I always thought leaving the place i love would be the most exciting thing in the world. But i was wrong. Now that i'm away, i got this longing. The longing of being embraced and loved by the place you truly belong. I miss home. I miss BUTUAN. I know MOST of you don't know where Butuan is. Or perhaps, you don't know Butuan even exists. But i am here. I am a witness and a prophecy to how Butuan has raised me into the lady i am today. This post will all be about my heritage, which is BUTUAN.
"Before there was Philippines, there was Butuan."
Yes, even before the Philippines was discovered, Butuan has been one of the center for trade. Butuan is also place where Ferdinand Magellan first set foot on Philippine soil. If you actually look at most of the accurate History books, you will surely see that Butuanons are one of the earliest civilizations in the Philippines. The name "Butuan" is believed to have originated from the sour fruit "Batuan". Other etymology sources say that it comes from a certain "Datu Buntuan", a chieftain who once ruled over Butuan. But, locals like me say that Butuan got its name because of the people living in it. Butuanons are always known to be "but.an" or kind, thus the name.
Although Butuan is only small in terms of land area, it is rich in agriculture and is still continuing its progress. Before, only Gaisano mall stood, but now, a branch of Robinson's mall is currently being built. Butuan also has a loooot of schools. That is why people come down to the city to get quality education.
Palagsing is a local delicacy popularly made in Banza, one of the old poblacion of Butuan City.The popularity of making delicious “Palagsing” in Banza is attributed to the abundance of Nipa or Asiatic palm tree (Nipa fruticans) where “Unaw”(nipa starch) is harvested from the Palm Tree. Another popular ingredient is young coconut meat taken from coconut trees. They are delicately wrapped by banana leaves and are boiled for 30 minutes to create the soft consistency of “palagsing”. I tell you, this stuff is really YUMMY. :)
If you got the time to visit Butuan, I'll be very much welcome to tour you around the city's highlights -pass through the Macapagal bridge, be fascinated by Butuan's history at the City Museum, go river cruising at the Agusan River, hike to the top of Mount Mayapay- a
lot to do and see when you go to the Kingdom by the River, Butuan.
This post is making me even more homesick. But every minute i spend here in Cebu, makes me realize how beautiful Butuan is. How it has cradled an unworthy citizen like me, who wants to worm out of its hole, and find a new one. This has become an eye-opener to me that, i'd rather be poor at HOME, than be rich when i'm AWAY. It'll be months before i could go home. Months before i will be kissed by the soft, warm breeze of home. But one thing is for sure. Butuan will always be there for me. My life, my home, my heritage. :)
love,
André
Goodbyes are always sad. But yet again, it isn't goodbye for good, but "Until we meet again!".
