History

Early History of Bantayan Island

The first full time residents of Bantayan Island settled in the island during1635-1645. The was the time when the king of Spain used the island as an advanced warning system for the larger islands of Cebu and the neighboring islands of the Visayas and Luzon.
Muslim marauders called “Moros” frequently made their way up from Mindanao invading the Christian settlements in the Visayas, murdering and robbing the people inhabiting these areas. For these and other reasons, small watchtowers were constructed all over Bantayan Island to serve as a lookout post for the invading Moros. Bantayan Island then became a natural barrier for an entrance into the Visayas.

 The town of Bantayan in the Municipality of Bantayan is the closest outpost and best view for detecting any invading Moros who would approach the Island. Tall stone walls were also constructed at the site of Saint Peter and Paul’s church, that surround the convent and the church near the area where the public plaza is currently located.

The word “Bantayan” was derived from the Cebuano term which means “a place to watch”. These places of lookout were called in Cebuano “bantayan sa hari”meaning,  'A place to watch for the king'. The native islanders adopted the term which describes the purpose of their being and shortened the name to “Bantayan Island”.

On the other hand, Santa Fe was named after the the 12-year old martyr saint Fe. Maybe one of the few reasons why this place was named after her was because the people of this place were admirably religious. In fact, one of the most recognized spot of this place is the very intriguing face-to-face position of the two churches: Roman Catholic Parish Church and Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) Church. That is why, every Sunday, a huge crowd are expected to flood in the market because of its strategic location right at the side of the  two churches at the center of the town.Other religious sectors and meeting halls are also present in Santa Fe, that includes: Iglesia ni Cristo, Seventh Day Advertist, Jehova's Witnesses, Baptist, ISBD, Jesus is Lord and Jesus the Redeemer.

 

Bantayan Major Points

Bantayan Island is composed of three municipalities – Bantayan, Madridejos, and Santa Fe.


No Cities, just three Municipalities

Being a very small island, Bantayan is just about 7 by 10 miles and has no formal incorporated cities. The three main areas of inhabitation are the Municipalities of Santa Fe, Bantayan and Madridejos.

Bantayan is known as a second class municipality with 25 barangays called:
Atop-atop, Baigad, Baod, Binaobao (Poblacion), Balidbid, Kabac, Doong, Hilotongan, Guiwanon, Kabangbang, Kampingganon, Kangkaibe, Lipayran, Luyongbaybay, Mojon, Obo-ob, Patao, Putian, Sillon, Sungko, Suba (Poblacion), Sulangan, Tamiao, Bantigue (Poblacion) and Ticad (Poblacion).

Madridejos is a fourth class municipality with14 barangays called:
Bunakan, Kangwayan, Kaongkod, Kodia, Maalat, Malbagoancilang, Pili, Poblacion, San Agustin, Tabagak, Talangnan, Tarong and Tugas.

Santa Fe is a fifth class municipality with 10 barangays called: 
Hagdan, Hilantagaan, Kinatarkan, Langub, Maricaban, Okoy, Poblacion, Balidbid, Pooc and Talisay.

Current History and Purpose of Bantayan Island

Because Bantayan Island has played such an important role in the establishment of the early Christian church and the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the 500 year old Church at Bantayan called Saint Peter and Paul’s Church has become a gathering place for the season of Jesus resurrection during Easter.

During what is described as “Holy Week” tens of thousands gather from all over the Philippines to the tiny Island of Bantayan to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and to enjoy the festivities of that week.

During this period of time the hotels and resorts on Bantayan Island are full even though the nightly rates for all of the rooms in these resorts double or triple in price. It is advisable to book your stay on Bantayan Island for the Holy Week Celebration at least nine months to a year in advance.