Bacuag Geography

Geographical Location of Bacuag, Surigao del Norte

This place is situated in Surigao Del Norte, Caraga Region , Philippines. Its geographic coordinatesare: Latitude= 9.61° 36' 29" North,  Longitude=125.64° 38' 20" East and its Elevation= (aprrox.) 48m. Explore the aerial photographs ofBacuag, it is a 5th class municipality in the province of Surigao del Norte. The town of Bacuag is situated along the northeastern coast of Mindanao, along the eastern part of the province of Surigao del Norte. It is bounded on the North by the sea –Canal Bay, and on the northeastern portion by Hinatuan Passage. On the eastern side, it is bounded by the town of Guigauit. On the southern side, it is bounded by the town of  Alegria, on the western side by the town of Tubod, and on the northwestern portion by the town of Placer. Bacuag is 44 kilometers from the provincial capital Surigao City and 119 kilometers from Butuan City. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 13,211 people in 2,333 households.

Along the western, southwestern, southern side and the southeastern portions of the Municipality are 44/% mountainous areas covering portions of Barangays Sto. Rosario, Dugsangon, Payapag, Pongtud and Cambuayon. The arability and crop suitability of these areas are limited and allowable urban development is of low density. These are best suited for pasture and forestal purposes. A large portion of plain area covers the east and southeastern part covering portions of Poblacion, Campo, Cabugao, Pautao and parts of Dugsangon and Payapag. The total land area is 9,585 hectares and approximately 26% is suited for intensive agriculture  and high density urban development. The remaining 30% is also suited for intensive agriculture but with soil  conservation and erosion control measures. Allowable urban development ranges from high to medium density. Recent talks of surveys for mineral exploration in the mountainous area of Sto. Rosario are on the loose.

Certain areas in the municipality are considered flooding hazard covering 13% of the total municipal area. These are located along and near river and sea banks, located in some portions of Barangays Cabugao, Campo, Payapag, Pongtud, Cambuayon and Poblacion with flood occurrences ranging from slight to moderate.

Bacuag is politically subdivided into 9 barangays.

§  Cabugao

§  Cambuayon

§  Campo

§  Dugsangon

§  Pautao

§  Payapag

§  Poblacion

§  Pungtod

§  Santo Rosario

(Note: Check and compare the difference of the boundaries written in the Wikepedia) 

Rise and Shine

Mission:  Almansor Court @ Alhambra, CA.  918014290
By: dodong

Edited 9/10/12

The night before proceeding to my mission, I was so anxious, may be excited to finally come back where I’m used to do early in the morning. I set my alarm clock at 0400H for me to wake up to give me 30 minutes  ample time to  meet  my personal needs and necessities because at exactly 0430H was set as my jump off time.  As usually experienced, when there were activities with so much plans to be performed  or done on the following day, the conscious mind seems controlling the body giving no enough time to rest thus I find it hard to sleep, even if I already fall asleep my subconscious readily took over and woke me up before the alarm clock rang.

So I went to bed earlier than it was in the previous nights prior to my mission. True to my experience as if somebody whispers my ears and I got up before the mobile phone alarm beeps. Do you believe that? Huh….it happened again. Then I answered my personal necessities with no hassle, drank my early water therapy and took my herbal artery “declogger” without much fuss but still I had 15 minutes left before jumps off time. So to make use of the idle time I opened my Face Book account in my laptop and here and there have chatted my friend.

Finally I was ready. Wearing new black AVIA rubber shoes, compliment from my son Clem A., with matching blue sacks, blue polo shirt and blue short pant I walked briskly towards Almansor Court. I arrived there with so much fun, witnessed many “Rise and Shine” activities, Golf, playing basketball, brisk walking, jogging, mostly they were Asians, and others doing a health dance or exercise, called T'ai chi ch'uan or Taijiquan,  majority of them I thought were Chinese people. These group of people surely did their worked out without eating first and drank only water during the exercises. So at the Mission Road, Almansor Court house of banquettes and the like is inside the Almansor Park. I must do and accomplish my mission, to perform my routine every morning there at Almansor Park if possible, brisk walking following the green rubberized oval path for joggers. With great motivation, I can juxtapose with the "Sunrisers."

Christmas season is coming! The Christmas holidays bring joys, and  many parties, and i can anticipate most of us could not ignore the tempting fatty and rich calories food which eventually, many countervailing dietary pitfalls may result. Warning! If this behavior is unchecked, the health consequences can be fatal and dangerous.

Best remedy go to Almansor Park, or gym, find your enjoyable, convenient activities and start your own exercise regimen.

A Journey in Life

                                     
 By: dodong

     A friend traveler offers his words of wisdom, a tip which could be worth enlightening to you and me who wish to resume our continuing journey in life. 

     As in any sojourn, he said; first know the direction and destination.  Never hesitate to make a first step for “the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Assume imperfection in our moves because human frailty comes in times when we do not expect it. A successful life is never an accident, it’s a result of good decisions, sacrifices, guts, risks and allowing God to live and reign in our hearts and minds. Learn and feel contentment in our hearts as we proceed no matter what our status would be, just know how to appreciate the blessings we receive from above. If we stumble, commit unpopular decisions which lead to humiliations displeasing the society, we have to acknowledge our weaknesses and show remorse, the hurt may be less if we start coping the situation and go on with the new life than having a life under the cover of so many pretensions. The important thing, he said, we take responsibility of what we’ve done. The inevitable pain we realized is part of our growing that should not deter our desire to move on.  So we must now translate the hard lessons into wisdom and allow the learning to guide us as we go on into the next step of the journey.

