One of the highlights of the 58th Adlaw Hong Butuan celebration is the Magellan’s Trek (Lumba Pabibo) on July 31 is aimed to re-chart the historical and controversial route of Ferdinand Magellan journey to re-energize the young and olds alike, in terms of historical awareness.

Magellan Trek is basically a sports game involving teen-agers (age 13-16 years old) from various educational institutions comprising 9 members per team’ which would be accompanied by a teacher from the registrant’s school.

Each team must provide their own First-Aid Kit, Scarves and Caps, snacks and water. The Lumba Pabibo (fun run) would start at the City Hall Grounds passing through seven historical sites of the city to finally end at Rizal Park where each team would be given certain tasks which describes best the historicity of the particular site then acted out and performed by the team.

A short video presentation about the team’s race will be judged separately while the criteria for photo video are: 1. Content – must contain clarity of the message, its relevance, originality and accuracy of information (30%); 2. Creativity – layout of scene, interactive design graphic (20%); 3. Technical Quality – smoothness of editing, balance of good visuals and effects (20%); and 4. Appeal – appropriate target audience, engaging, stimulating and thought provoking for target audience (30%). Prizes at stakes are: P10,000 for the 1st Prize, 2nd Prize – P7,000; 3rd Prize – P5,000; and 7 consolation prizes of P1,000 each. Additional prizes for video presentation is also at stake worth P3,000 – 1st Prize; P2,000 – 2nd Prize; and P1,000 – 3rd Prize.

Judges will be positioned to the nearest actualization and accuracy as it happened in the past. The 7 historical sites serve as the focal point where tasks should be executed are: Suatan Creek, Midden Shell, Balanghai Boats, Banza Church Ruins, among others.

Mechanics and guidelines of the activity set by the City Tourism Office chaired by Former Lady Mayor Daisy B. Plaza headed by Esther Guno ensured that while it is true that its prime objective is to promote tourism industry in the city, there will be much fun along the way as well.

It is worth noting that Ferdinand Magellan landed in the shores of Masao Beach, part of Butuan City where the First Mass was held as evidenced in the chronicles of Pigafetta according to description.

Butuan’s history has long been forgotten and perhaps Magellan’s Trek is one way of reviving one’s knowledge of Butuan’s historicity. Future generations need to be acquainted of their beginning and be proud of what Butuan has become today and in the years to come.

Relocating Butuan’s glorious past into the realm of today is indeed realizable through Magellan’s Trek, thus regain Butuan’s glorious and colorful history.

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