REGION XIII – CARAGA

I.Introduction

Caraga is an administrative region of the Philippines, on the northeastern portion of

the island of Mindanao, designated as Region XIII. The Caraga Region was created through
Republic Act No. 7901 on February 23, 1995. 

Republic Act No. 7901 is an act creating region XIII to be known as the Caraga
Administrative Region, and for other purposes.

Administrative Division

The region is composed of five (5) provinces: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur,
Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Island; six (6) cities: Butuan, Prosperidad,
San Jose, Surigao, Tandag, Bislig, sixty-seven (67) municipalities and one thousand three
hundred eleven (1,311) barangays.

Province Capital City Municipality

AGUSAN DEL NORTE Butuan City Buenavista, Carmen, Jabonga, Kitcharao, Las
Nieves, Magallanes, Nasipit, R.T.,
Romualdez, Santiago, Tubay
AGUSAN DEL SUR Prosperidad Bunawan, Esperanza, La Paz, Loreto,
Prosperidad, Rosario, San Francisco,San
Luis, Santa Josefa, Sibagat, Talacogon,
Trento, Veruela
DINAGAT ISLAND San Jose Basilisa, Cagdianao, Dinagat, Libjo, Loreto,
San Jose, Tubajon
SURIGAO DEL NORTE Surigao City Alegria, Bacuag, Burgos, Claver, Dapa, Del
Carmen, Gen. Luna, Gigaquit, Mainit,
Malimono, Pilar, Placer, San Benito, San
Francisco, San Isidro, Santa Monica, Sison,
Socorro, Tagana-an, Tubod
 SURIGAO DEL SUR Tandag Barobo, Bayabas, Cagwait, Cantilan, Carmen,
Carrascal, Cortes, Hinatuan, Lanuza, Lianga,
Lingig, Madrid, Marihatag, San Agustin, San
Miguel, Tagbina, Tago

Table 1. Administrative Division of Region XIII

II.History

The history of Caraga can be traced back to 15th century when explorers discovered
the existence of Kalagans, believed to be of Visayan Origin in one of the three districts in
Mindanao. The word Caraga originated from the Visayan word Kalagan: “Kalag” meaning
soul or people and “An” meaning land. The Kalagans have a long history of being brave and
fearless. Thus, the region was called by early chroniclers as the “Land of the Brave and
Fierce People.”

The Kalagans, called Caragans by the Spaniards, occupied the district that was
composed of the two provinces of Surigao, northern part of Davao Oriental and Eastern
Misamis Oriental. The two Agusan Provinces were later organized under the administrative
jurisdiction of Surigao and became the independent Agusan province in 1914. In 1960,
Surigao was divided as Norte and Sur. And in June 1967, Agusan followed suit. While
Butuan then was just a town of Agusan, by virtue of Republic Act 523, the City Charter of
Butuan was approved on August 2, 1950.

On February 23, 1995, Republic Act No. 7901, “An Act Creating Region XIII To Be
Known As Caraga Administrative Region And For Other Proposes”, was signed into law by
President Fidel V. Ramos, constituting the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur,
Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and the cities of Surigao and Butuan, which serves as the
regional center. On August 24, 2006, Republic Act No. 9355 created a new province from
Surigao Del Norte, the Dinagat Islands province.
 III.Physical Geography

a. Size of the Region

The region has a total land area of 18,846.97 km². This represents 6.3% of the
country’s total land area and 18.5% of the island of Mindanao. 47.6% of the total land
area of the region belongs to the province of Agusan del Sur.

Province Total Land Area

Agusan del Norte 3546.86
Agusan del Sur 8965.5
Surigao del Norte 1972.93
Surigao del Sur 4932.7
Dinagat Island 802.12

Table 2. Size of the Regions in Region XIII

b. Territory

Caraga Region, situated in the northeast

section of Mindanao, is between 8 00’ to 10
30’ N. latitude and 125 15’ to 126 30’ E.
longitude. It is bounded on the north by the
Bohol Sea; on the south by the provinces of
Davao, Compostela Valley and Davao
Oriental of Region XI; on the west by
Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental of Region X;
and on the east by the Philippine Sea and the
XIII Pacific Ocean.
c. Map

