Calapan City (Lungsod ng Calapan)
—  City  —
The busy J.P. Rizal Avenue in Barangay San Vicente is Calapan City's main street.
Map of Oriental Mindoro showing the location of Calapan.
Calapan City Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 13°22′N 121°12′E / 13.367°N 121.2°E / 13.367; 121.2Coordinates: 13°22′N 121°12′E / 13.367°N 121.2°E / 13.367; 121.2
Country	Philippines
Region	MIMAROPA (Region IV-B)
Province	Oriental Mindoro
District	1st district of Oriental Mindoro
Founded	January 2, 1917
Cityhood	March 21, 1998
Barangays	62
Government
• Mayor	Salvador Leachon (LP)
Area
• Total	215.10 km2 (83.05 sq mi)
Population (2007)
• Total	116,976
• Density	540/km2 (1,400/sq mi)
Time zone	PHT (UTC+8)
ZIP Code
Income class	2nd class city
Website	Official website

Calapan City is a 2nd class component city in the Fist Congressional District in the province of Oriental Mindoro, Philippines and serves as the provincial capital. It is known most distinctly as the "Gateway to the Golden Isle" but is also referred to with other different titles such as "The Discipline City", "The City of the Golden Grains", "The Acropolis of the South", and "The Provincial Capitol" . According to the 2010 LGPMS Census, it has a population of 116,976 people in 20,929 households.^[1] Its citizens are called Calapeños.

The city's economy is dependent on agriculture and fishing. However, a growing industry in machinery and tourism has contributed well to the city's annual income making it one of the fastest growing new cities in the country for the last 10 years. Calapan City also serves as the gateway to the Oriental Mindoro province with the implementation of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway, an integrated Roll On-Roll Off project of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo that extends further to the southern part of the Philippines. The Calapan City Seaport is the largest and busiest seaport in the Mindoro island with ships that travels to and from the Batangas City International Seaport. Calapan City is 45 minutes away from Batangas City and is accessible by ferry boat and RORO ships.

Calapan City is currently one of the only two cities (the other being Puerto Princesa City) in the MIMAROPA region of the Philippines. It is the center of commerce and industry, the center of transport and communication, and the center of education in the entire province of Oriental Mindoro. It also serves as the administrative center in the entire Region of MIMAROPA.

History[link]

Calapan was formerly a small village before the establishment of the first Religious District in Baco. The District convent was transferred to Calapan in 1733 and began its jurisdiction over the Northern Mindoro Ecclesiastical Area.^[2]

In the early 18th century, the town only occupied a strip of land stretching from Ibaba to Ilaya in a cross-shape facing the present church and cut-off by the river. Later on, succeeding barrios were founded

In 1837, the capital of the province was moved from Puerto Galera to Calapan. When Mindoro became a part of Marinduque on June 13, 1902, the provincial capital was once again moved to Puerto Galera. On November 10, 1902, Mindoro was detached from Marinduque. In 1903, Calapan once again became the provincial capital.^[2]

When Mindoro was detached from Marinduque on November 10, 1902, Baco, Puerto Galera and San Teodoro were annexed to Calapan in 1905 under Act. 1280, adding a total area of 843 square kilometres (325 sq mi). of land. In 1902, under Act 2824, the three (3) municipalities gained their independence.

In 1919, the boundary dispute between Calapan and Naujan was adjudicated by Presidentes Agustin Quijano of Calapan and Agustin Garong of Naujan over a portion of the territory of what is now known as the present boundary. The portion of agricultural area was awarded to Naujan, thus, making the area of Calapan much smaller as compared to that of Naujan which is now considered as the biggest municipality of the province.

At present, Calapan has an area of only 250.06 square kilometres (96.55 sq mi) (according to LMB). It has also jurisdiction over the three Baco Islets on the Calapan Bay and the two Silonay Islets.

