Virac, Catanduanes
Encyclopedia
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...
. It is the capital municipality of the province and the third largest town with a land area of 188 km2. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 64,554.
Physical
The municipality of Virac is situated at about 13.6 degrees North Latitude and 124.3 degrees Longitude and occupies the southern tip of the island province. It has a total land area of 18,778.4 hectares. Of its total, 9,359.15 hectares or 49.84% is forestland while 9,419.25 hectares are classified as alienable and disposable.Almost half of the area is rugged and mountainous, with topography
Topography
Topography is the study of Earth's surface shape and features or those ofplanets, moons, and asteroids...
interspersed by hills and plains dotted by marshy land and rocky jutting cliff
Cliff
In geography and geology, a cliff is a significant vertical, or near vertical, rock exposure. Cliffs are formed as erosion landforms due to the processes of erosion and weathering that produce them. Cliffs are common on coasts, in mountainous areas, escarpments and along rivers. Cliffs are usually...
s and crags.
The town is bounded on the east and south by the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
, on the north by high and green mountain ranges of San Miguel
San Miguel, Catanduanes
San Miguel is a 5th class municipality in the province of Catanduanes, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 12,966 people in 2,387 households.-History:...
, and on the west by the gently rolling terrain and bosom-shaped hills of San Andres
San Andres, Catanduanes
San Andres is a 4th class municipality in the province of Catanduanes, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 33,781 people in 6,059 households.- The Town :...
.
Climate
Virac has a Type II climate, it has no dry season with an average precipitation of between 2,500-3,000 mm/annually.Virac and the whole province of Catanduanes are always battered by typhoons from July to October as it is in the middle of the typhoon belt. Because a large part of the livelihood is on agriculture, economic development has always been hampered by these weather disturbances.
Economy
The economy of Virac is sustained primarily by agricultureAgriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
- the farming of rice
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
, corn
Corn
Corn is the name used in the United States, Canada, and Australia for the grain maize.In much of the English-speaking world, the term "corn" is a generic term for cereal crops, such as* Barley* Oats* Wheat* Rye- Places :...
, bananas and root crops. The production of copra
Copra
Copra is the dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut. Coconut oil extracted from it has made copra an important agricultural commodity for many coconut-producing countries. It also yields coconut cake which is mainly used as feed for livestock.-Production:...
and abaca
Abacá
Abacá, Musa textilis is a species of banana native to the Philippines, grown as a commercial crop in the Philippines, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. The plant is of great economic importance, being harvested for its fibre, once generally called Manila hemp, extracted from the trunk or pseudostem. On...
also provide additional income for the people. Its annual income in 1979 was a little more than P980,000.00 and the projected income for 1990 is more than a million pesos. Fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
is also an essential industry, together with mining
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
and lumber
Lumber
Lumber or timber is wood in any of its stages from felling through readiness for use as structural material for construction, or wood pulp for paper production....
. Lately, some home industries have been established while other sources of income are business and employment from the government and private sectors.
Virac has been singularly blessed with luck and circumstance. It is rich in material and natural resources like forest and mineral deposits. It has vast timberlands in its reserves and minerals like coal, copper, manganese, phosphate and cement can be tapped for future commercial use. But its real wealth lies in its human resources, for its people are the most literate this side of the country.
Religion
CatholicismCatholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
is a deeply rooted institution in this town with 98% of the people embracing the faith. Virac is the seat of an independent diocese
Roman Catholic Diocese of Virac
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Virac is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines...
of Catanduanes with Bishop Manolo Delos Santos, D.D., at the helm. The town was once a vicarship of Caceres
Archdiocese of Caceres
The Archdiocese of Nueva Cáceres is an archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. It is a Metropolitan See that comprises the Bicol region, while directly overseeing the third, fourth, and fifth congressional districts of Camarines Sur....
and later, the Diocese of Legazpi. The patron
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...
of the town is the Immaculate Concepcion with the feast day
Fiesta patronal
The Fiestas patronales are yearly celebrations held in countries influenced by Spanish culture.A fiesta patronal is usually dedicated to a saint or virgin, who is the patron of whichever city holds the fiesta. Usually, town members adorn the town streets with colorful decorations and other things...
celebrated on December 8.
