Early history

The island of Camiguin is believed to have been first inhabited by the Manobo people of Surigao del Norte, as evidenced by the distinctly connected language between the two groups. The island was used as a trading stop point by various merchants and traders from the Rajahnate of Butuan, the Kedatuan of Dapitan, the ancient people of the Anda peninsula, and possibly the Rajahnate of Cebu and the animist Maranao of Lanao before the Islamization of the Lanao provinces.

Spanish colonial era

Old Spanish documents indicate that the renowned explorers Ferdinand Magellan and Miguel Lopez de Legaspi landed in Camiguin in 1521 and 1565, respectively. The first Spanish settlement was established in 1598 in what is now Guinsiliban. Guinsiliban, which comes from the old Kinamiguin word Ginsil-ipan (which means “to look out for pirates from a watchtower”) has an old Spanish watchtower where the Camiguinons kept watch for Moro pirates.^[9]

The first major Spanish settlement, established in 1679, was called Katagman or Katadman (known as Catarman). The settlement grew and prospered but was destroyed by the eruption of Mt. Vulcan in 1871. The former location is what is now Barangay Bonbon of Catarman.^[9]

Sagay, located south of Catarman, was formally established as a town in 1848. The word Sagay is derived from the name of poisonous fruit trees that grow in the area. Mambajao became a town in 1855. The name was coined from the Visayan terms mamahaw, meaning to usher breakfast, and bajao, which is leftover boiled rice. In the early 1900s, Mambajao prospered and became the busiest port in Northern Mindanao. Mahinog was established as a municipality in 1860. The name Mahinog comes from a Visayan word meaning "to ripen" or "to become ripe". Although Guinsiliban was the oldest settlement in the island, it was only in 1950 that it became a municipality. Mahinog was formerly governed by Mambajao while Guinsiliban was formally governed from Sagay.^[9]

American invasion era

East side of Camiguin Island aerial view, circa pre-1944

In 1901, in the middle of the Philippine–American War, American soldiers landed in Camiguin to assume political control over the island. A group of Camiguinons, armed with bolos and spears, led by Valero Camaro, fought them in a short battle in Catarman. Valero Camaro was killed by a bullet in the forehead. Further study is needed before he and his band can be recognized as patriots in the same way we recognize the Katipuneros. There is no study that identifies an independence movement in Camiguin during the American occupation. However, a small detail with regards to the colonial resistance in Cagayan, Misamis indicates that Camiguinons supported in a clandestine way the revolutionary activities of the Cagayanons against the new colonizers. They offered their arms and ammunitions and a typewriter to the revolucionarios in Cagayan.^[10]

In 1903, the first public school in Camiguin was built in Mambajao but what is known today as the Mambajao Central School was completed in 1912. On September 9, 1904, the first public water system, known as Las Aguas Potables de Mambajao, spearheaded by an admired civic leader by the name of Placido Reyes and co-operated by townspeople, was inaugurated.^[11]

Japanese occupation era

On June 18, 1942, the Japanese Imperial Army landed in Camiguin and set up a government in Mambajao. They gutted central Mambajao in reprisal to guerrilla activities in the area. The remains of some of these buildings still exist today.^[9]

Philippine independence

On July 4, 1946, the Philippines gained independence from the US. Camiguin was then part of Misamis Oriental. On June 22, 1957, Camiguin formally became a subprovince of Misamis Oriental through Republic Act No. 2021 signed by President Carlos P. Garcia.^{[12] [13]}

Finally, on June 18, 1966 Camiguin was made into a separate province through Republic Act No. 4669^[14] signed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos, and formally inaugurated in 1968.^[9]

Camiguinon citizens were among those who were victims of the human rights abuses during Martial law under Ferdinand Marcos; some of them were among the Northern Mindanaoans whose grievances were formally recognized and granted the right to reparations in 2014.^[15]

