PICCOLO still being sold

Piccolo & KWITIS may be small, cheap and colorful, but they are regarded by health authorities as the most dangerous firecrackers in the country.It has been banned by the DOH and the Philippine National Police (PNP) since 2007, yet for the past 3 years DOH recorded a number of firecracker-related injuries caused by the Piccolo.

St. Joseph Cathedral

The church interior of St Joseph Cathedral was renovated several times, keeping up with the modern design. It is the first church established in Mindanao. History says, that the Mission was founded by the Jesuits in 1596, the Blessing of the First church in Mindanao was in 1597, St. Joseph became the Titular Patron in 1622, St. Francis de Sales became the Second patron in 1792, the Blessing of the old parish church was in 1883, the consecration of the present church was in 1954, it was elevated to a cathedral by Pope Paul VI in 1967, it was appointed as church for the great jubilee in year 2000 and it became a dedicated cathedral as declared by Ricardo Cardinal Vidal in 2007 & declared a Diocesan Shrine as approved by His Excellency Juan de Dios Mataflorida Pueblos.

SUKA Made in Butuan

proudly made in Butuan, it has its distinct sourness, comes from pure NIPA sap naturally fermented

Crispy Crust Butuan

the original pizza maker in Butuan, revived and much tasty. located in Ochoa Avenue

Kahimunan Festival

The Kahimunan Festival is an annual event on the occasion of the fiesta celebration of the Sto Niño in Barangay Libertad founded in 1987 by Father Juanito "Nito" Belino, first Parish Priest of Sto Niño Parish.

The Kahimunan is a traditional ritual performed by the natives before the start of the planting season, characterized by chanting, singing and playing accompanied by indigenous musical instruments such as the gimbor (drum), gong and bamboo instruments called Kalatong and Kotik.



A group of high school students from Agusan National High School as contingent number #6 bagged the top prize of this year’s 24th Kahimunan Festival who wowed the huge crowd with their rhythmic motion at the City Sports Complex in Barangay Libertad, Butuan City.

Spectators are in awe with their colorful costume dominated by metallic green and yellow colors donning a headdress that caught everyone's attention which is made of plastic garbage bag crumpled and secured.



Angel Aleta also from ANHS was chosen as the Festival Queen with a P5,000 cash prize and a round trip ticket to Manila courtesy from Philippine Airlines.

Living Legends

The Knights of Columbos honors 10 members who were able to serve the order for 30-40 years.

KofC Butuan and Agusan Council Chair Ponciano Joven lead in giving the plaques to the 2010 Living Legends with Monsignor Ruel Lasco

Sama Tawi-Tawi: Supply & Support Vessel Of Balangays

Another historical milestone for Butuan happened on July 16, 2010 when the 3rd Balangay boat was launched at Luna Compound, in Barangay Bading, Butuan City.
Christened Sama Tawi-Tawi, the boat functions as a supply and support vessel for the Balangay Diwata ng Lahi and Balangay Masawao Hong Butuan in their journey to the waters of Southeast Asia.

The design was patterned to the "kumpit", a trading and commercial boat of the Sulu Seas, made of wood with only a steel underbelly, having a dimension of 75 feet long, 15 feet wide and about 9 feet tall.

It also has an 85 horsepower diesel marine engine, kitchen, a bridge, sleeping quarters, enlarge storage bunks and two toilets.

The only similarity with the two other Balangays, Sama Tawi-Tawi has a mast near the bow to unfurl the colorful vinta-like sails, a famous symbol of the seafaring people of Mindanao.

Sama Tawi-Tawi, was named for the Sama people of Tawi-Tawi in Sibutu, who according to history is the last true bastion of the Badjao boat-builders.(photos by Sato Rayon, Butuan Balangay crew)