Cuyo, Palawan Information
Cuyo is a 4th class municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 18,257 people in 3,609 households.
During the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, Cuyo became the second capital of Palawan from 1873 to 1903.[1]
The municipality is served by Cuyo Airport.
Barangays
Cuyo is politically subdivided into 17 barangays. In 1956, sitio Danawan was elevated into a barrio.[2]
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Cuyo Group of 45 Islands
Main article: Cuyo ArchipelagoCuyo Island Group is a group of 45 islets with a total land area of 50 square miles (130 km2). It lies south of Mindoro and between Northern Palawan and Panay. The biggest island in this group is Cuyo with an area of 22 square miles (57 km2) and is about 9 miles (14 km) long. Cuyo is divided in three municipalities, namely Cuyo, Agutaya, and Magsaysay. Cuyo is the oldest town in Palawan which has a culture of its own and was preserved for more than 350 years. In the year 2008, the total population of the Cuyo Island is almost 25,000. Cuyo is divided into two island groups. Up north is the Quiniluban group to which Pamalican island is part and where the 89-hectare, exclusive Amanpulo Resort belongs. To the south are the Cuyo islands, where the three municipalities namely Cuyo, Agutaya, and Magsaysay are located.
Cuyo Island
An hour and 30 minutes by air and 24 hours by sea from Manila, Cuyo is a fourth-class municipality composed of 17 barangays. With a population of 18,257 people (2000 census), it is one of the unexploited islands in the country. Home to a fort, which shelters a church and a convent in its high stone walls, constructed during the Spanish period to protect its population from Moro pirates, Cuyo has one of the most ancient forts in the Philippines. Incidentally, Cuyo became the second capital of Palawan from 1873 to 1903. Access to Cuyo Island (November 2009). Planes from Manila Airport (Terminal Two) to Puerto Princesa or Iloilo. Boat service several times a week from Puerto Princesa and Iloilo to Cuyo Island and back. There are also weekly boat services from Manila to Cuyo Island.
Cuyo Island Airport
Cuyo Group islands, with elevations (feet).Since June 2008 it has not been possible to reach Cuyo Island by plane, although the runway of the existing airport was extended in 2009: Cuyo Airport (IATA: CYU, ICAO: RPLO) is an airport serving Cuyo, a municipality in the province of Palawan in the Philippines. It is one of three airports in Palawan, the others being Puerto Princesa Airport and Francisco Reyes Airport, in the municipality of Busuanga. It is classified as a feeder airport by the Air Transportation Office, a body of the Department of Transportation and Communications that is responsible for the operations of not only this airport but also of all other airports in the Philippines, with the exception of the major international airports.
Scheduled commercial service was provided by South East Asian Airlines. As per a timetable effective through 15 June 2008, the airline provided two flights a week on LET 410 aircraft: on Mondays flight DG742 departed from Puerto Princesa with stops at Cuyo, Boracay and Manila; on Fridays flight DG745 departed from Manila with stops at Boracay, Cuyo and Puerto Princesa. However, as per the airline's website and current route map, it no longer provides service to Cuyo.
It is to be expected that plane service to Cuyo Island will be taken up again at least once a week.
Flying from Manila to Cuyo Island Airport
Since February 2011: Flying Non-Stop from Manila to Cuyo by Fish-Plane (Exclusively for the guests of the Quijano Windsurfing Retreat also known as Anino Retreat) Manila to Cuyo (1 hour 30 minutes) 1 passenger / 25 kg baggage = 15‘000 Pesos/ 2 passengers / 50 kg baggage = 20‘000 Pesos/ Cuyo to Manila (1 hour 30 minutes)/ 1 passenger / 25 kg baggage = 25‘000 Pesos / 2 passengers / 50 kg baggage = 40‘000 Pesos / Flying by Fish Plane Manila to Cuyo to Manila
History
Chinese traders where the first to discover Cuyo island and introduced the trade and barter system in the locality.