The year 1998 was a landmark event for Calapan when it was converted from a municipality into a component city by virtue of Republic Act No. 8475. The law was authored in Congress by Rep. Renato V. Leviste, signed by President Fidel Ramos on February 2, 1998. On March 21, 1998, the people of Calapan ratified the creation of the City of Calapan in a plebiscite marking the same day as the city’s foundation day. Incumbent Mayor Arnan C. Panaligan became the last Municipal Mayor and the First City Mayor of the City of Calapan. To date, it is the first and only city in the whole province Mindoro.^[2]

Since its creation as a city, Calapan has witnessed significant strides in commerce and industry, infrastructure and social services. New commercial establishments were opened providing employment and income opportunities for the residents. An expanded program on social services delivery, particularly in health care and education, were undertaken. The city’s physical infrastructure was upgraded which includes the construction of new roads and drainage facilities, as well as a new City Government Center. Tourism was boosted with the opening of inland resorts and new hotels. Malls had also started rising in the city to cater more to the shopping needs of its people. Sports and events tourism were also strengthened as was seen with the large influx of tourists in the city during the MIMAROPARAA, ALCULYMPICS and Ms. Earth Long Gown Competition all in 2011, proofs that indeed the city is capable of handling regional and national activities.

In the One Town-One Product (OTOP) of the National Government, Calapan is touted as the "Golden Grains City of the South" possessing picturesque natural attractions, culture-rich historical sites, eco and agri-tourism sites, beach and farm resorts, fully developed hotels, inns and pension houses. Enhancement of already breath-taking sceneries through the tasteful addition of classic resort facilities, quality and high standards of accommodation facilities and services create an environment conducive to the development of tourism as OTOP of the city. Long beach front in Calapan Bay, the vast potentials of the city as a major agricultural producer, its tropical rainforest and other environmental conservation area lead to a more vibrant and diversified agri-eco tourism investment and development. Through OTOP, the local administration is determined to put Calapan in the map as one of the country's premiere tourist destination.

Calapan boasts of many notable achievements and awards that it had garnered under its belt in the past years ever since becoming a city, such as when it was recognized as one of the "Most Competitive Cities in the Philippines" and being awarded with an ISO certification both in 2008, the Calapan City Accounting office being awarded with "Most Outstanding Accounting Office in the Philippines" in 2009, the new city public market being adjudged as the "Most Outstanding Infrastructure Project in Asia" by the Association of Development Financing Institution in Asia and the Pacific, the city being "One of the Top 12 Most Business-Friendly Cities of the Philippines" out of 60 city-applicants in the country, the Calapan City PESO being "No. 2 Best PESO in the Philippines", being awarded with the "Seal of Good Housekeeping" by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, being chosen as one of the only four City Governments in the country which was able to maintain its ISO certification, and being awarded with the "The Trailblazer Award" by the Institute for Solidarity in Asia to name a few.

In a breath-taking sweep, Calapan was promoted from a 4th Class City in 2007 to a 2nd Class City in 2010, on account of its innovations in public service, modernization programs, increased revenue collection, and overall economic improvement.

Origin of Calapan[link]

The derivation of the name of Calapan cannot be traced with certainty. Some opined that it came from the word “Kalap” which means to gather logs. Thus “Kalapan” was supposed to be a place where logs were gathered. In the old records, however, there was never a mention of Calapan as a place where logs were produced or exported. Furthermore, huge forest trees where logs were produced certainly did not grow near the town, which was swampy. Another theory holds that Calapan was originally pronounced as “Kalapang” which, according to an old Tagalog dictionary, was a synonym for “sanga” or branch. It could then refer to the settlement of Kalapang as a branch of its mother town of Baco, an adjoining town. The name was later hispanized as Calapan.

Calapan City flooding in 2005[link]

Calapan City was hit by tropical depression Quedan and heavy moonson rains on December 11, 2005 resulting in massive flooding all over the city and nearby municipalities. It was reported that 60 out of the 62 barangays were affected by floods due to the swelling of the Bucayao River, a river located at the southern part of the city that spans seven barangays, and a landslide occurrence in the Bucayao dike.

On December 18, 2005, PAGASA issued the final bulletin of TD Quedan. However, as it moved farther away from the country, eastern and southern Luzon still experienced continuous rains which resulted in renewed breaching of the temporary dike in Calapan City.

According to the website of the International Red Cross Federation and Red Crescent Society, 14,247 families or 85,446 people were affected in Calapan City and four other towns.

