Dinagat Islands: Mystical Island Province of Love

LAND AREA

There are 1,036.34 square kilometers or 400.13 square miles land area of the Dinagat Island Province.

POPULATION

The population of Dinagat Island dictated by the 2015 Census was 127,152. This addressed 4.90% of the
absolute populace of the Caraga district, 0.53% of the general populace of the Mindanao Island
gathering, or 0.13% of the whole populace of the Philippines. In view of these figures, the populace
density is registered at 123 occupants for every square kilometer or 318 occupants for each square mile.

CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Dinagat Islands Province have seven municipalities, and 100 barangays. The seven municipalities are
Dinagat (10,632), Loreto (9,309), Cagdianao (16,808), Libjo (17,760), Basilisa (36,880), San Jose (27,487)
and Tubajon (8,276). The Municipality of Dinagat, officially settled in 1855, is the most established local
area in the region.

LOCATION

Dinagat Islands is a territory in the Philippines arranged in the Caraga locale involving the northeastern
segment of Mindanao. Dinagat Island is located on the south side of Leyte Bay. Leyte is to its west and
across Surigao Strait, while Mindanao is to its south. And Dinagat Island is around 60 km from north to
south.

CAPITAL OF PROVINCE

The capital of Dinagat Island is the Municipality of San Jose. It is a fourth-class district and capital of the
territory of Dinagat Islands, Philippines.

RELIGION

The predominant religion in Dinagat Island is Roman Catholic Catholicism at majority with 53%
adherence while Iglesia Filipina Independiente or Aglipayan is the critical minority religion at 23%. Other
minority religions are the Church Body of Christ-Filipinistas with 12%, United Church of Christ in the
Philippines is 4%, Iglesia ni Cristo is 3%, and other more modest Christian groups.
LANGUAGE

The Dinagat Islands is dominatingly speaking Cebuano. In any case, towns confronting the Surigao del
Norte are Surigaonon-talking, especially the districts of Dinagat and Cagdianao because of their nearness
to the territory of Surigao del Norte, while Panamaon and Hibuson Island speaks waray.

TRANSPORTATION AND ACCESIBILITY

By Air

Philippine Airlines/PAL Express and Cebu Pacific Air has regular flights to Surigao City from Manila or
Cebu.

By Sea

Cokaliong Shipping Lines abd 2GO Shipping Lines has regular ferry trips to Surigao City from Cebu,
Maasin in Leyte or Dapitan in Zamboanga del Norte.

There are no non-stop departures from Manila to Dinagat Islands, but you can get departures from
Manila to Butuan or Surigao City.

Surigao City is regularly the beginning stage for excursions to Dinagat Island if you show up in Butuan,
there are non-aircon vans to Surigao from the air terminal, the charge is around 200 pesos.

Once in Surigao, search for boats destined for San Jose, which is the capital, and the town vacationers
regularly go to during their excursions to Dinagat. The toll for the boat ride is 100 pesos per way and it
requires around 90 minutes.

HISTORY

Dinagat Islands were at that point present during the Spanish era because of migration of some people
from close by regions of Bohol and Leyte. The supposed supernatural territory assumed a significant part
in the nation's set of experiences, especially during World War II. Adding to the verifiable meaning of the
region is the establishment of the Philippine Benevolent Missionary Association by Ruben Ecleo, Sr.

The region of Dinagat is the oldest local area in the region. The word Dinagat was named by an outsider
arrived at the spot looking for greener fields. He moved toward a local and asked him how the
occupants help a living, and he addressed that they ranch and fish to live. His advantage in fishing
incited him to ask where the fish, and he answered and highlighted a spot, saying in this local tongue,
"dinhi nini na dagat", which when interpreted in English methods, here, from these plentiful seawaters.
The outsider from that point called the spot Dinagat. From that point forward and as of not long ago the
name Dinagat has not change.

PEOPLE
In 2015, the number of people in the province was 127,152 with a density of one hundred twenty
occupants for each square kilometer or three hundred ten occupants for every square mile. The first
occupants of the region are designated Lumad, while inhabitants of the Dinagat Islands are classified
Dinagatnon.

PLACES

Lake Bababu

It is Lake Bababu located in Basilisa, Dinagat Island, known for its charming perspective and tranquil air,
Lake Bababu is an unquestionable requirement, particularly for nature sweethearts. Among the most
loved exercises here are sailing, swimming, and setting up camp. Unblemished rainforests encompass
the lake, giving it a rural view. The Bababu lake is 'meromictic' which implies that it has the two
freshwaters, down to 20 feet, and salt water, under 20 feet. The new and salt water don't blend on the
grounds that there is no wind at the Bababu Lake.

Bitaog Beach

Bitaog Beach brags of immaculate white sandy seashores located in Lalaking Bukid Island. Wonderful
limestone rock arrangements line the seashore. Its precious stone blue waters are ideal for swimming
and swimming. Whenever you are finished with the waters, you can investigate the seashore woodland
and have an experience with the widely varied vegetation species. The fine white sand of Bitaog Beach
offers something other than its wonderful shoreline. The blue hued water is ideal for swimming and
other water exercises. Beside the white sand seashore, there are likewise a great deal of enormous
stone developments and limestone tops to see.

Quano Cave

Quano Cave is one of the most popular caves in Dinagat Island located at Libjo. Inside the cave, you will
discover various underground rock formation and stalagmite rock arrangements. Hope to get wet as you
get further due to pools and streams you should cross. Quano Cave is loaded with various limestone
arrangements. The cavern is associated with the Punta Villa seashore a monstrous and strange. Another
fascination in libjo, a gigantic chamber available through a tight path associated with a seashore called
punta estate. Quano cavern is so enormous errie that it will handily bantam any individual who enters it.
One's inventive creative mind will likewise prove to be useful as the guide calls attention to a few
limestone developments taking after nearly anything you could consider.

