Libagon, Southern Leyte
Encyclopedia
Libagon is the home of Southern Leyte
's frontier mountain to the world the Mt. Patag Daku. Libagon is known for its Spanish
-style municipal building. It is said to be Eastern Visayas
' most Hispanic town. There are some spots that the Libagonians can be proud of, like the Biasong Springs, Pangi Black Sand Beach, Endriga Beach Resort, Uwan-Uwanan Waterfalls, Ruins of the Old Pantalan (seaport) and the old building of the Libagon Academy Foundation, Inc. Libagon celebrates its town fiesta every 8th day of December, the feast of Immaculate Concepcion. Another fiesta that is celebrated by the Libagonians is the feast of the Virgin of Mount Carmel every July. These two fiestas are greatly known because of the strong faith of the Libagonians to their patrons and also known for its creative floral arrangement of their "caros" and the church's altar. Libagon is Southern Leyte's swimming capital and one of Eastern Visayas
' best places for swimming. The people's main sources of income are copra, abaca, farming, and fishing. It also has religious people.
s.
authorities mistook the reference to the ground fault on the land being tilled as the name of the place. It has since been known by that name, Libagon.
The early known occupants of Libagon were of Bol-anon ancestry. Bol-anon, meaning from Bohol
or also called as Boholano. The settlers' first chosen leader of Libagon was Domingo Mateo Espina. He was the son of Agustin Mateo Espina and Francisca Barbara and the grandson of Pedro Espina of Duero, Bohol
. The town of Libagon was founded in 1845. At this point in the history of the municipality, the barrio
s or barangays under Libagon included Sogod
and Bontoc
at the farthest North and Punta at the farthest South. The Poblacion
comprised two barangays: Jubas (at the South) and Talisay (at the North).
The following were the barrio
s or sitio
s led by Capitan Domingo Espina from South to North and westward:
The wife of Capitan Domingo was Potenciana Escaño and was called by townsfolk as, Capitana Potenciana, in acclamation to the first-ever First Lady of Libagon. The couple had eight children.
On October 16, 1913, Libagon and Sogod
were finally separated into two independent towns– Libagon (14 barrios) and Sogod
(45 barrios). The challenges of an increasing population necessitated the division. The new Libagon was under the administration of the new Presidente Municipal, Mariano L. Espina.
, were somehow entwined. At some point in time, possibly during the years following 1845 until 1885, Libagon was deemed as a barrio of Sogod
, together with Bontoc
and Consolacion. In 1885, Nicolas Idjao was elected as gobernadorcillo
and transferred the poblacion of Sogod
to Libagon, twenty-two kilometers from Sogod
. Then, he renamed Libagon as Sogod Nuevo or Sogod Del Norte while Sogod
as Sogod Viejo or Sogod Del Sur. After twelve years of power, the poblacion
was restored to Sogod
for sometime when Benito Faelnar was appointed as capitan municipal of Sogod
. But in 1904, Ladislao or "Estanislao" Decenteceo was elected and transferred the poblacion
to Barangay Consolacion, a barrio twelve kilometers from Libagon. However in 1912, the poblacion
was again transferred to Sogod
when Vicente Cariño took office in that year. Subsequently, on the 16th of October 1913 , the new Libagon was inaugurated as an independent municipality separate from Sogod
.
See also Sogod, Southern Leyte
(section: The Creation of the Municipality of Libagon)
to American
regimes (see History of the Philippines (1898-1946)
to Postwar (Philippine Independence)1946-1965 was as follows:
During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines
(1942–1945), Petronilo “Liloy” Ebarle was appointed as the Municipal Mayor from 1942-1944. However, the guerrillas alluded him as a “puppet mayor”. Though Mayor Ebarle held the Japanese-appointed position, Mayor Gregorio E. Edillo also continued to be the official leader under the authority of the Philippine Commonwealth with the United States
. On the other hand, the people also recognized the command of the guerrilla forces of Leyte
or the Leyte Area Command under Coronel Ruperto Kangleon
, and supported as well the supervision of the Volunteer Guards in the town level. There were only two leaders of the Volunteer Guards in Libagon. The first was Lieutenant Francisco Barros, followed by Francisco “Dodo” Espina.
And the only Libagonian officials of the Leyte Area Command (LAC) were Lieutenant Catalino "Nongnong" E. Soledad, Lieutenant Feliciano "Lily" A. Espina and Lieutenant Marcelo "Celing" E. Espina, who were also officers of USAFFE (U.S. Army Forces in the Far East). These three brave Libagonians fought in the Battle of Bataan
which represented the most intense phase of Imperial Japan's invasion of the Philippines during World War II
. Unfortunately, of the three brave men, only Marcelino Espina did not make it back to his hometown, Libagon. His body was left on the battlefield of Bataan. He was the younger brother of Francisco "Dodo" Espina who became the town's Mayor for two terms. Like Celing, many valiant soldiers from Libagon died during the war. A Memorial Stone (Ang Bato sa Paghandum) was built in memory of these heroic men of Libagon. All their names were engraved on granite to honor their lives and monumentalize their memory and courageous deed. The Memorial Stone now stood in the midst of Libagon Rizal Park.
is either commonly spoken in Libagon or the Boholano dialect (Binol-anon) although there are some slight linguistic variation maybe in form, meaning or context. The Filipino language
(or Tagalog) and English
are taught in Elementary and High School.
in honor of their patron saint
, the Blessed Virgin Mary of The Immaculate Conception
on December 8. She is also the principal patroness of the Philippines
. Other main Catholic holy days, including the local feasts of barangay
s, are observed throughout the year.
Besides the main fiesta
of 8th December, every 16th of July, rain or shine, Libagonians also celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
. They have a commending devotion to Mother Mary and a firm belief in Mary's general aid and prayerful assistance. The day after the feast, the traditional Pangilis is held. [Pangilis from the root word "ilis" meaning "change"]. On the 17th (July), at the break of dawn, the sounding of a bugle early in the morning to awake people, or "dayana" in the dialect, is carried out as a custom observed through the years to start-off the Pangilis solemnization and festivity. ["Dayana" etymology: Spanish: diana: reveille]. The former ermano-ermana hand over the holy image of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel
to the home of the succeeding ermano or ermana mayor for the following year's fiesta in a procession joined by townsfolk of Libagon mostly from the poblacion
. Before the Pangilis, devotees (Carmelitas or Carmelites
) who pledge for one's support for the coming year's celebration are also enlisted. Then after the street parade, immediately begins a joyous street dancing that ends on or before midnight. This affair is usually lead by that year's chosen (with solicitation) or at times designated "King and Queen" of Pangilis. In recent celebrations, a Pangilis Idol is determined in a contest of talents usually in dancing dressed in their own imaginative, artistic, colorful and, at times, bizarre costumes.
