Atimonan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please

help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced
material may be challenged and removed. (November 2013) (Learn how and when
to remove this template message)

Atimonan, Quezon
Municipality

Seal

Motto: Pag nagtulungan, Panalo ang Bayan!

Map of Quezon showing the location of Atimonan

Atimonan, Quezon
Location within the Philippines

Coordinates:

1400N 12155ECoordinates:

1400N 12155E

Country

Philippines

Region

Calabarzon (Region IV-A)

Province

Quezon

District

4th district of Quezon

Founded

February 4, 1608

Barangays

42

Government[1]
Mayor

Jose F. Mendoza (Nacionalista)

Vice Mayor

Joel M. Vergano (UNA)

Area[2]
Total

239.66 km2 (92.53 sq mi)

Population (2015)[3]
Total

63,432

Density

260/km2 (690/sq mi)

Demonym(s)

Atimonanin

Time zone

PST (UTC+8)

ZIP code

4331

Dialing code

+63(0)42

Income class

1st class; partially urban

Website

www.atimonan.gov.ph

The Municipality of Atimonan (Filipino: Bayan ng Atimonan) or in (Spanish/Chavacano: El Pueblo

de Atimonan) is a first class municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. It lies on the western
shore of the province, 173 kilometres (107 mi) southeast of Manila. Atimonan is bounded by the
municipalities of Gumaca, Plaridel, Pagbilao and Padre Burgos. According to the 2015 census, it has
a population of 63,432 people.[3]
Contents
[hide]

1Barangays
2History
o 2.1Liberation and the Battle of Atimonan
3Demographics
o 3.1Religion
3.1.1Our Lady of Angels Parish
4Economy
5Tourist attractions
6Festivals
7Education
8Local government
9References
10External links

Barangays[edit]
Atimonan is politically subdivided into 42 barangays.[2]

Angeles

Balubad
Balugohin
Barangay Zone 1 (Pob.)
Barangay Zone 2 (Pob.)
Barangay Zone 3 (Pob.)
Barangay Zone 4 (Pob.)
Buhangin
Caridad Ibaba
Caridad Ilaya
Habingan
Inaclagan
Inalig
Kilait
Kulawit
Lakip
Lubi
Lumutan
Magsaysay
Malinao Ibaba
Malinao Ilaya
Malusak
Manggalayan Bundok
Manggalayan Labak
Matanag
Montes Balaon
Montes Kallagan
Ponon
Rizal
San Andres Bundok
San Andres Labak
San Isidro
San Jose Balatok
San Rafael
Santa Catalina
Sapaan
Sokol
Tagbakin
Talaba
Tinandog
Villa Ibaba
Villa Ilaya

History[edit]
This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section
by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be
challenged and removed. (July 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template
message)

There were conflicting stories on how Atimonan got its name. Some concluded that the name
Atimonan originated from a tree known as Atimon alleged to have been prevalent in the area and
had reportedly served many uses to the residents. These trees are now extinct and its non-existence
could not be accounted for.
Others say it came from the words atin muna, signifying a policy, unity of feeling and sentiments
among the residents that bolster their spirit in the fight against their enemies during that time.
But the most popular version is that it originated from the name of its founder, Simeona Mangaba,
known to her town mates as Ate Monang. She is a woman reputed to be of unquestionable
leadership, which the people regarded as their adopted parent, leader and protector.
Ate Monang was the eldest sister of Francisco Mangaba, the first captain of the town. She founded
the town on February 4, 1608 along the banks of the big Maling River, now known as Atimonan
River.
Living along the river bank, the people has always been a prey to Moro attacks and so for fear of
Moro reprisals, the inhabitants decided to transfer to Palsabangon, now a barrio of Pagbilao,
Quezon. However, the people felt discontented in Palsabangon because the place abounds in wild
crocodiles that from time to time disturbed them.
So, after two years of stay (1610), they left the place and transferred to Babyaw, a part of Atimonan.
They settled in Babyaw for almost 14 years, but transferred again to another site
called Minanukan for some unknown reasons.
In 1635, they again transferred to another place called Bisita, but some families separated from the
majority and settled in Yawe, now San Isidro, a barrio in Padre Burgos, Quezon.
The next year, when Simeona Mangaba learned of what happened to the original group of settlers,
she, together with Fray Geronimo de Jesus, a Spanish friar, tried to unite them once more and
convinced them to return to the place where it was first founded. The place known now as
Bagumbayan, this was during the time of Captain Pablo Garcia.
Today, Atimonan is a fast-growing town known for its cleanliness, beautiful beaches, many historical
and natural scenery and most of all warm and peace-loving people.
On December 23, 1941, The occupation of the Japanese Imperial Army forces entering the towns
and landing beaches in Atimonan, Tayabas (now. Quezon).
On January to August 1945, local Filipino troops of the 5th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 55th, 56th and 57th
Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and 5th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine
Constabulary was liberated in Atimonan and helped the guerrilla resistance fighters under the
Marking's Guerrillas and the President Quezon's Own Guerrillas (PQOG) and the American
liberating troops of the United States Army 1st Cavalry Division and the 11th Airborne Division to
fought against the Japanese forces and ended in World War II.

