Matalom, Leyte

Matalom
Municipality
Map of Leyte with Matalom highlighted
Matalom Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 10°17′N 124°48′E / 10.283°N 124.800°E / 10.283; 124.800Coordinates: 10°17′N 124°48′E / 10.283°N 124.800°E / 10.283; 124.800
Country	Philippines
Region	Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)
Province	Leyte
Congr. district	5th district of Leyte
Barangays	30
Government[1]
• Mayor	Eric S. Pajulio
Area[2]
• Total	132.00 km2 (50.97 sq mi)
Population (2010)[3]
• Total	31,097
• Density	240/km2 (610/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	6526
Dialing code	53

Matalom is a third class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. It borders with Bato in the north. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 31,097 people.^[3]

Etymology

It was said that the Spaniards once saw the flaming red of the fire trees that dotted the shores of Matalom Beach and the scenic Canigao Island and asked the natives the local dialect for "hermosa" or beautiful. The natives answered "Matahum" or "Matalom." This was the origin of the town's name.

Barangays

Matalom is politically subdivided into 30 barangays.^[2]

History

Before Ferdinand Magellan discovered the Philippines, a sea-faring people lived along the banks of the Matalom River and also on the islet of Canigao (formerly Comigao).

In the middle of the 18th century, the townspeople of Matalom constructed their own parish church, convent, school, and public buildings through their own efforts. These were all accomplished with the leadership of Spanish Friar Leonardo Celes Diaz and Capitan Calixto Pil believed to be the founder and first president of the town.

Leadership in the town's administration may be divided into three regimes: Spanish, American and Postwar (Philippine Independence). The first president of Matalom during the Spanish regime was Capitan Calixto Pil. Succession to the chair of president was patterned after the original dynasty set up by the natives, by Pal and Pil families. Thus, after Kapitan "Itong" (Cpt. Calixto Pil) his son followed. Next in line was Kapitan "Osting" (Cpt. Agustin Pil) then Kapitan "Kulas" (Cpt. Nicolas Pal), then Kapitan "Bentoy" (Cpt. Ruberto Pal), the last president before the transition period from Spanish to American regimes. The council members were then called, "Guinhaupan," acknowledged leader in settlements, now barrios or sitios.

The transition from the American regime to the time the Philippines obtained its independence saw Jeremias Pal re-elected alcalde in 1937 until the outbreak of World War II. The dark days of the Japanese occupation had Antonio Olo as the "puppet mayor". The restoration of the civil government after the war saw the appointment of Primitivo Gopo as the municipal mayor of Matalom.

Demographics

Canigao Island's blue waters

Tourism

Matalom has become famous for Canigao Island.

References

External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Matalom.

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System

		Bato	Bontoc, Southern Leyte
	Camotes Sea		Tomas Oppus, Southern Leyte
		Matalom
		Maasin, Southern Leyte

Province of Leyte
Tacloban (capital)
Municipalities	Abuyog Alangalang Albuera Babatngon Barugo Bato Burauen Calubian Capoocan Carigara Dagami Dulag Hilongos Hindang Inopacan Isabel Jaro Javier Julita Kananga La Paz Leyte MacArthur Mahaplag Matag-ob Matalom Mayorga Merida Palo Palompon Pastrana San Isidro San Miguel Santa Fe Tabango Tabontabon Tanauan Tolosa Tunga Villaba
Component city	Baybay
Independent component city	Ormoc (Administratively independent from the province but grouped under Leyte by the Philippine Statistics Authority.)
Highly urbanized city	Tacloban (Administratively independent from the province but grouped under Leyte by the Philippine Statistics Authority.)