       Reassess where we faltered, and the desired destination must be re-clarified. It is necessary to know the things to be improved and take a new route if needed, and know if we have enough energy to proceed.  It’s a long way for sure there will be perils that line in our path and no matter how astute we are, some events not to our liking it’s going to happen beyond our control.  But we should be ready to face them,  keep knowing the guidance and wisdom of those who traveled ahead of us, as they remain a faithful beacon in any tumult that our journey shall face.

        For the couple you should be firmed towards the consolidation of your strengths, the refocusing of your collective purpose, and the enhancement of your shared resolve to support the plans of achieving your aspirations. 

        In life many things happen unexpectedly. So we must be prepared, as to where and when our journey ends, it will surely come when we are all out of time, not in harmony with other matters, or simply put it we have no more time. No matter how we plan and arrange our lives in order, it's still God's plan that prevails in the end. Good luck!

Time Flies!

Reminiscence some say is gratifying the past. Yes and No, it also helps purify or polish something or improve a situation in the future, because if you recall unforgettable experiences you will try to avoid events or actions that gave you problems. In other words your error becomes a mistake because you don’t correct it. Who is perfect anyway? But if you had allowed it to happen and commit another mistake(s) then you’ll be a recidivist. Make your past memories be a lesson; good or bad shall be refined. Forget those that bother you most, pull you down in at the abyss of ignominy and heartaches. Treat them as life challenges and opportunities.  To a certain degree this will put your energy into more useful endeavor and a healthy end.

Your mom had sacrificed a lot. We were mostly affected emotionally by her temporary absence from our midst before, when she went to the Land of freedom and opportunities for greener pasture. What is important now is our present day to day subsistence. It is of the essence that we acknowledged our shortcomings and imperfections. Let us be honest to ourselves and practice humility. Respect is bestowed first in the family as member and as a person. Let us talk and listen to one another and be consensus in any matter. As long as we live together as one family, am your father and I will assert my authority and responsibility as head of the family.

If she could be followed, your mom wanted to grow old with you, but what she meant as I assumed, she likes to stay with you probably longer than always.  This is just water under the bridge. She is completely gone from us with no hope of seeing her but not anymore this world again, only if possible, I would like to, even in dreams we can communicate, help us in any predicaments that we are in, may be we can be together in the other dimensions through her intercession. What is certain is not her returning but my going sooner or later. Predestined as it may we can’t stop our life cycle. So our goal is your good upbringing and to mold you into a better person. Although she knew everything changes as time goes by, but we expect that you’ll change for the better not on the contrary. Life sails sometimes on rough seas and on stormy weather. That’s what parents do to lead and guide you when you’re learning to comprehend complicated things and make you strong, develop sturdy muscle physically and mentally prepared in any eventualities or when you’ll have family of your own.

We shed tears in joy and we didn’t know how to manifest our happiness and how proud we are when you show your special talents and become responsible. Very proud that our children are society's assets, professionals but our hearts bleed too when you unknowingly tolerate and become irresponsible and disrespectful to yourself and may be to other people, slowly be eaten up by the other side effects of the hip hops, Sci-Fi, Wifi tech and by your wanton disregard of the very norm and time honored values your forefathers had instilled us to respect and follow.

You may not realize the true worth and value of a thing unless the thing is lost. “Tempus fugit… Memento mori (L)” Time flies…Remember you are mortal!

A compilation of my Facebook posts (Publish @ A Letter.. blog)

Sunday, January 8, 2012

No guts no glory. Every sacrifice has a fruitful reward, every failure has a second chance. We only have to be strong by God's grace to make it through the tests of life, just believe and have faith. LIFE isn't perfect but wherever LIFE leads you, it's because of a purpose.
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You know me. Heal me. Bring me back into the fold of your arms. I tried to live up to your expectations but nonetheless prefer to live mine. I choose to pass an easy path for a happiness that wont last. HELP ME FIND YOUR WAY for Love, Peace, Joy and eternity...!
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Feel the real sweetness of joy after you've experienced the bitterness of sadness. If only we could appreciate the contrast of life, we would know that life is so colorful.
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In this wrangling world, life is a constant battle for survival. As we grow older, the rules change on daily basis. Our mission is not to escape, but to survive; Not to deal with triumph, but to deal with failure; Not to run away from fear, but to master it. It takes courage to keep on fighting. So, if you feel like rules has shifted one step higher, deal it with greater faith and never ever surrender.
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Time is so precious that no amount of money worth to compensate the lost time...don't let the opportune time pass without saying "I love you to the people who deserves to know your affection". May be your tomorrow never comes!
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Learn to love music. When you are involved in playing and listening music, you enter into a different world. You react as music reaches to different parts of your body. It reinvigorates your energy thus gives you the feeling to clap or dance or even cry which release your negative feeling. Music can help your fight even in the most difficult situation, it would help your mind stay cool. You can easily forget words in any speech but easily remember lyrics and tunes in the songs. It can capture imaginations, new creativeness and let our minds wander, thus you would find new ideas and new approaches to deal the varied spectrum of our lives.
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As I grew up I learn to communicate and love music. Music is one of the mediums the living animals used to communicate each other. As time went on, we love to like almost every type of music from pop, rock, slow rock, jazz, classical, new age music and the like. We all agree that music is the part of our world and our nature.
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God never gives a burden heavier than we can carry. No matter what, He wants us to be happy than sad. If birds sing after the storm, why can't we? No one has traveled the bridge of success without ever crossing the streets of trials. God never promised us an easy journey in life, only safety on board. Smile, then be happy! If God is with you no one can defeat you. You can be sure how the journey is going to end.
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Don't think that you are already successful when everybody seems envious because everything is coming your way. Reflect and pay attention you might be in the wrong way. Success is not measured by the attainment of wealth, positions, honors and popularity (may be you got all by inheritance), but by doing what is good to the people regardless of affiliation, class or religion. Hence we will respect you out of love but not out of fear, as respect is earned and not imposed.