Later Chief Matuod of Malay origin arrived in big bancas called "sakayan" and formed settlements on the island of Cuyo. A Malay Mohamedan of the name Datu Magbanua later also settled on Cuyo. Datu Magbanua's leadership was so great and powerful that even chieftains from other islands recognized his rule. The Malays brought with them their dances, and when blended with native dance, the "Soriano", it became known as the "pondo-pondo" one of the most popular folk dances even up to the present.
During the leadership of Datu Magbanua, three Chinese Mandarines arrived on the island and settled also on Cuyo. The Chinese discovered gold deposits in Mt. Aguado and introduced gold mining, smith working, pottery, and other handicrafts. The natives of Cuyo became suspicious of the their presence and were able to drive them out. They sailed to Ilongilong (today known as Iloilo) and formed another settlement called "Parian".
In 1622, Count San Augustin together with five Spanish missionaries colonized the island named by them as Cuyo and introduced Christianity. The friendly character of the people proved to be a blessing to the Spaniards who did not find difficulties in converting the population of Cuyo Island to Christianity. They were immediately able to baptize 500 Cuyonos.
In 1636 a powerful Muslim fleet under Datu Tagul raided Cuyo and other places in Palawan. In Cuyo the Muslim attacked the convent and the church and set the town on fire and took with them prisoners including a priest, Fr. Francisco de Jesus Maria. They then proceeded to Agutaya and Culion and wrought havoc and destruction on the helpless and defenceless civilians. Again their prized captive was another priest from Culion, Fr. Alonzo de San Augustin who was captured while saying mass. A Spanish naval flotilla of 6 vessels and 250 men under Capt. Nicolas Gonzales met the returning pirates with their loot and booty on December 21, 1636. Datu Tagul was killed, 300 of his men captured and 120 prisoners were liberated. The two captured priests were unlucky.
In 1957 the following sitios were converted to barrios: Emilod[3] and Balading.[4]
Cuyo Fort
During the early Spanish period, purposely to protect the Cuyonon from sporadic Moro attacks, Fort Cuyo was constructed and finished in 1680. The original complex of stone and mortar was a square with four bastions. The present complex, which occupies 1 ha, is a solid rectangular edifice with walls 10 m high and 2 m thick. It has a tall belfry and watchtowers; its canons, which face the sea, are now fired only during town celebrations. It is considered as one of the most ancient and unique forts in the Philippines. Unique in the sense that you can find the church, the convent and the Perpetual Adoration chapel all within the fort. In 1762 one of the British ships that invaded Manila fired at the Cuyo fort but it was not damaged at all. Another fort was started at Lucbuan seven kilometres away on the east side of Cuyo island, but it was never finished. In 1873, the capital of Paragua (present day Palawan) was transferred to Cuyo from Taytay.
Cuyo Town
Cuyo is known to be the oldest town in Palawan. From the sea, Cuyo Island's first visible landmark is a lighthouse by the pier. Many of the streets leading to the town have already been cemented but the town has preserved the Hispanic plaza-iglesia structures. Dominating the town centre is Cuyo's 1860 church, convent, and fort built by the Spanish and finished in 1680. Nearby stands a schoolhouse, and a monument of national hero Jose Rizal.
Cultural Heritage
Despite its long history Cuyo has held back the hands of time and preserved its rich cultural heritage preserved since more than 350 years.
The tipano band, a flute and drum ensemble, and the de kwerdas (string band), supply background music on important social occasions. They also accompany singers and render dance music like the pinundo-pundo. The tipano is reserved for the ati-ati, sinulog, and komedya.
Both ensembles use available instruments and instrumentalists. The tipano core is basically two drums and four to seven transverse mouth flutes with six finger-holes. One or two tipano "nga maitley" (small flutes) and three or four tipano "nga mabael" (larger flutes) are played with a redublante (snare drum), bombo (big drum), and sometimes a pair of platilyo (cymbals). The de kwerdas has two or three byulin or sabel (violins), and occasionally a gitara or sista (guitar), a bajo (six-stringed bass), a banjo, and a banduria. In Cuyunon music the akompanimento refers to the harmonic accompaniment-principal or primers to the first or highest voice, and segunda to the second.
