Calbayog

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources:  –  ·  ·  · scholar · JSTOR (September 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Calbayog
Component city
City of Calbayog
Aerial view of Calbayog
Flag Seal
Nicknames:  City of Waterfalls Gateway to the North
Map of Samar with Calbayog highlighted
show OpenStreetMap Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap
Calbayog Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 12°04′N 124°36′E / 12.07°N 124.6°E / 12.07; 124.6Coordinates: 12°04′N 124°36′E / 12.07°N 124.6°E / 12.07; 124.6
Country	Philippines
Region	Eastern Visayas
Province	Samar
District	1st district
Cityhood	October 16, 1948
Barangays	157 (see Barangays)
Government  [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Panlungsod
• Mayor	Diego P. Rivera
• Vice Mayor	Rey James Uy
• Representative	Edgar Mary S. Sarmiento
• City Council	show List 1st District • Christopher G. Corsiga • Sylvan Josef B. Ayong • Rosalia P. Chuca • Minda D. Pasacas • Billy J. Martires • Abbie Joy A. Irigon 2nd District • Aquilina P. Sabi • Charlito L. Coñejos • Cesar T. Sabenecio • Alex R. Gelera • Marcial P. Aquino DILG Masterlist of Officials
• Electorate	127,638 voters (2019)
Area [2]
• Total	880.74 km2 (340.06 sq mi)
Elevation	63 m (207 ft)
Highest elevation	851 m (2,792 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 census) [3]
• Total	186,960
• Density	210/km2 (550/sq mi)
• Households	37,807
Economy
• Income class	1st city income class
• Poverty incidence	35.80% (2015)[4]
• Revenue	₱1,024,080,886.53 (2016)
Service provider
• Electricity	Samar 1 Electric Cooperative (SAMELCO 1)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	6710
PSGC	086003000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)55
Climate type	tropical rainforest climate
Native languages	Waray Tagalog
Website	www.calbayog.gov.ph

Calbayog, officially the City of Calbayog (Waray: Siyudad han Calbayog; Tagalog: Lungsod ng Calbayog), is a 1st class component city in the province of Samar, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 186,960 people. ^[3]

It lies along the coastal region of the province stretching about 60 miles (97 km) from the northern tip of the island and 180 miles (290 km) from southern boundaries.

It is the sixth largest city in terms of land and water areas in the Philippines. It is the nineteenth city of the Philippines. In 2010, Calbayog has 35,126 households with a population of 172,778 people, making up 23.6% of the total population of the province of Samar.^[5] Calbayog is one of the commercial trade centers in Eastern Visayas. Calbayog is subdivided into three major districts: Calbayog, Tinambacan and Oquendo.

History[]

Calbayog's early history has been associated with the introduction and spread of Catholicism in the country. Calbayog started as one of the small settlements on the Island of Samar, an area assigned to the Jesuit missionaries. Jesuit chroniclers, as early as the 17th century, notably Fr. Ignacio Alcina, wrote many accounts about it and its people. Jesuit records and reports referred to the settlement initially as Ibatan and Jibatang (Hibatang). In the annual report of 1739 the name Calbayog appeared for the first time. Fr. de Huerta, a 19th-century Franciscan writer, noted in his work that in earlier times, Calbayog was called Tiayban for having been founded near a river of the same name. Then it was transferred due to a flood to the shore of the Hibatang River, whose name it took. Then again the settlers transferred to the place that they permanently occupied and took the name Calbayog.

Hibatang had already been a small settlement at the beginning of the 17th century. It slowly occupied a prominent place among the several small settlements. It became a visita (a large barrio with a chapel, similar to a chapelry in Britain) of Capul under the jurisdiction of the Parish priest of that town. The church of Calbayog was built from a scree formation near Malajog, shortest distance is now the Malabungto bridge. After the expulsion of the Jesuit missionaries from the Philippines in the 18th century, the administration of the parishes in Samar was handed over to the Franciscan friars.