Similarly, these two feasts feature the colorful "karo" (carriage) that carries the holy image of the Blessed Virgin Mary on a ceremonial procession after the novena and mass held on the evening before the feast day. Both the "karo" and the church's altar are usually adorned with creative floral arrangements.
). As commonly practiced in the past, the construction of the church, chapel, convent and the town hall was made possible through bayanihan
, a spirit of communal unity or effort to do a particular goal. A resident of proper age can volunteer at least a day in a week to a month to help or work in the construction. Usually on a Saturday, the volunteers ascended the mountains to look for timber for the church's pillars and some wood used in other means, like wood joints, posts, floors, etc. The wood found were Narra
trees (pterocarpus
), Molave trees (vitex parviflora
), White Lauan (shorea contorta
) and other rainforest trees in the forested mountains of Libagon. The largest pillars were huge trees bigger than the circumference of a man's (or two men's) outstretched arms. The task of dragging down the trees (with very strong ropes on both ends) from the mountainous jungle on narrow access was indeed a hazardous challenge to the men. In like manner, another group of volunteers brought gongs and drums to tap a repeated rhythmic beat and synchronized the pushing and pulling down of the timber while together they howled, "HIIIIBOOOYYYY...." While on an abrupt slope, restraining the heavy log is crucial to prevent it from running over someone and avoid breakage of the tree. Each of them brought their own food and an ample amount of coconut wine (tuba) stored in a baler shell or bamboo container to quench their thirst. Despite all these, the bayanihan
spirit of the Libagonons rose above the arduousness of the endeavor and wiped out any exhaustion they felt.
Aside from timber, the church's foundation were made of crushed rocks, stones and sand that were hauled and made into tablets of stone and framed as walls. The stone walls stood nearly at 5 to 6 feet tall and laid on top with lumber that continued up to the ceiling. The groundwork for every column was deep and durable. As cement, they used stones and sand daubed with whipped egg whites mixed with lime to reinforce the pillars. The belfry stood high with three large church bells. Each piece, when rang, upended and plunged causing a loud sound that can be heard as far as San Isidro, Banday, and areas across Sogod Bay. Unfortunately, during World War II
this wooden church was burned down by the Japanese invaders and was rebuilt into its present structure with a more modernized architecture but twice smaller than the original. They tried to reposition the original columns to rebuild it but they were unexpectedly tough to demolish. They instead had to severe the posts from the surface.
The first ever parish priest of Libagon was Padre Don Tomas Logroño from Inabanga, Bohol
. He graduated from Colegio-Seminario de San Carlos of Cebu (presently known as San Carlos Major Seminary of Cebu). He arrived in Libagon on June 1869. He was instrumental in the materialization of Libagon's earliest parish and convent. He bought articles, stuff and other religious items needed in the church. He served as Libagon's parish priest for 13 years. On April 1882, he was destined to the town of Macrohon, Southern Leyte
until his demise on October 21, 1901.
and adventure travel. Perhaps the most defining experience in adventure travel is found in Libagon. However, “a walk through the rainforest is not eco-tourism unless that particular walk somehow benefits that environment and the people who live there. A rafting trip is only eco-tourism if it raises awareness and funds to help protect the watershed.” (Untamed Path)
, particularly in the upper or mountainside of the poblacion
in Talisay.
Patag Daku, in English, means "big plain". It is certainly big but is never quite plain. It is actually a valley so dense in vegetation that novice campers and mountaineers will never come in or out without an experienced guide leading the way. But the trek to the valley comes big in every way. In mountaineering parlance, it is a major climb. Not the leisurely stroll that one might expect, the climb is an arduous six hour journey through a maze of trees, ferns, moss, grass and big trees.
Patag Daku, the mossy forest more than 500 hectares of unexplored, uncharted wilderness, fraught with dangerous tales of huge snakes and wild animals.
Kawayan, Libagon. The gorge is a world-class adventure wonder. Climbing, swimming and trekking rolled into one. It will take a two-hour trek to the mountains, rappelling and climbing bamboo ladders within cascading falls before you reach the top.
Uwan-uwanan, literally means “resembling a rainfall” because the two-hour track entails an enchanting encounter of an “uwan-uwanan “. And at the top, photo enthusiasts are in for a marvelous treat. At exactly 12:00 noon when the sun is directly above the middle of the narrow opening at the gorge, the natural light is awe-inspiring as it dramatically illuminates the whole area resembling a magnificent altar in a cathedral or a place of worship.
Pangi is of fine black sand
s usually great for swimming, hiking and ecotourism
. Other black sand beaches can also be found in more places than anyone thinks, like the famous black sand beaches of Polynesia, Indonesia, Iceland, the Caribbean islands and the Punaluu Black Sand Beach in Hawaii
, were created virtually instantaneously by the violent interaction between hot lava and sea water.
The suspicion of a volcano close to Libagon may explain the black sand beach formation in barangay Pangi. But there is no exact evidence on this suspicion as verified by the concerned agency.
See also: Black sand
and Black Sand Beach
. It is located in the barangay
of Biasong. The clear spring water is collected into a man-made basin or pool.
The place is a favorite of the locals providing cool mountain spring water. A pool that has been the site of many happy occasions: birthday picnics, homecoming celebrations, etc. It has perhaps the sweetest mineral spring water in the province and most uncontaminated source.
Otikon.
A sea mound just 200 m. (650 ft.) offshore, is a cleaning station for large pelagics. Animals to see are: wrasse, grouper, sweetlips, surgeons, fusiliers, tuna, and jacks together with other species of reef fish. The deep starts at 10m and drops off to over 40m. The currents can be strong which means that coral life is profuse.
style municipal hall. The structure gives a glimpse of the town's rich heritage. It is amongst Southern Leyte
's premier historical sites and landmarks - the pride of Southern Leyte
.
(Muslim) from the big island of Mindanao. See also Moro people (section: Spanish period).