The Boulevard of the Untamed Dreams

by: dodong

The sun starts its reign of the day. The dazzling beauty of the rainbow-like colors of the sea, the tiny waves approached the shores when stillness was the mood of the pacific ocean, and the scent of the early morning breeze how could one forget you. It reminds  like it just happened yesterday, a vivid recollections, these are but the reminisced memories of the then little boy who used to witness the sunrise at Bacuag sea front while collecting a kind of small clam, the sea shell called “Caraycay.”

The view of the scenic silver sparkling sand of the shores winking as it shined seemingly begs for mercy, the people and the relatives of the fishermen who hardly open their eyes, eagerly waiting the fishermen who went on their fishing adventures the whole night, queuing and waiting to have a glance on their catched were over jealous when finally plenty of sorted fishes caught were being displayed. Undeterred by the heat of the shores as the sun seemed hotter than usual they did endure to be able to select the best fish of their own choice.

Oh summer time here I am as the boy quipped, no classes, unyielding for more playing time, swimming & sun bathing seemed relentless, at the seashores with ample gusty winds conducive to kite flying, these were children’s festivities during the day. While parents were busy in the farms harvesting rice, their kids were also busy making sand castles, casting fish nets and bait fishing. “Aso-os” and “buga-ong” were their common fishes caught.  

Unlike the years that had gone by, people at present find it difficult to rely on aqua-marine product for their livelihood. It’s likely our place is already over populated or source of marine resources are very much depleted. The LGU’s timely putting fish sanctuary covering mostly the town’s stretched shores was the best control measures ever done to protect and preserve the newly hatched and fish spawns to ensure the growth of the same to replenish our supply of fishes due for people consumption.

The people of Bacuag have witnessed the construction of seawall in the past years, and our LGU has successfully sponsored the holding of national skim boarding competitions. What we need now is the much improved beach and more presentable seashore to cater our visitor’s good sight. Let’s not be reluctantly mover of progress. We shall help our leaders get rid of eye sores and pollutions at the seafront. Support the realization of the plan to construct the Bacuag Boulevard from the Bitaog River down to Sabang river. This tourism project will not only improve the sight of our town’s beautiful seashore but will surely help us in income generating endeavors and augurs other recreational locations like safe bicycle lanes during night time and a good place for ocean and sunrise spectators and star gazers, expectedly nightlife will be alive because amenities will flourish such as barbecue grills and other food concessions. Be part of the dreams!

Little Baguio Waterfalls

The Beauty of ‘Sandayong’...by: dodong

Commune with nature, this was the message of my late father. I remember while I was still young he maintained the mini irrigation dike for our rice farms in Canaya, Sto. Rosario, I could not recall the author but he said something this way, “you could not step twice into the same river, for other waters are ever flowing on to you” unless the water is stagnant. This reminder was still vivid and he instilled into my mind to ensure that water in the dike must be monitored seeing to it with no leak at all times & should not be wasted due to the scarcity of waters in our farm every drop of water from the dike shall be put to use.

Then I realized and found out that rivers are more than just a necessity for man’s survival but also a masterpiece of God’s work. We fetched water using our bamboo container, we took water from the improvised pipe made also of bamboo we called it “Sandayong.” Water in “sandayong” holds a special fascination on me that seem to transcend reality to capture my imagination on waterfalls from a downhill near our farm. Then I had invented a mini waterfall by creating a detour of small rivers “sapa” down to the cliff. At that moment my man-made waterfall exists from mountain stream capturing the seemingly tamed water cascading to our rice farms.

Let me tell you about Jurong Falls. May be it is the tallest continuously running artificial waterfall in the world, at 30 meters (100 ft) tall. The falls are located within the open access water aviary at the Jurong Park in Singapore. This has captivated millions of tourist there. Water plunges over the top of a touring cliff at a rate of 140 liters per second. The water is circulated through a meandering stream that cascades down over a series of levels, creating an ideal environment for water birds, fishes, plants and other life forms at the aviary.

What differentiate from Jurong Falls is that our waterfall is made by nature. We could develop and enhance the beauty by sensuously sculpting slot, adulating and stunning slick-rock deep locations. We could construct and improve a landscape to make basin-like pool of water where falls drop and where people could swim. We could also conduct reforestation and regulate the area for tourism purposes. Peace and order conditions necessarily must be improved.

Infrastructure projects will follow. Roads and bridges must be built from Barangays Dugsangon and Payapag up to Little Baguio. These infrastructures must be maintained and sustained to enable to support the developments and enhancements of the tourism in Little Baguio. This will not only be limited to benefit tourism industry but also boosts and facilitates the farm to market shipments of agricultural produce made by the southern portion of our people in the municipality. In the end our community can have another sustainable development program in pursuit for a better quality of life for its empowered citizenry.

An Object of Envy

  MINING of Natural resources                                                          Bane or Boon? 

By: dodong

Our place is not blessed with natural resources like gold deposits in Placer, Tubod and Claver Municipalities which have been the hosts for the exploration and the exploitation by big Corporations. Ours is just adjacent to these places of well known site of mines. We are somehow puzzled over why we are bereft of any industrial developments or advancements but even then the minimal benefits derived from employment of these mining companies extended to our community. Our local government is not one of the direct recipients of the tax and fees made by the exploration or exploitation of these mineral resources but although we are not directly affected, generally we are affected when the mother nature is wantonly destroyed, the mountains are totally effaced and put no one to exception to the adverse effects brought in by these mines.