Calbayog as a town and parish during the Spanish period was composed of several villages, the most populated of which are called visitas. Calbayog grew from visita size and became a pueblo (town). It was created a separate parish in 1785. Separated from the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the parish priest of Capul, it was later given its own minister, becoming a religious center. Its parish priests cared for the spiritual needs of the people living in what are now Calbayog City, the municipalities of Santa Margarita, Santo Niño and Almagro. By the late 19th century a number of visitas became the poblaciones when new towns were created from Calbayog. They were Caybago (later called Oquendo), Santa Margarita, Weyler (later called Tinambacan) and Santo Niño.

In 1878, Calbayog was hit by a cholera epidemic, killing almost one half of the total population. Fr. Sebastian Cordova was forced to leave to save himself from the disease, bringing Biktoy with him as his sacristan. In Manila, Biktoy was a working student, serving the convent without sacrificing his studies. One year after his graduation, Fr. Cordova recommended Biktoy work for the Spanish Army. He was trained and accepted as a corporal. After a year, he was promoted and commissioned to become the second lieutenant in the infantry battalion of the Spanish Army. His first deployment and jurisdiction as an officer was in the whole . ^[6]

Unraveling of Revolutionary Society, Katipunan[]

After the exile of Rizal in Dapitan, the Katipunan was born in Binondo, Manila. Andres Bonifacio and his men moved heaven and earth to fight against the Spanish government then led by Gob. Heneral Polavieja. The katipunan expanded its membership from Luzon down to the Visayas Region, thereby increasing the number of Katipuneros in a span of one year. Sensing the secret plan of the Katipunan to overthrow the government, the Spanish authorities raided a Binondo printing press where subversive documents were found and confiscated. One of the documents seized was the list of members of the Katipunan. The name Benedicto Nijaga was one in the list, being the collector of revolutionary funds in the area. Upon learning of the arrests, Governor Polavieja ordered the arrest of all suspected members of the Katipunan. Nijaga was arrested together with twelve other katipuneros while campaigning for revolutionary funds. Shortly after they were jailed and reportedly tortured, a trial ensued, reminiscent of that of Rizal and other Filipino nationalists.^[7] The 13 men were convicted and sentenced to death. On January 11, 1897, the thirteen were taken to Bagumbayan field under heavy guard. Just before sunrise, the men were executed.^[8]

After Spain transferred power to USA[]

Colegio-Seminario de San Vicente de Paul (now Christ the King College and ) were established in 1905 and was established in 1910.

On April 10, 1910, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calbayog was created by virtue of the Papal Bull of Pope Pius X, comprising the islands of Samar and Leyte. Calbayog became the episcopal see of the diocese.^[9]

World War II and later[]

In 1942, the Japanese Army occupied Calbayog city. In 1945 the city was finally liberated by the Philippine Commonwealth troops and the guerrillas who had continued the fight against the Japanese throughout World War II. It was only much later that other dioceses in the region were created.

Republic Act No. 328, otherwise known as the City Charter of Calbayog was signed into law on July 15, 1948, by then President Elpidio Quirino. The first set of city officials, incumbent municipal officials of the place, were sworn in on October 16, 1948. The city comprises the territorial jurisdiction of the former Municipalities of Calbayog, Oquendo and Tinambacan.^[10]

2008: Death of a Judge[]

In January 2008 Roberto Navidad, a Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge was shot dead in Calbayog City outside a drug store at the corner of Gomez Street and Nijaga Boulevard. As of 2008, the crime was still unsolved.^[11] He was the 15th judge to be ambushed in the Philippines since July 20, 1999 (the 14th under the Arroyo government).

2011 Onwards: Political Deaths[]

On 1 May 2011, Calbayog's Mayor Reynaldo Uy was murdered by unknown gunmen. After his death, Vice-Mayor Ronaldo P. Aquino was sworn in as city mayor.^[12]

On 8 March 2021, approximately 10 years after the death of Mayor Uy, Mayor Ronaldo P. Aquino was ambushed and killed by members of the Samar Provincial Police while on his way to his son's birthday party. The van he was riding was pelted with multiple bullets from high-powered arms. Two of his personnel were also among the casualties of the ambush.^[13]

Vice Mayor Diego P. Rivera has been appointed as successor and is currently the Mayor of Calbayog City.^[14]

On June 9, 2021, a senate investigation led by Senator Ronald "Bato" de la Rosa was conducted where the PNP, NBI and members of the Aquino family presented their testimonies and findings. Charges have been filed on the policemen.^[15]

