Tuesday, May 19, 2009

St. Joseph Cathedral, Now a Diocesan Shrine






Reverend Father Siegfred Dosdos read the Decree of Establishment of St. Joseph Cathedral as a Diocesan Shrine during the May 19 Pontifical Fiesta Mass.

Such declaration was approved by His Excellency Juan de Dios Pueblos, Catholic Bishop of Butuan and Parish Priest of the Cathedral.

To many catholic devotees of Butuan City, this is another history in the making, aside from the fact that the church in Butuan was the first church that was established in Mindanao.

Also, during the Pontifical Fiesta Mass, Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos handed over the cane of St. Joseph, which symbolises the naming of Congressman Jose Aquino II and wife Salome as the new Hermano and Hermana Mayor of the Diocesan Shrine.

Historically, the Parish Church of St. Joseph in Butuan already has its milestones to include: First Easter Mass in 1521, Mission founded by the Jesuits in 1596, Blessing First church in Mindanao in 1597, St. Joseph as Titular Patron in 1622, St. Francis de Sales as Second patron in 1792, Blessing of the old parish church in 1883, consecration of the present church in 1954, elevated cathedral by Pope Paul VI in 1967, appointed church for the great jubilee in year 2000, dedicated cathedral by Ricardo Cardinal Vidal in 2007 and now as Diocesan Shrine.

Sharmaine Alisa Basinang Crowned Mutya Hong Butuan 2009





Sharmaine Alisa Basinang, 16 years old, just graduated from Agusan National Highschool was this years’ Mutya Hong Butuan, she also bagged 5 special awards; Ms. Bayantel Communication, Ms. Quadtech, Ms. Baby Cologne, Ms. Black Beauty Shampoo and Ms. Kutis Placenta.

Mutya Hong Butuan 2009 Miss Basinang was also chosen as Ms. Swimwear, Ms. Casual Attire and Ms. Evening Gown.

The judges headed by Priscilla Osin-Ariola also chose the 5 prettiest among the 9 candidates namely: Sharmaine Alisa Basinang, Aries Castillo, Sheena Grace Cubillas, Shahani Mongaya, and Catherine Rose Lim, who was awarded with 10 thousand pesos cash.

The 5 prettiest were given one common question given by City Tourism Officer Ayeth Guno, who was read by the Master of Ceremony Glenn Allona that says: “If you were to choose, what country in Asia would you to like to live?”

The majority of the girls answered Philippines, except candidate number 6, Miss Catherine Rose Lim who answered Hongkong.

Other awards are the following: Miss Photogenic, Aries Castillo; Miss Friendship, Lou Jaye Bongato, Best in Artistic Performance, Catherine Rose Lim, and the Best in Asian Attire, Shahani Mongaya.

Monday, May 4, 2009

BALANGAY FESTIVAL 2009







Calendar of Activities (May 1-31, 2009)

May 1 – 31
1st DAISY B. PLAZA GARDEN SHOW
Venue: Butuan Historical Park
TRADE FAIR
Venue: AD Curato Street
CARNIVAL FAIR
Venue: VGP Area, JC Aquino Avenue

May 9-10
KALIWAT HONG CALO AFFAIRS
May 9 – Thanksgiving Mass
9:30 am Bood Promontory
May 10- Grand Reunion, FSUU Libertad

May 10
PHILIPPINE BOXING FEDERATION BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP
7:00 pm FSUU Gym

May 12
RICHARD POON SERENADES BUTUAN
7:00 pm Almont Inland

May 12-13
MEGA JOBS FAIR
8:00 am City Hall

May 13
BALIKBUTUAN DINNER RECEPTION
7:00 pm Balanghai Hotel
STORY TELING FOR CHILDREN
2:00pm Butuan City Library
HOTSHOTS ’09 ALL STAR CELEBRITY
BASKETBALL CARAVAN

7:00 pm FSUU Gym

May 14
REPORT TO THE CITY
MAYOR DEMOCRITO D. PLAZA II

1:00 pm Almont Inland Resort


May 16
GRAND ALUMNI HOMECOMING
ANHS – 8:00 AM FSUU Gym
FSUU-HS- 7:00pm Morelos Campos, Libertad

May 17
BALIKBUTUAN RIVER CRUISE & CITY TOUR
8:00 am PPA Grounds
6th MAYOR & 3RD CONGRESSIONAL INTER CARAGA
MOTORCROSS COMPETITION
8:00 am City Sports Complex, Libertad

May 18
MUTYA HONG BUTUAN CORONATION PAGEANT
7:00 pm FSUU Gym

May 19
BALANGAY FESTIVAL GRAND PARADE
7:00 AM Montilla Boulevard

May 20
INTER BARANGAY BALAK & HARANA FINALS
5:00 pm Rizal Park

May 23
TIMBER CITY ACADEMY ALUMNI HOMECOMING
7:00 pm Almont Inland

May 26-27
KASALAN SA ALMONT
8:00 am Almont Inland

May 29
BALANGAY GRAND SANTACRUZAN
5:00 pm Thanksgiving Mass St. Joseph Cathedral
6:00 pm Procession of Sagalas
TESDA-13 JOBS BRIDGING & SKILLS
RE-TRAINING CARAVAN

8:00 am Gym, FSUU Morelos Campus. Libertad

May 29-31
1st ALIM PANGANDAMAN SHOOTING COMPETITION
8:00 am Bancasi Shooting Range

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Bonbon Eco Park, mountain resort in Butuan













A breath taking view of the mountainous area of Barangay Bonbon can be seen along the way. If you want a little adventure then this is for you. Travelers can take their ride through a single motorcycle for 25 pesos per passenger from Bonbon proper to Eco-Park. The road to the eco park is not yet developed so be prepared of the dust and your encounter of those big trucks hauling gravel as you pass by a quarry site, few kilometers before reaching the eco-park.

The eco-park has a receiving area where one has to pay P100 that includes a free jeepney ride in going further down to the resort. If you want to view Butuan City, don’t miss the opportunity to take the right route and go up the mountain at the seminar house.

The eco-park do have a canteen but it’s not yet operational, so better bring own provisions. It has two swimming pools, for the adults and kids. The water is clean, sourced out from within the area which flows from the big pool, down to the kids’ pool, the pond and the brook from the entrance area.