In one of the speeches of Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. entitled “Mining in the Philippines: Bane or Boon”-(to give you an insight-bane is anything destructive or ruinous; and boon is good thing or bestowed blessing) I find it relevant to quote here in one of the very significant remarks he made: “It is so easy to mouth self-serving paeans to the bounty that the industry brings to the people. But it is difficult to believe it when you continue to see thousands of our people working in the mining pits or residing nearby still visibly mired in poverty.” The observation he made and the real situation in the mining site which gave reasons to our apprehensions are but worthy of our attention and close scrutiny.

In any mines for natural resources may it be gold, copper, silver, nickel and the likes, the mining companies acknowledge that their business operations have some form of environmental implications. In the case of gold mines which proliferate like mushrooms in our neighboring localities, let us be concerned by making ourselves vigilant of what had transpired in the mining operations. It would be wise for us if we know the nature of the mining and how mineral processing is done and what are the possible consequences that might result due to the volumes of mining wastes. The chemical characteristics of the waste (particularly mobility of metal constituents) are often of much concern. The crushed rocks may passed through the processing plant to extract the desired product is discharged from the tail end of the plant as the waste tailings, and in many parts of the world forms the greatest volume of mine waste. Tailing dams and embankment dams designed to retain water, have enabled many of the design techniques used with embankment dams to be applied to produce safe tailing dams, but despite great improvements, there has been a reported failure of a tailing dam. The damage caused by these failures is in the form of human casualties, destruction of property, disruption of communications and pollution of the environment. The extent of damages to river systems and farmlands resulting from the discharge of mine tailings, socio-economic dislocation of families and indigenous people in mining areas are enormous.

In Boyongan exploration of Surigao del Norte, the following stakeholder’s issues are noted

1. Since September 1995, when 12 people were buried, when a waste pond operated by a different mining company collapsed in Placer, Surigao del Norte, various exploration works in the province met opposition from local government units and NGOs. Some mining companies have been accused of manipulating community people by employing divide-and-rule tactics and of lacking in transparency.

2. In 1999, an exploration permit was issued to Silangan Mindanao Exploration Company Inc., a joint venture of Philex Gold Philippines Inc., and Anglo-American Exploration Philippines Inc., to conduct exploration works in Tubod, Surigao del Norte.

3. The St. Peter Catholic Parish Priest was working to have exploration permits cancelled. The Priest was concerned about the social effects of mining on the residents and has quoted the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) statement of concern on mining regarding its so called devastating effects. Past mining experiences in the country, including knowledge of past mining practices in the locality, make the priest and the community suspicious and vigilant of the company.

I proceed to disclose this following, not long ago, the provinces of Surigao has been the site of some worst excesses in mining, among them:

1. November 20, 1995 – Coal mine explosion claimed the lives of thirteen workers in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.

2. April 26, 1999 – Tailing spill from a damaged concrete pipe of a different mining company buried 17 homes and swamped 51 hectares of Riceland in Surigao del Norte.

3. September 2000 – Protests erupted over the impending exploration project of another mining company in the nearby Placer Municipality.


Update of some mining Tailing spills outside the province of Surigao:


1.The biggest reported leakage of waste from a mine owned by the Marcopper, was on 24 March 1996, toxic mine tailings at the rate of 5-10 cubic metres per second were disgorged into the Makulapnit and Boac rivers. Discharge at the rate of 5-10 cubic metres is enough to fill up one dump-truck.The toxic spills immediately caused flash floods which isolated five villages, with a population of 4,400 people, along the far side of the Boac river. One village, Barangay Hinapula, was buried under six feet of muddy floodwater and 400 families had to flee to higher grounds. Their sources of drinking water were contaminated while fish, freshwater shrimp and pigs were killed. Helicopters had to fly in food, water and medical supplies to the isolated villages. Residents of 20 villages out of the 60 villages in the whole province were advised to evacuate their communities in Boac, Marinduque. 
  
2.  Philex’s Mining tailing dam spills, report published October 9, 2012.  Despite the 20.6 million metric tons of mine spill reported so far, the destructiveness and the lingering threats of another mine spill have yet to make headlines in the Philippines. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has not released yet a more detailed report on its extent and impact.In a protest action at the Philex’s main office in Ortigas, Kalikasan-People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) and various groups demanded accountability from the mining company over what they call as “the worst mining disaster in the past two decades.”Aside from families immediately affected by the surge of mine tailings previously held in Philex’s tailings dam at Itogon, Benguet, the downriver communities would also have to deal with toxic substances in their waters, fish-kill, loss of livelihood and increased potential for flooding.

Is there any reason for us to be envious? We are living witness on how these God given mineral deposits were taken or let’s say had disappeared leaving the environments completely ruined and permanently stained the soils with used oils and other poisonous materials to extract the gold or other minerals from its original forms like mercury.

We don’t only preserve our patrimony by preventing irreversible degradation of the natural environment but more importantly we are preserving our lives as well… Let’s think of another thrust for our town, be a vanguard to take initiative and active involvement for our community!



But how sure are we that our mineral deposits beneath our mountains are not taken by the Mining Companies operating in nearby towns of Tubod, Placer and Alegria?

