Ilagan City : Butaka and Other Tales

At first, I didn't know what Butaka means. I actually thought it was an animal when I heard before that the largest butaka in the world can be found in Ilagan! And so I know now I was really mistaken for I discovered that it actually refers to an armchair - only, Ilagan's armchair is a gigantic one.   

World's Largest Butaka. Ilagan, Isabela.

This giant butaka was built in April 2003 by 25 craftsmen in 29 days. Christened as the "Butaka ni Goliath", it is made of premium narra woods and rattan and measures 11 ft. 4 in. high, 20 ft. 8 in. long, and 9 ft. 7 in. wide. At least 15 people were needed to carry the chair's feet and arms during assembly! The Guinness Book of World Records officially recognized "Butaka ni Goliath" as the largest armchair in the world the same year it was built. It currently can be found at Barangay Alinguigan, along National Highway, beside Bonifacio Park (Rotunda). 

Isabela : A Tour on the Queen's Province of the North

It was a realization of a childhood dream. The dream to just ride a bus and let it bring me to places far from where I grew up, and savor the changing sceneries seen through the bus's window.

And yes, it was one of my very first long bus rides alone... and I did enjoy it. 

Ilagan City, Isabela

It happened in a flash. One night (3rd week of August, 2012), I just decided to visit Isabela and Cagayan provinces. After 2 days, I boarded a bus bound to Santiago City, and from there started my 2 day adventure.