The Filipino

Time
Libmanan
exposes beauty
& historicity.
҉ Joeford Maxi R. Offemaria

I
t is an irony to say that too little is said about the second biggest town in Camarines Sur
next to Lagonoy. Libmanan has a land area or 336.2 square kilometers or 34,000 hectares
which is vastly agricultural. The number of barangays reached up to 75 therefore
justifying the size of the town. It has been dubbed as the rice granary of Bicol because of
its high rice production. However, efforts are being pursued by the Local Government of
Libmanan through its Municipal Programs and Events Section (MPES) of having a tour package
that would showcase not just the town’s immense rice fields but also its untold historicity and its
hidden beauty.

Libmanan envisions of being a tourist spot in Camarines Sur. The Local Government unit
through the MPES under the Tourism Development Program headed by its chief, Ruel “Bibby”
Jimenez in collaboration with various stakeholders created the tagline SEE Libmanan where ‘S’
stands for Stay, the ‘E’ for Explore and the other ‘E’ for Enjoy. This intends to promote the
preservation of the culture and the promotion of the tourist sites to domestic and local tourists.
The activities which are in-line with the objectives include the Inland Cultural Heritage Tour,
Ecotourism Tour and Marine Ecotourism adventure. This tour package is a two-days and one-
night stay where one can surely learn from the stories of old and relax at the beauty of the God-
endowed natural resources. Tour guides as well as a municipal coordinator goes with the tourists
for them to be guided accordingly in the exploration of the town.

INLAND CULTURAL HERITAGE TOUR

The tour starts with the briefing at the

municipal hall of Libmanan where
visitors are met by the Tourism
Development Program Officer. He
orients the tourist of the sequence of
the heritage tour, what to expect on the
visit as well as the fees and the mode
of transportation to be used. Since the
destinations are nearby, travelers are
advised to just walk or ride the
pedicab.
The Municipal Hall of Libmanan is itself an old building. Built in 1939, it has served as the seat of power of the town.
Several renovations were done without moving those considered to be part of the original structure.

A HISTORY WANTING TO BE TOLD…

As the celebration of the 430th Anniversary of

Libmanan once again dawns, stories are again
told about the humble beginnings of the place.
Nothing much is told about how the town was
found except, that it was formerly just a
barangay of Quipayo (Calabanga) before the
Moro pirates attacked in March 18, 1484. The
inhabitants of the place fought so hard that the
Moros were overpowered. Many died in the
fierce battle. Those who perished, be they Moro
or resident of the place, were laid right where
the encounter was which can be found in the
left side of the St. James the Apostle Cathedral. The First Stop. Dilanco’s Residence is situated at
The clash also became the basis for name of Brgy. San Juan, Libmanan, Cam. Sur. It is the oldest
the barangay; Piglabanan. structure dating back to 1875 and has been the residence
of 3 municipal mayors of Libmanan of different
 TRIVIA:
Aram nindo kun tano inaapod bongog
an mga taga-Libmanan?

Kaidtong panahon na mayo pa

nin mga tinampo, barotong de motor sana
ang paagi para makapa-banwaan ang mga
taga barrio. Kun minsan nag-oorolay an mga
pasahero alagad dai sinda
nagkakadarangogan huli kan ribok kan
makina kan lantsa. Kaya hinahapot ninda
giraray an kaulay ninda nin “Ha?”
Nagkataon na may mga dayo asin prinobaran
nindang kaulayon ang mga kaiba alagad

(below) The Nacienceno and Aureus-Rili Mansions are ancestral houses worth visiting. Located just beside the main
streets of Libmanan, these houses are eyed at being heritage hotels.

WHAT’S with the NAME?

Franciscan Missionaries came in the year 1580. In 1730, Fray Pasqual dela Cruz called the place
Libgñanan which was how Spaniards pronounced the Piglabanan. Others would tell that the
town was called Ligmanan because of the vast waters of the Bicol River that surrounds it.
Another version of the origin of the name would be from Libangan which was because of the
superb rice fields that attracted farmers from other places who would come for work and would
not go back to where they came from because they were amused of the place. In 1823, the name
Libgñanan was changed to Libmanan by Fray Francisco Valverde for the reason that it was
easier to write and articulate.
 (Left) The Haunted House. Any
passer-by would often have the
impression that the most noticed
edifice along the road is a Haunted
House though it is not really one.
The Morales Building is an Art
Deco building dating back to 1937.

(Below) The Last of the

Heritage Sites. The ruins of the
original belfry of the St. James the
Apostle Cathedral still stands as a
testimony of the faith of
Libmaneños. The rectory of the
parish also holds the Museo
Diocesano de Libmanan which
contains antique religious items.
THE BUILDING OF A
HOUSE OF WORSHIP

The first church structure was made of

bamboo and nipa and was erected in
February 1591. In 1599 the Franciscan
Friars were able to get the permission
to put up a concrete one. But, it was
only in 1730 that Fray Pasqual de la
Cruz started the construction. The
church was accomplished under the
management of the friars and the
untiring effort of the inhabitants.
 In 1873, Fray Timoteo Calderon planned
and initiated the construction of the
Crucero or the two sides forming the
cross shape of the church, But it was
brought into completion by Fray Pascual
Salvador in the year 1877.

