Sibulan, Negros Oriental

Sibulan is a pretty large town that is adjacent to Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, Philippines. Sibulan is actually where the Dumaguete Airport is. A busy town, Sibulan has both beaches and mountains to boast of, as well as commercial activities going the closer one gets to the provincial capital, so it can be a pretty exciting and relaxing place, depending on which side you are in. Apart from having the most golf courses in the province, the centerpiece of all Sibulan attractions are the Twin Lakes of Danao & Balinsasayaw, which is a community-managed resource. Looc Memorial Shrine The Looc Memorial Shrine marks the site of the first encounter of WWII in Negros Oriental, on October 11, 1942 when independent partisan guerilla groups joined forces. The Sibulan municipal government commemorates this event yearly with a re-enactment. San Antonio Golf Course A a nine-hole golf course located in Sibulan (15 kms.) from Dumaguete City. While playing golf, one can enjoy the fresh country air, open to both members and non-members all days of the week, including holidays. Rental of balls, tees, clubs and other equipment are also available. For inquiries and reservations, one may call the Provincial Tourism Office. San Mortiz Beach Located in Agan-an, Sibulan San Mortiz Beach features a swimming and beachcombing area with five naturally ventilated cottages for rent with balcony and bathroom, under shade trees. Twin Lakes Balinsasayao & Danao The town's most popular attraction is located in Enrique Villanueva, Sibulan, the twin lakes is located about 20 km from the town center and situated 1,000 meters above sea level, the entrance to this is actually accessible from the next town, San Jose. The two inland bodies of water, Lakes Balinsasayaw and Danao, are surrounded by lush tropical forests, with dense canopies, cool and refreshing air, crystal clear mineral waters with brushes and grasses in all hues of green. Biodiversity in the area is known to be one of the richest in the Philippines. The lakes are separated by a narrow ridge with no visible outlets to the sea. To get from Lake Balinsasayaw and Lake Danao and back there are row boats and kayaks available for rent. San Antonio de Padua Church A great number of St. Anthony devotees from all over Negros Oriental crowd at the Sibulan church to light candles for the patron saint every 13th of each month especially during his feastday, transforming the church grounds and the plaza fronting it into a bustling festive gathering. A fluvial procession is also held annually June 13, his feast day. Masulog Festival (3rd Sunday of January) Held in barangay Masulog, Sibulan every January the street dancing and showdown presentations recount the legend of the great floods (sulog) that periodically laid waste to the old village. The

natives would seek the intercession of the Santo Nio, and took better care of their natural resources so their crop lands fertility was restored. Yagyag Festival (Last Sunday of April) Yagyag is the vernacular for spawning, to lay eggs or spread, propagate and grow. The process refers in particular to the crabs and other marine creatures which gather during the months of October to December in Sapa, one of two springs found in Barangay Cangmating of Sibulan. The creatures lay and float their eggs during high tide, to mature in the swamps in the coming months, people from the neighboring barrios from Agan-an to Maningcao would come in groups for natures marine bounty which are harvested for food and as material for crafts. This is also an occassion for trading and barter, and celebration. The festival is a showcase of local arts and culture, fashion and unity. It features mardi gras-type streetdancing and related events.

The land_______________________________ Barangays that include Bolocboloc, Agan-an, Magatas, Tubtubon, Cangmating, and Poblacion are situated on plains near the coast. Other barangays are elevated and have characteristics that range from rolling to undulating. Farther west, the topography suddenly turns from hilly to mountainous. Generally, weather is fair all year round. A Brief History___________________________ The origin of the name Sibulan is more historical than mythical. The story goes that during the Spanish occupation of the Philippines, a group of Spaniards wandered around the area. They met several women carrying bamboo tubes, tools they used to fetch water from the springs. The Spaniards asked the women the name of the place. None of the women understood Spanish, so communication failed rather miserably. The women took it to mean the Spaniards were asking them the source of the water they were fetching, so they replied, "Sibuls", meaning "spring". Noting the abundance of springs in the area, the Spaniards named it the Land of Sibuls or land of numerous springs. As the years went by, influence of time and elements of change brought the name of the place modified to its present name, SIBULAN. In 1838, Sibulan became a Parish under the secular order. Then in 1856, the parish was taken over by a regular church priest. In 1910, Sibulan had its first set of municipal government officials when it became a municipality. Its creation was in accordance with Act No. 82, dated January 31, 1910 of the Philippine Commission relative to the creation of municipal governments in the country. The first appointed president (municipal mayor) was Macario Literal. The People______________________________ Majority of the population speak the Cebuano dialect. Tagalog and English are widely understood and spoken. Commerce and Industry_____________________ Fishing and farming are the main sources of income for the people of Sibulan.

Commercial establishments are beginning to spread throughout its commercial areas. Getting There and Away_____________________ Tricycles, jeepneys and buses going to other towns and cities, pass through Sibulan several times a day. Boats from nearby Liloan town of the province of Cebu, depart for Sibulan and vice versa during the day.