MUNICIPALITY OF CALUYA

(Reprinted from the Binirayan 2000 Souvenir Magazine)

Before the island of Caluya was called Polo Pandan by the Moro pirates who went around the islands in search of commercial ships as target victim of piracy. These pirates with their pillager vintas called “Salipsipan’ utilized Polo Pandan as their haven and resting place after they have divested a ship of their valuable belongings. It was uninhabited at the time. Only few fishermen dared to fish in the area, for fear of the pirates. The Moro pirates called the place Polo Pandan for the entire coastal area was covered with pandan screw pines.

Several years later, fishermen coming from their islands who were catching turtles for Chinese traders using their fishing gear called “panabog” accidentally landed in Polo Pandan in search of drinking water. They were surprised upon seeing footprints of humans in the sand but no dwelling houses could be seen. They found a potable spring coming from the roots of a Dankalan tree. They brought the good news to their fellow fishermen and planned to settle by the shore near the spring coming from the roots of the Dankalan tree. They made their huts (Barong-barong) and left their families behind to continue with their fishing activities. Not long after, the Moro pirates landed at the other side of the island. The settlers for fear of the safety of their families transferred their huts on the hilltop and called the place “Minoro or Barabanwa’. They were often attacked by the Pirates, whom they resisted valiantly with their bows and arrows, called “pitik” in their dialect. This was done with their stocks of rolling stones, which the settlers used to use on the path of the invaders, and the attackers were repulsed.

In order to encourage more, the leader of the “Minoro or Barabanua” entertained closed brotherly relations with other chieftains of the neighboring island. They called their brotherly relationship as “Ilog” from Cuyo, “Logod” from Agutaya, Tangay from the islanders from Batbatan and Maningning, “Igso” from Romblon Negrito tribes, “Compare” from Tagalog in Mindoro and “Babay” from Antique. This brotherly relationship attracted more settlers from Cuyo, Agutaya, Mindoro and Antique. They called their group in the native dialect, “Calolo Nga Nag Uya”. Caluya was the first name of the island before the Spanish colonization. But during the Spanish regime another legend of the name came out.

  SPANISH ERA:

During the regime of Spanish colonizers the Moro pirates continued their attempts to conquer or dominate the island. Many battles had been fought by the natives who defended the island with mighty courage and bravery. There were times when the Moro raiders occupied some portions of the island but they were always reconquered by the natives before long. The natives in order to defend their stronghold made trenches and fortifications against the warlike Moros. There were gallant leaders that valiantly led the significant battles like in Hiningaan, Balabag Buganti, Gum­awayan, etc. Leaders who were noted for their bravery were Balbino Alojado whose courage was laudable hence was called ‘Maisug” (brave) the reason why his name was changed from Balbino Alojado to BalbinoYsug, Luciano Boctot (huncback) due to his physical defect, and Surato Bunga-Bunga, his physical structure is so small and stout like a bettle nut.

Another brave leader was an amazon called Merin. One day while all the men settlers/natives were out looking for food and fishing,  the Moro pirates, all of a sudden, surfaced and Merin gathered all the women to defend their settlement. Using bows and arrows they held the invaders  at bay. The Moro leaders upon seeing the amazons or women fighters ordered his men to retreat. According to him the women were weak or maluya in our vernacular. Thus, the former name of Polo Pandan was changed to maluya or Caluya in honor of the famous heroine Merin.

SPANISH SETTLEMENT:

The Spanish settlement was presumed established in 1850. Spanish friars came to the island to propagate the Christian faith in like manner to expand their colonization of the archipelago.

The settlement was called a barangay and the first Cabeza de Barangay was BalbinoYsug, followed by Luciano Boctot and Surato Bunga­Bunga. All other Cabezas de Barangay were not mentioned.

Later on Cabeza da Barangay became Capitan de Barangay. The first capitan de Barangay was Lazaro Decena followed by Luciano Tabangay and the last was Mariano Escultor.

In 1893, believe to be the month of May, the Barangay was changed to a pueblo or town by the Spanish Government, thus the founding of the municipality of Caluya.

