Bukagan ng Bukagan

Ang Bukagan Hill, na matatagpuan sa labas ng lungsod, ay isang maliit na burol na nag-aalok ng
magandang tanawin ng lungsod. Nagsisimula rin itong maging isang paboritong umaga o hapon na
hiking spot ng mga lokal dahil sa pag-access nito.

Larawan

Ang dumi ng dumi sa mga kampanilya ng Ozamiz.

Larawan

Ang burol ay din ang tahanan ng 4 mahusay na mga kampanilya ng Ozamiz - San Pedro, St. Marien, St.
Joseph, at St. Michael. Ang mga kampanilya ay inatasan na mai-install sa Imaculate Conception
Metropolitan Cathedral, gayunpaman, ang pinagsamang 7-toneladang bigat ng apat na mga kampanilya
ay labis para sa belfry ng simbahan. Dahil ang pagtatayo ng isang bagong belfry ay hindi magagawa,
natagpuan ng mga kampanilya ang bahay nito sa Bukagan Hill kung saan ito ay nanatiling tahimik sa loob
ng mga dekada.

Pagdating doon: Maaari kang magrenta ng tricycle o isang habal-habal upang pumunta sa Bukagan Hill.

Bukagan Hill

Bukagan Hill, located in the outskirts of the city, is a small hill that offers a beautiful view of the city. It is
also starting to become a favorite morning or afternoon hiking spot by locals because of its accessibility.

Picture

The dirt trail to the bells of Ozamiz.

Picture

The hill is also the home of the 4 great bells of Ozamiz - St. Peter, St. Marien, St. Joseph, and St. Michael.
The bells were commissioned to be installed at the Imaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral,
however, the combined 7-ton weight of the four bells was too much for the church's belfry. Since the
construction of a new belfry was not feasible, the bells found its home at Bukagan Hill where it has
remained silent for decades.

Getting there: You can rent a tricycle or a habal-habal to go to Bukagan Hill.

THE BELLS OF BUKAGAN HILL

By: Dr. Emma A. Villaseran

A tourist in Ozamiz City should never miss seeing the tower of the four great bells at the top of Bukagan
Hill. They are worth the sweat and tires feet if one attempts to go up the hill on foot or the different
phobias one experiences as the vehicle goes up. Aside from the wonder of the bells one gets a bonus,
the beautiful scenarios around including the panorama of Ozamiz.

The bells christened by their German casters as “St. Peter”, “St. Marien”, “St. Joseph” and “St. Michael”
were purchased by Bishop Patrick Cronin, D.D. for the Immaculate Conception Cathedral for 15,000
Deutschmarks. Upon their arrival, they were found to be too heavy and too large for the cathedral's
belfry. All in all, they weigh seven tons. The catholic community felt that it was very expensive to
construct a special belfry for them considering that a lot of fund raising effort was made for the building
of the cathedral and the installing of the pipe organ. The bells remained on the spot where they were
placed for years.

t was through the efforts of Ozamiz City Mayor Fernando T. Bernad that the bells were finally given a
place of their own, the Bukagan Hill. Mayor Bernad approached Bishop Jesus Y. Varela and asked him to
donate the bells to the city for Bukagan Hill development. After consulting the people, Bishop Varela
willingly donated the bells.

Mayor Bernad did not lose time in raising funds through the help of the Jaycees and other civic
organizations. He then had a road to the top of the hill and the bell tower constructed. In due time the
huge bells were transported and installed.

By July 16, 1948 the inauguration of the bells atop Bukagan Hill took place. Mayor Fernando T. Bernad's
guests represented various sectors of the city. Among others, the guests were Bishop Jesus y. Varela
(Catholic community), Captain Unte (Islamic community) Bishop Mauricio Serena (Protestant
community), Rev. Arturo Bitos (Philippine Independent Church Community), Judge Cerefino Ong
(Judiciary), Engr. Ernesto Garces and Engr. Vicente Tanseco (City Engineers), Captain Parojinog (Police
Force) and Dr. Roman Pereyra (donor of the reconstructed guard house).

Father Miguel Bernad S.J., the brother of the Mayor, gave the message. Mr. Valentine La Vina was the
Master of Ceremonies while Mrs. Adelaida N. Abinales was the musical Director of the affair.

After the ceremonies, the bells were rung to mark the start of their being a symbol of peace and
friendship between the Muslims and the Christian, the purpose for which Mayor Fernando T. Bernad
conceived the idea of putting the bells on the top or Bukagan Hill.
Reference: Bernad, Miguel S.J. The February Revolution and Other Reflections, Quezon City: New Day
Publishers 1986.

Extracted from the “Ozamiz City – The Historical, Cultural and Pilgrimage Destination” Tourism Booklet
courtesy of Annie L. Abad, Ozamiz City Tourism Office