Once again, Huluga is back in the headlines and this is because of the purported discovery of what they called the Sung burial site. This is named after the Chinese tradeware ceramics that were manufactured in the 9th century during the Sung Dynasty. The Sung wares were found together with numerous human skulls and mandibles in Huluga.

The most notable of these finds were skulls that exhibited cranial deformation, which was widely practiced during the prehispanic period by the Visayans as a sign of beauty. Front-page photos in a local weekly show Dr. Linda Burton of Xavier University and Dr. Antonio Montalvan of Capitol University standing besides sacks full of human skulls and bones. Some were spread on the ground and were examined by Mr. Angel Bautista, a noted zoo archaeologist and head of the Cultural Properties Division of the National Museum.

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However, together with the excitement of such a discovery were headlined stories of Dr. Linda Burton and her heritage group asking Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula to have the land titles around the burial site nullified. This has caused panic among several landowners. So on the October 2, 2009 meeting of the Cagayan de Oro City Heritage Council, it was unanimously agreed by all those present that it is our duty to put this issue in its proper perspective for the supposed new archaeological site is not yet a "done" thing. An official statement was issued to the press informing the public that the site will have to be thoroughly excavated and studied by a team from the National Museum. The results of their work will then be used as the basis by the National Museum to declare if the site is really a Sung burial ground or not.

But there is a new twist to the new Huluga saga. Some old residents in the Macasandig and Indahag areas called and then volunteered to guide me to the area where the purported Sung burial site is located. We went with them to the site that is on the side of a small hill. The climb was short but steep and the whole area had tall cogon grass. We reached a small ledge and the guide said, "Mao na ni" (This is it).

The guide pointed to two sacks full of human bones. I examined some of them and saw that these belong to several persons who probably died less than two decades ago. I thought that the set of teeth that the guide held up was somewhat new.

The pit measured six feet by eleven feet and the soil was brownish black and loose. I also saw grayish sandy soil and pebbles strewn on the floor of the clearing. I was told by the guide that the digging started two years ago by four men who hoped to find antique jars or plates that they can sell for a good price. In archaeological parlance, these men are called "pothunters." They reportedly found skulls with plates on the foreheads.

We took photos the pit, the sacks of bones and of a small plastic laundry brush that was soiled and worn. This was apparently used to clean the unearthed artifacts. There were also discarded plastic plates, a mineral bottle, several plastic bags and an opened sardine can. Some human bones were strewn near the pit. But the pit has just been covered with the same soil that was previously scooped out by the pothunters. So I decided not to go down the pit since it seemed to be loose and it is in a heavily eroded area.

On the way to our car, our guide told us that this area is sitio Guisoc of barangay Pualas in the municipality of Baungngon, Bukidnon. I was further informed that they will stand on the fact that the diggings were done in sitio Guisoc by four men since 2007. And by the way, Huluga, which is part of Cagayan de Oro City, is three kilometers downhill.

I believe that sitio Guisoc could be a rich archaeological site since it located on a higher ground. In the journal written by the two Recollect priests who were the first to enter the Himologan fortress of Datu Salangsang in 1622, they wrote that it was located on a cliff overlooking the river. It was so steep that it required a rattan ladder to get in or out. My graduate studies in Archaeology at the University of the Philippines are of great help to me in doing an investigative report on this recent archaeological discovery. I am taught that it is important for me to get the historical accounts, the landscape data and other important information so I can come up with a credible and viable report. More of this next week.

I wish to take this opportunity to inform the readers that the reason why I choose to go back to school and take up graduate studies at the Archaeological Studies Program in the University of the Philippines is because this is the best way that I can serve and make a big difference in my work of promoting awareness, appreciation and preservation of the Kagay-anon cultural heritage.

I give Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula the credit for encouraging me to go back to school and supporting me in all my endeavors. When he was a congressman, he also studied and got an MA in Economics for he believed that it will enhance his work in Congress and his service to the people.

Contrary to what a few were led to believe, my tuition fees and other expenses come from my own pocket. I am not a scholar of the City Government. Nevertheless, my passion and love for my work has never ebbed despite attempts to soil my reputation. (prroa50@yahoo.com)