Municipality of Dinagat – The Mother Town of Dinagat Islands

What is it like to live in a Municipality considered the first in a province? Well, it’s always a privilege and surely a gift.

The Municipality of Dinagat is the mother town of the Province of Dinagat Islands. Its existence started during the Spanish time when pueblo was given names like Kankayanit and Nantias, which means – here lived the Kankayanit and Tias.

A story was shared that a stranger arrived in the area looking for greener pastures. He asked a local what is the area’s sources of living, and the local answered that they farm and fish to live. The stranger got interested and asked the local where to fish, and the local pointed to a place, saying “dinhi niini na dagat,” which means, here, from this bountiful seawater. The stranger since then called the place, Dinagat.

History says that the first settlers of Dinagat were people from Bohol and Leyte.

In the early 1830s, Dinagat was established as part of the Spanish Pueblo of Surigao. The town’s economy was then growing and so with the population. These developments prompted the Spanish priest to recommend the conversion of Dinagat into a separate pueblo. Thus, on January 23, 1855, Bishop Romualdo de Caraga endorsed the said request to Governor General Crespo who in turn created Dinagat as pueblo through General No. 5505 Leg 103 dated April 25, 1855.

Dinagat is known to be rich in natural resources. It has clear, blue waters and rich marine life. It also has a lush green forest and beautiful hills and mountains.

Here is Dinagat at a glance:

Economy:

Dinagat is a Fifth-Class Municipality under the Department of Trade and Industry Philippines’ LGU Profile.  It ranks 206^th in terms of Economic Dynamism and 41^st in Government Efficiency.

The sources of livelihood in this town vary.  Residents in Barangay Magsaysay are into Bangus Polyculture in floating cages while others are into mushroom processing and organic vegetable production. The Bangus Polyculture is a business expansion focus by the community.

Dinagat is also a proud producer of seaweeds (guso) products. The New Mabuhay Farmer Seaweeds Association at Barangay New Mabuhay has currently the following four types of Seaweed products:

1. Seaweed Crackers

2. Seaweed Pastillas

3. Seaweed Noodles

4. Seaweed Pickle

Tourism:

Dinagatnons are known to be truly hospitable people. Tourists feel the warmth of this place.

Every year, the Dinagatnons have two important celebrations. December 8 is the day that the Municipality of Dinagat celebrates its fiesta, known locally as the “Kiay-kiay Festival.” On January 1st, the locals gather and celebrate the “Pahugjaw sa bag-ong tuig,” an annual tradition that brings together men in three barangays, namely, Escolta, Mauswagon, and White Beach. These men would wear funny female attires and join the parade.

People from other provinces visit Dinagat to experience the warm smile and hospitality of the Dinagatnons. The locals are proud of the attractions in their area.

1. Campana Beach – Barangay Cab-ilan, Dinagat, Dinagat Islands

2. Bijasong Beach – Barangay White Beach, Dinagat, Dinagat Islands

3. Divine Master Monument – Barangay Cab-ilan, Dinagat, Dinagat Islands

4. Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church – Barangay White Beach, Dinagat, Dinagat Islands

While in Dinagat, tourists may try the cafes and restaurants in the area.

1. Sky Lounge Restaurant – Barangay New Mabuhay, Dinagat, Dinagat Islands

2. Pantaw Moo Grills and Resto Bar – Barangay Mauswagon, Dinagat, Dinagat Islands

3. D’Rooftop View Resto – Barangay New Mabuhay, Dinagat, Dinagat Islands

4. Biggest Jiga Resto Grille – Barangay Cayetano, Dinagat, Dinagat Islands

Dinagat has accommodations for tourists. Barangay White Beach has the following:

1. Sand Dollar, Bed and Breakfast

2. Oceanfront View

What’s good about this place is that there are available money changers if in case there is a need to have local currency.

1. Palawan Express

2. MLhuiller

Before leaving the town, make sure to drop by Dinagat’s One Town One Product (OTOP) Center for pasalubong. They sell native products like baskets, bayong, hats, t-shirts, and many more.

Places of Worship:

In every area that we go to, we find comfort if there is a worship place that we can visit. Catholics may attend mass at the Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church in Barangay White Beach, and there is also an Iglesia Independiente Church in the same barangay. Another place of worship in Dinagat is the Iglesia ni Cristo Church in Barangay Escolta.

Transportation:

Dinagat has its transportation called “Bao-bao” known in the Philippines as a tricycle. They also have a motorcycle, which they call “Habal-habal.”

How to travel from the nearest airport and seaport to the Municipality of Dinagat, Dinagat Islands:

I. From Surigao City Airport

1. From Surigao Airport, take a taxi going to the Surigao Port. Travel time is around 12 minutes.

2. From Surigao Port to the Municipality of Dinagat, take the motorboat, Romans Road. Arrival at the Dinagat Port will be after an hour.

3. Total travel time is 1 hour and 12 minutes.

II. Surigao Port

1. From Surigao City, take a jeep or tricycle going to the port. Travel time is around 10 minutes.

2. From Surigao Port to the Municipality of Dinagat, take the motorboat, Romans Road. Arrival at the Dinagat Port will be after an hour.

3. Total travel time is 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Explore, Experience, and Enjoy the Philippines, our Home. *Special thanks to the Tourism Department of the Municipality of Dinagat for sharing the details and images. Mabuhay kayo!

Let’s have fun in our country, The Philippines – Our Home

Municipality of Esperanza – The Home of Golden Tara

Have you heard of the Golden Tara? This town has an interesting story about its history and how it became Golden Tara’s home.

Esperanza is a Municipality in the Province of Agusan del Sur under Region 13, also known as CARAGA Region. This place is known as one of the oldest towns in Northern Agusan del Sur.