National Response

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo visited Calapan City on December 7, 2005 to personally assess the situation and presided over the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) emergency meeting with concerned local government officials in Oriental Mindoro and turned over 200 sacks of rice to PDCC Oriental Mindoro and City Dbh n rt jyt uk isaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) Calapan City.

On December 8, 2005, Ms. Arroyo presided the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) emergency meeting at the National Disaster Management Center and gave instructions to fast track the restoration of electricity in the affected city and municipalities of Oriental Mindoro and issued a memorandum to all implementing agencies to maintain 24-hour operations in their respective operation centers in view of PAGASA's forecast of long period of rains induced by northeasterly wind.

In compliance with the above instructions, the NDCC wrote a letter of request addressed to the General Manager of the Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (ORMECO) to fast track the full restoration of electric power supply of the affected areas particularly in Calapan City. In addition, Memorandum Circular No. 08 was issued to NDCC member agencies for the maintenance of round the clock manning of respective agency operations center for quick response in case flooding and other similar disaster situations.

The NDCC Operations Center coordinated with the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the availability of all aircraft for the conduct of visual inspection, damage assessment, search, rescue and relief operations in the flood-stricken areas in Mindoro and Palawan. With the cooperation of the Department of Transportation and Communications (Philippines) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), trips from Calapan City to southern Mindoro were suspended.

On the other hand, the National Food Authority (Philippines) (NFA) released 1,000 sacks of rice (300 to PDCC Oriental Mindoro, 200 to Calapan City and 500 to PDCC Palawan) while the Department of Health (Philippines) (DOH) provided assorted medicines worth of P1,788,287.00 that were divided to Mindoro and Palawan provinces. The Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Philippine National Red Cross provided assorted relief goods (food and non-food items) to familied affected by flood.

Senator Manny Villar also donated 1000 boxes of repacked rice and 1000 boxes of used clothing on December 11, 2005.

Local Response

The City Government established a community kitchen at Jose J. Leido Jr. Memorial National High School evacuation and provided assorted relief goods to more than 100 affected families.

Calapan City also declared a State of calamity to utilize its 5% local Calamity Fund for emergency relief operations.

Geography[link]

Calapan is bounded on the north and northeast by the Calapan Bay. South and southeast of it is the Municipality of Naujan and on the West is the Municipality of Baco. The city lies in the quadrangle bounded by 13°12.6 and 13°27’ North latitudes and 121°17’ East longitudes. It is approximately 28 nautical miles from the nearest point of Batangas Province and 45 kilometers south of Batangas City and 130 kilometers south of Manila.

It has an area of 250.06 sq. km. It has also jurisdiction over the three (3) Baco Islets on the Calapan Bay and the two (2) Silonay Islets and is composed of 62 Barangays (22 urban, 40 rural).

The overall land characteristic is a wide plain with rivers, interspersed with wetlands at the seacoast periphery. The highest elevation of 187 meters above sea level is Bulusan Hill, interrupts the flat terrain at the northeast towards the coast and the rise at the southwest which is part of the Halcon-Baco Mountain Range.

Climate[link]

Calapan City is best described as mild. It is relatively dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year. February and March have the least rainfall while October and November are the months of greatest rainfall. Average yearly rainfall is 2,500 mm to 4,500 mm at the City’s southwest portion. The average daily temperature is 22.86 to 28.25°C.

Wind direction throughout the year is variable; Northeast monsoons prevail from August, November, December and January to March; East to Northeast on April; Southeast to South on May and June; Northeast to South on July and September, and Easterly on October. Typhoons generally follow a northwesterly path.

Climate is favorable for vegetation throughout the year under the type abcD climate characterization of PAGASA with relative humidity at 81%.

Barangays[link]

J.P. Rizal Avenue which is named after the Philippine National Hero, Jose Rizal, in San Vicente Central, is Calapan City's busiest street.

San Vicente Central is one of Calapan City's barangays and serves as the commercial and financial center of the city. Some of the big establishments in San Vicente Central are the Hotel Mayi, the tallest building in Oriental Mindoro; Citimart Island Mall and Cinema; the Calapan City Public Market; GE Mart (Golden Eagle Mart); Jollibee; Chowking; Mang Inasal; Mcdonald's; Pizza Hut; Globe Telecom; Smart Communications Wireless Center; Caballero Marketing; People's Arcade; Good Morning Enterprises and Juanita Mart.