Airport
Virac AirportVirac Airport
Virac Airport is the only airport serving the island province of Catanduanes in the Philippines. It is located in the capital, Virac...
. Daily flights to and from Manila are provided by two airlines - Zest Airways and Cebu Pacific. There is no direct flight to or from Cebu even though it is serviced by Cebu Pacific. A connecting flight has to be made to Manila in between. Flight time to Manila takes less than an hour.
Land transport
- From Manila, Air Conditioned and ordinary Buses from Cubao, Quezon City travels daily to Virac, Catanduanes via Tabaco port which takes 9 to 12 hours depending on the bus' itinerary. RORO ships plies daily from Tabaco, Albay to Catanduanes via San Andres Port or Virac Port.c.
- Traveling within Virac or to other destinations in the province are by local buses, jeepneyJeepneyJeepneys are the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. They were originally made from US military jeeps left over from World War II and are known for their flamboyant decoration and crowded seating...
s, tricyclesAuto rickshawAn auto rickshaw or three-wheeler is a usually three-wheeled cabin cycle for private use and as a vehicle for hire. It is a motorized version of the traditional pulled rickshaw or cycle rickshaw...
or by pedicabs.
Virac Seaport
Daily Ferry services bridge Catanduanes, from the Port of Virac and Port of San Andres, to the main island of 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...
, via Tabaco Seaport in Tabaco City
Tabaco City
Tabaco City is a 4th class city in the province of Albay in the Philippines. It is one of the three component cities of the province. The mainland part of the city is bordered by the town of Malinao to the north, the towns of Polangui and Oas to the west, Ligao City to the southwest, Malilipot town...
, Albay
Albay
Albay is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Legazpi City and the province borders Camarines Sur to the north and Sorsogon to the south. Also to the northeast is Lagonoy Gulf....
. Several ferry companies offer trips at different hours of the day between the two ports, which normally takes about three and a half hours.
Tourism
Virac is an untapped tourist mecca. Its eastern and southern beaches are laced with immaculate white beaches and glittering shorelines and lovely bays. Its interior is cooled by numerous coconut trees and tree groves and watered by rivers and innumerable creeks, brooks and streams.Beaches
Crystalline waters abound the area with natural and colorful reefs where a big number of species swarm in panorama of colors. Popular beaches around town are:- Twinrock Beach Resorts are both located in Brgy. Igang, Municipality of Virac, Island of Catanduanes, Philippines. You can view images of Twinrock Beach Resorts at www.FACEBOOK.com by searching TWINROCK Beach Resorts. Enjoy the beauty of nature.
To see the latest and old photos of TWINROCK Beach Resorts, follow the links below:
http://www.twinrock.com.ph
- Mamangal Beach, located in Brgy. Balite, Virac, was developed by the local government, with pavilion and sheds for the beach goers.
- Johnny's Beach Resort is located in Brgy. Balite.
- Monte Carlo Inn & Resort is located in Brgy. San Vicente in Virac.
- Roadside Resort and Restaurant is also in Brgy. San Vicente in Virac.
Amenia Beach Resort, Erickson Resort, Balin Resort, Monte Cielo are located at Palawig
Caving
Spelunking is still an untapped activity in Virac. Two well-known caves are:- Buyo cave is in Brgy. Buyo of Virac. The cave is rumored to have beautiful stalactites and stalagmites and the area is lush surrounded by small rolling hills.
- Vargas Cave is located in Brgy. Balite, Virac. It has a narrow opening and entry that could be challenging to some. It is hidden in the midst of thick shrubs and bush.
- Marilima and Talisay Caves. Little is known about these two caves.
Institutions
- The Provincial Capitol building is an edifice that is the pride of BicolandiaBicol RegionThe Bicol Region or Bicolandia is one of the 17 regions of the Philippines. Its regional center is Legazpi City...
and can also be considered as an alternative tourist destination in the town proper because of its admirable landscape, mini-forest, orchidarium, plazaPlazaPlaza is a Spanish word related to "field" which describes an open urban public space, such as a city square. All through Spanish America, the plaza mayor of each center of administration held three closely related institutions: the cathedral, the cabildo or administrative center, which might be...
and spacious playground. - The Juan M. Alberto Memorial Building and Theatre promoting the image of Catandunganon’s art and culture.
