Atimonan Quezon

 Introduction

Municipality of Atimonan is a 1st class municipality in the Province of Quezon, Philippines. It has a population of 63,432 individuals, according to 2015 census.

It is located on the province's eastern shore, 173 kilometers (107 miles) southeast of Manila. Gumaca, Plaridel, Pagbilao, and Padre Burgos are the municipalities that surround Atimonan.

History

The Town's Foundation

Every Atimonanin has heard the account of the founding of the town of Atimonan, which was based on Mr. Jesus Olega's research. According to this account, Simeona Mangaba, also known as “Ate Monang” by her countrymen, founded Atimonan on February 4, 1608, with her brother Francisco Mangaba serving as the first Captain. This is followed by the ancient Atimonanin population migrating to other locations, usually near a river.

The "Reduccion," on the other hand, was an integral aspect of the creation of pueblos or towns during the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. This was typically done by the Franciscan Friars to establish the first pueblos (towns) such as Tayabas, Lucban, Gumaca, and Calilaya, but this approach is not apparent in Mr. Olega's narrative of the establishment of Atimonan.

Although Mr. Olega's description is based on Fray Felix de Huerta's book, which covers the establishment and situation of most of the old cities occupied by the Franciscans, the origins of the first Atimonanin community are not described or defined. However, re-opening and researching the aforementioned text will shed light on the origins of the old Atimonanin community.

According to Fray Huerta's book, the origins of the old Atimonan community may be traced back to the people who fled Calilaya in 1605 due to an invasion of Moro pirates from Mindanao. This is why the Reduccion is not mentioned in the Atimonan institution.

Following their relocation to Calilaya, this community elected to stay on the Pasabango side of the river (today known as the Palsabangon River, which runs into the Town of Pagbilao) under the supervision of Franciscan Friar Fray Pedro de San Buenaventura. In this location, a convent and church were rebuilt in honor of Inmaculada Concepcion of the Blessed Virgin, the patron saint of the town of Calilaya.

After repeated occurrences and misfortunes caused by crocodile flight in the Pasabango River, the town council decided to relocate the community to Cabuyao in 1613. (assumed to be part of Barangay Cabuyao by Padre Burgos). The community is led by Fray Juan de Merida, who served as the final parish priest of Pasabango and the first parish priest of Cabuyao, according to the records.

Under the title of Inmaculada Concepcion, Fray Juan de Merida rebuilt a wooden chapel in Cabuyao. This town was only in Cabuyao until 1635, when it was re-invaded by a Moro pirate expedition from Mindanao. Moro pirates burnt and plundered this village, and many of the residents were abducted and carried captive to be enslaved.

In Cabuyao, approximately 800 to 1000 individuals fled the Moros' invasion. They arrived at the mouth of the False River and named it Atimonan. Meanwhile, several of them remained on the Minanucan River's banks (the river that flows from Barangay San Rafael to Barangay Talaba and Buhangin). These two locations combined to establish the first Atimonan community in his current position.

In 1637, the Colonial Government forcibly removed some of people who returned to Calilaya to reside there and distributed them to surrounding settlements such as Minanucan and Atimonan, along with the formal appointment of Fray Juan Garcia as the first parish priest of Atimonan.

In 1638, a wooden church was established for this community, which is still governed by the Titulong Inmaculada Concepcion.

Demographic Profile

In 2015, the population of Atimonan was 63,432, accounting for 3.42 percent of the total population of Quezon Province. It has a population density of about three (3) people per hectare, with the Poblacion having the largest concentration. With 444 people per hectare, Barangay Zone I (Poblacion) had the highest population density. It is followed by Barangays Zone IV (Poblacion) (442 people per hectare), Zone III (Poblacion) (248 people per hectare), Zone II (Poblacion) (109 people per hectare), Caridad Ibaba (21 people per hectare), and Tagbakin (11 people per hectare).Caridad Ibaba is the most populous barangay, accounting for 9% of the municipality's total population. Barangays Tagbakin, Zone I-Poblacion, Malinao Ilaya, and Zone II-Poblacion follow.

Geographic Location

Atimonan is located in Quezon Province's fourth district and is part of Region IV-A, CALABARZON. It is flanked on the north by Lamon Bay, on the east by the Municipality of Plaridel, on the south by the Municipalities of Unisan and Agdangan, and on the west by the Municipality of Pagbilao. It has a 21-kilometer-long shoreline.