Major Philippine banking institutions have established their local branches here including the Philippine National Bank, Metrobank, Chinabank, Bank of Commerce, Banco De Oro, Landbank of the Philippines, Allied Bank, United Coconut Planters Bank, The Country Bank, and the Bank of the Philippine Islands.

San Vicente Central is divided by J.P. Rizal Avenue, the major thoroughfare in the city lined by several commercial establishments.

The City of Calapan is politically subdivided into 62 barangays.

Education[link]

Institutions of Higher Learning[link]

The city is host to numerous higher education institutions. The Divine Word College of Calapan, a Catholic college run by the Divine Word Missionaries is currently the largest institution of higher learning in the city and the province of Oriental Mindoro. Other private institutions of higher learning include the St. Anthony College Calapan City (Information Technology, Nursing and Tourism), Luna Goco Colleges (Nursing), Southwestern Luzon Maritime Institute Foundation and Filipino Academy of Scientific Trades (Maritime Studies), AMA Computer Learning Center (Information Technology), and CLCC Institute of Computer Arts and Technology (Information Technology).

There are currently two public higher educational institutions in the city. One is the Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology while the other is the City College of Calapan which was opened last June 2008 through the initiative of City Mayor Salvador Leachon.^[3]

Basic Education[link]

Calapan City has seven national high schools (NHS), one of which is the Jose J. Leido Jr. Memorial National High School (LEMNAHIS) the flagship campus and the largest Public High School in Oriental Mindoro. Other public high schools include the Ceriaco A. Abes Memorial MNHS, Parang NHS, Canubing NHS, Managpi NHS, Pedro V. Panaligan MNHS, the Community Vocational High School, and the Lemnahis Bucayao Annex.

The Catholic Church also runs the Holy Infant Academy, while DWCC also maintains a Basic Education Department.

Public elementary schools meanwhile are organized into three districts. They are the Calapan West, Calapan South and Calapan East Districts.

Health[link]

The city is served primarily by the Oriental Mindoro Medical Center which is also the largest hospital in the province. There are also numerous private hospitals in the city such as the Medical Mission Group Hospital and Health Services Cooperative which is the only tertiary level hospital in the region, Maria Estrella General Hospital, Sta. Maria Village Hospital, Hospital of the Holy Cross and the Luna-Goco Medical Center.

In addition, the city has well-equipped public health centers providing free health check-ups and basic medicine supplies to all residents. These public centers are being funded and supported by the City Health and Sanitation Department.

Economy[link]

Vast ricefields such as this one in Barangay Bayanan II is a common scenery in Calapan City.

Since 1998, the city has experienced rapid development. The establishment of a special development area, particularly an eco-zone for light industries located at the Urban Development Area (Lumangbayan and Guinobatan), has been promoted and now serves as growth area which generates employment and spurs economic opportunities. Such industries focus on agro-industrial based activities such as food processing, handicraft making, furniture making and other related activities.

Calapan City plays a major role in the Philippine economy as one of the major food suppliers in the country. The city is also a major exporter of rice supplying to Metro Manila and major parts of Luzon making it both an agriculturally-progressive and urbanized city. The five major crops are rice, citrus, banana, rambutan and lanzones. The top five industries in Calapan City are trading, tourism, services, marine and aquatic, and food processing.

Tourism[link]

It is no secret that Calapan City is blessed with unspoiled beautiful sceneries and spots like beaches, mountain trails, forests, leisure farms, resorts and hosts a number of rare flora and fauna. The high priority given by the national government to support OTOP and the fact that the port of the city of Calapan is a vital cog of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH)are distinct advantages for which the local government capitalize on to promote and develop the tourism industry. The 919 kilometer SRNH links 17 provinces by land and sea routes via roll-on roll-off cargo and passenger vessels. The city has competitive advantage in terms of accessibility noting that Calapan Sea Port is the main gateway to Oriental Mindoro, facilitating the movement of people from mainland Luzon. This makes the city as viable destination for recreation and business. Calapan City is ready to welcome its visitors and cater to their needs, be it accommodation, food, souvenirs, shopping and leisure and recreation.

