BXTA

The City of Surigao (Filipino Pronunciation: soo-ree-gâhw) ( Filipino: Lungsod ng Surigao; Surigaonon: Siyudad nan Surigao) located at the northeasternmost tip of Mindanao Island in the Philippines and the capital of the province of Surigao del Norte, Philippines. It has a total land area of 245.34 km2 which is roughly 1.4% of Caraga Region. According to the 2007 census, 132,151 people live in the city. With an annual growth rate of 1.52%, it is the most densely populated urban area in the entire Caraga Region with 540 persons per square kilometer. Surigao was founded by the Spanish colonists in 1655 who named it Distrito de Caraga. It was a vital port town for transport of goods to neighboring islands in the archipelago. Today, Surigao is one of the most important seaports in Mindanao after Davao and Cagayan de Oro for gross registered tonnage handled. It is ranked consistently by the Asian Institute of Management as one of the most competitive cities in the Philippines with a total income of approx PP440 million pesos in 2009.

The city has abundant mineral reserves including gold, iron, manganese, cobalt, copper and among the world's largest nickel deposits in Nonoc Island. The surrounding waters and coastal areas provides sanctuary to numerous species of fish and aquatic life. Its warm weather and proximity to the Pacific Ocean offers various activities around its islands, sea channels, beaches, caves, swamps and remote villages on stilts. The city's location makes it an ideal jumpoff point to tourists visiting popular adventure islands of Siargao, Dinagat and Bucas Grande. It is the center of politics, commerce, industry and education for the entire province as well as parts of the neighboring provinces of Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Bohol and Southern Leyte.


HISTORY

World War II
Further information: Battle of Surigao Strait

Surigao featured prominently in World War II's Pacific theater. On May 23, 1942, the Japanese Imperial Army under Colonel Yoshie occupied Surigao after arriving from Butuan. They formally took over on May 28, 1942 under Lieutenant Ichichara, taking control from Mayor Amat. Filipino guerrilla units based in Surigao continued to operate in the hinterlands. Liberation from the Japanese rule dawned on September 9, 1944. American planes started their campaign by bombing the town in the early morning. It was followed by a strafing of all Japanese warships docked at the Surigao wharf, which came to transport fresh troops and supplies to their forces in Leyte. No less than fifty warships were sunk by the raiding American bomber planes. After the attack, not a single Japanese ship was seen afloat. The following month, on October 24–25, the famous Battle of Surigao Strait, the final line battle in naval history, was fiercely fought by allied forces against the Japanese fleet. By April 12, 1945, the whole province of Surigao was liberated from Japanese occupation.
[edit] Post War
Surigao Provincial Capitol

Massive reconstruction followed the desctruction brought by the war. The Surigao Provincial Capitol was completed in 1946 atop the hill overlooking the city. Other facilities were built including schools, athletic field and municipal jail. In 1948, the first election of municipal officials was held. During that year, construction of the Surigao Provincial Hospital commenced. Six years later in 1954, construction of the first municipal building started and was completed in 1955. Economic activities continued to flourish with the launching of gold mining operations by Mindanao Mother Lode Mines in Mabuhay, 10 kilometers away from the city. Rapid economic growth and immigration resulted to losing some of its fishing and agricultural barrios as they were converted into towns of Malimono, Anao-aon (San Francisco) and Sison from 1956 until 1959. At that time, Surigao was classified as a 1st Class B municipality with an annual income of P160,000.00 and a population of nearly 50,000. It was primarily an agricultural town producing mainly copra and basic staples including rice, corn, bananas and rootcrops. Fishing was also a major source of livelihood. On September 18, 1960, pursuant to the Republic Act 2736 dated June 19, 1960, the province of Surigao was divided into Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur. The town of Surigao remained as a capital, this time for the province of Surigao del Norte.

The town's growth seemed unstoppable. Already, it had a domestic airport, three movie houses, three hotels and two hospitals. However, on November 19, 1964, tragedy befell the town as it saw its most massive destruction yet. It was in the direct path of supertyphoon Ining, internationally code- named Louise [2], with peak winds at 190 miles per hour. The wrath of the storm was severe and devastation wide, both in infrastructure and human lives. Just as they overcame the destruction of the war, the townspeople's tenacity was again proven as they participated in the town's rebuilding. In a short time, three years later in 1967, Pacific Cement Corporation [3] started commercial operations in Mabuhay, producing among the highest quality cement in the country. In 1969, Marinduque Mining Industrial Corporation started nickel exploration in Nonoc Island with an initial capitalization of PP1.0 billion pesos, ushering a new era of prosperity.