Figure 2.Map of Region XIII

d. Topography

Figure 3.Topography of Region XIII

The region is characterized by mountainous areas, flat and rolling lands. Mountain
ranges divide Agusan and Surigao provinces and sub-ranges separate most of the lowlands
along the Pacific Coast. The most productive agricultural area of the region lies along the
Agusan River Basin. The famous Agusan Marsh sits in the middle of Agusan del Sur. Among
the lakes in the region, Lake Mainit is the widest. It traverses eight municipalities: Alegria,
Tubod, Mainit and Sison in the Province of Surigao del Norte and Tubay, Santiago, Jabango
and Kitcharao in Agusan del Norte.
IV. Demographics

a. Population

Province Number of population (2015

census)
Agusan del Norte 691,566
Agusan del Sur 700,563
Surigao del Norte 485,088
Surigao del Sur 592,250
Dinagat Island 127,152
Total Population 2,596,709

Table 3.Population of Region XIII

b. Famous People

JOEY AYALA is the Philippines' most

successful regional songwriter-musician having
blazed a trail in the country's music industry—
once the dominion of pop balladeers from Manila
—and the world music scene. Joey, likewise,
popularized indigenous music instruments,
(especially the hegalong of the T'boli), all deftly
used by the members of his band Bagong Lumad
(new or alterered native). He and his songs have been described in very many strong ways
—prophetic, poetic, ethnic, and "plumbing the depths of the Filipino Spirit" (Eric Caruncho,
Punks, Poets Poseurs, Anvil Publishing)—having found the magic formula for weaving
beautiful melody and sagacious poetry into song. He has released 11 music albums:
Panganay ng Umaga, Magkabilaan, Mga Awit ng Tanod-lupa, Lumad sa Siyudad, Lupa't
Langit, 16Lovesongs, Awit ng Mandaragat, Organik, Basta May Saging, JoeyAyala: RAW, and
the music soundtrack of Ballet Philippines' Engkantada.

Joey's major contribution to changing the country's musical environment, and

raising awareness on social and environmental issues has earned him the TOYM (Ten
Outstanding Young Men) Award, the Datu Bago Award and Special Philippine Centennial
Citation from the City of Davao, Environmental Heroism Award from the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Gawad ng Pagkilala from the Komisyon ng
Wikang Pilipino, the Gerry Roxas Leadership Award, the Special MAGIS Award for
Outstanding Alumni from Ateneo de Manila, and a Special Citation from Concerned Women
of the Philippines for inspiring "the youth and progressive movements committed to
ecological wholeness, justice and peace through music and song.”

GRACE NONO Born in Agusan, Northeastern Mindanao, Grace Nono spent nearly 20
years studying the indigenous and folk music of the
Philippines. Working closely with composer and
music arranger Bob Aves she produced several
albums of contemporary world music inspired from
these oral traditions, including Tao Music, Diwa,
Isang Buhay, Opo, Hulagpos, and Dalit. She also
founded Tao Music Records, which produces music
albums featuring indigenous and world music
Figure 5.Grace Nono
artists, and has co-produced with Aves an audio and
print series on Philippine oral traditions and instrumental music. She is the Founding
Director of Tao Foundation for Culture and Arts, a non-profit "engaged in cultural
regeneration and holistic development initiatives."

Grace has reaped over 40 awards for her music and cultural work, including the
country's prestigious TOWNS (The Outstanding Women Award in the Nation’s Service) and
TOYM (Ten Outstanding Young Men Award), and music awards with the Catholic Mass
 Media, Katha, Awit, and National Press Club. Her book The Shared Voice: Chanted and
Spoken Narratives from the Philippines bagged the 28th National Book Awards, Arts
category.

BAYANG BARRIOS of Bunawan, Agusan del Sur

flew to stardom when she won the Grand Prize at the
prestigious 2003 Metro Manila Pop Music Festival for
her song Malayo Man, Malapit Din. By then she has
already produced two albums Bayang Makulay and
Harinawa, and the popular single Bagong Umaga, a
finalist at the same competition in 1996. She then
came out with Alon (2004) and Biyaya (2009), which
bagged the Philippine Movie Press Club Best
rios Alternative Album of the Year.