Before the Spanish colonization, this municipality was known as Wawa-Ojot, a native place along the Wawa and Ojot Rivers. Wawa Ojot’s name has been said to have originated from the natives’ traditional custom of friends and relatives gathering for merry-making activities during the harvest season.

In early times, the Manobo tribe settled along the rivers, the Higaonons were in the hilly area while the Banwa-ons were in the forested mountains. All of them have their system of government.

During the Spanish period, the town center was established to entice people to move in and for the spread of Christianity. Reverend Father Saturnino Urios, then Jesuit head, built a church to serve as a worship area and a gathering place to discuss various matters, including loyalty to the King of Spain. This was about the time that Esperanza got its name.

Esperanza before was known to be the largest municipality in terms of land area. When the Americans arrived, Agusan del Sur was divided into political subdivisions with the rivers as natural boundaries. Wawa-Ojot then was comprised of the Municipal Districts of Las Nieves, Esperanza, Concordia, Maygatasan, Maasin, Nuevo Trabajo, Remedios, Guadalupe, Bakingking, Baylo, Bunaguit, San Luis, Santa Ines, Verdu, and Milagros. The seat of government was in Esperanza.

The American period paved the way for one of Esperanza’s pride, the Golden Tara, a Javanese icon that excreted gold dust. The Golden Tara was discovered by Belay, a native of Esperanza. When the news reached the Military Governor of Butuan, Governor Blas Baclayon bought it from the natives. Later, it was displayed at the Carnival Exposition in Butuan. Afterward, another prominent person from Cebu bought the Golden Tara and displayed it in a Carnival Manila. Not long after, an American tourist purchased the image and made it one of the world’s famous collections at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, USA.

Another milestone in Esperanza’s history was the installation of the Fil-USA Guerilla Camp under the leadership of General Wendell Fertig. During World War II, the emergency currency notes were printed in Esperanza and were circulated in Eastern Mindanao and Visayas.

After the establishment of Esperanza as a municipality, the earliest settlers were the people from the coastal town of the Province of Agusan, specifically from Butuan.  Some settlers left the area because of constant floods that destroyed their plantations. Following World War II, settlers from different regions arrived.

Esperanza became a regular Municipality by Executive Order No. 611 on September 11, 1953. It was approved and signed by President Elpidio Quirino. The first set of municipal officials was installed on September 27, 1953. The officials were – Mayor Alfredo B. Patanao, Vice Mayor Antero P. Romao, and Councilors – Marcelo Rara, Bonifacio V. Callanta, Francisco Nortega, and Severino Castro.

On August 6, 1961, by Executive Order No. 440, President Carlos P. Garcia signed the separation of the Eastern and Northeastern Barangays consisting of Bayugan, Maygatasan, Nuevo Sibagat Mahayahay, Verdu, Mabuntay, Salvacion, Caridad, Sagmone, Calaitan, Sinadjap, Malindao, Noli and Fili from the Municipality of Esperanza.

Here is Esperanza at a glance:

Economy:

The Municipality of Esperanza has a category of First-Class Municipality under the Department of Trade and Industry Philippines’ LGU Profile.  It ranks 428^th in terms of Economic Dynamism.

The sources of livelihood in this town are farming and fishing. People in this municipality are into planting rice, corn, and fruits, and there is also rubber. This area is also known for the following products:

A. Beads

B. Kamuyot Bag

C. Basket

D. Banig

Tourism:

There are so many things to love about Esperanza. They have a yearly festival called “Nalandang Festival” or “Araw ng Esperanza,” celebrated every September 25-27. Nalandang Festival is a celebration where the tribes of Higaonon, Manobo, and Banwaon showcase their culture and talents.

Aside from the festival, people from other areas visit Esperanza to explore and experience the various tourist attractions.

1. Pasiyohan Sea of Clouds – Barangay Bunaguit, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur

2. Kiligon Sea of Clouds – Barangay Maasin, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur

3. Happy Bee Farm Learning Site – Barangay Hawilian, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur

4. Champ Eley – Barangay Guadalupe, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur

5. Heaven Bliss – Barangay Guadalupe, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur

6. Kigatawon Falls – Barangay Milagros, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur

While visitors enjoy the attractions, it is worth trying their specialty food – Kakanin. People can also check the restaurants and cafes available in the area.

1. Happy Bee Farm

2. Importantea

3. D’Vines

4. Kohfee

5. Lala’s Food Hub

6. Kanto Snack

Tourists may stay overnight at the Happy Bee Farm, which at the same time is also an event venue.

Places of Worship:

If you’re a visitor in the area, and looking for a worship place, you may visit the St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish, one of the Catholic Churches in Esperanza. There is also a worship place for Iglesia ni Cristo, Seventh-day Adventists, UCCP, and more.

Transportation:

To fully enjoy the Municipality of Esperanza, the transportation available are Multicab, Sidecar, Single Motor, and Motorized Banca. Be open to adventure and new experiences.

How to travel from the nearest airport and seaport to the Municipality of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur:

From Bancasi Airport

1. From Butuan City, travel to Bagugan City. Travel time is around 1 hour.

2. From Bayugan City to Esperanza, take a PUV or tricycle, and travel time is between 20 to 30 minutes.

3. Total travel time is 1 hour and 30 minutes

From Nasipit Port

1. From Nasipit, travel to Butuan City. Travel time is around 30 minutes.

2. From Butuan City, head to Baguyan City, which will take an hour.

3. From Bayugan City to Esperanza, ride a PUV or tricycle. Travel time is between 20-30 minutes.

4. Total travel time is 2 hours.

Explore, Experience, and Enjoy the Philippines, our Home.

*Special thanks to the Tourism Department of the Municipality of Esperanza for sharing the details and images. Mabuhay kayo!