CARAGA Limitless adventure at every turn

The Caraga Region (composed of the prov-

inces Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur,

Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur) claims the title of the “Most Adventure-filled Region” in the country. It boasts of being 70 times more adventurous than any other region because of its numerous attractions and myriad of activities that offer extreme sports and eco-tourism adventure to visitors.

The region is primarily famous for its internationally-acclaimed surfing island, Siargao in Surigao del Norte. Reputed as the “Surfing Capital of the Philippines,” Siargao is also gearing to be a world-class surfing destination as it plays host to yearly international surfing competitions. The teardrop-shaped island has huge and powerful waves or “pacific rollers” comparable to the top-rated waves of Hawaii and Indonesia. Its famed “Cloud Nine” ranks as among the top five breaks in the world.

Another jewel of Region 13 is the mystical Agusan Marsh located in Agusan del Sur. The largest marshland in the country holds up to 15 percent of freshwater. The indigenous Manobo tribe dwells in this 26,000-hectare mystical wetland. Tribal folks live in houses built on high stilts on bamboos or rafts of floating logs anchored on trees or rocks. The last frontier of the Caraga Region, the Agusan marsh is home to 132 bird species, 112 species of flowering plants and ferns, two crocodile species, 65 types of butterfly and endangered species such as the danata – soft-shelled giant turtle and sailfin lizard.

These and many other equally fascinating tourist attractions, along with the region’s rich history, culture and export-quality products are being showcased until Dec. 4 at the latest Best of the Regions exhibit cumtrade fair of the Department of Tourism in Intra-muros, Manila.

The 15-day Caraga show at the Clamshell 1 in the Walled City, features mostly products such as woodcraft, ceramics and pottery, handicrafts, and hardwood furniture pieces. Interesting craft demonstrations such as Tikog weaving (tikog is a local vine abundant in Surigao del Sur) are held daily in the Clamshell and woven by members of indigenous tribes. Tikog products include mats, table runners, venetian blinds, decorative panels etc.

The Christmas spirit is also present in the exhibit as creative Christmas decors from Butuan city, made from drift wood and recycled materials are on display at one side of the venue. Water-resistant safety matches which are a popular product of Magallanes, Agusan del Norte are available at only R11.50 per box.

Best-sellers are export-quality handicrafts from the region. Among these are native handbags, baskets, accessories, home decorations, kitchenware, woodcrafts and wooden furniture using materials such as Agsam (innermost part of a wild vine found in most mountains), Bugni, Gemelina (same wood found in Thailand and is abundant in Agusan del Sur), and iron wood or magcono (quality is second to narra). Wooden products such as mortar and pestle (R100-150) and jars R165-R1,100) are best buys along with native bags created out of agsam, banig and plastic rattan. These rust-colored bags (R285) are being exported to Germany and Japan.

A number of hardwood furniture, one of the major industries of the region, are also for sale at the trade fair. Striking pieces are kitchen cabinets, console tables, sofa set, benches, and garden sets.

Meawhile, food lovers will delight in the various delicacies, fruits and food from the region. Mouthwatering kakanin from Butuan city include special bibingka, galapong, ube biko, tikoy with latik, kalawa ube, cassava buko and galapong ube which are available for R15 per slice. Never had enough of pomelos from the recently-concluded regional fair of Davao? One can check out Butuan’s city’s own Chinese pomelo for R100 a kilo.

Seafood treasures include large crabs, dried Dalag from Agusan Marsh and salted fish.

The trade fair also has Butuan bananas — the Lakatan variety, cooking oil, Calamansi Juice Concentrate, homemade vinegar and Gigaquit Rum made from nipa (R30 per bottle). Delicacies include peanut biscuits from Surigao at R25 (similar to the biscuits of Bohol) and Patatas biscuits from Bislig, Surigao del Sur, R20.

A couple of ancient finds which reveal Caraga’s glorious past and rich, pre-Spanish era existence are also displayed at the Clamshell. The Golden Tara of Agusan is believed to be of Indian origin, an evidence of Indian influence from the neighboring Srivijaya empire. The 21-carat-gold and nearly four-pound figurine is reported to be discovered in 1917 by a woman after a flood and storm on the left bank of the Wawa River, a tributary of the mighty Agusan River. Based on its Indo-Javanese stylistic attributes, the Hindu-Buddhist icon is dated way back into the 850-950 A.D. during the Sailendra period. Crafted by local artisans, the Golden Tara is an evidence of early Indo-Philippine trade relations. The original gold icon is currently kept at the gem room of the Chicago Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, U.S.A.

Also on display is a replica of a Balangay or ancient boat, one of the nine boats excavated near Butuan city. The wooden boats were used by Agusan del Norte’s early migrants who came from Borneo and Celebes.

Located in the northeastern part of Mindanao, Caraga was created into a region by then President Fidel Ramos only on Feb. 23, 1995. It was named after the historic Caraga, an old Lumad territory in Northern Mindanao of which Surigao was once part of.

The region boasts of unspoiled white-sand beaches, hot and cold springs, forest and mangrove swamps, sparkling coves of white sand, outstanding rock formations, caves, cascading waterfalls and hidden lagoons.

Aside from being the site of the largest freshwater wetland (Agusan Marsh) and the largest mangrove swamp, Caraga is also home to the country’s largest gold deposits, the widest waterfalls and the world’s deepest waters.

The Tinuy-an Falls, the widest waterfalls in the Philippines located in Bislig city, is reported to be much like the fabled Niagara Falls of Canada. On the other hand, World War II’s greatest naval battle occurred in Surigao Strait, the deepest in the world.

Agusan del Norte’s Lake Mainit, the fourth largest lake in the country is ideal for canoeing and trekking. A confluence 28 rivers, the 17,430-hectare freshwater lake is situated 80 feet above sea level, with a mean depth of 128 meters. The picturesque lake holds enormous fishery resources.

[ Lake Mainit Wiki | Agusan River Wiki ]