Strategically located, the edifice is overlooking Sogod
Bay and the two deltas of the islands of Limasawa and Panaon
. The Bulwark or Balwarte at the old town center is near the big river named as, Tubig-Daku, below and adjacent to the existing cemetery. This is also where the Japanese soldiers camp during World War II.
in Jubas. Recently, the entire seacoast along Sogod Bay is transformed into a "park by the bay" also commonly referred to as the Boulevard in Jubas ideal for walks and for viewing the sunset while fishermen on their lighted bancas or boats scatter all over the bay. This is seen most specially during peak fish season.
Besides, the beautiful sunset along Sogod Bay, the whale-sharks in Southern Leyte
are simply at home in Sogod Bay. Whale-sharks or Rhyncodon typus are popularly known locally as “iho-tiki”. Recent sightings confirm that whale-sharks actually are all over Sogod Bay. They were spotted in San Francisco, Southern Leyte
, as well as in Limasawa, Malitbog
, Libagon, Sogod
, Pintuyan and even as far as San Ricardo. In fact, they had long been ordinary fare for small fishermen. People have gotten used to them that young boys ride on their backs as they scour for planktons along the village shores. Though, there is no 100% guarantee to spot a whale-shark in Sogod Bay. It takes proper timing, good weather, and a huge amount of luck to see one. Patience is the name of the game. The best time to see whale-sharks in Southern Leyte
is April and May.
to Visayas
and Mindanao
, a Rizal monument is erected to commemorate the Philippines
' national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal
, regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot. The Rizal monument stands at the Libagon Rizal Park, a significant landmark of Libagon located strategically in the midst of the poblacion
.
and to other distant and mountainous areas. Sogod
is the major terminus in the south central portion in Leyte Island
. It is the vital link in connecting Visayas to Mindanao
. The buses, jeepneys, and for-hire vans terminate from Sogod
to Maasin City
, Ormoc City
, Tacloban City
, Bato
-Hilongos, Liloan
(by way of Libagon), Hinunangan and Silago.
See also: Sogod, Southern Leyte
(section: Transportation).
The Libagon Highway is part of the Pan-Philippine Highway
, also known as the Maharlika Highway (AH26). It is a 3517 km network of roads, bridges, and ferry services that connect the islands of Luzon
, Samar
, Leyte
, and Mindanao
in the Philippines
, serving as the country's principal transport backbone. The northern terminus of the highway is at Laoag City
, and the southern terminus is at Zamboanga City
.
In addition, traveling to Manila
from Libagon approximately takes 24 hours by bus along with ferry from Northern Samar
to Matnog. The trip is a scenic interprovincial ride. Philtranco buses are long known to serve this route.
See also: Pan-Philippine Highway
Southern Leyte
Southern Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Maasin City is the capital of the province. Southern Leyte was once a sub-province of Leyte before it was divided from the latter...
's frontier mountain to the world the Mt. Patag Daku. Libagon is known for its Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
-style municipal building. It is said to be Eastern Visayas
Eastern Visayas
Eastern Visayas is one of the two regions of the Philippines having no land border with another region, MIMAROPA being the other, and is designated as Region VIII...
' most Hispanic town. There are some spots that the Libagonians can be proud of, like the Biasong Springs, Pangi Black Sand Beach, Endriga Beach Resort, Uwan-Uwanan Waterfalls, Ruins of the Old Pantalan (seaport) and the old building of the Libagon Academy Foundation, Inc. Libagon celebrates its town fiesta every 8th day of December, the feast of Immaculate Concepcion. Another fiesta that is celebrated by the Libagonians is the feast of the Virgin of Mount Carmel every July. These two fiestas are greatly known because of the strong faith of the Libagonians to their patrons and also known for its creative floral arrangement of their "caros" and the church's altar. Libagon is Southern Leyte's swimming capital and one of Eastern Visayas
Eastern Visayas
Eastern Visayas is one of the two regions of the Philippines having no land border with another region, MIMAROPA being the other, and is designated as Region VIII...
' best places for swimming. The people's main sources of income are copra, abaca, farming, and fishing. It also has religious people.
Barangays
Libagon is politically subdivided into 14 barangayBarangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
s.
- Biasong
- Bogasong
- Cawayan
- Gakat
- Jubas (Pob.)
- Magkasag
- Mayuga
- Nahaong
- Nahulid
- Otikon
- Pangi
- Punta
- Talisay (Pob.)
- Tigbao
History
It was said that Libagon got its name from a derivative or distorted word of the dialect, "libaong", which means a small depression of the ground. SpanishSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
authorities mistook the reference to the ground fault on the land being tilled as the name of the place. It has since been known by that name, Libagon.
The early known occupants of Libagon were of Bol-anon ancestry. Bol-anon, meaning from Bohol
Bohol
Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of and a coastline long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines...
or also called as Boholano. The settlers' first chosen leader of Libagon was Domingo Mateo Espina. He was the son of Agustin Mateo Espina and Francisca Barbara and the grandson of Pedro Espina of Duero, Bohol
Duero, Bohol
Duero is a 5th class municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 17,254 people.It was named after Rio Duero in the Iberian peninsula....
. The town of Libagon was founded in 1845. At this point in the history of the municipality, the barrio
Barrio
Barrio is a Spanish word meaning district or neighborhood.-Usage:In its formal usage in English, barrios are generally considered cohesive places, sharing, for example, a church and traditions such as feast days...
s or barangays under Libagon included Sogod
Sogod
Sogod may refer to:* Sogod, Cebu, Philippines* Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines...
and Bontoc
Bontoc
Bontoc may refer to:Philippines:* Bontoc, Mountain Province* Bontoc, Southern Leyte* Bontoc language* Bontoc, one of the four subprovinces of the large Mountain Province until 1966. Upon becoming a full-fledged province, it adopted the name of its mother province. It is now the current Mountain...
at the farthest North and Punta at the farthest South. The Poblacion
Poblacion
A Poblacion or Población, literally "town" or "Population" in Spanish, is the name commonly used for the central barangay or barangays of a Philippine city or municipality. Common features of the poblacion include a town plaza, church, market, school and town hall. It is sometimes shortened to...
comprised two barangays: Jubas (at the South) and Talisay (at the North).
