Culture of

Catanduanes
A Reference for Young Catandunganons

Lyka Aldea Valeza

 Rationale
To our Dear Readers:
Stories bring places to life, and places attach special meaning to stories. Every story takes
place somewhere, and every place has a story to tell.  In this book Cultures of Catandunganon is
intended for use for Catandunganons. The overall goals of is to be able give awareness and
understanding especially for young Catandunganons about the culture of Catanduanes an be able
to share it to the world.
As Keith Basso argues in his book Wisdom Sits in Places: Landscape and Language
Among the Western Apache, places act as mnemonic devices for people to remember important
cultural moments and the social lessons that originated from those moments in those places.
Once a story and its attendant lessons are associated with a particular place in a person’s
memory, a return to, or even just a reference to that place, will recall the story that went along
with it, thereby reinforcing the social lesson inherent to the story.
Cultures of Catandunganon covers the origin of Catanduanes, the livelihood of its
people, the scenic spots it offers, festivals and legends. It is also a good opportunity to promote
tourism in our province because it has so much to offer. Just like how we dubbed it as a “Happy
Island” because of its beautiful attractions and friendly people.
The readings of this book have both practical and informative orientation. It is concerned
with the cultures that Catandunganons have and their way of living. It also tells the different
legends that the island has.
It is hoped that with this book you will able to appreciate the Province of Catanduanes
because it is their identity. Moreover, to be able for others to consider it as their next travel
destination.

The Author
 CONTENTS
I. Rationale ………………………………………………………………………………….1
II. Topography of Catanduanes………………………………………………………………3
1. History of Catanduanes………………………………………………………………5
A. Pre- Spanish Periods………………………………………………………………7
B. Spanish Period…………………………………………………………………….8
C. American Period…………………………………………………………………10
D. World War ll ……………….……………………………………………………11
E. Japanese Period…………………………………………………………...…...…13

III. Livelihood of Catanduanes……………………….……………………………..……….14

1. Farming ………….………………………………..…………………………………15
2. Fishing……………………...………………………..………………………………17
3. Abaca……………………………………………..………………………………….18
4. Mining…………………………………………….…………………………………20
5. Quarrying……...………………………………….…………………………………22
6. Livestock ………………………………………….………………………………...23
IV. Festivals…………………………………………………….……………………………25
A. Catandungan Festival………………….…………………………………………27
B. Abaca Festival…………………………………………………………………....29
C. Burak Festival………………………………………………………...………….31
D. Dinahit Festival…………………………………………………………………..33
E. Sugbo Festival…………………………………………………………..………..35
F. Sugok-Sugok Festival……………………………………………………………37
G. Kinis Festival……………………..……………………………………………...39
H. Kalbaryo …………………………………………………………………………40
I. Kagharong …………………………………………………………….…………42
J. Pantomina ………………………………………………………….……………44
K. Padadyao sa Tinampo……………………………………………...…………….45
V. Tourists Spot………………………..……………………………………………………46
1. Falls ……………………………………………………………………….……..47
a. Maribina falls…………………………………………………………….48
b. Hicming falls………………..……………………………………………49
c. Nahulugan falls……………...…………………………………………...50
2. Beaches ………………………………………………………………………….51
a. Twin Rock beach………………...………………………………………52
b. Marilima beach………………………………………………………..…53
c. Batag beach………………………………………………………………54
d. Mamangal beach…………………………………………………………55
 e. Amenia beach……………………………………………………………56
f. Balite beach……………………………………………………..……….57
g. Talisoy Beach……………………………………………………...….….58
h. Igang beach……………………………………………………...……….59
3. Historical place………………………………………………………………..…60
A. Bato church………………………………………………………………61
B. Dambana ng Batalay……..………………………………………………62
C. Prayer Mountain……………………………………………………...…..63
D. Hon. Andres Trampo Torres Memorial Bust…………………………….64
4. Others ……………………………………………………..……………………..65
A. Binurong point ……………………………..……………………………66
B. Balacay point………………………………………………………….…67
C. Hiyop point……………………………………………………………....68
D. Poseidon Rock Formation………………………………………………..69
E. Tuwad-tuwadan Lagoon………………………..………………………..70
F. Soboc cove………………………………………………………….……71
G. Luyang Cave Park………………………………………………………..72
H. Mt. Cagmasoso…………………………………………………………..73
I. Palumbanes Island……………………………………………………….74
J. Puraran Beach……………………………………………………………75
VI. Legends
A. The Origin of Pandan ……………………………………………………….76
B. The Seed called Caramoran …………………………………………………77
C. A place called Stone …………………………………………………………78
D. A Place comes from the Story of Love of Himbutan ………………………..79
E. Ilihan of the Forbidden Love ………………………………………………..80
F. A place once called a Calolbon………………………………………………81
G. The capital of an Island where Typhoons pass by ………………………..…82
H. The land that comes from the Fish ………………………………………….83
I. The place that keeps the pirates away ……………………………………....84

APPENDICES………………………………………………………………………………...…85
GLOSARY……………………………………………………………………………….………86