Transcript
INTRODUCTION
Municipality of Calauag, Quezon
Calauag is a first class municipality in the province of Quezon, a part of Calabarzon Region in
the Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 69,223, or 82,219 if including 9
disputed barangays. It is about 232 kilometres (144 mi) southeast of Manila and 95 kilometres (59 mi)
east from Lucena, the Provincial Capital. Currently, Calauag experienced steady and fastest growth of
population in 4th District of Quezon and it surpassed Gumaca in total number of inhabitants and currently
second to Lopez, projected to be surpassed in the near future.
Geography
Calauag is located on the northeastern end of Tayabas Isthmus. The Daang Maharlika or Pan-Philippine
Highway runs at the town after Lopez in Southbound and after Santa Elena at the Northbound. At the
north end of Quirino Highway, it meets Daang Maharlika in Barangay Tabugon. It also meets the north
end of Calauag–Guinayangan Provincial Road and also meets Daang Maharlika in Barangay Sumulong.
It is bounded to the northwest by Calauag Bay, southwest by Lopez, to the east by Guinayangan, and to
the north by Basiad Bay and Tinig Bay; it is separated fromAlabat Island by a 1 kilometer narrow strait
Barangays
Calauag is subdivided into 81 barangays:
Agoho
Anahawan
Anas
Apad Lutao
Apad Quezon
Apad Taisan
Atulayan
Baclaran (Poblacion)
Bagong Silang
Balibago
Bangkuruhan
Bantolinao
Barangay Uno (Poblacion)
Barangay Dos (Poblacion)
Barangay Tres (Poblacion)
Barangay Cuatro (Poblacion)
Barangay Cinco (Poblacion)
Bigaan
Binutas
Biyan
Bukal
Buli
Dapdap
Dominlog
Doña Aurora
Guinosayan
Ipil
Kalibo [Santa Cruz]
Kapaluhan
Katangtang
Kigtan
Kinamaligan
Kinalin Ibaba
Kinalin Ilaya
Kumaludkud
Kunalum
Kuyaoyao
Lagay
Lainglaingan
Lungib
Mabini
Madlangdungan
Maglipad [Rosario]
Maligaya
Mambaling
Manhulugin
Marilag [Punaya]
Mulay
Pandanan
Pansol
Patihan
Pinagbayanan (Poblacion)
Pinagkamaligan (Poblacion)
Pinagsakayan
Pinagtalleran (Poblacion)
Rizal Ibaba
Rizal Ilaya
Sabang Uno (Poblacion)
Sabang Dos (Poblacion)
Salvacion
San Quintin
San Roque Ibaba
San Roque Ilaya
Santa Cecilia
Santa Maria (Poblacion)
Santa Milagrosa
Santa Rosa
Santo Angel [Pangahoy]
Santo Domingo
Sinag
Sumilang
Sumulong
Tabansak
Talingting
Tamis
Tikiwan
Tiniguiban
Villa Magsino
Villa San Isidro
Viñas
Yaganak
9 disputed barangays:
Don Tomas Morato
Guitol
Kabuluan
Kagtalaba
Maulawin
Patag Ibaba
Patag Ilaya
Plaridel [Macahadoc]
Tabugon
Disputed barangays
Calauag's borders date to its founding in the Spanish era with the Visita of Viñas acts as an outpost of
Government of Tayabas Province which included the area of now part of disputed barangays. The
disputed barangays are Cabuluan, Don Tomas Morato, Guitol, Kagtalaba, Maulawin, Patag Ibaba, Patag
Ilaya, Plaridel and Tabugon.
On October 14, 1991, the Provincial Government and Municipal Government of Calauag ordered the
destruction of a boundary marker installed by the DENR. On October 1995, then President Fidel V.
Ramos came to Calauag to meet with local officials to resolve the boundary dispute between the two
provinces and surveyed the whole disputed area. Calauag retained its jurisdiction, however the case was
elevated to the Supreme Court which eventually ruled in favor of Camarines Norte and Calauag ceased
its political jurisdiction on the said barangays. Currently, Camarines Norte built its welcome arch in
Barangay Doña Aurora and DPWH Quezon IV-DEO and DPWH Camarines Norte I-DEO installed a
"Boundary" marker a few feet away from the arch. However, the Municipal Government left many marks
specially in elementary schools, barangay halls and outposts which were patched later by the
Government of Santa Elena
Town proper
The town center (poblacion) consists of 12 barangays and 11 blocks from the Philippine National
Railways Station in the East to Pinagkamaligan ES on the west. Going west from Barangay Pinagtalleran
via Quezon Street, there are five blocks of high concentration of shops, groceries and banks.
