# Calbiga

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Municipality in Samar, Philippines

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Municipality in Eastern Visayas, Philippines

Calbiga Municipality Municipality of Calbiga Flag Etymology: Calviva Map of Samar with Calbiga highlighted Interactive map of Calbiga Calbiga Location within the Philippines Coordinates: 11°38′N 125°01′E / 11.63°N 125.02°E / 11.63; 125.02 Country Philippines Region Eastern Visayas Province Samar District 2nd district Barangays 41 (see Barangays) Government [1] • Type Sangguniang Bayan • Mayor Melchor F. Nacario • Vice Mayor Eva L. Castillo • Representative Reynolds Michael Tan • Councilors List • Gilda J. Marino • Ma. Magina L. Ocenar • Mary Ann B. Yadao • Andrew C. Abelido • Raymond D. Bordo • Miguel C. Cabornay • Red L. Nacario • Rizalito J. Tan DILG Masterlist of Officials • Electorate 18,174 voters (2025) Area [2] • Total 283.70 km2 (109.54 sq mi) Elevation 56 m (184 ft) Highest elevation 340 m (1,120 ft) Lowest elevation 0 m (0 ft) Population (2024 census)[3] • Total 23,309 • Density 82.161/km2 (212.80/sq mi) • Households 5,589 Economy • Income class 4th municipal income class • Poverty incidence 28.1 % (2021)[4] • Revenue ₱ 18.3 million (2024) • Assets ₱ 50.12 million (2024) • Expenditure ₱ 20.1 million (2024) • Liabilities ₱ 15.54 million (2024) Service provider • Electricity Samar 2 Electric Cooperative (SAMELCO 2) Time zone UTC+8 (PST) ZIP code 6715 PSGC 0806004000 IDD : area code +63 (0)55 Native languages Waray Tagalog

**Calbiga**, officially the **Municipality of Calbiga** ([Waray](/source/Waray_language): *Bungto han Calbiga*; [Tagalog](/source/Tagalog_language): *Bayan ng Calbiga*), is a [municipality](/source/Municipality_of_the_Philippines) in the [province](/source/Philippine_Province) of [Samar](/source/Samar_(province)), [Philippines](/source/Philippines). According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 23,309 people.[5]

The town is famous for the [Langun-Gobingob Caves](/source/Langun-Gobingob_Cave_System) which is the largest cave system in the Philippines, reputed to be the second largest in Asia and the world's third largest karst formation.[6]

## History

In 1649, Calbiga was an annex or *visita* of Catbalogan; later in 1768, Calbiga was transferred to the jurisdiction of Umauas. All through Jesuit times, Calbiga remained a visita until 1772, when it had its first residential pastor, the Franciscan Fray Miguel Rico (de Jesus), O.F.M.. Calbiga was constituted as a separate unit under the advocacy of the Anunciacion.

In 1803, Fray Juan Caballero de Brozas, O.F.M. built a wooden church but in 1808, a typhoon destroyed this church and was rebuilt by the same Fray Brozas. By 1840, Brozas's second church was in bad state.

In 1853, Fray Francisco Moreno de Montalbanejo. O.F.M. had gathered enough material for a stone church. However, Redondo (1884, 217) that the church was wood roofed with thatch.

The [Jesuits](/source/Jesuits) left no permanent architectural imprint in the town.

The present barrio "Binongto-an (meaning, "once a town) was the original Calbiga settlement. Legend - as recorded by Atty. Singzon - has it that the people of Calbiga originated from two brothers, Calpis and Bituan. Bituan established a village near the mouth of the river while Calpis stayed upstream the exact location of the town today. The descendants of Bituan later abandoned the coastal village to join the descendants of Calpis.

The territory now comprising [Pinabacdao](/source/Pinabacdao) was once part of Calbiga, since its annexation in 1903 while [the still-undivided Samar](/source/Samar_(historical_province)) was reorganized,[7] until its reorganization as a separate municipality in July 1946.[8]

## Geography

### Barangays

Calbiga is politically subdivided into 41 [barangays](/source/Barangay). Each barangay consists of [puroks](/source/Purok) and some have [sitios](/source/Sitios).

