Santander, Cebu

Santander Tañong
Municipality
Fastcraft terminal in Barangay Liloan
Seal
Map of Cebu showing the location of Santander
Santander Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 09°27′N 123°20′E / 9.450°N 123.333°E / 9.450; 123.333Coordinates: 09°27′N 123°20′E / 9.450°N 123.333°E / 9.450; 123.333
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Visayas (Region VII)
Province	Cebu
District	2nd district of Cebu
Founded	1867
Barangays	10
Government[1]
• Mayor	Marilyn "Bebe" Wenceslao
Area[2]
• Total	29.53 km2 (11.40 sq mi)
Population (2010)[3]
• Total	16,105
• Density	550/km2 (1,400/sq mi)
Demonym	Tañonganons
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	6026
Dialing code	32
Income class	4th class municipality

Santander is a fourth class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 16,105 people.^[3]

Santander is the southernmost municipality of Cebu. It is the location of a sea ports that connect to Negros Oriental. Fast craft boats ferry passengers to Sibulan, Negros Oriental, with trips taking 20 minutes. Roll-on roll-off barges travel to Amlan, Negros Oriental, with trips taking 1 hour. It is known for its Tostado Festival.

Geography

Santander's terrain is dominated by a backdrop of rugged ranges which raise from a flat to narrow coastal plain to an average elevation of 200 meters. Strongly sloping to sleepy sloping contours are scattered throughout the municipality.

Barangays

Santander is administratively subdivided into 10 barangays:^[2]

Coastal barangays are Poblacion, Pasil, Canlumacad, Talisay, Liloan and Looc; and mountain barangays are Lip-tong, Bunlan, Candamiang, and Cabutongan.

History

Santander is at the southernmost tip of Cebu. From it, one can see the islands of Negros and Bohol. Facing Tañong Strait, the town was originally also called Tañong. But with the coming of the Spaniards, its first parish priest, keeping a soft spot in his heart and wishing to perpetuate the name of his hometown in his newfound abode, renamed the place Santander. Santander is in the northern coast of Spain, one of its chief ports and a famous bathing resort.

The town was established in 1867; the parish, in 1897. The church was the work of Fr. Mauricio Alvarez, who was also credited for the building of the cemetery and convent, a bridge, two schools, and the tribunal. Andalecio Ondangan held the distinction of being the first capitan during the Spanish times. The first resident who served as president during the American regime was Macario Culanag. Celestino Bureros was the first mayor.

Santander is the third smallest town in Cebu. But it has turned out many professionals. Majority of the people depend on the sea for livelihood --- fishermen who continually explore the vast Palawan and China seas in search for rich fishing grounds. The methods of fishing used is the popular muro-ami.

Economy

Santander Municipal Hall

Before, there were four wholesale enterprises, one superstore and few sari-sari stores. An improvised market composed mostly of "talipapas" serves as satellite mater. This were located along Jose Rizal Street beside the Municipal Building. By the year 2001, the business establishments began to grow and develop. Many larger business establishments has been established in Santander such as LGC Marketing and etc.

Before, there were only two ports in Santander serving barges and boats bound for Dumaguete City. Now there are 4 ports connecting to Negros Island. Three of this ports are located at Barangay Liloan and the other one located at Barangay Talisay. These ports adds more income and livelihood not only to the people but also to the municipality.

The major agricultural product in Santander are Corn, Copra, and Root crops (cassava, sweet potato and etc.). Most of the people especially living in mountain barangays plant corns for as source of their income and livelihood.

Santander was the only 5th class and small municipality in Cebu that promoted its income class from 5th to 4th class.

Queen Victoria arranged the marriage of her eldest son and heir-apparent, the future Edward VII of the United Kingdom to Alexandra of Denmark, the eldest daughter of King Christian IX, which took place on March 10, 1863. Among their six children were George V of the United Kingdom (who was also Emperor of India throughout his reign) and his sister Maud of Wales (who would later marry their cousin King Haakon VII of Norway, another grandchild of Christian IX, on July 22, 1896). However, these two marriages were not the only unions amongst and between descendants of Victoria and Christian IX. Some descendants spread to the Philippines after WWI. We could trace the royal in santander, the bearer of the title is Edwina Ferraren (His Imperial and Royal Highness The Grand Duchess of Russia,UK and Saxe-Coburg and Gotha)

Demographics

As of 2010, the Municipality of Santander has 16,105 people and has the population density of 342.02 per km² (as of 1999). The population growth of said municipality is 0.75% lower than 1.9% in the national. The death rate is 3.06/1000 or .306%

Language

Most of the Tañonganons (people living in Santander) speak Cebuano (Santander Version). In schools, the Filipino and English language are taught and used as a major instruction in all subjects.

Education

There are 8 elementary and 3 high schools in Santander. Two of these schools are private which located in Barangay Looc. Most of the Tañonganon students are enrolled in public schools especially in Santander Central Elementary School and Santander National School where these public schools have large number of students.

Sports

Basketball is the most popular sport in Santander. It is played both children and adults here. This game is usually played in the afternoons where school time is over and also for the adults whose work hours is done (specially construction works). During summer, a lot of basketball competitions which joined by different Barangays in Santander. This was done in order the youths to avoid vices and illegal drugs. Volleyball is also played in summer competitions but it is usually participated by women. Other sports such as baseball and football are also played in Santander.

Tourism

Waterfront of Santander, with Negros Oriental in the background

Santander's popularity as a tourist destination has increased in the past few years, since it serves as the hub for some world renowned dive spots like Apo Island, Balicasag, Pescador Island, Sumilon and Siquijor. This is also reflected in the growth of Santander in the tourism industry. 6 years ago there were only 2 resorts, still open today. Today there are 11.

• Eden Resort
• Santander Divers
• Bonga Villa Beach Resort & Spa
• Marine Village Dive House
• Albion Seaside Resort
• Kingdom
• Lubi Resort
• Ocean Terrace Resort
• Pebbles Beach Resort
• PG Diver/Won Dive
• Swan Beach Resort
• Villa Tropical

References

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information

		Samboan	Oslob
	Amlan, Negros Oriental / Tañon Strait		Bohol Sea
	Santander
	San Jose, Negros Oriental / Tañon Strait	Tañon Strait Sibulan, Negros Oriental

v t e Province of Cebu Municipalities Alcantara Alcoy Alegria Aloguinsan Argao Asturias Badian Balamban Bantayan Barili Boljoon Borbon Carmen Catmon Compostela Consolacion Cordova Daanbantayan Dalaguete Dumanjug Ginatilan Liloan Madridejos Malabuyoc Medellin Minglanilla Moalboal Oslob Pilar Pinamungahan Poro Ronda Samboan San Fernando San Francisco San Remigio Santa Fe Santander Sibonga Sogod Tabogon Tabuelan Tuburan Tudela Component cities Bogo Carcar Danao Naga Talisay Toledo Highly urbanized cities Cebu Lapu-Lapu Mandaue (Except Mandaue City, all are administratively independent from the province, but grouped under Cebu by the National Statistics Office)