Municipality of San Francisco

Municipal Hall of San Francisco ......

MUNICIPALITY OF SAN FRANCISCO -2010 Population- -47,357==San Francisco is 38 nautical miles of Cebu city in Central Philippines. It is a small piece of paradise. A general small island in northeast of mainland, Cebu. This third class municipality sprawls 12414’04’’ to 124 30'37 and 10 32'48 latitude . The municipality is bounded on the north, south, and west by the shark infested Camotes Sea and on the east by Ponson Island (municipality of Pilar). The municipality composed of 15 barangays namely: Barangay Campo, Cabunga-an, Consuelo, Esperanza, Himensulan, Southern Poblacion, Northern Poblacion, Western Poblacion, Sonog, Union, Montealegre, Santiago, Unidos , San-Isidro and Sta. Cruz. The municipality is being created in the year 1928 .

SanFran

Tourist Information Center - SanFran

San Francisco

THE HISTORY
The town started as a barrio called SUANGAN and once a part of the town of Poro.  A letter in Spanish dated February 23, 1852 by the Cabezas de Barangay and the Principales, to then Alcalde ( Mayor) Ramon Limos Y Mansa of Cebu, petitioned for its separation from the Cabezera of Poro.  In the Errection de los Pueblos de Cebu, a letter dated March 29, 1852  granted the official approval to the request of the Leaders in SUANGAN for the establishment of the town apart from Poro, that made known that the town was named after Francisco de Asis.The Jesuits of Mandaue  who  had then established a mission in Suangan, and who were then devotees to San Jose possibly explains why both the City of Mandaue and the Municipality of San Francisco have San Jose as their Patron.  The Patron’s feast falls every 19thday of March. 

TOURISM
This small town is blessed with beautiful spots and sites.  White sand beaches along the  western and northern coasts; caves for those who are adventurous, wherein, the most popular is the Timobo Cave for a refreshing and rejuvenating swim.  There are eleven identified amazing dive sites; our underwater paradise - so much attracting and inviting for exploration.  We also have Lake Danao which is not only a tourist attraction but it is also a source of livelihood for the people, for its abundance of tilapia fish and kuhol shells for food, and the rare soli-soli grass to be made into mats, bags, and varieties of souvenir items for sale.  Take a tour around the lake.

Bridge

Baywalk

Saint Joseph Church

Saint Joseph Church

SOLI-SOLI FESTIVAL -  Every March 18, in San Francisco, Camotes Island, the Soli-soli Festival is celebrated with the town’s patron, St. Joseph the Worker. The festival is named after the soli-soli plant which flourishes around Lake Danao, basically used for weaving mats, hats, baskets and other handicrafts. Costumes and props in freestyle street dancing competition are made of soli-soli grasses as its main material. Though Sinulog-inspired, the street dancing and rituals are based on storylines on the arrival of St. Joseph’s image in San Francisco, the town’s Christianization and the legend of Lake Danao. There are three basic movements in dancing the festivity: 1) “iwagayway” or mimicking the graceful sway of the soli-soli weed, 2) stomping movement that bears a resemblance to harvesting of the weeds, 3) stylized weaving action that reminds everyone of the livelihood that soli-soli has given the locals.

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Aerial view Camotes islands

TulangDiot Island

Timubo Cave

Timubo Cave

Timubo Cave, one of the 8 natural caves in Camotes Island. It was known as the natural drinking water of the people of Sonog. Timubo Cave is a small underground cave filled with stalactites and stalagmites. It has also an underground pool. The cave was once used by Filipinos during World War II to hide from the Japanese. There were a number of locals taking a dip in the cold and clear waters, sadly, with all the "No Food and No Drinks" signage in the cave, they didn't seem to bother.

At  Lake Danao

At Lake Danao

Lake Danao

Lake Danao is a five-kilometer long, guitar-shaped lake in the northern part of the island. It has at least two parks on its shore - Lake Danao Park and the privately owned Green Lake Park.

Lake Danao's natural beauty is one of a kind. Christened the "Lover's Lake", mainly because of its secluded location and having the peace and quiet that couples seek. It has an ambiance of grand magnitude beyond compare.

Lake Danao is located 20 to 30 minutes away from Santiago Bay, the prime beach resort ofCamotes. It can be accessed going to the west part of Pacijan Island near Union and Campo. A big signage on the corner is visible enough for one to know that it is the road going to Lake Danao. It can be accessed by tourists in two different locations, Lake Danao Park and Green Lake Park.

                                                  Two offshoot islet inside Lake Danao

Crocodile islet

Snake islet

Santiago - White Beach is fronting Santiago Bay located at the south-western part of the island and has a long strip of beach which directly fronts the town of Santiago. The beach there is public and is owned by the local government unit. It is one of the few beaches which is public and does not charge to stay on the beach. Due to the public ownership, the beach is a favorite hang-out place for the locals as well as foreign visitors. The main resort there, which is at the western end of the beach, is the Santiago Bay Garden & Beach Resort. There are a couple of other resorts along with a few restaurants and vendors operating on the beach near the resorts.

Mangodlong

Mangodlong

Mangodlong Paradise Beach  Resorts

Within Pacijan Island, Camotes is Mangodlong Paradise Beach Resort – a modest 18-room resort that offers both relaxation and recreation at a balance. The Paradise features Asian and modern themed rooms, the islands’ first and only infinity pool, a calming bamboo restaurant, a breathtaking view of the sunset at the bar, and recreational activities for the active youngsters. This intimate resort is perfect for those looking for an escape from all the hustle and bustle of the city.

Mangodlong Paradise Beach Resorts

Mangodlong Paradise Resort

Mangodlong Paradise Resort

Mangodlong is located in Himensulan, Pacijan Island, Camotes in the Philippines. It has a 2-hectare land area with coconut shaded garden close to the beachfront. A strange-shaped swimming pools attached to each other for both adults and children gives another option for visitors to swim. Near the beach are tropical huts built on a coral islet. One hut on wonderful rock formation now serves as concept of the logo design.

Mangodlong Rock Resort is a popular resort on Camotes Island having its own private cove and a small rocky outcrop that has few cottage huts to relax in. The resort offers snorkelling, kayaking as well as having its own dive centre. The pool is tiny and is more for cooling off from the tropical heat than for swimming. Day use of the resort is available and you can rent out snorkels.  The Coco Groove rooms are located outside the main resort a few minute walk just past Mangodlong Paradise Beach Resort. Mangodlong Rock Resort is the sister Hotel of Santiago Bay Garden only 10 minutes away. 

Mangodlong Beach Resorts

Mangodlong Beach, the most visited beaches in the whole Camotes, is a white-sand beach located in the fisherman's village of Mangodlong, Himensulan, San Francisco. Across the beach is a coral islet separated by the blue sea.

Bakhaw Beach, located in Bakhaw, Esperanza, San Francisco, it has a sugary beach and a crystal-clear waters that is very safe for children.

Tulang Diot

Tulang Diot Island

2010 Population:

SAN FRANCISCO 47,357
Montealegre 1,288
Cabunga-an 1,764
Campo 2,517
Consuelo 4,827
Esperanza 5,629
Himensulan 2,169
Northern Poblacion 3,779
San Isidro 3,668
Santa Cruz 4,717
Santiago 2,132
Sonog 3,366
Southern Poblacion 3,453
Unidos 1,035
Union 4,721
Western Poblacion 2,292