CALUBIAN, Leyte — The Municipality of Calubian is preparing for one of its most anticipated annual celebrations as residents, returning home for the occasion, and visitors gather for the Calubian Town Fiesta on August 15 and 16, a vibrant event that blends faith, culture, and community spirit.
The annual fiesta is held in honor of Our Lady of Fatima, the town’s patron saint, whose feast serves as the spiritual centerpiece of the celebration. The occasion reflects the deep religious devotion of the people of Calubian while showcasing the municipality’s rich cultural identity and long-standing traditions.
One of the highlights of the celebration is the Lubi-Lubi Festival, which takes center stage on August 15. Named after the Visayan word lubi, meaning coconut, the festival pays tribute to the coconut industry, one of the municipality’s most important agricultural resources and a symbol of the town’s resilience and prosperity. Colorful street dancing, lively drumbeats, and captivating cultural performances transform the streets into a vibrant display of creativity as participants wear costumes inspired by coconut leaves, husks, shells, and other locally sourced materials.
The festival not only celebrates Calubian’s agricultural heritage but also serves as a showcase of local artistry, talent, and unity. Schools, community organizations, and various sectors work together for months to prepare performances that reflect the municipality’s history, traditions, and aspirations for the future.
Religious activities continue on August 16 as devotees gather for thanksgiving celebrations honoring Our Lady of Fatima. Holy Masses, prayer services, and other faith-centered activities remind residents of the spiritual significance of the fiesta, reinforcing the community’s shared values of gratitude, hope, and devotion.
Leading up to the main festivities, the municipality traditionally organizes a series of pre-fiesta events that build excitement throughout the community. These include opening salvo celebrations, themed parades such as the colorful Flora Fantasia, employee recognition nights, sports competitions, cultural programs, and various community gatherings that encourage participation from residents of all ages.
The annual fiesta also provides an economic boost to Calubian as balikbayans, former residents, tourists, and neighboring communities visit the town to reconnect with family and friends while supporting local businesses, food vendors, and small entrepreneurs. Hotels, eateries, transportation services, and market stalls are expected to benefit from the influx of visitors during the two-day celebration.
Beyond the festive atmosphere, the Calubian Town Fiesta stands as a celebration of identity, faith, and unity. It is an occasion where tradition is passed from one generation to the next, where culture is proudly displayed through music and dance, and where the community comes together in thanksgiving for the blessings received throughout the year.
As August 15 and 16 draw near, Calubian once again prepares to welcome everyone to a celebration filled with devotion, colorful festivities, warm hospitality, and the enduring spirit of a municipality proud of its heritage and hopeful for the future.
Calubian’s Journey Through Time: From a Humble Barrio to a Thriving Municipality Rooted in History, Leadership, and Progress
More than a century after its official creation as a municipality, the town of Calubian stands as a testament to resilience, visionary leadership, and the enduring spirit of its people. From its beginnings as a quiet barrio of the Municipality of Leyte to becoming one of the vibrant communities in the province, Calubian’s rich history reflects generations of determination, transformation, and unwavering commitment to progress.
The municipality traces its official foundation to January 8, 1919, when then Governor Charles E. Yeater signed Executive Order No. 4, formally establishing Calubian as an independent municipality. Prior to its creation, the area formed part of the Municipality of Leyte and was known as Eulalia, a name chosen in honor of a distinguished woman who was among the locality’s respected residents.
As the years passed, however, the growing identity of the community became closely associated with its vast coconut plantations, one of its most valuable natural resources and economic lifelines. This led to the adoption of the name Calubian, derived from the abundance of coconut trees that blanketed the landscape and became a defining characteristic of the municipality. Today, the Eulalia Monument, located at the foot of Veloso Hill along the road leading to the Municipal Hall, serves as a lasting reminder of the town’s original name and its earliest chapter in history.
Only weeks after the municipality was officially established, the local government was formally organized on January 22, 1919, ushering in a new era of local governance. Felix Garganera became Calubian’s first municipal executive, tasked with laying the foundations of a young municipality still finding its place in the province of Leyte.
Leadership soon changed hands as Nepumoceno Torlao, known for his generosity and dedication to the community, assumed office in 1922. He was followed by Alejandro Baronda, who served from 1931 to 1934, and later Felix Lafuente, who led the municipality from 1934 to 1937. The succeeding years saw the administrations of Francisco Enage from 1938 to 1940, Enrique Q. Enage from 1941 to 1942, and Lorenzo Mendoza, who guided the municipality during the difficult years of the Second World War from 1942 to 1944.
