Alabat Quezon

Introduction:

Lets's talk about Municipality of Alabat. 

 Alabat Quezon is known by several nicknames, including "The Hidden Gem of Quezon," "The Gateway Municipality to the Pacific," and "The Secret Paradise." The name Alabat is derived from the Tagalog word "Alabat," which means "Balustrade."

According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 15,630 individuals. Mapayapa, Maunlad, Maganda, and Masayang Bayan ng Alabat is its motto.

History 

The indigenous Inagta Alabat people, who are Negritos and were the first settlers in the Philippines, were the town's first residents. The indigenous people speak Inagta Alabat, one of the world's most endangered languages.

Alabat was occupied by the Caparros family during the Spanish colonial period due to its secure landing coastline and abundant natural resources. Other Gumaca immigrants flocked in after hearing about the viability of this location for human habitation. The location was given the name "CAMAGONG."Perhaps this name was derived from trees bearing edible fruits known as Camagong or Mabulo, which grow abundantly atop Camagong Mountain, Alabat Island's highest peak.

Rev. Father Jesus, who was in charge of the parish of Gumaca, was supposed to have a telescope. Almost every time he checked his telescope to see if Moro Vintas was approaching. He focused his attention on the sandy coastline of Ilangin, the current location of Gordon's neighborhood. It occurred to him that an Ermita should be built in that location. So he gathered the settlers' leaders and persuaded them to settle in Ilangin in order to erect a vesita[check spelling] on Ermita.

A village sprung created as a result of the rapid growth. Father Jesus dubbed this settlement "GORDO" (meaning "fat") at first, then then Gordon in honor of his hometown in Spain.

Then arrived Don Pedro Pica and his brother Don Nicolas, who wished to make Gorden their home. When they arrived, they discovered that anchoring was difficult due to the shallow coral reefs and the lack of a navigable river. Inquiries were undertaken among the inhabitants, and Don Pedro discovered that Lupac, the current location of Alabat, was suitable. He directed Francisco Mercado, Modesto Arcaya, Casimero Caparros, Luciano Caparros, Cayetano Caparros, Pedro Caparros, Juan Caparros, Venancio Mascaria, Valentin Lisardo, Camilo Febrer, Antonio Montaez, Mariano Silva, Eusebio Baranta, Cayetano Olivares, Jose Canata, and others to clean up Lupac.

When Rev. Father Jesus learned about Don Pedro Pica's deed, he was enraged. He charged these two individuals, and by order of Capitang Totoy of Gumaca, they were imprisoned until Don Pedro Pica obtained their release from the Tayabas gobernadorcillos. The following year, the Gobernadorcillo pardoned his brother Don Nicolas Pica. Because these two brothers' passion in Lupac did not disappear, they returned to the area and developed a lumber enterprise. Don Pedro, the elder, gained influence from the Gobernadorcillo and was appointed sub-Capitan of Lupac under Capitan Totoy of Gumaca after the Gobernadorcillo learnt of their success in their industry and their good leadership to the residents of the town. Don Pedro Pica, under the instruction of Father Jesus, changed the name Lupac to BARCELONA in honor of the magnificent coastal town in Spain.

The name BARCELONA was changed to ALABAT when American Expeditionary forces conquered Tayabas Province and named Carpenter as Military Governor.

Geography

It is located in the center of the namesake Alabat Island, between the Pacific Ocean and Lamon Bay, and has good fishing grounds, fertile soil, large plains, and is close to a river and a secure landing shore.

Etymology

The highlands were already inhabited by the “Baluga” long before the colonial Spanish, Japanese, or Americans set foot on Alabat Island (aborigines). They were nomads by nature, cleaning up sections of land, planting rice and vegetables, and hunting. They would travel to another part of the forest after harvesting and restart the cycle. The elder of the community served as their guide and leader. During the drought, they built temporary dwellings on the sea and relied on fishing as their primary source of income.

