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Etymology

During the time of Governor Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera (1635 - 1644), the Visayans were continually harassed by the Moros. Consequently, tall stone walls and watchtowers were built in different parts of the archipelago, for refuge and protection of the people from Moro aggression. These watchtowers were known locally as "BANTAYAN SA HARI", meaning "WATCHTOWERS OF THE KING". The watchtowers served as look-outs for incoming Moro pirate vessels. In the course of their vigil, it became common to say, BANTAYAN! BANTAYAN!, meaning, "KEEP WATCH! KEEP WATCH! , and that was how this island-group got its name. The presence of relics of those watchtowers to this day attests to the well-fitting name BANTAYAN. In Bantayan town the tall walls surround the convent and the church including half of the area where the Public Plaza now is.

History

Early origins

There are no physical records nor evidence to indicate when the first people came to Bantayan, nor their places of origin. Some believe they can be traced back to Panay, others believe that the bulk of them were of Cebuano origin, and still others say they came from Leyte and Bohol. We can deduce connections between Bantayan and those places from the mixed dialects spoken by the people, and their ancient culture such as cloth weaving, dance and architecture. In addition certain old established Hispanic family names are associated with certain locations: • Panay o Rubio, Arcenaz, Alvarez • Cebu o Rodriguez, Ancaja, Mansueto, Villacruz • Leyte o Villacin, Villaflor, Otega, Carabio • Bohol o Hubahib, Garcia, Caquilla The majority of the old inhabitants, however, agree that they are a mixture of all these, a product of different blood and cultures. There is little documentary evidence of life and culture before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadores. What we know of them is gathered from handed down accounts. The early people were said to be timid. They didn’t travel and knew little of places away from their homes. They wore little clothing because the climate didn’t need it. The abundance of fish, wild games, wild fruits and tuber like BA-AY, HAGMANG (wild yam), BAILACOG, and KIOT, made the people do little more than make clearings on which to plant corn, camote (sweet potato) and other vegetables. Large and small trees grew and spread, shading the ground all year round with their heavy foliage. Vines and creepers climbed the trees hanging from bough to bough; cultivation of open land was difficult. The people were very ignorant of even simple arts.

The Spanish period

Industry

In 1778, Don José Basco y Vargas became the Governor General of the Philippines. He pioneered many projects for the encouragement of agriculture and industries. Industries in the island-group were completely abandoned because the people were forced to work on building roads, public buildings and churches. The abundance of fish, favourable climate and virgin soil then greatly determined the occupation of the people. These geographical factors became strong stimuli for the people to be fishermen, farmers and sailors. Much later, the small clearings were expanded to fields.

Religion

When the Spaniards came to Bantayan, the people already had some form of religious convictions and worship, such as animism, shamanism, evocation and magic. They easily conceived the idea of evil spirits, good spirits, witches and ghosts. In order to please these imaginary creatures people often resorted to charms, vows, sacrifices and self harm. It was a common belief among the illiterate people of the past that cholera and other fatal diseases were caused by poison which an evil spirit had put into the wells and that the people could be saved from the dreaded disease only by chanting prayer and holding processions.