The Government Center is located at the South of the town which consists of Municipal Hall which
houses the Municipal Library, Fire Station, Police Station and Precinct, and the Municipal Council
building. Quezon Plaza is a well used spot for programs and events. The Livelihood Center is two blocks
away from the Plaza and Quezon Street. the Central Park is also located in front of the Plaza and the
Municipal Hall
Climate
Calauag has a Tropical Climate like most of the country. Summers are hot and dry while rainy season is
cold and wet but has more bearable weather unlike in Manila. It also falls under the Type IV Tropical
Climate which has Rainfall is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year
History
According to the writings of Valentin Martin in his "Ensayo de una sintesis de los trabajos realizados sos
las corporaciones religiosas Españolas de Filipinas", the first record of the establishment of a settlement
in Calauag dates as far as the year 1584. However, the formal founding of the town was placed in the
year 1851 with the union of the settlements in Apad and Calauag.
[1]
The first elected Captain of the town was Juan Sunog. In 1897 the town was placed the Revolutionary
Government and Alipio Declaro became the Municipal President. In 1914 under Municipal President
Marciano Roldan, the town was destroyed by fire for the first time in its history. On December 24, 1941,
the town was occupied by the Japanese Imperial Army and on January 14, 1942, the town was again
destroyed by fire. On April 19, 1945, the United States and Filipino forces liberated the town from
Japanese occupation.
Calauag experienced one of the biggest controversy in the Philippine political arena due to decade long
Territorial Dispute with the Province of Camarines Norte and resulted into Supreme Court case of
Province of Quezon vs. Province of Camarines Norte, Presidential Intervention, loss of 1/4 of the land
area of the town and cold relations with Camarines Norte.
[edit]Government
The mayor for the 2010–2013 term is Luisito Visorde, whom defeated former mayor Eric Entienza in the
2010 election. Ernesto Olviga is the city's incumbent vice-mayor. The mayor is restricted to three
consecutive terms, totaling nine years, although a mayor can be elected again after an interruption of one
term. The mayor has the direct control of the departments while the Municipal Administrator is indirectly in
charge of all departments of the Government while the Vice Mayor is in charge of the Municipal Council
which consists of seven Councilors and one MunicipalSangguniang Kabataan/SK (Youth Council)
Chairman which are elected every three years and Municipal Administrator is appointed by the mayor.
[edit]Congressional and provincial legislators
In the House of Representatives, Calauag is located at the 4th District of Quezon, Represented
by Liberal Lorenzo Tañada III while the disputed barangays are under 1st District of Camarines Norte,
Represented by Renato Unico Jr. However, the disputed barangays still receive pork barrel from some of
the Board Members.
In the Provincial Council, 4th District of Quezon is represented by four incumbent board members:
Manuel Butardo, Gerald Ortiz and Rachel Ubana.
[edit]Economy
Calauag is one of the major towns in Southern Quezon in terms of economy and population. Calauag is
often known as the Communications and Transport Capital of Quezon due to presence of four bus
companies and one communication company Headquartered in Calauag.
Infrastructure
[edit]Transportation
Calauag is accessible by Land Transportation like bus, and train via PNR Hondagua of Bicol Express
Service. Calauag Station is currently under renovation due to damages of Typhoons and Storms and the
Intercity Service is currently defunct. Travelling around the town proper is no problem since there are
thousands of tricycles circling the Town Proper.
[edit]Utilities
Quezon Electric Cooperative provides Electricity to the whole town, Calauag Water District provides clean
and potable water to the residents of the Town Proper and nearby barangays and taps water at the
Yaganak-Mambaling Dam. The Local, NDD and DSL internet are provided by Santos Telephone. While
the wireless phones and internet are provided by national communications company
like Smart, Globe and Sun Cellular since there are no regional wireless networks that operates in the
whole area.
Capaluhan Beach
Santa Milagrosa Cave
Calauag Central Park
The “C” Lighthouse
Lucena was originally a barrio of Tayabas town, then the capital of the Province of Tayabas which was
explored by Captain Juan de Salcedo in 1571 and 1572. Tayabas was organized by the Spaniards through
the Franciscan missionaries.