Physical

Camiguin Island is a pearl-shaped island with an area of approximately 238 km² (92 sq mi).^[4] The island measures about 23 kilometres (14 mi) at its longest and 14.5 kilometres (9.0 mi) at its widest breadth.^[16] The island is mountainous with the highest elevation reaching over 5,000 ft (1,500 m). It is encircled by a national road with a length of about 64 kilometres (40 mi). As of the August 1, 2007, census, the province has a fifth-class income classification with a population of 81,293.^[17]

Administrative divisions

Camiguin comprises five municipalities, which are further subdivided into a total of 58 barangays.^[4]

Political divisions

Indigenous people

An indigenous people group, the Cinamiguin Manobo, are believed to have been the first inhabitants of Camiguin.^[22] Their language, known as Kamigin, had 26,700 speakers as of the 2000 census.

Religion

Camiguin is a predominantly Roman Catholic province with 95% adherence. The remaining religions are represented by various Protestant and a few Islamic groups.

Lanzones Festival

Each year in the third week of October, a festival is held to celebrate the Lanzones (locally called bwahan/buahan), a small grape-sized tropical fruit grown all over the island. Lanzones grown in Camiguin is considered to be the sweetest. The unique flavor is due to the richness of the volcanic soil. The week-long Lanzones Festival is one of numerous colorful events in the Philippines.

Churches

Several centuries-old Spanish Colonial and 20th century churches are found in various parts of the island.

• Santo Rosario Church: The Santo Rosario Church in the municipality of Sagay was built in 1882. The facade of the church is a declared Important Cultural Property of the Philippines.
• Old Bonbon Church Ruins of Catarman: The church of the Old Bonbon was destroyed and partly submerged by volcanic debris during the eruption and formation of Mount Vulcan from 1871 to 1875. Also known as Gui-ob Church, only the ruins of the church and bell tower remain of the old town. A modern white lighthouse was recently erected close to the bell tower. The archaeological site has been declared as a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines.
• Baylao Church: The Church located in Barangay Baylao in Mambajao is claimed to be miraculous and the saving of many lives during the last volcanic eruption of Hibok-hibok is attributed to it.

• Churches in Camiguin
• 
  Facade of Santo Rosario Church, in Sagay
• 
  Interior of Santo Rosario Church in the town of Sagay
• 
  Mambajao church: main altar.
• 
• 
  The Catholic Church of Catarman, Camiguin
• 
  Old Bonbon Church Ruins, Catarman

Old ancestral homes

Beautiful and ornate ancestral homes dating back to the Spanish Colonial Period and American Colonial Period are still abundant and can be found along the streets of Camiguin. Fourteen of these heritage houses have been declared as Important Cultural Properties of the Philippines. These include the Borromeo ancestral house, Bacut ancestral house, Luspo ancestral house, Neri ancestral house, Nery ancestral house, Nerio-Chan ancestral house, Corrales ancestral house, Corrales y Gamali ancestral house, Francisco ancestral house, Juni ancestral house and Lim ancestral house, and Catalino Chan and Eleuterio Chan ancestral houses.^[6]

Other structures

The province is dotted with numerous heritage structures and zones from the classical, Spanish, and American eras, but most of its heritage sites are from the 300-year Spanish colonial era.

Commemorative Cross later sunk to memorialise the Sunken Cemetery of Catarman.

• Sunken Cemetery of Catarman – an ancient cemetery which sank beneath the sea due to a volcanic eruption. The archaeological site has been declared as a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines.
• Spanish-era watchtower in Guinsiliban – the watchtower of Guinsiliban was one of the most important in the area during the Spanish colonial era. The watchtower has been declared as a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines.
• Old Mambajao Fountain – a unique-style fountain from the Spanish era. It has been declared an Important Cultural Property of the Philippines.
• Old Mambajao Municipal building – a well-preserved Spanish-era government building which has been declared an Important Cultural Property of the Philippines.^[6]

Volcanoes

Hibok Hibok volcano crater

The island of Camiguin is of volcanic origin composed of four stratovolcanoes. Each volcano (except Mount Guinsiliban) is made up of several flank domes.^[31] The only volcano on the island with historical eruptions is Hibok-Hibok, which last erupted in 1953.