Culture

Customs

Many still adhere and cling to the customs of their ancestors. A girl is a valuable asset to the family. She can be engage in marriage until a satisfactory dowry has been given for her. She is given a little chance or choice in the selection of her husband. When a boy has decided on a girl he wishes to have for his wife, he consults his relatives as to the girl's personal qualities and the amount of they can contribute for his dowry. Another old custom which still persist today concerns marriages. The family of the groom is expected to bring food and any hard drink to the home of the bride, where an arrangement is entered into between the two families as to what the groom and his family should do for the household of the bride: such arrangement may include the payment of debts or repair of the house. The expenses of the wedding are met by the groom and his family. The relatives of the groom do the serving and entertaining of the bride's guests. A custom of the past now almost completely abandoned by the young people of today, is to live in ways approved by their parents. That is to say, chaste. Another old custom discarded today is for girls not to marry before thirty years of age and the male to be two or three years older than the female. THEIR HOMES - The architecture of the average home is not complicated, being a single room which can accommodate numberless members, apparently. Usually, two door ways and two or three windows admit light that penetrates into the interior where one sees chairs or benches and other articles necessary to primitive housekeeping. Of course, the well-to-do have houses in European style, which are well furnished and up-to-date. When the Spaniards came, a few rich people built houses with thick stone walls and covered tile roof. Two of these houses still exist up to this date. INTELLECTUAL LIFE - We express beauty as we see it, through pictures and carvings we call art. Long before Madridejos and Santa Fe, Bantayan is considered the town of sculpture. CIPRIANO CARABIO is one of the great names among the artists in this island-group. His son, SEVERINO CARABIO, is said to represent the sculptors who portrayed emotions of human feelings. CHANGES AND RETROGRESSION

RELIGION - The cooperation between the church and the state did not last very long. Quarrels between the church and the state ensued. There was struggle for political power, from the Governor General down to the alcalde mayors on one hand and from the archbishop to the friars on the other. Because of this, projects for improvements were all paralysed.

During the Spanish time, the people were just as peaceful as they are today. No political revolts were made, no banditries and piracies were ever recorded among the people, except those made by the moros. The old Spanish road connecting Santa Fe, Bantayan, and Madridejos were constructed chiefly through the services of labour and partly supported by the tribute funds. Those enforcing this were called "POLITAS". The first Spanish public school constructed in Bantayan to educate the children of the natives was in 1864, although, the Spanish Educational Decree providing said school was issued in 1863. These schools, one for girls and the other for boys were under the direct supervision of the curate and conducted by a man and a woman. The construction of the present Catholic Church which stood firmly against the vicissitudes of time started in 1893 and was completed in 1863. Several fortuitous events took place in this period. In 1894 the entire barrio of Ticad was razed to the ground by fire. Only the stumps of the posts could be seen above the ground. Small pox epidemic devastated this island in 1880-1890. No trustworthy figure appeared during the administration of Capitan Puragtong but a villous famine occurred. Not even a grain of corn could be had but surprisingly the people subsisted upon "AMORSEKO" (crab grass) which continuously grew on the nipa wall of the houses of the inhabitants. AMERICAN PERIOD

THE ARRIVAL OF THE AMERICANS - (THE FORTUNE THAT BROUGHT THE AMERICANS AND FILIPINOS TOGETHER) - At the beginning, it was believed that the Americans were our allies. We understood and befriended them; instead, they had intentions to retain us under their rule for many years. From the very beginning of the American rule in this island, Americans made us understand that they came to train and educate the people in the science of self-government. On January 4, 1899, a new government was born to the Philippines. With instructions from President McKinley, General Otis who commanded US Army in the Philippines declared that the American sovereignty must be recognized without condition. This was the beginning of the American period. It may be recalled that this island-group had not taken any active participation in the revolution against Spain or America. However, after the Filipino-American War, a reactionary group was organized and was headed by PATORETE of Santa Fe, a barrio then of Bantayan. Their announced purpose was to resist against the invaders. The armed goons carried a campaign of terror burning the northern part of Santa Fe, plundering and forcing Capitan Miroy (CASIMIRO BATIANCILA) and Aguido Batobalonos to join them. This resulted in great fear and tension among the inhabitants. The condition of the barrios, after the overthrow and immediately preceding the arrival of the Americans, in general, was very far from satisfactory. Sanitation was entirely a stranger, barrio life was dreadful. There was a rare sign of improvement among the people from its primitive ancestors. PROGRESS UNDER THE AMERICANS - Ten years is a brief period as measured by the usual progress of society, but in colonial administration it has frequently happened that great changes have not waited upon a long lapse of time. So, a decade of cooperative efforts is long enough to achieve satisfactory results. The subdivision of the province of Cebu was developed utilizing the method introduced by Spain. A new provincial law was earlier enacted and necessary appointments were then made. At that time, Bantayan was already organized as "PUEBLO". Years later, Santa Fe, was organized as such in 1911 and Madridejos in 1917. These "PUEBLOS" were given a new corporate form under the Municipal Council chosen by a limited native electorate. For the local head of the administration, the title "PRESIDENTE" took the place of the former "GOVERNADORCILLO" or "CAPITAN". Committed to the task of reigning, the newly organize municipal governments were the first "PRESIDENTES" of these three towns comprising the island-group namely: Gregorio Escario for Bantayan, Vicente Bacolod for Madridejos and Casimiro Batiancila for Santa Fe. Political parties were formally organized since the early days of the American regime. Partido Liberal came about the end of 1900, between 1902 and 1905. Pascual Poblete organized the Nacionalista Party for which few Bantayanons welcomed. THE FIRST FORMAL EDUCATION