One of the former names of Lucena was "Cotta" meaning a strong fort, because forts or cottas were
built to defend it from Muslim piratical raids.Spanish records mention the existence of cottas (Tagalog:
kuta) along the coast of Lucena, particularly in Cotta itself and in the Barrio of Mayao, though these
structures are no longer extant. Finally, on November 5, 1878, pursuant to an Orden Real Superior Civil,
the community was named "Lucena." It became an independent municipality on June 1, 1879. The
growth of local maritime trade facilitated in the Cotta port and the final defeat of Moro pirates plying
the Luzon and Visayan waters, afforded the growth of Lucena as a town which eventually led to its being
the capital of Tayabas province.
Popular knowledge attribute the origin of the name "Lucena" to the town of Lucena, Andalucia where
the late Reverend Mariano Granja, theFranciscan pioneer parish priest was said to have earlier served
(some even say that he was from this town). The city was originally known as Eliossana, from the
Hebrew ילא והאנעש Elí hosanna, "God may save us". Muslims called it ة ناش ي لا Al-Yussana. But according
to the monumental work (Catalogo Biografico de los Religiosos Franciscanos de la Provincia de San
Gregorio Magno de Filipinas) of a fellow Franciscan, Eusebio Gomez Platero, Fr. Granja was born in
Paredes de Nava, diocese of Palencia, distant from Andalucia. Records also show that he had no
previous post as priest of Lucena, Andalucia.
During the Philippine Revolution of 1896, the captain municipal of Lucena, Jose Zaballero, led the local
revolutionaries. The local revolutionary government was organized by Manuel Argüelles, with José
Barcelona as president. After the declaration of Philippine Independence, Gen. Malvar took over
Tayabas Province on August 15, 1898. Don Crisanto Marquez was elected municipal president during the
first elections.
Lucena was the site of bloody struggles at the outbreak of the Philippine–American War in 1899. Upon
the establishment of a civil government in the Province of Tayabas by the Americans on March 12, 1901,
Lucena was made capital of the province after a bitter debate between Tayabas-born and Lucena-based
officials. The decision to make Lucena as capital was primarily based on its strategic location. Unlike the
former capital town (Tayabas), Lucena has direct access to the sea.
During World War II, Lucena was not spared at the hands of the Japanese who occupied the city on
December 27, 1941. Fortunately however, the city was not devastated by the war. The Hunter ROTC
guerrillas succeeded in driving out the Japanese on January 25, 1945 and consequently, Quezon
province was liberated by joint Filipino and American troops on April 4, 1945.
In 1957, the barrios of Ilayang Iyam and Ibabang Iyam were created.
[3][4]
On June 17, 1961 by virtue of Republic Act No. 3271, sponsored by Cong. Manuel S. Enverga and Cong.
Pascual Espinosa, Lucena became a chartered city. The City of Lucena was inaugurated on August 20,
1962 after the occasion of the 84th birth anniversary of the late Pres. Manuel L. Quezon during August
19.
Geography
The city proper is wedged between two rivers, Dumacaa River on the east and Iyam River on the west.
Seven other rivers and six creeks serve as natural drainage for the city. Its port on the coast
along Tayabas Bay is home to several boat and ferry lines operating and serving the sea lanes between
Lucena and the different points in the region and as far as the Visayas.
There exists a Lucena Airport, but no commercial flights come to the city. Light aircraft can, however,
make use of the facilities.
Being the provincial capital, Lucena is host to most of the branches of governmental agencies,
businesses, banks and service facilities in theSouthern Tagalog region.
Economic activities in Lucena are heavily concentrated in the poblacion and other sub-urban barangays
where the highly dense and constricted central business district (CBD) is home to a large cluster of
different business enterprises. As population grows in tandem with new and promising business
prospects, business activities spill over adjoining barangays, thus forming mini satellite commercial
areas.
Other commercial strips are located at 10 suburban barangays where both retail and wholesale trade,
including other essential services, are being engaged in. Big commercial depots and warehouses in these
suburban barangays do business in sales, distribution, and transport of assorted business products in
bulk.
Of the total 8,316.90 hectare land area of Lucena City, 19 percent or 1,651.77 hectares cover the
existing built up area. Almost 3% of this or 46.62 hectares cover the industrial section, located in
different barangays of the city. These areas are home to significant industrial and manufacturing
activities.