Ruby Jubilarians of 2010 of St. John's School

 The Saint John’s School 13^th Grand Alumni Homecoming

The successful SJS grand alumni homecoming was held last April 8-10, 2012, at the school campus of St. John’s School, Bacuag, Surigao del Norte. All of the alumni who participated the activities performed and attended with gusto, even if some of them came from different places and other countries. The three- day affair started last Easter Sunday after the mass when the 5 cluster group members were called to form each respective group near the altar for head count as the competition commenced before the registration at the plaza. We were caught flat footed as other alumni went home immediately right after the mass, notwithstanding the call from our parish priest Fr. Toto Tiu, announcing the instant prize of Php5000.00 coming from him personally of the surprise competition. With this, thank you Father Toto. The bigger number of members after the count was garnered by One-Sixers who later on turned out to be the overall champion when the 3-day event was concluded. The good sign has already been manifested by the good showing and participation of their members.

Our batch ’70, the Ruby Jubilarians of 2010 belongs  to cluster Magnificent ’05, however we placed second to the head count after the mass and so with the overall result of having just the slight edge of 2 points in favor of One-Sixers.   The highlights of the events were the registration of the attendees, parade, mass dancing, ball games and other sport activities, fellowship night where the guest speakers were Engr. Arnel Canon and Dr. Panfila Galindo-Mozar, Ph.D,  CEU Professor, my sister. Coronation of Miss and King of 13^th Grand alumni  Homecoming , awarding of medals and trophies, and in the final day after the mass, a tree growing was done as part of the culmination of activities before we proceeded to the beach party where the election of the new set of officers of  SJSAA was conducted.

Our batch is a Ruby+ going to Sapphire this coming next grand alumni homecoming on 2015. As it showed, most of our classmates withstood  the test of times as Ruby gemstones are thought to possess an eternal inner flame which is a symbol that the passion in any endeavor is still alive and strong. This means   the stone of fire and passion is thought to speed the healing of body, mind and spirit. We have just refreshed and reinvigorated our selves after we reminisced our high school days, reestablished our means of contacts or communications for our former classmates and friends and schoolmates of St. John’s School. Comes hell or high water, through thick and thin, to cherish our dreams of helping You, we are eager and committed to be with you our Alma Mater, with the end in view of attending this centennial celebration comes 14^th grand alumni homecoming  on 2015….Long live SJS.!!

What Bacuag means.....

The Historical Background of Bacuag, and its meaning ….

Bacuag was established and believed founded in 16^th century. The  Christianization of the natives was attributed by the deeds of a good Purtuguese Captain Francisco de Castro who first led the Christian evangelization of the natives in 1538.

 The name of the place have usually gotten from where the known activity happened or as a reference point and became a by-word. It was handed down by word of mouth during the years. Like sitio Bitaog, it was said that big birds were hopping during early nights in the big bitaog tree. The story goes until the origin of the word Bacuag. To etymologize, the word Bacuag-derived from two words “Bacao” in Surigaonon dialect means Mangrove tree, or "Bacaoan"- a dense place where Mangrove trees are found, and “ Hauag” means much space, wide or large. In the "Compilation Notes" on the most important tree species of Philippine Islands, page 10 of the report of Captain George Patrick Ahern-1859-1942 of the Ninth United State Infantry, Incharge of Forestry Bureau in the Philippines during the "Age of Imperialism", listed was Bacaoan or Bacao with scientific name Rhizophora Apiculata/Conjugata L., a local name for Asiatic mangrove tree. Therefore Bacuag is a combination of two words Bacao+Hauag (Bacauag) or Bacuag as presently called, meaning plenty of mangroves. We know the old name of the town Bacuag as the word evolves, was Pueblo de Pahuntungan.

The place was noted for its swampy area, rich in nipa  and mangrove trees. The original town or community was established in “Pueblo de Pahuntungan”. But as years drifted by, the bulk  of  the  people including their leaders/the center of administrative functions  were transferred in “lungsod daan”-meaning Old Town, the eastern side of the present location. This community was  for unknown reasons changed its name but probably for the good and welfare of the people, one was to forget the social stigma, the off-shoot of the bloody revolt that took place in 1631 where the church was destroyed and  it cost the lives of the Spanish priests and soldiers.  All in all 16 Spaniards had been killed, of whom three were missionaries not to mention the Caragan casualties.

It was told that Bacuag was hit by strong typhoon in 1851 thus the community  was also flooded because Sabang river ( near Bansilay tree) overflowed and the people suffered loses with great risk of their lives when the sea surge due to its high tide and the people find it nowhere to go as the river almost encircled the community. With this kind of calamity experienced by the people of Bacuag, the group of Kapitanes, the founding elders  petitioned the authorities in Manila to transfer the settlement to a safer place. This petition dated March 2, 1853 was signed by a group of Kapitanes, namely; Simon Efren, Antonio Odjinar, Agustin Opalia de los Santos, Juan Ugay Mariano and Cipiano Orquina Francisco. This document was offficially endorsed by Fr. Gregorio Logronio, then parish priest of Gigaquit. It was approved thus Bacuag was transferred to its present site in 1855.

During the American Colonial government of the Philippines, under Public Act No. 947, they reorgnized the local government system and many towns were converted into barrios in 1904. The Province of Surigao retained only the municipalities of Surigao, Placer, Dinagat and Dapa. This could have terminated the corporate existence of many Pueblos – Sapao, Numancia, Cabontog, Tagana-an, Mainit and Claver. (Source:surigaodelnorte.gov.ph) It could be adduced that although Pueblo de Pahuntungan was not mentioned here, as it happened this town ceased to exist as Pueblo and was reverted back as barrio under the Municipality of Gigaquit until in 1918 when an Executive order No. 61 was issued ordering Bacuag as a separate Municipality from Gigaquit again. On January 1, 1919 Executive Order No. 61 signed by Governor-General Charles Emmett Yeater came into being when Lucas Patiño was appointed as the first Municipal President at that time Bacuag regained its identity as another town completely waning the shackle of authority from the mother town Gigaquit. Hence every new year's day is supposedly a Bacuag day or "Araw ng Bacuag". 

