Butuan

Graveyard of the Balangay 1 dated 320 AD. This wooden plank-build and edge-pegged boats measured an average of 15 meters in length and 3 meters wide across the beam. Nine balangays have already been discovered in Ambangan, Libertad sites. Three have been excavated and others are still in situ.

This museum is the repository of historical and cultural materials and artifacts that proves Butuan's prehistoric existence and rich cultural heritage. There are two exhibit galleries. The Archaeological Hall and Ethnological Hall specimens of stone crafts, metal crafts, woodcrafts, potteries, goldsmith, burial coffins, and other archaeological diggings are exhibited. At the Ethnological Hall are exhibits of contemporary cultural materials the Butuanon or every Filipino for matter used for a living.

This historic site is where Magellan and his men erected a cross and celebrated the 1st Mass on Philippine Soil on March 31, 1521. It is the highest elevation and promontory overlooking the whole of Butuan bay then. Today, the indigenous “Hadlayati Tree” still abound lording over a Clonal nursery and tree park, and the serpentine Masao River (El Rio de Butuan) amidst fishponds and archaeological treasures.

This site was one of the old poblacion of the city. The church built here in 1625 by the Recollect Friars was reduced to ashes in 1753 by Moro pirates. What remains of this church is its bell tower banyan (balete) trees. Now enveloped by as the most beautiful church in the region before its destruction. Today, it is the oldest ruin of a stone church in the entire island of Mindanao.

Every year on March 31, the city celebrates Mazaua Discovery Day to commemorate a historic milestone, the 1st Easter Mass on Philippines' soil on 1521, celebrated by Ferdinand Magellan. No matter what, Butuanons proclaim with pride that such historic event took place in Butuan, not in Limasawa.

This is like an iconic landmark for Butuan, even though there are Catholic churches everywhere in the Philippines. Also there's the opportunity to see the Filipino flag flying from a tall mast in Guingona Park across the way.

Zip-line course through the tropical hills and swimming pool.