Macapagal Bridge: At Night

Macapagal Bridge, Butuan City. 

Macapagal Bridge at Dusk

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

Palm

Masao Beach Photo Series

Masao Beach

If you just want a relaxing day at the beach.

Pre-nupt in the woods.

Narra Compound, Bading.

Langihan Lagoon

Looking at this body of water makes me hopeful. You can understand me when I say that because this used to be a "dumping site" by people selling/living along the lagoon.

Now you can stroll along the sidewalk without without wrinkling your nose in disgust. What a drastic change it is! But- There's a big but. There are beginnings of deterioration. Junks are collecting at the sides and it makes me furious. People really needs to understand the importance of cleanliness! (and I mentioned something about hope!)

Photo taken: May 21, 2009. Late afternoon.

Lumbocan Port.

Timber City Of The South

Butuan City is also known as the Timber City of the south. Logging is still present today as we can see from the Butuan photo of the day. This photo was taken while my friend and I went jogging at Macapagal Bridge.

Traverse...

After a long walk, a baroto ride across the river, and a non graceful clambering up of a muddy riverbank, we finally reached the hill also known to the Butuanons as "Bood". This is the place where the first easter mass was supposedly celebrated in the Philippines. (I'm not sure if the controversy regarding the true place of the first Catholic mass celebrated here in the Philippines has been resolved or not.)

This area is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, settlement in Butuan before people moved by the Agusan riverbanks.

If you're curious about the wooden structure in the middle of Masao river- it is what I know of as "bungsod"-- a structure especially made to catch fishes and other marine creatures.

Here are some links that might interest you:

Wikipedia
Vistapinas
Bungsod

I feel like I've fulfilled some sort of Indiana Jones fantasy with this trip, to tell you the truth. It wasn't anything terribly exciting but it did fit some sort of criteria of an Indie adventure that I never knew I had. Thanks Shiyaw for humoring me.

Oh and I just wanna tell you that we are planning on going on a trip that never in my wildest dream could come true. This won't be in Butuan but it will be on one of the most beautiful place in the Philippines. Cross fingers. I'll post a very lengthy and descriptive blog about it at my sunsetmindanao.blogspot.com when it will push through.

Knock on the wood.

Along South...

Photo taken at sunset. South of Montilla Boulevard

(I really need to get out and get some photos asap!)

Red

 There's a chance I might not be able to post photos every day. As some of you might know there's trouble here in Mindanao. My Internet provider is affected, among others.  Please pray for those people in the middle of the chaos. 

Photo taken at Marcos Calo corner Butuan Central School (Street)

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Across The River

View across Agusan River, at Magallanes. Taken late afternoon at Philippine Ports Authority.

Dark

Taken at dusk at the vacant lot at Capitol Drive.

Agusan River

Agusan River at sunset. I still haven't taken new photos so I searched my archives for something to use today. Thanks for visiting!

Wires and skies

Wala lang. Just to break the monotony of my last few blogs. Hehe.

These days...

Today. We had a transportation strike. I heard the public transportation people demand a hike on the current regular fare. From 6.50 pesos to 8.50 pesos. I think I'm gonna wage my own strike yet.

So where are we going now?

We were walking. You know, to save on exorbitant tricycle fare... and we saw this.

It was like an atomic bomb explosion. (Or so I tell myself.) Note the telephone (?) wires its so... common.

There is one good thing about trying to shoot cliched nature photos, it always turns out pretty. More or less. Anyways, enjoy your Sunday!

A tragic day in Butuan

To those who frequent this blog I apologize for not updating this site daily as I promised. It seems that sometimes when it rains it really pours and that is what happened. There was a lot of technical difficulties that add up together. Unfortunately this post after my brief absence isn't very sunny at all. There was a fire incident yesterday morning, April 9, 2008 at Brgy. Limaja, Langihan (according to the fire department) Butuan City.

I happen to glance outside from my window and I saw this-

I called the fire station at 10.30 am to make sure that they already know about the fire. I was worried because I didn't hear any sirens at all. I thought the fire was only at Zamora street. Look at how near the smoke looks from my bedroom window and I live at Guingona area. The good news was that the firetruck was already on its way. I just hope there were no casualties (?) I just heard from my mother that approximately 200 houses burned down. I haven't confirmed it yet but I will soon after I finish writing this up.

Before our day is totally ruined by this tragic news this morning I will leave you with a few photos taken at the new crossing of the new bridge. You know, the road at the end of South of Montilla. The place is great for taking photos of sunset and other only- in- the- Philippines happenings.

Green and Serene-- The countryside

While flipping through my photo archives from last year, I saw these series of photos that I took with my family.

If you look at the first photo closely you'll see the farmers planting rice in the fields. Greens, rice fields and farmers-- If you're like me, you'll find these photos romantic.

But if you're not, don't worry about it. Hehehehe.