Banza Church Ruins # 3: The Balete Tree

Banza Church Ruins Facade

My friend saw my post yesterday and was so interested in the history of this place, particularly on the Balete tree just behind this little building. I had a post already in mind for today, but she made me change my mind and post more photos of the same subject for two days in a row!

When Banza church ruins is mentioned this structure usually comes to mind. This can be seen from across Agusan river too which was the perspective I first had of this historical site (Banza Church Ruins Blog entry #1).

The building on the picture houses the stone writings regarding the history of this church. I think this was the attempt also to rebuild the church from the destruction done by Moros in the past. The tree behind the building is a Banyan tree or more commonly known to us locals as Balete (Banyan). It is said to belong to the family of fig trees. It is where the actual spot of the destroyed church is located. 

When you see a Balete tree you can't help but imagine all kinds of supernatural happenings- if you believe in that sort of thing. It is a huge tree with a gnarly trunk and frightening looking branches (according to one site, is actually aerial roots instead of branches) that fall from the top part of the tree. 

My friend commented to me that it's quite amazing that at present a tree known by its mystical folkloric stories now ensconced the remains of what was known as the first Catholic church in Mindanao, Philippines. Butuan Government site. 

Photo from Banza Church Ruin Entry #2

I can still remember the stories of how Tikbalang, Diwatas and other Philippine folkloric monsters prefer to live on Balete trees. 

For more stories on Balete trees you can follow this interesting site on Balete trees.

Photos taken using Fuji Xe1, Samyang 12 mm

Up Close: Banza Church Ruins #2

The Balete tree encasing one of the remnants of oldest churches in Mindanao

This is my first visit to what is popularly known as Banza church ruins. I had an entry about this subject before but taken from afar- from the Agusan river perspective. When I first learned about this place, I thought that the small structure beside this huge Balete (Banyan) tree was the remains of the old Augustinian church. I learned soon after that inside that tree, was the church ruins. 

In 1622, the Augustinian Recollects started their mission in Butuan eventually building one of the oldest churches, in a used to be predominantly Moro Islam area. Spanish-Moro Conflict (Wiki). It got decimated in a raid by the Moros.

You can read some of the histories at this stone writings beside the church ruins. 

When we went there one Saturday afternoon, we hoped for a good view of the sunset. Alas. It was gloomy that time. The lighting was a little flat and grey. So my mother, my brother and I just went around taking selfies, and photos of the surroundings. Then I happened to glance around and saw this couple. They were just there, still. Enjoying each other's presence. They stayed there the whole time we were there (which was probably 20 or 30 minutes) in more or less the same position. It was a little unusual. And it made me wonder. ;)

This is my first post of the year. My first post since I last posted in 2013!

Photos taken using Fuji Xe1, Samyang 12 mm

This statue symbolizes the controversial First mass in Masao, Butuan City.


For more info you can read the other links: wikipedia, and more info here.

Centennial Tree

In Butuan's neighboring municipality Magallanes, there is a Bitaog (Calophyllum inophyllum) tree that is officially been given the title of The Philippine Centennial tree. It is approximately 500 years old with a diameter of 290cm. It is claimed to be the oldest tree in the Philippines.



According to historians this tree has been a "mute witness to historical events (such as) (1) the initial evangelization of Mindanao (2) the birth of Caraga as a region during the Spanish colonial period etc." (can barely read the inscription.)

Trivia: This tree used to be the haven for millions of fireflies that served as a beacon light for fishermen during the night.

More info about The Philippine Centennial Tree here.

Banza Church Ruins

While going to Magallanes from Butuan through the river route you can see this sight:



This is what is called the Banza church ruins (Banza- location of the ruin). According to Butuan tourism website, this used to be the most beautiful church in Mindanao until it got destroyed by Moro pirates in 1753. It was built in 1625 by Recollect Friars, and since its destruction- leaving only the bell tower, it is now dubbed as the "oldest ruin of a stone church in the entire island of Mindanao."

The Cross

Bood Promontory EcoPark
Brgy. Pinamangculan, Butuan City
Late afternoon
Fujifilm S9600

Same Old...

Busa Store. This used to be my favorite hunt in my youth (ouch) They sell (used to?) cassette tapes, books, and magazines. Right now they are still the place you go to when you need your daily fix of newspaper. Or nameplates. Or if you want your name printed beautifully on an important document. etc. etc.

(Sigh! brings back memories of eagerly awaiting the latest albums of my favorite musicians or the sequels to my paperback addiction.)

A Memorial Tribute

This was taken last week at City library last week.

It's embarrassing to admit how ignorant I am about the city I grew up in. Do you know that its only when I start this Butuanon blog that I start to see the little things that's interesting about this place? For example this figure of a knife (I think) is what they call the WW II veteran's shrine. If I wasn't doing this blogging thing I wouldn't have seen this. It would've blended with the surroundings.

I'm sure if you'll ask anybody who's living here in this city right now they wouldn't be able to tell you where this is located.

This photo was taken across the post office, actually. It was a mini rotunda, I think.

First photo edited using photoscape. It would've been an extra boring photo otherwise. It was an overcast day. No clouds and pretty blue sky.

...And congratulations Manny Pacquiao! I wasn't able to see the fight because of some unavoidable circumstances aka work but I heard it was quite a fight.

Balangay

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Museum attendants/employees tend to frown on people taking photos of their displays. Or at least museum people here in Butuan do. I know this is a let down but this is the best that I can do. Behind the glass is one of the balanghais found within the museum/ archaeological site. This is one evidence of Butuan 's rich historical past.

According to our guide some balangays are still under ground within the parameter of the shrine. "In situ", according to Butuanon official site.

There is one phrase that Butuanonon claims "In the beginning there was no Philippines, but there was Butuan." By 10th century Butuanons are already in trade with China. These must've be the boats used for traveling and trading.

Click here for more history lessons.

Thanks to Mr. Mario for the tour around the shrine.

National Museum-- Balanghai Shrine

For the following days I'm going to post one photo each day from the touristy travel around Butuan that I had today. My first destination this afternoon was at Libertad archaeological site. This unassuming building houses the important Butuan historical artifact- The balangahai.

Balanghai-- A large boat used by Malay settlers of the Philippines in prehispanic times. The vessel was about eighteen meters in length. Such a vessel would carry a small clan or a large family. Wiktionary.

Mono

A boy at the Butuan Regional Museum garden.

Guess Where this is--- Part Deux

Two guys. One guy guarding the treasures. The other, I don't know.

The place they're at makes known of Butuan's rich pre-historic past.

Can you guess where this is?