Либагон: Тарихы мен географиясы (Libagon: Tarihy men geografiyasy)

Municipality in Southern Leyte, Philippines

Libagon, officially the Municipality of Libagon (; ), is a 5th class municipality in the province of Southern Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 15,244 people. It is home to the province's frontier mountain, Mount Patag Daku. Every 16 July and 8 December, Libagon celebrates two separate town fiestas, the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, respectively. The main sources of income for the residents of Libagon are copra, abacá, agriculture, and fishing.

Libagon's name was derived from the Cebuano dialect, libaong, which means 'small depression of the ground'. Spanish authorities mistook the reference to the ground fault as the name of the place. As such, the area has been known as Libagon.

The Dagohoy revolt prompted more Boholanos to settle the southern towns of Leyte, especially in Hilongos, Bato, Matalom, Maasin, Macrohon, Malitbog, and Hinunangan. In 1771, seventeen families from the different towns of Bohol migrated to the southeastern coast of Sogod. These families founded the visita (satellite barrio with chapel) of Libagon. Andres Espina, a resident of Tamolayag (now the town of Padre Burgos), Malitbog, was invited to instruct the children how to read and write. Despite its growing population, Libagon was only recognized as a visita of Sogod sometime in 1850. [13 Gan, Edito. "Sogod of our Memories: A Special History Genealogy Account", Sogod Municipal Hall, Sogod, Southern Leyte]

The earliest known settlers of Libagon were of Bol anon ancestry (Boholano people). The settlers' first chosen leader was Domingo Mateo Espina. Espina's wife, Potenciana Escaño, was called Capitana Potenciana by the townsfolk in recognition of her role as First Lady of Libagon. The town of Libagon was founded in 1845. At this point in the history of the municipality, the barrios or barangays under Libagon included Sogod and Bontoc at the northern end, and Punta at the southern. The poblacion comprised two barangays: Jubas (in the south) and Talisay (in the north). By March 1870, Don Gabriel Ydjao became the chief executive of Sogod and transferred the poblacion (town center) to Libagon. Since Ydjao was a native of Libagon, and probably because Sogod was far from his residence, he changed Libagon's name to Sogod Nuevo (other historical accounts stated that Libagon was renamed Sogod Sur) and Sogod as Sogod Viejo (which other historical accounts named as Sogod Norte). Ydjao also appealed to the parish curate, Padre Logronio, to transfer the parish church to Libagon, a year after Sogod was made a parish. The church in Libagon would remain there until 1924, when a group of concerned Sogodnons pleaded with Bishop Sofronio Hacbang y Gaborni of Calbayog to return the seat of the parish to Sogod. During the incumbency of Don Luis Espina as gobernadorcillo (1891 to 1893), the visita of Maak was reduced to a sitio of barrio Consolacion. With Maak's status being demoted, Sogod Viejo was also placed under the jurisdiction of the visita of Hipgasan. At some point in time, possibly during the years following 1845 until 1885, Libagon was deemed a barrio of Sogod, together with Bontoc and Consolacion. In 1885, Nicolas Idjao was elected as gobernadorcillo and transferred the poblacion of Sogod to Libagon, from Sogod. He then renamed Libagon as Sogod Nuevo or Sogod Del Norte and Sogod as Sogod Viejo or Sogod Del Sur. After twelve years of power, the poblacion was restored to Sogod for a while when Benito Faelnar was appointed as capitan municipal of Sogod. But in 1904, Ladislao or "Estanislao" Decenteceo was elected and transferred the poblacion to Barangay Consolacion, a barrio from Libagon. However, in 1912, the poblacion was again transferred to Sogod when Vicente Cariño took office. On 16 October 1913, Libagon and Sogod were finally separated into two independent towns – Libagon (14 barrios) and Sogod (45 barrios). The challenges of an increasing population necessitated the division. The new Libagon was under the administration of the new Presidente Municipal, Mariano L. Espina.

The Cebuano language and Boholano dialect (Binol anon) are commonly spoken in Libagon, with slight linguistic variations in form, meaning or context. The Filipino language (or Tagalog) and English are taught in elementary and high school.

Libagonons (or Libagonians) are predominantly Roman Catholic.