The following were the barrio
Barrio
Barrio is a Spanish word meaning district or neighborhood.-Usage:In its formal usage in English, barrios are generally considered cohesive places, sharing, for example, a church and traditions such as feast days...
s or sitio
Sitio
A sitio in the Philippines is a territorial enclave that forms part of a barangay, the location of which may be distant from the center of the barangay itself....
s led by Capitan Domingo Espina from South to North and westward:
|
|
|
The wife of Capitan Domingo was Potenciana Escaño and was called by townsfolk as, Capitana Potenciana, in acclamation to the first-ever First Lady of Libagon. The couple had eight children.
On October 16, 1913, Libagon and Sogod
Sogod
Sogod may refer to:* Sogod, Cebu, Philippines* Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines...
were finally separated into two independent towns– Libagon (14 barrios) and Sogod
Sogod
Sogod may refer to:* Sogod, Cebu, Philippines* Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines...
(45 barrios). The challenges of an increasing population necessitated the division. The new Libagon was under the administration of the new Presidente Municipal, Mariano L. Espina.
A Brief Historical Background of Libagon and Sogod
The history of both towns, Libagon and SogodSogod
Sogod may refer to:* Sogod, Cebu, Philippines* Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines...
, were somehow entwined. At some point in time, possibly during the years following 1845 until 1885, Libagon was deemed as a barrio of Sogod
Sogod
Sogod may refer to:* Sogod, Cebu, Philippines* Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines...
, together with Bontoc
Bontoc
Bontoc may refer to:Philippines:* Bontoc, Mountain Province* Bontoc, Southern Leyte* Bontoc language* Bontoc, one of the four subprovinces of the large Mountain Province until 1966. Upon becoming a full-fledged province, it adopted the name of its mother province. It is now the current Mountain...
and Consolacion. In 1885, Nicolas Idjao was elected as gobernadorcillo
Gobernadorcillo
The Gobernadorcillo was a municipal judge or governor in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period, who carried out in a town the combined charge or responsibility of leadership, economic, and judicial administration. The Gobernadorcillo was the leader of a town or pueblo . In a coastal...
and transferred the poblacion of Sogod
Sogod
Sogod may refer to:* Sogod, Cebu, Philippines* Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines...
to Libagon, twenty-two kilometers from Sogod
Sogod
Sogod may refer to:* Sogod, Cebu, Philippines* Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines...
. Then, he renamed Libagon as Sogod Nuevo or Sogod Del Norte while Sogod
Sogod
Sogod may refer to:* Sogod, Cebu, Philippines* Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines...
as Sogod Viejo or Sogod Del Sur. After twelve years of power, the poblacion
Poblacion
A Poblacion or Población, literally "town" or "Population" in Spanish, is the name commonly used for the central barangay or barangays of a Philippine city or municipality. Common features of the poblacion include a town plaza, church, market, school and town hall. It is sometimes shortened to...
was restored to Sogod
Sogod
Sogod may refer to:* Sogod, Cebu, Philippines* Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines...
for sometime when Benito Faelnar was appointed as capitan municipal of Sogod
Sogod
Sogod may refer to:* Sogod, Cebu, Philippines* Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines...
. But in 1904, Ladislao or "Estanislao" Decenteceo was elected and transferred the poblacion
Poblacion
A Poblacion or Población, literally "town" or "Population" in Spanish, is the name commonly used for the central barangay or barangays of a Philippine city or municipality. Common features of the poblacion include a town plaza, church, market, school and town hall. It is sometimes shortened to...
to Barangay Consolacion, a barrio twelve kilometers from Libagon. However in 1912, the poblacion
Poblacion
A Poblacion or Población, literally "town" or "Population" in Spanish, is the name commonly used for the central barangay or barangays of a Philippine city or municipality. Common features of the poblacion include a town plaza, church, market, school and town hall. It is sometimes shortened to...
was again transferred to Sogod
Sogod
Sogod may refer to:* Sogod, Cebu, Philippines* Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines...
when Vicente Cariño took office in that year. Subsequently, on the 16th of October 1913 , the new Libagon was inaugurated as an independent municipality separate from Sogod
Sogod
Sogod may refer to:* Sogod, Cebu, Philippines* Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines...
.
See also Sogod, Southern Leyte
Sogod, Southern Leyte
The Municipality of Sogod is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Southern Leyte, Philippines. Sogod is connected in the Maharlika Highway that links Luzon to Mindanao, one of the most important highways in the Philippines...
(section: The Creation of the Municipality of Libagon)
Early Succession
During the early years of the Spanish regime (see History of the Philippines (1521-1898), the town's leader was addressed as the "Capitan" similar to Alcalde Municipal, or Presidente Municipal, and presently, Municipal Mayor. On record, the succession of leaders in Libagon from SpanishSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
to American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
regimes (see History of the Philippines (1898-1946)
History of the Philippines (1898-1946)
This article covers the history of the Philippines from 1898 to 1946. It spans the Spanish-American War which resulted in the United States acquiring sovereignty over the Philippines from Spain via the Treaty of Paris which ended that war, the Philippines as a U.S. territory and later as a U.S...
to Postwar (Philippine Independence)1946-1965 was as follows:
- Capitan Domingo Espina
- Capitan Pedro Espina
- Capitan Felix Espina
- Capitan Estanislao Decenteceo
- 1913-1916 ...Presidente Municipal Mariano L. Espina
- 1917-1920 ...Presidente Municipal Macario Logroňo
- 1921-1928 ...Presidente Municipal Mariano L. Espina
- 1929-1931 ...Presidente Municipal Fabio Bayon
- 1931-1932 ...Presidente Municipal Isidro Pajuyo
- 1933-1940 ...Municipal Mayor Rito Monte de Ramos
- 1941-1944 ...Municipal Mayor Gregorio E. Edillo
- 1944-1945 ...Municipal Mayor Francisco E. Espina
- 1945-1946 ...Municipal Mayor Gregorio E. Edillo
- 1946-1947 ...Municipal Mayor Joaquin Siega
- 1948-1951 ...Municipal Mayor Francisco E. Espina
- 1952-1955 ...Municipal Mayor Agustin E. Espina
- 1956-1959 ...Municipal Mayor Mario E. Espina
- 1960-1963 ...Municipal Mayor Rito Monte de Ramos
- 1964-1967 ...Municipal Mayor Mario E. Espina
During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines
Japanese occupation of the Philippines
The Japanese occupation of the Philippines was the period in the history of the Philippines between 1942 and 1945, when the Empire of Japan occupied the previously American-controlled Philippines during World War II....
