The province of Agusan was named after a Malay word meaning where water flows", probably because o the might river that travellers the whole area. Early migrants from Borneo and Celebes came to the region in Balanghais or wooden boats. Nine such boats were excavated and carbon-dated to be between the 4th and 13th centuries. The Malay settlers drove the aborigines, called Mamanwas, to the hinterlands.
By the time the Spaniards arrived, the natives were already trading with foreign merchants, as attested by 10th century ceramics unearthed near Butuan. Some historians claim that Magellan held the first mass in the Philippines in Masao at the month of the Agusan River, and not in Limsasawa, Leyte, on Easter Sunday of March 15, in the year 1521.
Must see in Agusan del Norte: "Pur Lady of Assumption Parish/Musuem: Fr. Urious instigated the people of Jabonga to look for a higher ground for a permanent church. Today, it is the oldest surviving Spanish church in the entire of Carage located in Jabonga.
"Lake Mainit", an incredible confluence of 28 rivers, a 17,430 hectare lake situated 80 feet above sea level with a mean depth of 128 meters as the 4th biggest in the country. Endemic fishes are the Gabot and Pidjanga. Native flora include the Pagosi and Tabokali, fauna includes the Giant Purple Heron, among others. I really appreciate, that ecotourism activities are availabe and here canoeing, bird-watching, and cultual contact.
(Agusan del Sur, TO BE CONTINUED!)