On January 21, 1901, the Commission enacted an organic law in order to centralize the administration of all public schools in the Bureau of Education. Because of the cholera epidemic in 1902-1903, the public schools in this island-group were able to function in 1904. The Spanish schools were demolished and replaced with new buildings for English Classes. Among the important laws which benefited this locality are the Municipal Code and the Gabaldon Act. The Municipal Code was framed by the American Government but without any substantial difference with regards to the one used during the Spanish time. The Gabaldon Act, the first law passed by the Philippine Assembly provided a million pesos for barrio schools. Bantayan was one of the recipients of the benefits provided for in this law which was applied to build the Bantayan Central Elementary School and was finished in 1914. FORTUITOUS EVENTS DURING THIS PERIOD

Severe epidemic of cholera swept this island-group in 1902-1903 and another in 1930. Smallpox which attacked this island-group at about the same time was totally controlled in 1908 thru complete vaccination of the populace. Three disastrous typhoons also occurred during this period, first in 1905, the second in 1912 and the third in 1937. Of these three the second took hundreds of lives in addition to work animals and agricultural crops that were totally damaged. GENERAL INFORMATION

The first local election in Bantayan was held in 1905. Gregorio Escario, who was first appointed as "Presidente", won the election won by a small margin over his rival. During the administration of Governor General Luke E. Wright (1904-1906), the public road policy was inaugurated. Little by little the stage trails were changed to roads of more durable construction. Late in the 1913, the construction of Santa Fe - Bantayan road begun and in 1918 the Bantayan-Madridejos road followed suit and was terminated in 1924. Then and now, fishing and farming were important industries of the people, but from the year 1903 to 1925, weaving of piña cloth and the gathering of maguey (agave) fibre were very lucrative pursuits of the people. As the years rolled by, demand for these products weakened and are now extinct. At about the same, hand embroidery termed as "spare time industry" came up. A good number of women adopted it and have been actively engaged in it for some years. The local output was quite significant. In 1923, because of weak and unsettled market condition, particularly in Manila, the business gradually disappeared. Years ago, poultry raising was mainly a backyard affair. Today, it has grown into a large scale and highly specialized industry. Near the national and feeder roads, big poultry farms are located. Thousands of chickens are kept in specially constructed house and yards where millions of eggs are gathered everyday. These eggs are exported to Cebu, Manila, and Mindanao and in other town and cities in the Visayas. Needless to say, this industry like copra making, tuba gathering, fishing and others, have helped Bantayan solve its unemployment problem. CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BANTAYAN SPANISH REGIME

