History of Bantayan Island

Early History of Bantayan Island

The first full time residents of Bantayan Island, arrived on the island during the period of time from 1635-1645. The king of Spain used the island as an advanced warning system for the larger islands of Cebu, the Visayas and Luzon.

Muslim marauders called “Moros” frequently made their way up from Mindanao invading the Christian settlements in the Visayas, murdering and robbing the people inhabiting these areas.

Because Bantayan Island is a natural barrier for entrance into the Visayas, small watchtowers were constructed all over Bantayan Island to serve as lookout post for invading Moros.

The name “Bantayan” comes from the Cebuano term that means “A Place to Watch”. The places of lookout were called in Cebuano: “Bantayan sa Hari”, meaning “A place to watch for the king”. The people who lived on the island adopted the term that described the purpose of their being there and shortened the name to “Bantayan Island”.

The town of Bantayan in the Municipality of Bantayan is the closest outpost and best view for any invading Moros who would approach the Island. Tall stone walls were also constructed at the site of Saint Peter and Paul’s church in Bantayan that surround the convent and the church near the area where the public plaza is currently located.


Three Municipalities, No Cities

Being a very small island, Bantayan is just about 7 by 10 miles and has no formal incorporated cities. The

three main areas of inhabitation are the Municipalities of Santa Fe, Bantayan and Madridejos.

Bantayan is known as a second class municipality with 25 barangays called:
Atop-atop, Baigad, Baod, Binaobao (Poblacion), Balidbid, Kabac, Doong, Hilotongan, Guiwanon, Kabangbang, Kampingganon, Kangkaibe, Lipayran, Luyongbaybay, Mojon, Obo-ob, Patao, Putian, Sillon, Sungko, Suba (Poblacion), Sulangan, Tamiao, Bantigue (Poblacion) and Ticad (Poblacion)

Madridejos is a fourth class municipality with14 barangays called:
Bunakan, Kangwayan, Kaongkod, Kodia, Maalat, Malbago, Mancilang, Pili, Poblacion, San Agustin, Tabagak, Talangnan, Tarong and Tugas.

Santa Fe is a fifth class municipality with 10 barangays called: 
Hagdan, Hilantagaan, Kinatarkan, Langub, Maricaban, Okoy, Poblacion, Balidbid, Pooc and Talisay.


Current History of Bantayan Island:

Because Bantayan Island has played such an important role in the establishment of the early Christian church and the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the 500 year old Church at Bantayan called Saint Peter and Paul’s Church has become a gathering place for the season of Jesus resurrection during Easter.

During what is described as “Holy Week” tens of thousands gather from all over the Philippines to the tiny Island of Bantayan to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and to enjoy the festivities of that week.

During this period of time the hotels and resorts on Bantayan Island are full even though the nightly rates for all of the rooms in the resorts double or triple in price. It is advisable to book your stay on Bantayan Island for the Holy Week Celebration at least nine months to a year in advance.