(1942–1945), Petronilo “Liloy” Ebarle was appointed as the Municipal Mayor from 1942-1944. However, the guerrillas alluded him as a “puppet mayor”. Though Mayor Ebarle held the Japanese-appointed position, Mayor Gregorio E. Edillo also continued to be the official leader under the authority of the Philippine Commonwealth with the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. On the other hand, the people also recognized the command of the guerrilla forces of Leyte
Leyte
Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Tacloban City and occupies the northern three-quarters of the Leyte Island. Leyte is located west of Samar Island, north of Southern Leyte and south of Biliran...
or the Leyte Area Command under Coronel Ruperto Kangleon
Ruperto Kangleon
Ruperto Cadava Kangleon was a Filipino military figure and politician. He was a native of Macrohon in what is now the province of Southern Leyte....
, and supported as well the supervision of the Volunteer Guards in the town level. There were only two leaders of the Volunteer Guards in Libagon. The first was Lieutenant Francisco Barros, followed by Francisco “Dodo” Espina.
And the only Libagonian officials of the Leyte Area Command (LAC) were Lieutenant Catalino "Nongnong" E. Soledad, Lieutenant Feliciano "Lily" A. Espina and Lieutenant Marcelo "Celing" E. Espina, who were also officers of USAFFE (U.S. Army Forces in the Far East). These three brave Libagonians fought in the Battle of Bataan
Battle of Bataan
The Battle of Bataan represented the most intense phase of Imperial Japan's invasion of the Philippines during World War II. The capture of the Philippine Islands was crucial to Japan's effort to control the Southwest Pacific, seize the resource-rich Dutch East Indies, and protect its Southeast...
which represented the most intense phase of Imperial Japan's invasion of the Philippines during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Unfortunately, of the three brave men, only Marcelino Espina did not make it back to his hometown, Libagon. His body was left on the battlefield of Bataan. He was the younger brother of Francisco "Dodo" Espina who became the town's Mayor for two terms. Like Celing, many valiant soldiers from Libagon died during the war. A Memorial Stone (Ang Bato sa Paghandum) was built in memory of these heroic men of Libagon. All their names were engraved on granite to honor their lives and monumentalize their memory and courageous deed. The Memorial Stone now stood in the midst of Libagon Rizal Park.
Contemporary Succession
This period includes the final years of the Third Republic (1965–72) and the entirety of the Fourth Republic (1972–86) to the succeeding years following the 1986 People Power Revolution.- 1968- 1979 ...Municipal Mayor Salvador M. Resma
- 1979- 1986 ...Municipal Mayor Domingo P. Espina
- 1986- 1992 ...Municipal Mayor Rogato J. Paitan
- 1992- 2001 ...Municipal Mayor Domingo P. Espina
- 2001- 2010 ...Municipal Mayor Rizalina Espina née Bañez (formerly a.k.a. Inday S. Bañez)
Language
The CebuanoCebuano language
Cebuano, referred to by most of its speakers as Bisaya , is an Austronesian language spoken in the Philippines by about 20 million people mostly in the Central Visayas. It is the most widely spoken of the languages within the so-named Bisayan subgroup and is closely related to other Filipino...
is either commonly spoken in Libagon or the Boholano dialect (Binol-anon) although there are some slight linguistic variation maybe in form, meaning or context. The Filipino language
Filipino language
This move has drawn much criticism from other regional groups.In 1987, a new constitution introduced many provisions for the language.Article XIV, Section 6, omits any mention of Tagalog as the basis for Filipino, and states that:...
(or Tagalog) and English
English
English may refer to something of, from, or related to England, a country of the United Kingdom, especially:* The English language** The English language in England * The English people...
are taught in Elementary and High School.
Feasts
The town celebrates its annual fiestaFiesta
Fiesta, a Spanish word that means "party", "feast" or "festival", may refer to:-Film:*Fiesta , a 1941 American film directed by LeRoy Prinz*Fiesta , a 1947 MGM film starring Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalbán-Music:...
in honor of their patron saint
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
, the Blessed Virgin Mary of The Immaculate Conception
The Immaculate Conception
The Immaculate Conception is the English translation by Lazer Lederhendler of Gaétan Soucy's French novel, L'Immaculée conception, first published in 1994....
on December 8. She is also the principal patroness of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. Other main Catholic holy days, including the local feasts of barangay
Barangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
s, are observed throughout the year.
Besides the main fiesta
Fiesta
Fiesta, a Spanish word that means "party", "feast" or "festival", may refer to:-Film:*Fiesta , a 1941 American film directed by LeRoy Prinz*Fiesta , a 1947 MGM film starring Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalbán-Music:...
of 8th December, every 16th of July, rain or shine, Libagonians also celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as patroness of the Carmelite Order. The first Carmelites were Christian hermits living on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land during the late 12th and early to mid 13th centuries...
. They have a commending devotion to Mother Mary and a firm belief in Mary's general aid and prayerful assistance. The day after the feast, the traditional Pangilis is held. [Pangilis from the root word "ilis" meaning "change"]. On the 17th (July), at the break of dawn, the sounding of a bugle early in the morning to awake people, or "dayana" in the dialect, is carried out as a custom observed through the years to start-off the Pangilis solemnization and festivity. ["Dayana" etymology: Spanish: diana: reveille]. The former ermano-ermana hand over the holy image of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as patroness of the Carmelite Order. The first Carmelites were Christian hermits living on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land during the late 12th and early to mid 13th centuries...
to the home of the succeeding ermano or ermana mayor for the following year's fiesta in a procession joined by townsfolk of Libagon mostly from the poblacion
Poblacion
A Poblacion or Población, literally "town" or "Population" in Spanish, is the name commonly used for the central barangay or barangays of a Philippine city or municipality. Common features of the poblacion include a town plaza, church, market, school and town hall. It is sometimes shortened to...
. Before the Pangilis, devotees (Carmelitas or Carmelites
Carmelites
The Order of the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel or Carmelites is a Catholic religious order perhaps founded in the 12th century on Mount Carmel, hence its name. However, historical records about its origin remain uncertain...
) who pledge for one's support for the coming year's celebration are also enlisted. Then after the street parade, immediately begins a joyous street dancing that ends on or before midnight. This affair is usually lead by that year's chosen (with solicitation) or at times designated "King and Queen" of Pangilis. In recent celebrations, a Pangilis Idol is determined in a contest of talents usually in dancing dressed in their own imaginative, artistic, colorful and, at times, bizarre costumes.
