Daanbantayan, Cebu

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Daanbantayan is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 69,336 people in 13,472 households. The island of Malapascua is part of the jurisdiction of the municipality of Daanbantayan.

Every year, Daanbantayan celebrates the Kandaya Festival which is in honor of Datu Daya, the legendary founder of the town.

Contents 1 History 2 Tourism 3 Transportation 4 Barangays 5 External links

[edit] History

The name Daanbantayan was derived from two words: the word "Daan" (which means "old" in the Cebuano language, and the word "Bantayan" which refers to a place that served as a "look-out-station" for Moro raiders before the Spaniards obtained control. The original site of the town might have been located at an elevated vantage point near Punta which is situated near Tapilon. Some older maps and publications use both words independently from one another, as "Daan Bantayan".

[edit] Tourism

There are low-cost beach resorts within two kilometers of the Public Market in Daanbantayan. Rates range from a "low" of Php500 (US$10) to a "high" of PhP5,000 (US$100). Of course, the rooms can be inspected prior to renting them, and most of the rooms are comfortable, spacious, equipped with air-conditioning, cable television, and other ameneties.

Skip's Beach Resort: Located near the College of Fisheries. Rooms rent for PhP 500 per night (Approx. US $10) to PhP 1000 per night. This includes air-conditioning, cable TV, free use of high-speed wireless internet, free use of boat and bicycles, free use of the open cottages along the beach, free songs in the videoke, free coffee upon arrival, etc. The beach is ideal for swimming and the rooms are clean and spacious. Inexpensive food is available at the restaurant. There is a free campground area that contains five large shelters for sleeping, and there is also a place for tents and hammocks among the coconut trees near the beach. The camping area has a raised platform for cooking on open fires -- water for cooking -- and an out-house-toilet that is kept clean and sanitary by the staff at Skip's Beach Resort. There is no entrance fee. The website address is as follows: www.skipsbeachresort.com

Rock Beach Resort: Rooms rent for PhP 1,200 per night (US $24) with air-conditioning but no television. There is an extra charge for using the swimming pool. There is an entrance fee.

Maria Louisa Beach Resort: Rooms rent for PhP 2500 per night (US $50), with air-conditioning and cable TV. Also, a good restaurant is available, and a good beach for swimming. There is an entrance fee.

Villa Milagros Resort: Rooms rent for PhP 5000 per night (US $100) with air-conditioning and cable TV. The main building is a huge palatial mansion with giant white columns. The grounds were impressive and immaculate. There is a good restaurant and tennis courts are available. There is an entrance fee.

The Island of Malapascua: This island is a "neighborhood" of Daanbantayan. It will soon be one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines. It is a "Boracay" in the making.

Getting to Malapasqua: Take a Jeepney (approximately 20 cents U.S.) from the Public Market in Daanbantayan to the neighborhood (Barangay) called Maya. The Jeepney ride might take 20 minutes or so. From there, take a boat (approximately 80 cents U.S.) to the island. The boat ride might take 30 minutes, and the boats leave every hour. Many of the visitors to the Island of Malapasqua walk around the entire island so they can visit some of the quaint fishing villages. It is also possible to hire a small boat for circumnavigating the island and seeing it from that persepctive.

FISHING: It is easy to go fishing with the local fishermen in Daanbantayan and/or Malapascua. For three or four hundred Pesos, it is possible to go out on boats with fishermen that really know the area. Fishing equipment can be rented or borrowed. Skip's Beach Resort loans fishing rods and reels for free, and it is possible to catch fish quite easily in that area.

ISLAND HOPPING: It is possible to rent a boat, with an operator, for less than $25. U.S. per day. Using these local boats (with inboard engines and outriggers on both sides) it is very easy to visit some of the beautiful nearby islands such as Carnasa -- Kanatarken -- Chocolate Island -- Gato Island -- and others.

[edit] Transportation

Buses to Daanbantayan and Maya are available at the North Bus Terminal in Cebu City. The bus will cost less than 100 Pesos ($2. U.S.). An air-conditioned bus costs slightly more. At the public market of Daanbantayan, it is possible to hire rickshaw|motorcycles (the local version of a taxi) for transportation to one of the local beach resorts.

[edit] Barangays

Daanbantayan is politically subdivided into 20 official "neighborhoods (called Barangays) -- as follows:

Agujo Bagay Bakhawan Bateria Bitoon Calape Carnaza Dalingding Lanao Logon

Malbago Malingin Maya Pajo Paypay Poblacion Talisay Tapilon Tinubdan Tominjao

[edit] External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 2000 Philippine Census Information

Coordinates: 11°15′N 123°60′E