One of the longest-serving and most influential leaders in Calubian’s history was Honorato Agas Sr., who assumed office in 1945 in the aftermath of the war. His administration stretched over four decades until April 15, 1986, interrupted only during the 1952–1953 term when he was defeated by Rosendo Eamiguel, a well-known landowner from Barangay Villalon. Agas’ lengthy tenure witnessed the municipality’s post-war rebuilding, agricultural development, and gradual modernization as Calubian adapted to changing times.
The political landscape shifted dramatically following the historic EDSA People Power Revolution on February 25, 1986, which ushered in nationwide political reforms. Like many local governments across the country, Calubian experienced a transition in leadership as Victorio Loygos Sr. was appointed Officer-in-Charge Mayor beginning April 16, 1986.
The municipality then underwent a brief period of successive appointed administrations. Engineer Rolando R. Amparado served from June to November 1987, followed by Marciano Batiancela Jr., who remained in office until February 1988, when democratic local governance resumed with the assumption of office of Dr. Carlos C. Cotiangco Jr. as the municipality’s duly elected chief executive.
During Dr. Cotiangco’s administration, Calubian embarked on a period of accelerated infrastructure development. Numerous municipal and barangay roads were concreted, improving transportation and accessibility for residents. Public markets were expanded, waiting sheds were constructed, drainage systems were upgraded, multi-purpose pavements were completed, and water supply projects were introduced to improve the quality of life of Calubianons. Among the notable accomplishments of his administration was the completion of the Municipal Hall, which became a symbol of a growing and organized local government.
Another significant turning point came during the synchronized national and local elections on May 11, 1992, when Salvador T. Po, the son of a respected Chinese merchant family and a former top municipal councilor, was elected mayor. Assuming leadership at a time when Calubian still faced numerous development challenges, Mayor Po introduced policies aimed at revitalizing the municipality’s economy, strengthening public services, and improving the overall welfare of its residents.
His administration aligned local development efforts with national government programs while focusing on community-based initiatives that sought to create better opportunities for Calubianons. Investments in public infrastructure, social services, and local governance gradually transformed the municipality from a relatively quiet rural town into a more progressive community with expanding commercial activities and improved public facilities.
However, tragedy struck on January 27, 2001, when Mayor Salvador T. Po passed away after battling colon cancer before completing his third consecutive term in office. His death marked a period of mourning for the municipality and brought an unexpected transition in local leadership.
Following his passing, then Vice Mayor Renato E. Misa assumed the mayoralty from January 28 until June 30, 2001, ensuring continuity in governance while preparations were made for the upcoming local elections.
The May 2001 elections became one of the most closely watched political contests in Calubian’s history. Vice Mayor Misa faced Hazel R. Po, daughter of the late Mayor Salvador Po and then president of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation. Riding on both her family’s legacy and her own experience in public service, Hazel Po emerged victorious and assumed office as municipal mayor.
Her election marked another milestone for Calubian, introducing a new generation of leadership while continuing many of the development programs initiated by her late father. Throughout her administration, the municipality continued to pursue infrastructure improvements, community development initiatives, education, healthcare services, and programs aimed at uplifting the lives of residents.
As her tenure progressed, the Po family’s influence in local politics remained evident. The political landscape once again drew significant public attention during the preparations for the 2010 elections, when Hazel Po’s brother, Salvador R. Po Jr., entered the mayoral race, highlighting the continuing prominence of one of Calubian’s most recognized political families.
Today, more than 100 years after Governor Charles E. Yeater signed the executive order that officially created the municipality, Calubian has grown into a thriving community that proudly preserves its heritage while embracing modernization. Its story is one of perseverance through political transitions, economic challenges, and changing times.
Historical landmarks such as the Eulalia Monument continue to remind residents of the municipality’s humble beginnings, while modern infrastructure, expanding public services, and cultural celebrations reflect the progress achieved through decades of dedicated leadership and community participation.
As Calubian continues to move forward, its remarkable journey serves as an enduring reminder that the strength of a municipality is built not only through its leaders but also through the resilience, unity, and aspirations of its people. From its origins as the barrio of Eulalia to its present status as a progressive municipality in northern Leyte, Calubian remains a community deeply rooted in history while looking confidently toward the future.
