Alabat, officially the Municipality of Alabat (), is a
municipality
A municipality is usually a single administrative division having municipal corporation, corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate.
The term ''municipality' ...
in the
province
A province is an administrative division within a country or sovereign state, state. The term derives from the ancient Roman , which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire, Roman Empire's territorial possessions ou ...
of
Quezon
Quezon, officially the Province of Quezon () and historically known as Tayabas, is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the Philippines located in the Calabarzon Regions of the Philippines, region on Luzon. Lucena, a highly urbanized ci ...
,
Philippines
The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an Archipelagic state, archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of List of islands of the Philippines, 7,641 islands, with a tot ...
. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 15,936 people.
The name Alabat came from the local Tagalog word ''Alabat'', meaning "balustrade".
The town is home to a few speakers of the critically endangered
Inagta Alabat language
Inagta Alabat (Alabat Island Agta) or Ayta Kadi is a Philippine Negrito language spoken in central Alabat Island, Philippines. Its speakers began arriving on the island in the 1970s but originated from Villa Espina in Lopez, with earlier settle ...
, one of the most endangered languages in the world as listed by
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...
.
It is founded in the year 1882 by a Spanish priest from Gumaca and built an ermita that honours Our Lady of Monte Carmelo. Its first name was Gordo, which means "fat", due to the island's shape. It was change to Gordon, Barcelona, and later on Alabat. The formal establishment of the town is in the year of 1900.
Etymology
Long before the colonial Spanish, Japanese, or Americans set foot on Alabat Island, the mountains were already inhabited by the “Baluga” (aborigines). Nomadic by nature, they would clean patches of land, plant rice and vegetables and hunt. After harvest, they would migrate to another part of the forest and repeat the cycle. The elder of the community was their leader and adviser. During drought, they made temporary houses near the shore and used fishing as their primary means of livelihood.
Local folklore says that a Spanish priest from the mainland saw the Island from across Lamon Bay. He was curious as to what lay in that island and its inhabitants. The Spanish priest crossed the bay on the boat and founded a church at what is today barangay Gordon. The church today is underwater, but the cross can still be seen.
The name Alabat which has been used as it is now, came from the word ''Alâbât'' (local Tagalog word for balustrade or balcony). The early inhabitants of this place made balustrades across their doors to prevent small children from walking out of the house or falling from the stairwells.
Local history says that a platoon of American soldiers came to Lupac after the Philippine independence to conduct a survey. They entered a native's hut and asked the person what the name of the place was. The owner of the house at that time was holding the balustrade that he was making. Unable to understand the English language, he thought they were asking what he was doing so the native replied ''alâbât''! The leader took his diary and wrote the word A L A B A T without any accent.
Another local folklore says that the name 'Alabat' was from
Muslim
Muslims () are people who adhere to Islam, a Monotheism, monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God ...
origins where Alabat comes from Allah-bat, and if the word is mixed up actually means ''bat-ala'' or ''bathala'' which is the local word for god.
History
The first inhabitants of the town were the indigenous Inagta Alabat people who are Negritos, the earliest settlers in the Philippines. The indigenous people spoke the
Inagta Alabat language
Inagta Alabat (Alabat Island Agta) or Ayta Kadi is a Philippine Negrito language spoken in central Alabat Island, Philippines. Its speakers began arriving on the island in the 1970s but originated from Villa Espina in Lopez, with earlier settle ...
, one of the most endangered languages in the world.
During the
Spanish colonial period, Alabat was inhabited by the family of Caparros because of its safe landing shore and overflowing natural resources. Other immigrants from Gumaca came pouring in upon hearing the suitability of this place from human habitation. They named the place "CAMAGONG". Perhaps this name was taken from trees (''
Diospyros blancoi
''Diospyros blancoi'', ( synonym ''Diospyros discolor''), commonly known as velvet apple, velvet persimmon, kamagong, or mabolo tree, is a tree of the genus '' Diospyros'' of ebony trees and persimmons. It produces edible fruit with a fine, ve ...
'') which bore edible fruits called Camagong or Mabulo which grow abundantly in Camagong Mountain, the highest mountain in Alabat Island.
It was said that Rev. Father Jesus, in charge of the parish of Gumaca possessed a telescope. Almost every time he looked through his telescope to see whether Moro Vintas were coming. He reached out a focus on the sandy shore of Ilangin, the present sitio of the barrio of Gordon. It came to his mind that an Ermita should be built in that place. So he summoned the leaders of the settlers to congregate and encouraged them to settle at Ilangin in order to ''make a visita and build an Ermita in the year 1882.''