The Cuyunon youth celebrate love with song during the post-harvest courting season. The cancion, a popular serenade, is sung with the strumming of a five - or six-stringed guitar in the distinctive punctual manner. Parting is a familiar concern in Cuyunon love songs. Examples of love songs are "Napopongao Ako,""Ang Gegma,""Ploning,""Daragang Taga Cuyo,""Konsomision,""Ako Maski Bayan,""Tiis Manong Pido,""Nagpamasiar Ako", and "Komosta."
Cuyunon dances have evolved from native and Spanish influences. Among these are the pastores (the Christmas dance of the sheppherds), the chotis (from the German schothische), lanceros de Cuyo (local French guadrille), birginia and virgoire (Virginia reel or square dance), paraguanen (a romantic comic duet), and la jota paragua (a Castillan-type jota using bamboo castanets and manton). The island is known for the mazurka de Cuyo, a social dance with characteristic mazurka steps. Another popular dance is the pinundo-pundo, a stylish wedding dance marked by sudden pauses, its first two parts, featuring solo dances of the boy and the girl, are followed by the suring, a love play between the couple. Forms found in other regions, like the kuratsa, pandango, and habaneras have also been adapted by the Cuyunon.
The Cuyunon have developed the art of merging song, dance, and drama. Cuyo's sayaw is a colorful enactment of a story heightened by the music of a string band. It is presented by five pairs of youth arranged in two lines, fully costumed and made up, and bearing props like flowers, crowns, and even knives. After an introductory dance, the leading couple proceed to relate the tale, sometimes using verse. The topic may be anything, from everyday occurrences to special events like winning the sweepstakes. This story is then interpreted in dance and ended with a finale.
Yearly on August 28, Cuyo Island celebrates San Agustin's feast. On the eve of the fiesta, a cultural presentation featuring the traditional performing arts and sometimes a separate show of modern songs and dances may be presented. The feast day is begun with a morning mass (sometimes a High Mass officiated by the bishop ) and followed by the ati-ati, a legacy of the Aklanon. Folk from the nearby islands board barotos (boats) to view the parade which recreates the confrontation of San Agustin and the native "savages". Participants portray the Aeta by darkening their bodies with soot and painting their faces with anyel (indigo). They don foot-high headgear of coconut ginit fiber adorned with chicken feathers, and decorate their costumes with coconut leaves. The men, clad in loin cloths, carry spears, bows and arrows, or bolo. The women, wearing patadyong and beaded necklaces, carry baskets with a tumpline
The participants form two lines, one of men and the other of women. The director signals the start of the singing by striking his cane on the ground. This is followed by a spontaneous dance characterized by sways, hops, jumps, and the jerking of weapons accompanied by chanting; the director also signals the end of the dance. The teniente (barrio head) and his family may recite a series of verses. The director is then approached by the last to recite, customarily the teniente's youngest child.
As the floats of San Agustin and other saints enter the church at the end of the procession, the participants kneel, prostrate themselves, or sing while performing skipping steps before the images. The merrymaking intensifies when the alakayo, a dancing clown, chases the ladies, stopping only when coins are thrown to him on the ground. The alakayo collects the coins with his mouth. Meanwhile, the panapatan performance are staged in front of various houses for a fee. These are mostly excerpts of the komedya and ati-ati known as komedya sa kalye and ati-ati sa bukid, the performers of which use simpler clothing than in the more elaborate full-length performances. Ati-ati sa bukid is sung and danced to celebrate a fruitful harvest. Today it is usually danced by young boys wearing masks or indigo-painted faces. Another pantomime, innocentes, recreates the descent of the "savages" from the hills to pay tribute to San Agustin. They are wearing coconut fibre masks and red striped shirts. The participants frolic and fence with sticks.