Culture
[edit] People

Surigao is home to one of the country's oldest and most colorful tribes, the Mamanwa. They are similar to the Negritoes of Luzon Island in features and stature. They are generally short, dark-skinned with a crop of short kinky hair. Forced to settle in the hinterlands due to development, they continued to practice their customs and traditions. The faith about “Kahimunan”, one of their many tribal festivities, highlights music and graceful dancing. Revelers chant and play while accompanied by native musical instruments including the gimbar (drum), gong and bamboo percussion called “Kalatong” and “Katik”. Wild pigs, chicken and indigenous fruits including the rare "Kayape" are among the offerings. A “Baylan”( priest) presides the celebration as a tribute and invocation to their god “Magbabaya” and departed ancestors for good health and abundant harvest.
Bonok Bonok Festival revelers

Mamanwas are also known for their creative patterns, brass jewelries and indigenous crafts, displayed proudly on their costumes as they fill the streets at the height of the Bonok Bonok Maradjao Karadjao Festival every September 9, celebrated on the occasion of the feast of San Nicolas de Tolentino, Surigao City's patron saint. “Bonok-bonok” and its prehistoric origins was another ritual to thank their gods, presided by various village chieftains and their wives. Happiness and friendship are expressed through dancing, chanting and singing. They wave scarves of “Banay” as symbols of goodwill, wealth and blessings for all tribal villages.

Today, Mamanwas remain in the highland hinterlands and occasionally descend to sell or barter handicrafts and fresh harvests. Their numbers are unknown as groups still move constantly in search of budding greens. Bands still subsist on foraging even as their hunting and gathering lifestyle has changed over the years.

Majority of the residents in the city and lowland areas originate from various ethnic groups around the country including Boholanos, Tagalogs, Ilonggos, Warays, Cebuanos, and other Visayan groups.
[edit] Folklore

The Diwata mountain range and wilderness is a formidable backbone emerging from Mindanao's northern tip in Surigao to its southernmost end in Davao. Locals believe these mountains are alive and home to nonhuman elements roaming its vastness. They warn mountain trekkers of keeping an eye for the Tikbalang or demon horse, a patchwork of a creature with a horse's head, a body of a man and hooves of a horse. Legend tells how these creatures mislead travelers, eventually losing their way inside the dense forests and never finding their way out.

Thinking of a refreshing swim in one of Surigao's swift rivers or immerse in Lake Mainit's serene waters? Beware of the Bakunawa, a winged giant serpent with a red tongue, saw- like teeth and gigantic bulging eyes peering occasionally above the water. It is known to swallow small children and babies at the snap of its wide fleshy mouth.

While these mysterious creatures presence is unpredictable and only often heard lurking around when kids misbehave, adventurous visitors are mostly tempted to make a pitstop in coastal villages at the foot of this highland terrain, eager to hear stories about them. If one would ask, he will almost certainly be guaranteed to hear firsthand accounts of close encounters with these creatures. The stories are told by elders, usually as the sun sets and darkness falls, the sound of the leaves rustling and branches breaking as the wind forces its way through the dense underbrush, as the full moon shimmers at waters edge, foreboding the arrival of an impending danger as children gather close to home, away from the shadows of the cunning Tikbalang and Bakunawa.
[edit] Language

Surigaonon, the official dialect in the city and province is unique among the Visayan dialects. It is also spoken by majority of the population in the province of Surigao del Sur and around Lake Mainit in Agusan del Norte. Similarities with the Cebuano language is undeniable, however, staunch Cebuano speakers can hardly understand people who speak Surigaonon. It is still debated whether Surigaonon existed as a pure and distinct dialect, slowly adulterated overtime by other Visayan words as migrants settled in the area. Today, Surigaonon is the most widely- spoken dialect inherent in the entire Caraga region.

