On
one lazy afternoon, I made an unplanned escapade just to break the
monotony of my stressful work assignment in Butuan City. So I took a break and head to the
National Museum of Butuan to wonder on the historical artifacts of Great
Mindanao. Looking at the picture of the old Agusan River made me wonder if it
is possible to cruise the colossal water body. I have never heard of any travel
or tour agency in the city that offers such activity.
The
Agusan River which flows from Compostela Valley in the south towards Agusan del
Norte in the North runs almost in the middle of the valley and empties at Butuan
Bay. The river has twelve tributaries, namely: Wawa, Gibong and Simulao Rivers
in the eastern side, and Ojot, Pusilao, Kasilayan, Libang, Maasam, Adgawan,
Cawayan, Umayam and Ihaoan Rivers in the western side.

With
its massive size, It is only fitting that this river hosts some of the biggest
crocodile on earth , one for example is Lolong which now holds the Guiness
Record for the biggest crocodile in captivity.
Taking
my chances, I went to the local port managed by Philippine Port Authority. I was
lucky to know that there are several pump boats that carry passengers going to
Magallanes, one of the oldest towns in Agusan del Norte. The fee was Php25.00 for a 30 minute ride
going to the town located near the mouth of the river.

On
one side of the river I even saw one old ship –“balangay” sitting on an
evergreen environment, that I suspect being preserved by the community and the
LGU as an added attraction in Butuan.
There are even small communities thriving
on the riparian area and still depends their lives on the goods provided by the
enormous river.
While traversing the calm water, I was imagining how was it
like before living in a balangay and making barter with other Polynesian and Chinese
traders in the past. But before I could even introduce myself to the Datus, my
imagining was interrupted by the boat personnel, telling me that we arrived in the town of Magallanes. Damn! I almost made a good deal on a gold vase that was similar to
the one discovered artifact in Prosperidad.

I went to the marker as suggested
by the old man but the perimeter fence prevented me to read the scriptures on
the old stone.
That put this trip a little hanging so I decided to schedule another future visit to discover more about the not so well known town of Magallanes.(Abangan!)
Schedules
Ferry Boat Trips
Butuan City to
Magallanes
1st
Trip
|
6:00am
|
2nd
Trip
|
6:45am
|
3rd
Trip
|
7:10am
|
4th
Trip
|
7:45am
|
5th
Trip
|
8:20am
|
6th
Trip
|
9:00am
|
7th
Trip
|
9:40am
|
8th
Trip
|
10:20am
|
9th
Trip
|
11:00am
|
10th
Trip
|
11:40am
|
11th
Trip
|
12:20nn
|
12th
Trip
|
1:00pm
|
13th
Trip
|
1:40pm
|
14th
Trip
|
2:20pm
|
15th
Trip
|
3:00pm
|
16th
Trip
|
3:40pm
|
17th
Trip
|
4:20pm
|
18th
Trip
|
4:55pm
|
19th
Trip
|
5:30pm
|
Special
Trips:
- 6:00PM
- 6:30PM
- 7:00PM
- 8:30PM
- 9:30PM
Fare
Matrix
Regular
Fare
|
Php
25.00
|
Student
|
Php
21.25
|
Senior
Citizen
|
Php
20.00
|
Children
3-11yrs old
|
Php
12.50
|
OH MY! Such a breathtaking sunset!
ReplyDeletenext time i will try the marshland, they say there are wild crocs in the area... that is really interesting :)
ReplyDeleteVery informative. I'm a bit sea sick so its an effort for me to go on a cruise but I would love to try this out.
ReplyDeleteI am going to visit this place next week. I really love to see this river.
ReplyDeleteWell, abangan ang susunod na kabanata! I hope that on your trip back to Magallanes, they'll be able to allow you to read what was on the old stone. Sounds like a new discovery, Dennis! :)
ReplyDeleteWow, it would really be scenic cruising the Agusan River. I just hope I don't meet Lolong's friends along the way.
ReplyDeleteInteresting yung Magallanes Marker. Sama tau Dennis pagpunta. this november bakante ang mga week ends ko:)
ReplyDeleteit was a reliving the content of the history book we had back in elementary days.. can't believe na ma encounter ko dito sa Butuan... marami pa akong post about this ... just need extra time:)
ReplyDeleteyes pwde kita samahan when you visit Butuan at kapag pareho sched natin ...puntahan din natin ung oldest tree in the Philippines...
ReplyDeleteif you need tips , dont hesitate to ask me :) hope i can finish all the butuan entries within the week
ReplyDeleteYour 1st photo is amazing. So the river traverses to many more rivers, you might require more than a day to explore this area...
ReplyDeleteGusto mo talaga makakita ng actual na crocs? Parang swamp people lang ang dating! hehehe
ReplyDeleteAstig naman. :) Butuan should actually be in my travel list.. I must know and learn more about it. :)
ReplyDeleteJust asking pang-olan ba ang Agusan sa longest river sa Pinas? My cousin who regularly traverse that tributaries said, na mag-eenjoy daw ako sa travel. yes, marami raw crocs. My kins are from Leyet so malapit lang sa amin.
ReplyDeleteGood thing the local community in Butuan is still preserving 'Balangay' so younger generations can see the evidence of Filipino craftsmanship even before the old times.
ReplyDeletegorgeous photos! specially the first one! amazing also how you managed to get those schedules! xx
ReplyDeleteSeems like you made another discovery in Butuan dapat tawag saýo "Love Mindanao the Explorer". This really a nice post =)
ReplyDeleteVery informative post, I am actually planning to travel up north of Mindanao by next year, this blog will really help.. I so love Mindanao.. From South Cotabato :)
ReplyDeleteI was born in Davao and since I was 16 years old we relocated here in Manila. I heard lot's of beautiful places in Mindanao especially Butuan City. When we will visited Mindanao again I'll include this on my lists. Great write-up.. :-)
ReplyDelete