- Antol

- Bacyaran

- Beri

- Barobaybay

- Binanggaran

- Borong

- Bulao

- Buluan

- Caamlongan

- Calayaan

- Calingonan

- Canbagtic

- Canticum

- Daligan

- Guimbanga

- Hindang

- Hubasan

- Literon

- Lubang

- Mahangcao

- Macaalan

- Malabal

- Minata

- Otoc

- Panayuran

- Pasigay

- Patong

- Barangay 1 ([Poblacion](/source/Poblacion))

- Barangay 2 ([Poblacion](/source/Poblacion))

- Barangay 3 ([Poblacion](/source/Poblacion))

- Barangay 4 ([Poblacion](/source/Poblacion))

- Barangay 5 ([Poblacion](/source/Poblacion))

- Barangay 6 ([Poblacion](/source/Poblacion))

- Barangay 7 ([Poblacion](/source/Poblacion))

- Polangi

- Rawis

- San Ignacio

- San Mauricio

- Sinalangtan

- Timbangan

- Tinago

### Climate

Climate data for Calbiga, Samar Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 27 (81) 28 (82) 28 (82) 30 (86) 30 (86) 30 (86) 29 (84) 29 (84) 29 (84) 29 (84) 28 (82) 28 (82) 29 (84) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 22 (72) 22 (72) 22 (72) 23 (73) 24 (75) 24 (75) 24 (75) 24 (75) 24 (75) 24 (75) 23 (73) 23 (73) 23 (74) Average precipitation mm (inches) 114 (4.5) 81 (3.2) 94 (3.7) 81 (3.2) 119 (4.7) 192 (7.6) 186 (7.3) 158 (6.2) 167 (6.6) 185 (7.3) 202 (8.0) 176 (6.9) 1,755 (69.2) Average rainy days 18.6 14.7 16.8 17.8 22.3 25.9 27.5 26.2 26.6 27.0 24.6 22.3 270.3 Source: Meteoblue (Use with caution: this is modeled/calculated data, not measured locally.)[9]

## Demographics

‹ The [template](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Template) *[Historical populations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Historical_populations)* is being [considered for merging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Templates_for_discussion/Log/2026_June_24#Template:Infobox_demographics). ›

Population census of Calbiga Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1903 5,399 — 1918 10,153 +4.30% 1939 14,071 +1.57% 1948 15,591 +1.15% 1960 12,868 −1.59% 1970 16,364 +2.43% 1975 14,697 −2.13% 1980 14,201 −0.68% 1990 17,116 +1.88% 1995 18,070 +1.02% 2000 18,890 +0.96% 2007 20,309 +1.00% 2010 21,434 +1.98% 2015 22,982 +1.34% 2020 23,310 +0.30% 2024 23,309 −0.00% Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[10][11][12][13][14]

## Economy

**Poverty incidence of Calbiga**

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

2000
 57.88

2003
 68.73

2006
 40.00

2009
 39.03

2012
 37.42

2015
 37.43

2018
 24.86

2021
 28.10

**Source:** [Philippine Statistics Authority](/source/Philippine_Statistics_Authority)[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]

## Tourism

**[Langun-Gobingob Caves](/source/Langun-Gobingob_Cave_System)** (Barangay Panayuran): The largest cave system in the Philippines, reputed to be the second largest in Asia and the world's third largest karst formation, is 7 km. long with an area of 900 square km. The area is composed of at least 12 interconnected caves. Locals believe that the caves are home to ancient primordial spirits and the spirits of Waray ancestors, making the caves one of the most sacred zones in Samar.

**Lulugayan Falls and Rapids** (Barangay Literon): Hundreds of waterfalls cascade down the 14-kilometer rapids from the source at Lake Kalidongan to the Calbiga River. The most majestic and panoramic is the Lulugayan Falls at Barangay Literon Correche. Approximately fifty meters wide, Lulugayan Falls has been dubbed by tourists as a Mini Niagara.

**Kalidongan Lake** (Barangay Caamlongan): The eternal spring—the mythical crater-like lake, 90–100 meters in diameter, lined with clean white limestone. Its clear, fresh water endlessly flows down the rapids, onto the Calbiga River and Maqueda Bay.

**Maqueda Bay and Mangrove Forests**: The richest spawning grounds in Eastern Visayas for Fish and crustaceans and one of the pillars of the island's economy.

**Calbiga River**: The river is the town's thriving lifeline. Small bancas daily go upstream and loaded with native merchandise. It serves 17 barangays as transport byway and water source.

**Kanyawa Caves** (Barangay Caamlongan): A little farther to the east is another huge caves system recently explored by French and Italian spelunkers. The caves system consists of fifteen galleries of distinctive features and underground rivers, and numerous stalactites and stalagmites.

**Children's Play Area and Nature Park** (Barangay Bacyaran): The first phase of the Calbiga Nature Park will also include a Visitor Center, Multi-purpose Pavilion, Amphitheater, Boardwalk and many more.