Similarly, these two feasts feature the colorful "karo" (carriage) that carries the holy image of the Blessed Virgin Mary on a ceremonial procession after the novena and mass held on the evening before the feast day. Both the "karo" and the church's altar are usually adorned with creative floral arrangements.
The Parish of the Immaculate Conception
The first church and convent built by Libagonons were of wooden structure. "The tradition of building wooden churches date back from the Middle Ages until the turn of the 18th century. The skills, knowledge and experience to build an ample log structure were performances out of the ordinary". (See: Wooden Churches of MaramuresWooden Churches of Maramures
The Wooden Churches of Maramureş in the Maramureş region of northern Transylvania are a group of almost one hundred churches of different architectural solutions from different periods and areas. They are Orthodox churches. The Maramureş churches are high timber constructions with characteristic...
). As commonly practiced in the past, the construction of the church, chapel, convent and the town hall was made possible through bayanihan
Bayanihan
Bayanihan is a Filipino term taken from the word bayan, referring to a nation, country, town or community. The whole term bayanihan refers to a spirit of communal unity or effort to achieve a particular objective...
, a spirit of communal unity or effort to do a particular goal. A resident of proper age can volunteer at least a day in a week to a month to help or work in the construction. Usually on a Saturday, the volunteers ascended the mountains to look for timber for the church's pillars and some wood used in other means, like wood joints, posts, floors, etc. The wood found were Narra
Narra
Narra may refer to:* Timber trees in the genus Pterocarpus, also known as padauk** Pterocarpus indicus, a common species referred to as Narra...
trees (pterocarpus
Pterocarpus
Pterocarpus is a pantropical genus of trees in the family Fabaceae, most of which yield valuable timber traded as padauk ; other common names are mukwa or narra...
), Molave trees (vitex parviflora
Vitex parviflora
Vitex parviflora is a species of plant in the Verbenaceae family, known mostly as Molave Tree. It is found in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. It is threatened by habitat loss....
), White Lauan (shorea contorta
Shorea contorta
Shorea contorta is a species of plant in the Dipterocarpaceae family. It is endemic to the Philippines.-Source:* Ashton, P. 1998. . Downloaded on 23 August 2007....
) and other rainforest trees in the forested mountains of Libagon. The largest pillars were huge trees bigger than the circumference of a man's (or two men's) outstretched arms. The task of dragging down the trees (with very strong ropes on both ends) from the mountainous jungle on narrow access was indeed a hazardous challenge to the men. In like manner, another group of volunteers brought gongs and drums to tap a repeated rhythmic beat and synchronized the pushing and pulling down of the timber while together they howled, "HIIIIBOOOYYYY...." While on an abrupt slope, restraining the heavy log is crucial to prevent it from running over someone and avoid breakage of the tree. Each of them brought their own food and an ample amount of coconut wine (tuba) stored in a baler shell or bamboo container to quench their thirst. Despite all these, the bayanihan
Bayanihan
Bayanihan is a Filipino term taken from the word bayan, referring to a nation, country, town or community. The whole term bayanihan refers to a spirit of communal unity or effort to achieve a particular objective...
spirit of the Libagonons rose above the arduousness of the endeavor and wiped out any exhaustion they felt.
Aside from timber, the church's foundation were made of crushed rocks, stones and sand that were hauled and made into tablets of stone and framed as walls. The stone walls stood nearly at 5 to 6 feet tall and laid on top with lumber that continued up to the ceiling. The groundwork for every column was deep and durable. As cement, they used stones and sand daubed with whipped egg whites mixed with lime to reinforce the pillars. The belfry stood high with three large church bells. Each piece, when rang, upended and plunged causing a loud sound that can be heard as far as San Isidro, Banday, and areas across Sogod Bay. Unfortunately, during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
this wooden church was burned down by the Japanese invaders and was rebuilt into its present structure with a more modernized architecture but twice smaller than the original. They tried to reposition the original columns to rebuild it but they were unexpectedly tough to demolish. They instead had to severe the posts from the surface.
The first ever parish priest of Libagon was Padre Don Tomas Logroño from Inabanga, Bohol
Inabanga, Bohol
Inabanga is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 43,331 people.-Barangays:Inabanga is politically subdivided into 50 barangays.* Anonang* Bahan* Badiang* Baguhan* Banahao...
. He graduated from Colegio-Seminario de San Carlos of Cebu (presently known as San Carlos Major Seminary of Cebu). He arrived in Libagon on June 1869. He was instrumental in the materialization of Libagon's earliest parish and convent. He bought articles, stuff and other religious items needed in the church. He served as Libagon's parish priest for 13 years. On April 1882, he was destined to the town of Macrohon, Southern Leyte
Macrohon, Southern Leyte
Macrohon is a 4th class municipality in the province of Southern Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 23,102 people in 4,684 households.-Profile:...
until his demise on October 21, 1901.
Eco-Adventure Sights
Libagon is the home of exotic and unique natural areas that are excellent for ecotourismEcotourism
Ecotourism is a form of tourism visiting fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas, intended as a low impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial tourism...
and adventure travel. Perhaps the most defining experience in adventure travel is found in Libagon. However, “a walk through the rainforest is not eco-tourism unless that particular walk somehow benefits that environment and the people who live there. A rafting trip is only eco-tourism if it raises awareness and funds to help protect the watershed.” (Untamed Path)
Patag Daku Rain Forest
Patag Daku is located in Libagon, Southern LeyteSouthern Leyte
Southern Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Maasin City is the capital of the province. Southern Leyte was once a sub-province of Leyte before it was divided from the latter...
, particularly in the upper or mountainside of the poblacion
Poblacion
A Poblacion or Población, literally "town" or "Population" in Spanish, is the name commonly used for the central barangay or barangays of a Philippine city or municipality. Common features of the poblacion include a town plaza, church, market, school and town hall. It is sometimes shortened to...
in Talisay.
Patag Daku, in English, means "big plain". It is certainly big but is never quite plain. It is actually a valley so dense in vegetation that novice campers and mountaineers will never come in or out without an experienced guide leading the way. But the trek to the valley comes big in every way. In mountaineering parlance, it is a major climb. Not the leisurely stroll that one might expect, the climb is an arduous six hour journey through a maze of trees, ferns, moss, grass and big trees.