Surigaonon has similar consonant and vowel sounds, stress, intonation patterns to the Cebuano language and Boholano languages. Surigaonon underwent certain morphophonemic processes, such as assimilation, deletion, alternation and metathesis (Dumanig, 2005). In the study conducted by Dumanig (2005) on Descriptive Analysis of Surigaonon language it was found that there are 18 consonants (b,d,g,h,j,k,l,m,n,ng,p,r,s,t,w,y,o,?) with 18 sounds and 3 vowels (a,i,u) with 5 sounds. It has also 25 noun clusters (br, bl, bw, by, dr, dy, dw, gr, gw, kr, kl, kw, mw, my, nw, pr, pl, pw, py, sw, sy, tr, tw, ty, hw) and 4 diphthongs (aw, ay, iw, uy), which are similar to the Cebuano language (Rubrico, 1999). There are Surigaonon words that are spelled similarly but they differ in meaning depending on how each syllable is stressed (Dumanig, 2005). Surigaonon language follows two intonation patterns like the rising and falling intonation. The rising intonation is common in asking yes or no questions and the falling intonation occurs in ending declarative and imperative statements (Dumanig, 2005).

Economy

Surigao City underwent an economic boom during the late '60s and early '70s after the Pacific Cement (PACEMCO) started commercial operations manufacturing Portland cement and the Canadian company- owned Marinduque Mining and Industrial Corporation opened for nickel and iron ore production in Nonoc Island. At that time, the residents were experiencing a sudden transformation from a sleepy town to a vibrant city with new businesses opening to accommodate an increasing demand for goods and services. This culminated towards the end of that decade when Surigao eventually attained first class city status. With increased mining activities throughout the province due to its abundant natural resources and rising mineral prices worldwide, the city became the nexus of mining operations for the entire Region X which then encompassed the northern half of Mindanao Island. The Bureau of Mines and Geosciences moved its regional headquarters in the city. However, after the following decade, nickel production dwindled and eventually folded as a result of plummeting nickel ore prices in the world market. Surigao experienced marked economic slowdown and depended on its remaining sources of income which includes basic services, small scale industries, agriculture and fishing. Even the copra processing plant SUCODECO in Lipata did not survive the onslaught. Adding insult to an already hurt economy, typhoon Nitang ( internationally codenamed Hurricane Ike) struck the city in September 1984. The devastation was severe and wide. There were lots of casualties numbering close to 2000 human deaths. This extract from The Times on 6 September 1984 reports on the aftermath:[1]

While more than 300 people are now known to have died, Mr Salvador Sering, the deputy governor, believes 1,000 died in the provincial capital [Surigao City] alone. The city has run out of coffins and people are being buried in mass graves. Some 200 residents of the town of Mainit were reported to have drowned when a lake burst its banks. As the clearing up continues, cholera and typhoid vaccines have been flown to the devastated areas.

From the mid 80's until the turn of the 21st century, Surigao's economic woes mirrored the rest of the nation, returning to a bedroom community as it saw some of its original families leave looking for opportunities beyond its boundaries and migrants infuse new vigor to the once lively town. Slowly during this decade, the city saw its own gold mine- tapping its own natural resources, embracing the development and preservation of its vast tourism potential that has swept neighboring provinces and the islands within the province.
Surigao City Port
Surigao Mining Map 2011
[edit] Resurgent Economy, Rebirth of the Mining Capital