The growth was so abrupt that a village sprang. Father Jesus called this village "GORDO" (meaning fat) and afterwards he named it Gordon in memory of his town in Spain.
Then came Don Pedro Pica and his brother Don Nicolas, who wanted to establish a home in Gorden. Upon reaching the place they found out that anchorage was difficult on account of the shallow coral reefs and absence of navigable river. Inquiries were made among the villagers and Don Pedro learned the suitability of Lupac, the present site of Alabat. He ordered Francisco Mercado, Modesto Arcaya, Casimero Caparros, Luciano Caparros, Cayetano Caparros, Pedro Caparros, Juan Caparros, Venancio Mascariña, Valentin Lisardo, Camilo Febrer, Antonio Montañez, Mariano Silva, Eusebio Baranta, Cayetano Olivares, Jose Canata and many others to clean a site in Lupac for a new village.
When Rev. Father Jesus heard about this act of Don Pedro Pica, he was neatly infuriated. He accused these two men and by the order of Capitang Totoy of Gumaca, they were taken to prison until Don Pedro Pica secured freedom from the gobernadorcillos of Tayabas. The Gobernadorcillo also pardoned his brother Don Nicolas Pica the following year. The interest of these two brothers in Lupac did not fade away so they returned to the place and established a lumber industry. The Gobernadorcillo learned of their success in their industry and their able leadership to settlers of the place so Don Pedro, the elder, gained influence from the Gobernadorcillo and was appointed sub-Captain of Lupac under Capitan Totoy of Gumaca. Through the order of Father Jesus, Don Pedro Pica changed the name Lupac to BARCELONA in memory of the beautiful coastal town in Spain.
When the American Expeditionary forces occupied Tayabas Province and appointed Carpenter as Military Governor, the name BARCELONA was changed to ALABAT.
Townhood
According to the Republic Act No. 956, Alabat was founded on October 23, 1903. Meanwhile, the legal basis of creation is May 15, 1900.
The separation of Silangan (now
Quezon, Quezon) as an independent municipality was declared in 1914. This municipality was named in honor of President Manuel L. Quezon. In 1929, the inhabitants of Sangirin (now Perez) clamored also for separation from Alabat. By the end of the same year, Sangirin was granted freedom and became an independent municipality named in honor of then Felimon Perez, who was the Governor of the Province.
Today, Alabat island is composed of 3 towns, Perez in the northern tip, Alabat town proper at the center and Quezon in the south. The town of Alabat saw new development in the early 21st century: a modern port was built to replace the old one, more paved roads are being constructed, telephone service, cellphone sites, wireless internet and local government projects to improve the lives of Alabateños.
Alabat, Quezon has been featured several times in various television programs in the country such as ''Tapatan Ni Tunying'', ''
Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho'', ''
Motorcycle Diaries'' and more, because of its natural beauty. In an article published in
Inquirer
Inquirer or The Inquirer may refer to:
*'' The Inquirer'', a British technology news website
* ''The Inquirer'' (Liberia), a Liberian newspaper
* ''The Inquirer'' (Perth) a newspaper published in Perth, Western Australia, between 1840 and 1855
*'' ...
and written by
Lester Villegas, Alabat was dubbed as the "Hidden Paradise of Quezon Province".
Geography
Located centrally on the eponymous
Alabat Island
Alabat Island is an island of the Philippine archipelago, in the Quezon Province of the Calabarzon region, situated just off the east coast of Southern Luzon. The island has an area of and a population of 41,822. The island has a mountain ri ...
, It is between the
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five Borders of the oceans, oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean, or, depending on the definition, to Antarctica in the south, and is ...
and
Lamon Bay, with good fishing grounds, fertile soil, wide plains and near to a river and safe landing shore.
Barangays
Alabat is politically subdivided into 19
barangay
The barangay (; abbreviated as Brgy. or Bgy.), historically referred to as ''barrio'', is the smallest Administrative divisions of the Philippines, administrative division in the Philippines. Named after the Precolonial barangay, precolonial po ...
s - as indicated below - 5 of which are urban and 14 rural. Each barangay consists of
purok
A ''purok'' () is an informal division within a barangay in the Philippines. While not officially considered a local government unit (LGU), a ''purok'' often serves as a unit for delivering services and administration within a barangay. ''Pur ...
s and some have
sitios
A ''sitio'' (Spanish language, Spanish for "site") in the Philippines is a territorial enclave that forms part of a barangay. Typically rural, a ''sitios location is usually far from the center of the barangay itself and could be its own bar ...
