this area, moving to wherever the fishing is best. Plaza Pershing and Pasonanca Park are worth visiting. Santa Cruz Island has a sand beach which turns pink when the corals from the sea are washed ashore, and is ideal for bathing, snorkelling and scuba diving. There is also an old Muslim burial ground here.

The southernmost region of the Republic of the Philippines, located in the heart of the Asia-Pacific region, Mindanao has become a "gateway to opportunity" for Philippine and international investors eyeing opportunities in agribusiness, industry, and tourism.

Business
Mindanao, with an export-driven agricultural economy, has for decades been home to many successful national and multinational agribusiness firms. In 1995, the agriculture, fisheries, and forestry sectors together accounted for 41% of the island's total economic output. Industry contributed 25% and the services sector the remaining 34%.

Tourism
Mindanao's many natural attractions, rich flora and fauna, cultual diversity, and colorful ethnic festivals make Mindanao one of the most exciting tourist destinations in Southeast Asia.
The number of foreign tourists visiting Mindanao more than doubled between 1991 and 1995, spurring the building of more facilities to accommodate their increasing numbers.
Mindanao's largely-unspoiled natural resources offer vast potential for eco-tourism projects.

Davao: province is the industrial centre of Mindanao, renowned for its pearl and banana exports. Davao City is one of the most progressive industrial cities in the country. The province is the site of Mount Apo, the highest peak in the country, while the Apo Range has spectacular waterfalls, rapids, forests, springs and mountain lakes.

Cagayan de Oro: , on the northern coast of Mindanao, is the gateway to some of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines. By way of contrast, in Bukidnon there are huge cattle ranches and the famous Del Monte pineapple fields, and Iligan City is the site of the hydroelectric complex driven by the Maria Cristina Falls.

Lanao del Sur: is a province characterised by its Muslim community which has settled along the shores of Lake Lanao. Besides the lake, other attractions include Signal Hill; Sacred Mountain; the native market, Torongan; homes of the Maranao royalty; the various Muslim mosques on the shores of the lake; and examples of the famous brassware industry centred in Tugaua.

The first thing which comes to mind when someone mentions Iligan City in Lanao del Norte is the majestic Maria Cristina Falls which is one of the most resplendent among the falls in the Philippines. It stands 320 feet high and is the veritable source of industrial power in the region.

Trust me, there’s more to Iligan than just the Maria Cristina Falls… There’s also the two-tiered Limunsudan Falls which is the highest in the country that measures 870 feet and several other waterfalls which are all worthy of a visit.

Located at the northwestern coast of Mindanao, bounded on the south by the municipality of Linamon of Lanao del Norte; on the north by Lugait, Misamis Oriental; on the east by the territories of Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon; and on the west by Iligan Bay.

From Luzon or Visayas, the fastest and most convenient way to get to Iligan is by air to Cagayan de Oro (CDO). From CDO you can take a bus and travel 86 kilometers to Iligan.

Othere Points of Interest in Iligan:

Macapagal-Macaraeg Ancestral House – The ancestral house of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Anahaw Open Amphitheater – It is the biggest open amphitheater in Mindanao and it is the best site to view Iligan City.

Tinago Cold Spring – It has pristine, cool and crystal waters freely flowing towards several swimming pools

“Adlaw sa Iligan” festival commemorates the founding of the city every 16th of June and every 27th of September the city holds the “Kasadya Festival” (literally means merry making) features Iligan’s best dances.

Truly one of Mother Nature's gifts to the Filipino people, the Bonsai fields of Mt. Hamiguitan, which is situated no less than 5,345 feet above sea level, consists of more than 1,000 hectares of forest life filled with wild and exciting flora and fauna. As the name suggests, Bonsai trees span most of the given area.

These century-old trees stand 2-3 feet tall, with the tallest reaching only 5 feet in height, and are so sturdy that one can literally carry the weight of a man on its branches. It is like finding oneself suddenly in a veritable enchanted garden right in the middle of the jungle. Also located at Barangay La Union, this wonder has already been featured in Magandang Gabi Bayan for its uniqueness and mystical quality.

The area is also a sanctuary of rare and exotic birds and animals, including the world famous Philippine Eagle. Because of its beauty and charm, the mountain has become a favorite camping site of many local and foreign tourists, mountaineers, enthusiasts, biologists, ornithologists, and adventure loving people.

Zamboanga City -- on the tip of the peninsula that juts out of the bottom of Mindanao island in the southern Philippines -- is a delightful combination of history, culture, scenic beauty and economic potential.

Image Zamboanga is 142 thousand hectares of sloping terrain rising from a surrounding shoreline of coral beaches to mineral-rich mountains in the center of the peninsula.

The town that is known as the City of Flowers boasts a profusion of colorful tropical blossoms, outstanding seascapes, cool highland retreats, verdant forests and magnificent underwater scenery.

Zamboanga takes some of its picturesque views from the rich and varied culture of its people.

Cruising the offshore waters on clear, breezy days are vintas, native outriggers with square sails of many designs and colors. Image

Houses on stilts, inhabited by people from tribes that used to call the sea their home, line the shores.

Cultural presentations depict traditional arts and dances, but the discos are also full of young people moving to the latest dance craze.

Zamboanga is one of the oldest cities in the Philippines. Originally inhabited by the Subanon tribe, it became a Spanish outpost in the 17th century.