Bayang is known for the voice behind the theme songs of hit television shows
Encantadia, Etheria and Pinoy Abroad. She has reaped many awards and nominations,
including 2003 MTV Choice of Women Achievers; 1998 Anvil Awards for the interpretation
of Gary Granada's Lakbayin ang Pilipinas; 1997 Lorenzo Ruiz Award for Music from the
Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) for Bayang Makulay; 1997 Katha Awards for Best
World Music Song (Bagong Umaga), Best Vocal Performance and Best Folk Song (Saan
Nanggagaling ang Himig), Best Folk Arrangement (Alay sa mga Kapatid), and Best Album
(Bayang Makulay); and 1996 Asian Vocalist Festival Golden Awardee at the Hanoi Music
Festival.

c. Ethnic Groups

The majority of the inhabitants of the region are of Visayan heritage. The province is
also home to several minority groups, totaling 675,722 in 1995, representing 34.7% of the
region’s population. Most numerous were the Manobos with 294,284 or 43.55% of the total
population of ethnic minorities. Other cultural groups in the region with significant
population were the Kamayo, Higa-onon, Banwaon, Umayamnon, and Mamanwa. Most
members of these cultural groups reside in the province of Agusan del Sur.

Figure 7.Manobos Figure 8.Kamayo

Figure 9.Higa-onon Figure 10.Banwaon

Figure 11.Umayamnon Figure 12.Mamanwa

It is reported that during the early years of the Caraga region, its inhabitants came
from mainland Asia, followed by Malayans, Arabs, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish and
Americans. Migrants from the Visayan and Luzon provinces later settled in the area. Most
of its inhabitants speak the Cebuano dialect and reside in the rural areas.
d. Religion

Practiced Religion in Caraga Region

2000000
1800000
1841900
1600000
1400000
1200000
1000000
800000
Total Number

600000
400000 523121
200000
0 139032 79667
ic 12355 s 634
ol am ns al to te
d
th Isl tio lic Cris or
Ca lia g e i p
ffi an N Re
an A Ev s ia t
m us le No
Ro ig
io Ig
el
rR
the
O
Religions

Figure 13.Religions of Region XIII

V. Economy

Regional Economy/ Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP)

The region performed fairly well in terms of regional output contributing 8.01% in
1998, 8.25% in 1999 and 8.29% in 2000 to the Mindanao GRDP. The region contributed
1.44% in 1998, 1.48% in 1999 and 1.50% in 2000, to the Philippine economy. In terms of
growth rate, the region accelerated faster and outpaced the other regions in Mindanao
from 1998 to 2000, except for the Southern Mindanao Region which posted a 6.06%
increase in 1999-2000. Caraga Region recorded a 5.42% increase during the same period.
GRDP in 2000 amounted to P14.336 Billion as against the 1999 performance of P13.599
Billion. The deceleration of the region’s economy from 6.03% in 1999 to 5.42% in 2000
was attributed to the slowdown of the Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry (AFF) and
Services sectors. The improved performance of the Industry sector, from 5.69% in 1999
to 6.69% in 2000, cushioned the effects of what could have been a slowdown of the region’s
economy.
Twenty years ago, Caraga Region was created by virtue of RA 7901. Since then,
various developments have taken place that changed the region’s social, economic and
even political landscapes. Today, as we celebrate its 20 years of founding, we ask ourselves:
what have we attained and what have we become as a region that deserve celebration? As
your RDC Chairperson, it is my privilege and duty to apprise you on the region’s
performance in the past year.

 Trade, Industry and Services

The Service sector contributed most to the region’s economic growth in 2013 with
3.3 percentage points, while the Industry sector chipped in 2.9 percentage points. Industry
decelerated from 18.2 percent in 2012 to 8.5 percent in 2013. Mining and Quarrying, the
largest contributor of the region’s economy, slowed down from 20.5 percent in 2012 to 8.8
percent in 2013 due to the decrease in the value of metallic mineral products caused by a
decline in the world market prices.

Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry

The overall performance of our agriculture sector showed a slight drop in its output
brought about by the decrease in the production of the livestock and fishery sub-sectors.
On the other hand, forestry sub-sector performed better in 2013 owing to the increase in
private land’s timber production.

From a 4.13 percent growth in 2012, the growth was slower the following year,
registering only a meager 3.48 percent increase. The crops subsector, which contributed
the bulk of the region’s agriculture production, grew only by 3.99 percent. The growth
figure was lower than the 4.82 percent registered in 2012. On the other hand, livestock,
which already had a dismal performance in the previous year, continued to contract by
1.38 percent. Among the subsectors, fisheries had the biggest drop at 6.11 percent although
it only had about 1 percent share to the production for the year. The poultry subsector had
an impressive performance. It offset its negative growth of 7 percent in 2012 with a 20.85
percent expansion the following year.