Industry in Lucena produces a sustainable amount of agro-industrial based products, dried and smoked
fish, distilled liquors, bamboo and rattan furniture, ornamental flowers/plants, vegetable as well as
meat products.
Lucena is also known as the "Cocopalm City of the South". Nestled amidst a wide expanse of coconut
lands, Lucena has coconut oil mills which produce oil-based household products like cooking oil, soap,
lard, margarine, and oil based medicines.The well known JnJ Oil, Exora cooking oil and Vegetable lard,
Miyami Cooking Oil are proudly made in this city.
[5]
Car assembly/manufacturing plants have also
established in the city turning out quality vehicles and accessories while Manila-based car shops are
starting to put up some branches.
Road network provides access from all key cities and towns in the island of Luzon to this highly
urbanized capital. Well-paved radial and by-pass routes criss-crossing in and out of the city facilitate the
transport of unlimited assortment of merchandise, supplies, and raw materials to and from the city on a
round-the-clock basis.
Over the years, it was observed that a growing number of visitors from other places come to Lucena.
Travelers of various types and sizes are drawn to Lucena because of modern facilities and good
amenities that could be found in the city such as Quezon Convention Center, Kalilayan Civic Centre,
Sentro Pastoral Auditorium, Alcala Sports Complex a two time host of a Palarong Pambansa, Manuel S.
Enverga Gymnasium, and Sacred Heart College Gym and Marcial Punzalan Gymnasium
Lucena Port (TMO Lucena)
Lucena City is known as the gateway and melting pot city of Southern Luzon. It is considered one of the
most important commercial and trading centers of Southern Tagalog. The sprawling trade and
commercial district of Lucena are nested among a wide expanse of coconut trees, riceland and
moderately rolling hills of gross and shrinks for pleasure. It has a rich fishing ground which supplies fish
and other seafoods. Lucena Development Project is a PPA project designed to keep up the port facilities
and level of services in Southern Tagalog region specifically the area defined by the Calabarzon province
within which substantial to industrial growth is envisioned.
Port of Lucena is about 140 kilometres (87 mi) southeast of Manila located on coordinates of 13,54'13"
north latitude and 121,37'36" east longitude. The port complex is built along the fishing village of
Barangay Talao-Talao, a kilometer away to the east of Dalahican Fishing Port. The total port area of TMO
Lucena is 5,174.75 square metres (55,700.5 sq ft). Operational area of 576.00 square meters and
commercial area of 4,598.75 square meters as delineated under Executive order No. 199 dated
September 20, 1994 signed by former President Fidel V. Ramos.
The port is accessible via the paved provincial road connecting the Dalahican Road and a rough
causeway leading to the port. It is 27 nautical miles to Dalahican, and 57 nautical miles toBatangas
City and sea distance to Manila is 150 nautical miles.
Anchor of middle of eastern side of Magdumug Island is 20.1 metres (66 ft) depth, or proceed close to
Slavari Island. Anchorage at 12.8 metres (42 ft) mud bottom southwest of Pig Point.
Passenger ferry services include Montenegro Shipping Lines, Phil Nippon Kyoei, and Blue Water Jet
Transportation
Lucena City has a central transportation hub aptly called the Lucena Grand Central Terminal located in
Barangay Ilayang Dupay, just midway through the Bicol Region and back. New and modern buses ply the
route Buendia/LRT-Lucena, EDSA Pasay-Lucena, Cubao/Kamias-Lucena and Alabang/Starmall-Lucena. It
serves not only Manila -bound buses but also buses going toward the upland and far-flung areas of
Quezon province, particularly Bondoc Peninsula towns. Bus companies such as JAC Liner, Lucena Lines,
JAM Liner, DLTBCo, A&B, BALGCO, Raymond Transportation, Superlines, ALPS, Philtranco, Penafrancia,
Isarog, Cagsawa, and Dela Rosa Bus Lines bring back and forth passengers to Manila and Lucena.
Lucena also has a wide network of jeepney routes, all emanating from the city proper (Bayan) and
reaching out to the major barangays of the city, as well as nearby towns. Thousand of tricycles also roam
the streets of the city, bringing passengers right at their point of destination. These tricycles usually are
the mode of transport when night falls.
