Camiguin Island offers a rich history and a treasure of beautiful sites begging to be explored.
The island is approximately 64 km. or 40 miles around. A well maintained concrete roadway encircles the island and can lead you to its many treasures.
Old Spanish documents indicate that explorers, Ferdinand Magellan and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi landed on Camiguin in 1521 and 1565, respectively. The first Spanish settlement was established in 1598. A watchtower where the Camiguinons kept watch for Moro pirates still stands in Guinsiliban, the first major Spanish settlement established in 1679.
A portion of the town sank beneath the sea during a volcanic eruption. After the eruption, the settlement moved to where the Catarman town center is presently located. There you will find the ruins of the ancient Spanish church, a convent and a bell tower.
In 1901, in the middle of the Spanish-American War (1898-1904), American soldiers landed on Camiguin to assume political control over the island. A group of Camiguinons, armed with bolos and spears, led by Valero Camaro fought for the island's independence from foreign invasion. During a short battle in Catarman, Camaro was killed by a bullet to the forehead. He became one of the unsung Camiguin patriots of the early independence movement.
On June 18, 1942, the Japanese Imperial Army landed in Camiguin and set up a government in Mambajao. The Japanese Army gutted a portion of the town in reprisal to guerrilla activities. The remains of some of those buildings still exist today.
On July 4, 1946, the country gained independence from the United States of America and became the Republic of the Philippines. From 1946 to 1958, Camiguin was part of the Misamis Oriental. In 1958, it became a sub-province and in 1968, a full-fledged province with Mambajao as its provincial capital.
From 1948 to 1951, Mt. Hibok-Hibok constantly rumbled and smoked. It's minor eruption in 1948 caused little damage and loss of life. In 1949, its eruption caused 79 deaths due to landslides. On the morning of December 4, 1951, the volcano erupted again. This time, however, it unleashed boiling lava, poisonous gases, and landslides enough to destroy nearly 19 squares kilometers of land particularly in Mambajao. All in all, over 3,000 people were killed.
Before the eruption of Mt. Hibok-Hibok in 1951, the population of Camiguin had reached 69,000. After the eruption, the population was reduced to about 34,000. The current population is now approximately 85,000.
The main occupation of the people is fishing, farming and tourism. The coconut is the major crop. Other crops include abaca, rice, mangoes, lanzones and other fruit. Small cottage industries are now increasing in number.
The climate is warm year round, and rain showers can be expected often. A light waterproof jacket is advised, but otherwise, casual wear such as tees, shorts and swimwear are the normal attire.
The people of Camiguin are friendly and hospitable. They speak English well and will go out of their way to make visitors feel safe and welcome. English is the written language. All traffic signs are in English.
There are several banks on the island and ATM'S are available.
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