 Access, Logistic and Other Infrastructure Services 

Through the years, we have continuously improved our road networks. The region’s
national road network is 80 percent concrete in surfacing or 1,183.55 km out of the total
length of 1,477.925. Among all provinces in the region, the Province of Dinagat Islands has
only twenty-six (26) percent of paved national road and will require a total investment of
PhP 991 million to be implemented until 2016 on road concreting and construction of 17
bridges.

With regards to improving our connectivity and accessibility through air, our three
(3) operating airports, had a total number of flights of 6,484 in 2013. Total incoming
passengers reached 322,371, signifying an increase of 1.93 percent. Total outgoing
passengers reached 333,781 indicating an increase of 4.49 percent from last year’s 319,441
passengers. Butuan airport became the preferred airport of passengers from some areas of
Misamis Oriental due to the relocation of the Cagayan airport to Laguindingan, Misamis
Oriental.

In terms of providing basic amenities, we have already attained our target relative
to making safe drinking water accessible.

VI. Languages

Surigaonon is the primary language that is inherent to the region, is spoken by

33.21% of the households, followed by Butuanon by 15%; Kamayo, by 7.06%, and Manobo,
by 4.73%. Cebuano is widely spoken by 33.79% of the households in the region. The rest
speak Boholanon, by 5.87%; Hiligayon, by 2.87%; and other dialects by 7.20%.
 Surigaonon is a local Philippine language spoken in the provinces of Surigao del
Norte and Surigao del Sur and some portion of Agusan del Norte especially in towns near
Mainit Lake.

English Filipino Local Dialect

Good morning Magandang Umaga Maradjaw na buntag

Good evening Magandang Gabi Maradjaw na duyom
How are you? Kamusta Ka? Kumosta kaw?
What is your name? Ano ang pangalan mo? Simay imo ngayan?
I'm on the way! Nasa biyahe na ako! Pasingod na!
Wait a minute Saglit lang Huyat anay
Breakfast Umagahan Pamahaw
Lunch Tanghalian Paniodto
Dinner Hapunan Panihapon
Come here Pumarito ka Ali na
Very Good Mahusay Maradjaw Karadjaw
I don't know Hindi ko alam Inday uno
Thank you very much Maraming Salamat Salamat Karadjaw
Where you going? Saan ka pupunta? Hain kaw pasingod
I'm so tired Pagod na ako Tag luja ako
You’re so beautiful Ang ganda mo Ka gwapa nimo
I'm sorry Patawad Pasaylo-a ako
This is mine Akin ito Ako ini
What you want? Ano ang gusto mo? Umay imo gusto
May I borrow Pwede ba ako makahiram Pabusla ako
Give to me Ibigay mo sa akin Ihatag sa ako
Help me Tulungan mo ako Tabangi ako
 You Ikaw Sija
Maybe Baka Basin

Table 4.Languages of Region XIII

VII. Transportation

a. Land Transportation and Terminals

Figure 14.Bus Figure 15.Van

Figure 16.Jeep Figure 17.E-Bus

From Metro Manila, Philtranco Bus has a daily trip to Davao City and the bus will be
passing through Lipata Port in Surigao City. You can find their terminal at Pasay City near
the MRT Taft Station. The travel time from Metro Manila to Surigao City is about 25 hours
to 35 hours and it depends on the travel speed of the bus and the ferry schedule in Matnog
Port, Sorsogon and Benit Port in San Ricardo. The port of Matnog connects Luzon to
Visayas and then the Benit Port connects the Visayas to Mindanao.

Local Transportation
Buses and vans for hire ply from Davao and Cagayan de Oro Cities and other
provinces of Mindanao to Butuan City. 
 Multicabs, as popularly known here (to differentiate them from jeepneys) are used
in the main city streets, with corresponding route numbers. The same mulitcabs are used in
getting to the main campus of CSU in Bgy. Ampayon, about 7 kms. from the city proper.
Multicabs with route numbers 7, 8 and 10 ferry passengers from Butuan City to the main
campus. Cars for rent are also available at the airport to reach the CSU main campus, but
also they are not metered, so remember to agree on the fee before boarding. Green colored
taxis are also available in the city. 
If in the city, orange colored tricycles are common in Butuan. They go around and even
outside the city proper.

b. Water Transportation and Seaports

Figure 18.Ports of Region XIII

From Manila, there are ships bound for Surigao City. As of this riding, the ship
bound for Surigao departs at Manila port every Sunday at 9pm and the estimated time of
arrival in Surigao City is Tuesday, 1pm.

