Camiguin (Cebuano: Lalawigan sa Camiguin; Kamigin: Probinsya ta Kamigin) is an island province in the

Philippines located in the Bohol Sea, about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) off the northern coast of Mindanao. It is
geographically part of Region X, the Northern Mindanao Region of the country and formerly a part of Misamis
Oriental province.

Camiguin is the second-smallest province in the country in both population and land area after Batanes. The
provincial capital is Mambajao, which is also the province's largest municipality in both area and population.

History

 Camiguin is derived from the native word Kamagong, a species of ebony tree.
 An earlier Spanish geography book spells the island as Camiguing. There is reason to suppose the
Spaniards dropped the final g. Today it is rendered as Camiguín.

Spanish colonial era

 Old Spanish documents indicate that the renowned explorers Ferdinand Magellan and Miguel Lopez de
Legaspi landed in Camiguin in 1521 and 1565, respectively. The first Spanish settlement was
established in 1598 in what is now Guinsiliban.

American colonial era

 In 1901, in the middle of the Philippine-American War, American soldiers landed in Camiguin to
assume political control over the island. A group of Camiguinons, armed with bolos and spears, led by
Valero Camaro, fought them in a short battle in Catarman. Valero Camaro was killed by a bullet in the
forehead and became one of the Camiguin patriots of the early independence movement.
 In 1903, the first public school in Camiguin was built in Mambajao, and in 1904 the first public water
system was installed.
World War II

 On June 18, 1942, the Japanese Imperial Army landed in Camiguin and set up a government in
Mambajao. They gutted central Mambajao in reprisal to guerrilla activities in the area. The remains of
some of these buildings still exist today.

Independence

 On July 4, 1946, the Philippines gained independence from the US. Camiguin was then part of Misamis
Oriental. In 1958, it became a sub-province. It was made into a separate province on June 18, 1966, and
formally inaugurated in 1968.

Geography

 The province consists primarily of Camiguin Island, as well as a few other surrounding minor islets
including:
 White Island, about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) west of the town of Mambajao
 Mantigue Island, about 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) south of Mambajao.

Land Area Of Camiguin

 Camiguin has a total land area of 238 square kilometers; approximately 37 kilometers at
its longest side and with a span of 14 kilometers. It is the second smallest province in the
Philippines in terms of land area and is only around 2% of Region X.
Population In Camiguin
 Camiguin has an estimated population of more than 74,000 persons per the
National Statistics Office 2017, and is the second smallest in the Philippines in terms of
population.
Religion In Camiguin
Camiguin is a predominantly Roman Catholic province with 95% adherence. The remaining religions
are represented by various Protestant and few Islamic groups.

Major Dialect
 Cebuano is the major dialect in the Province. However, in the towns of Sagay and Guinsiliban,
where most of the indigenous tribes reside, the Kinamiguin dialect is still spoken. Kinamiguin is
derived from the Manobo dialect with some mixture of Boholano.
 Cebuano, otherwise known as “Visayan” and “Hiligaynon”, is the main language of the island
though a few speak “Kinamiguin”, an ancient dialect which is a mixture of the language of the
Manobos and Boholano. Almost everyone speaks English in the island.

Products Of Camiguin
Province's major products are coconut, cassava, banana, camote, palay, corn, fruits, coffee and
vegetables. Camiguin's volcanic soil has proved to be a fertile ground for planting various crops. The Province
is also among the best abaca fiber producers in the country. Camiguin is proud of its natural resources, which
include sulfur deposits, geothermal energy, agricultural lands and fishing grounds.

Tribes In Camiguin
The people of Camiguin are called "Camiguingnons". They are fun-loving, deeply religious, friendly,
hospitable and very hardworking people. Most of them trace their roots to Bohol and Cebu. In fact, the
Camiguin culture is a mixture of both Boholano and Cebuano culture which is both colorful and creative.
FESTIVALS IN CAMIGUIN
 Lanzones Festival
(3rd weekend of October; movable) A two
day grand festival of agri-cottages industry
products in exhibits, barangay
beautification, indigenous sports, tableau of
local culture, grand parade of golden fruit
found prolific and extra sweet in the entire
province. The festival is Camiguin’s
contribution to Mindanao as cultural
destination.

