My Tourism Guide in Region 11, 12 and 13

MY TOURISM GUIDE IN

REGION 11, 12 AND 13

An extensive research on all about region 11, 12 and 13 by Justin

Benedict de Guzman

FIRST STOP: REGION 11

REGION 11’S CAPITAL Tagum City (Capital) The palm city of the Philippines and the music capital of

Mindanao Tagum City, the capital of the province of Davao del Norte

was officially created into a component city on March 7, 1998. Situated 55 kilometers north of Davao City it is one of the fastest growing cities in Region XI. It has a total land area og 19,580 hectares. In a study conducted by the Asian Institute of Management Tagum was ranked among the 20 most viable component cities to do business in the country.

The City of Tagum with its available supply of raw materials, competitive human resources, continuing infrastructure development and efficient local governance offers vast investment opportunities.  The city being identified as the sub-regional center of the Davao Integrated Development Program (DIDP) Master Plan welcomes domestic and export trading and manufacturing activities outlined in its priority areas of investment.

From top: New City Hall of Tagum, Christ The King Cathedral, Tagum City National High School, Tagum City skyline, Palm trees along the National Highway

TAGUM CITY’S PRODUCTS Tagum City, from being a purely

agricultural city so… Tagum city has infiltrate the export

industry with goods such as wood chips, veneer plywood, and wood lumber; however, fresh bananas remain as the chief export product of banana plantations in the city.

The city is strategically located at the northern part of southern Mindanao where it lies in the intersection of three (3) major road network system namely: the Phil-Japan Friendship Highway, the Davao-Mati, Davao-Agusan road and soon to finish the Davao-Bukidnon road that connects the city to other major destinations in the region and in the entire Mindanao. With this, the city serves as a vital economic crossroad not only for the province, but for the entire Davao Region as well, linking Davao City to the northern city of Butuan (in Agusan del Norte), to Mati (in Davao Oriental) and the Surigao provinces.

REGION 11’S MUNICIPALITIES Asuncion (Saug) Braulio E. Dujali Carmen Kapalong New Corella Panabo City Samal Island Garden City Santo Tomas Talaingod

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND FESTIVALS TO TAKE NOTE OF ^^ Musikahan sa tagum (February 21 to

27) Araw ng Tagum (March 7) Summer Sports Festival (May 15-21) Durian Festival (July 18-August 17) Binuhat Festival (July 20-26) Kaimonan Festival (October 10) Pakaradjan Festival (Oct 29-Nov2) Indayog sa Tagum Dance Congress

Festival Halal Food Festival

REGION 11’S PROVINCES

provinces Number of municipalities

Compostela Valley

Davao del Norte Davao del sur Davao oriental

11 municipalities 10 municipalities 16 municipalities 9 municipalities

SECOND STOP: REGION12

REGION 12’S CAPITAL Koronadal City "The City of Peace in

Mindanao" with no reported bombings since 2000

Korona (crown) exactly fits the name of a city which came to be known as Koronadal. City of Koronadal is a sprawling community at the foothills of the surroundings Roxas and Quezon mountain ranges that gives a perfect illusion of a crown jewel set at the bed of a landlocked crater.

City hall of koronadal city

THE PRODUCTS OF REGION 12 wood chips veneer plywood wood lumber fresh bananas Handy crafts Pottery Etc…

MAP OF REGION 12

REGION 12’S MUNICIPALITIES Banga General Santos City Lake Sebu Norala Polomolok Santo Nino Surallah Tampakan Tantangan T'boli Tupi

FESTIVALS AND ATTRACTIONS IN REGION 12 Historical: A. Takumi Butai Memorial Shrine      A monument in honor of Takumi Butai and

Japanese soldiers who died here during the Second world War. Takumi was the Provincial Commander of the Japanese forces assigned in Cotabato City. Before he died, he requested that some of his ashes be buried in Cotabato City. This shrine was put up by the Lion's Club of Kyoto, Japan in cooperation with the City Government of Cotabato.

B. Tamontaka Church      Built in 1872 of Spanish architecture and

design. It is the oldest church in the city , a relic of the living past.

NATURAL A. PC Hill      A stone fort towering over the city

with a height of 90 feet., now houses the Cotabato City Internal Defense Command. This is Cotabato City's famous landmark, this historic hill served as a watch tower for the natives in their defense drive to detect and repel assaults by enemies. From this hill, one can have a panoramic view of the city and the Rio Grande de Mindanao.

B. Kutang Bato Caves      The only cave in the country that is right in the heart of the city. Its

various entrances, all within traffic a rarity that can only be had in the "Heart of Mindanao". These caves were also the source of the city's present name for "KUTA" means FORT and "WATO" means STONE hence the name "Fort of Stone" which later on became Cotabato. Its walls of white, beige and brownish shade glitters in the dark and echoes a colorful past dating back to the days when no foreign foot yet trampled upon its land. The caves had given sanctuary to the natives when the Spaniards tried to convert them into the Castillan Faith and has served the purpose when the Filipino guerillas fought the invading force of the Japanese Imperial Army during the Second World War.

     When the Japanese firepower proved superior to that of the natives, the caves were then used as an armory and even as a garrison. Within it confines, tortured and oppressed souls that thirst for freedom and democracy echoed their faint moans and cries that were buried in its bossom, muted for over half a century. there are four entrances, the Provincial Capitol Cave, Bagua Cave, Caverna Español and the Kuweba ni Satur.