The town celebrates its annual fiesta in honor of their patron saint, the Blessed Virgin Mary of The Immaculate Conception, on 8 December. She is also the principal patroness of the Philippines. Other main Catholic holy days, including the local feasts of barangays, are observed throughout the year. Besides the main fiesta on 8 December, every 16 July, Libagonians also celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. They are devoted to Mother Mary and have a firm belief in Mary's general aid and prayerful assistance. The day after the feast, the traditional Pangilis is held. (Pangilis, from the root word "ilis", means "change".) On 17 July, at the break of dawn, bugle is sounded to awake people. This is called dayana in the local dialect; it is a yearly custom to start the Pangilis solemnization and festivity in this way. ("Dayana" comes from the Spanish word diana, which means reveille.). The former ermano ermana hands over the holy image of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel to the home of the succeeding (h)ermano or (h)ermana mayor for the following year's fiesta in a procession joined by townsfolk of Libagon, mostly from the poblacion. Before the Pangilis, devotees (Carmelitas or Carmelites) who pledge support for the coming year's celebration are also enlisted. Then, after the street parade, street dancing begins, ending on or before midnight. This affair is usually led by that year's chosen or designated "King and Queen" of Pangilis. In recent celebrations, a Pangilis Idol is determined in a contest of talents, usually dancing dressed in imaginative costumes. Similarly, these two feasts feature the colorful karo (carriage) that carries the holy image of the Blessed Virgin Mary on a ceremonial procession after the novena and mass held on the evening before the feast day. Both the karo and the church's altar are usually adorned with creative floral arrangements.

Libagon is the home of natural areas that are excellent for ecotourism and adventure travel.

Patag Daku is located in Libagon, Southern Leyte, in the upper or mountainside of the poblacion in Talisay. Patag Daku means "big plain". It is actually a valley so dense in vegetation that novice campers and mountaineers cannot come in or out without an experienced guide leading the way. But the trek to the valley is a major climb. Not the leisurely stroll that one might expect, the climb is an arduous six hour journey through a maze of trees, ferns, moss, grass and big trees. Patag Daku is a mossy forest of more than 500 hectares of unexplored, uncharted wilderness, fraught with dangerous tales of huge snakes and wild animals.

Uwan uwanan falls is located in barangay Kawayan, Libagon. The gorge is a world class adventure wonder. Climbing, swimming and trekking rolled into one. It will take a two hour trek to the mountains, rappelling and climbing bamboo ladders within cascading falls before you reach the top. Uwan uwanan, literally means "resembling a rainfall" because the two hour track entails an enchanting encounter of an "uwan uwanan". And at the top, photo enthusiasts are in for a marvelous treat. At exactly 12:00 noon when the sun is directly above the middle of the narrow opening at the gorge, the natural light is awe inspiring as it dramatically illuminates the whole area resembling a magnificent altar in a cathedral or a place of worship.

Hindag an Falls is a natural wonder found in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte. Just about 1 kilometer away from the roadside. The place displays natural waterfalls with man made pools. In every waterfall is a pool of particular depth. The deepest was about 10–15 feet wherein you need to jump from above the rocks to get to the pool. There is also a pool for children about 2 ft. and also a water slide.

The beach in barangay Pangi is of fine black sands usually great for swimming, hiking and ecotourism. Other black sand beaches can also be found in more places than anyone thinks, like the famous black sand beaches of Polynesia, Indonesia, Iceland, the Caribbean islands and the Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach in Hawaii, were created virtually instantaneously by the violent interaction between hot lava and sea water. The suspicion of a volcano close to Libagon may explain the black sand beach formation in barangay Pangi. But there is no exact evidence on this suspicion as verified by the concerned agency.

Biasong Springs is one of the oldest spring in Southern Leyte. It is located in the barangay of Biasong. The clear spring water is collected into a man made basin or pool. The place is a favorite of the locals providing cool mountain spring water. A pool that has been the site of many happy occasions: birthday picnics, homecoming celebrations, etc. It has perhaps the sweetest mineral spring water in the province and most uncontaminated source.

Peter's Mound is a sea mound located 200 meters (650 ft.) offshore from barrio Otikon. The mound is a cleaning station for large pelagics. Animals to see are: wrasse, grouper, sweetlips, surgeons, fusiliers, tuna, and jacks together with other species of reef fish. The deep starts at 10m and drops off to over 40m. The currents can be strong which means that coral life is profuse.

Libagon has a century old and well preserved Spanish style municipal hall. The structure gives a glimpse of the town's rich heritage. It is amongst Southern Leyte's premier historical sites and landmarks the pride of Southern Leyte.

This is the only memorial left of the Lungsod Daan or the original location of the town center of Libagon. It is made of boulders or tablets of rock, limestone and gravel. This structure is made strong and formidable as a defensive fortification against the Moros (Muslim) from the big island of Mindanao. See also Moro people (section: Spanish period). Strategically located, the edifice is overlooking Sogod Bay and the two deltas of the islands of Limasawa and Panaon. The Bulwark or Balwarte at the old town center is near the big river named Tubig Daku, below and adjacent to the existing cemetery. This is also where the Japanese soldiers camped during World War II.