During the last decade, the city saw gradual economic resurgence. As its population doubled, more businesses moved in. The city's potential as a major port was enhanced with increased handling capacity as its port expansion was completed. Today, it is one of the country's top seaports for gross registered tonnage handled [5]. It also ranks among the busiest for interisland travel. The once prosperous Nonoc Island has been identified as a special economic zone ( Ecozone) by the national government, a boon older residents are quite familiar not too long ago. This project once fully realized will put back the island's existing infrastructure including a 1300-meter concrete airstrip and two 60,000 dwt seaport back in operation. The recent entry of major international mining companies Sumitomo and Philex Mining Corporation [6] with multimillion dollar investments in the province sparked renewed interest of its vast mineral reserves and has helped spur secondary economic activities in the city. Already, major store chains like Gaisano and Robinson's are planning to build malls in the city. Citihardware and Davao Central Warehouse anchor branches are currently under construction. A tuna canning factory is also planned, a first in the Caraga region
The City of Surigao (Filipino Pronunciation: soo-ree-gâhw) ( Filipino: Lungsod ng Surigao; Surigaonon: Siyudad nan Surigao) located at the northeasternmost tip of Mindanao Island in the Philippines and the capital of the province of Surigao del Norte, Philippines. It has a total land area of 245.34 km2 which is roughly 1.4% of Caraga Region. According to the 2007 census, 132,151 people live in the city. With an annual growth rate of 1.52%, it is the most densely populated urban area in the entire Caraga Region with 540 persons per square kilometer. Surigao was founded by the Spanish colonists in 1655 who named it Distrito de Caraga. It was a vital port town for transport of goods to neighboring islands in the archipelago. Today, Surigao is one of the most important seaports in Mindanao after Davao and Cagayan de Oro for gross registered tonnage handled. It is ranked consistently by the Asian Institute of Management as one of the most competitive cities in the Philippines with a total income of approx PP440 million pesos in 2009.

The city has abundant mineral reserves including gold, iron, manganese, cobalt, copper and among the world's largest nickel deposits in Nonoc Island. The surrounding waters and coastal areas provides sanctuary to numerous species of fish and aquatic life. Its warm weather and proximity to the Pacific Ocean offers various activities around its islands, sea channels, beaches, caves, swamps and remote villages on stilts. The city's location makes it an ideal jumpoff point to tourists visiting popular adventure islands of Siargao, Dinagat and Bucas Grande. It is the center of politics, commerce, industry and education for the entire province as well as parts of the neighboring provinces of Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Bohol and Southern Leyte.


HISTORY

World War II
Further information: Battle of Surigao Strait

Surigao featured prominently in World War II's Pacific theater. On May 23, 1942, the Japanese Imperial Army under Colonel Yoshie occupied Surigao after arriving from Butuan. They formally took over on May 28, 1942 under Lieutenant Ichichara, taking control from Mayor Amat. Filipino guerrilla units based in Surigao continued to operate in the hinterlands. Liberation from the Japanese rule dawned on September 9, 1944. American planes started their campaign by bombing the town in the early morning. It was followed by a strafing of all Japanese warships docked at the Surigao wharf, which came to transport fresh troops and supplies to their forces in Leyte. No less than fifty warships were sunk by the raiding American bomber planes. After the attack, not a single Japanese ship was seen afloat. The following month, on October 24–25, the famous Battle of Surigao Strait, the final line battle in naval history, was fiercely fought by allied forces against the Japanese fleet. By April 12, 1945, the whole province of Surigao was liberated from Japanese occupation.
[edit] Post War
Surigao Provincial Capitol

Massive reconstruction followed the desctruction brought by the war. The Surigao Provincial Capitol was completed in 1946 atop the hill overlooking the city. Other facilities were built including schools, athletic field and municipal jail. In 1948, the first election of municipal officials was held. During that year, construction of the Surigao Provincial Hospital commenced. Six years later in 1954, construction of the first municipal building started and was completed in 1955. Economic activities continued to flourish with the launching of gold mining operations by Mindanao Mother Lode Mines in Mabuhay, 10 kilometers away from the city. Rapid economic growth and immigration resulted to losing some of its fishing and agricultural barrios as they were converted into towns of Malimono, Anao-aon (San Francisco) and Sison from 1956 until 1959. At that time, Surigao was classified as a 1st Class B municipality with an annual income of P160,000.00 and a population of nearly 50,000. It was primarily an agricultural town producing mainly copra and basic staples including rice, corn, bananas and rootcrops. Fishing was also a major source of livelihood. On September 18, 1960, pursuant to the Republic Act 2736 dated June 19, 1960, the province of Surigao was divided into Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur. The town of Surigao remained as a capital, this time for the province of Surigao del Norte.

The town's growth seemed unstoppable. Already, it had a domestic airport, three movie houses, three hotels and two hospitals. However, on November 19, 1964, tragedy befell the town as it saw its most massive destruction yet. It was in the direct path of supertyphoon Ining, internationally code- named Louise [2], with peak winds at 190 miles per hour. The wrath of the storm was severe and devastation wide, both in infrastructure and human lives. Just as they overcame the destruction of the war, the townspeople's tenacity was again proven as they participated in the town's rebuilding. In a short time, three years later in 1967, Pacific Cement Corporation [3] started commercial operations in Mabuhay, producing among the highest quality cement in the country. In 1969, Marinduque Mining Industrial Corporation started nickel exploration in Nonoc Island with an initial capitalization of PP1.0 billion pesos, ushering a new era of prosperity.


