ISLAND FACTS 01 Catanduanes came from the word tandu, a native beetle, calling it katanduan meaning a place where the tandus are abundant. 02 The province is composed of 11 municipalities, 315 barangays and one congressional district. It has a total land area of 151,150 hectares and its capital town is Virac. 03 The locals use Bicol as their common language but English and Tagalog are understood and frequently spoken. 04 It is the twelfth largest island in the Philippines separated from the mainland Bicol by Maqueda Channel
REVISITING THE PAST
hamujong (trumpet shell) to a hun-
and Lagonoy Gulf.
Despite being constantly battered
dred-year old communion rail, pre-
by typhoons during stormy seasons,
serving pieces of history to connect
the province was able to preserve its
the past to the people in the present.
THE ‘ABACA COUNTY’
APPETITE DELIGHTS
abaca fiber requirement, Philippines
Supplying around 87% of the world’s
heritage. Located in the town of Bato, Bato Church is a fine example of archi-
Catanduanes is known for its Suman
is the leading Abaca suppliers around
tecture of mid-colonization dur-
sa latik and Tinumok. But aside from
the world. And being the the big-
ing the Filipino-Spanish era. Sec-
these sweet, sticky, delicacies, the
gest abaca producers in the country,
ond to the largest in Bicol region, the
province is also home to exotic treats
Catanduanes earned the title ‘Abaca
church was built under the polo sys-
such as Kasili, a type of eel.
County’.
Must try local dishes also include
Though Catanduanes is regularly
Banagan (lobster), Buyod (shrimp),
visited by typhoons, the people re-
Walking back in time, Museo de
and Kulambutan (squid). And of
mained thankful for the abundance
Catanduanes, located in Virac, dis-
course, all-time Filipino rice and root
of their crops and their progress as a
plays more than 200 various ma-
crop-based delicacies are commonly
province.
terials ranging from a 29-year-old
present in a Catanduanes menu.
tem, or forced labor, for a total of 53 years.
The first Abaca Festival was launched this year as the official festival of the province. Envisioned to showcase the major product of the island, the festival will continue to be celebrated every fourth week of May.
REACHING THE ISLAND Travellers have variety of choices on how to reach Catanduanes. The province is just an hour flight away from NAIA 3 via Cebu Pacific Airline. Options such as 10-hour bus ride or riding your own car via South Luzon Super Highway then hopping on a RORO vessel for 3 hours of Fastcraft for 1 hour are also available. B
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