Patag Daku, the mossy forest more than 500 hectares of unexplored, uncharted wilderness, fraught with dangerous tales of huge snakes and wild animals.
Uwan-Uwanan Falls
Uwan-uwanan falls is located in barangayBarangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
Kawayan, Libagon. The gorge is a world-class adventure wonder. Climbing, swimming and trekking rolled into one. It will take a two-hour trek to the mountains, rappelling and climbing bamboo ladders within cascading falls before you reach the top.
Uwan-uwanan, literally means “resembling a rainfall” because the two-hour track entails an enchanting encounter of an “uwan-uwanan “. And at the top, photo enthusiasts are in for a marvelous treat. At exactly 12:00 noon when the sun is directly above the middle of the narrow opening at the gorge, the natural light is awe-inspiring as it dramatically illuminates the whole area resembling a magnificent altar in a cathedral or a place of worship.
Pangi Black Sand Beach
The beach in barangayBarangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
Pangi is of fine black sand
Black sand
Black sand is sand that is black in color. One type of black sand is a heavy, glossy, partly magnetic mixture of usually fine sands, found as part of a placer deposit. Another type of black sand, found on beaches near a volcano, consists of tiny fragments of lava.While some beaches are...
s usually great for swimming, hiking and ecotourism
Ecotourism
Ecotourism is a form of tourism visiting fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas, intended as a low impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial tourism...
. Other black sand beaches can also be found in more places than anyone thinks, like the famous black sand beaches of Polynesia, Indonesia, Iceland, the Caribbean islands and the Punaluu Black Sand Beach in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, were created virtually instantaneously by the violent interaction between hot lava and sea water.
The suspicion of a volcano close to Libagon may explain the black sand beach formation in barangay Pangi. But there is no exact evidence on this suspicion as verified by the concerned agency.
See also: Black sand
Black sand
Black sand is sand that is black in color. One type of black sand is a heavy, glossy, partly magnetic mixture of usually fine sands, found as part of a placer deposit. Another type of black sand, found on beaches near a volcano, consists of tiny fragments of lava.While some beaches are...
and Black Sand Beach
Biasong Springs
Biasong Springs is one of the oldest spring in Southern LeyteSouthern Leyte
Southern Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Maasin City is the capital of the province. Southern Leyte was once a sub-province of Leyte before it was divided from the latter...
. It is located in the barangay
Barangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
of Biasong. The clear spring water is collected into a man-made basin or pool.
The place is a favorite of the locals providing cool mountain spring water. A pool that has been the site of many happy occasions: birthday picnics, homecoming celebrations, etc. It has perhaps the sweetest mineral spring water in the province and most uncontaminated source.
Peter's Mound
Peter’s Mound, a fascinating dive site, is a sea mound located just 200 meter offshore from barrioBarrio
Barrio is a Spanish word meaning district or neighborhood.-Usage:In its formal usage in English, barrios are generally considered cohesive places, sharing, for example, a church and traditions such as feast days...
Otikon.
A sea mound just 200 m. (650 ft.) offshore, is a cleaning station for large pelagics. Animals to see are: wrasse, grouper, sweetlips, surgeons, fusiliers, tuna, and jacks together with other species of reef fish. The deep starts at 10m and drops off to over 40m. The currents can be strong which means that coral life is profuse.
The Municipal Town Hall
Libagon has a century-old and well-preserved SpanishSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
style municipal hall. The structure gives a glimpse of the town's rich heritage. It is amongst Southern Leyte
Southern Leyte
Southern Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Maasin City is the capital of the province. Southern Leyte was once a sub-province of Leyte before it was divided from the latter...
's premier historical sites and landmarks - the pride of Southern Leyte
Southern Leyte
Southern Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Maasin City is the capital of the province. Southern Leyte was once a sub-province of Leyte before it was divided from the latter...
.
The Bulwark (Ang Balwarte)
This is the only memorial left of the Lungsod-Daan or the original location of the town center of Libagon. It is made of boulders or tablets of rock, limestone and gravel. This structure is made strong and formidable as a defensive fortification against the MorosMoros
In Greek mythology, Moros is the personification of impending doom, who drives mortals to their deadly fate. He is one of the offspring of Nyx , who had conceived him without male intervention, and brother of the Moirae ....
(Muslim) from the big island of Mindanao. See also Moro people (section: Spanish period).
Strategically located, the edifice is overlooking Sogod
Sogod
Sogod may refer to:* Sogod, Cebu, Philippines* Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines...
Bay and the two deltas of the islands of Limasawa and Panaon
Panaon
Panaon can refer to* Panaon Island, an island of the Philippines in the province of Southern Leyte* Panaon, Misamis Occidental, a municipality on the island of Mindanao, Philippines...
. The Bulwark or Balwarte at the old town center is near the big river named as, Tubig-Daku, below and adjacent to the existing cemetery. This is also where the Japanese soldiers camp during World War II.
The Old Pantalan (Seaport)
The ruins of the old pantalan or seaport still stand along the shores of the PoblacionPoblacion
A Poblacion or Población, literally "town" or "Population" in Spanish, is the name commonly used for the central barangay or barangays of a Philippine city or municipality. Common features of the poblacion include a town plaza, church, market, school and town hall. It is sometimes shortened to...
in Jubas. Recently, the entire seacoast along Sogod Bay is transformed into a "park by the bay" also commonly referred to as the Boulevard in Jubas ideal for walks and for viewing the sunset while fishermen on their lighted bancas or boats scatter all over the bay. This is seen most specially during peak fish season.
Besides, the beautiful sunset along Sogod Bay, the whale-sharks in Southern Leyte
Southern Leyte
Southern Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Maasin City is the capital of the province. Southern Leyte was once a sub-province of Leyte before it was divided from the latter...
are simply at home in Sogod Bay. Whale-sharks or Rhyncodon typus are popularly known locally as “iho-tiki”. Recent sightings confirm that whale-sharks actually are all over Sogod Bay. They were spotted in San Francisco, Southern Leyte
San Francisco, Southern Leyte
San Francisco is a 5th class municipality in the province of Southern Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 10,869 people in 2,337 households.-Barangays:San Francisco is politically subdivided into 22 barangays....
, as well as in Limasawa, Malitbog
Malitbog
Malitbog is the name of two places in the Philippines:*Malitbog, Bukidnon*Malitbog, Southern Leyte...
