Accessible Park in Butuan: Butuan National Museum

Butuan National Museum, Fuji Xe 1 Samyang 12 mm

In Butuan, we don't have a central park, or an Initao-Libertad, Misamis Oriental protected seascape and landscape. When we think of a park in Butuan, the first thing that comes to mind is Guingona Park, formerly known as Rizal Park, or used to be commonly known as the "Plaza."

But Guingona park isn't what I envisioned a real park should look like. It's mostly an adequately sized concrete park surrounded by a couple of trees. I want greens. Green grass, tall, gnarly old trees, pretty flowers, and maybe a pond. And maybe like a huge fountain like what Rizal Park used to be in the 80's 70's? maybe 60's?  

The more accessible nature 'park' in Butuan that I can think of is the Butuan National Museum. If you think old bones and vases are boring and meh, just ignore that middle building and what's inside it, and enjoy the greeneries outside! At 8.30 AM, Butuan National Museum opens its gates to the public (for the museum itself you have to be there at 9AM) and you can bask in nature's beauty and wonder. 

There are Narra trees, with a poem written in little, laminated paper. Different kinds of shrubs and plants and other things that I don't recognize the name of. 

Maybe there could be an event that will showcase the Butuan National Museum, bring it forefront to the minds of Butuan City residents. Butuanons need access to greens and parks. It helps de-stress the citizen from the mostly grays of the urban landscape. If they want to go near a body of water but hate the cesspool the Masao beach has become, they can go visit Butuan National Museum and walk barefoot in the grass. 

I have to insert it in there- I am advocating for Grounding/Earthing. It was the reason I went to the Butuan National Park yesterday. While waiting for something, I wanted to do my grounding (earthing) therapy while gazing at the Museum's greenish pond. If you have chronic aches and pains and is fed up with artificial analgesics you can try putting your bare skin to the earth's surface be it grass, gravel, soil or sand and just be. It's a bit weird but you'll feel better. It might not be immediately noticeable but you'll feel a general sense of well-being at that time- or the next day. 

So friends, if you need a place to have a picnic, there are three possible places that I can think of. For a change, try this place if you haven't visited for a while. 

Masao Beach: A Potential for More (Or the Beach Clean Up Story)

This photo was taken with Samsung Note 4

Early this morning, three intrepid souls dared to do what is probably peculiar in Masao. These three people decided to do a beach clean up in Masao, Butuan at 5.30 am.  There were different motivations for this unusual action. Number one is of course, for the ultimate good of the environment, for exercise, for general cleanliness, for people to not take Masao beach for granted and probably other less lofty reasons. Whatever the motivation was, these three people picked up the non-biodegradable items that they could. There were plastic caps, soft drink bottles, medicine bottles, broken styrofoam pieces, syringe, used diapers (6 pieces) and a sanitary pad.  

When Pres. Duterte declared that Boracay should rest for a couple of months, I thought, that's good. It's great that politicians- the people in power are giving importance to the environment even at the expense of angering business owners, potential voters etc. Boracay is admittedly a beautiful place. Even with all the toxic waste being dumped in the waters, it still looked pretty. So it is very understandable that they are taking good care of something we consider precious. A Philippine tourism gem.

On the other hand, ever since I remember, "Beautiful" and "Masao beach" hasn't been exactly been linked together. Black sand beaches aren't given the proper regard that they deserve compared with white beaches.  For me, as long as the beach is free from strewn garbage it looks great. 

Imagine promoting Masao beach as a beach rich in history. The shores are dark and rich in minerals. It's clean. Safe for children and adults to swim in. Imagine Masao as something Butuanons can be proud of. Not just a place where it's convenient to go to with easy access to vendors that sell good barbecue or grilled seafood. 

That's what I imagine. That's what I envision when I picked up pieces of wastes that could be best described as pretty...disgusting things. It gave me the strength not to puke all over the place and soldier on.

Will this picture of Masao ever come true? Maybe. But it will surely need more than one morning of "beach clean up." 

It is a constant refrain- but: every one of us needs to do our part. Let's keep our beaches clean! 

(And for heaven sakes throw your child's diapers in the proper receptacle! Or better yet use a non- disposable kind!)