As the overland gateway to Visayas and Luzon, the region is accessible by sea
through the baseport of Nasipit in Agusan del Norte and Surigao City, Lipata Ferry
Terminal in Surigao city that connects the neighboring province of southern Leyte. Other
terminal ports are in Dapa in Siargao, San Jose in Dinagat Islands, Tandag City and Bislig
City. Fast craft ferry services ply Surigao-Cebu every day. Private ports can also be found
in the different municipalities of the region; however, only three of these 42 ports are
operational.

c. Air Transportation and Airports

Figure 19.Airports of Region XIII

Cebu Pacific Airline and Air Philippines has a daily flight to Surigao City from Manila
or from Cebu. The time is 1.5 hours. The Surigao City Airport is located within the city and
it's just a 15 minutes tricycle ride from the city proper or from the downtown.

The region is serviced by commercial flights to and from Manila and Cebu through
the airports of Butuan, Surigao and Siargao both in Surigao del Norte. There are four other
privately owned airports in the region. The ports and airports are supported by the road
networks that connect the provinces within and outside the region.

IX. Festivals

Kahimunan Festival
Every 3rd Sunday of January
Butuan City
A colorful street dancing competition in
honor of Sr. Sto. Niñ o participated in by different
religious organizations and other Sectors/groups. Figure 32.Kahimunan Festival
 Musikainan Festival
January 29
City of Cabadbaran
A festival of food and music that features
local artists and native delicacies of Cabadbaran.
stival

Balangay Festival
May 1-31
Butuan City
It is a month-long fiesta celebration of
Butuan City. Several activities are lined up for the
celebration like Mutya Hong Butuan Pageant,
Sportsfest and Santacruzan.
Figure 34.Balangay Festival

Naliyagan Festival
June 12-18
Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur
It is the celebration of the Foundation
anniversary of Agusan del Sur. It is a week-long
socio-cultural and arts exposition of the
indigenous tribes in the entire Agusan Valley. It
depicts the Agusanon culture and heritage. Native
from the near or far-flung places of the province
display their skills and gracefulness in dancing as
part of their ritual activities.
estival
 Kaliguan Festival

June 21-25
Cagwait, Surigao del Sur
A yearly festivity in honor of St. John the
Baptist highlighted by search for Perlas ng
Kaliguan beauty pageant and beach dancing.
Figure 36.Kaliguan Festival

Pahinungod Festival
July 15
Carrascal, Surigao del Sur
This is Mardigras which is performed
around the streets of Carrascal in honor of their
Patroness, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.
stival

Abayan Festival
Last Sunday of July
Butuan City
A riverside in honor of Saint Anne,
Patroness of Agusan River highlighted with baroto
races and indigenous games for men, women and
childrencapped by a fluvial procession.

Figure 38.Abayan Festival

Sumayajaw Festival
August 15
Jabonga, Agusan del Norte
Held during the town fiesta of Jabonga. It is a
thanksgiving celebration for the bounties showered
by the Heavenly Father through the intercession of
the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Lady of Assumption.

stival
 Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw

September 9-10
Surigao City
A fiesta celebration in honor of the
Patron Saint, San Nicolas de Tolentino. A day-
long Mardigras marked by street dancing
festivities which is the main highlight of the
event. Other activities include agro-industrial Figure 40.Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw

fair, food festival, sports-fest, exhibits and more.

5th Pasayan (Shrimp) Festival

September 10
Surigao City
A rare festival of shrimps. A thanksgiving
event for the bountiful harvest of seafoods
specifically shrimps.
) Festival

Baoto Festival
3rd week of September
Jabonga, Agusan del Norte
Held annually, this is a regional race for
native wooden barotos, the main event is the
30K Paddling Marathon. Other activities include
tree planting, adventure skills clinic, triathlon,
airsoft match and bikini open. Figure 42.Baoto Festival
 Lisagan Festival
3rd Saturday of October
Magallanes, Agusan del Norte
A religious celebration showcasing
Mamanwa dances and healing rituals. It is a re-
enactment of the 1st miraculous healing in 1910
to a native while dancing in front of the Blessed
val Virgin Mary that was brought to Magallanes
from Las Nieves, Barcelona Spain.