- Imelda Boulevard, is a replica of Roxas BoulevardRoxas BoulevardRoxas Boulevard is a boulevard in Metro Manila, and an eight-lane arterial road that connects the center of Manila with Pasay City, Parañaque City. It is one of the major arteries in the city's metropolitan network, designated as Radial Road 1...
of ManilaManilaManila 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,...
. - The Eastern Bicol Medical Center with its modern facilities and equipment.
- The Catanduanes State Colleges which caters to the educational needs of the province.
- The Police Barracks and officers quarters.
- The Virac Athletic Complex, considered to be one of the best in the whole country.
- The Virac Youth Center.
Pre-Spanish period
CivilizationCivilization
Civilization is a sometimes controversial term that has been used in several related ways. Primarily, the term has been used to refer to the material and instrumental side of human cultures that are complex in terms of technology, science, and division of labor. Such civilizations are generally...
first touched the island province of Catanduanes in the thirteenth century, with the arrival of the scions of ten Bornean datu
Datu
Datu is the title for tribal chiefs, sovereign princes, and monarchs in the Visayas and Mindanao Regions of the Philippines. Together with Lakan , Apo in Central and Northern Luzon, Sultan and Rajah, they are titles used for native royalty, and are still currently used in the Philippines...
s who were then traversing through the islets of the Philippine Archipelago
Geography of the Philippines
The Philippines is an archipelago comprising 7,107 islands with a total land area of 300,000 km2. The 11 largest islands contain 94% of the total land area. The largest of these islands is Luzon at about 105,000 km2. The next largest island is Mindanao at about 95,000 km2...
. By the middle of the fourteenth century, organized communities could be seen throughout Catanduanes – a consequence of the rapid development of Southeastern Luzon initiated by the Malay settlers.
Virac, the capital town of the island province of Catanduanes, started its primitive annals in pre-Spanish times when tribal chieftain Lumibao, scion of Datu Dumaguil who came to the Philippines with the 10 Bornean datus and his wife Milbigan settled near Vidak spring and founded the first civilized settlement with a score of servant followers and their wives.
Etymology
It has been said that Virac is a derivation of the word “Vidak” while others claim it is a contraction of the Spanish version of the word burac, meaning flower. A priest is on a quest for more information about the natives. Pointing to a tree, he asked what it was called and the natives replied, “Burac.” Thereupon, the priest made his first notation on his book of information “burac”.Spanish period
It was the SpanishSpanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
Conquistador
Conquistador
Conquistadors were Spanish soldiers, explorers, and adventurers who brought much of the Americas under the control of Spain in the 15th to 16th centuries, following Europe's discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492...
es Juan de Salcedo
Juan de Salcedo
Juan de Salcedo was a Spanish conquistador. He was born in Mexico in 1549 and he was the grandson of Miguel López de Legazpi and brother of Felipe de Salcedo. Salcedo was one of the soldiers who accompanied the Spanish colonization of the Philippines in 1565...
who first brought Spanish galleon
Galleon
A galleon was a large, multi-decked sailing ship used primarily by European states from the 16th to 18th centuries. Whether used for war or commerce, they were generally armed with the demi-culverin type of cannon.-Etymology:...
s to the waters of Catanduanes in 1573. His purpose then was to capture and punish pirates who carried on their nefarious trade in Camarines Sur
Camarines Sur
Camarines Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Pili and the province borders Camarines Norte and Quezon to the north, and Albay to the south...
, Sorsogon
Sorsogon
Sorsogon is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region; it is the southernmost province in Luzon and is subdivided into fourteen municipalities and one city. Its capital is Sorsogon City and borders the province of Albay to the north...
and Western Catanduanes. His galleon returned a few weeks later – this time, his mission was to spread the Catholic faith.
While at bay, the port guard saw smoke rising from the mountain Eli. After dropping anchor, the Spaniards tracked down footprints from the shore which reached a sitio called Vidak. They eventually came upon a large kaingin in Timbean, situated between 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...
s of Danicop and Calatagan.
The chieftain of the village had his hut built a little above a spring which still exists today. There was a reception hall conveniently shaded by a tree known as sambong. This tree eventually served as the guidon to the couple’s place.