Tabo-an Photo #1

There's so many things I want to articulate when I see this photo I took at Tabo-an last Sunday. But I think I'll just let this photo do the talking. 

Hakab Na!

Last Saturday at Robinson's mall there was an event called Hakab Na. This gathering was in celebration of Breastfeeding Month. As a former post-natal nurse, it was very interesting for me to see. There were contests and prizes and gift- giveaways as well as sharing of experiences and information regarding breastfeeding.

This was the first time I've encountered this word "hakab" it probably means to latch on as their facebook page says. Hakab na!

Preserving Hinatuan's Enchanted River

There are many superlatives lavished upon this little nook in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur like "enchanting," Magical,"stunning,""beautiful." And people who flock in would agree. However, there was a point in time where Hinatuan's gem was nearly overwhelmed by the demand from tourists. A lot of people came in droves. They came in big buses, cars and it even felt like trains and ships too because of the number of people coming. It was nearly unbearable. The positive adjectives were slowly being replaced by complaints of "too many people, it's chaotic!"

One day, the local government of Hinatuan decided enough is enough and implemented a three-month rest for this tourist spot in 2017. When they opened they instituted stricter measures in order to preserve the natural beauty of this remarkable natural site.

I'm so happy when I learned lately, that Hinatuan's Enchanted river is again once being praised for its beauty and refreshing water when it opened after the three-month-long rehabilitation.

I applaud the measures instituted by the LGU, it might not be popular but I think it was a prudent thing to do. I hope other LGUs would do what Hinatuan and Boracay did.

Let us all do our part in preserving our natural resources. 

My Little Story of Triumph

Starting at 4 in the morning, athletes and organizers started to congregate at Butuan City Hall for 2018 Butuan Half Marathon event. There were three running categories namely: 21 K, 10 K, and 5K. I joined the 5k run of which I was setting my eyes out for so long. 

For the first time since 2016 (or maybe 2015), I was able to run. One day before I attempted to jog was walk for a couple of minutes barefoot on the beach. Maybe it was the "grounding" therapy or maybe it was just time (mostly grounding therapy, I think) that helped alleviate some of the pain I was feeling in the balls of my feet. Right after my barefoot walking in the sand it was amazing to me how I was able to jog after. I attempted to jog a couple of times before but every time I step my foot in a jog, it felt like my feet will break each time. It was that painful.

It was just a simple 5 K run but for me, it marks an important goal that I was aiming for, for so long. 

Congrats to all those who joined the Butuan Half Marathon and congratulations to the organizers! It was a successful event! Well organized! The t-shirts and the medals were designed beautifully. Thank you!

But there was one thing that was still something that happened regarding the runners who were there earlier. Some of these people still couldn't understand basic courtesy and have no concern for our surroundings. Next time throw the paper cups in the proper receptacles! Dili unta mo magbinilasa. Even with the reminder, people were still are throwing used cups wherever. Lami kaayo kusi-on. 

Adlaw Hong Butuan: Ben & Ben

August 2. Adlaw Hong Butuan. The celebration of Butuan becoming a city. Its a non- working holiday for Butuanons. However, I wasn't working on adding "Adlaw Hong Butuan" related photos yesterday- more of wandering around Robinson's mall looking for a cheap basketball (and failing to find one. ugh.), and joining a wonderful Essential Oil Make & Take class. Not exactly Butuanon Adlaw Hong Event- related. 

My brother saved the day by going out and taking concert photos of Ben & Ben at Guingona Park last night. Adlaw Hong Butuan ended with some indie folk/ pop music at the park. 

Photo taken by Febb Lawrence   You can also view his other photos at instagram here and here.

Buko Halo at Weegol's

Coconuts are abundant in the Philippines. Halo-halo is roughly translated as "mix," it is a mix of different sweet ingredients like jackfruit, ube (purple yam- water yam), beans, leche flan, a scoop of ice- cream (also usually ube flavored) and ice shavings. 

Since the Philippines is a tropical country where humidity and heat are almost a year-round condition, its no wonder that Filipinos love this sweet and, most importantly, cold concoction. You can mix the refreshing and cool coconut with this favorite dessert at Weegol's. If you're like me and you're on a Butuanon historical tour- like what I did a few months ago when I showed a few sites of Butuan to my cousin, you can go give this a try too!