EDGAR ABANIL BLOG

Odiongan is an old settlement datring porobably to the 15th century. THe Recollect missionaries were here in the 17th century but left no major buildings as proof. They just established a chapel and left after a few years, may be due to the hostility of the natives. Old Spanish maps indicate it as Oyungan. Odiongan is named after the large sea shell called locally as bodyong. The shell is made into a bodyong or improvised horn to call members of the tribe for a meeting with the Datu. The Datu is a tribal leader who oversees the affairs of the tribe. Datu Odyong was one such legendary figure after which Odiongan was named after. Odiongan River is also the largest river in Gingoog City. It may also be the longest. Its source is at Mt. Lumot, near Mt. Balatukan. The mouth of Odiongan River was once a thriving community of fishermen, Boholano and Chines traders. In the olden times ceremonies were conducted by Baylan to appease the spirit of the river, which claims lives every year. Food an

Mt. Balatukan is the highest peak in the city of Gingoog and the Municipalities of Claveria, Balingasag and Medina. It is sacred to the Higaonons and in the olden times their ancestors made pilgrimages to its peak. A lake called Danao is on its caldera or mouth. The mountain is an old volcano, said to have erupted in the 17th century. Today it looks over Gingoog City like a watchful sentry, guarding Gingoog from typhoons and strong winds. Three planes perished in its vicinity, the last one being the jet of defense secretary Devilla. Fortunately he was not on board when the plane crashed. The ill-fated Flight 387 of Cebu Pacific perished in its adjacent mountain: Mt. Lumot as impact point and Mt. Somagaya the final resting place of the unfortunate air transport. Two perspectives of the same mountain. The picture above was shot in Barangay Eureka, Gingoog City while the picture below was shot in the city proper of Gingoog.