CATANDUANES

effect on October 16, 1945.

Brief History Of Catanduanes

Historical Background

Language/Dialect
Bicol is the native tongue but with
different nuances and variations,
especially when one goes up to the
northern towns like Pandan,
Caramoran, and Panganiban.
English and Tagalog are commonly
spoken and understood.

PRE-SPANISH PERIOD

Catanduanes is
an island province of
the Philippines located in the Bicol
Region of Luzon. It is the 12th
largest Island in the Philippines. Its
capital is Virac and the province
lies to the east of Camarines
Sur across Maqueda Channel. As of
the 2010 census, the population of
the province is 246,300 people.
[2] The island province was among
the 42 provinces in the country
listed as Peaceful and Ready for
Development last year 2014.
The province, formerly known as
"Catanduan, "Catandongan", and
finally "Catanduanes", derived its
name from the "tando" trees.;
The early settlers of this island
were said to be scions of the Datus
of Borneo. Juan de Salcedo arrived
in this island in 1573, hunting for
pirates, and conquered and
Christianized the natives. Three
years later, a galleon expedition
from Acapulco was shipwrecked
near the island and the survivors
were either killed or made
servants. The Batalay Church in
Bato, just several kilometers from
the capital town of Virac, marks
that historical event.
Commonwealth Act No. 687
established Catanduanes as a
province independent from Albay. It
was approved by Congress on
September 26, 1945, signed into
law by President Sergio Osmea,
Sr. on October 24, 1945, and took

Bornean Datus settled on the

island of
Panay. Their scions then, spread
out throughout the archipelago
were the first settlers to have set
foot in Catanduanes. The island
was not spared from raids of the
Moros coming from the island of
Mindanao. Because of these
destructive raids, many records of
the past were destroyed and lost.
SPANISH PERIOD
Juan de Salcedo arrived in this
island in 1573, hunting for pirates,
and conquered the natives. Three
years later, a galleon expedition
from Acapulco was shipwrecked
near the island and the survivors
were either killed or made
servants. The Batalay Church in
Bato, just several kilometers from
the capital town of Virac, marks
that historical event.
The Christianization of the island
started some twenty years later.
The conquistadores, after
subjugating the Bicol mainland,
returned to the island with
Franciscan missionaries. From 1600
to 1857, the colonizers were able
to put up nine centers of local
governments through the
establishment of parishes.
EVANGELIZATION
The actual evangelization of the
island started some twenty years
later, when the soldiers of Spain,
after subjugating the Bicol
mainland, came back with
Franciscan missionaries. The
missionaries armed with the cross
and backed by the sword of the
conquistadors evangelized the

entire population without much

resistance, after initially converting
the southern tribes.
CHRISTIANIZATION
From 1600 to 1857, the colonizers
were able to put up nine centers of
local governments through the
establishment of parishes:
Caramoran ; Pandan (1650); Viga
(1661); Panganiban (1663); Virac
(1775); Bato (1830); and San
Andres (1853). During the early
fifties, Baras was created.
Bagamanoc, a thriving municipality
during the Spanish period was
reduced to a mere barrio of Viga
and later of Panganiban, during the
American regime. It formally
became a municipality in 1950
followed by Gigmoto in 1951,
and San Miguelin 1952. It was
during this period that the island
saw its own development growth.
Interlinking roads built and trading
centers created.
AMERICAN PERIOD
During the American Regime, the
local insurgents refused to
recognize the sovereignty of the
United States. Most of them fled to
the mountains. The American
occupation did not last long. In
1934, the Americans had ceased
control of the island.
WORLD WAR II
During World War II, Catanduanes
was not spared from Japanese
invasion. The Japanese erected
garrisons in different parts of the
island and committed many
atrocities.
Major Salvador Rodolfo organized
the Catanduanes Liberation Forces
and the back bone of the
resistance movement. It performed
numerous ambuscades against the
Japanese Imperial Army and
conducted intelligence gathering,
which was necessary in paving the