Geography[]

The city has a total land area of 88,074 hectares (217,640 acres) as of 2007 which is 0.29% of the Philippines total land area, 3.79% of the regional land area, 6.12% of the island of Samar and 14.56% of the Samar province area.^[16][17][18]

Forty percent of the city's land area are plain and hilly terrains with elevation ranging from 5 to 20 metres (16 to 66 ft) above sea level. The rest are rugged mountain ranges with elevations from 300 to 700 metres (980 to 2,300 ft) above sea level. Flooding is minimized because of many rivers, brooks, streams and natural water conveyors that flow towards the sea.

Climate[]

Calbayog experiences a variety of wind types: Amihan (northeastwind), Timog (southwind), Habagat (southwestwind), Canaway (northwest wind), Cabunghan (east wind), Dumagsa (southeast wind) and Salatan (west wind).

Calbayog has well distributed rainfall throughout the year, except during the summer months of February through May, when most parts of the city are dry. The highest rainfall intensity recorded is 267 millimetres (10.5 in) per hour. Heavy downpour is seldom experienced in the locality, therefore making Calbayog potentially appropriate for protective agricultural investment.

Barangays[]

The city's 157 barangays are grouped in three districts.

Calbayog District[]

The district is located in the southern and eastern boundaries of the city and is the main political and commercial District the city. The district is bounded to the north by the Oquendo and Tinambacan districts, to the south by the municipality of Santa Margarita and to the east by Matuguinao. The district comprises 84 barangays and has a population of 103,051 (2015 census) with a land area of about 446.6 square kilometres (172.4 sq mi).

showBarangays of the Calbayog District

Acedillo Aguit-itan Alibaba Anislag Awang East Awang West Bagacay Bagong Lipunan Balud Basud Bontay Buenavista Cacaransan Cagbanayacao Cagboborac Cagsalaosao Cahumpan Calocnayan Canhumadac Capoocan Carayman Carmen Central Cogon Dagum Dinawacan Esperanza Gabay Gadgaran Gasdo Geraga-an Guimbaoyan Norte Guimbaoyan Sur Guin-on Hamorawon Helino Hibabngan Hibatang Higasaan Himalandrog Jacinto Jimautan Kalilihan Kilikili La Paz Langoyon Lonoy Looc Mabini I Mancol Matobato Maybog Maysalong Migara Naga Naguma Navarro Nijaga Obrero Olera Osmeña Pagbalican Palanas Palanogan Panonongan Patong Payahan Pinamorotan Rawis Rizal I and Sitio Caballero Roxas I Salvacion San Antonio San Isidro San Jose San Policarpio Saputan Sinantan Tabawan Tanval Tapa-e Tigbe Trinidad Victory Villahermosa

Tinambacan District[]

The Tinambacan district is located along the northern boundaries of the city, it is bounded to the north by the municipality of San Isidro, to the south by the Calbayog district and to the east by the Oquendo district. The district comprises 27 barangays and has a population of 46,157 (2015 census) with a land area of 182.9 square kilometres (70.6 sq mi).

showBarangays of the Tinambacan District (27)
Amampacang Ba-ay Bante Bantian Binaliw Bugtong Caglanipao Sur Cagmanipes Norte Cagmanipes Sur Cagnipa Cag-olango Cangomaod Danao I Danao II Malaga Malajog Malayog Malopalo Manguino-o Marcatubig Peña Saljag San Joaquin Tinambacan Norte Tinambacan Sur Tinaplacan Tomaliguez

Oquendo District[]

The Oquendo District is located along the northeastern boundaries of the city, it is bounded to the north by Lope De Vega, to the south by the Calbayog district, to the east by Silvino Lobos and to the west by the Tinambacan district. The district comprises 46 barangays and has a population of 34,643 (2015 census) with a land area of 251.2 square kilometres (97.0 sq mi).

showBarangays of the Oquendo District (46)

