FESTIVALS
ACTIVITIES
The name CAMIGUIN was derived from the word Kamagong, a tree belonging to the ebony family, which the island is abundant of. Its original inhabitants were the Manobos, one of the non-Muslim hill tribes inhabiting northern Mindanao. The island provins hit the headlines in the early 1950s when one of its seven volcanoes, the 1,300m high Hibok-hibok (which means "to tremble" in their native language) erupted on December 4, 1951. The disaster created by Hibok-hibok eruption was the major factor which led to the establishment in 1952 of the Commission on Volcanology (COMVOL), an agency tasked primarily to safeguard life and property against volcanic eruption and dangers. COMVOL has undergone reorganization since then and now known as "PHILVOCS", a research and development agency under DOST.
Rising up beyond Camiguin's lush vegetation are number of volcanoes other than active Hibok-hibok. These include mt. Ilihan-better known as Guinsiliban peak), mt. Butay, mt. Mambajao-the tallest at 1,580m, mt. Vulcan and several dormant domes and cones that made up the scenic volcanic Island.
But the island's 68,000 residents are not afraid to live under the shadows of these lofty vents. For one, previous volcanic eruptions rendered Camiguin's soil very fertile. The adage says "If you throw any seed anywhere in the island, it will grow," is true in this luxuriant island paradise- from coconuts, abaca, rice, fruit trees like Lanzones considered as the sweetest in Southern Philippines.
HISTORICAL:
CATARMAN CHURCH RUINS -in barangay Bonbon 16 kms. From the center of Catarman. What remains are ruins of adobe walls, belfry and convent that are testimonials to the davastating 1871 earthquake that wiped out the illustrious town of Catarman established earlier as a spanish settlement in 1697.
CROSS MARKER AND SUNKEN CEMETERY -16 kms. from Bonbon, Catarman proper; a huge cross was installed in 1982 to mark the community cemetery which sunk during the 1871 volcanic holocaust. Year ago, grave stones where visible during low tide.
SAN NICOLAS CHURCH -Built in Mambajao during the Spanish settlement in the Philippines.
HOLY ROSARY CHURCH -Built in Sagay during the Spanish settlement in the Philippines.
SAN ROQUE CHURCH -Built in Catarman during the American settlement in the Philippines.