It is said that the Spaniards could not approach the hut of the chieftain because of three huge fierce-looking dogs and several guards who had their spears drawn toward the foreigners. However, the Spaniards determined to succeed in their mission, returned the threatening acts of the natives with gesture of friendship.
A piece of “onchita” was offered to the chieftain as a gift; but this was rejected by the chieftain when his wife said “we have many pieces of gold in our kingdom”. A silver piece was next offered, but this was similarly rejected by the chieftain and his wife. Reaching for some refined sugar, the Spaniards let the natives taste the sweetness of the substance. The chieftain’s wife like the taste. Thus begun the “sweet” relation between the natives and the Spaniards.
Soon after the first encounters, the Spaniards started giving the natives provisions not found in the chieftain’s hut, such as more sugar and clothing. After the seed of friendship had taken roots, the Spaniards began spreading their message of Christianity
Roman Catholicism in the Philippines
The Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, in full communion with the Pope.With 73.8 million members in 2005, it is the predominant religion, making the Philippines the third largest "Catholic" nation in the world after Brazil and Mexico, as well as one...
. Lumibao was baptized as Jose and Milbigan as Maria. Their son who lived at the bank of Macacao was converted into Christianity with the name of Mariano.
It is unfortunate that records regarding the Christianization of Virac were lost due to vandalism
Vandalism
Vandalism is the behaviour attributed originally to the Vandals, by the Romans, in respect of culture: ruthless destruction or spoiling of anything beautiful or venerable...
of Moros. The history of this capital town began to be accurately recorded only from the year 1755.
Moro raids
Catanduanes was not spared from the adventurous and plunderous raids of the Moros from Mindanao. But knowing the strength of the coastal batteries of the Virac harbor, the vintaVinta
The vinta is a traditional boat found in the Philippine island of Mindanao. These boats are made by Bajau and Moros lining in the Sulu Archipelago. It has a sail with assorted vertical colors that represents the colorful culture and history of the Muslim community. These boats are used for...
s divided into groups and landed at various places or points farther from the range of the coastal batteries. Some landed at Cadaculaan and others way out to points east and west of Virac.
Don Matias Soliman, a famous Moro fighter, engaged in battle and killed a Moro Datu
Datu
Datu is the title for tribal chiefs, sovereign princes, and monarchs in the Visayas and Mindanao Regions of the Philippines. Together with Lakan , Apo in Central and Northern Luzon, Sultan and Rajah, they are titles used for native royalty, and are still currently used in the Philippines...
named Mohammed Abu after a bloody encounter in 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....
Hopog of Barrio Sto. Domingo, Virac. He was aided by the swift-handed and hoarse voiced Don Alipio Alejandro alias Paas.
The non-Christian invaders were superior in arms and number until Don Alipio, with an exotic force, turned the tide. The Moros could not move further, hence, they retreated in defeat.
On the eastern end of Virac, the Moros succeeded in gaining a beach-head in Catanduanes and from there, attacked the town from the east. The Cabeza de Barangay
Cabeza de Barangay
The Cabeza de Barangay was the leader or chief of a barangay in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. The post was inherited from the first datus who became cabezas de barangay when the many independent barangays fell under the rule of the Spanish Crown...
of Francia, Don Pedro Tolentino alias Pantino, lost no time in giving their all against the enemy. This was the first time the people of Virac totally and successfully resisted an organized invasion.
American occupation
A few months after Emilio AguinaldoEmilio Aguinaldo
Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy was a Filipino general, politician, and independence leader. He played an instrumental role during the Philippines' revolution against Spain, and the subsequent Philippine-American War or War of Philippine Independence that resisted American occupation...
, the first president of the First Philippine Republic
First Philippine Republic
The Philippine Republic , more commonly known as the First Philippine Republic or the Malolos Republic was a short-lived insurgent revolutionary government in the Philippines...
took his oath of allegiance to America after losing in the Philippine-American War
Philippine-American War
The Philippine–American War, also known as the Philippine War of Independence or the Philippine Insurrection , was an armed conflict between a group of Filipino revolutionaries and the United States which arose from the struggle of the First Philippine Republic to gain independence following...
, a battleship dropped anchor in Virac. The American soldiers were on a mission to expedite the surrender of the local Revolutionists or Katipuneros. Not eager to relinquish their hard-fought freedom, the Katipuneros refused to recognize the sovereignty
Sovereignty
Sovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory. It can be found in a power to rule and make law that rests on a political fact for which no purely legal explanation can be provided...
of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and fled to the mountains.