Baja Bayo Begaho Cabacungan Cabatuan Cabicahan Cabugawan Cag-anahaw Cag-anibong Cagbayang Cagbilwang Capacuhan Catabunan Caybago Dawo De Victoria Dinabongan Dinagan Hugon Rosales Jose A. Roño Lapaan Libertad Limarayon Longsob Mabini II Macatingog Mag-ubay Mantaong Manuel Barral Sr. Mawacat Nabang Obo-ob Oquendo Panlayahan Panoypoy Pilar Quezon Rizal II Roxas II San Rufino Sigo Sinidman Occidental Sinidman Oriental Talahiban Tarabucan

Demographics[]

Population census of Calbayog

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	23,944	—
1918	44,566	+4.23%
1939	49,953	+0.54%
1948	79,503	+5.30%
1960	77,832	−0.18%
1970	94,323	+1.94%
1975	102,619	+1.70%
1980	106,719	+0.79%
1990	115,390	+0.78%
1995	129,216	+2.14%
2000	147,187	+2.83%
2007	163,657	+1.47%
2010	172,778	+1.99%
2015	183,851	+1.19%
2020	186,960	+0.33%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority  [20] [21] [22][23]

According to the 2015 census, Calbayog has a population of 183,851 making up 23.6% of the entire population of Samar Province as of August 1, 2015.^[24]

Languages[]

About 80% of the population speaks Waray-Waray and it is the dominant language in the city. English and Tagalog are widely used in the business and educational sectors.

Religion[]

Calbayognons are predominantly Roman Catholic, and the city has been the see of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calbayog since 1910, when it was split from the diocese of Cebu (now an archdiocese).

Small minority groups of other Christians are also present in the city, and it has a notable Muslim presence.

Economy[]

Poverty Incidence of Calbayog
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[25][26][27][28][29][30]

Calbayog serves as the commercial, industrial, and fishing center of the province of Western Samar, it is one of the main economic centers of Eastern Visayas. Last 2014 its income totaled to approximately ₱77 million, making it the third highest income city in the region. One of its primary income generators is processing and trade of abaca and coconut-based products (e.g. copra, coconut oil), which are grown in Western Samar's northern plains.

Several universal and commercial banks operate in the city such as Banco de Oro, Metrobank, PNB, Landbank, UCPB, RCBC, Asia United Bank, City Savings Bank, Greenbank, Eastwest Rural Bank, Rural Bank of Calbayog City.

Agriculture[]

The land area of the city is generally divided into agriculture and forestry areas. Agricultural lands are subdivided into production, built-up area, protection land, mangrove, severe erosion area, and watershed forest reserve; while forest lands are further subdivided into , logged-over areas, built-up and protection areas.

Largely an agricultural city, 57,654.07 hectares (or 63.85%) is used for agriculture while 32,645.93 hectares (or 36.15%) are forest lands. Its major products are copra, abaca, rice, vegetables, corn, , fruits, bamboo and , with the overall total quantity (mt.) of 28,330.428.

Fishery and Aquatic Resources[]

Calbayog is an exporter of fish and other marine products. Fisheries contribute to the economic revenues of the city. Major species abound such as mackerels, sardines, squids, prawns, crabs, shells, oysters and others.

Fish processing such as smoking, salting and drying are small scale industries operating in the locality. Fresh catch are exported in huge volume on a daily basis throughout the country. Samar Sea, with a fishing ground of 1,198 square miles (3,100 km²), is a vast resource for agriculture and maritime fish farming activities.^{[citation needed]}

Aquatic resources like waterfalls and water rapids are here too, this image is one of the many sources of Potable Drinking Water here in the city, this Dam is used for NAWASA and is currently being develop for a higher electric production by its water turbine electric generator. The more community use water for sanitation, hygiene purposes, watering plants and irrigation, the higher is the electrical capacity.

Forest Resources[]

The forest land of Calbayog has an area of 6,327.91 hectares. Happy Valley and Seven Hills are remote areas with barangays producing forest products like rattan, nito, cogon, bamboo and others. There is adequate supply of raw materials for export oriented products.

Local sources revealed that forest lands have dramatically dwindled. The remote forest areas have been depleted with the traditional slash-and-burn farming, poachers and invading the resource thereby endangering valuable species and wildlife. Some are entirely wiped out. Intensified programs by concerned agencies are now in motion to save forest resources, including reforestation and tree planting.