Culture
[edit] People

Surigao is home to one of the country's oldest and most colorful tribes, the Mamanwa. They are similar to the Negritoes of Luzon Island in features and stature. They are generally short, dark-skinned with a crop of short kinky hair. Forced to settle in the hinterlands due to development, they continued to practice their customs and traditions. The faith about “Kahimunan”, one of their many tribal festivities, highlights music and graceful dancing. Revelers chant and play while accompanied by native musical instruments including the gimbar (drum), gong and bamboo percussion called “Kalatong” and “Katik”. Wild pigs, chicken and indigenous fruits including the rare "Kayape" are among the offerings. A “Baylan”( priest) presides the celebration as a tribute and invocation to their god “Magbabaya” and departed ancestors for good health and abundant harvest.
Bonok Bonok Festival revelers

Mamanwas are also known for their creative patterns, brass jewelries and indigenous crafts, displayed proudly on their costumes as they fill the streets at the height of the Bonok Bonok Maradjao Karadjao Festival every September 9, celebrated on the occasion of the feast of San Nicolas de Tolentino, Surigao City's patron saint. “Bonok-bonok” and its prehistoric origins was another ritual to thank their gods, presided by various village chieftains and their wives. Happiness and friendship are expressed through dancing, chanting and singing. They wave scarves of “Banay” as symbols of goodwill, wealth and blessings for all tribal villages.

Today, Mamanwas remain in the highland hinterlands and occasionally descend to sell or barter handicrafts and fresh harvests. Their numbers are unknown as groups still move constantly in search of budding greens. Bands still subsist on foraging even as their hunting and gathering lifestyle has changed over the years.

Majority of the residents in the city and lowland areas originate from various ethnic groups around the country including Boholanos, Tagalogs, Ilonggos, Warays, Cebuanos, and other Visayan groups.
[edit] Folklore

The Diwata mountain range and wilderness is a formidable backbone emerging from Mindanao's northern tip in Surigao to its southernmost end in Davao. Locals believe these mountains are alive and home to nonhuman elements roaming its vastness. They warn mountain trekkers of keeping an eye for the Tikbalang or demon horse, a patchwork of a creature with a horse's head, a body of a man and hooves of a horse. Legend tells how these creatures mislead travelers, eventually losing their way inside the dense forests and never finding their way out.

Thinking of a refreshing swim in one of Surigao's swift rivers or immerse in Lake Mainit's serene waters? Beware of the Bakunawa, a winged giant serpent with a red tongue, saw- like teeth and gigantic bulging eyes peering occasionally above the water. It is known to swallow small children and babies at the snap of its wide fleshy mouth.

While these mysterious creatures presence is unpredictable and only often heard lurking around when kids misbehave, adventurous visitors are mostly tempted to make a pitstop in coastal villages at the foot of this highland terrain, eager to hear stories about them. If one would ask, he will almost certainly be guaranteed to hear firsthand accounts of close encounters with these creatures. The stories are told by elders, usually as the sun sets and darkness falls, the sound of the leaves rustling and branches breaking as the wind forces its way through the dense underbrush, as the full moon shimmers at waters edge, foreboding the arrival of an impending danger as children gather close to home, away from the shadows of the cunning Tikbalang and Bakunawa.
[edit] Language

Surigaonon, the official dialect in the city and province is unique among the Visayan dialects. It is also spoken by majority of the population in the province of Surigao del Sur and around Lake Mainit in Agusan del Norte. Similarities with the Cebuano language is undeniable, however, staunch Cebuano speakers can hardly understand people who speak Surigaonon. It is still debated whether Surigaonon existed as a pure and distinct dialect, slowly adulterated overtime by other Visayan words as migrants settled in the area. Today, Surigaonon is the most widely- spoken dialect inherent in the entire Caraga region.