Eco-Tourism Sites

• Calapan City Zoological and Recreational Park - already an existing park used by locals to savor nature, this area was improved to become a zoo to make its landscape more ideal for tourist use. Zip-lines and wall climbing were added for more recreational activities.
• Verde Islands
• Baco-Chico Islets - these islets are located in Calapan Bay. The reefs surrounding the islands has a potential for scuba diving.
• Aganhao Islet - located near Silonay Island, Aganhao has a small strip of white sand beach frequented by local excursionists.
• Silonay Islet
• Harka Piloto Marine Sanctuary - a marine sanctuary located in Silonay Island in the eastern part of the city, the sanctuary is actively protected by the local government. Given its protected status, Harka Piloto is now an ideal site for diving and snorkeling.
• Bulusan Mountain Trail
• Caluangan Lake - A wide lake that that is surprisingly still unclogged by fish pens. With Baruyan River as the connecting attraction, tourists can have leisurely cruises or kayaking activities in Caluangan Lake.
• Baruyan River - this is a long river that ends at Caluangan Lake. Highly ideal for river cruising (or kayaking). What makes the river more interesting is that it is not clogged by any man-made development such as fish pens. Together with the lake, the sites still possess the character of a rural ambience most attractive to tourists seeking such kind of an experience.
• Pachoca-Balite Beach - offers a long stretch of fine gray-sand beach
• Lazareto-Suqui-Parang Beach - offers a long stretch of fine gray-sand beach
• Silonay, Navotas, Maidlang marshes - perfect for boating, bird watching and educational trekking

Notable Landmarks

• Neo-Calapan, Neo-Calapan Mall
• Calapan City Hall - reminiscent of Greek-Corinthian architecture, it is a favorite destination for study tours, excursions, local gatherings and occasions.
• Calapan City Plaza - A place where families and friends can hang around and have a picnic. It has a map of Oriental Mindoro smack in the middle of a small pond and a monument of Jose Rizal, a rare depiction, one where he is seated, writing one of his novels.
• Calapan City Public Market (awarded Outstanding Infrastructure Project in Asia)
• Sto. Niño Cathedral - Constructed in 1959, visitors will be amazed with its grandiose alatar, magnificent pipe organ and stained glasses that depict the mysteries of the Holy Rosary, Beatitudes, Gifts of the Holy Spirit and Apostle’s Creed.
• Calapan City Museum - The museum is a repository of Calapan’s history in photographs and memorabilia. It serves as a memorial marker as a perennial remembrance to the founders and great men of Calapan. It is an interesting showcase of the customs and way of life of Calapenos.
• Casa Real Ruins

Eco-Adventure

• Scuba Diving - Calapan City has a good potential for scuba diving given the wide expanse of its marine territory and a good number of small islands. The city also serves as a natural spill-over area for the established diving destinations such as Batangas and Puerto Galera.
• Muck Diving - Muck diving is a fairly new activity that involves scuba diving and to a large extent, macro photography. One opportunity presented by muck diving is that it does not require pristine, large tracts of coral reefs. In fact, muck diving would be most successful in areas where other substrates such as sand or mud would be present. Calapan Bay has wide areas that have good potential for muck diving offering different substrates such as sand, seagrass, and small coral heads.
• Snorkeling - Snorkeling is highly ideal and it could also bring more visitors to Harka Piloto. With a good coral cover, it will also validate the site as an outdoor learning area (marine camp).
• Harka Piloto Marine Sanctuary as an island marine school - Students and conservation personalities shall be encouraged to visit the area for possible learning opportunities.
• Scuba Diving - Since most of the dive sites in Batangas and Puerto Galera are fairly visited by most domestic scuba divers, Harka Piloto is marketed as a new dive site.
• Kayaking - To be introduced as an add-on, kayaking will provide the visual attractiveness of the Harka Piloto as a recreation area.
• Glass-bottom Boat - As part of the educational and recreation programs in Harka Piloto, a glass bottom boat will be introduced in the area. Said boat takes care of the guests who cannot swim or would opt to view the living corals and other marine life on board a board. This also affords the one trip or a guide to handle more guests compared to snorkeling that would require lower ratio between guides and guests.
• River Cruising - Baruyan River, together with Caluangan Lake was developed into an ideal river cruising destination. Simple development such as the establishment of raft or kayak stations was established in the area through the help of hotels and resorts owners. This helps the existing accommodation facilities to have the chance to offer more activities for their guests who prefer simple activities.
• Mountain Biking, Hiking, and Trail Running - These are activities that are easily introduced in the interiors of Calapan City. Community trails already exist and can easily be utilized for these activities. One site that is promoted is the Bulusan Eco-Trail that has an expanse that includes the premises of the Calapan Recreational and Zoological Park to rivers systems, forests, and the Suqui Beach area.
• Skim Boarding - The wide and shallow expanse of beach areas in Calapan make it ideal for skim boarding which has been gaining enthusiasts and visitors to sites offering such activity.
• Rock Climbing - The south-eastern part of the Silonay Island has a rock wall that could be an ideal site for rock climbing.
• Birdwatching - The Department of Tourism is going full-blast in marketing the Philippines as a birdwatching destination. With a good number of bird species in the whole of Mindoro Island, Calapan develops birdwatching as an ecotourism activity, or link it to other possible birdwatching sites such as Naujan Lake and Mt. Halcon.