Komedya or moro-moro performances are larger (with some 50 actors) and more refined than the ati-ati. The clash between the Mustlims and the Christians is further dramatized by background music; commonly used tunes are the pasadoble, marchas, giyera, and kasal. The same subject is portrayed by the sinulog. The Christians are identified by their black costumes, kampilan, and elongated shields; the Muslims by their red turbans and waistbands, and round shields. The participants may wear masks or paint their faces. Both groups, usually of six dancers each, sometimes perform to the beating of tin cans. Alternate steps of offense and defense, e.g., advancing and retreating, with corresponding movements of weapons, are followed by circular formations simulating scenes of strategy plotting.
Aguado Pilgrimage
Mt. Aguado features life-size Stations of the Way of the Cross constructed from the foot to the peak of the mountain. Cuyonon devotees, visitors and tourists make the annual pilgrimage to Mt. Aguado as part of the penitential rites done in Cuyo during the Holy Week particularly on Holy Thursday.
Nature
Cuyo is a place blessed with nature's beauty. Secluded and quiet, it is covered with cashew and coconut trees that gracefully sway to the wind. Thick clumps of bamboo abound. And of course, the vast blue seas – home to a myriad of corals and sea creatures – that seem extend to eternity. (The problem though lies on massive cyanide fishing which is killing much of the coral reef in the area.) The island would appeal to hardy, outdoor types of people who enjoy taking walks, swimming and discovering a unique local culture, rather than indulging in material pleasures.
Peoples
Cuyonons live on the basics and hardly complain. They are very resourceful and have found ways to make the best of what they have like making tuba from coconut and cashew brittle their specialties.Life is slow, timeless, and the epitome of "rural living" in its simplicity, the kind that grows on people who visit the island. There is nothing to be lost in Cuyo except perhaps one's heart. Its untouched beaches, gracious townsfolk, and simple life are its gems. Rare are places where the concept of excessive materialism does not exist, yet people are thankful and welcoming, where happiness is equated with putting value on love and life, and living means working with nature and not trying to change it.
Water Sports
Cuyo is also ideal for windsurfing and kite flying for those tired of Boracay with the overcrowded and very polluted Bulabog beach. If only for these things, Cuyo is a traveler's dream.
Activities for visitors on Cuyo Island
Island hopping, snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, kiting, walking, bicycling, motor biking.
Windsurfing and Kiting on Cuyo Island
The Philippines is considered by many people to be perhaps the best place for windsurfing in the whole of Asia – and Cuyo island the ultimate choice for those dedicated windsurfers who come to the Philippines since many years. Most of the windsurfers stay in small hotels or private homes in Cuyo town with the Capusan bay for windsurfing – although somehow with off shore wind keeping kiters away. But for those few who like to combine the excitement of surfing with the tranquillity of a beautiful beach with untouched nature – the ultimate choice is the Quijano Windsurfing Retreat located in Magsaysay at the Quijano beach.[1] The wind blows on shore slightly from the left, permitting long rides inside the bay or going over the reef into the waves. Those who consider themselves mediocre windsurfers find ideal conditions to practice the water start in chest deep crystal clear water in a pristine landscape with green hills and several island in view. The Quijano Windsurfing Retreat is in an unspoiled nature at a sand beach lined with palm trees with beautiful cottages built at the foot of a small hill covered with trees. The concept of the Quijano Windsurfing Retreat is to provide beautiful cottages just for a few visitors who enjoy privacy and unspoiled nature. It is a place which invites you for beautiful hikes through a pristine landscape. However, you must bring your own boards and sails as there is no board rental facilities in Cuyo island. Nevertheless the Quijano Windsurfing Retreat provide storage facilities to surfers who visit Quijano beach just for the day and return in the evening to Cuyo, which is a beautiful twenty minutes ride with a motor bike through a lush green landscape with lots of smiling people.