The ruins of the old pantalan or seaport still stand along the shores of the Poblacion in Jubas. Recently, the entire seacoast along Sogod Bay is transformed into a "park by the bay" also commonly referred to as the Boulevard in Jubas ideal for walks and for viewing the sunset while fishermen on their lighted bancas or boats scatter all over the bay. This is seen most specially during peak fish season. Besides, the beautiful sunset along Sogod Bay, the whale sharks in Southern Leyte are simply at home in Sogod Bay. Whale sharks or Rhyncodon typus are popularly known locally as iho tiki. Recent sightings confirm that whale sharks actually are all over Sogod Bay. They were spotted in San Francisco, Southern Leyte, as well as in Limasawa, Malitbog, Libagon, Sogod, Pintuyan and even as far as San Ricardo. In fact, they had long been ordinary fare for small fishermen. People have gotten used to them that young boys ride on their backs as they scour for plankton along the village shores. Though, there is no 100 percent guarantee to spot a whale shark in Sogod Bay. It takes proper timing, good weather, and a huge amount of luck to see one. Patience is the name of the game. The best time to see whale sharks in Southern Leyte is April and May.

Like most local governments from Luzon to Visayas and Mindanao, a Rizal monument is erected to commemorate the Philippines' national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot. The Rizal monument stands at the Libagon Rizal Park, a significant landmark of Libagon located strategically in the midst of the poblacion.

Like the old church, several large pillars made the convent strong. The large convent was built beside the church. Unlike the old sanctuary, the old friary was providentially spared from being burned down during the war. The structure defied many strong typhoons, hurricanes, and vigorous quakes—a token of the superior groundwork. Earlier, the friary being the home of the parish priest and church servants was also used as the house of the first Catholic educational institution of Libagon and the first and only High school. The limited funds to set up a Secondary school moved the founders to appeal to Bishop Manuel Mascariñas (in Palo, Leyte) for his approval to use some of the rooms of the convent. Because Libagon High School was dedicated to be a Catholic institution the Bishop acceded to the request and even allowed the High School to use the church's plaza as well. Initially known as the "Libagon High School, Inc.", the establishment basically taught Catechism – training for the young Catholic faithful with questions and answers about the essentials of Catholic faith and doctrine so that they could understand easily their faith. Besides the 3 R's (Reading, Writing and Arithmetic), the Spanish language was normally taught at that time. Music, however, was especially instructed. Musicians, songwriters, singers and choirmaster were trained for the church's choir. The same musicians completed the town's band that was well known among other bands in the province. The Bureau of Private Schools suggested that the establishment be given another name that would signify it as a non public school. Thus, the Board of Trustees signed a resolution renaming the High School as, "Libagon Academy." Consequently, they renamed the corporation as, "Libagon Academy Foundation, Inc."

In another resolution the Board decided to make the Academy a non profit organization. All proceeds (if there was any at all) were used to improve the schoolhouse. The modest tuition enabled all primary school graduates to continue their education in High school in their own town instead of spending more to attend school in nearby provinces, or stop and work in the farm or simply marry. However, the low tuition prevented the academy to some earnings, thus the resolution. After all, the many professionals – the teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, auditors, seamen, nurses, and many other professionals as products of Libagon Academy—became undoubtedly the biggest dividend of a simple and unassuming town, such as, Libagon. The Libagon Academy was yet another product of the bayanihan spirit among Libagonians. The forerunners and shareholders, who were also parents and widowed mothers after the war, were driven with the same purpose to give reasonable education to their children. And as donation, they pulled together some of their own personal belongings (like pocket books, magazines, notebooks, etc.) to the academy. These admirable men and women were motivated by the selfless efforts of the founders of the first Libagon High School (renamed Libagon Academy) despite stiff disapproval from some factions. In June 1949, Libagon Academy opened its doors for its first day of classes. The institution remained to be the only premier Catholic educational organization of the municipality of Libagon.

Ordinarily, the habal habal(s) or single motorcycles are used as modes of transportation in crossing Sogod and to other distant and mountainous areas. Sogod is the major terminus in the south central portion in Leyte Island. It is the vital link in connecting Visayas to Mindanao. The buses, jeepneys, and for hire vans terminate from Sogod to Maasin City, Ormoc City, Tacloban City, Bato Hilongos, Liloan (by way of Libagon), Hinunangan and Silago. The Libagon Highway is part of the Pan Philippine Highway, also known as the Maharlika Highway (AH26). It is a 3517 km network of roads, bridges, and ferry services that connect the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao in the Philippines, serving as the country's principal transport backbone. The northern terminus of the highway is at Laoag City, and the southern terminus is at Zamboanga City. In addition, traveling to Manila from Libagon approximately takes 24 hours by bus along with ferry from Northern Samar to Matnog. The trip is a scenic interprovincial ride. Philtranco buses are long known to serve this route.