C. Rio Grande de Mindanao      The second largest river in the Philippines and

the longest in Mindanao crisscrossing with its tributary the city's vast area. Estimated to be 182 kilometers long and 96 meters wide. Water Sports and boat racing are the popular attractions of the river, usually held to coincide with the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival and the Feast of Peñafrancia.

D. Timako Hill      The hill overlooks the Illana Bay and graced by

the beach resorts of Linik, Kushiong and Tapian Point. A good resort considering its blue water and sandy white beach. Ideal for camping, boating, swimming and fishing.

MAN MADE A. Cotabato City Hall     A century old structure which houses

almost all of the city government offices. It showcases a unique and antique architectural design depicting the Muslim Art.

B. Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto      A replica of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in France. The

compound is equipped with ideal retreat house for recollection and seminars, a mini zoo and a children's park.

C. Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Compound

     Houses the Office of ARMM Regional Governor, Regional Legislative Assembly, Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Center, the Regional Museum and almost all Regional Offices of Region XII and ARMM. The buildings in the compound showcase unique blend of modern and Muslim architecture.

D. Herbal Processing Plant      The first Herbal Processing Plant in the Philippines,

inaugurated by former President Corazon C. Aquino in 1988. It processes herbal medicines like lagundi, sambong and tsaang gubat.

PROVINCE OF REGION 12

provinces capitals

Cotabato Saranggani SOUTH COTABATO Sultan kudarat

Kidapawan city Alabel Koronadal city Isulan

LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST REGION 13

REGION 13’ CAPITAL butuan city As early as the 10th century, people from

Butuan had already established trading relations with the Kingdom of Champa (now southernVietnam) and Srivijaya empire of Java.

By the 11th century, Butuan was the center of trade and commerce in the Philippines. The evidence to prove this fact is the discovery of 9 balangays (the Butuan Boat) and other archaeological find in the vicinities of Butuan City, particularly in Ambangan, Libertad near the old El Rio de Butuan and Masao River.

BUTUAN CITY HALL

REGION 13’S PRODUCTS “PALAGSING” is a local delicacy popularly made in

Banza, one of the old poblacion of Butuan City. Butuan City is located in Northeastern Mindanao, bounded by Agusan del Norte to the south, west and north, Agusan del Sur to the east and Butuan Bay to the northwest. The popularity of making delicious “Palagsing” in Banza is attributed to the abundance of Nipa or Asiatic palm tree (Nipa fruticans) where “Unaw”(nipa starch) is harvested from the Palm Tree. Another popular ingredient is young coconut meat taken from coconut trees. The mixture of “unaw”, young coconut , and brown sugar make “palagsing” moist and chewy. They are delicately wrapped by banana leaves and are boiled for 30 minutes to create the soft consistency of “palagsing”.

MAP OF REGION 13

REGION 13’S MUNICIPALITIESAGUSAN DEL NORTE Buenavista Butuan City (Capital) Cabadbaran Carmen Jabonga Kitcharao Las Nieves Magallanes Nasipit Remedios T. Romualdez Santiago Tubay

REGION 13’S MUNICIPALITIESAGUSAN DEL SUR Bayugan Bunawan Esperanza La PazLoreto Prosperidad (Capital) Rosario San Francisco San Luis Santa Josefa Sibagat Talacogon Trento Veruela

REGION 13’S MUNICIPALITIESSURIGAO DEL NORTE Alegria Bacuag Basilisa (Rizal) Burgos Cagdianao Claver Dapa Del Carmen Dinagat General Luna Gigaquit Libjo (Albor) Loreto Mainit Malimono Pilar Placer San Benito San Francisco (Anao-Aon) San Isidro San JoseSanta Monica Sison Socorro Surigao City (Capital) Tagana-An TubajonTubod

REGION 13’S MUNICIPALITIESSURIGAO DEL SUR Barobo Bayabas Bislig City Cagwait Cantilan Carmen Carrascal Cortes Hinatuan Lanuza Lianga Lingig Madrid Marihatag San Agustin San Miguel Tagbina Tago Tandag

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS OF REGION 13 ^^ Agusan river Balangay Shrine museum Butuan regional museum Mount Mayapay

FESTIVALS The Kahimunan Festival is celebrated every third Sunday of

January in celebration of the city patron Sr. Sto. Niño. This celebration is the version of the Sinulog festival of Cebu City. Kahimunan is a Lumad term which means "gathering".

Cultural festival/tourism consciousness week is a long celebration that lasts from the last week of July up to August 2 in celebration of the Charter Day of Butuan.

Abayan Festival is part cultural festival in celebration of St. Anne patroness of Agusan River celebrated every last Sunday of July.

Adlaw Hong Butuan is the charter day celebration of Butuan, which includes a thanksgiving mass, motorcade, palagsing festival, street party recognitions of outstanding Butuanons and city government employees night.

Butuan celebrates its annual fiesta for the celebration of city patron St. Joseph every May 19 of the year. Many events will be seen such as summer league basketball championship game, thanksgiving mass, and more.

REGION 13’S PROVINCES

provinces municipalities

Agusan del norte Agusan del sur Surigao del norte Surigao del sur

12 towns 14 towns 28 towns 19 towns

HAY SA WAKAS NA TAPOS DIN SALAMAT SA PAKIKINIG ^^

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