Learn kiteboarding kitesurfing with highly qualified IKO level 2 Instructor at Quijano Windsurfing Retreat. Ideal conditions exist to learn and practice in chest-deep crystal-clear water. For beginners to advaance courses. Our teachers hold certifications from the International Kiteboarding Association (IKO). We have programs for beginners, intermediate, and independent kiteboarders. Depending the wind and tidal situation our lessons take place at Quijano beach in Magsaysay or at Capusan beach in Cuyo town. Kiteboarders from all over the world visit Cuyo Island. We guarantee safety & satisfaction.learn kiteboarding on Cuyo Island
Windsurf Season
The weather in the Philippines has two principal seasons named after the particular winds known as Amihan and Habagat. For the windsurfers it is the Amihan season which brings them year after year back to Cuyo island. The Amihan season lasts from late October to March and is characterised by moderate temperature, rarely any rainfall, and almost daily a wind from the Northeast. This is in contrast to the hot Habagat season with frequent rainfall that lasts about from April to September. During this time the wind blows very moderate from the west with few chances to go windsurfing. In Cuyo town the wind blows during the winter season offshore and but still provides good spots for beginners. Only a handful of other windsurfers will be sharing this slalom blaster's heaven with you. Windsurfers on the island come from a great diversity of countries – you could be sailing with a Filipino, Korean, Swiss, Australian and Brit, all in the same day. If you look for the best among few come to Cuyo.
Accommodations on Cuyo Island
There is only one small but exclusive resort on Cuyo Island – the Quijano Windsurfing Retreat also known as Anino Retreat in Magsaysay with three beautiful cottages at rather modest prices overlooking the beach – the place of you dreams about where to spend your honeymoon (Contact Victoria Peralta: +63 929 603 3275).Rates for one cottage between May and September circa 40 US$ – 70 US$ Rates for one cottage between October and April circa 60 US$ – 100 US$ Same price for single or double occupancy. Food is not included. Occupancy per cottage is maximum two adults & children. Quijano Windsurfing & Kiteboarding Retreat
Accommodations in Cuyo town: Nikki's Pension with 10 rooms and a restaurant at Capusan beach (Contact Number: +63 920 8760008 / +63 915 3865201). Feroland Hotel with 8 rooms located nearby (Contact Number: +63 921 7904848). PSU-PCAT Hostel of the Palawan State University Cuyo Branch located at Capusan beach with 1 aircon room and 4 fan rooms (Contact Number: +63 919 4827416).
Resort under construction at Quijano beach since 1996 by the Octopus Global Interest Corporation managed by the Australian Ross Pelgrave. The rooms have no roofs, doors or windows. Guests must sleep on floors or in tents.Octopus Global Interest Corporation managed by Ross Pelgrave and Cerry Guzman
Source of Information
Much of the information was received from Municipal Planning and Development Office of Cuyo Town in November 2009
References
- ^ Official Website of the Province of Palawan. Accessed August 28, 2008.
- ^ "An Act Converting the Sitio of Danawan, Municipality of Cuyo, Province of Palawan, into a Barrio of Said Municipality". LawPH.com. http://lawph.com/statutes/ra1495.html. Retrieved 2011-04-12.
- ^ "An Act Converting the Sitio of Emilod, Municipality of Cuyo, Province of Palawan, into a Barrio of Said Municipality". LawPH.com. http://lawph.com/statutes/ra1750.html. Retrieved 2011-04-12.
- ^ "An Act Creating the Barrio of Balading in the Municipality of Cuyo, Province of Palawan". LawPH.com. http://lawph.com/statutes/ra1769.html. Retrieved 2011-04-12.
External links
- Philippine Standard Geographic Code
- Cuyo Fort article from 'Muog' [2]
- Cuyo Travel Guide
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Categories: Municipalities of Palawan | Islands of Palawan | Sulu Sea
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