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Editor ChristineCabiasa Cabiasa Editor:: Christine
Volume III, III, No. No. 105 107 Volume
Hi, Hometown
See story on Page PageC1 12 SeptemberSee 29,story 2014on C1 12 September 26, 2014
Jasaan Focusing another second look on a place in the middle of Misamis Oriental
Sagpulon Falls (panoramio.com)
Jasaan Municipal Hall (panoramio.com)
J
By IrENE Dayo
asaan town in Misamis Oriental is a home to me for 21 years of my life. This place spells my memorable childhood days. I have stepped my feet in various places around the town and all I can say is that Jasaan is simply amazing, and it is a hometown that I could always boast to my friends coming from other locations. This peaceful town is situated along Macajalar Bay, in central coast of Northern
Mindanao, 30 kilometers east of Cagayan de Oro City. It is bounded by the municipalities of Balingasag in east, Villanueva in west and Claveria in north. The municipality of Jasaan sits in a location perfect for summer break and holiday getaways. It is known for its pool resorts, springs, rivers and beaches that attracts tourists from both nearby and far places. It is also a home of Sagpulon Falls, referred to as
Immaculada Concepcion Parish Church (Photo by Irene Dayo)
an acclaimed tourist attraction in the country. Jasaan is abundant in water resources which the town considered as an asset to be proud of, and might be the reason on the creation of a festive and colorful Katubigan Festival celebrated annually on the month of December. This town, considered small though, has also embraced the culture of modernism, making it at par with other municipalities in the province. Jasaan is one of the places not only rich in water resources but also tradition that has been preserved even its oldest form and cultural heritage that might reached not just centennial year. Town that considered “small” to some though, but I must admit that, a native Jasaanon as I am, I haven’t touched all its edges and corners. There are still some more doors to explore.
HISTORY Like other places, Jasaan has also its own noble history that can even traced in pre-Spanish era. In various records, Jasaan is already an existing municipality in 1803. It was reduced, however, to a barangay in 1903 and placed under the jurisdiction of Balingasag town during the times Americans has occupied the town, after Spaniards. The name “Jasaan” was given by a Spanish missionary who chanced upon a native sharpening a bolo in Sapong Spring, now called Kota, Aplaya. The missionary asked for the name of the place. However, the native replied "Ag-hasaa" meaning, "I am sharpening my bolo." The missionary, thinking that he was answered correctly, called the place "Ag-hasaa." Unfortunately, he find the term difficult to pronounce, so he called it "Hasaan" instead. Later time, it was changed to "Jasaan." The early Jasaanons struggled as heroes just to restore the municipal status of Jasaan. In result, President Elpidio Quirino issued an executive order no. 165, dated August 18, 1948, that this made Jasaan regain its municipal status. November 10, 1948 is engraved as a date when Jasaan has conducted a formal inauguration and first set of municipal leaders assumed office. Jasaan, undergone changes and developments that its leaders has implemented over the years. Thus, from a so-called “sleepy and sparsely populated community,”
The Festival Queen Kristina Neri Libres.
Jasaan developed into an agro-industrial town, one of the giant contributors for Misamis Oriental. FAMOUS SPOTS Jasaan, as I mentioned before, is a place rich in terms of water resources. It is just also so fortunate for this town to be occupied by people who are naturally nature-loving and resourceful. The resources are opted to be developed and its natural beauty is enhanced, reason Jasaan is one of locations in Misamis Oriental that excels when it comes to Tourism. The Falls of Sagpulon is one of these sites. I remember during my participation of National Schools Press Conference last 2005, this falls is considered as one of the most visited spots in Northern Mindanao. Sagpulon is located in Jasaan’s barangay San Isidro, only seven kilometres away from the national highway. The falls has a height of 350 me-
tres. Tourists can never fail in expecting a breathtaking experience through the perfect panorama of the hanging bridge. Untouched dimensions of the falls, such as small caves and cliffs, also awaits adventurers and travelers. The unexplored rock formations invite some more tourists to come and enjoy the breath-taking scenery and adventure. Agutayan Island, simply known as White Island to residents, is also a famous site found in the coast of Jasaan. It has 5,000-square meter fine white sand situated on a three-hectare marine sanctuary, serving as breeding ground of marine species such as the giant clams, called as Taclobo. The white island also expose an amazing marine life. Under waters is a kingdom of Agutayan reefs. Crabs called as Agukoy is also abundant in here. In a look metres away, the place JASAAN | see Page C2
SIGNING OF MOU. The Immaculate Concepcion Church has been declared as one of the National Cultural Treasure by Rev. Fr. Harold Rentoria, Commissioner of Subcommission on Cultural Heritage (SCH), under National Commission for the Culture and the Arts last June 19, 2014. (PIA-10 Photo)
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