1. CAPITAN JACINTO MANSUETO - 1763-1770 2. CAPITAN FELIX CAÑETE - 1770-1780 3. CAPITAN TINOY GIMENEZ - 1780-1789 4. CAPITAN PURAGTONG VILLACASTIN - 1789-1796 5. CAPITAN SEMEON DE LA PEÑA - 1796-1803 6. CAPITAN MARIANO CAQUILALA - 1803-1814 7. CAPITAN JANTOY VILLACASTIN - 1814-1822 8. CAPITAN NICOLAS ESCARIO - 1822-1834 9. CAPITAN RUPERTO MADERAZO - 1834-1850 10. CAPITAN MAGDALENO VILLACIN - 1850-1877 11. CAPITAN MANUEL RIBO - 1877-1890 12. CAPITAN FORTUNATO VILLACERAN - 1890-1898 AMERICAN REGIME AND THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES The first Philippine Republic under General Emilio Aguinaldo changed the title of the town's executives to "Hefe Militar", thus; 13. HEFE MILITAR GREGORIO ESCARIO - 1898-1903 MUNICIPAL PRESIDENTS After the incumbency of Hefe Militar Gregorio Escario, local elections wer held, henceforth, elected town heads were called " Municipal Presidente" or "Presidente Municipal", 14. PRESIDENTE MUNICIPAL GREGORIO ESCARIO - 1904-1908 15. PRESIDENTE MUNICIPAL MARGARITO ESCARIO - 1908-1910 16. PRESIDENTE MUNICIPAL GREGORIO ESCARIO - 1910-1912 17. PRESIDENTE MUNICIPAL ROQUE VILLACIN - 1912-1916 18. PRESIDENTE MUNICIPAL PEDRO LOZADA - 1916-1919 19. PRESIDENTE MUNICIPAL ROQUE VILLACIN - 1919-1922 20. PRESIDENTE MUNICIPAL FELIXBERTO ESCARIO - 1922-1928 21. PRESIDENTE MUNICIPAL MARIANO CAUSING - 1928-1931 22. PRESIDENTE MUNICIPAL JOSE YBAÑEZ - 1931-1934 MUNICIPAL MAYORS 23. MUNICIPAL MAYOR PEDRO LOZADA - 1934-1937 24. MUNICIPAL MAYOR ISIDRO ESCARIO - 1937- UNTIL THE LIBERATION After the American Liberation of the Philippines in 1946, Atty. Cecilio Gillamac was appointed by President Manuel Roxas, thus; 25. MUNICIPAL MAYOR CECILIO GILLAMAC - 1946-1948 Thereafter, local elections were revived; 26. MUNICIPAL MAYOR ISIDRO ESCARIO - 1948-1960 27. MUNICIPAL MAYOR REMEDIOS ESCARIO - 1960-1968 28. MUNICIPAL MAYOR JESUS ESCARIO 1st TERM - January 1, 1968 to December 31, 1971 2nd TERM - January 1,1972 to December 31, 1980 3rd TERM - March 2, 1980 to April 12,1986 Upon the installation of Corazon C. Aquino, as President of the Republic of the Philippines following the Historical and Bloodless EDSA Revolution of February 25,1986, led by Secretary of National Defence Juan Ponce Enrile, Lt. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos and Col. Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan, the elected local officials were replaced by appointed officer-in-charge (OIC) upon the instruction of Aquilino Pimentel, Jr., Secretary of Local Government; 29. MUNICIPAL MAYOR ELENO YBAÑEZ (OIC) - April 13, 1986 to November 30,1987 On December 1, 1987, Filomeno Pastoriza was appointed caretaker of the Office of the Municipal Mayor, after Secretary Luis Santos, then Secretary of Local Government instructed all OIC's who will run during the January 18,1988 local elections to tender their resignations; thus; 30. MUNICIPAL MAYOR FILOMENO PASTORIZA - DEC. 2, 1987 FEB.2, 1988 After the local elections of January 18, 1988, Rex A. Escario, youngest son of then Mayor Isidro Escario and Remedios A. Escario won by a small margin over his rival Eleno Ybañez, hence; 31. MUNICIPAL MAYOR REX A. ESCARIO - Feb. 2, 1988 - Nov. 1991 On the last week of November 1991, Vice-Mayor Diosdado P. Dosdos took over as Municipal Mayor of Bantayan due to the incapability of Mayor Rex A. Escario to further hold office, thus; 32. MUNICIPAL MAYOR DIOSDADO P. DOSDOS - Nov. 1991 - Jun. 30,1992 After the May 11, 1992 synchronized National and Local Elections, Remedios A. Escario won by almost three thousand votes over her rival, Jose Ybañez. 33. Municipal Mayor Remedios A. Escario - June 30,1992 - June 30, 1995 34. Municipal Mayor Remedios A. Escario - May 1995 to June 1998 35. Municipal Mayor Remedios A. Escario - May 1998 to February 6, 2001 Mayor Remedios A. Escario resigned from office on February 6, 2002 due to health reasons. She later run for the Vice-Mayoralty race during the May 2001 elections winning by a big margin over her rival Antonio Montemar, while Mayor Geralyn Escario Cañares won the mayoralty race during the same election, thus; 36. MAYOR GERALYN ESCARIO CAÑARES - February 7, 2001 to June 30, 2001 37. MAYOR GERALYN ESCARIO CANARES- July 1, 2001 to June 30,2004 38. MAYOR GERALYN ESCARIO CAÑARES - July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2007 39. MAYOR GERALYN ESCARIO CAÑARES - July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2010 40. MAYOR IAN CHRISTOPHER GONZAGA ESCARIO - Noon of June 30, 2010 to June 30, 2013

