This theory is supported by Butuanon tourist guides that I met in

Butuan during one of the conferences that I attended in 2015. Accordingly, in

those days of relative peace in Mindanao prior to the coming of the
Spaniards, Tausug royals---relatives of a Raja in Butuan---would visit the
latter for a sort of reunion. They would celebrate and have their feast in an
island called Masao1. One of the gifts that the Sulu royals would give were
seedlings of Jati tree2. According to another tourist guide living in the Masao
area3, until today, a number of Tausug individuals would visit the place, say
some prayers and plant Jati tree before leaving the area. This explains why a
lot of Jati trees could be seen in Masao nowadays. Interestingly, the largest
living Jati tree is to be found in India.4

1 Also Mazaua, Massawa, Masiao, Masawa. Incidentally, Masawa in Tausug means

"bright or full of light". According to a Butuanon tourist, Masao island is easily
noticed during night time those days since there was a lot fireflies in the area and it
was one of the reasons why the group of Magellan was attracted to dock in the
island.
2 A large tree (Tectona Grandis) that produces hard timbers primarily used for
furniture and shipbuilding---contains essential oil that prevents the rusting of iron
nail in sea water. According to one of the tourist guides, the leaves---produces redcolored extract when crushed---are also used to paint the coffins of ancient
Butuanon. In Sulu, the leaves are also used to preserve food and to wrap cooked
rice for travel. It enhances the taste of the cooked rice. The tree is also abundant in
Sulu.
3 Due to floods and soil erosions, Masao island become part of the mainland and is
now one of the barangays in Butuan.
4 It is known in India as Teak tree.