Cabatuan, officially the Municipality of Cabatuan (, ; ), is a municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. According to the , it has a population of people. It is located northwest of Iloilo City and was part of the Metro Iloilo–Guimaras area.
It is mainly agricultural with of agricultural land. Certain crops are abundantly produced including rice, corn, sweet potato, taro, and cassava. Sugar cane, coffee, tropical fruits and vegetables, and coconut are also produced in certain areas. The locals also earn from livestock and poultry. Moreover, the land is also an excellent source of gravel and sand for the production of concrete.The Official Webpage of the Municipality of Cabatuan - http://www.cabatuan.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=62
History Residents believe that the name Cabatuan may have originated from three local dialect terms reflecting aspects of its prehistoric landscape. It could derive from (1) CaBatuan, meaning a large area of rocks; (2) Batuan, meaning to fight, defy, or oppose; or (3) Batu-an, a sour-fruit-bearing evergreen tree that grew abundantly in the region. Another theory, however, suggests that the name was derived from "naga-batu" (fighting or opposing) which is used to describe a creek in the town that flowed from east to west opposite to that of the usual flows of the rivers in the region.The Official Webpage of the Municipality of Cabatuan - http://www.cabatuan.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=41 The municipality's name is distinguished from a municipality of the same name in Isabela, Luzon.
The town of Cabatuan was originally known for the "Sinulugans," hillside tribesmen who annually performed the "Sinulog," or Dance of Death, featuring sword-fighting rituals. The area was also inhabited by tulisanes (bandits) and rustlers before the arrival of the Spaniards in 1732.Cabatuan Roman Catholic Church (History of Cabatuan) - http://www.freewebs.com/cabatuanchurch/cabatuanchurch.htm
The town was founded on April 9, 1732, after a molave cross (with only its base currently existing) was planted on the peak of Pamul-ogan Hill. It was originally planned by Tono whose statue now stands in front of the Municipal Building. He was then a town leader together with two other leaders Gomoc and Amihan. This early settlement was then flourishing on a level zone of land near the northern bank of the Tigum River where the poblacion or the commercial center of the town is now located.
In 1733, Cabatuan was officially organized upon the installation of Rev. Fr. Antonio Lopez as its first priest and Tono as its first "gobernadorcillo". Furthermore, the town was placed by the priest under the spiritual protection of Saint Nicholas de Tolentino whom Cabatuananons venerate as their Patron Saint whose feast is celebrated from September 1–10 every year through a 10-day celebration that is grandiosely culminated on September 10 by the highly anticipated Tinuom Festival patterned from Iloilo's Kasadyahan Festival.
In 1903, after the census had been taken, the neighbouring town of Maasin, with a population of 8401, was temporarily annexed to Cabatuan that had a population of 16,497.
During the Second World War, Cabatuan officially became the last defense of Western Visayas against the Japanese forces which led to the destruction of most of its edifices.
Lt. Col. Ryoichi Tozuka, the commander of the Imperial Japanese Army in Panay Island, signed the document of surrender at Cabatuan Airfield, on September 2, 1945, the same day as the surrender signing in Japan aboard the U.S.S. Missouri. This was accepted by Col. Raymond G. Stanton, comdg the 160th U.S. Infantry regiment, and was attended by Rear Admiral Ralph O. Davis, commanding the U.S. Navy's 13th Amphibious Group, and by Brig. Gen. Donald J. Myers, commanding the 40th Infantry Division. The 13th Amphibious Group was tasked to transport the 40th U.S. Infantry Division to Korea.
In modern times, Cabatuan serves as a gateway to Iloilo, being the location of the new Iloilo International Airport.
Geography Cabatuan is described as a cultural and religious town in the heart of Panay Island, located along a branch of the Suage River, from Iloilo City, the capital of Iloilo province.
Barangays Cabatuan is politically subdivided into 68 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios. Acao Amerang Amurao Anuang Ayaman Ayong Bacan Balabag Baluyan Banguit Bulay Cadoldolan Cagban Calawagan Calayo Duyan-Duyan Gaub Gines Interior Gines Patag Guibuangan Tigbauan Inabasan Inaca Inaladan Ingas Ito Norte Ito Sur Janipaan Central Janipaan Este Janipaan Oeste Janipaan Olo Jelicuon Lusaya Jelicuon Montinola Lag-an Leong Lutac Manguna Maraguit Morubuan Pacatin Pagotpot Pamul-ogan Pamuringao Proper Pamuringao Garrido Pungtod Puyas Salacay Sulanga Tabucan Tacdangan Talanghauan Tigbauan Road Tinio-an Tiring Tupol Central Tupol Este Tupol Oeste Tuy-an Zone I Pob. (Barangay 1) Zone II Pob. (Barangay 2) Zone III Pob. (Barangay 3) Zone IV Pob. (Barangay 4) Zone V Pob. (Barangay 5) Zone VI Pob. (Barangay 6) Zone VII Pob. (Barangay 7) Zone VIII Pob. (Barangay 8) Zone IX Pob. (Barangay 9) Zone X Pob. (Barangay 10) Zone XI Pob. (Barangay 11)
Climate
Demographics
In the 2024 census, the population of Cabatuan was 62,717 people, with a density of .
Languages Kinaray-a and Hiligaynon are the most dominant dialects in Cabatuan. English and Tagalog are also spoken.
