1. Butuan National Museum
This branch of the National Museum houses a collection of relics discovered in the region. There are ceramics, earthenware, locally woven fabrics, paintings, books, jars, skeletons, and many more. Each of the items is enclosed in glass cabinets while the others are on the walls.
2. Balangay Shrine
SEE HOW BALANGAY LOOKS LIKE | In HEKASI, we were taught that the Filipino word "Barangay" is derived from the "balangay" or "balanghai." Do you know what these words are? Its an ancient watercraft used by the natives of the Philippines for transportation and for trade. These are large boats built with wooden planks and pegs. The "balangays" have been declared as National Cultural Treasure by President Corazon C. Aquino.
VISIT BALANGAY SHRINE (NATIONAL MUSEUM): Balangay Museum is a branch of the National Museum of the Philippines in the city. It was built in the area where the actual "balangay" was excavated. There are photos taken during the excavation, earthenwares, and skeletons that were discovered on the same spot.
3. The Golden Tara
KNOW THE STORY OF THE GOLDEN TARA: Its name sounds familiar because it was once featured by Mel Tiangco in a TV program (already forgot). A Tara is a goddess from a Buddhist Pantheon while a golden tara discovered in Central Agusan is a figurine molded in gold discovered by a Manobo native along Wawa River. The image of the Golden Tara is cast in 21-carat gold, weighs almost four pounds, and measures 8 inches in height. However, it was acquired by the Americans and is now housed in the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, IL, US.
WHERE TO STAY IN BUTUAN CITY, AGUSAN DEL NORTE: This city is highly urbanized with a lot of hotel choices such as Go Hotels, Luxury Hotel, Almond City Hotel, The Red Palm Suites, Watergate Hotel , Dottie's Place Hotel, and Grand Place Hotel.
HOW TO GET TO HERE: Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines have direct flights to Butuan City Airport. READ: BACKPACKING in Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and Camiguin