Below is the list of volcanoes, arranged with respect to location from north to south:

• Mount Hibok-Hibok 9°12′4″N 124°40′31″E / 9.20111°N 124.67528°E / 9.20111; 124.67528 (Hibok-Hibok Volcano)and Mount Vulcan 9°12′49″N 124°38′51″E / 9.21361°N 124.64750°E / 9.21361; 124.64750 (Mount Vulcan)are the northernmost and the only active volcanic vents on Camiguin. Mount Vulcan, ironically known as the Old Volcano [671 m (2,201 ft)], is actually the youngest volcano on the island, starting as a fissure vent in 1871 on the northwestern flank of Mount Hibok-Hibok [4,370 feet (1,330 m)] (see Volcanic eruption below). As a parasitic cone of Hibok-Hibok, it is still considered part of the volcano.^[32] Some of the other flank domes of the volcano are Carling Hill 9°12′53″N 124°40′12″E / 9.21472°N 124.67000°E / 9.21472; 124.67000 (Carling Hill), Tres Marias Hills 9°11′23″N 124°41′14″E / 9.18972°N 124.68722°E / 9.18972; 124.68722 (Tres Marias Hills) and Piyakong Hill 9°12′49″N 124°38′51″E / 9.21361°N 124.64750°E / 9.21361; 124.64750 (Piyakong Hill). Ilihan Crater is the site of the 1950 eruption.^[33][34]
• Mount Timpoong is the largest mountain on Camiguin. It is composed of several domes, the tallest of which is Timpoong Peak 9°10′42.3″N 124°43′40.4″E / 9.178417°N 124.727889°E / 9.178417; 124.727889 (Mount Timpoong), also the highest on Camiguin at 5,294 ft (1,614 m). The peak of Mambajao 9°9′48″N 124°43′13″E / 9.16333°N 124.72028°E / 9.16333; 124.72028 (Mount Mambajao) is the second tallest at 5,143 ft (1,568 m). A lower central peak 9°10′12.7″N 124°43′27.5″E / 9.170194°N 124.724306°E / 9.170194; 124.724306 (Central peak) of 5,015 ft (1,529 m) is located between the two peaks. Some of the flank vents on Mount Timpoong are Campana Hill 9°12′1″N 124°43′2″E / 9.20028°N 124.71722°E / 9.20028; 124.71722 (Campana Hill) and Minokol Hill 9°9′6.6″N 124°44′39.3″E / 9.151833°N 124.744250°E / 9.151833; 124.744250 (Minokol Hill).
• Mount Butay 9°7′18″N 124°45′52″E / 9.12167°N 124.76444°E / 9.12167; 124.76444 (Mount Butay), also known as Mount Uhay, is located between the towns of Mahinog and Guinsiliban.
• Mount Guinsiliban 9°5′35.6″N 124°46′3.5″E / 9.093222°N 124.767639°E / 9.093222; 124.767639 (Mount Guinsiliban) is located in the town of Guinsiliban. The 1,872-foot-high (571 m) mountain is the southernmost volcano and the first seen coming from the port of Balingoan on mainland Mindanao.

• The Volcanoes of Camiguin
• 
  Hibok-hibok Volcano and Mt. Vulcan in the background as seen from White Island
• 
  Silhouette of Mt. Timpoong (L) and Mt. Mambajao (R), the highest peaks of the largest mountain in Camiguin, as seen from the north, across Bohol Sea
• 
  Mount Butay is located near the Port of Benoni.
• 
  Mount Guisiliban is the southernmost volcano of the island.

Islands

Located just a few kilometers off the coast are the two islands of Camiguin.

• White Island can be accessed from Agoho which is about 5 km (3.1 mi) west of the town of Mambajao.
• Mantigue Island can be reached from Mahinog about 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) south of Mambajao.