Notable Dates

June 11, 1580 - The present church of Bantayan was built under Rev. Fr. Doroteo Andrada Rosario, an Augustinian. 1600 - The biggest Moro attack was staged when a fleet of vintas swooped down onto the town killing or holding captive more than 800 natives mostly from the village of Hilingigay, now, Barangay Suba. 1603 - The Augustinian relinquished the administration of the church to the secular clergy. 1778 - About the end of this year, the old Spanish road linking Santa Fe, Bantayan and Madridejos were constructed through forced labour. 1860 - The first "casa real" now, Municipal Hall was constructed. 1864 - The first Spanish school was established under the direct supervision of the curate where religious instructions were instilled. 1888-1889 - a smallpox epidemic devastated the island claiming the lives of thousand of inhabitants. It was controlled in 1908. 1894 - The entire barrio of Ticad was razed down to ashes and only stumps of posts could be seen from the ground after the conflagration. December 30, 1906 - The first Rizal Day was celebrated in Bantayan. 1906 - The first bicycle came to Bantayan, owned by Leon Villacrusis. It was imported from Manila. The first bicycle imported from Japan was owned by Dr. Mabugat. 1910 - The first motorized boat, M/V Carmela was owned by Yap Tico. It served the Bantayan-Cebu route. It also brought merchandise to and from Bantayan until it was destroyed by typhoon in 1912. 1912 - A disastrous typhoon swept Bantayan causing death to about 400 hundred people. 1913 - Construction of the present Bantayan-Santa Fe road began. 1913 - The first velocipede ( a child's tricycle ) was introduced in Bantayan by Ramon Villaceran, son to Capitan Fortunato Villaceran. 1915 - The main building of the Bantayan Central School was built. 1918 - Construction of the Bantayan-Madridejos road was started. August 1923 - Mr. Jesus O. Rosello and Mr. Jacinto Velez energized the town through an electric plant they acquired from Mr. Gandiongco. 1923 - The first car invaded Bantayan, it was a second hand Dodge Brothers owned by Capitan Casimiro Batiancila of Santa Fe, 1924 - The whole road construction project linking Santa Fe, Bantayan and Madridejos ended. 1927 - The Bantayan Postal Office was opened with the old Municipal Building as the site of operation. 1935 - Beer was first distributed in Bantayan, although it was in Madridejos where the "Isa Pa Nga" commercial expression was introduced. July 4, 1947 - The first Independence Day parade was held in Bantayan in which Flag-bearing elementary school pupils and other civic-spirited citizens of the island participated. 1963 - The first group of oil explorers came to Bantayan to dig the first oil well somewhere between Patao and Kabac. April 8, 1968 A fire that started from San Pedro Bakery gutted 17 houses claiming the life of one person. April 27 - M.Y. Village became the first subdivision ever established in the entire island. This was initiated by Mr. Rodrigo Y. Ybañez. November 4, 1968 - A disastrous storm washed away the historic watchtower in Baluarte, Suba. April 9, 1971 - Bantayan's first VIA CRUSIS was held in M.Y. Village. The hilltop represented as the calvary. April 16, 1973 - The most disastrous conflagration broke out which destroyed almost the whole section of Suba, razed the entire public market and rendered more than 700 families homeless. February 22, 1978 - A great loss to the people of Bantayan, Hon. Isidro R. Escario, succumbed to a heart attack. His funeral procession and wake drew thousands of Bantayanon's from all walks of life to pay their last homage to greatest man of his generation. In number the ceremony has never been equalled to this day as people were seen queuing in one kilometre away from the wake. 1979 - The present church underwent major renovations in preparation for the town's celebration of its 4th Centennial.