Lanuza International Surfing Festival

November last week
Doot Poktoy, Lanuza Surigao del Sur
An invitational international surfing
competition with top surfers from all over the
Philippines and outside the country.
Figure 44.Lanuza International Surfing Festival

X. Products

Major Products

Its long stretch of shoreline promises abundance in production of fisheries and

aquatic products. With its large tract of fertile lands, the region has a great capacity in
producing varied commercial crops as well as livestock and poultry. Major agricultural
products of the region are palay, corn, coconut, gold, banana, rubber, oil palm, calamansi,
prawns, milkfish, crabs, seaweeds and mango. Caraga's proximity to Cebu and Manila
makes it a favorable shipping point for products to and from these markets. Nasipit Port
can serve as a secondary shipping hub to Cagayan de Oro when traffic volume from other
points in Mindanao increases. With a roll-on, roll-off (RORO) ferry service now in place,
Surigao City serves as a vital transportation link for trucks and buses bound for Luzon.

Foods and Delicacies

 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. Popular fruits as Pomelo,
jackfruits, lanzones different varieties of bananas and even durians could be found here
especially in food festivals celebrated across the region.
In different Trade Fair organized across the region you will find various food items like
Durian ice cream, pure Kalamansi concentrate, crunchy coconut biscuits Salvaro and
Patatas, and the tastiest noodles. Locally called Udong, these noodles, have recently been
exported to Japan because the Japanese reportedly prefer this over their own noodles.
Daing at manggang hilaw with bagoong is a popular side dish particularly in Agusan del
Sur. Seafood treasures include large crabs, prawns, dried Dalag from Agusan Marsh and
even exotic marine foods as tamilok.

10 Sought After Food in Caraga

A good getaway destination will not be complete without its mouthwatering

delicacies and dishes. So here are some of the most sought-after food in the Caraga region.

Binaga is a native term for roasting mudfish

which is abundant in Agusan del Sur. Since the start of the
Naliyagan Festival in 1993, the Binaga became the main
attraction that catches the attention of guests and local
residents alike because of the aroma of the roasted
Figure 45.Binaga
mudfish that fills the air.

Sahang is a sea snail which is abundant in the bodies of

water of Surigao. It is then cooked adobo style with bell
pepper.

hang
 Sayongsong, this famous Surigao delicacy is a
kakanin wrapped in banana leaves with the color and
consistency of a puto or rice cake. It’s made up of glutinous
rice, brown sugar, calamansi juice, roasted peanut, and
coconut milk. Sayongsong comes out wrapped in banana
leaves. Some people say it tastes like “puto” but with
Figure 47.Sayongsong
coconut milk.

Kinilaw is a common dish for many provinces.

What sets apart Surigao’s kinilaw among others is its
exotic flavor. This local delicacy is made of raw fish and
it does not involve any form of cooking. To prepare this
native cuisine, the people of Surigao debone and wash

ilaw
the raw fishes and combine it with a number of
condiments. The perfect mix of ginger, vinegar, onions, chilli peppers, and salt makes this
delicacy a haven for your taste buds.

Gigaquit Rhum is one of the most popular native

beverages in Surigao. It even ranks number four in the top
five delicacies of the city. This rare and flavorful beverage
is fermented at a Sasa tree which is found in.
Figure 49.Gigaquit Rhum

Dried Pijanga, also known as “white goby,” this first

class dried fish comes from Lake Mainit in Surigao del Norte.
This delicacy has a special story because it’s produced from
the efforts of the rural agrarian reform community of Surigao.

d Pihanga
 Nilusak is cassava that is mashed with sugar and
margarine, sprinkled with grated mature coconut, and
rolled into ping-pong sized balls. The yellow color of the
cassava, speckled with the white coconut, makes nilusak
balls.
Figure 51.Nilusak

Nilambiran is a different version of the suman. It

is made of two kinds of glutinous rice, the purplish red
and the white, cooked separately with coconut milk,
sugar and salt, and delicately intertwined then wrapped
in banana leaves. The result is a delightful brown-and-
white-striped suman.
mbiran

Palagsing is another version of the suman that is

made from the starch of the sago palm mixed with
coconut and brown sugar. This is usually eaten along
with hot chocolate or coffee.
Figure 53.Palagsing

Poot Poot Ginamos, this delicacy is unfamiliar to

tourists and even Filipinos coming from Manila. Poot
poot ginamos is a unique and tasty treat from Surigao.
This flavorful delicacy is made of small fishes locally
known as poot poot. This type of fish can only be found
in Philippine shores. This fish specialty comes with
fermented fish sauce which is very cheap, making it even
more popular to tourists.
inamos