, Libagon, Sogod
Sogod
Sogod may refer to:* Sogod, Cebu, Philippines* Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines...
, Pintuyan and even as far as San Ricardo. In fact, they had long been ordinary fare for small fishermen. People have gotten used to them that young boys ride on their backs as they scour for planktons along the village shores. Though, there is no 100% guarantee to spot a whale-shark in Sogod Bay. It takes proper timing, good weather, and a huge amount of luck to see one. Patience is the name of the game. The best time to see whale-sharks in Southern Leyte
Southern Leyte
Southern Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Maasin City is the capital of the province. Southern Leyte was once a sub-province of Leyte before it was divided from the latter...
is April and May.
Libagon Rizal Park
Like most local governments from LuzonLuzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
to Visayas
Visayas
The Visayas or Visayan Islands and locally known as Kabisay-an gid, is one of the three principal geographical divisions of the Philippines, along with Mindanao and Luzon. It consists of several islands, primarily surrounding the Visayan Sea, although the Visayas are considered the northeast...
and Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
, a Rizal monument is erected to commemorate the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
' national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal
José Rizal
José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda , was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot and is listed as one of the national heroes of the Philippines by...
, regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot. The Rizal monument stands at the Libagon Rizal Park, a significant landmark of Libagon located strategically in the midst of the poblacion
Poblacion
A Poblacion or Población, literally "town" or "Population" in Spanish, is the name commonly used for the central barangay or barangays of a Philippine city or municipality. Common features of the poblacion include a town plaza, church, market, school and town hall. It is sometimes shortened to...
.
Transportation
Ordinarily, the habal-habal(s) or single motorcycles are used as modes of transportation in crossing SogodSogod
Sogod may refer to:* Sogod, Cebu, Philippines* Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines...
and to other distant and mountainous areas. Sogod
Sogod
Sogod may refer to:* Sogod, Cebu, Philippines* Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines...
is the major terminus in the south central portion in Leyte Island
Leyte Island
Leyte is an island in the Visayas group of the Philippines.The island measures about 180 km north-south and about 65 km at its widest point. In the north it nearly joins Samar, separated by the San Juanico Strait, which becomes as narrow as 2 km in some places...
. It is the vital link in connecting Visayas to Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
. The buses, jeepneys, and for-hire vans terminate from Sogod
Sogod
Sogod may refer to:* Sogod, Cebu, Philippines* Sogod, Southern Leyte, Philippines...
to Maasin City
Maasin City
Maasin City is a 4th class city in the province of Southern Leyte, Philippines. It is the capital city of Southern Leyte. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 79,737.On August 10, 2000 Maasin was converted into a city.- History :...
, Ormoc City
Ormoc City
The City of Ormoc is a 1st class city in the province of Leyte, Philippines. The city's name is derived from ogmok, an old Visayan term for lowland or depressed plain. It is the first non-provincial city of the Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 177,524 people...
, Tacloban City
Tacloban City
The City of Tacloban is a port city approximately 360 miles southeast of Manila. It is the first in Eastern Visayas to be classified as a Highly Urbanized City. It is the capital of the Philippine province of Leyte and is the largest city in terms of population in Eastern Visayas...
, Bato
Bato
Bato can have different meanings, not related in Etymology, in various times, places and cultures:-People:Bato as an Illyrian male name may refer to:*Bato of Dalmatia, Illyrian tribal chief...
-Hilongos, Liloan
Liloan
Liloan is the name of two places in the Philippines:*Liloan, Cebu*Liloan, Southern Leyte...
(by way of Libagon), Hinunangan and Silago.
See also: Sogod, Southern Leyte
Sogod, Southern Leyte
The Municipality of Sogod is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Southern Leyte, Philippines. Sogod is connected in the Maharlika Highway that links Luzon to Mindanao, one of the most important highways in the Philippines...
(section: Transportation).
The Libagon Highway is part of the Pan-Philippine Highway
Pan-Philippine Highway
The Pan-Philippine Highway, also known as the Maharlika Highway is a network of roads, bridges, and ferry services that connect the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao in the Philippines, serving as the country's principal transport backbone....
, also known as the Maharlika Highway (AH26). It is a 3517 km network of roads, bridges, and ferry services that connect the islands of Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
, Samar
Samar
Samar, formerly and also known as Western Samar, is a province in the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Catbalogan City and covers the western portion of Samar as well as several islands in the Samar Sea located to the west of the mainland...
, Leyte
Leyte
Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Tacloban City and occupies the northern three-quarters of the Leyte Island. Leyte is located west of Samar Island, north of Southern Leyte and south of Biliran...
, and Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, serving as the country's principal transport backbone. The northern terminus of the highway is at Laoag City
Laoag City
The City of Laoag is a 1st class city in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. It is the capital city of Ilocos Norte, and the province's political, commercial, and industrial hub. It is the location of the Ilocos region's only commercial airport...
, and the southern terminus is at Zamboanga City
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
.
In addition, traveling to Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
from Libagon approximately takes 24 hours by bus along with ferry from Northern Samar
Northern Samar
Northern Samar is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Catarman and is located at the northern portion of the island of Samar. Bordering the province to the south are the provinces of Samar and Eastern Samar...
to Matnog. The trip is a scenic interprovincial ride. Philtranco buses are long known to serve this route.
See also: Pan-Philippine Highway
Pan-Philippine Highway
The Pan-Philippine Highway, also known as the Maharlika Highway is a network of roads, bridges, and ferry services that connect the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao in the Philippines, serving as the country's principal transport backbone....
Mobile
- Serviced by Smart CommunicationsSmart CommunicationsSmart Communications is a wholly owned mobile phone and Internet service subsidiary of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company .On June 30, 2010 the company reported that it had over 45 million cellular subscribers.-Brands:...
- Serviced by Globe TelecomGlobe TelecomGlobe Telecom , commonly known as Globe, is a telecommunications company in the Philippines. Globe provides mobile, fixed line, and broadband Internet services.- History :In 1928, Congress passed Act No...
- Serviced by Sun CellularSun CellularDigitel Mobile Philippines, Inc., is a mobile telecommunication service provider in the Philippines doing business as Sun Cellular. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Digital Telecommunications Philippines, or Digitel. Digitel is in turn owned by the JG Summit Group with a minority stake...
Internet
- Wireless Internet through SMART Network (Smart Bro)
- Wireless Internet through Globe Network (Globe Tattoo)