Secrets of Northern Samar: Catubig’s Forgotten Heritage

I wasn’t able to explore Calbayog City because I didn’t find a place to stay at under Php200. You see I wasn’t able to plan this trip ahead of time so my budget is quite small (as always).  That means going back to my hub- Catarman.

Catubig Church Facade

I was checking out the brochures I got from the Catarman Tourism Office and I was intrigued by this small town of Catubig. I have to admit that budget is almost depleted when I decided to pursue the trip to Catubig. I did go anyway and found out that Catubig was another important center during the Spanish period.

The 18th Century Catubig Church

Catubig was actually the first Pueblo and Cabezeria in Northeastern Samar. It was the centro to evangelize the northeastern region of Samar during the late 17^th century. This explains another forgotten wealth of Northern Samar, the Catubig church, a massive edifice for a small town like this. The church is actually rebuilt because the original structure was destroyed by the Muslim raids in the early 18^th century.

"DOMUS DEI, ET PORTA COELI" (House of God, Door of Heaven)

Catubig Church Side & Back

Catubig Chruch Wall Detail. Nature is having its way on the church walls

Economically speaking, this small town has a good trade relations with Albay (Bicol region), selling its local produce like palay, abaca and cacao that dates back during the 18^th century.

Catubig’s name obviously came from the river that cuts through the town.

The Catubig River

It would also be interesting to note that according to records, there was a Battle of Catubig between the American soldiers and Filipino revolutionaries led by Capitan Domingo Rebadulla just near the church. A National Historic Institute marker can be found near the basketball court. What a distinct and colorful past this small unassuming town has. Ironic at it may seem, but its quite sad to learn that Catubig doesn’t have a tourism office when I looked for one in the Municipal Building.

Battle of Catubig NHI Marker

I then decided to have some walk around and found myself at the riverbanks interviewing some fisher folks. You see I’m always magnetized with the simplicity of rural living. Do you know what they do after a half-a-day’s work? Chill! Drink some rhum before going back in their respective homes and get ready for tomorrow’s work.

How I wish every Pinoy were like them- simple, smiling, unhurried, loving life.

Catubig River and boats

Fisherman at Catubig

Dear reader, please, CHILL! Your worth is not measured by the quantity (or even quality) of work you did.

Secrets of Northern Samar is a series of blog posts that encourages intrepid travelers to try the out-of-the-usual-tourist-trail. This happened last February 2011, one of the no-plans-whatsoever trips I made. I have a ticket to Catarman and I just said to myself, go and let’s see what’s in it for me… So I found these:

Spectacular Biri Rock Formations / The Forgotten Capul Island / Abaknon: On the Brink of Extinction / Catubig: A Forgotten Heritage / Hammock-Hanging Adventure at UEP White Beach / Summary & Expenses