Beautiful Philippines: A Handbook of General Information

by Philippine Islands. Commission of Independence

The plains yield as many as three crops of corn a year. Coconuts, sugar cane, abaca, peanuts, bananas, pineapples, camotes, and tobacco are other products.

Industries The island is rich in minerals, of which gold and coal are the most important. Industries are well developed in Cebu. Good fishing banks found along the coast furnish the people with food for local use and for export. Hogs and goats are raised for local use. Poultry raising enables the people to export chickens and eggs to neighboring islands and even to Manila. Cotton cloth, woven for local use and sinamay made from the fiber extracted from banana and pineapple leaves, are exported. Much tuba, a native wine, is collected in the coconut regions.

The town of Cebu, however, existed as a prosperous native settlement before the discovery of the Philippines by Magellan. For a description of the places of interest in the city, see page 63.

Panoramic view of Dapitan where Rizal was exiled by the Spaniards

BOHOL PROVINCE, the island southeast of Cebu, is noted for the two big rebellions against the Spaniards which occurred in 1622 and 1744, respectively. The leader of the revolt in 1622, which was really an armed protest against Jesuitical influence, was one by the name of Tamblot. The uprising rapidly spread throughout the entire island; only the towns of Loboc and Baclayon remained peaceful. The rebels retreated “to the summit of a rugged and lofty hill, difficult of access,” and there fortified themselves. It took the government six months to suppress this rebellion.

Rebellions Another rebellion, no less formidable than the Tamblot uprising, broke out in 1744. It gained strength in 1750 under the leadership of Dagohoy, who for a long time was the whole soul of the movement. The rebellion affected almost the entire island and lasted for over eighty years. The government sent several expeditions to put it down, but without success. The rebels established a local government and lived as an independent people. This was, perhaps, the most successful revolt the Filipinos ever conducted from the viewpoint of duration of resistance.

Attractions Among the attractions are the mineral springs in Guindulman as well as those in San Juan, Candon, Napo, Lubod, and Cambalaguin which are reputed to be efficacious for curing skin diseases. Edible birds’ nests are gathered in the Cananoan Cave. Other caves are found in Baclayon, Guindulman, Jagna, and Sierra Bullones. “Buri,” “ticog,” and “salacot” hats are made in almost every town. The weaving of “piña” and “sinamay” cloth is a specialty in Baclayon, Loboc, Jagna, and Duero, and “saguaran” weaving in Talibon, Inabanga, Baclayon, and Jetafe. The commercial exploitation of the pearl and shell banks in the Bohol seas has only recently been begun. The catching of the flying lemur and the tanning and preparation of its hide is a new occupation. Most of the towns are found along the coast so that a great portion of the inhabitants are engaged in coastwise and interisland trade.

LEYTE PROVINCE and island, one of the largest and most fertile regions in the Visayan group, is situated southwest of Samar and is separated from Samar by the San Juanico Strait, said to be one of the most beautiful water-ways in the world. Hemp and copra are the most important products exported. Coal is found in the towns of Leyte, Ormoc, and Jaro. Asphalt is being mined in Leyte for street paving purposes. Gold is found in Pintuyan and San Isidro; sulphur in Mahagnao; mineral springs in the crater of Mahagnao, Ormoc, San Isidro, Mainit, and Carigara.

Where Mass First Celebrated Limasawa, a little island south of Leyte, has the unique distinction of being the place where mass was first celebrated in the Philippines. Toward the end of March, 1521, Magellan discovered this little island, which then appeared to be a prosperous community. It was here that Magellan met Raja Calambu and Ciagu, who feasted the Spaniards and exchanged presents with them. The Island of Leyte itself, then called Tandaya, was the first island of the Philippine Archipelago to receive the name of “Felipina.”