Municipality of Calatrava

HISTORY OF CALATRAVA

Calatrava was named after the city of La Mancha in Central Spain. An ancient fortress in the middle ages, it was also given the Military Orders of Spain, famous for its so-called Cruz de Calatrava and considered as one of the highest decorations given by the King of Spain.

Calatrava at one point was forced to become a barrio when the administerial form of government was transferred to San Carlos, formerly known as Nabingkalan in 1906. The latter used to be an arrabal or barrio of Calatrava.

Calatrava fought for its identity and regained its township status on October 4, 1924. This was achieved through the political representation of Cebuanos led by Alipio Villarante. When the town held its first elections in 1924, Don Antonio Menchaca was elected as the first municipal president.

The town today is a known source of limestone and coal as well as of woven products. It is also a sanctuary for a tribe of wild monkeys who have become friendly to people especially those with food to share.

Famous Landmarks

Daan Lungsod Cave in Sitio Daan Lungsod is about 300 meters from the main highway. The cave measures 75 meters deep.

Bagacay Cave is about 8 kilometers from the town proper. Mat weaving inside this cave has been a source of living of the residents.

Palau Beach Resort offers overnight accommodations. It has a restaurant and it is accessible anytime of the day.

Century-old Roman Catholic Church of Calatrava was built in year 1880. Situated in the town proper, it is the center of worship for all catholic devotees.

Monkey Sanctuary in Sitio Palinpinon, Barangay Pagumayon is home of hundreds of wild monkeys. These monkeys are people-friendly but very territorial in nature. They thrived on the food brought by visitors and tourists.

Lat-ason Falls in Brgy. Marcelo, offers the radiance of cool waters cascading from falls traversing through rivers of cobbled stones.

Casandra Beach offers uniqueness in ways of convenience, comfort and security. This is the soothing place for you to swim and relax in comfort and privacy.

Palau Beach Resort offers overnight accommodations. It has a restaurant and accessible any time of the day. Stay for a night one weekend with your loved ones breathing in gentle wind along the shore of Palau.

 

Hudyaw sa Lilas Pandan Festival

Hudyaw is a term coined from three dynamically spirited expression of man’s grateful and happy disposition: hudyaha, doyeg, sayao(merrymaking, praising and dancing). Calatrava is also known for its beautiful pandan products thus the festival features dancers in costumes made from woven pandan leaves. The festival coincides with the to the town fiesta honoring St. Peter the Apostle. Lilas Pandan is the center of “hudyaw” celebration of this town.