The Spaniards built a stone fortress that stands to this day. Fort Pilar is a historical, cultural and religious icon. On its eastern wall is a shrine revered by Catholics all over the country.

Inside the refurbished fort is a national museum that houses cultural artifacts and a showcase of the natural wealth of the region. When the Americans took over the city at the turn of the century they made it the capital of the Moro Province, which covered the whole of Mindanao. The Americans built Pasonanca Park, the City Hall and the golf course in Calarian, which is reputed to be the first golf course in the Philippines.

The Second World War brought the Japanese, but the Japanese left little of themselves here. The Zamboanga people are known for their friendliness and cheerful disposition. The women are famous for their beauty.

Background
Butuan, chartered city, southern Philippines, capital of Agusan del Norte Province, near the mouth of the Agusan River, on the northern coast of Mindanao. The city is a trade center for the Agusan river valley, where lumber, gold, abaca, and copra are produced. Butuan is reputed to be the site at which the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan proclaimed Spanish sovereignty over the Philippine Archipelago in 1521. Population (1999 estimate) 247,074.

Butuan is believed to have originated from the sour fruit "Batuan". Others said, it came from a certain "Datu Buntuan " a chieftain who once ruled Butuan. Scholars believed it came from the word "But-an, which literally means a person who has a sound and discerning disposition.

History of Butuan
Butuan City was originally located in Pinamangculan by the banks of the Masao River, about a kilometer from the barrio of Libertad. Finding the place less ideal because of the flood, the people moved to Maug, now the municipality of Magallanes, at the mouth of Agusan river, they again transferred to Lapaca, now known as Linungsuran in barrio Banza about five kilometer inland Agusan River. Still troubled by floods, the people once more settled, some eighty years ago, this time permanently, in a higher place called Agao, which is the present site of the City proper. A description of Butuan is not complete without infusing it with the significance of the Agusan River and its tributaries that provide the valley with rich soil from periodic floods. Its serpentine route through the city and the two Agusan provinces provide the people with easy means of transportation for trade and commerce and encourage settlement along its banks. The Agusan River greatly helped the booming of the "Logging Industry" which earned Butuan the name " Timber City of the South". Butuan sprawls across the Agusan River nine kilometers from its mouth. Towards this, to the north and seaward, run fertile rice lands. Halfway round the city to the southwest, roll the gently sloping hills over there Mount Mayapay looms. To the east, the majestic Hilong-hilong and Diwata mountain ranges protect the entire valley from fierce Pacific storms. Its very 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 such, as can be born out by old historical records.

People an Culture
Butuan, the prehistoric city by the river, is reportedly the site of the oldest settlement in the Philippines, and where the first catholic mass is said to have taken place. The Butuanons are warm and kind-hearted, just like its name, Butuan, from the word "But-an" meaning "good".

Area Profile
Butuan, the provincial capital, is located at the central part of Agusan del Norte province. It lies flat along the banks of Agusan River following along course within the province of Davao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte and drains into Butuan Bay. Butuan serves a strategic center of the Northern Mindanao region. 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.

Commerce and Industry
Butuan, like the Caraga Provinces, is primarily an agricultural province. It is also one of the leading rice producer after Bukidnon. Butuan is also a major timber producer in the region. There are 23 lumber producers and plywood plants in the city. Butuan's rattan is one of the best in the country. Other products include corn, vegetable, coconuts and bananas.

Amenities
Butuan has hotels with convention facilities which can accommodate 500 people and can provide audio-visual equipment upon request. Butuan caters to every filipino taste. There are a lot of inexpensive restaurants that serve both local and international dishes. One can enjoy the most tasty dishes with the abundant supply of seafood, pao ( the native rootcrop), kayam, and onao from the sorroundings.

How to get There
By Air,
Butuan is, 1 hour and 30 minutes away by plane from the national capital, Manila and 50 minutes from Cebu City. Philippine Airlines flies from Manila three times a week (Monday, Wednesday & Friday) for Cagayan de Oro and Cebu flies daily.

By Boat,
Butuan is easily accessible by boat from Manila, Cebu and Bohol. Gothong Lines sails from Cebu to Butuan every Tuesday.

By Land,
Buses leave from capital cities of Mindanao to Butuan several times a day.

DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know that the tallest tree is found in Butuan? This tree which was recognized on December 7, 1980 is a giant Toog which has a towering height of 65 meters, a diameter of 360 centimeters and is over 200 years old. The tree is located along Butuan-Barobo Highway in Barangay Alegria, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.

Most visitors who come here describe Davao as “a land of exotic beauty and rich culture.” Local historians claim that the name Davao is derived from the ancient Bagobo word daba-daba, which means “fire.” On the other hand, the Tagabua tribe called the river bisecting the region “Daba,” and the Guiangan tribe tagged it “Davoh”—thus Davao.

History records show Spaniards to be the first nonnatives to visit Davao, led by Alvaro de Saavedra in 1528. In 1847, after the Spanish troops revolted and killed the Muslim leader Datu Bago, Don Jose Uyanguren became the first governor and renamed the place Guipuzcoa.

Japanese came in 1900 when they established extensive plantations of abaca around the gulf area and engaged in logging, fishing and trading. The increase of Japanese in the area earned Davao the nickname “Japan kuo” (little Japan). In 1937, Davao became a chartered city when President Manuel L. Quezon of the Philippine Commonwealth signed into law a bill sponsored by then Davao Assemblyman Romualdo Quimpo.