Some Historical Facts about Butuan City from: Rene Vargas, MD March 17, 1001 - the first recorded trade mission from Butuan to China, yes, before there was Philippines. Two weeks ago, an official of the Chinese embassy came to Butuan for the 999th anniversary. Next year, 2001, the city will celebrate in a grand way the 1,000th year. It seems that Butuanons knew of China from across the seas, while China was unaware of our islands. Our trade before that date was through Champa, now Vietnam. That historic visit is on record in China. This is one evidence of the Butuan civilization already far advanced for its time. It is further supported by the carbon dating of the several Balanghai boats, the earliest was 320 AD, the others were dated about 1,000 AD, the time of the reign of the Sung Dynasty in China during this reign was recorded the Butuan trade mission in 1001 AD. The Sung ceramics antiques dug up in Masao and thereabouts further strengthen Butuan's historical glory days. 479 years ago on March 31st-the first land mass was held in Masao by the Magellan expedition adventurers. This is controversial, but more historians are now convinced that Masao, and not Limasawa, is the historic site. More and more evidence are coming out. It is however accepted that history can and should never be legislated, as it was done during the Marcos years (Imelda is from Leyte). On this day, there will be a Thanksgiving Mass, a motorcade to the Bood Promontory in Pinamangculan where the historic cross was thought to be planted by Magellan's crew. A symposium on history, about the controversy and its implications to present day events, will follow in the afternoon. And of course, on August 2 2000, the city will be 50 years old, celebrating the golden anniversary of the passage of the city charter by Congress. The charter law was authored by the late Marcos Calo.