The municipality covers a total land area of 24,475 square kilometers and is divided into forty-two (42) barangays. The Poblacion area's four (4) barangays are classed as urban, while the remaining thirty-eight (38) are classed as rural.

Must see interesting destinations in Atimonan Quezon

Quezon National Forest Park
Also known as Bitukang Manok Road

Many explorers come here to see how gorgeous this location is.

Mount Pinagbanderahan

This is a destination for hikers and those looking for life-threatening exploits.

Bantakay Falls 

It is still included in the Quezon National Forest Park. It is one of the finest hidden spots in Atimonan Quezon that is slowly gaining popularity among tourists.

Event and Festival

Tagultol Fishing Festival

The Tagultol Festival is a development of different cultural events conducted by Atimonanins in previous years. Every August 1st and 2nd, the Town & Patronal Fiesta is simply commemorated with the traditional parade, cultural program, thanksgiving mass, and procession. During the administration of then-Quezon Board Member and then-Mayor of Atimonan Remedios V. Diestro, an activity known as the Karakol was launched in 1981. It is a fluvial parade that takes place in the afternoon of the second day of the fiesta. The boats circled Lamon Bay within the municipal limits, followed by the Grand Boat, which carried the patron - Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles.There was singing, dancing, and band playing, all in thanksgiving to the Almighty for the year's bountiful catch. After that, the parade joined the religious procession and concluded at the church.

Later, it was done in the morning after the thanksgiving mass at the Fishing Port, and the Karakol was followed by a boat racing competition. Under the guidance of Mr. Francisco T. Laude, a retired public school teacher, the Lupong Tagapangasiwa ng Kultura at Sining sa Atimonan (LUPTAKSA) added a new dimension and vitality to the town's cultural consciousness, and the Tagultol Festival was eventually launched in 2003. Tagultol, an ancient fishing technique employed by Atimonanins, was derived from the Tagalog word ugtol, which means "bounce."Tagultol fishing entails tying a rectangular stone to the end of abaca strings that have been dipped in honey. Thorns of calamansi and related plants were tied 2 feet above the stone before being dipped in water and bounced. The festival is a five-day event that runs from July 29 to August 2. The festival includes a variety of cultural and athletic activities, talent and beauty contests, and is organized by the local government's culture and arts council (LUPTAKSA) and the Atimonan Tourism Council.

Tagultol Fishing Festival will be held during Aliwan Fiesta 2018 and will be represented by: Atimonan Community Dancers.

"The growing town of Atimonan lies on the western shore of the province of Quezon, bound by thriving gifts of nature and the fullness of Lamon Bay," says one of the 15 members. The Tagultol Fishing Festival, founded 15 years ago, revitalized Atimonan's cultural consciousness while also expressing appreciation to the Almighty and the town's patroness, Nuestra Seora de los Angeles, for the bountiful catch received by fisherfolk. The festival depicts the traditional fishing practice of "ugtol," a Tagalog word that means "bounce."Tagultol fishing entails tying a rectangular stone to a length of abaca string that has been coated in honey to make it more resistant to saline water. Francisco Laude, the founder of Lupong Tagapangasiwa ng Kultura at Sining sa Atimonan, wrote the original song. Please welcome the Tagultol Fishing Festival as portrayed by the Atimonan Community Dancers!"

Pabitin Festival

Every May 15, the town of Atimonan celebrates the Pabitin Festival in honor of the patron saint of farmers, St. Isidore, which is similar to Lucban's Pahiyas Festival. During this celebration, every house in the town main has hanging decorations such as vegetables, fruits, suman, dried fish wrapped in plastic, and any other types of food, and when the statue of St. Isidore has crossed the street, the decorations are thrown in the people who wish to have the decors.

More Informations:

• District:                                  4th District
• Province:                               Quezon
• Region:                                  CALABARZON-IV
• Country:                                 Philippines
• Founded:                               February 04, 1608
• Area Total:                            239.66 square kilometers (92.53 sq mi)
• Zip Code:                              4331
• PSGC:                                   045603000
• IDD: Area Code:                   +63 (0)42
• Native Language:                  Tagalog