Cultural Activities and Festivities[link]

Festivals[link]

To further boost tourism in the city and to effectively place Calapan in the country's festival map, the local government established many colorful festivities and glamorous santacruzan celebrations.

• Kalap Festival

Celebrated every 21st of March is the city's official festival, the Kalap Fest. Launched only in 2009, the Kalap Festival is a celebration of culture and history. Participated by various sectors of Calapan's broad citizenry, the people walk the city streets moving as one. It is intended to be a yearly celebration packed with performances, colorful floats, and most significant of all, history. Along the main streets, floats detail the defining moments of the city's past, an insight into the Calapan of today.

• Sto. Niño de Calapan Festival

For religious tourism, the city holds the Sto. Nino de Calapan Festival at the start of every year, January 1. It is a month-long celebration starting as early as December until it reaches its pinnacle through a series of different religious activities to honor the city's patron, the young child Sto. Nino and to reflect the people's religiosity. The celebration extends towards the Christmas season laced with nightly cultural presentation, yuletide activities topped by the lighting of the giant Christmas tree and fireworks, as well as agro-industrial and tourism fairs.

• Harvest Festival

The Harvest Festival, was conceptualized by the city government council in recognition of Calapan City's achievement as one of the major exporter of rice in the Philippines. The city was once an importer of rice but now rice is the most important export of Calapan. According to city statistics, the increase in palay production is attributed to the improvement of the city’s agricultural programs. Thus Calapan is also dubbed as "The City of the Golden Grains".

• Sinkaw Festival

The Sinkaw Festival derives its name from “sining kalabaw" or carabao arts, a creative artistic painting competition with no less than the carabaos as “canvasses.” This festival honors the city's native “beasts of the burden” as an eternally indispensable partner in farming and, essentially, a special tribute to the farmers’ industry.

• Mardigras

Mardigras are held on many different occasions (fiesta, summer, Foundation Day, Halloween) that add more color to the already vibrant city. It is the ultimate street party that takes place along the entire stretch of J. P. Rizal Street. The hypnotic lights and upbeat music, together with various fun-filled activities, will bring together a bevy of party-goers to party the night away.

Arts and Culture[link]

The city and provincial governments also maintain separate libraries and museums. Moreover, the Calapan City Plaza which is located in front of the old city hall in San Vicente East is one of the city's famed attractions because of its unique features that includes a statue of a Mangyan man standing beside a tamaraw. The statue has now become the most famous landmark of the city.

Native Delicacies[link]

When in Calapan eat like the Calapeños. A visit to Calapan City would not be complete without buying souvenir items and pasalubong for your folks and friends back home. After an enjoyable tour around the city, try Calapan’s treats such as suman sa lihiya, cassava cake, banana chips, sweet dried pusit, dried fish, puto, kalamay, bibingka, nilupak, hyrid rice, ginger tea, kamote pastillas, yema, toasted siopao and coco jam.