From The Child

I know I’m a grown up kid but for me as your child you’re my one and only father whom I need and always ready to give guidance and protection. You remain my protector and so do I will remain under your stewardship unless by reason of age or otherwise bestowed by clear explicit manifestation that I already broke the shackles of authority by marriage and a change of domicile. The way I see it if there is a need for your intervention to reform my personal character/traits on issues of health and the like then in all good reasons as my father, at any time you can do it.

I can’t fathom why this happening, my irrational actuation, senseless happy go lucky attitude seems controlling my person. Could I blame you if lots of prejudices in what I’ve done in relation to my situation and predicaments came into your mind? Perhaps you could say repeatedly to me where did you falter as a father and guardian to warrant these worries. All that matter is I did no wrong except that I forgot someone like you won’t cease to care for our own good. Well may be you are still skeptical whether or not I’m telling the truth but the point here is nobody from my siblings can tell where I am because I just wanted to be alone. I have prayed for us to be resilient, enlightened, put closures to my past misgivings and reestablish relationship among us in a more holistic understanding of the family. I understand your objective is for us to maintain well being in different domains, continue enhancing our ability to develop competence not only to survive but to thrive over the rat-race advocacy and adverse world.

I realize this can only be done by family cohesion. Cohesive families are more intertwined by interpersonal closeness, high levels of communication and harmony, and at least refrain and never engage even moderate levels of engagement.

I know it is really bad for you to be stress out. But this parenting entails a lot of worries, and may be, sleepless nights may cause you so much stress, because you’ll be concerned about our whereabouts and have the feelings of being unable to disciple me or us effectively. Hoping it is not too late. Forgive me for all these in-sensitivities. Take good care, I love you.

A Clear Silhouette

To be emphatic let me say that I have nothing to lose but something you to gain in my being up front and honest with you. I will try to do the things for myself and for my family. Life is not always easy, and life is not always fair. But you don’t have to make life harder than it has to be. Right now I’m just trying to find my ways in this world as a single person. Sometimes I feel lost in this world. So I try to make things simple, appreciate the things I have, and enjoy life and to the family.

I am not looking for a perfect person much as I wanted you, because I’m not perfect. But I always wanted what your mom wanted you to be. If ever there are things or situation just cropped up beyond us without our slightest expectation, the mode of the day shall be to find ways to possibly undone it if it could be otherwise look for alternative or remedy to lessen the adversity.

Cherish your health. If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help! Every moment has a lesson, and when we learn it, it has already served its purpose. May the lesson learned strengthened and resolve to do better. Be inspired to lead a purpose driven life.  Live fully and be happy. The truth is life is too short. Things in this world are temporary. If events are turning well, be contented and enjoy.  If they go wrong, don't worry, it won’t last long and you can still improve it.  I maybe a broken record to you to re-stress and over emphasize the good points worth instilling in your mind and soul, but I don’t mind because I have a greater faith in you that sooner you may come to realize and be guided by your senses.  As the dawn of the early morning has started showing its magnificent glitters of sunlight, giving more life to the beautiful sea breeze and silver scenery, a new direction of your life is seen. The responsibility leaned on your shoulders is now felt and everybody bears witness to it..
 (P.S. Try to understand between the lines of my blogs if you have the chance.)

A note from a Mother....

The Essence of My Being 

I know you need my warm touch,
Though I'm away it's yours so attached,
I oblige you need my tender kiss,
No care can equal a maternal embrace.
When my world seems dark,
Your smile made my life very well stark,
My heart cries but pretentious to not shock.

I watch you grow every moment my heart glow,
My turn to smile when you present a show,
Now I see you in the abyss of dreams,
Sometimes stopped by nightmares and screams,
When you stumble, fall and despair,
Felt crushed I complained it's so unfair.
Courage not develop by just being happy everyday,
But by surviving trials and facing any & all adversity.

I am happy when time change & you grow old,
At times sad, made me cry, you have your own world,
It's my desire that you live what's an ideal,
But environment, friends taught otherwise real,
Am your mother wishes to impose her will,
May not be proper no matter beautiful the plan still
Not my world, but hope everything's right & all is well.

The world seems incomplete without you,
You've perceived it's intolerable to leave you,
If I indulge for naught, pretense and frivolity,
In many ways the situation explains it anyway,
I regret if in your life I was once away,
With my words, good deeds and with great ends,
All I need is understanding, broken heart mends,
What I wanted is to be with you forever....
But you like to live with me young as ever,
Nostalgia! never been forgotten you in my life...
NEVER!

Part of the History of Bacuag

PUEBLO DE PAHUNTUNGAN...Old name of Bacuag!
The Caraga Antigua 1521-1910


 In Chapter X- The Revolt of Caraga, 1631. I came across in page 146 that Bacuag was mentioned as one of the places where the Spanish presence on the east coast (then named District of Caraga) were given mission stations for the subjugation of the Moros in southern and western Mindanao. The Spaniards made use of native soldiers recruited from the people (Caragans) of Surigao. But later the Caragans resisted Castillan dominations. Combes’ (“Historia de Mindanao y Jolo,” Col. 217) put it this way:

 “About 300 caragans under Captain Lorenzo de Olazo had taken in that campaign,and upon their returning to their territory, they also decided to resist Spanish domination from then on. They Had been the most outstanding fighters in that campaign.”

