Be Amazed.

Butuan, the First District of Agusan del Norte is the Capital city of Caraga Region(XIII) wherein people from the other provinces and cities within the region stay in Butuan for educational and livelihood purposes.

Butuan City lies on the northeastern part of Agusan Valley sprawling across the Agusan River. It has a land area of approximately 816.62 km² with an estimated total population of 300,000. It was said that the name "Butuan" came from the sour fruit "Batuan" while others believed that the name Butuan came from a Datu, Datu Buntuan who once ruled over Butuan.(sources from www.google.com)

Balangay boats could be the oldest watercraft in the city for it had witnessed that Butuan was a flourishing settlement. The city was also known as the Prehistoric Destination of the Philippines in which it's historic past makes an exciting source of artifacts and significant finds in Mindanao. Butuan Ivory Seal could prove that Butuan has one of the oldest artifacts, the seal was dated during the 10th Century A.D. The upper representation of the seal shows how a wax impression from the tool would look like while the lower representation of the seal shows the face of the ivory seal. The seal was a combination of a postive and negative impression but the flipped view gives a good idea of what the writing really looks like.

According to the Chinese Song Shi, the people of Butuan had already established some trading relations with the people of Kingdom of Champa now known as Vietnam during the early 10th century. Thus, the Butuanon's at those times had already practiced trading as sort of their daily activity for livelihood.

Years passed, after Butuan had showed its progress, Congressman Marcos M. Calo file a bill converting Butuan into a city because of the outcome of the logging industry in the city. The once lethargic town suddenly became a bustling locality. By then, Butuan became a city on August 02, 1950.

As today, Butuan City had really developed in terms of Education for it has the First University in the Caraga Region, Fr. Saturnino Urios University. The University is a Catholic private university run by the Diocese of Butuan. There are also private and public schools that helped educate the students well, schools like Northern Mindanao Institute of Science and Technology (NORMISIST) - An upcoming Caraga State University, Timber City Academy - the oldest chinese school in the region, Butuan Central Elementary School and Agusan National High School - both adjacent to the other and found at the old center of the city. Saint Joseph Institute of Technology - primarily dedicated to the welfare of the youth of Butuan City. And some other schools who help mold the students to be a God-loving, intelligent and trust-worthy students and also to be the Future "Pag-asa ng Bayan".

Aside from the leading education in Butuan, colorful and creative festivals are held in the city as part of the tradition of the Butuanon's. One of the highlighted festivals is the Kahimunan Festival which is celebrated every third Sunday of January. Kahimunan is a Lumad term which means "gathering". A lot of people joined and watch the Kahimunan Festival to see the different dance presentations of each schools, department, or organizations. Also, people coming from the different cities of Caraga specially from the Surigao City participate in the said Festival by showing their wonderful dance presentation wearing unique outfits with their creative and colorful props. Aside from the Kahimunan Festival, Every May 19th of the year, Butuan celebrates it annual fiesta for the celebration of the city patron St. Joseph. Many events are held so that the people could really have fun and feel the essence of the celebration.

Overall, Butuan City really stands out among the cities within the region because of it's Natural resources, Economic status and the outstanding Educational teachings. Not only that, also the people living in Butuan welcomes you with a warm-heart and really shows hospitality towards their fellowmen. Butuan, truly a place where you can call it HOME.