.
* Angeles
* Bacong
* Balungay
* Buenavista
* Caglate
* Camagong
* Gordon
* Pambilan Norte
* Pambilan Sur
* Barangay 1 (
Poblacion
''Poblacion'' (from Spanish '' población'', meaning "population"), sometimes abbreviated as Pob., is a term used in the Philippines to refer to the administrative center, downtown, old town, or commercial area of a city or municipality. It ...
)
* Barangay 2 (
Poblacion
''Poblacion'' (from Spanish '' población'', meaning "population"), sometimes abbreviated as Pob., is a term used in the Philippines to refer to the administrative center, downtown, old town, or commercial area of a city or municipality. It ...
)
* Barangay 3 (
Poblacion
''Poblacion'' (from Spanish '' población'', meaning "population"), sometimes abbreviated as Pob., is a term used in the Philippines to refer to the administrative center, downtown, old town, or commercial area of a city or municipality. It ...
)
* Barangay 4 (
Poblacion
''Poblacion'' (from Spanish '' población'', meaning "population"), sometimes abbreviated as Pob., is a term used in the Philippines to refer to the administrative center, downtown, old town, or commercial area of a city or municipality. It ...
)
* Barangay 5 (
Poblacion
''Poblacion'' (from Spanish '' población'', meaning "population"), sometimes abbreviated as Pob., is a term used in the Philippines to refer to the administrative center, downtown, old town, or commercial area of a city or municipality. It ...
)
* Villa Esperanza
* Villa Jesus Este
* Villa Jesus Weste
* Villa Norte
* Villa Victoria
Climate
Alabat experiences
tropical rainforest climate
A tropical rainforest climate or equatorial climate is a tropical climate sub-type usually found within 10 to 15 degrees latitude of the equator. There are some other areas at higher latitudes, such as the coast of southeast Florida, United States ...
(''Af'') as rainfall in all months exceeds .
There is a significant difference between the driest and the wettest month whereas the driest month is April with rainfall total , while the wettest month is December with rainfall total .
[ The rainfall seems increased significantly in October. The mean temperature throughout the year is ranging from the coolest month with average of of January to the hottest month with average of on May.][
]
Demographics
Alabat Island Agta Language
In 2010, UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...
released its 3rd world volume of Endangered Languages in the World, where 3 critically endangered languages were in the Philippines. One of these languages in the ''Alabat Island
Alabat Island is an island of the Philippine archipelago, in the Quezon Province of the Calabarzon region, situated just off the east coast of Southern Luzon. The island has an area of and a population of 41,822. The island has a mountain ri ...
Agta'' language which has an estimated speaker of 30 people in the year 2000. The language was classified as ''Critically Endangered'', meaning the youngest speakers are grandparents and older, and they speak the language partially and infrequently and hardly pass the language to their children and grandchildren anymore. If the remaining 30 people do not pass their native language to the next generation of Alabat Agta people, their indigenous language will be extinct within a period of 1 to 2 decades.
The Alabat Agta people live only on the island of Alabat in Quezon province. They are one of the original Negrito settlers in the entire Philippines. They belong to the Aeta people classification, but have distinct language and belief systems unique to their own culture and heritage.
Economy
Economic activities in Alabat are heavily concentrated in the ''poblacion
''Poblacion'' (from Spanish '' población'', meaning "population"), sometimes abbreviated as Pob., is a term used in the Philippines to refer to the administrative center, downtown, old town, or commercial area of a city or municipality. It ...
'' and other sub-urban barangays. Improved road network provides access from all towns in the island of Alabat to this partially urbanized town. Well-paved radial routes criss-crossing in and out of the town facilitate the transport of unlimited assortment of merchandise, supplies, and raw materials to and from the town on a round-the-clock basis. The major crops of the town are rice, coconut and calamansi.
Port of Alabat
Alabat is considered one of the most important commercial and trading point in the island and in the whole Lamon Bay Area. This town are nested among a wide expanse of coconut trees, rice-land and moderately rolling hills of gross and shrinks for pleasure. It has a rich fishing ground which supplies fish and other seafoods to neighboring towns.
