The document provides information about Caraga Region (Region XIII) in the Philippines. It is the newest region, created in 1995 and composed of 4 provinces - Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur. The region has a population that primarily speaks Cebuano and is home to several indigenous groups. Several festivals are described that celebrate the region's culture, history, and bountiful harvests. Important geographical features and sites of historical and cultural significance are also mentioned.

1. Caraga Region
REGION XIII

2. Definition
oRegion XIII or the Caraga
Administrative Region is the
newest region in the Philippines
created under Republic Act No.
7901 on February 25, 1995.
oThe regional center is Butuan City.

3. Definition
It is composed
of four
provinces:
oAgusan del
Norte,
oAgusan del
Sur
oSurigao del
Norte
oSurigao del
Sur

4. Geography
oIt is situated in the
northeast section of
Mindanao.
o North: Bohol
South: provinces of
Davao, Compostela
Valley & Davao Oriental
of Region XI, West:
Bukidnon and Misamis
Oriental of Region X
East : Philippine Sea and
the Pacific Ocean.

5. Etymology
The word Caraga originated from the
Visayan word Kalagan; kalag meaning
soul or people.
The region was called as the “Land of the
Brave and Fierce People” by early
chronicles because the region has a long
history of being brave and fearless.

6. Population and Dialect
 Majority of the population of the region
speaks Cebuano about 43.79%.
 Other dialects spoken are Surigaonon,
Kamayo, Boholanon, Manobo, Butuanon
and Hiligaynon.
 Caraga is home to several minority
groups, representing 34.7% of the region’s
population. The most numerous were the
Manobos.

7. City/
Municipality
Provinces Area in km2 Population
Total Density/km
2
Butuan City Agusan Del
Norte
816.62 298,378 365.38
Surigao City Surigao Del Norte 245.30 132,151 538.73
City of Bislig Surigao Del Sur 331.80 102,009 307.44
City of Bayugan
Agusan Del Sur
688.77 95,032 137.97
Prosperidad Agusan Del Sur 505.15 75,390 149.24
San Francisco Agusan Del Sur 392.53 62,881 160.19
City of
Cabadbaran
Agusan Del Sur 214.44 61,564 287.09
Buenavista Agusan Del
Norte
475.61 53,059 111.56
City of Tandag Surigao Del Sur 291.73 50,549 172.96
Esperanza Agusan Del Sur 1,355.48 47,569 35.16

8. Provinces
Caraga Region

9. Agusan Del Norte
 is a second-class province and the
smallest in the Caraga Region.
 It is mountainous along its northeastern
and western parts.
 Indigenous people of the Mamanwa,
Manobo and Higa-onon tribes populate
her majestic mountains.
 Capital : Cabadbaran

10. Kahimunan Festival
o Kahimunan Festival is Butuan’s way of showing
its gratitude towards one of its patron saints, the
Sto. Nino, also known as the Child Jesus.
o The word “Kahimunan” is from a dialect meaing
the “gathering”. Kahimunan Festival is the city’s
tribute to Sto. Nino for providing its residents
with a bountiful harvest and many blessings.
o Celebrated every third Sunday of January in
Butuan City.

11. Sumayajaw Festival
o Sumayajaw showcases the ethnic attire and
colorful props. It shows to the world the
creativity of the people in showing gratitude
to the Almighty for the blessings received.
o Sumayajaw is a great attraction to the
townsfolk and tourists as well.
o It is a festival celebrated annually in
Jabonga every 15th of August, the Fall of the
Feast of Our Lady of Assumption

12. Marang Festival
oMarang Festival is a fruit abundant in
Las Nieves.
oIt embodies the rich harvest in the
province of Agusan del Norte.

13. Balangay Shrine Museum
 it is found in Butuan, Agusan Del Norte
In this museum, the replica of balangays
is erected on this place

14. Magellan’s Landing Site
oThe Balangay Shrine Museum, located
in Brgy. Libertad, lays the graveyard of
the Balangay 1 dated 320 A.D. or 1688
years old.
oThe Balangay shrine museum is located
at Balanghai, Libertad, Butuan City.

15. Masao
ofirst Christian mass was celebrated
in Masao, Butuan, Agusan del Norte

16. Lake Mainit
It is situated 80
meters above sea
level with a mean
depth of 128 meters,
it is a confluence of
28 rivers.
 It is the 4th
biggest
lake in the
Philippines and the
most pristine.

17. Agusan Del Sur
→The province of Agusan del Sur once
shared one governance with its sister
province, Agusan del Norte.
→Act 4969, enacted on June 17, 1967,
divided the Agusan province into two:
Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte.
→Its capital town is Prosperidad where the
Provincial Government Center is situated.

18. Kahimunan Festival
► a local version of the Sinulog Festival of
Cebu, it is highlighted by street dancing
focusing on the indigenous tribes' of
Bayugan and their way of life.
►Celebrated every Last Sunday of January,
the festival has been known to lure tourists
all over the region.

19. Santikan Festival
› Santikan is a Manobo word which mean to
strike or the stiking of two hard objects to
create friction or fire.
› It is to this essence that the festival is
highlighted by different friendly
competitions throughout its duration.
› This festival is held every June 12 - 15 in
Trento, Agusan del Sur.

20. Naliyagan Festival
═Naliyagan Festival which is celebrated
every June 12 to 17 in
Prosperidad,Agusan Del Sur
═the manobo elders of Agusan del Sur
chose the word "naliyagan" which means
the chosen one, the most loved one.
═ This festival depicts Agusanon culture
and heritage with natives showing off their
tribal dances and rituals.

21. Bega Falls

22. Bega Falls
◘ “BEGA” derived from the Manobo term means
“LUSTFUL”………
◘ Long time ago, there was a beautiful woman lived in that
specific place who had a very glamorous and alluring beauty.
An angelic face of long, glossy shine hair that touched the
ground which need to be folded when she walked and strolled
along the mountains and dales to avoid being stepped.
Many strangers and invaders longed to be her man for her
strange beauty. Rivalry arose that caused chaos to those
interested to her. Different strategies heated-up to won lady’s
love and affection.
One of the frustrating suitors secretly abducted the lady and
hid to the isolated part in the “SAMPAW” which means
‘WATERFALL”. Misfortune happened to the lady. The rude
man raped her, cut her long hair and lastly killed her.

23. Agusan Marsh
→This mystical wetland in the northeastern
part of Mindanao, is the largest marshland
in the Philippines, holding up to 15% of the
country’s freshwater. It is located in the
center of the Agusan River Basin, which is
the third largest river basin in the country.
→It encompasses a total of 65,806 hectares
but only 19,196.58 hectares is declared as
protected area

24. Bunawan Eco-Park

25. Bunawan Eco-Park
› The municipality of Bunawan is located at the
southeastern side of the landlocked province of
Agusan del Sur.
› Known as the “Gateway to the Great Agusan
Marsh”, the municipality is also famous for
housing the largest crocodile in captivity –
Lolong.
› The saltwater crocodile is a male Indo-Pacific
and weighs a whopping 2,370 lbs and measures
a length of 6.17 meters (20 feet 3 inches).