Springs

• Ardent Hibok-Hibok Hot Spring — At the foot of Hibok-Hibok Volcano flow the mineral pools of Ardent Hot Springs. Wisps of steam can be seen rising from the running waters heated by the cauldron of the mountain, the most recently active of the seven volcanoes on the island.
• Santo Niño Cold Springs and Bura Natural Soda Water Swimming Pool in Catarman are other popular places to get a relaxing dip on the island.
• Tangub Hot Spring is an interesting hot spring located on the shore close to the Sunken Cemetery. Most of the spring is submerged and can be partly seen during low tide. The spring can also be examined by scuba diving or snorkeling, as visibility is excellent and it is also a recommended spot for observing underwater life.^[35]

Sunken Cemetery in 2018

Sunken cemetery

During the volcanic birth of Mt. Vulcan lasting from 1871 to about 1875, some areas in the town of Bonbon subsided, sinking the cemetery of the town to below sea level. The place is commemorated by a huge cross erected in 1982.^[36]

Katibawasan Falls

Since then the municipality of Bonbon has been transferred to the town of Catarman.

Waterfalls

• Katibawasan Falls — Located 5 km (3.1 mi) southeast of Mambajao, the Katibawasan Falls cascades 250 ft (76 m) down to a pool surrounded by orchids and ferns. An invigorating dip in the pool is popular, especially on warmer days, and there are also several hiking trails within the park. This is the favorite jump-off point for trekkers and mountaineers in search of adventure on the slopes of Mt. Timpoong.
• Tuasan Falls is located 6 km (3.7 mi) northeast of Catarman. Unfortunately, accessing the falls no longer entails a scenic hike passing through the Barrio of Mainit, Catarman and along the rocky river bed. The local government, to accommodate local tourism, decided in 2012 to improve access to the falls with a road built all the way up to the falls, which was finished in late 2014. Cars may be parked near the waterfalls, and from there it's just a few minutes to reach the falls and the pool. The pool at the base of the waterfall is deep and clear. As of March 2015, the local government is finalizing construction of the "Trans Island Highway", a road crossing Camiguin from Catarman to Mambajao which runs directly to the left of Tuasan Falls.^[37]

Protected areas

• Timpoong and Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument — Located in the central and western portions of Camiguin, the natural monument preserves an important watershed and center of biodiversity in the Mount Hibok-Hibok and Timpoong ranges. As the island's only remaining forest, it supports the vast majority of the island's endemic and endangered flora and fauna such as the Camiguin hanging parrot, Camiguin hawk-owl and Camiguin forest mouse.
• Giant Clam Sanctuary — Established by a non-government organization called Kabila Giant Clam Conservation and Ocean Nursery, this area is home to various species of corals and giant clams. Currently, 7 out of 9 species of giant clams can be found in the sanctuary.^[38]

Volcanic activity from 1871 to 1875

On February 16, 1871, earthquakes began to be felt on the island, which increased in severity until April 30, when a volcanic fissure opened up 400 yards southwest of the village of Catarman, northwest of Hibok-Hibok Volcano. Mt. Vulcan was born and continued erupting and pouring lava into the sea, at the same time gaining in height and width. In 1875, the Challenger expedition visited the area and described the mountain as a dome, 1,950 ft (590 m) in height, without any crater, but still smoking and incandescent at the top.^[8]

The town of Catarman was destroyed and a portion of the town sank beneath the sea. The settlement moved to where the town center is presently located. All that remains today of old Catarman are the ruins of the ancient Spanish church, a convent, and a bell tower.

Eruptions from 1948 to 1951

From 1948 to 1951, Mt. Hibok-Hibok was constantly rumbling and smoking. The first minor eruption in 1948 caused little damage and loss of life, but in 1949, a larger eruption caused 79 deaths due to pyroclastic flows. The largest eruption occurred in the morning of December 4, 1951. The volcano unleashed lava flows, poisonous gases, and pyroclastic flows destroying nearly 19 square 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 due to massive out-migration.^{[9] [33]}

Typhoon of 2001

A disastrous typhoon hit the province in the dawn of November 7, 2001. The tropical storm named Lingling (local name Nanang) brought buhawi (torrential downpours) on the mountains, causing multiple massive mudslides which killed about 200 inhabitants, most of whom were missing.^[42]