Municipality of Pilar

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MUNICIPALITY OF PILAR
Pilar is a fifth income class municipality in the province of Cebu Province, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 11,564.
The municipality is contiguous with Ponson Island, that is part of the Camotes Islands.

Pilar is composed of 13 barangays, namely:

Biasong, Cawit, Dapdap, Esperanza, Imelda, Lanao, Lower Poblacion, Moabog, Monserrat, San Isidro, San Juan, Upper Poblacion and Villahermosa.

Pilar got its name from the beautiful wife of Martin Borinaga, the son of Solferino Borinaga, an eskrima expert who migrated to the islet from Leyte in the early 1800s and who successfully defended the islet from Moro bandits.
Martin Borinaga himself became the kapitan of the islet, who was then known as Isla sa Puting Baybayon (White Beach Island), and took over its leadership. Martin later renamed the islet after his wife Pilar, who was much loved by the people because of her kindness, helpfulness and solicitude.

Capitan Martin Borinaga

Martin was the son of Solferino Borinaga, the legendary founder of the town of Pilar, Camotes. Her wife's name was Alejandra.

Solferino, the head of Borinaga clan originally came from Cabalian, Leyte (now part of Southern Leyte, after Leyte Province was divided into two). Cabalian was renamed to "San Juan", it was changed to its present name by virtue of Republic Act 3088 dated June 17, 1961. San Juan celebrated its 150thFounding Anniversary last September 15, 2010.

The first area of settlement of the Borinaga's when it arrived from Cabalian was a place near a beautiful spring called "Palawan." The Borinaga's migrated to Pilar, one of the islands of Camotes, having been attracted by the fertility of the soil and plenty fishes.

Solferino Borinaga, a fearless warrior, defended the settlement against the attacks of the Moro pirates. He trained the able-bodied men to be part of the defenders of the settlement. Solferino, trained his men in martial arts. There are articles that say that Solferino introduced unarmed defense and stick fighting, popularly called Arnis, also called by others as Eskrima or Kali.

The victory of Solferino against the pirates enticed the people of Cabalian to migrate to the new settlement. During that time the problems of people were the constant attacks of Moro invaders. The settlement founded by Solferino grew and was converted into a town. Solferino was appointed as the first Capitan.

When Capitan Solferino died his eldest child, Martin succeeded him as Capitan of the town. It was Capitan Martin who transferred the site of the town from Palawan (now called Lungsod-Daan) to another place. It was given a new name its new name was PILAR, in honor of the wife of Capitan Martin.

A natural white sand port of barangay Cawit in Pilar, Camotes

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Municipality of Tudela

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Tudela   is a fifth income class municipality in the province of Cebu Province, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 9,859, making it the least populous municipality in the province.
Tudela is eight kilometres (5 mi) east of the town center of Poro. Along with the town of Poro, Tudela is located on Poro Island. The town celebrates the fiesta of parish patron Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception each December 8.

History of Municipality of Tudela "Tag-Anito" Camotes

Tag-Anito was the original name of Tudela, which during the Spanish era renamed to Tudela by one friar named Ramon Alegria, it was the year 1892. Tudela is a city in where the friar grew until he was sent to Tudela during ’s conquest for territory and power. Tudela was only a barrio of Poro at that time for Tudela herself sits on .

In 1934, however a group of prominent residents petitioned to then Speaker of the house of representatives who was Honorable Sergio Osmeña. From that request Tudela as it is now a municipality which has Eleven (11) barangays namely:

1. Calmante 2. Northern Poblacion 3. General 4. McArthur 5. Villahermosa 6. Bag-o Secante 7. Da-an Secante 8. Southern Poblacion 9. Buenavista 10. Puertobello 11. Santander
History books teaches us that, Tag-Anito was characterized and made it to the history books on May 20, 1892 during the Spanish Regime by the Consejo de Administration through the petition letter of Pedro Solano who was the cabeza de barangay at that time and on the same year the friar Ramon Alegria who made it to Tag-Anito, changed the name to Tudela in honor of the place in Spain where he came from.

Mystical

In the murky past, Tudela was a sitio of Poro. The people then were worshippers of anitos, caves and giant tress.
They wore fetishes, which they believed, made them proof against witchcraft, the evil eye and evil tongue,
these fetishes or anting-anting were strung around their waist.
When communities began to form, the first settlement was located in Mag-a-gay-ay Bluff,
a dismembered branch of a hill to the north.
The early settlers chose this strategic bluff to protect themselves from moro raids.

The Moro raiders could not climb the steep southern and western portions.
On the eastern and northern sides, they planted thorny vines called “hagmang” or “buot”.
It is impossible for barefoot raiders to go uphill. If the Moro raiders climbed up on the southern or western sides,
the defenders rolled down boulders.

During these early Moro depredations, one chieftain named Mandayang became a folk hero on account of his anting-anting.
He was the chieftain of Mandayang, Barangay McArthur. Sitio Mandayang is named in his honor.
Tales of his exploits are still remembered today by old residents of Tudela.
When the Moro vintas landed, Mandayang met them on the shore and made the raiders kneel on the coral reefs.

Before the Spaniards came, Tudela was covered by virgin forests.
Wild carabaos roamed the hills and forests.
Some people hunted the wild bulls, using their domesticated carabaos as lure.
The hunter tied his carabao to a tree, and then climbed up with a spear.
After some time of patient waiting, the bull came attracted by the scent of the female.
Then the hunter should spear the wild bull. If lucky, he made a big kill.
The hunters then gathered at Gin-awitan for a week of feasting and dancing.
That’s how Gin-awitan, now Barangay Santander, got its name.

When the Moro raiders ceased making raids and taking captives, the growing population settled on the Tudela plains.
Tudela was only a barangay of Poro. The Spanish Guardia Civil replaced the Moro raiders.
They came to prey on the beautiful women. When they came, the women fled and hid in the forests.
Many of them became mothers but not wives because their boyfriends met them in the woods.

When Juan Pugosa, alias Moyon, became the leader of Tudela and Don Sergio Osmeña provincial Governor of Cebu Province,
Manong Moyon met the Governor at his office. He asked the governor to make Tudela a separate municipality.
Don Sergio told Manong Moyon the move was a big leap and a tremendous responsibility.
You need a municipal building and school buildings. Manong Moyon answered, “Give us a try.
No man can learn to swim unless you throw him into the sea.” Osmeña then told Pugosa,

Bukilat Cave

Of the 8 well visited natural caves in the Camotes Islands, the Bukilat cave is the grandest and most visited cave. It is one of the major tourist spots of Camotes. The interior is illuminated by light coming from the entrance and the crevices on the ceiling portion of the cave. The water level change with the tides of the sea. Tourists and locals usually come here when the tide is high. Some choose to swim in the water whenever its high tide. You might want to consider that when you are planning to take a photo without people in the cave. The cave is very accessible. You only need to go down a stairway.

The cave was named after the person who discovered it, a local chief named Bukilat. During the World War II invasion and occupation by the Imperial Japanese Army, the locals used this cave as a shelter. And whenever the Imperial Japanese Army is involved, stories of buried treasures follow. It is believed that a treasure is hidden somewhere in this cave.

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