Livestock and Poultry[]

Production of livestock and poultry products is another industry that enjoys the major concern of the city through the , a centerpiece program of the present government. Breeding centers were opened to develop superior genetic stocks and upgrading of carabao and dispersal programs were established to accelerate livestock production. are now exported throughout the region especially to Masbate, with an average of 2,000 carcasses daily.

Mineral Resources[]

Nature has made Calbayog replete with mineral deposits. Unprocessed or natural marble is found in coastal barangays. Manganese, which is chiefly used in the form of ferromanganese in steel making, is similarly available in the area. It was however purposely left untouched to supposedly preserve the natural balance of the area. Sand and gravel are also supplied to meet local construction needs, though barely enough, as some areas are banned from extraction in order to protect existing structures.

Points of interest[]

This section is written like a travel guide rather than an encyclopedic description of the subject. Please by rewriting it in an encyclopedic style. If a travel guide is intended, use of Wikivoyage is strongly suggested. (May 2016)

Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral

Main article: Calbayog Cathedral

Constructed in the 1800s, it became the see (central church) of the new Diocese of Calbayog in 1910. Considered to be the biggest church in Samar, the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral was rebuilt and renovated through the years and evolved to a blending of many architectural eras. The structure reveals some are new and some are old. The old dome, the spire and the thick walls are what is left from the original Spanish-built old church. In general, the Spanish influence in the architecture is revealing. Materials were from a scree limestone formation of white rocks near Malajog.

The Controversial Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene Landscape

This image was taken from an Antique Painted Frame located at the left side across the street from the Central Church (Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral).

Nijaga Park

The largest park in the city, is named after the local hero, Benedicto Nijaga. It is located beside the Calbayog River which separates Downtown and Brgy Obrero which leads to the northern parts of the city. The park also has an artificial replica of Bangon-Bugtong Falls. Nijaga is a local hero in Calbayog. A monument of Jose P. Rizal y Mercado y Navarro can be found here.

Sacred Heart (Julio Cardinal Rosales) Plaza, located across from Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral and the City Hall, is a formal plaza with the image of the Sacred Heart where socio-civic and religious activities are held. Its bright lights and relaxing ambiance attracts strollers. In November 2013, the plaza was renovated and gated to include a fountain, various amenities and a more relaxing atmosphere.

Calbayog Zipline and the Malajog Ridge Nature Park: The Calbayog City Zip goes from a mountain at Malajog Beach down to a nearby island. It has a jacket-like carrier attached to a roller on a steel cable and tourists glide from the high elevation down to the island where they take a boat ride back to Malajog Beach. Malajog Ridge Nature Park is famous among Calbayognons since it is the site of the quarry for the stone for the St. Peter and Paul Basilica of Calbayog.

Natural tourist attractions[]

Calbayog is known as the City of Waterfalls.

Guinogo-an Cave

Situated at the fringes of Barangay Longsob, Oquendo District, Calbayog City. Accessible by a 30-minute ride to Cabugawan plus 50-minute hike to Lungsod Cave. Its large entrance leads to a natural tunnel with an uneven ceiling with some parts touching one's head, giving an eerie trip through the dark, cool interior.

Mapaso Hot Spring

Located in Barangay Rizal II, Oquendo District, Calbayog City. A 30-minute ride to Oquendo from Calbayog plus 15-minute hike to the spring. "Mapaso" literally means hot. Fresh crustaceans (pokot) abound. They are naturally pinkish resembling scalded shrimps due to the high temperature.

Mawacat Slide

Accessible in a 35-minute ride from Oquendo District, Calbayog City proper to Barangay Mawacat plus a 25-minute walk along a foot trail lined with tall shady trees. It is a natural spoon-like formation which inclines by about 45 degrees and stretches 50 meters long. Water flows along this giant cistern and, from the top, one can slide through the mossy slope to the cool inviting pool below.

Bangon-Bugtong Falls

Located in Barangay San Joaquin of Calbayog City, an hour and 15 minute ride to Barangay Tinaplacan plus 45 minute walk to the vicinity of the falls. Among the family of waterfalls of Calbayog City, Bangon Bugtong Falls is one of the most majestic and spectacular spots worth visiting. As one ascends the stream, one will be amazed to see a circular pond about 30 meters in diameter, wide enough for swimming and deep enough for diving. The cascading water seems to come from streams flowing endlessly which gets even bigger in volume as the time of day passes. Bugtong Falls is not only a tourist spot but also a potential source of hydro power for Calbayog City and its neighboring localities.