## Culture

### The Calbiga Fiesta

**The Evangelization of Calbiga** When the Jesuits established missions in the island of Samar in 1696, Calbiga was served as a visita by the Jesuit resident mission in Umauas. In 1768, the Franciscans took over the administration of Samar and. Soon after, in 1771, Calbiga was established as a parish appointing Fray Miguel Rico (de Jesus), O.F.M. as the first *cura paroco*. For lack of missionaries. Umauas was joined to Calbiga until separated by a decree on March 12, 1863, giving Umauas its present name, Villa-Real.

**The Original Patrona** Calbiga was then under the patronage of *Nuestra Señora de los Angeles* (Our Lady, Queen of the Angels) and the town's special feast day was celebrated on August 2 even at the original settlement, Binongtoan, at the mouth of the Calbiga River. The transfer of the seacoast villagers to the upper part of the river, based on legend, was related to the miracles of the Virgin. Here's a Portion of the report submitted to the Historical Commission by the Alcalde Mayor Perfecto Hacbang in 1938: “We also have a sample of unexplained happenings as follows: at the time when the town was still in the place of Binongto-an, the patron saint, then Nuestra Señora de los Angeles, would disappear from its site and was always found afterwards in the place where the town is located today. It was one of the main reasons why the people moved to this town.” This story was corroborated by historian-writer Atty. Filomeno Singzon in his article La Historia de la Virgen de la Anuncacion. The original wooden image of *Nuestra Señora de los Angeles* had a special niche beside the altar even after the antique church was demolished and replaced by concrete structure in the mid-Sixties, but during the finishing touches of its interiors, the “miraculous” image, together with some precious relics, the other santos, the silver candelabra, the other intricate wood carvings and the other “antiques” disappeared, never to be seen again.

**From *Nuestra Señora de los Angeles* to *Nuestra Señora de la Anuncacion*** When Fray Juan Caballero de Brozas, O.F.M. built a strong wooden church in 1803, he dedicated it to *Nuestra Senora de la Anuncacion* (Our Lady of the Annunciation) whose feast day falls on March 25. But the Calbiganons continued to venerate the image of Nuestra Señora de los Angeles until it was replaced by a new image of a kneeling virgin with the Archangel Gabriel, during the hermanidad of Señora Mamerta Quimbo Abellar de Singzon sometime after the church was built and dedicated to *Nuestra Señora de la Anuncacion* in 1803.

**Pahoy-Pahoy Culture** Calbiga Fiesta is also closely associated with the Pahoy-Pahoy tradition, a pre-colonial and contemporary cultural practice unique to the area. Pahoy-Pahoy involves a combination of ritual dancing, colorful processions, and community participation that celebrates both the town’s patroness and local folklore. The festival emphasizes communal harmony, respect for elders, and gratitude for bountiful harvests. It serves as a living link between Calbiga’s indigenous cultural roots and its Christianized traditions, making the fiesta both a religious and socio-cultural event. The Pahoy-Pahoy celebration has been passed down through generations and remains a highlight of Calbiga’s annual festivities.

## Education

- Calbiga Western Samar College

- Calbiga National High School

- Calbiga Central Elementary School

- there are also other complete elementary and primary schools in some barangays.

## Notable personalities

- [Esteban Singson](/source/Esteban_Singson) – [Philippine senator](/source/Senate_of_the_Philippines) from the [9th District](/source/Philippines's_9th_senatorial_district) (1916 – 1922)[23]

- [Rhojan Kieth O. Rueda](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rhojan_Kieth_O._Rueda&action=edit&redlink=1) – Filipino scout leader, youth advocate, and recipient of the Scout of the World Award; served as a JOTA-JOTI 2025 Ambassador.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Municipality of Calbiga](https://lgu201.dilg.gov.ph/view.php?r=08&p=60&m=04) | [(DILG)](/source/Department_of_Interior_and_Local_Government)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-popcen2015_r3_2-0)** ["2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density"](https://www.psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/_POPCEN%20Report%20No.%203.pdf) (PDF). *Philippine Statistics Authority*. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0117-1453](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0117-1453). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210525030629/https://www.psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/_POPCEN%20Report%20No.%203.pdf) (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President"](https://psa.gov.ph/content/2024-census-population-popcen-population-counts-declared-official-president). Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates"](https://www.psa.gov.ph/content/psa-releases-2021-city-and-municipal-level-poverty-estimates). Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President"](https://psa.gov.ph/content/2024-census-population-popcen-population-counts-declared-official-president). Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Exploring the Underworld: Calbiga Caves, Samar"](https://www.traveling-up.com/exploring-the-underworld-calbiga-caves-samar/). 18 November 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Act No. 960 (October 23, 1903), [*An act reducing the 43 municipalities of the province of Samar to 25*](https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/29/35337), retrieved May 23, 2025

