The Hidden Paradise in the North- Explore Catmon

The Municipality of Catmon

Catmon is a fifth class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines.
It is located along the coast of the Camotes Sea, 57 kilometres (35 mi) north of Cebu City and next to the town of Carmen. Bounded on the north by the Municipality of Sogod; on the south by the Municipality of Carmen; on the west by the Municipality of Tuburan; and on the east by Camotes Sea. Catmon's topography is generally mountainous and hilly and patches of flat lands can be found along the coastline and portion of the poblacion Mid-north, 57 kilometers from Cebu City, lies the town of Catmon. It is to a traveler, a quiet and quaint reprieve from Cebu’s creeping urbanization.
The 176-year-old town was named after the Catmon Tree (Dilleniacceae Phillippinensis) and was founded by the Agustinian Recollects from its native settlement site along a river.
Catmon, a small happy community, has deep roots in religion, subsistence agriculture and education.
Catmon celebrates it’s annual fiesta every February 10 to honor SAN GUILLERMO DE AQUITANIA. Its annual BUDBOD KABOG FESTIVAL promotes the delicacy made from a species of millet that thrives in Catmon’s semi-arid weather.

History       

Catmon tree

The name Catmon comes from a tree species that used to grow abundantly in the municipality. Legend has it that when a group of Spaniards came upon some men resting under a big Catmon tree, the leader asked what was the name of the place. Thinking that the Spaniard was asking for the name of the tree, one answered “Katmon”. And so it was that when the town was established in 1835, it was named Catmon.

Historical Sites

Bantayan sa Hari in Catmondaan

Bantayan sa Hari

      The town was organized in 1835 and named Catmon, the name Catmon is claimed to be after of a tree. Bantayan sa Hari or Watch Tower at Catmon-Daan, Cebu is a structure built around the 1800's which served to protect the locality from marauders from the seas, Padre Miguel de Jesus, an Augustinian Recollect from Spain, first chose this place for his church site the sitio of Catmon (now Catmon-daan). There he also constructed a garrison, a guard-tower or watchtower “Bantayan Sa Hari” to protect the first Spanish settlement from the depredations of the moro pirates plying the coastal areas. the structure is presently located inside the Catmon -Daan Elementary school where kids normally play around. Below were some pictures we took with my friend as we rode our bike all the way to Catmon.



Roman Catholic Historical Stone Church
           
         It is one of the oldest churches built in the country—constructed in 1835 to 1875 during the Spanish occupation period.

The parish is now 176 years old.

Natural Attractions

Mt. Kapayas

Top view of Mt. Kapayas

     Mount Kapayas is a highland flora and fauna rich with wild habitat and sanctuary of several different terrestrial endemic and indigenous species some threatened and endangered. One of Cebu province few hectare of remaining virgin pocket forest, also recognized as the Cebu second highest peak. Situated in the mid north more than 20 kilometers from the hi-way located with-in the three Barangays of Catmon, at particular sitio Campania and Sitio Lumanoy belong to the western side of Brgy. Cambangkaya and sitio Kapayas belongs Southeast side of Brgy. Bongyas and sitio Torre belongs to Northeast side of Brgy. Amancion a significantly affluent cultural and historical place and a perfect place for educational eco-tourism, a must see ecological, zoological and botanical garden, it has several caves for trekking with an underground lake and an enjoyable recreational mountain climbing place.

Lumanoy Cave

Unspoiled stalagmites hang from the cave’s roof like tattered curtains.

Lumanoy Cave is relatively unexplored. Exercise extreme caution when you enter the cave because to your immediate left from the entrance is a deep, 30-foot chasm that leads to a vast underground pool. The depth of this body of water is not yet ascertained. There are deeper passages in the cave worth exploring, but be sure you bring adequate caving gear and a professional spelunker with you.

ESOY HOT SPRING

Esoy Hot Spring's Main Pool

Places like this are not common and so many people would want to rush in to get the benefits or just enjoy its natural giftedness.

So, the management made it a policy that guests should come with prior reservation so as to prevent overcrowding and other possible unforeseeable issues.

In order to get inside the hot spring, one has to climb down a 150-step stairs leading into the hot spring. Due to the limited space inside, the management declared a “no booking, no entry” policy so that users could fully enjoy the place.

Budbod Kabog Festival

Budbod kabog

One of the big highlights of the celebration is the town famous festival, "Budbod Kabog Festival". Budbod Kabog is one of the specialty products that can only be taste in Catmon Cebu. "Kabog” is a small-seeded cereal plant known as millet and grew wild in abundance Catmon’s mountains,especially in Barangay Agsuwao. Other specialty products that describing the grain “kabog” are bibingkang kabog, bikong kabog, kabog valenciana, bibingka, coconut balls, peanut brittle, empanadita and many more.

Visit now and explore the treasures of Catmon.