Port of Alabat is considered one of the longest port in the province.
Agriculture
*Total Number of Fishermen and farmers- 3000 (estimate)
*Area of Irrigated Lands- 150 hectares (unofficial)
Culture
Events and festivals
*Santo Niño Festival - (3rd Sunday of January)
*Coconut Festival - May 15
*Flores De Mayo - (Last Sunday of May)
*Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (Town Fiesta) - July 16
Churches
*Nuestra Señora del Monte Carmelo Parish - Poblacion (est.1882)
Government
Elected officials
Municipal council (2019-2022):
*Mayor: Fernando L. Mesa
*Vice Mayor: Raul U. Declaro
*Councilors:
**Jorge Roito N. Hirang Jr.
**Khem Wenbert M. Hervera
**Hubert B. Ursolino
**Ireneo R. Layosa Jr.
**Lidio S. Española
**Patricio L. Sasis Jr.
**Dante M. Surreda
**Florante B. Bantoc
*Perlito L. Sasis - PPLB
*Marriz M. Verzo- PPSK
Infrastructure
Transportation
Alabat is accessible by land where tricycles are administered by Alabat Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (ALTODA) and jeepneys travelling in and out of the town; and water transportation via Atimonan-Alabat Route through the Alabat Feeder Port. Traveling around the town proper is no problem since there are hundreds of tricycles circling the Town Proper.
Communication
Alabat is served by a landline company like SANTELCOR, while the wireless phones and internet are provided by national communications companies Smart, Globe and Sun Cellular and a postal service is served by PHILPost.
Utilities
The Alabat Cable TV System operates and covers most of the town while Quezon I Electric Cooperative provides Electricity to Alabat and nearby-towns. Alabat Municipal Waterworks System provide the waterworks.
Healthcare
Alabat has a public hospital that is capable of providing most common medical services, as well as in handling medical emergencies. Alabat Island District Hospital, the institution which are considered to provide the same standard of healthcare and services, differing mainly with the medical and diagnostic facilities at hand.
These are staffed with qualified medical practitioners. The doctors are graduates of the many top reputable medical schools in the Philippines. Likewise, the nurses are the products of the many credible nursing schools in the country.
Education
Alabat has one tertiary school and numerous secondary and primary schools, including public and private.
The tertiary education system in Alabat provides instruction and training in fields of study, both for baccalaureate degrees and vocational courses. Southern Luzon State University- Alabat Campus - the only university in the island offers degree programs including education, information technology and fisheries.
Aside from tertiary school, the town also has an expanse footprint on the pre-school, primary and secondary levels of education, both in private and public schools. There are numerous day-care centers found all over the town.
*Alabat Island National High School (Formerly Alabat Municipal High School)
*Alabat Central Elementary School
*Angeles-Caglate Elementary School
*Pambilan Elementary School
*R.T. Camacho Elementary School
*C.B. Encarnado Elementary School
*Mater Carmelli Catholic School (Parochial School)
The Island Concept Dancers found in 2016, plays an important role on shaping the dance and performing arts scene of the municipality.
Sister cities
*Makati City
*Valenzuela City
Notable personalities
*Kat Galang - an actress known as "Tassel Girl". She is no stranger to the limelight, having appeared in short films, commercials, TV series and theater plays. Her first big break is her portrayal on Kadenang Ginto.
*Gionna Cabrera - was crowned Binibining Pilipinas
Binibining Pilipinas (abbreviated as Bb. Pilipinas or BBP; ) is the oldest active national beauty pageant in the Philippines. Founded in 1964, it currently selects Filipina representatives to compete in one of the Big Four international beau ...
- Universe 2005 who competed for the Miss Universe
Miss Universe is an annual international major beauty pageant that is run by a Thailand and Mexican-based Miss Universe Organization.Natalie Tadena (July 2, 2015"Donald Trump's Miss USA Pageant Lands on Reelz Cable Channel". ''The Wall Stree ...
pageant in Thailand during the same year, representing the Philippines. She was awarded as Ms. Photogenic. Gionna is daughter of former Alabat Vice Mayor Nida J. Cabrera.
References
External links
Alabat Profile at PhilAtlas.com
Alabat municipality official page
* Philippine Standard Geographic Codebr>Philippine Census Information
Local Governance Performance Management System
Alabat Island Tambayan Page
{{Authority control
Municipalities of Quezon