The Philippine National Railways (PNR) is on the process of rehabilitating the Existing Manila-
Bicol and Baguio-Bicol Railway Line, which includes stops in Quezon province, including PNR Lucena
station, which traditionally then is a major loading & pick-up point for passengers and cargoes alike
when the railway system was once the primary transportation mode going to Manila. Modern air-
conditioned coaches will ply this route.
The South Luzon Expressway Extension from Santo Tomas, Batangas will end in Lucena City at the
connection of Old Manila South Road. It will be finished by 2016.
Education facilities
QNHS Main Building
In 2006, the city had a literacy rate of 98.6 percent. It has numerous number of tertiary and secondary
schools, including public and private.
The tertiary education system in Lucena provides instruction and training in fields of study, both for
baccalaureate degrees and vocational courses. Institutions offering degree programs including liberal
arts, arts and sciences, engineering, and information technology are the Alpha Centauri Educational
System, Inc., ABE International College of Business and Economics along Quezon Avenue, Calayan
Educational Foundation, Inc.(CEFI), City College of Lucena along the Maharlika Highway, Columbus
College-Lucena, Catholic institutions of Sacred Heart College, being the oldest Catholic school in Lucena,
on Merchan Street,Maryhill College (formerly Maryknoll Academy), which is found at the heart of the city
(next to St. Ferdinand Cathedral), Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation,Southern Luzon State
University - Lucena Dual Training and Livelihood Center at the City Hall Annex with soon-to-open SLSU
College of Medicine to be built at the Quezon Medical Center Compound, the Baptist Voice Bible College
on Edano Street, Quezon Center for Research & Studies - Institute of Management (QCRS-IM).
The Inter-Global Maritime College in Barangay Bocohan provides programs in the maritime sciences. St.
Anne College of the Pacific (formerly St. Anne College Lucena, Inc.) in Barangay Gulang-gulang is known
for its BSHRM course, St. Augustine School of Nursing at Carlos City Center, AMA School of Nursing in
front of Quezon Medical Center offers degrees in the allied medical sciences. The AMA Computer
College-Lucena on M.L. Tagarao Street in Iyam, Informatics Lucena - Granja Street, Metro Data
Computer Learning Center, Datamex Computer Studies -Enriquez Street, United Computer Educational
Institute - Quezon Avenue, and STI College at the corner of Enriquez and Profugo Streets, Infra Comm
Asia at Ocean Palace Mall are institutions for higher education that provide computer-related courses.
Aside from tertiary schools, the city also has an expanse footprint on the pre-school, primary and
secondary levels of education, both in public and private schools. There are numerous day-care centers
found all over the city.
Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation (MSEUF)
Southern Luzon State University (SLSU)
Calayan Education Foundation Inc. (CEFI)
Maryhill College (MC) (formerly Maryknoll Academy)
Sacred Heart College (SHC)
St. Anne College of the Pacific (formerly St. Anne College, Lucena Inc.)
International School for Better Beginnings (ISBB)
STI, Lucena
Alpha Centauri Educational System, Inc. (ACES)
ABE International Business College, Lucena
AMA Computer College, Lucena
DATAMEX, Lucena
Columbus College
Informatics Computer Institute, Lucena
Inter-Global College Foundation
St. Augustine, Lucena
Holy Rosary Catholic School (HRCS)
Infant Jesus Montessori Center Phils. (IJMCP)
Twin Hearts International School of Lucena City, Inc. (THIS)
Lucena City National High School (LCNHS)
Philippine Tong Ho Institute (PTHI)
Quezon National High School (QNHS)
Saint Philomena School (SPS)
College of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (CSBC)
[edit]Communication
[edit]Phone Services
Lucena City is served by landline and mobile phone companies like the Philippine Long Distance
Telephone Company (PLDT) and Digitel Telecommunications (PLDT-Digitel). Major mobile phone
providers in the area include Globe, Smart, and Sun Cellular.