Tabokno Falls

Located in Barangay Cagbayang, Oquendo District, an hour's drive from Calbayog City and 40 minute walk from the village. This waterfall is a popular picnic spot for local residents and their source of drinking water.

Danao Cave

Located in Danao, some 14 km toward the western coast of Calbayog City. Made up of seven chambers inhabited by various species of snakes and bats, as evidenced by good deposits of guano. The cave serves as an initiating place for those who want to acquire a talisman.

Pan-as Falls

Located within the Calbayog Pan-as–Hayiban Protected Landscape in Barangay Pilar, Oquendo District, an hour's drive from Calbayog City proper plus 1 hour walk onwards from the village. More than a beauty spot, these falls are the primary source of water for its residents. At places where the cataract is so high, the water falling into the pool below becomes a mere mist.

Binaliw Isle

Located in Barangay Maguino-o, Tinambacan District, Calbayog City, is separated from the mainland by the Silangan Channel. A potential deep diving spot, about 40 to 50 meters deep and measuring less than a hectare in area. The islet is surrounded by aquifers equally and uniformly spread at its peripheral limits with white sand and pebbles. Beneath the deep waters are sea corals of multifarious varieties, rare white pebbles spread across the floor, twenty types of shells and ornamental aquamarine species – which can all be explored by the diver in his underwater gear.

Tinago-an Cave

Located in Barangay Lungsod, Oquendo District, Calbayog City. "Tinago-an" means hiding place. Its naturally dark tunnels offer excitement and thrills to adventurers.

Baot Beach Baot Beach is located in barangay Saljag, Calbayog City, Samar.

Malajog Beach

A 40-minute drive from Calbayog City. Grayish sand, blue waters, palm trees, towering rocks, and three balconied cottages give this spot a South Sea island appeal.^[tone]

Lologayan Falls

A 45-minute ride to Barangay San Joaquin, Tinambacan District from Calbayog City and a 25-minute hike onward to the falls. They are separated from the mainland by the . A series of towering altars of rugged stones where, between its depressions, flows ribbon-like cool water that appears to cleanse the hair of a legendary lady. A source of potable water for local folks.

Ton-ok Falls

A 45-minute drive from Calbayog City to Sigo plus 30 minute hike to Ton-ok falls. This waterfall is hidden in lush, tropical vegetation and is a source of hydroelectric power.

Naga Beach

A ten-minute drive from Calbayog City proper. Cottages line its grayish, sandy shore. Its cool, fresh water and scenic view of Samar Island attracts picnickers and beachcombers alike.

Bagacay Beach

A twenty-minute walk or seven minute drive from Calbayog City proper. It is located along the Maharlika Highway. An uncrowded, pearl white strip of coastline with coconut trees, offering a scenic view of islands and towns.

Bolongto Cave

Located near Malajog beach.

Tarangban Falls

Located in Barangay San Joaquin, Tinambacan District, on top of the Bangon-Bugtong Falls, is the most beautiful waterfall in Calbayog City and one of the best waterfalls in the Philippines.^{[original research?]}

Culture[]

This section is written like a travel guide rather than an encyclopedic description of the subject. Please by rewriting it in an encyclopedic style. If a travel guide is intended, use of Wikivoyage is strongly suggested. (May 2016)

Sarakiki-Hadang Festival[]

Sarakiki is a local term apparently referring to premeditated or frenzied movements which means to allure, to draw to, to attract or exercise attraction, to entice or to win. By its pre-colonial denotation, it means to praise, extol or eulogize spirits of gods. The word does not only ascribe to the ritual or hadang as an activity to gratify the gods, but, likewise, hadang is the offering or the sacrifice.

Sarakiki, as a ritual dance per se, is a dance offering of the Warays to their deity or deities which traces its roots back to pre-colonial religious beliefs. Calbayognons held that spirits occupied a position of command over the power of nature which may inflict harm or do good in society. Rituals to please these spirits were held during feasts and other occasions, like planting and harvest season, drought and in times of dreadful epidemics. The ceremony could last a couple of days. It involved the entire village who offered (manok) sacrifices to venerate the spirits. Traditionally, our forefathers made use of patani ug ugis nga manok (black feather and white feather chicken) as the offering in veneration of the spirits.