In a place that is abundant with rice, it is not surprising that the city's main local delicacy is the suman. The city's official entry to the One Town-One Product (OTOP) is the Merl's Native Delicacy Products most famous of which is the Suman Sa Lihiya with coco jam which had been claimed many times as delicious like no other.

Unique to the city and popular to many Calapeño is the famous local snack, the toasted siopao. It is a new twist to the classic Chinese hot bun. The toasted siopao craze in Calapan is noteworthy.

Already part of the city's history is the Mabuhay Pancit. It has been a long-standing panciteria that serves the best tasting and most sumptuous pancit in the city from lomi, to miki to bihon.

For wine drinkers, bring home some tuba. Selected by hand, the nectar of the coconut is fermented to make this classic Filipino liquor. Keep in mind, when well-prepared tuba packs a punch.

Hotels and Resorts[link]

Looking for a place to stay in Calapan is never a difficult task as the city's hospitality industry provides a number of well-appointed hotels and resorts where one can opt to stay. With a growing pool of accredited hotels, pensions, resorts and recreational facilities there is no doubt you can call Calapan home while on vacation around the city and the entire province.

• Filipiniana Calapan Resort Hotel - Sto. Niño
• Achimie Hotel - San Vicente
• Aganhaw Beach Resort - Parang
• Anahaw Island View Resort - Balite
• Bimas Inn - Tawiran
• Blue Harbor Inn - San Antonio
• Calapan Bayside Resort - Suqui
• Calapan Bay Hotel - San Antonio
• Coco Farm Spring Resort - Canubing I
• Domini Hotel - San Vicente
• Donnyland Beach Resort - Suqui
• East Lodge Pension House - Ilaya
• El Cañonero Mariveles Inn - Nacoco
• Good Morning Beach Resort - Parang
• Hotel Mayi - San Vicente
• Italian Drive Inn - Bonbon
• JKL Family Cove - Balite
• La Concynrich River View Resort - Parang
• Luz Delmar Seaside Resort - Salong
• Marco Vincent Residence Inn - Ibaba East
• Metropolis Hotel - San Vicente
• Morning Breeze Lodge - Salong
• Parang Beach Resort - Parang
• Riceland II - Sto. Niño
• Richville Gardens Resort - Masipit
• Rodina Lodge - Lumangbayan
• Tawiran Pension House - Tawiran

Shopping Centers and Malls[link]

Shopping is made easy and fun here in Calapan with the presence of the following shopping centers and malls.

Souvenir Shops

With the steady growth of tourism, several souvenir shops have opened up in the city such as the:

• Small Creations - offers all sort of knick-knacks from musical instrument, figurines and even shirts embellished with images distinct to the city and the province.
• Mangyan Heritage Center - located in Brgy. Lalud, you can head to this place for items with authentic with Mangyan designs. Not only can visitors take home great souvenirs but also help preserve a group of people integral to Calapan.

Shopping Centers

• Calapan City Public Market
• Caballero Marketing
• People's Arcade
• Good Morning Enterprises
• Juanita Mart
• GE Mart
• NOVO
• Penshoppe

Shopping Malls

• Neo- Calapan Mall
• Citi-Mart Island Mall
• Gaisano Mall (fisrt branch in Luzon, currently in planning stage)

Restaurants and Fastfoods[link]

Restaurants

• Max's Restaurant - J.P. Rizal St., San Vicente East
• Halcon Bar and Grill - Filipiniana Resort Complex, M. Roxas St., Brgy Sto. Niño
• Wil’s Diner and Sports Bar - Blk. 5, Sta. Maria Village
• Hungry Kings Diner
• Wiggins Restaurant - Riceland Inn, M.H. Del Pilar St.
• Mabuhay Panciteria
• Eat All You Can
• Blossom Restaurant
• Pedricos Pizza
• Jimwell Restaurant
• L&V Restaurant
• LotsA’ Pizza - J.P. Rizal St. San Vicente
• Mang Inasal
• Star Cafe

Fastfoods

• Jollibee
• Mc Donalds
• Chowking
• Greenwich

Notable Calapeños[link]