Liberation and the Battle of Atimonan[edit]

Battle of Atimonan

Part of World War II, the 19441945 Philippine

Campaign and Pacific War
Date
Location

January to August 1945

Atimonan, Tayabas (now. Quezon)

Allied Victory, Allied forces and guerrilla

fighters captured and liberated Atimonan,
Tayabas.

Result

Belligerents

Philippine Commonwealth

Philippine Army

Philippine

Empire of Japan

Imperial
Japanese Army

Constabulary

Col. Marking's
Guerrillas

President Quezon's
Own Guerrillas (PQOG)
United States

United States Army

United States Army Air

Forces

Strength
Philippine Common-wealth

Imperial Japanese

Military[show]

Military
Japanese 14th Area Army

Recognized Guerrilla Unit[show] Japanese 41st Area Army

~ 74,000 Japanese troops
United States Military[show]

Casualties and losses

Philippine Commonwealth

Imperial Japanese

Military

Military

6,800 killed

28,000 killed

17,000 wounded

64,000 wounded

Recognized Guerrilla Unit

7,900 captured

480 killed
1,743 wounded

United States Military

2,800 killed
5,320 wounded

Beginning the Liberation and the Battle of Atimonan on January to August 1945 between the fought
the main battles of the combined U.S. and Philippine Commonwealth liberation military forces and
aided the local guerrilla resistance fighters and defeating attack and fought against the Imperial
Japanese military forces in Atimonan, Tayabas (now. Quezon). On January 1945, many strongholds
of all local military forces of the Filipino soldiers and military officers under the Philippine
Commonwealth Army 5th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 55th, 56th and 57th Infantry Division and Philippine
Constabulary 5th Infantry Regiment has the sending the local military operations in the town of
Atimonan, Tayabas from the local P.C.A. and P.C. military GHQ and military camp bases in Tayabas
provinces and some parts in Northern and Southern Luzon and Bicol Peninsula was they recaptured
and liberated the entered the town in Atimonan, Tayabas and aiding the local guerrilla resistance
fighters under the Col. Marking's Guerrillas and the President Quezon's Own Guerrillas (PQOG) and
attacking Japanese troops.[clarification needed]
From February to April 1945, the main battles and invading commands of all stronghold of local
Filipino soldiers, military officers, tank commanders, military trucks and jeeps, military IFV's, artillery
and mortars and many other military engagements under the 5th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 55th, 56th and
57th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and the 5th Infantry Regiment of the
Philippine Constabulary was around side by side in the town of Atimonan and they entered and they
recaptured from the plains, rice fields, rivers and forests are destroyed and bombed and they
recaptured and entering invasion around the town streets, old Roman Catholic churches, municipal
town halls, town plazas and many others are destroyed and bombings and aiding the local guerrilla
resistance under the Col. Marking's Guerrillas and the President Quezon's Own Guerrillas (PQOC)
and defeated Japanese Imperial Army forces from the couple of three months of one year during the
fighting for the liberation before the American troops was captured the town.
On April 10, 1945, the American liberation military forces under the 1st Cavalry Division and the 11th
Airborne Division of the United States Army was captured in Atimonan, Tayabas and they helped
and aiding the local Filipino ground troops under the Philippine Commonwealth Army and Philippine
Constabulary units and the local guerrilla resistance fighters and defeated and attacking Japanese
soldiers. The re-establishment of the joint and combined military camps and bases of the Philippine
Commonwealth Army, Philippine Constabulary and the United States Army was the military active
on April 1945 in Atimonan during the fighting.
On April to August 1945 after the capturing the American liberation forces in the town on last April,
the joint and combined military forces of the Filipino soldiers under the Philippine Commonwealth
Army 5th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 55th, 56th and 57th Infantry Division and Philippine Constabulary 5th
Infantry Regiment, the local guerrilla fighters under the Col. Marking's Guerrillas and the President
Quezon's Own Guerrillas (PQOG) and the American soldiers under the United States Army units of
the 1st Cavalry Division and the 11th Airborne Division was surrounded the main battles and
invading commands from the couple of six months before the liberated fought side by side around
the town in Atimonan and they surprise attack and entering Japanese Imperial Army forces.
The local and combined military and guerrilla raid and invasion of the military general headquarters
of the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces in Atimonan, Tayabas in 1945 and they recaptured and
invaded by the all the combined U.S. and Philippine Commonwealth military forces including the
local recognized guerrilla groups entering the Japanese Military GHQ's in the municipal town. After
the local and joint military and guerrilla raid sieges of the Japanese Military GHQ's in Atimonan,
many the combined U.S. and Philippine Commonwealth ground forces included with the local
guerrilla resistance fighters was captured and taken the Japanese Military GHQ in Atimonan and
they surrendering Japanese Imperial forces. When the combined U.S. and Philippine