According to local legend, a Spanish priest from the mainland saw the island from across the Lamon bay. He was fascinated in what was on that island and who lived there. On the boat, the Spanish priest crossed the water and established a church in what is now barangay Gordon. Today, the church is underwater, but the cross may still be seen.

The name Alabat, as it is now known, is derived from the term Alâbât (local Tagalog word for balustrade or balcony). Balustrades were built across the doors of the early residents of this area to protect little children from walking out of the house or falling from the stairwells.

According to local legend, after the Philippines' independence, a battalion of American soldiers came to Lupac to perform a survey. They went into a native's hut and asked the occupant what the name of the place was. At the time, the owner of the house was holding the balustrade he was constructing. Because he couldn't understand English, he assumed they were asking him what he was doing, to which the native answered alâbât! The commander took out his diary and penned the word A L A B A T without any accents.

Another piece of local mythology claims that the name 'Alabat' is derived from Muslim origins, with Alabat derived from Allah-bat, and that if the words are mixed up, it actually means bat-ala or bathala, which is the local word for deity.

However, according to the RA 956, Alabat was established on October 23, 1903. Meanwhile, the date of incorporation is May 15, 1900.

In 1914, Silangan (now Quezon) declared its independence as an independent municipality. This town was named after President Manuel L. Quezon. Sangirin (now Perez) residents also demanded independence from Alabat in 1929. By the end of the same year, Sangirin had been given independence and had been renamed in honor of the Province's Governor, Felimon Perez.

Alabat Island is now divided into three towns: Perez in the north, Alabat town proper in the center, and Quezon in the south. In the early twenty-first century, Alabat saw fresh development: a modern port was built to replace the old one, additional paved roads are being created, telephone service, cellular sites, wireless internet, and local government projects to better the life of Alabateos are being established.

Because of its natural beauty, Alabat, Quezon has been featured on multiple television shows in the Philippines, including Tapatan Ni Tunyin, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, Motorcycle Diaries, and others. Lester Villegas Alabat's article in the Inquirer labeled Quezon as the "Hidden Paradise of Quezon Province."

The town of Agdangan is divided into 19 barangays.

5 of which are Urban and 14 Rural 

• Angeles
• Bacong
• Balungay
• Buenavista
• Caglate
• Camagong
• Gordon
• Pambilan Norte
• Pambilan Sur
• Barangay 1 (Poblacion)
• Barangay 2 (Poblacion)
• Barangay 3 (Poblacion)
• Barangay 4 (Poblacion)
• Barangay 5 (Poblacion)
• Villa Esperanza
• Villa Jesus Este
• Villa Jesus Weste
• Villa Norte
• Villa Victoria

Best Spots and Local Products

There are several secret and wonderful spots to see in Alabat Quezon. Let's explore for some of them together.

Let us go to one of the tourist attraction in Alabat Quezon.

Alabat Cove

Beach Resort in Villa Norte, Alabat Quezon

Tumiis Falls

Villa Norte, Alabat Quezon

Kabila Beach Resort

Also in Villa Norte, Alabat Quezon

There are several attractive locations to see in Alabat Quezon. It is almost next to each other, so if you appreciate exploring new locations, you will have a great time here.

Aside from these attractive sites, the Alabat people are proud of their products. Because coconut is abundant here, recipes containing gata (coconut milk) are prevalent. Aside from coco jam and coco sugar, home-made yema is a delight to acquire in Alabat. It nearly tastes like toffee. Alabat's products include tablea, banana chips, cassava crackers, and coco jam.

Coco Jam & Coco Sugar

Home-made Yema

More information:

• District:                               4th District
• Province:                             Quezon
• Region:                                CALABARZON
• Country:                              Philippines
• Founded:                             May 15, 1900
• Total Area:                           57.61 km² (22.24 sq. mi.)   
• Zip Code:                                   4333
• PSGC:                                        045602000 
• IDD: Area Code:                         +63 (0)42
• Native Language:                 Tagalog