San Francisco, municipality of the Philippines in the province of Agusan del Sur
San Francisco is a municipality in the province of Agusan del Sur in the Philippines, situated in a wide valley surrounded by gentle hills and larger mountains in the distance. The town consists of 27 barangays and spreads across flat land near the river with patchwork farms and forests, while higher areas transition into thick woods and rocky slopes.
San Francisco was founded on June 21, 1959, and grew slowly into an important town in the region. The Manobo people initially settled here and called the swampy areas Hagpa, but when settlers from the Visayas arrived in the mid-1900s, they brought new farming methods that attracted more population and gradually enlarged the settlement.
The name San Francisco reflects its Spanish colonial heritage, blended with local traditions still visible today. Stone carving crafts made from Irosin stone, which families have created for generations, shape the town's craft culture and are sold at local markets.
The town is well connected to nearby cities via the Maharlika Highway and easily explored on foot or by tricycle. During rainy season, lowland areas can flood, but visitors should know that raised homes and boats are part of local adaptation to the weather.
The Toog Tree in Alegria is over 300 years old and serves as a sacred place where Manobo elders pray and share stories. Visitors can see this ancient site and understand why it holds such spiritual meaning for the local community.
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