CATANDUANES

Catanduanes, officially the Province of Catanduanes, is an island province located in the Bicol Region of
Luzon in the Philippines. It is the 12th-largest island in the Philippines, and lies to the east of Camarines
Sur, across Maqueda Channel. Its capital is Virac.

CAPITAL CITY
Virac, officially the Municipality of Virac, is a 1st class municipality and capital of the province of
Catanduanes, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 76,520 people. It is most
populous and fifth largest in land area in Catanduanes.

ECONOMIC INCOME
 Bagamanoc- Fifth Class Municipality
 Baras (CT)- Fifth Class Municipality
 Bato- Fifth Class Municipality
 Caramoran- Third Class Municipality
 Gigmoto- Fifth Class Municipality
 Pandan (CT)- Fourth Class Municipality
 Panganiban- Fifth Class Municipality
 San Andes (CT)- Third Class Municipality
 San Miguel (CT)- Fifth Class Municipality
 Viga- Fourth Class Municipality
 Virac- First Class Municipality

BRIEF HISTORY
There are several legends that explain the origin of the name of “Catanduanes.” One legend states that
Catanduanes comes from the word tandu, a native click beetle that was once abundant throughout the
island. “Katanduan” was the reference made of this island that means a place where tandu abound.
When the Spaniards came, it was Hispanized to Catanduanes (notice the phonological similarity, except
for the additional es in the Spanish version that was probably added to become a pluralist). Another
story says that it comes from the word samdong, a tree that abounds this paradise island to which the
people would call kasamdongan, meaning a place of samdong. Just like the former legend, the word was
Hispanized. The phonological error traces to the Spaniards’ difficulty to pronounce certain words,
particularly those ending in ng; hence, from kasamdongan and katandungan, it gradually
metamorphosed to Catanduanes. Still some historians point that katandungan is a Malay word that
means “a place of refuge in time of danger,” for indeed, this island has always been the refuge of
mariners during stormy weather.
MAJOR ECONOMIC INDUSTRIES
Catanduanes is an agricultural province with abaca and coconut as the main products. Rice is produced
in the coastal areas. Fishing is also an important industry. The processing of abaca and rattan into
handicraft are the main cottage industries in the province.

5 MAJOR DESTNATIONS OF CATANDUANES

 Virac
 Baras
 Bato
 Catanduanes Island
 Panganiban

FESTVAL IN CATANDUANES
The Abaca Festival or formally known as Catanduanes Abaka Festival is a festival held each year in Virac,
Catanduanes, Philippines. The celebration happens every 4th week of the month of May.

LOCAL/TRADITIONAL DRESSES IN CATANDUANES

Dress codes are normally very casual. Light clothing is the most comfortable and suitable. The best time
of the year to visit Catanduanes is from the month of March to June when the weather turns dry. It is
coolest and rainiest from October to early part of January, hottest from March to May.

DELICACIES
Dawa- is a seasonal delicacy and the number one product of the town of Bote. It is a sandy-textured
kakanin made from millets, a type of grain that grows abundantly from March to April. Dawa cake and
cookies are among its variations.

Latik- Not to be confused by the toasted coconut curds used as garnish in the northern parts of Luzon,
Catanduanon Latik refers to rice cakes with caramelized coconut milk. It's a common breakfast food and
snack in Catanduanes.