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Executive Order No. 2, s. 1946 (July 8, 1946), [*Organizing certain barrios of the municipality of Calbiga, province of Samar, into an independent municipality under the name of Pinabacdao*](https://lawphil.net/executive/execord/eo1946/eo_2_1946.html), retrieved May 23, 2025

1. **[^](#cite_ref-met_norms_9-0)** ["Calbiga: Average Temperatures and Rainfall"](https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/historyclimate/climatemodelled/calbiga_philippines_1720397). Meteoblue. Retrieved 29 February 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President"](https://psa.gov.ph/content/2024-census-population-popcen-population-counts-declared-official-president). Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-PSA15–08_11-0)** Census of Population (2015). ["Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)"](https://psa.gov.ph/system/files/phcd/2022-12/R08.xlsx). *Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay*. [Philippine Statistics Authority](/source/Philippine_Statistics_Authority). Retrieved 20 June 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NSO10–08_12-0)** Census of Population and Housing (2010). ["Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)"](https://psa.gov.ph/system/files/phcd/2022-12/Eastern%2520Visayas.pdf) (PDF). *Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay*. [National Statistics Office](/source/Philippine_Statistics_Authority#National_Statistics_Office). Retrieved 29 June 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NSO07-08_13-0)** Censuses of Population (1903–2007). ["Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)"](https://archive.org/download/PhilippinesCensusofPopulationLGUs19032007/Region%208%20Eastern%20Visayas%20Philippines%20Census%20of%20Population%201903%20-%202007.xls). [*Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007*](https://archive.org/download/PhilippinesCensusofPopulationLGUs19032007). [National Statistics Office](/source/Philippine_Statistics_Authority#National_Statistics_Office).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-LWUA-PopulationData_14-0)** ["Province of"](http://122.54.214.222/population/MunPop.asp?prov=). *Municipality Population Data*. [Local Water Utilities Administration](/source/Local_Water_Utilities_Administration) Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Poverty incidence (PI):"](https://psa.gov.ph/content/poverty-incidence-pi). Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines"](https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/NSCB_LocalPovertyPhilippines_0.pdf) (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates"](https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/2003%20SAE%20of%20poverty%20(Full%20Report)_1.pdf) (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009"](https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/2006%20and%202009%20City%20and%20Municipal%20Level%20Poverty%20Estimates_0_1.pdf) (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates"](https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/2012%20Municipal%20and%20City%20Level%20Poverty%20Estimates%20Publication%20(1).pdf) (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015"](https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/City%20and%20Municipal-level%20Small%20Area%20Poverty%20Estimates_%202009%2C%202012%20and%202015_0.xlsx). Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates"](https://psa.gov.ph/content/psa-releases-2018-municipal-and-city-level-poverty-estimates). Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates"](https://www.psa.gov.ph/content/psa-releases-2021-city-and-municipal-level-poverty-estimates). Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Legislature, Philippines (1917). [*Directorio oficial del Senado y de la Cámara de Representantes: 4th. legislature, 1st session ...*](https://books.google.com/books?id=Uf7fAAAAMAAJ&q=Esteban+Singson&pg=PA182) (in Spanish). Bureau of Printing.

## External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for ***[Calbiga](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Calbiga#Q816128)***.

- [Calbiga Profile at PhilAtlas.com](https://www.philatlas.com/visayas/r08/samar/calbiga.html)

- [Philippine Standard Geographic Code](https://psa.gov.ph/classification/psgc/barangays/0806004000)

- [Philippine Census Information](https://web.archive.org/web/20081120024509/http://www.census.gov.ph/data/census2007/index.html)

- [Local Governance Performance Management System](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073558/http://www.blgs.gov.ph/lgpmsv2/cmshome/index.php?pageID=23&frmIdDcfCode=7&fLguType=CM&frmIdRegion=11&frmIdProvince=65&frmIdLgu=1263)

Places adjacent to Calbiga Maqueda Bay San Sebastian / Hinabangan Zumarraga / Villareal Bay Calbiga Borongan, Eastern Samar Pinabacdao

v t e Province of Samar Catbalogan (capital) Calbayog (largest city) Municipalities Almagro Basey Calbiga Daram Gandara Hinabangan Jiabong Marabut Matuguinao Motiong Pagsanghan Paranas Pinabacdao San Jorge San Jose de Buan San Sebastian Santa Margarita Santa Rita Santo Niño Tagapul-an Talalora Tarangnan Villareal Zumarraga Component cities Calbayog Catbalogan

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Calbiga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calbiga) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calbiga?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.