way for the eventual liberation of

the province by the combined
American and Filipino troops.
During his exploits as a guerilla
leader, Rodolfo was rumored
several times to have been killed in
battle but time and again he keeps
on coming back to destroy every
vestige of enemy control in the
province of Catanduanes, hence he
was called "Phantom" or the Man
who never dies.
PEOPLE POWER REVOLUTION
The People Power Revolution in
February 1986 ushered in new
leadership. Former Ambassador
Leandro I. Verceles Sr. was
appointed Governor of the
province. In 1988, Governor
Leandro I. Verceles Sr. ran for
Governor and won the election. His
term ended in 1992 when lost to
Governor Rosalie A. Estacio. After
Governor Estacio, Governor Severo
C. Alcantara became the governor
of the province in 1995. Gov.
Alcantara did not run for re-election
due to failing health. In 1998
Governor Hector S. Sanchez won
the election. Governor Sanchez run
for re-election but lost to Governor
Leandro B. Verceles Jr who became
governor for two successive terms.
In 2007 synchronized elections,
Gov. Verceles run again for his third
and last term for governor but lost
to Governor Joseph C. Cua, who
became governor from 2007-2013
for two successive terms but lost to
Gov. Araceli B. Wong last May 2013
election. Gov. Wong is now the
incumbent governor.
Virac
It has been said that Virac is a
derivation of the word Vidak
while others claim it is a
contraction of the Spanish version
of the word burac, meaning
flower. A priest is on a quest for
more information about the
natives. Pointing to a tree, he
asked what it was called and the

natives replied, Burac.

Thereupon, the priest made his
first notation on his book of
information burac.
Virac is a first class municipality in
the province of Catanduanes, Philip
pines. It is the capital municipality
of the province and the most
populous and fifth largest in land
area. According to the 2010
census, it has a population of
66,951 persons.
Brief History
During pre-Hispanic times, tribal
chieftain Lumibao, scion of Datu
Dumaguil, came to the Philippines
with his wife Milbigan and the 13
Malay datus, settling near Vidak
spring where he founded a
settlement.
During the Revolution, a bloody
battle between the Spaniards and
the rebels was fought at Virac (Sitio
Ili, Brgy. Danicop). The Spaniards
left before the arrival of Filipino
troops from Luzon in 1898.
During the Philippine-American
War, the Americans entered Virac
in 1900.
The towns name is said to be a
derivation of the word Vidac while
others claim it is a contraction of
the Spanish version of the
word burac, meaning flower.
TRADITIONS/CULTURE
(Festivals and
Celebrations)
Catandungan Festival
-is an annual prime celebration of the
island province. It is the anniversary
celebration and tribute to its founders,
to continuously remind the people of
Catanduanes of the provinces'
independence from the province of
Albay. The main features of the festival
are: Street Dancing - Pantomina
Dance, Beauty Pageant, Agro-Trade
Fair, Sports Fest, Guided Tour, Surfing
Cup, Art/Photo Exhibits, Etc.

Abaca Festival
is an annual cultural celebration
of the province. It cognizance of the
importance of abaca in the local
economy and the need to showcase its
versatility as a major source of
livelihood and craft material which has
brought Catanduanes fame and
fortune. The festival will showcase the
life and resilient spirit of the
Catandunganon and its culture, as well
as the uniqueness and exoticness of
the island and its people.

Folk Festivals
The folk festivals celebrated as
part of the local religious rituals
are with unique traces of the
Spanish colonization. Among
these festivals are:
Dinahit Festival
- is a prime festival in the municipality
of Pandan celebrated every April. The
word Dinahit is a native sailing vessel
used by the Austronesians to travel
across the ocean to reach Pandan, the
northernmost municipality of the
province.

Kalbaryo or Calvary
which is commonly staged
during the Holy Week is a reenactment
of the passion of Christs way of the
cross can be best seen in the
Municipality of San Andres during Holy
Wednesday and Good Friday of every
year.

Padadyao sa Tinampo
is purely native cultural presentation
of street dancing held every 24
October to commemorate the
provinces founding anniversary.
Kagharong
is a native depiction of the nativity
scene is held every year during the
yuletide season.

Pantomina
is purely a native dance, popular on
occasions of importance. It is a dance
interpretation (pantomime) of
a rooster courting a hen. Pantomina
dance is mostly practiced in rural
areas.

Sugbo Festival
is a very recent addition to these
traditional festivals. The notable
contemporary event is celebrated by
the seven barangays of Hitoma
in Caramoran that
produces sugbo or tiger grass - a
bamboo like perennial grass used to
make brooms.Celebrated every month
of May coinciding with the Hitoma
barangay fiesta, it is being
institutionalized with the support of
the provincial government, LGU of
Caramoran and national line agencies
to promote the commercial
development of the local lasa or tiger
grass industry and to create signature
products from tiger grass.