Cab-Ilan Beach
Cab-Ilan Beach is one of the various sea shores found on the island. It gloats of velvety white sands
bordered with coconut palms and tropical woods. It as quiets waters, fit for swimming and swimming.
You can likewise bounce on one of the boats to investigate the adjoining islands and islets.

Mount Redondo

Mount Redondo ascend to in excess of one thousand twenty meters above ocean level located in
Loreto. It’s becoming the second-most elevated top in Dinagat Islands. It has the second-biggest bonsai
woodland in the nation, covering in excess of 600 hectares. These stunning normal biological systems
have a portion of the nation's fundamentally imperiled species, for example, the Dinagat Cloud Rat and
Tarsier. In a real sense, the completely developed trees here arrive at the greatest tallness of 4 feet. You
will feel like a goliath exploring this strange vegetation.

Islander’s Castle

Islander's Castle, otherwise called White Castle, is a notable milestone in the commonplace capital of
Dinagat Islands. It is a truly perceptible Disney-like palace sitting on top of a slope above the whole town
of San Jose which likewise offers intriguing perspectives on the slopes, islands, and the ocean. This
palace fills in as a home of an exceptionally known and unmistakable individuals in Dinagat, Ecleo
Family.

GASTRONOMY

Sumang nilambiran

Nilambiran resembles suman and is comprised of two sorts of glutinous rice, a dull rosy earthy colored
hint like chocolate and white glutinous rice. It is then cooked independently with coconut milk, sugar,
and salt, the two sorts of glutinous rice are then folded over one another and wrapped with banana
leaves. This is best matched with a cup of thick and not very sweet local hot cocoa.

Sayongsong

Sayongsong implies cone. Sayongsong made of glutinous rice mixed with coconut milk, and sugar, and
enveloped by cone-molded banana leaf. With a remarkably odd name, Sayongsong can be best depict as
a light ube or lavender hued delicate finished treat, enclosed by a cone formed banana leaf. It is made of
grounded tacky rice or generally known as malagkit, blended in with extra ground rice and cooked with
coconut milk and sugar.

Sizzling hanlilitik

Sizzling hanlilitik is an alupihang dagat or mantis shrimp cooked sizzling adobo style.
Pijanga

Pijanga a fish from Mainit Lake arranged by sun-drying and refrying, bringing about an extra-crunchy
surface. It is one of the local endemic fish species found in Lake Mainit. Its wealth in the Lake made it a
fundamental, and of high-esteem item in the region, giving consistent vocation to many fishing
networks.

Hukyo pananglitan

Hukyo pananglitan is an eel cooked with peanut butter, tausi, ginger, and coconut milk that tastes like
kare-kare with ginger.

FESTIVALS

Sirong Festival

- is an ethnic mardi-gras parade. is known to be a war dance between Muslims and Christians, reflecting
the Christianization of the early Cantilangnons. Although some other municipalities in the province of
Surigao del Sur are claiming to have this festival originated from them. As most of this coastal towns are
founded during the pre-Spanish occupation and is both claiming the story of being attacked by the
moros. Sirong festival in Cantilan is the popular one than other festivals.

Bugkosan Festival

"Bugkosan" originated from the word "pagbugkos" means to bind, "paghiusa" to unite, "paghugpong" to
merge, "pagbug-os" to incorporate and "pagtibu" to convene. It depicts unity and cooperation among all
Dinagatnons.

Banwag Festival

This Festival marks the commencement of the annual Philippines Benevolent Missionaries Association
Conference, a religious gathering of the association's members from all walks of life. Members who
attend the conference get to celebrate the festival by gathering in the cultural Centre of the island and
lighting a candle in the middle of the night. This symbolic lighting is in support of the peace and unity of
the island municipality's dwellers.
Lawigan Festival

The meaning of Lawigan in english is voyage or non-stop journey. The festival is celebrated by the
Municipality of Loreto, Dinagat Islands which is actually a Foundation day celebration. The highlights of
the celebration are the Barangay Competition, Mutya Ng Loreto, Dragon Race, Field Dance and Float
Parade Competition. There are also Agro-fishing seminar and trade fair.

Tourism Marketing Campaign

The area of Dinagat Islands presented another travel industry brand dependent on community
conservation. Tourism on the island will now focus on community involvement in environmental
conservation, rather than just promoting its beautiful beaches and charming tourist destinations. On
Sunday, the province of Dinagat Islands launched a new tourism brand centered on community
conservation. Rather than advertising the island's magnificent beaches and charming tourist spots,
tourism on the island will now focus on community involvement in environmental protection.

“Resilient, self-sufficient, and healthy communities of active and empowered citizens who work and
share equitably the fruits of their labor and the natural wealth of the islands, aware of and respectful of
their carrying capacity in a lively local economy, living in harmony and fortitude with each other," the
lead representative said.

She said residents of the Dinagat Islands should promote the province's tourist attractions "not for
profit, but out of love and pride for the place in which the people of Dinagat Islands live, inhabit, take
shelter, and thrive."

https://www.islandsproperties.com/places/dinagatisland.html

https://www.philatlas.com/mindanao/caraga/dinagat-islands.html

https://pro13dippo.com/history/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinagat_Islands

https://danielsecotravels.com/dinagat-island-tourist-spots-travel-guide/

http://glossaryoffilipinofood.blogspot.com/2015/08/surigao-specialties.html