In the context of cultural development, the term Sarakiki is adapted to describe the significance of the movements used in the famous dance "kuratsa", a courtship dance eminent to all Calbayognons. Today "kuratsa" is the most popular dance form, consummated in all celebrations, most especially during wedding festivities. Sarakiki is likewise included in songs, particularly the SADA-SADA, an event of merriment in the evening before a wedding ceremony, which rebounds to one of our most well-liked traditions, the so-called pamalaye or pamamanhikan. Another confirmation is the thumbs-up style of the Calbayognons, while dancing, which represents the tahud. During the 1st Grand National StreetDance Competition – Aliwan Fiesta on May 1–3, 2003, participated in by 26 festivals in the country,the Sarakiki-Hadang Festival of Calbayog City won the 3rd prize. Sarakiki-Hadang Festival is celebrated in Calbayog City every year from September 1 to 8 under the auspices of the City Arts And Culture Office.^{[citation needed]}

Adlaw san Calbayog[]

This section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. The specific problem is: not in English. Please help if you can. (August 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Guin sasalin-urog san bulan san Oktobre (October), ini nga selibrasyon nag papamatood san anibersaryo (October 16) san pag kahimo syudad san Calbayog (Charter Day). Pinaagi sine durudilain nga mga aktibidadis an guin papasidungug san syudad, pinaagi san mga opisyalis ngan iba pa nga mga pribado nga sekto. Parte san pag selebrar sini nga okasyon, may ada parade kun diin nagpapartisipar an iba2x nga eskwelahan ngan gin uungayan san durudilain na mga sektor sa komunidad san Calbayog.^[31]

Karakol[]

This is a less popular but more traditional celebration by the folks from Barangay Matobato around merry dancing at the shoreline, bearing the image of Nuestra Senora de Porta Vaga, more popularly known as "Soleda". This festival is especially pursued and initiated by the descendants of the early settlers in the community called "Tagalugan", referring to Tagalog speaking migrants from Cavite City during the Spanish era. The celebration is prominently highlighted by the presence of "kubol" or sea-shanties made up of bamboo and coconut palm leaves. The devotees dance their way from the local Chapel, as they bring out the image and pass by the different "kubols" until reaching the main "kubol" where a simple ceremony is conducted. The actual festival day, falls on the second Sunday of November.

Calbayog Hymn[]

"Calbayog", more popularly known as "Calbayog Ko" is a famous folk song of the city composed by Jose Cinco Gomez. It serves as a symbol of the love of Calbayognons for their city and also as the "anthem" of the city, thru an ordinance passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod. It is sung as part of the weekly routine for the flag-raising ceremony for the employees of the LGU of Calbayog.^[32]

City Seal of Calbayog[]

Blazon of the arms[]

Quarterly Orange and Azure (blue); 1st a rope Argent (white); 2nd a Cross and Bishop's staff Argent (white); 3rd in middle chief a pair of shells Or (yellow), three fishes Argent (white) from fess point down to nombril point, and barry wavy Argent (white); 4th a Coconut tree proper (natural color) upon ground Vert (green).

Symbolism[]

• Rope : Stands for the abaca industry in the city.
• Cross and Bishop's Staff : Represents the Diocese of Calbayog.
• Shells and Fishes : Stands for the shell and fishing industry in the city.
• Coconut Tree and Rice Fields : Symbolizes the major products of Calbayog.

Infrastructure[]

Transportation[]

Land

Buses ply Manila-Calbayog and Davao-Calbayog routes daily, approximately 18 hours. Buses take passengers daily to as far as Manila in Luzon and to General Santos in Mindanao. Provincial buses, jeepneys and vans take travellers to most of the key towns in the Eastern Visayas regions. Tacloban, which is 183 kilometers away, can be reached by regular vans and buses in about 3 hours. The common modes of transportation within the city limits are motorized cabs and tricycles.