 In 1609 the Spanish presence had started with the construction of a stone-fortification at Tandag. Local Chief Mangabo, nicknamed “crododile of Tago” and his men were originally local soldiers of the parish priest under the command of the Fort Commander Captain Pedro Bautista, but later on led the rebellion against Spanish soldiers and Friars due to their cruelties and oppressive treatments to the natives that made them more hostile with the Spaniards. Mangabo with his followers killed the missionaries of Tago and next Tandag church underwent the same fate. Another group headed by Balintos sailed to Siargao. First they attacked Cabuntog and burned the place but Sapao escaped their wrath because one resident who happened to be relative of Mangabo vigorously objected to their attack for and in behalf of the residents.

 Lorenzo de San Facundo, the local missionary of Cabuntog, was not hurt because he sailed to Bacuag (2) two days prior to the attack. Fray Pedro de San Antonio, “the parish priest of Abucay,” left for Cebu and fray Lorenzo took his place for the time being. (*At present there is an abucay about halfway between Placer and Bacuag, but it cannot have been the location of 1631 because it is not near the seashore. There is one Recoleto report mentioning a “bay of Abucay” in the general area, which would seem, after all, to point to the present Placer, a conclusion that fits all written reports). Abucay…in page 150 “The story does not indicate where this village was located. From the context analysis it becomes clear that it cannot have been far from Bacuag. This is not much of a help in itself, however, because it is certain that in the 17th and 18th centuries Bacuag was not located where it is now, but at the site the present Pahuntungan. To keep a long story short: It can safely be assumed that the Abucay of 1631 was located where now Placer is.” In other words, the early settlers of Bacuag were in Pahuntungan, (Pueblo de Pahuntungan) the old name of Bacuag.

 “The following Spaniards were then in Bacuag: Fray Lorenzo plus the lay brother Francisco, the tax collector Gaspar de los Reyes and his son, Sergeant Antonio Garcia del Valle, Diego del Castillo and Diego de Mesa. The sergeant and de Mesa were preparing to depart for the fort of Tandag and took leave of the rest on the bank of the “river Cawayan flowing next to Bacuag.” Is this same river that separates present Panhutungan to Sitio Punta or Siwata of Bacuag Poblacion? The son of Mangabo named Zancalan had sailed from Tago to Parasao (Cantilan) and to Bacuag. After one day of traveling they went ashore somewhere near Punta Tugas (is this same place presently called Punta or Siwata?). Here they were informed that the two Spaniards who were traveling from Bacuag to the fort of Tandag were in the neighborhood. They caught them unaware and so they killed them. Fray Lorenzo de Facundo and his Brother Francisco's lives were spared after the group of Zancalan, the son of chief Mangabo captured them and over powered the Spaniards, killed them and burned the church of Bacuag. Later  Fray Lorenzo and his brother were brought to Tago and were presented to his father Mangabo. Many things had happened including the change of heart of Mangabo towards his captives and that Fray Lorenzo realized God heard his prayers thus changed Mangabo's hatred into love.

The document above was part of the "seven pages of complete statistical data of the District of Caraga, compiled in 1750. This is one of the many documents stolen during the British Occupation of Manila in 1762, at present in the British Library in London (Ms.13973, Add) (With permission of the British Library, in London)." It could be gleaned on this document that Pueblos (Towns) such as Pueblo de Higaquet (presently Gigaquit), Pueblo de Pahuntungan (presently Bacuag) and Pueblo de Surigao were already established towns of the old Caraga as in the later years of the 15th century the Spanish Missionaries like the Agustinians, Dominicans and Franciscans were already in placed in the island of Mindanao particularly in the east District of Caraga to evangelize and Christianize the caragans to effect their designed Reduction and Coversion of pagans.

 On April 12, 1873 the change of the missionary guard took place in the town of Gigaquit. Recoleto pastor Fray Juan Pablo Ruiz was replaced by Father Juan Sansa, the barrios of Placer, Bacuag and Taganito belonged to the parish of Gigaquit. Claver did not exist yet. Already in 1873 it was decided that eventually Placer and Taganaan would be separated from Gigaquit and Surigao respectively and made into a separate parish as soon as a priest would be available to staff it (p. 332 Caraga Antigua).

With the advent of the American colonial government, thru Public Act 947, recognized the local government system but reorganized the same, "and many towns were converted into barrios in 1904. The Province of Surigao retained only the municipalities of Surigao, Placer, Dinagat and Dapa. This could have terminated the corporate existence of many Pueblos – Sapao, Numancia, Cabuntog, Tagana-an, Mainit. While some municipalities gained or regained their status albeit some had new names during the American period as in the case of General Luna (1929), Bacuag, Gigaquit, Mainit, (1931) subsequently towns were created after Philippine Independence of 1946."

 The Caraga Antigua 1521-1910
 The Hispanization and Christianization of Agusan, Surigao and East Davao
 By Peter Schreurs

The Essence of my Being....(A note from a mother)

I know you need my warm touch,
Though I'm away it's yours so attached,
I oblige you need my tender kiss,
No care can equal a maternal embrace.
When my world seems dark,
Your smile made my life very well stark,
My heart cries pretentious to remain not shock.

I watch you grow every moment my heart glow,
My turn to smile when you present a show,
Now I see you in the abyss of dreams,
Sometimes stopped by nightmares and screams,
When you stumble, fall and despair,
Felt crushed I complained it's so unfair.
Courage not develop by just being happy everyday,
But by surviving trials and facing any & all adversity.

