Tudela, officially the Municipality of Tudela, (Cebuano: Lungsod sa Tudela; Tagalog: Bayan ng Tudela), is a 4th class municipality in the province of Misamis Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 28,599 people. Tudela is widely known for its colorful and interesting Binalbal Festival, where many revelers are clad in very gory costumes like a giant Halloween costume party. It is held every New Year's Day (Jan. 1). Close to the border of Tudela is the eco-tourism attraction Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park (MOAP), which is located in its boundary with Sinacaban, its neighboring town to the north.

History

Spanish colonial era

Founded by Padre Antonio Olleta as the visita of Tudela and by 1884 it was already a pueblo with four barrios. Named after Tudela, Navarre, Spain, the hometown of Padre Olleta.

American colonial era

The present territory of Tudela was once part of the former municipality of Loculan. Through Act No. 951, issued by the Philippine Commission on October 21, 1903, which reduced the number of municipalities in the then-undivided Misamis province from 24 to 10, Loculan was effectively abolished after being joined with the municipality of Misamis. During the American occupation, the inhabitants in Loculan petitioned to be separated from Misamis and organized into two independent municipalities. Thus, Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison (through the efforts of Senator Jose F. Clarin) issued Executive Order (EO) No. 61 on December 28, 1920, creating the municipality of Tudela, along with Clarin; Barrio Tudela became the seat of government. The organization became effective on the first day of 1921. The first appointed Municipal President was Primitivo Ninang and its first Vice President was Pirigrin Sengidas. The following councilors appointed were Pio Adecir, Simeon Fuentes, Gregorio Madula, Casimeo Rubio, Julio Maliao, Florentino Olarte, Felix Codilla, and Isidro Sol. The first appointed Municipal Secretary was Jose M. Castaños, known as “Secretario Municipal Interino”. The Provincial Fiscal nominated him and it was approved by Municipal Council Res. No. 123, series of 1923. Spanish Language was used in the preparation of minutes, resolutions and ordinances from 1921 up to 1928 and in the later part of 1929 during the term of Ulpiano Balazo as Municipal President.

Territorial changes

Its territorial jurisdiction has been reduced. In April 1924, by virtue of EO No. 20, Barrio Balicaocao was transferred to Clarin. In 1982, through ''Batas Pambansa Blg. 171'', Barangays Tuno, Lalud, and Lampasan were annexed to the newly-created Don Mariano Marcos (now Don Victoriano Chiongbian)

Martial law

A notable incident in Tudela during the Marcos dictatorship took place on Aug. 24, 1981, when members of a pseudo-religious paramilitary sect strafed the house of the Gumapons, a Subanon family, in Sitio Gitason, Barrio Lampasan. Ten of the twelve persons in the house, including an infant, were killed.

Geography

Tudela is bounded on the north by the municipality of Sinacaban, to the south by the municipality of Clarin, to the east by Iligan Bay, and to the west by the municipality of Don Victoriano Chiongbian and Mount Malindang. It is 20-minute drive from Ozamiz City to the south, and 45-minutes drive from Oroquieta City to the north.

Barangays

Tudela is politically subdivided into 33 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

Climate

Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of Tudela, Misamis Occidental, was 28,599 people, with a density of undefined PD/km2.

Religion

Places of worship:

Economy

The majority hardly depends on agriculture and fishing. Commerce is also progressive in this municipality. There are many Tudelanhon businessmen. People in the municipality and of the neighboring barangays of Clarin and Sinacaban towns depend on the local market, instead of going to Ozamiz City, the economic hub in the province. Crops: Palay, corn, banana, kamoteng-kahoy (cassava), sweet potato, coconut, fruits (mango, durian, lanzones), and vegetables. Products: aquaculture products: shrimps, prawns, crabs, tilapia, bangus (milkfish); furniture; poultry products; breads and pastries; fishes and shells.

Tourism

Government

The governance of the Municipality of Tudela was managed by elected, appointed and OIC Mayors from 1921 up to the present, as follows: • 1921-1928 - Primitivo Ninang, first appointed • 1928-1935 - Ulpiano Balazo, appointed • 1935-1937 - Alberto Raagas, appointed • 1938-1940 - Jose Singson, elected • 1940-1943 - Alberto Raagas, elected • 1943-1946 - Eladio Lagura, elected • 1946-1947 - Eligio Dajao, appointed • Feb. 1947 - Dec.1947 - Antonio Enriquez, appointed • 1948-1959 - Gregorio Gamotin, elected • 1960-1986 - Antero Singidas, elected • 1986-1988 - Bernadette P. Encinareal, OIC • Dec. 1988 - Feb. 1989 - Panfilo S. Olarte, OIC • Mar. 1989 - Apr. 1989 - Nilo Y. Obut, OIC • 1989- 1992 - Bernadette P. Encinareal, elected • 1992- 2001 - Felix L. Sarigumba, elected • 2001-2007 - Nilo Y. Obut, elected • 2007-2016 - Estela Obut-Estaño, elected • 2016-to date - Samuel L. Parojinog, elected

Infrastructure

Transportation

Utilities

Education

Preschool

Every barangay in the municipality has their own Day Care Center under the supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Elementary

Secondary