Industry
The five major income sources of
Catanduanes are:
Services, Agriculture and Fishing,
Tourism, Cottage Industry and
Manufacturing.
Cottage Industry and
Manufacturing
The Abaca Capital. From 2001 through
2010, the Philippines production of
abaca fiber averaged 65,701 mt per
year and had been decreasing at a
minimal rate of 0.8% per annum
caused by the devastating typhoons in
2006 coupled with abaca viral
diseases that continued to affect the
plantations as well as the dampened
foreign demand brought about by the
global economic recession This was
primarily the effect of the incremental
production from the abaca plantations
established in 2005 and 2006 under
FIDAs program Goal I Development
of New Agri-Business Lands and the
continued strong demand and
attractive prices offered for the fiber
by local traders,
processors/manufacturers and
exporters. Catanduanes Island is the
native habitat of the endemic abaca
plant (a banana relative) which is
globally renowned for its strong fiber.
In fact, the Philippines FIDA (Fiber
Industry Development Authority)
declared the island as the highest
abaca producing province in 2010.

Agriculture and Fishing

Catanduanes is also reclaiming the

title of Crab Capital of the
Philippines, which it lost to Negros
province about three decades ago. But
still the province still the region's
"Crab Capital". Catanduanes mud crab
industry is enjoying the support of the
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources, Department of Science and
Technology, Department of
Environment and Natural Resources,
Department of labor and Employment
and Catanduanes State University.
The provincial government, for its
part, is maintaining the Catanduanes
Crab Center (CCC) which serves as a
source of crablets for grow-out and
fattening by fishpond operators. It
carries out a special program for
queen or gravid crabs designed to
ensure the sustainability of the
industry in the province, which
originally owned the crab capital of
the Philippines title. The provinces
mud crab industry is focusing on the
production of female crabs that play
an important role in marketing,
particularly in Asian countries such as
Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and
Singapore.

Tourism
Tourism Industry in the province is
relatively growing despite of almost
year round typhoon, naming the
province as a "Typhoon Capital of the
Philippines" with a tagline "The Land
of the Howling Winds". Catanduanes is
famous for its unspoiled beaches, prehistoric caves, exotic places, quaint
stone chapels and massive churches.
Despite the typhoons, safe anchorage
are provided by its many bays and
coves notably Kalapalan, Gigmoto,
Soboc and Cabugao. Its Pacific

coastlines are havens for surfers. The

home to the Majestic Waves, with its
long magnificent barrels, it is a
surfers paradise in idyllic Baras. It
also boasts idyllic beaches with
powdery sands and coral formations.
Mysterious caves with historical
significance to compliments its beauty
and mystic would surely enchant the
travelers, most notably the Luyang
Cave. Nature trails and panoramic
views such as the one viewed from the
grounds of the PAGASA Weather Radar
Station is a photo enthusiast dreamcome-true. A religious pilgrim will be
well satisfied with a tour of the
churches and religious shrines in the
Island. The Museo De Catanduanes
with its fine collection of artifacts is a
must for the history buff.
Catanduanes is An Eco-Adventure
Paradise, it is for those who love
nature at its best.

Rattan Chair

Wood Crafts

Catanduanes Specialty Products

Crispy Pili

Chili Cupcakes

Aside from the great surf and host of

nature and outdoor adventures, the
province of Catanduanes in the Bicol
region boasts of some of the best
food. Bicolano cuisine is known for its
generous use of gata (coconut milk)
and spicy ingredients. Mix that with
the natural abundance of seafood in
the island-province. Heres a food
diary of the most memorable meals.
Lobster: This delicious dish of
steamed lobster was served for lunch
in Majestics Beach Resort in Puraran
Beach, a major surfing and tourist
destination in the province. The meat
of the lobster tasted tender and a bit

sweeter than crab meat. Since the

flavor was a bit mild, this went really
well with calamansi and soy sauce.

Prawns : The prawns were larger

compared to the shrimps normally can
be bought from the markets in Manila.

Octopus: Octopus adobo was another

dish served at Puraran Beach.
Tuna Sashimi and Kilawin

Bicol Express: A signature vegetable

dish from the region made of gabi,
coconut milk, sili, and shrimp paste,
Bicol express goes great with any type
of seafood. One of the best variants
was served in Kemji Resort and
Resto near the airport in San Isidro
Village, Virac. The hotel, which has a
cozy al fresco resto called Cafe Teraza
overlooking a swimming pool, serves
mainly Chinese fare like lumpiang
shanghai and pancit, as well as a few
Bicolano staples like Bicol Express.