Economy

Primarily fishing, fishing-related industries, and agriculture. Fishing, Farming, Seasonal Sugarcane, Contract Workers, Agribusiness, Poultry, OCW's, Private & Public Employment c. SUPPORT FACILITIES & FISHERY RESOURCE • Fishpond

1. Area: 26 hectars
2. Average Annual Production: 1.05 MT
3. No. of Operator: 2
4. No. of Workers: 14

• Processing Plant

1. Name: BASECOR
2. Location: Bantigue
3. Production: 0.5 MT/ day
4. Name: ORIENT PLANT
5. Location: Bantigue
6. Production: 0.15 MT/day (squid)

• Ice Plant

1. Name: Bantayan Ice Plant
2. Location: Suba
3. Production: 5MT/day

• Marine Sanctuaries

1. Area: 410 hectares
2. Location: Atop-Atop, Tamiao, Sillon, Bantigue, Botigues, Doong, Sulangan, Patao, Luyongbaybay

• Municipal Fisheries

1. Motorized Bancas: 620
2. Non-Motorized Bancas: 2,408
3. No. of Mun. Fisher folks: 11,176+
4. Ave. Daily Fish Catch: Hook & Line, Fish Pots, Gill Nets, Spear Fishing, Multiple Hand Line
5. Fishing Ground: Municipal Waters

• Commercial Fisheries

1. No. of Commercial F/Bs: 328
2. Kind of Fishing Gear: Ring Net / Zipper
3. Estimated cost per unit: PHP 1.4M

• FISHING SEASON

1. Peak: February - May
2. Lean: June - January

FISHERIES BANTAYAN 2011 FISHERIES – BANTAYAN 2011 Fishery Sector: Coastal Area Comprises: 65.13 Sq. kilometer Municipal Water Comprises: 750 Sq. kilometer Barangay Marine Sanctuaries: 16 Protected Area for Marine Life to Spawn Comprises: 296.32 Has. Registered Banca: Registered Motor Boats: 336 Fish Corrals: 217 Hectares planted with sea weeds: 800 Has. Crab picking plants: 3 Squid packing plants: 3 Fish Cage: 110 Shell Ranching: 100 Fish Pond: 2 Commercial Fishing Boats: Fish Pots: 2,500 Crab Nets: 1,080 Gill Net: 800 Multiple Hook/Line: 1,500 Dried Fish Processing: 515 Squid Pots: 800 LIVESTOCK POPULATION:

(As of October, 2001) 