[edit]Television Networks
ABS-CBN Lucena (Channel 24)
AksyonTV (Channel 20)
CBS 8 (Channel 8)
GMA Lucena (Channel 12)
GMA News TV Lucena (Channel 26)
ETC Lucena (Channel 6)
Studio 23
SMNI Lucena (Channel 28)
TV5 (Channel 13)
TV12 Bagong Lucena (Channel 12)
TV Natin
[edit]Radio Stations
90.3 Magik FM
91.1 Campus Radio-Lucena
92.7 Bay Radio
95.1 Kiss FM
96.7 Sigaw FM
97.5 Big Sound FM-Lucena
98.3 One FM
100.7 Love Radio
103.9 Spirit FM
105.3 Hot FM
DZAT 1512 kHz
[edit]Hospitals
Lucena has private and public hospitals that are capable of providing most common and advanced
medical services, as well as in handling medical emergencies. Both types of institutions are considered to
provide the same standard of healthcare and services, differing mainly with the medical and diagnostic
facilities at hand.
These are staffed with qualified medical practitioners that are well-versed in English. The doctors are
graduates of the many top reputable medical schools in the Philippines; most have pursued further
studies and training in the United States. Likewise, the nurses are the products of the many credible
nursing schools in the country. These same institutions have produced the many Filipino nurses working
in theUnited States, Europe, Middle East, and other parts of the world.
Lucena United Memorial District Hospital, 178 Merchan Street
Lucena MMG General Hospital, Maharlika Highway, Ibabang Dupay
Mt. Carmel Diocesan General Hospital, Allarey Extension
Lucena United Doctors Hospital, Barangay Isabang
St. Anne General Hospital, 51 Gomez Street
Quezon Medical Center (Quezon Memorial Hospital), QMC Compound, Quezon Avenue
St. Mary's Hospital, Quezon Avenue
Quezon MMG Medical Plaza, Quezon Avenue
ORIGIN
The first record of the establishment of a settlement in Calauag dates as far back as the year 1584
according to a treatise of Father Valentin Martin in his "Ensayo de una Sintesis de los Trabajos
Bealizados por las Corporaciones Religiosas Españolas de Filipinas". However, the formal founding of the
town of Calauag was placed in the year 1851 with the union of the settlements in apad and Calauag. The
name Calauag was derived from an incident in which a huge turtle known as "Kala" was caught near the
seashore of the town. When the town people tried to kill the turtle with sticks the fisherman who
caught the turtle dissuaded them from doing so by shouting "Kala-Huwag Kala"; hence the derivation of
the name Calauag.
GEOGRAPHY
The town is simated at 13 55' latitude and 122 20' longtitude bounded on the North by Lamon Bay, on
the West and South by the municipality of Lopez and on the East by the municipalities of Gapalonga,
Tagkawayan and Guinayangan. It has a tropical climate favorable to abundant growth of vegetation lush,
forests and a rich sea which abounds with sea products. The land area is 39,500 hectares and a
population of 69,475 based on the 2007 census.
INHABITANTS
Records show that the inhabitants which settled in Calauag came from Perez (Buenavista) and Tikay
(Guinayangan) which joined the original settlers in Pinagbayanan and Apad. The population gradually
increased thru migration from the Bicol Region, Atimonan, Gumaca, Mauban and Lopez. The population
is predominantly Tagalog with the Bicolanos coming in second comprising about 35% followed by
Batangueños, Visayan, Pampangos and Ilocanos. The predominant religion is Roman Catholic with Iglesia
ni Kristo coming in second, Protestants of differents sects, 7th Day Adventists and Jehovahs Witnesses.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
In 1851 the settlements of Apad and Pinagbayanan decided to unite for protection against the Moros
and founded the official site of the town at what is now Barrio Pinagbayanan. The first Captain elected
was Juan Sunog. In 1897 the town was put under the Revolutionary Government and Alipio Declaro
became the Municipal President. In 1914 under Municipal President Marciano Roldan, the town was
destroyed by fire for the first time in its history. In December 24, 1941 the town was occupied by the
Japanese invading army and in January 14, 1942 the town was again destroyed by fire. In April 19, 1945
the American Liberation forces liberated the town from Japanese Occupation.
CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
The traditional town fiesta is held on May 25th in honor of its Patron Saint, St. Peter although the
religious celebration is held on June 29th. All National holidays are observed in the municipality. The
most important social activities are the New Year's Ball every December 31st, under the auspices of the
Benedict Circle, and the Independence Day dance held under the auspices of the Manga-Achara Club.
The May Flower Festival is usally held on May 27th and the Town Fiesta dance on May 24th under the
auspices of the Barrio Captains' League. During Lent, many religious activities dating back to the Spanish
time are still practiced like the penitensiya, the reading of the Passion and the staging of Sinakulo
depicting the Holy Passion.