Political Subdivisions
Political Government
-Catanduanes has 11 Towns.
Catanduanes is divided into two
parts, West Catanduanes and East
Catanduanes. West Catanduanes
is composed of 3 Towns that lies
in the western part of the Island;
Virac, San Andres (Calolbon) and
Caramoran while East
Catanduanes is composed of 8
Towns that lies in the eastern part
of the Island; Bato, San Miguel,
Baras, Gigmoto, Viga, Panganiban
(Payo), Bagamanoc and Pandan.
Each Town has their attractions.
-There are 315 barangays all over
the province and one
Congressional district.
- Virac is a first class municipality in
the province of Catanduanes,
Philippines.
Famous Natural Resources and
Tourist Spots
Natural
PURARAN BEACH
Puraran, Baras
Clean and peach-colored beach,

Puraran is invigorating to those

who want to bask in the glory of
the sea, sand and sky. This is the
most famous beach in
Catanduanes and placed the
province in the surfing map of the
world, listed as one of the top
surfing locations. It also boasts of
a magnificent view of mountains
and coves. The place, apart from
excluding modern comforts, also
means less urban chaos and more
peace and serenity.

while leisurely walking along the

stretch of its powdery-white
sands and dabbling in its
undeniably tamed waters. A place
to enjoy the vantage view of the
beautiful sunset and where one
could take a full view of the
breathtaking perfect silhouette of
Mayon Volcano and its neighbor,
Bulusan Volcano, in the distance.

Luyang Cave Park

Lictin, San Andres
Feel the cool damp air inside this
mute witness to and tomb of the
massacre natives who fled from
the Moro pirates during the
17th century. To appease their
troubled souls, a mini grotto and
altar was built inside in memory
of this massacre. A Requiem
Mass is said on April 28 of every
year. The adventurer could revel
in the sight of the corridors of
majestic and colossal stalactites
and stalagmites pillars and rock
formations. Hanging from the
ceilings and waalls of the cave are
countless bats who reigns the
whole length of the cave. From a
distance is Mt. Cagmasosco, one
of the highest mountain peaks in
the province.

AMENIA BEACH RESORT

Palawig, San Andres
Reeling with the textures of the
sun, sea and sand, one can easily
lose oneself and be drifted away

TWIN ROCK BEACH RESORT

Igang, Virac
Where the aquamarine vastness
is punctuated by two rocks jutting
out of the Pacific Ocean, where
the underwater coral formations
are ideal for snorkeling, this
resort is one of the best in the
entire islan. Its mysteriously
comforting calm and safe refuge
to visiting tourists, whether
foreign or domestic, are warm
assurances of a wholesome and
relaxing experience. Experience
the adrenaline rush with its own
zip-line, a 40 foot climbing wall, a
wipeout like obstacle course,
canopy walk and ATV rides. The
resort also offers diving packages.

Bagamanoc. It has white sand

that lead to a stairway up a hill
where the structures are located.
From atop, the marvelous view of
the Pacifics turquoise waters
crashing against the shoreline is
more than enough to compensate
for the long journey.

BALITE BEACH
Balite, Virac
The sprawling beach is covered
with cool and shady trees and
blessed with fine creamy sand,
both in the shorelines and in the
swimming area. The clear water is
ideal for snorkeling and spear
fishing because of the welldeveloped coral formations. The
beach is an ideal place for family
and office outings and weekend
picnics.

MARIBINA FALLS
Marinawa-Binanuahan, Bato
Maribina Falls is the most popular
and widely publicized among the
numerous waterfalls in
Catanduanes. Gushing with
breath-taking rapids of crystalclear waters, the cascading threelayer falls is located amid rustic
surroundings and lush green
vegetation. There are ideal picnic
grounds near the waterfalls and
sheds are available for day
visitors.

LORAN RUINS
Panay Island, Bagamanoc
At the tip of Panay Island, in the
barangay of Quigaray in the
municipality of Bagamanoc, is the
famous LORAN Beach. LORAN
stands for Long Range Aid to
Navigation, a former American
naval base built around the early
1950s as an outpost to monitor
movements in the Pacific Ocean.
Abandoned in 1972, the camp was
then used by local coastguards in
1980 and was again abandoned.
The beach is a short walk from the
drop off point, reachable by banca
30 to 40 minutes from the
shoreline of the town of

NAHULUGAN FALLS
San Pedro, Gigmoto
The cascades of this falls boast of
a tall drop where its waters
beautifully cascade on three tiers,
creating spectacular sprays where
bathers can soothe their tired
muscles. It is surrounded by lush
vegetation and forest where

locals have made place into a

natural picnic ground.

of scuba diving equipment makes

it stand out from the rest of the
resorts. Luxuriate in the comforts
of truly high-end accommodation
facilities.