 San Juan Hibok Hibokan

(June 24) held to honor St. John the Baptist.
Venues of the festival are usually Cabu-an
and/or Agohay Beaches. Water sports like
boat races, fluvial processions/parade and
coronation of Miss Hibok Hibokan are
conducted. Celebrated in the entire province,
residents go to the nearest beach and while
away time until late afternoon.

 Panaad
(Holy Week) A pilgrim’s yearly trek around
the island in observance of the Lenten
season. Thousands of visitors make this
island a Mecca as they converge at Bonbon
for rituals or just getting together.

 May Festival
(Month of May) a month-long fiesta
celebraiton of the barangays and town in
Camiguin. It also features the searchy for the
Rose of May and Santacruzan as the
highlights of the celebration.
Municipalities of Camiguin

It is composed of five (5) municipalities namely:

1. Mambajao - is from Visayan mambahaw (archaic form of mamahaw), meaning "to eat breakfast"; from
the root word bahaw, "leftover rice from [last night]".
2. Catarman- The first major Spanish settlement, established in 1679, was called Katagman or Katadman
(known as Catarman). The settlement grew and prospered but was destroyed by the eruption of Mt.
Vulcan in 1871. The former location is what is now Barangay Bonbon of Catarman.
3. Sagay- It was possibly left behind in 1763 after the siege of Manila, and perhaps was brought to
Camiguin by the Spanish to defend against Moro raiders. In 1909, the municipality of Sagay was
created. Prior to this date, Sagay town had been a part of the municipality of Catarman.
4. Guinsiliban- which comes from the old Kinamiguin word “Ginsil-ipan” which means “to look out for
pirates from a watchtower” has an old Spanish watchtower where the Camiguinons kept watch for Moro
pirates.
5. Mahinog- comes from a Visayan word meaning "to ripen" or "to become ripe".

BARANGGAYS OF CAMIGUIN

Mahinog is politically subdivided into 13 barangays.

 Benoni
 Binatubo (Binaliwan)
 Catohugan
 Hubangon
 Owakan
 Poblacion
 Puntod
 San Isidro
 San Jose
 San Miguel
 San Roque
 Tubod
 Tupsan Pequeño

Sagay has 9 barangays.

 Alangilan
 Bacnit
 Balite
 Bonbon
 Bugang
 Cuña
 Manuyog
 Mayana
 Poblacion
Catarman has 14 barangays.

 Alga
 Bonbon
 Bura
 Catibac
 Compol
 Lawigan
 Liloan
 Looc
 Mainit
 Manduao
 Panghiawan
 Poblacion
 Santo Niño
 Tangaro

Guinsiliban has 7 barangays.

 Butay
 Cabuan
 Cantaan
 Liong
 Maac
 North Poblacion
 South Poblacion

Mambajao is politically subdivided into 15 barangays.

 Tupsan
 Benhaan
 Magting
 Anito
 Balbagon
 Pandan
 Soro-Soro
 Poblacion
 Baylao
 Tagdo
 Kuguita
 Bug ong
 Agoho
 Yumbing
 Naasag
FOOD AND DELICACIES IN CAMIGUIN

Lanzones Ice Cream Chicharon Pusit

Pastel Lanzones Wine

Lanzones
 CHURCHES IN CAMIGUIN

SANTO ROSARIO CHURCH IN SAGAY, CAMIGUIN SAN NICOLAS DE TOLENTINO CHURCH IN THE TOWN OF MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF CATARMAN, CAMIGUIN OLD BONBON CHURCH RUINS, CATARMAN, CAMIGUIN
 CAMIGUIN TOURIST SPOTS

White Island (The Naked Temptress of Camiguin) Giant Clam Sanctuary

MANTIGUE ISLAND HIBOK HIBOK ARDENT HOTSPRING CAMIGUIN

STO. NIÑO COLD SPRING CAMIGUIN STATIONS OF THE CROSS AND THE WALKWAY TO THE OLD VOLCANO
 SUNKEN CEMETERY TONGATOC COVE

TUASAN FALLS KATIBAWASAN FALLS

ZIPLINE AT MAHINOG, CAMIGUIN