The catchphrase “Ato ini, kadyawon ta!” can be seen on tricycles in Butuan. It means “This is ours, let’s take care of it!” and is distinctly Butuanon.
Butuan, a city in the northeastern Philippines, has its unique linguistic heritage, but concerns loom over the gradual decline of its cherished lingua franca.
The distinct Butuanon vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation once echoed through the streets of the regional center of the Caraga region. This city has remained a bastion of cultural richness within the area.
However, amid its bustling urban landscape, officials and…
