VIA Times – June 2014 Issue Vital News, Vibrant Views for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
By: Ryan Tejero
Butuan City is a considered to be one of the most progressive cities in Southern Philippines. Its rich cultural past is currently housed at the Butuan National Museum in Butuan City. This museum contains remnants that prove the rich heritage that this place once claimed in the past. Some people believe that the name “Butuan” comes from the sour fruit “batu-an.” Other historical facts claimed that it was a name of a former chieftain “Datu Buntu-an.” Contemporary scholars claim that the name “butuan” came from the word “But-an” which refers to someone who has sound and pleasant outlook in life. Butuan City prides itself as primary source of Mindanao’s artifacts that date back to approximately 4th century. Every Butuanon would speak about what makes their city famous for. Currently, Butuanons celebrate the Abayan Festival, which is a boat race and a fluvial procession at the biggest and longest river in Mindanao – the Agusan River. Butuan is also the original maker of a local wine produced from Nipa Palm, which is known as “Laksoy.” Butuan’s land features brags as it hosts a striking landmark of Mt. Mayapay, which is a mountain plateau that served as the meeting place of pre-historic events in the lives of native Butuanons. Here in the Midwest, USA, Butuanons founded a group as they grew in numbers. The membership has a wide range of professional backgrounds from medical, paramedical, religious practitioners, to business entrepreneurs. Most of them are families, living with above-average income. In 2012, the group “Kami nga mga Butuanon,” was created by a charismatic leader in the person of Dr. Fortunato Malicay. He was designated as the lifetime president, which was unanimously decided by its original members at the time of its inception. Dr. Fortunato started the group by gathering a few Butuanon friends and their families. The first gathering was held in May 2012 via a potluck to welcome families who were believed to reside in Chicago and the suburbs. This picnic was held in Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL. It was a historic gathering since it was a commemoration of the Adlaw Hong Butuan (if they were back home). The second gathering happened in May 2013, this time in Romeoville, IL. It became another historic celebration because it was organized to specifically celebrate Butuan’s town fiesta in honor of their Catholic kababayan’s patron saint, Senyor San Jose. With the overwhelming success of the previous social gatherings, Dr. Malicay organized again another picnic in August 2013, this time, the goal was to invite and reach out to other Butuanons from out of state. It surely became a hit to everyone, and so finally, to close the year 2013, Butuanons from Chicago organized its first Christmas Party with attendees coming from Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan and Canada. Butuanons saw the growing number of members. There are currently over a hundred of members. Every Butuanon believes that the organization becomes more exciting each time there is a gathering because it promotes fellowship without obliging anyone to pay a fee to become a member. They established their primary goal is to reconnect with long-lost friends and fellow Butuanon who are here in the US and Canada – to promote friendship and camaraderie. Their gatherings become colorful and meaningful as they bring back their old stories about their simple lives back in Butuan City. In their gatherings, they bring back old times by preparing their favorite Butuanon delicacies and share each other’s experiences here abroad. The next gathering of the Butuanon’s is scheduled on August 2, 2014 at the Cantigny Park. Please like the group on facebook and reconnect with members of “Kami ng mga Butuanon.”
Butuanons during their festive year-end 2013 Christmas Party at the Quinones Residence in
Butuanons during their 2013 picnic in Cantigny Park.
