Danao city

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Brief History

There is no concrete record to support the story on how Danao got its name. Although in the 1960’s there were circularized copies of a story concerning the early founding of Danao, but the contents and substance were but clear reproduction of an old legendary version which related of a Spanish Captain by the name of Manuel Aniceto del Rosario who, as the story went, was commissioned by the early Spanish authorities in the province of Cebu to establish municipalities starting from what is now Danao City towards the northern part of Cebu as far as what is now presently the municipality of Borbon.
This developed when in compliance with his commission, Capt. Del Rosario went to said places to perform his duties. Riding on a horse on his way to the north after a place called Cotcot, he came upon a few natives who were resting and taking time bathing their carabaos in one of the many lakes in the area. Dismounting from his horse, the Captain took his rest and in a short while struck conversation with the surprised natives. Pointing vertically his forefinger to the ground where they stood, the captain inquired just what was the name of the place, with the impression that the stranger might have asked the name of the small lakes where their carabaos were resting, one of the native instantly replied: "DANAWAN" (a Cebuano dialect for small lake) which, according to the story, on account of the Captain’s defective sense of hearing, only heard and recorded the first syllable DA-NAO. Thus begun the early naming of the place DANAO.

Population/Location

According to the 2010 census, Danao city has a population of 119,252 people.

Danao City is located in the northeastern part of the Cebu province. Danao City is facing the Camotes Islands to the East. It lies in the eastern coast between the municipalities of Carmen – to the North, and Compostela – to the South. It is bounded to the West by the municipalities of Balamban, Asturias and Tuburan.

The Hundred Years of Democratic Government and System of Education in Danao City

The American soldiers came to Danao on August, 1900 with Gen. Lawton as the commanding officer.
They had an encounter with the Danawanon soldiers, but because of their superior weapons the soldiers and the civilians including their families fled to hinterlands to spare their life. Danawanons felt a reign of terror.
The leader of the resistance movement in Danao, Capitan Candelario M. Cuizon fled to Hagnaya in his farm. The American officer ordered to demolish the big residential house of Tan Dayong in the corner of now C.M. Enriquez and B. D. Durano streets.
A wedding in old Danao

His big sugar plantation, his big Camalig Bato or bodega of muscuvado sugar in Taboc and several sugar mills were set on fire by the American soldiers. Because of the destruction of his properties and business he came down to the Poblacion and pledged allegiance to the American government.
Capitan Victorino C. Buot, the Presidente Popular of Danao at that time was captured and put to jail in Fort San Pedro, Cebu City. He was forced to swear allegiance to the American government.

Few days after he was released and appointed as the first President Municipal of Danao on June 10, 1901, according to the Municipal Code of Danao Number 82. This Municipal Code was the establishment of the Democratic municipal government of Danao under the American regime.
Sr Agustin B. Tito, the former Juez de Paz de Danao (under the Spanish Era) was municipal vice-president. Sr Felix G. Batucan, the former maestro of Spanish class (during the Spanish Era) was the municipal treasurer.
Sr Antonio D. Lao was auxiliary municipal treasurer Sr Benito G. Enriquez, the Vice President of the Revolutionary soldiers in Danao was the Municipal Judge.
Sr Tomas G. Lao was chief of Police. Sr Jose Ma. Escalante, Spaniard (the former secretary of Capitan Vito during Spanish era) and his brother in-law was municipal secretary. The municipal councilors were Sr Alejandro B. Derecho, Sr Severo B. Duterte, Sr Catalino G. Buot, Sr Roman B. Gonzales, Sr Manuel Ma. C. Roble, Sr Valentes Mata (Capitan Municipal), Sr Fabian D. Casas (cabeza), Sr Macario Castro (cabeza).
Danawanons who hid in the hinterlands came down to the Poblacion and once again lived in Danao peacefully. The Danao folks were happy and life returned to normal.
On August, 1901, the Thomasites arrived aboard USS Thomas. The old teachers who served during the Spanish era were recruited to teach. They were trained in English by the Thomasites at night and during the daytime they taught English lessons.
The training lasted several months. Those who were trained were the prominent teachers during the last years of Spanish era. A few names were mentioned. They were Sr Felix A. Alvarez, Sr Amando G. Osmena, Sr Aquilino A. Tito, Sr, Alfonso Lao, Srta. Romana A. Alvarez, Sra. Leonarda A. Alvarez, Srta. Anunciacion C. Manipis, Srta. Maria Pasaol, Srta. Tomasa D. Casas, Srta. Canuta Almerez and other names who were no longer remembered. The first principal was an American educator Mr Vimien.
Children of school age were forced and obliged to attend classes. Those who hid and did not attend classes were caught and were sent to the classrooms. By the encouragement of Mr. Vimien, the enrollment increased. The rooms of the old school building built during the Spanish era in the year 1863 (now the City Central School) were not enough for the growing enrollment. The Old Cuartel de Civiles in the street now Bonifacio Street was used as classrooms. Classes were held in this tabique building.
The first graduate of the fourth grade class were made to teach in the barrios. This was the humble beginning of the democratic education in Danao.

Sources: The American Occupation in Cebu – by Jose Quisumbing

Danao gun industry

Danao City is well known for its gun industry. The industry started around 1905–1906. When World War II came, the Danao gunsmiths went underground, joined the guerrilla movement or were inducted into the USAFFE. Their main task was to re-chamber the Japanese Arisaka rifles to fit the US .30 caliber round or to keep the original Japanese rifle in good service.

The industry went on, still underground. In the 1960s, the term paltik was given to the homemade (and illegal) guns.[citation needed] In the early 1990s the industry was legalized by the government, with the creation of two organizations of local gunsmiths. The organization now left with proper permit is Workers League of Danao Multi-purpose Cooperative (World MPC), in Dungguan, Danao City.

Church

The oldest church in Danao and one of the oldest chuches built by the friars in Cebu province is Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish. It was built on 1755 by Fr. Manuel de Santa Barbara. It was made of materials that came from sugar cane and rocks from the sea. Very interesting about this church are the bells which are named after saints. The oldest bell is the San Alipio bell which was cast in 1845 and weighs 450 kilos. The Villanueva bell which weighs 630 kilos and the Sagrado Corazon bell which weighs 249 kilos were added in 1917. Most of all, never forget to venerate and ask for guidance to this saint and to Our Creator.

Landmarks/tourist attraction

Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church & Convent
The Spanish vintage church and convent. The oldest parish which was established in 1671 by the Augustinian Friars and reconstructed in 1981.

Children’s Paradise
Situated in Barangay Poblacion where the kids can enjoy freely its facilities and maintained by the city government.

City Plaza Rizal
It is an elevated plaza located at Poblacion. A place to stroll and jog at dawn.

Replica of Mt. Calvary
It is situated at the hill of Barangay Tuburan Sur. At the base of the hill is the Grotto of the Blessed Virgin of Lourdes.

Garden of Gethsemane
It is situated at Barangay Guinsay along its churchyard of St. Anthony de Padua Parish Church.
Mt. Manghilao
The highest mountain peak of Danao City where the wooden cross stands at the peak. It is ideal for nature lovers and mountain climbers.