AMERICAN REGIME:

The American Government started in 1901 in Caluya which was ran by the people who came from Bulalacao, Mindoro Oriental. The first officials were appointed by the Americans and later on the officials elected by the people. The head of the government was the town president or presidente del pueblo. Appointed president from 1901 to 1910 was Feliciano Erodias. The next was Valentine Escultor in 1910. Then they held their first elections in 1913 and the first elected president was Moises Lucena. In 1916 the president was Elias Tata; 1919 Luis Erodias; 1922 Agustine Madarcos; 1925, Pedro Janairo; 1928, Ruperto Tabianas. In 1934 the head of the town was changed to a town mayor. The first town mayor was Mayor Claro Erodias who served up to 1938. It was Ruperto Tabianas who was the mayor when the Second World War broke out.

JAPANESE OCCUPATION:

It was only in 1943 that the Japanese landed in Caluya by means of a motorboat, to spread their propaganda about the government. No battle had been fought for there were no soldiers on the island. The Japanese commandeered pigs, carabaos, cows, chicken and other food for their consumption.

The only battle fought was in Semirara between five Japanese battleship against the U.S. Air Force planes where the warships were sank and one airplane from the Allied Forces was downed. About 200 Japanese marines landed in Capiz Island led by Commander Tanaka. There was no known mayor at that time.

POST LIBERATION PERIOD:

In 1945, Mr. Joven Janairo was appointed mayor. In an election in 1948, Joven Janairo was elected mayor. Romulo Lumawig was elected mayor in 1953; Joven Janairo in 1958;

Romulo Lumawig again in 1964 and Oscar Lim in 1972 when the state of martial law was proclaimed by Pres. Marcos. In 1987 Douglas M. Egina was appointed as OIC Mayor. There was an election in 1988 where Oscar Lim was elected again. In the 1992 elections, the first woman mayor was elected, Hon. Nikita L. Frangue.

"God planted A Garden in the east and there he place man whom he created." Genesis 2:8-10

The island is known for its white and pinkish beaches, various kinds of edible seaweeds or tambalang and coconut crab a sought-after delicacy. A marine sanctuary, Caluya group has a very exotic marine life. It is here where corals of various colors are found. Tropical fishes, turtles and many other species are abundant in the coral reefs and enjoying the expanse of Caluya’s pristine water. Playful dolphins race along passing motor boats and vessels on clear days. Would you like to experience what Caluya has? Go scuba diving and snorkeling at the municipality’s waters especially in the islands of Panagatan, and Sibay . Sibolo, Sibato, Liwagao and Nagubat Islands have also beautiful white and cool sand beaches with nature-polished shining pebbles. They are ideal places for adventurers and outdoor lovers. Local tourists and spelunkers are lured to the giub (cave ) in Capas, a cave situated at Sitio Punta, Banago that has a natural tunnel leading towards the seashore facing Caluyang Maistan, an islet near Brgy. Imba. Stalactites and stalagmites dating back some hundred years could be found in it. Another cave also beckons to travelers at Brgy. Bonbon for it has a small pond with clear shallow water from a spring underneath. Another wonder is the natural seaport out of rocks in brgy. Masanag. It is very useful when southwest monsoon starts as motor vessels -  the only mode of transportation to other places, anchor here. Less than a kilometer from it, a cave with a light and airy room is located.

Electrification of the eight barangays accelerated the municipality’s progress. But Caluyanons boast the unspoiled and unique beauty of these paradise island group more than anything else.

Foreign and local tourists are starting to come from Boracay, Culasi and Libertad as others who first came shared their experience from these island groups. From here, tourists go to Punta Tungao, Semirara where they could view white sand and mountainous rocks. Semirara Island is rich in mineral deposits. One of the largest known coal mine deposits in Asia is now functional at Sitio Panian, Semirara, Caluya, Antique. While hopping in this island group in a motorized boat, you may want to drag a fishing line with a lure for yellow or blue-finned tuna. Who knows, you might duplicate our luck!

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