Commonwealth ground forces included with the local guerrilla resistance fighters inside the
capturing Japanese Military GHQ's has downed the flag pole raised of the Japanese flag of the
Imperial Japanese military through the up the flag pole raised of the American and Philippine flag for
the combined U.S. & Philippine Commonwealth military after the fighting the siege commands.
The aftermath of the Battle of Atimonan on August 1945, the local and combined military and
guerrilla resistance casualties was founded of the fighting and succeeding battles, sieges and
invasions included the Filipino troops of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and Philippine
Constabulary units over 6,800 killed in action and 17,000 wounded in action, while the local guerrilla
fighters under the Col. Marking's Guerrillas and the President Quezon's Own Guerrillas (PQOG)
suffered over 480 killed in action and 1,743 wounded in action, the American troops of the United
States Army over 2,800 killed in action over 5,320 wounded. On the part of the Japanese Imperial
forces over 28,000 killed in action, 64,000 wounded in action and 7,900 captured in action. the
combined U.S. and Philippine Commonwealth military ground forces with the local guerrilla groups
was saluted and the successfully victories after the battle of war and they captured in Atimonan,
Tayabas.

Demographics[edit]
Population census of Atimonan
Year

Pop.

% p.a.

1990

46,651

1995

54,283

+2.88%

2000

56,716

+0.94%

2007

59,157

+0.58%

2010

61,587

+1.48%

2015

63,432

+0.56%

Source: Philippine Statistics Office[3]

People from Atimonan are called Atimonanins. The primary language is Tagalog, with many local
phrases and expressions. Manilans usually understand Atimonan Tagalog, albeit with some
frustrations. Many Atimonanins are part Chinese or Spanish. Some Atimonanins can also speak
Bicolano, Lan-nang, or Spanish.

Religion[edit]
The dominant religion in Atimonan is Roman Catholic. The culture in Atimonan is primarily ingrained
in rural maritime Filipino settings. Other religions present are:

Atimonan United Christian Ministries

Iglesia Ni Cristo
Seventh Day Adventist

Jehovah's Witnesses
Philippine Independent Church/ Iglesia Filipina Independiente (known as Aglipayans)
Islam

Our Lady of Angels Parish[edit]

Our Lady of Angels Parish is a member of Roman Catholic Diocese of Lucena.

