Carigara, officially the Municipality of Carigara , is a 1st class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 54,656 people. Established in 1571, Carigara holds the distinction of being the inaugural town founded in the expansive Eastern Visayas region. A pivotal development occurred in 1735 when Leyte and Samar were detached from Cebu, forming a unified provincial governance structure with Carigara serving as the premier provincial capital during this era. Carigara is renowned for its distinct offerings, including pastillas, humba, sundang (machete), and the hubhob delicacy. Hubhob, a local delight, is crafted from grated cassava, eggs, kalamay, milk, and sugar, cooked within a bagacay (bamboo pole) over charcoal, imparting a unique and flavorful taste to this traditional specialty.

History

Carigara, originally known as "Kan Gara," translates to "that of Gara" or simply "Gara's." Legend has it that Gara hailed from Borneo and was among the unnamed companions of the ten datus who purchased Panay from the Ati (or Aeta) chief Marikudo. Over time, "Kan Gara" transformed into Kalgara for ease of pronunciation, and upon the arrival of the Spaniards, the place was named Carigara, thus adopting its present designation. As the initial town established in Eastern Visayas, Carigara celebrates its festival every 16 July, marking the arrival of the Spaniards on July 16, 1569. This festivity, spanning nearly the entire month of July, thus attracting tourists and visitors from nearby towns for commemorating this significant historical event.

Carigara's Attempt for a World Record

On July 14, 2018, Carigara made a bold attempt to secure the Guinness World Records for the "Largest Participants in Philippine Folk Dance," showcasing the Kuratsa. This event formed a part of the town's 423rd fiesta celebration slated for July 16, instilling a sense of pride among the locals and fostering hopes for an economic and tourism upsurge. The event boasted nearly 5,000 participants, predominantly comprising students, teachers from various schools, municipal employees, representatives from the private sector, and residents. Carigara had promptly submitted its bid and eagerly awaited official confirmation.

Geography

Topography

It is a town in the northern part of Leyte province located right on the shores of Carigara Bay, and surrounded by wide rice fields fanning out towards the mountains in the distance. Carigara shares borders with Capoocan to the west, Ormoc to the south, Jaro to the southeast, Tunga to the east and Barugo to the northeast.

Flora and Fauna

Flora

The climatic and topographical characteristics of Carigara's expansive terrain, encompassing wide rice fields and hilly landscapes, create an optimal environment for cultivating fruit-bearing trees, vegetables, and a variety of crops. Noteworthy fruit-bearing trees suitable for cultivation include bananas, coconuts, jackfruits, mangoes, guavas, rambutans, santol, and star apples. In terms of vegetables, gabi, karubasa, pipino, kamalunggay, marigoso, munggos, sitaw, and upo are extensively grown by local farmers and residents, thriving exceptionally well within the community. Additionally, root crops like kamote and balanghoy flourish alongside rice crops, constituting a substantial part of the agricultural landscape in Carigara.

Fauna

Carigara features vast highland forests and a diverse fauna, including domesticated animals like carabaos, horses, cats, dogs, chickens, and pigs. In its wild population, the area is home to snakes, frogs, insects, various lizards, and a variety of birds, among other wildlife species.

Barangays

Carigara is politically subdivided into 49 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Climate

Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of Carigara, Leyte, was 54,656 people, with a density of undefined PD/km2.

Language

The predominant language in the municipality is Waray-waray, with Cebuano and Tagalog recognized as minority languages. English functions as the official language, often interspersed with Waray in colloquial exchanges. Although Spanish maintains residual relevance, its usage is limited to specific contexts and not prevalent in verbal or day-to-day communication.

Religion

Carigara is mostly Christianity due to Spanish Empire's influence but there are other religions, such as Islam due to economic migrations and allowed them to establish their own businesses that provides locals with commodities, there are other people with minority religion that resides in Carigara for improved economic conditions and standard of living.

Economy

Culture

Festival

On January 25, 2019, Carigara commemorated its inaugural festival, the Magara Festival, coinciding with its 448th founding anniversary. Magara locally connotes abundance, elegance, and vibrancy. The inaugural Magara Festival primarily centered on celebrating the town's agricultural richness, local products, historical heritage, and its community.

Events

Turugpo is a significant public spectacle featuring duels between two male carabaos or two male horses, occurring annually on Black Saturday. This widely attended event garners immense popularity within the town, drawing thousands of both local and international tourists eager to witness this renowned and culturally significant fight.

Tourism

Here's a list of some tourist attractions of the municipality of Carigara. Attractions include:

Infrastructures

Transportation

Land Transport

There are new modernized PUVs that travel from Carigara to Tacloban and vice versa issued by its local government on 24 November 2021.

Sea Transport

The municipality owns a port that is located in Barangay Baybay where local boats and ships docks.

Healthcare Service

Carigara District Hospital, commonly referred to as CDH, serves as the sole public hospital in the town. Residents from neighboring towns also visit the hospital to admit their ailing patients, seeking additional medical services and attention.

Utilities

Education

There are a total of 30 elementary schools, 6 high schools (1 private, 4 public, 1 pending construction) and 2 college institutions located on Carigara.

Grade School/Elementary School

• Balilit Elementary School • Barugohay Norte Elementary School • Barugohay Sur Elementary School • Binibihan Elementary School • C.A.T.A.M.C.S. (Cong. Alberto T. Aguja Memorial Central School) • Caghalo Elementary School • Camansi Elementary School • Candigahub Elementary School • Canfabi ES (Santa Fe ES) • Canlampay Elementary School • Carigara II CS • Cassidy Central School (Cassidy Elementary School) • Cogon Elementary School • Guindapunan Elementary School • Hiluctogan Elementary School • Hira-an Elementary School • M. Morales Memorial Elementary School • Macalpi Elementary School • Manloy Elementary School • Nauguisan Elementary School • Pangna Elementary School • Parag-um Elementary School • Ponong Elementary School • Sagkahan Elementary School • Sogod Elementary School • Santa Fe Elementary School • Tagak Elementary School • Tigbao Elementary School • Tinaguban Elementary School • Uyawan Elementary School

Secondary School/High School

College/University

Notable personalities

Gallery