Gigmoto is a 5th class municipality in the province of Catanduanes, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 7,569 people in 1,319 households.
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Gigmoto is politically subdivided into 9 barangays.
| Barangay | Pop. (2007) |
|---|---|
| Biong |
|
| Dororian |
|
| Poblacion District I |
|
| Poblacion District II |
|
| Poblacion District III |
|
| San Pedro |
|
| San Vicente |
|
| Sicmil |
|
| Sioron |
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Gigmoto is an eastern coastal town of Catanduanes with a good harbor got its name due to some incident that happened because of a romantic venture of one from Baras and a beautiful maiden from the town of Viga. Formerly this town was a barrio of Baras. Its situation is between the two municipalities. With several suitors, a brave Baraseño was lucky enough to win her hearth. The name originated from the bicol word “himbot” that means “just in time”. When the brave young man from Baras travel northbound to win the love of the maiden, he was nighted on his way just on time, so he slept in that place. In the morning he proceeded to Viga reaching there almost in the night. After staying for quite a period of time in Viga the brave and proud Barasnon won the hearth of the beauteous Viganon. Then the lovers were bound for Baras. They were nighted at Gigmoto – “just on time” for their first romantic night of being together. Thus they called the place Himbotan meaning so timely.
As years went by Himbotan was changed to Higmoto. Years thereafter, believing that with the “H” Higmoto seemed to be a Japanese word, the “H” was changed to “G” – thus the name GIGMOTO.
The town was created from the barrios of Sicmil and Sioron from Viga and the barrios of San Vicente, Gigmoto, Biong and Dororian from Baras.[1]
On June 15, 1951, the government officials for the newly created town were appointed by the then Congressman Severiano de Leon who authored the bill creating the municipality with the approval of the late President Elpidio Quirino. Mr. Juan Q. Sarmiento who happened to be the first public school teacher many years ago became the first Mayor with the late Andres Dayawon as Vice-Mayor. Messrs. Maximo Tapalla, Apolinar Tatad, Marcelino Dayawon and Apolinar Joson were then appointed Municipal Councilors. Mr. Candido Tuboro became the first Municipal Treasurer. Very Rev. Fr. Andres Tablizo was the Parish Priest and Mr. Serafin Rodulfo was the first Principal.
It is also worthwhile to mention that the first families to come were the Tanaels, followed by the Dayawons, both from Baras. The Tolledos, the Tatings and the Tatads come next. Other families from Baras, Bato and from the town of Virac had come and ultimately made Gigmoto the biggest barrio of the Municipality of Baras.
Now as the town progresses and the poblacion are even bigger than other municipalities, it is now classified as a 6th class town.
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