In the later part of 1898, when Don Leon Reyes was the incumbent Capitan Municipal [town mayor] of Virac, the revolutionary troops who refused American Administration, came down from the mountains to rally for the common cause. Don Leon Reyes readily welcomed the revolutionists and financed their cause in fighting the Americans. This state of affairs was tactfully handled by the Capitan who spent almost all of his fortunes for the cause. For his patriotic zeal, he was manacled, chained and sentenced to hard labor by the Americans in 1901.
The American occupation ended in 1934 before the establishment of the Philippine Commonwealth in 1935.
Japanese Invasion
Catanduanes was not spared by the forces of the Kamakura Regiment. Airborne planes were cited at the southern portion of Virac in the morning of December 12, 1941, while vessels dropped anchor near Nagngangang Buaya Point, Cabugao Bay. At 9:30 in the morning of said day, towns were totally evacuated. Bombs were soon strategically dropped.Later, garrison
Garrison
Garrison is the collective term for a body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it, but now often simply using it as a home base....
s were established in town and the municipal building was also used as a garrison. No school was regularly opened during the Japanese Occupation. Guerrilla organizations came and went.
Liberation
The Liberation of Catanduanes took place in what is now the municipal building and the Virac Parish Church area. On February 8, 1945, the battle started at Km. 4 at Brgy. Calatagan at about 12 noon, and ended with the Filipino soldiers of the 5th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 55th, 56th and 57th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and recognized guerrillas taking full control of the Japanese barracks.On April 20, 1945, Florencio Tacorda, the only three-term Municipal President, some two and a half decades before the war, was designated mayor of Virac. He served for six months and twenty-five days during the Philippine Civil Affairs Unit regime.
Political
The growth of Virac in terms of governance peaked in 1972. From the original 34 barangays in 1960, Virac was able to establish 29 new communities to upgrade the present composition of 63 barangays.Behind all these accomplishments can be seen the guiding inspirations of the past political leaders – whose over-all consideration is making Virac, and the province of Catanduanes, a great and a more progressive town and province.
Barangays
| Barangay | Pop. (2007) |
|---|---|
| Antipolo Del Norte | |
| Antipolo Del Sur | |
| Balite | |
| Batag | |
| Bigaa | |
| Buenavista | |
| Buyo | |
| Cabihian | |
| Calabnigan | |
| Calampong | |
| Calatagan Proper | |
| Calatagan Tibang | |
| Capilihan | |
| Casoocan | |
| Cavinitan | |
| Concepcion (Pob.) | |
| Constantino (Pob.) | |
| Danicop | |
| Dugui San Isidro | |
| Dugui Too | |
| Dugui San Vicente | |
| Barangay | Pop. (2007) |
|---|---|
| F. Tacorda Village | |
| Francia (Pob.) | |
| Gogon Centro | |
| Gogon Sirangan | |
| Hawan Grande | |
| Hawan Ilaya | |
| Hicming | |
| Igang | |
| Juan M. Alberto (Poniton) | |
| Lanao (Pob.) | |
| Magnesia Del Norte | |
| Magnesia Del Sur | |
| Marcelo Alberto (Pob.) | |
| Marilima | |
| Pajo Baguio | |
| Pajo San Isidro | |
| Palnab Del Norte | |
| Palnab Del Sur | |
| Palta Big | |
| Palta Salvacion | |
| Palta Small | |
| Barangay | Pop. (2007) |
|---|---|
| Rawis (Pob.) | |
| Salvacion | |
| San Isidro Village | |
| San Jose (Pob.) | |
| San Juan (Pob.) | |
| San Pablo (Pob.) | |
| San Pedro (Pob.) | |
| San Roque (Pob.) | |
| San Vicente | |
| Ibong Sapa (San Vicente Sur) | |
| Santa Cruz | |
| Santa Elena (Pob.) | |
| Santo Cristo | |
| Santo Domingo | |
| Santo Niño | |
| Simamla | |
| Sogod-Simamla | |
| Sogod-Tibgao | |
| Talisoy | |
| Tubaon | |
| Valencia | |