(Left) The right side of the Crucero still intact

with the inscription of theTOUR
ECOTOURISM Franciscan insignia.

After the exhaustion brought about by the tour among

the oldest of the old, one will find it so soothing to go
to the Engkanto Falls and Cave at Brgy. Bikal,
Libmanan, Cam. Sur. This ecotourism spot provides
the experience of walking through the rocks without
fear of slipping. The rocks are rough because of the
said to be deposit of minerals which have been
absorbed by the bedrocks.

One may find it extreme to go on rappelling on the

falls and others find the courage to do so. After the
exhaustion, tourists can rest for a while under the
shade of trees where a cave lies. A dining table is also
available in the stream where one may eat with feet
dangling on the waters while enjoying the stunning
view of nature.

(Above) Engkanto Falls. Found at Brgy. Bikal the

waterfalls provide an adventure for trekkers to walk
on its surface without fear of sliding or slipping due
to its roughness which is attributed to the deposit of
minerals absorbed by the rocks.

(Right) Engkanto Cave. One may explore the cave

and the water that emerges from it. The water is
TRIVIA:
crystal clear and it’s as cold as ice.
Sarong dae malilingawan na na
kaisogan kan mga Libmaneños iyo an
kapangganahan kan Tancong Vaca Guerilla
Unit kan Nobyembre 1942. Pinagtambangan
ninda an sarong koronel na Hapon asin
kairibang 186 na soldados sa Taguilid Pass
kan Pamplona. Marhay an saindang
MARINE ECOTOURISM ADVENTURE

Gloria Maris. Far from the business of downtown, the 3 islets lie in wait for tourists to admire their beauty.
(From L-R, The Tres Marias, Porong Sadit and the Porong Dakula)

Feel the coastal ambiance, see the peculiar rock formations, pass by the historical Calabanig
Point, take islet hopping, feed fishes, snorkel, swim, dive, boat or canoe at the cool, pristine,
crystal blue waters.—The caption on the tourism campaign for the Marine Ecotourism Adventure
of the Tourism Development Program of Libmanan rightly encapsulates the breathtaking view of
the islets and the sea in its jurisdiction. Found in the middle of the Ragay Gulf, these islets are
taken care of by the Brgy. Bahao, which is an hour away from San Isidro, Libmanan where one
could take motorcycle, top-down tricycle or van going to this area.

The biggest islet (Porong Dakula) boasts of its white and fine sands mixed with fragmented
corals and seashells. The islet would surely captivate the hearts of nature lovers and adventurers.
Tourist of every sort, be they local or foreign, find this place worthy to be paid with another visit
with the addition of more family members or friends.

STILL WANTING MORE?

RESORTS. Still couldn’t get enough with water? Visit nearby resorts with ever ready waters on their pool. The
Tinandayagan Spring Resort @ Palong (Left) and Hi-way 411 Resort @ Tinanquihan (Right) are just a ride away from the
town proper and they are near the national roads.

Each place has its own specialty to offer. In that case, tourism is what the Municipality of
Libmanan can give to people who would come in search of something new. Libmanan is not just
a passageway to Manila or to any other great city but above all this town has also something to
say. For a long time, the people here have been so reserved in letting others experience the
splendor of its historicity and invigorating environment. But, it’s not that all, Libmanan also
(Right) The Hero of Old. Handiong is the main character in the epic Ibalon. He
envisions
was known a more
to be progressive
a good economic
leader who made class byandopening
Libmanan habitable equipped. up entrepreneurial livelihood to the
citizenry with the corresponding consideration for ecological conservation and care.

Now, we say SEE Libmanan! Stay as long as you want, Explore its God-endowed natural
resources and Enjoy what it has to offer.

Sources:
 TRIVIA:
An sinasabing nagsurat kan Ibalon o
ang Epiko ni Handiong na si Fray Bernardino de
Melendreras, O. F. M. nadestino sa Libmanan
bilang sarong Cura Parocco kan mga taon 1847-
1863. Siya inabot nin 16 na taon, pantolong
pinakahalawig sa istorya kan parokya.
Nagpapantolo sana siya ki Msgr. Alfredo C. Yllana
na nadestino kan mga taong 1962-1985 o inabot
nin 23 na taon bilang cura parocco asin ki Fray

SKK: Pagbaklay kan Pinagbagong Simbahan. Ed. Ian S. Trillanes.

Fabor, Lyka Marga, Libmanan, the new Tourism Haven of Camarines Sur. Bicol Mail.
(Feb.4, 2016).

Macatangay, LS. Libmanan fetes its local hero. Vox Bicol. (April 11, 2015).

Files of Ruel “Bibby” Jimenez, Chief, Tourism Development Program.

Photos are taken from Google and Yahoo.