"A Historic City" Butuan City by llyrt

The heart of the city is the location of the National Shrine of the Philippine Flag in Mindanao, in Rizal Park. This flagpole was erected to commemorate the first formal hoisting of Philippine Flag in Mindanao on January 17, 1899 in this same site. The Centinnial Commission and the National Historical Institute installed an official marker which they considered as the National Shrine of the Philippine Flag for Mindanao.

The history of the city is reflected in the Butuan Regional Museum which is the repository of archeological and ethnological material and artifacts. It is also in this area that you can find the Balanghai boats. The actual site diggings of this relic is in Barangay Ambangan, Libertad. Now it is converted into a museum which is the Balangay Shrine Museum. This made the Butuanons of the past crossed the uncharted waters of the globe and made ties with the great civilization of Asia. The wood used in constructing these vessels are still locally available in Butuan.

Towering the hilltop of the city is the image of the cross where the first Easter Mass in the Philippines was celebrated in March 31, 1521.

The Agusan River is the 3rd longest river in the philippines. While most of the rivers are drying up, this famous "sawagan" of Agusan Valley has the highest overflow of water. Through the ages, this serves as the body of water that giveth life. "Agusan " is derived from the visayan word "agus" which means "where the water of life flows".