Religion Roman Catholicism is the most dominant religion in this municipality.
Economy
Government Fire station The Cabatuan Fire Station was chosen as entry of Region VI in the Search for Outstanding Municipal Fire Station in the Philippines in 2008.Official Website of the Province of Iloilo - http://www.iloilo.gov.ph/index.php?Itemid=161&id=221&option=com_content&task=view
Hymn The town has its own official hymn entitled Ang Banwa nga Namat-an composed by Jesus Pablito G. Villanueva. It is required (as imposed by Municipal Ordinance No. 2007-002) that the hymn be sung after the National Anthem in flag ceremonies in all public schools, agencies, and institutions in the municipality.Cabatuan.com - http://www.cabatuan.net/cabatuan-hymn.html
Municipal hall One of the earliest town halls built in Northern Iloilo is the Cabatuan Municipal Hall. It was built in 1734 along with the Church. Calamities and war, however, damaged the second level of this public house and many renovations had been done. On the other hand, the designs were still derived from the original plan of the Casa. The first level of the town hall is already centuries old and its interior is characterized by the Art Deco cubical columns and semi-arched Tuscan windows adorned with capiz shells.
Infrastructure The Iloilo International Airport is located in the municipality; specifically in the barangays of Tabucan, Tiring, Duyan-Duyan and Manguna. The airport can be reached either from the Cabatuan access roads (Barangay Tabucan and Barangay Tiring, Cabatuan) or from the Pavia-Santa Barbara-Cabatuan (Barangay Duyan-Duyan, Cabatuan) access road.
Tourism
San Nicholas de Tolentino Church Built in 1834, San Nicholas de Tolentino Parish Church is a Tuscanic church of baked brick is one of the most beautiful churches in the Philippines. The gigantic Church is the only existing church in Iloilo which has three façades. Its twin belfries capped with cream-colored domes are considered to be one of the best in the Philippines.
The church was given the title "Model of Temples" since it was the best representation of European architecture on the Philippine islands during the Spanish era. In 1948, the church was partially damaged by an earthquake which ruined four of its belfries, two of its façade pediments and the central dome. In the early 1990s the church was restored back to its present grandeur. Today, 'La Iglesia de San Nicolas de Tolentino' is one of the most picturesque churches in Asia.
Cabatuan Cemetery This century old Spanish-Filipino Cemetery is the only cemetery in the Philippines which is a perfect square. Three Byzantine arch entrances dominate the front-gate, while a baroque central chapel is located at the center. The chapel is a fusion of Roman, Gothic, Byzantine, and Baroque architectures. The complex carvings on the chapel's facade is considered to be the most distinct cemetery relief which can only be found in Cabatuan. Furthermore, this cemetery's neatness and organization is famous throughout the region.
Pamul-ogan Hill This shrine is considered to be the cradle of Cabatuan's History. At the peak of the hill lies a concrete cross reminiscent of the original cross planted by the Spaniards who first came in the region. Every lent, traditional devotees start their journey from the mouth of Barangay Pamulogan to the peak of the hill as penitence.
Baluarte Shrine Nestled on Balic Hill, this charming shrine is a popular destination in Cabatuan, drawing numerous tourists and pilgrims during the Lenten season. At its summit stands a cross that mirrors the one found on Pamul-ogan Hill, while an art-deco chapel graces the base of the hill. From the cross, visitors are treated to a breathtaking panorama of the entire town.
The Tree of Bondage The Shrine of the Bondage Tree lies in the Town plaza directly in front of the Municipal Hall of Cabatuan. It is believed that the natives were tied in this tree and whipped if they refuse the polo or forced labor during the Spanish Era. The tree is an old and artistically skewed Plumeria tree (Plumeria rubra) currently fortified with a concrete base to withstand destruction.
Culture The town celebrates three main holidays: the Cabatuan Town Fiesta on September 10, as well as the Tinuom Festival that culminates the town fiesta and the strictly observed Lenten procession during Holy Week.
Tinuom Festival The Tinuom Festival is a celebration of the town's history and its popularly craved delicacy, tinuom made of native chicken souped with spices - tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, and lemon grass and wrapped in banana leaves.One Town One Product - http://www.otopphilippines.gov.ph/microsite.aspx?rid=7&provid=65&prodid=743 This festival is one of the highlights of the 10-day fiesta celebration of the municipality and is a colorful explosion of music and dances patterned from Iloilo's Kasadyahan Festival. There are six (6) competing groups (called tribes or "tribu" in the local dialect) composed of students from six secondary schools in Cabatuan. The groups are judged according to creativity, originality, costume, and choreography, among others. The winning group is the town's official representative to the Kasadyahan Festival in Iloilo City where the town has been actively participating in. This year, Tribu Ilahas from Tiring National High School, winner of the 2007 Tinuom Festival placed third in the Kasadayahan Competition.Official Site of the Municipality of Cabatuan - http://www.cabatuan.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=12&Itemid=14
Holy Week Cabatuan is also known to have the most wooden and porcelain statues being showcased on Lenten processions (a religious parade evident in almost all parishes in the Philippines during Holy Week). The most popular set of these figures is the wooden Last Supper.
In the morning of Good Friday, the statue of the Nazareno together with thousands of Cabatuananons and tourists alike follow a procession locally called Via Crucis from the Church to the Balic Hill pausing on the 14 Stations of the Cross erected along the path.