Kosta Alcantara Beach Resort

Virac, Catanduanes
Its shoreline is covered with fine
white sand and its pristine azure
waters never fail to lure visitors
to take a dip. It faces the
mainland Bicol where one could
take a full view of the
breathtaking Mayon Volcano.
Accommodations are truly classy
and elegant.

Bosdak Beach Resort

Magnesia del Sur, 12 km southwest of Virac
Bask in the glow of deep blue
waters stretching like an expanse
of warm silk that kisses the
velvety sky. Complete with
amenities like a swimming pool,
restaurant and bar, and hostel
accommodations.

Emmalyn Paradise Resort

San Andres, Catanduanes
It boasts of luxurious and worldclass air-condition cottages, an
orchidarium, and a spring-fed
swimming pool. Its complete line

Solong Falls
San Miguel, Catanduanes

Secluded and relatively

unexplored, the waterfalls beckon
trekkers for a refreshing dip.
Located along lush vegetation
that grow under the damp mist of
the clouds, creating forests with
peaceful and ethereal beauty. It
has several cascading waters
flowing into natural pools.
Cottages are available for picnic
goers and adventurers at a
minimal entrance fee.

Soboc Cove

Mamangal Beach
Virac, Catanduanes
Crystalline waters abound with
natural and colorful reefs where a
big number of species swarm in
the multi-colored panorama.

Located in Viga on the

northeastern portion of the
province, the cove has white
beaches and when seen from a
distance, the panoramic view is
simply superb. The whole stretch
of Soboc Cove continues to
beguile visitors with its unspoiled
beauty-an asset which the locals
within the area are guarding
zealously.

Balongbong Falls
Located in Bato along the national
highway. In the basin is a manmade swimming pool and a
pavilion for excursionists.

Toytoy Beach
Caramoran, Catanduanes
The well-developed coral
formations underwater makes it
ideal for snorkeling and spear
fishing.

Man-Made
Museo de Catanduanes
3/F Old Capitol Building
Santa Elena, Virac

Experience a glimpse of the

historical development of the
province in its own one and only
culture and heritage center, a
showcase of CAtanduanes history
and rich repository of its genetic
culture.

Historical
Japanese Tunnel
This is the former radar site of the
Japanese Imperial Navy during
World War II.

PAG-ASA WEATHER RADAR

STATION
Buenavista, Bato
The latest state of the art Doppler
radar station that sits on top of a
mountain is expected to mitigate
the impact of devastating
typhoons in the country as the
state weather agency. PAG-ASA,
predicts incoming typhoons. It will
also provide accurate weather
forecasts from PAG-ASA and thus
creating a system that will better
warn the officials of the national
and local disaster risk reduction
and management offices and the
people, about possible typhoons
and readier than ever to respond
to these threats and help the
people recover from potential
damages.
Religious

Holy Cross of Batalay Shrine

Batalay, Bato
The shrine is the site where the
first Catholic Cross was planted in
Catanduanes and was built over
the burial place of Augustinian
priest Fray Diego de Herrera in
1576 who died in Batalay, Bato.
Legend says that a spring water
sprouted near the cross, believed
to have healing powers. It is a
common belief that the cross
presently enshrined in the Batalay
Chapel is still the original cross
planted more than 420 years ago.
Batalay has been the center of
annual religious pilgrimages from
people of different places. The
Holy Cross of Batalay is a
Diocesan shrine with the right to
hold a liturgical celebration on the
last Friday of April every year.

St. John the Baptist Catholic

Church
Poblacion, Bato
The magnificently situated edifice
stands proudly by the scenic Bato
River and greets everyone upon
entrance to the town of Bato. It is
the only remaining structure of its
kind in the entire island.

Our Lady of Sorrows Shrine

Batong Paloway, San Andres
The thumbnail sized river stone
bearing the mystical face of the
Virgin Mary found in a river bank
is believed to have grown in size
over the years. At present, one
can view the image with the bare
eyes unlike before, when one had
to use a magnifying lens. The
image has drawn many devotees
throughout the years and a mass
is being heard every Friday
afternoon as devotees flock the
chapel regularly to pray the
rosary and novenas. Every Lenten
week celebration people on Holy
Thursday walk from Virac and as
far as Batalay, Bato on a
penitentiary pilgrimage to visit
and pray to the Lady of Sorrows.

Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral

Concepcion, Virac
Located at the heart of the capital
town of Virac, the cathedral that
has been super-imposed over the
old parish church is adorned with
stained glass windows and a roof
dome is being added on top of the
altar.

Godbless
Prepared By: Florexan Pason
BEED 2A