Parish Priest: Rev. Msgr. Emmanuel Ma. Villareal

Parochial Vicar: Rev. Fr. Warren R. Puno
Parochial Vicar: Rev. Fr. Ruzzel Habito

Parish of Our Lady of Angels (Philippine Independent Church)

Parish Priest - Rev. Fr. Arnold Manalo Damayan, BTh, BAPA

Economy[edit]
The economy of Atimonan is sustained by fishing and agriculture. Many also engage in seafaring.
The town is part of the Tourism Highway Program of the Department of Tourism.

Tourist attractions[edit]

Quezon Protected Landscape

Atimonan Feeder Port
Pinagbanderahan
Bantakay Fall and Caves
Atimonan Fish Port
Atimonan Fish Sanctuary
De Gracia Beach Floating Cottage
Atimonan Bayview Resort
Green Park Hotel and Resort
Missy and Zane Hotel de Recepcion
D'Bay Resort
Villa Urgino Beach Resort
Tinandog Heights
Quezon National Park

Festivals[edit]
Tagultol Festival
The Tagultol Festival is an evolution of various cultural activities, practiced in previous years by
Atimonanins. The Town & Patronal Fiesta every August 1 & 2 is simply celebrated with the usual
parade, a cultural program, thanksgiving mass and procession. In 1981, during the administration of
the late Quezon Board Member and former Mayor of Atimonan Remedios V. Diestro, an activity was
started the Karakol. It is a fluvial parade done in the afternoon of the 2nd day of the fiesta. The
boats traveled around Lamon Bay within the boundaries of the town proper headed by the Grand
Boat where the patron Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles was aboard. There were singing, dancing
& band playing, all in expression of gratitude to the Almighty for the years bountiful catch. The
parade then joined the religious procession and ended at the church.

Later, it was done in the morning after the thanksgiving mass at the Fishing Port and Boat Racing
Competition followed after the Karakol. The creation of the Lupong Tagapangasiwa ng Kultura at
Sining sa Atimonan (LUPTAKSA) under the leadership of Mr. Francisco T. Laude, a retired public
school teacher, put new dimension and vigor to the towns cultural awareness and in the year 2003,
the Tagultol Festival was finally launched. Tagultol, an old fishing method used by Atimonanins, was
derived from the Tagalog word ugtol, meaning bounce. Tagultol fishing consists of a rectangular
stone tied at the end of abaca strings dip in honey. Thorns of calamansi & similar plants with bait
were tied 2 feet above the stone before dipping in water and moved in a bouncing movements. The
festival is a five-day celebration starting July 29 until August 2. The celebration is an array of both
cultural and sports activities, talent and beauty contests participated by community organizations
and individuals and headed by the local governments culture and arts council (LUPTAKSA) and
Atimonan Tourism Council.
Pabitin Festival
The Town of Atimonan celebrates the Pabitin Festival every May 15 in honor of the patron saint of
farmers, St. Isidore, almost the same in Lucban's Pahiyas Festival. During this festival, every house
in the town proper has hanging decor such as vegetables, fruits, suman, dried fish wrapped in plastic
and any other kinds of food, and when the statue of St. Isidore have passed the street, then the
decoration will be thrown in the people who wants to have the decors.

Education[edit]

Quezonian Educational College Inc.

Our Lady of Angels Academy(OLAA)
Leon Guinto Memorial College, Inc.
Southern Bay College of Atimonan
Atimonan National Comprehensive High School

Local government[edit]
Municipal officials (20102013):

Municipal Mayor: Jose F. Mendoza

Municipal Vice-Mayor: Joel M. Vergano
Municipal Councilors:
Zenaida D. Veranga
Renato C. Sarmiento
Cielyn S. Diestro
Elmer M. Santander
Maria Aurora A. Tamayo
Nestor E. Santander
John Francis L. Luzano
Roseller A. Magtibay
PPLB President: Ernesto S. Amandy
PPSK President: Loid John L. Vergao

Municipal officials (2013-2016):

Municipal Mayor: Jose F. Mendoza

Municipal Vice-Mayor: Joel M. Vergao

Municipal Councilors:
Zenaida D. Veranga
Rizaldy L. Velasco
Renato C. Sarmiento
Elmer M. Santander
Iigo P. Mapaye
Cielyn S. Diestro-Makayan
Roseller A. Magtibay
John Francis L. Luzano
PPLB President: Ernesto S. Amandy