The Legacy of Eulalia: The Woman Whose Vision Shaped the History and Identity of Calubian, Leyte
Long before Calubian became one of the established municipalities in northern Leyte, its story began with the remarkable leadership of a woman whose vision transformed an undeveloped settlement into a thriving agricultural community. Known in local history as Ulalya or Eulalia, she is remembered as the founding matriarch and historical namesake of the municipality, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape Calubian’s identity more than a century later.
According to local historical accounts, Eulalia and her husband, a fisherman by profession, migrated to the area in 1883, when the settlement was still known as Santander. At the time, the community was sparsely populated and largely dependent on fishing and subsistence farming for survival. The couple’s arrival would prove to be a turning point in the area’s early development.
Historical narratives recount that during one of her husband’s fishing expeditions, he brought home a single coconut seedling. Rather than viewing it as an ordinary plant, Eulalia recognized its potential to provide long-term livelihood and economic stability for the growing community. She encouraged residents to cultivate coconut trees across the surrounding lands, believing that the crop could improve the lives of future generations.
Her advice was embraced by the townspeople, who began planting coconut seedlings throughout the area. Over the years, what started as a modest agricultural effort gradually transformed the landscape into vast coconut plantations, laying the foundation for an industry that would become one of the municipality’s primary sources of livelihood and economic growth.
Beyond her role in promoting agriculture, Eulalia became known as a respected community leader whose wisdom, compassion, and dedication inspired the people around her. Local residents admired her ability to unite the community and guide them toward a more prosperous future. Her influence extended beyond farming, as she became a symbol of leadership during a period when organized local governance had yet to take shape.
In recognition of her invaluable contributions, the early settlers decided to rename the settlement Eulalia, honoring the woman whose vision had helped shape the community’s future. The gesture reflected the immense respect and gratitude of the people for her leadership and lasting impact on their lives.
As decades passed, the coconut trees planted under Eulalia’s guidance flourished across the area, transforming the once-rural settlement into a landscape dominated by lush coconut groves. The abundance of coconut plantations became so closely associated with the locality that the name eventually evolved from Eulalia to Calubian, derived from the Waray-Waray word “kalubian,” which means “coconut plantation.”
The change in name represented more than a linguistic evolution. It symbolized the community’s transformation from a small settlement into a municipality whose economy, culture, and identity became deeply rooted in coconut farming. Even today, coconuts remain among Calubian’s most valuable agricultural products and continue to support the livelihood of many families.
The municipality’s historical connection to Eulalia has not been forgotten. One of the enduring reminders of her legacy is the Eulalia Monument, located at the foot of Veloso Hill along the road leading to the Calubian Municipal Hall. The monument stands as a tribute to the woman whose foresight and leadership helped lay the foundation for what would become one of Leyte’s historic municipalities.
For many residents, the monument serves as more than a historical landmark. It is a symbol of gratitude to a pioneer whose contributions extended beyond her own lifetime. Visitors who stop by the monument are introduced to a chapter of local history that highlights the role of ordinary individuals in shaping extraordinary communities.
Historians and local cultural advocates note that Eulalia’s story is unique because it places a woman at the center of the municipality’s founding narrative. At a time when historical accounts often focused on political leaders and prominent male figures, Eulalia emerged as a respected matriarch whose influence stemmed not from political authority but from her vision, practical wisdom, and commitment to community development.
Her emphasis on agriculture demonstrated an understanding of sustainable development long before the concept became widely recognized. By encouraging the cultivation of coconut trees, she introduced an economic activity that would provide food, income, building materials, and commercial opportunities for generations of Calubianons.
Today, as Calubian continues to celebrate its heritage through annual town fiestas, cultural festivals, and historical commemorations, the story of Eulalia remains an essential part of the municipality’s identity. Schools, local historians, and community leaders continue to share her story with younger generations, ensuring that the values she embodied leadership, hard work, foresight, and service to the community—remain alive.
More than 140 years after she first arrived in what was then known as Santander, Eulalia’s legacy continues to be reflected in the vast coconut plantations that surround Calubian, the municipality’s name itself, and the enduring pride of its people. Her remarkable journey from pioneer settler to honored matriarch serves as a powerful reminder that the vision of one individual can transform an entire community and leave a legacy that withstands the test of time.
APTIKONS