Air

Calbayog Airport is the airport serving the general area of Western Samar. PAL operates flights from Calbayog to Clark (for Manila) and Cebu Pacific operates flights from Calbayog to Cebu. A new terminal building is currently under construction. The extension of the runway to 1900 meters, started in 2013, is now complete. It was a 1.3 billion project of CAAP under the DOTC.

Sea

Calbayog, Maguinoo Port, situated at Barangay Manguinoo, Tinambacan District.

Used by chartered cargo ships transporting copra and abaca hemp to other parts of the country. Cokaliong passenger/cargo ships ply the Calbayog-Cebu-Calbayog route from here also. Travel time about 12 hours overnight. Bunk accommodation in Economy/Tourist and Business class plus 3 private cabins available. Onboard cafeteria. Booking office is in Calbayog City on Rosales Ave. Free Cokaliong shuttle transportation is provided to and from Maguinoo Port to Calbayog City.

Lite Ferries operate a cargo/passenger ship to Bogo in Cebu from Calbayog City Port (a convenient route to Bantayan Island and Malapascua). Booking office at the pier. Economy, open air bunks only. Grand Ferries operate a fast SeaCat, passenger only, ferry daily to Cebu from Calbayog City Port. Travel time about 6 hours. Booking office at Grand Tours terminal in town. Bangka boats to outlying islands; [Tagapul-an], |Santo Niño], [Almagro], Camandag and Kirekite and to Masbate Island also operate from Calbayog City Port.

Utilities[]

Water and Sanitation

Calbayog Water (now owned by Manila Water) is in charge of the water utility in Calbayog City. As of 2017, it was using the Himonini River and Pasungon Falls as water sources.^[33] The Dawu interior of Danaw, water reservoir, a dam was built for the Calbayog City Water District near Malajog. The dam was built for irrigation to nearby villages of Pilar and Dawu. The old dam or reservoir that was built near Oquendo is somewhat hefty and expensive since it uses river water and its expensive to purify the river water. The new reservoir was connected to the old pipelines of Calbayog City Water District. Some Fire truck Hydrants were located inside the City.

Energy and Power

Samar I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SAMELCO I) is located in Carayman, Calbayog. It has three sub-stations powered by the Tongonan Geothermal Energy and transmissioned by National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to its main office in Carayman then to its three sub-stations at 3600 volts, stepped down.^[34][35]

Area 1 substation is in Capoocan, Calbayog City with 15 Megawatts capacity. Area 2 substation is in Lonoy, Oquendo with 5 Megawatts capacity. Area 3 substation is in Erenas, San Jorge with 5 Megawatts capacity

Health[]

List of hospitals:

• St. Camillus Hospital
• Calbayog City Hospital
• OLPHI (Our Lady of Porziuncula Hospital Incorporated) - closed
• Adventist Hospital (formerly known as Sanitarium)

Education[]

Colleges and Universities[]

• Northwest Samar State University (formerly Tiburcio Tancinco Memorial Institute of Science and Technology)
• ACLC Computer College
• Christ the King College
• STI Education Center
• Samar College of Science and Technology
• Seminario San Vicente de Paul
• Asia College of Samar

Vocational School[]

• Rafael Lentejas Memorial School of Fisheries (Tinambacan) -honors-

High Schools and K-12[]

^[36]

Notable people[]

• Lieutenant (1864–11 January 1897) — nicknamed “Biktoy”, one of the "Thirteen Martyrs of Bagumbayan", executed on January 11, 1897, in Bagumbayan (Luneta Park).^[37][38]
• — the namesake of a musical staged by the City Arts and Culture Office for the centennial celebration of Philippine independence^{[citation needed]}
• José Avelino — Third President of the Philippine Senate
• Cardinal Julio Rosales — (September 18, 1906 – June 2, 1983) the second Archbishop of Cebu, was a Filipino cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. A native of Calbayog, he made his studies at the Seminary of Calbayog and was ordained in his hometown on June 2, 1929. From 1929 to 1946, he did pastoral work in the diocese of Calbayog. He was consecrated bishop of Tagbilaran on September 21, 1946.

References[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Calbayog.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Calbayog.

• Facebook: Calbayog Tourism Information Office
• Calbayog City Website
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System
• Geographic data related to Calbayog at OpenStreetMap