Cattle: 3,700 Carabao: 702 Goat: 5,700 Swine Commercial: - Backyard: 44,500 Duck: 150 Turkey: 200 Poultry: 687,000 x 81% = 556,470 (Daily Egg Production) Commercial: 662,000 Backyard: 25,000 (Including Fighting Cock) Dog: 3,500 ANIMALS SHIPPED OUT (2001) Goat: 102 heads Swine: 4,587 heads Chicken Egg: 58,058,200 pcs. Poultry: 10,672 heads AGRICULTURE CORN (2001) Physical Land Area Yield: 3,027 Yellow: 1,214 White: 1,813 Effective Land Area: Program Area for GMA Corn Cluster: 400 has. Yield: Yellow: 81.5 has (285.25 tons) White: 318.5 has (477.75 tons) Farmers Beneficiaries Yellow: 84 farmers (3.5 tons/ha) White: 386 farmers (1.5 tons/ha) MANGO Area Planted: 47.53 has No. of Plants: 3,027 trees Bearing: 1,214 trees Non-Bearing: 1,813 trees Yield in Kg/tree: 455,250 kg x Php 25.00/kg = 11,381,250 (Gross Sales) CHICOS (2001) Area Planted: 23 has COCONUT (2001) Area Planted: 713 has MUNICIPAL SITUATIONER Location: Northern most tip of Cebu Land area: 8,404.70 Has. Population: 71,655 (2007 Census of Population) Classification: 1st Class Municipality Distance: 136 KMS. From Cebu City Boundaries: North - Municipality of Madridejos West - Sea South - Sea East - Municipality of Santa Fe No. of Barangays: 25 Barangays including 5 island Barangays Soil Type: Bolinao Clay Steep Phase Hydrosol Beach Sand Terrain / Slope: Flat lands w/ few rolling terrain of 8-9% slope Development Zone: Upland Plain Climate: Type C Dry - Feb, Mar, April, August Wet - May, June, July, Sept, Oct, Dec Typhoon Occurrence: Sept, Oct, Dec Fair Weather: Feb, Mar, May Dialects / Language: Cebuano, Bantayanon, Ilonggo, Tagalog, English Mode of Transport: Multi-cabs, Tricycle, Motorcycle, Mini Bus Banking Institutions: Allied Bank, Aspac Bank, Bantayan Rural Bank Hospital: Bantayan District Hospital Religion: Predominantly Catholic and other religious denominations TOURISM TIYABA CAVE OR CAVERN - Familiarly known as "langob", it is located near the central part of Bantayan Island in Barangay Atop-Atop. Its entrance is step down under the earth. It is not only a bat cave but also a source of water in the neighborhood. Underneath is a running stream water, clear and placid, where people fetch water to drink or wash their clothes. The water itself is far from pollution as it runs eastward where the bat chamber is located. Small chambers of different forms are found inside this cave. It is hard to imagine just how this cave was formed, but most likely it was formed by the steady pounding of waves on the rocky cliffs along the shore. During the war years (World War II) it was the favorite hangout of the "voluntario". Just about two decades ago, human skulls and rotten pieces of coffins were still found on its wa

JUAGAT

Juagat is a mysterious cave on the northern part of Barrio Sillon. It used to be a famous enchanted place. Legend has it that this is the place of anchorage of elegant frigates, of ropes made of silk, of Capitan Tawi who stored here some of the merchandise he transported to and from Cebu. Being at the end of a canal indenting into the land, people said the frigate was very conspicuous even at a distance as it glided along the canal to Juagat. Although, Juagat is no longer as popular now as it was in the past, the fossilized table and tablewares bear witness of the past.

MYSTERIOUS LAGOONS

Two lagoons are found in this island-group, one is located in Kinatarkan Island in Santa Fe and the other in the island of Lipayran in Bantayan. One needs to travel diagonally in order to see these two lagoons. There one can learn of the unique and thrilling story about the place.

Sts. Peter & Paul Parish Church

The most imposing historical structure in Bantayan is the five century old Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Church. Located in the heart of the town across the town plaza. The church is made of corals and stones endemic in the island. Built in 1863, it is the seat of the first and therefore the oldest parish in Visayas and Mindanao which was founded on June 1580. then known as the Convento de la Asuncion de Nuestra Señora, the parish was under the direct supervision of the Diocese of Manila. With its skillfully crafted architecture and well-preserved antiquity, the church is not just a hub of spiritual activities but is a tourist "must-see" destination as well.