I am happy when time change & you grow old,
At times sad, made me cry, you have your own world,
It's my desire that you live what's an ideal,
But environment, friends taught otherwise real,
Am your mother wishes to impose her will,
May not be proper no matter beautiful the plan still
Not my world, but hope everything's right & all is well.

The world seems incomplete without you,
You've perceived it's intolerable to leave you,
If I indulge for naught, pretense and frivolity,
In many ways the situation explains it anyway,
I regret if in your life I was once away,
With my words, good deeds and with great ends,
All I need is understanding, broken heart mends,
What I wanted is to be with you forever....
But you like to live with me young as ever,
Ahhh! Nostalgia...never been forgotten you in my life...NEVER!

As year ends.......

December 31, 2011

It is an opportune time for us to pause a while for reflection: Are we blessed? Are we grateful of so many gifts that God has given us? The gift of life, the health, and of so many things we have? So we should be thankful if not, be contented, of what we have but if we concentrate on what we don’t have, we realize that we will never ever have enough.

Life is an undying cycle, it’s a battle of survival, if we quit then we’re a loser; if we fall, we should stand up. If we keep on complaining and whining about the miseries of our life nothing will happen. Life is too short, so don’t deal so much with its negativity. Just be happy and be contented with whatever life brings us. It’s not bad to dream to live a better life, but to focus on dreaming to live the life we love often leads us to frustration. But learning to love the life we live brings peace and genuine happiness.

It's a time to straightened things, if there are things we regret like words we wish had gone unsaid or beginnings that had bitter endings, the opportunities and chances we threw away, roads that we’re traversing should have never taken, signs we overlooked and didn’t see, and still hearts were aching because we hurt needlessly. Don't miss the chances, may be there are relationships and wounds we could still mend and could be reestablished, though the past can’t be changed but it could be improved if poorly done with hope not to experience  it again. What we really do is be thankful for every changes we have, for every break in our hearts and for every scars, gladly pages in our lives were turned even if bridges were burned….. because of these, we learned!

Your First Day in the World

On your natal day, you bring joy to your parents especially to your mother who carried you for (9) nine months since conception up to the time you are born. She gave you all the possible & needed care, good and necessary extra care with diligence to nurture your so fragile life from the moment of fertilization. Now that you are what you are, did it occur to you that your mother has sacrificed so much that she would not mind giving her life if it would mean you're free from danger, giving you the assurance of complete protection and survival? You are the gem of your parent's eyes as God is happy to see with His creation. Some of the myriad of reasons why God loves you: God is love, for He created you by His love through your parents. God is wonderful because He molded you perfectly and beautifully as you are made in His image and likeness. God is kind and merciful, for He sent His son Jesus to die for you and save us from the bondage of sin. God is just as He assures you a share in heaven by believing Him through His son Jesus Christ. God is joy because He let His precious son Jesus to be born like you in this world. Therefore on this day as you celebrate your birthday, be HAPPY!

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LIMITED TIME

In my understanding of time constraints is simply putting a time frame or dead line in the accomplishment of one’s task. It’s a time allotted or designated where one is expected to execute or finish a work. So if you fail by default or by not doing your job by not meeting the deadline you suffered the consequence of time constraints because you allow your time to lapse and prescribed and therefore the result is decided against or prejudicial to your interest.

I have realized that my tasks, duties and responsibilities as the head of a family more so as a father to my children have great influence and have huge impact to their values and attitudes, aspirations and moral upbringing. I can now be judged whether I passed or failed through their actuation and status in the society and how they relate to the people around them. My point here is had I been learned of this gargantuan responsibilities before while my children were yet young and still in the development process, I believe there are still lot of improvements and enhancements to what I personally perceived before as an Ideal one, making use and without waste of the limited time with the children. Too much time for our work unknowingly enslave us that even the quality of family affairs are deprecated giving much concern for my job in the name of productivity and performance as a worker. In other words, we give much time for our jobs and lesser time for our kids, even during days-off intended for family day are oftentimes sacrificed for rest day premium work of the company.

Time is of the essence, it is gold so precious that no times are the same. Once wasted will never come back unlike lost riches will still be recovered. We are given time constraints each for every child we have for their proper molding, preparation to become a better person. Once we lost a single moment to them will have a rifling effect in terms of family cohesion. In some instances it will cause a drift of preferences away from the families and temporarily give them the taste of security and comforts within and among their peers. This time we shall give primordial consideration on family togetherness, and reasons to talk. Modern families are mobile, and children begin getting involved in extracurricular activities at young ages. It is important to establish a weekly or monthly meeting that nothing will conflict with as observed it is difficult to have a family to come together, it is advisable to plot already a schedule for family day. When you schedule a formal time to gather and talk as a family, your children will also be given an opportunity to learn many lessons and be informed of the parent’s plans for their children’s carrier and future. The constant information of their children may serve as reminder to their well being as part of the family. Conflicts can be handled during this meeting, involved parties are given time to express their viewpoints and acknowledged, but eventually parents will make decision even if children can disagree with, still they can feel validated knowing their voices are ventilated and heard if not considered. As open communication enhanced, issues of vital importance can now be discussed without inhibition even those deemed taboo by conservative or old-fashioned people in the presence of the young members of the families, like choosing their future partners, livelihood that can affect their day to day subsistence and world events that may even influence their fears or aspirations through news. Parents can use this time to establish and explain family values and attitudes build upon those as they grow. And two ways approach as parents should also use this opportunity to listen to what children have to say about their understanding of family values. The end result of this, children will learn about compromise and self-sacrifice and more importantly the respect of one’s opinion and practiced consensus problem solving.