Surigaonon has similar consonant and vowel sounds, stress, intonation patterns to the Cebuano language and Boholano languages. Surigaonon underwent certain morphophonemic processes, such as assimilation, deletion, alternation and metathesis (Dumanig, 2005). In the study conducted by Dumanig (2005) on Descriptive Analysis of Surigaonon language it was found that there are 18 consonants (b,d,g,h,j,k,l,m,n,ng,p,r,s,t,w,y,o,?) with 18 sounds and 3 vowels (a,i,u) with 5 sounds. It has also 25 noun clusters (br, bl, bw, by, dr, dy, dw, gr, gw, kr, kl, kw, mw, my, nw, pr, pl, pw, py, sw, sy, tr, tw, ty, hw) and 4 diphthongs (aw, ay, iw, uy), which are similar to the Cebuano language (Rubrico, 1999). There are Surigaonon words that are spelled similarly but they differ in meaning depending on how each syllable is stressed (Dumanig, 2005). Surigaonon language follows two intonation patterns like the rising and falling intonation. The rising intonation is common in asking yes or no questions and the falling intonation occurs in ending declarative and imperative statements (Dumanig, 2005).

Economy

Surigao City underwent an economic boom during the late '60s and early '70s after the Pacific Cement (PACEMCO) started commercial operations manufacturing Portland cement and the Canadian company- owned Marinduque Mining and Industrial Corporation opened for nickel and iron ore production in Nonoc Island. At that time, the residents were experiencing a sudden transformation from a sleepy town to a vibrant city with new businesses opening to accommodate an increasing demand for goods and services. This culminated towards the end of that decade when Surigao eventually attained first class city status. With increased mining activities throughout the province due to its abundant natural resources and rising mineral prices worldwide, the city became the nexus of mining operations for the entire Region X which then encompassed the northern half of Mindanao Island. The Bureau of Mines and Geosciences moved its regional headquarters in the city. However, after the following decade, nickel production dwindled and eventually folded as a result of plummeting nickel ore prices in the world market. Surigao experienced marked economic slowdown and depended on its remaining sources of income which includes basic services, small scale industries, agriculture and fishing. Even the copra processing plant SUCODECO in Lipata did not survive the onslaught. Adding insult to an already hurt economy, typhoon Nitang ( internationally codenamed Hurricane Ike) struck the city in September 1984. The devastation was severe and wide. There were lots of casualties numbering close to 2000 human deaths. This extract from The Times on 6 September 1984 reports on the aftermath:[1]

While more than 300 people are now known to have died, Mr Salvador Sering, the deputy governor, believes 1,000 died in the provincial capital [Surigao City] alone. The city has run out of coffins and people are being buried in mass graves. Some 200 residents of the town of Mainit were reported to have drowned when a lake burst its banks. As the clearing up continues, cholera and typhoid vaccines have been flown to the devastated areas.

From the mid 80's until the turn of the 21st century, Surigao's economic woes mirrored the rest of the nation, returning to a bedroom community as it saw some of its original families leave looking for opportunities beyond its boundaries and migrants infuse new vigor to the once lively town. Slowly during this decade, the city saw its own gold mine- tapping its own natural resources, embracing the development and preservation of its vast tourism potential that has swept neighboring provinces and the islands within the province.
Surigao City Port
Surigao Mining Map 2011
[edit] Resurgent Economy, Rebirth of the Mining Capital

During the last decade, the city saw gradual economic resurgence. As its population doubled, more businesses moved in. The city's potential as a major port was enhanced with increased handling capacity as its port expansion was completed. Today, it is one of the country's top seaports for gross registered tonnage handled [5]. It also ranks among the busiest for interisland travel. The once prosperous Nonoc Island has been identified as a special economic zone ( Ecozone) by the national government, a boon older residents are quite familiar not too long ago. This project once fully realized will put back the island's existing infrastructure including a 1300-meter concrete airstrip and two 60,000 dwt seaport back in operation. The recent entry of major international mining companies Sumitomo and Philex Mining Corporation [6] with multimillion dollar investments in the province sparked renewed interest of its vast mineral reserves and has helped spur secondary economic activities in the city. Already, major store chains like Gaisano and Robinson's are planning to build malls in the city. Citihardware and Davao Central Warehouse anchor branches are currently under construction. A tuna canning factory is also planned, a first in the Caraga region.