• Salvador "Doy" Leachon - 2011 awardee as one of "The Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines" for the field of Community Development and one of the "Nine Outstanding Young Filipino Leaders in Asia"
• Macario G. Adriatico - liberator of Mindoro, first representative of Mindoro to the Philippine Assembly, journalist, orator, writer and director of the National Museum and Library
• Ricardo G. Paras, Sr. - delegate to Malolos Revolutionary Congress
• Néstor Vicente Madali González - Internationally acclaimed writer and educator
• Jason Francisco - 3rd Placer, Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up
• Charo Santos-Concio - President, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation
• Marielle Infantado - National Filipino swimmer; 1st ASEAN Games; 2nd POF Championship; 27th, 29th and 31st SEA Games; Nestle MILO product endorser
• Jireh Ibañez - Basketball Player, PBA
• Joey Antonio - Chess Grandmaster
• Antonio "Nikoy" Lining - International Billard Champion
• Diana Arevalo - Top 10 Semi-Finalist - Binibining Pilipinas 2009, Miss Or. Mindoro 2008, Top 15 Finalist - Binibining Pilipinas 2011
• Edzen Dinglasan - National Filipino Swimmer; 29th and 30th SEA Games
• Edson Dinglasan - National Filipino Swimmer, 30th SEA Games; Philippine National Swimmer

References[link]

External links[link]

• Calapan City Official Site
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 2000 Philippine Census Information
• 2007 Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System
• Oriental Mindoro Investment Page
• www.reliefweb.int - govph-phl-28dec.pdf
• www.ifrc.org - PHfl15120502.pdf

v t e Cities of the Philippines Highly-urbanized Cities Angeles Bacolod Baguio Butuan Cagayan de Oro Caloocan Cebu Davao General Santos Iligan Iloilo Lapu-Lapu Las Piñas Lucena Makati Malabon Mandaluyong Mandaue Manila Marikina Muntinlupa Naga, Camarines Sur Navotas Olongapo Parañaque Pasay Pasig Puerto Princesa Quezon City San Juan Tacloban Taguig Valenzuela Zamboanga Independent Component Cities Cotabato Dagupan Ormoc Santiago Component Cities Alaminos Antipolo Bago Bais Balanga Batangas Batac Bayawan Baybay Bayugan Biñan Bislig Bogo Borongan Cabadbaran Cabanatuan Cadiz Calamba Calapan Calbayog Candon Canlaon Carcar Catbalogan Cauayan Cavite Danao Dapitan Dasmariñas Digos Dipolog Dumaguete El Salvador Escalante Gapan Gingoog Guihulngan Himamaylan Ilagan Iriga Isabela Kabankalan Kidapawan Koronadal La Carlota Lamitan Laoag Legazpi Lipa Maasin Malaybalay Malolos Marawi Masbate Mati Meycauayan Muñoz Naga, Cebu Oroquieta Ozamiz Pagadian Palayan Panabo Passi Roxas Sagay Samal San Carlos, Negros Occidental San Carlos, Pangasinan San Fernando, La Union San Fernando, Pampanga San Jose San Jose del Monte San Pablo Santa Rosa Silay Sipalay Sorsogon Surigao Tabuk Tacurong Tagaytay Tagbilaran Tagum Talisay, Cebu Talisay, Negros Occidental Tanauan Tandag Tangub Tanjay Tarlac Tayabas Toledo Trece Martires Tuguegarao Urdaneta Valencia Victorias Vigan

v t e Provincial capital cities and municipalities of the Philippines Luzon Antipolo (de facto), Rizal · Balanga, Bataan · Baler, Aurora · Bangued, Abra · Basco, Batanes · Batangas, Batangas · Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya · Boac, Marinduque · Bontoc, Mountain Province · Cabarroguis, Quirino · Calapan, Oriental Mindoro · Daet, Camarines Norte · Iba, Zambales · Ilagan, Isabela · Imus (de jure), Cavite · Kabugao (de jure), Apayao · Lagawe, Ifugao · Laoag, Ilocos Norte · La Trinidad, Benguet · Daraga, Albay · Lingayen, Pangasinan · Lucena, Quezon · Luna (de facto), Apayao · Malolos, Bulacan · Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro · Masbate, Masbate · Palayan, Nueva Ecija · Pasig (de jure), Rizal · Naga, Camarines Sur · Puerto Princesa, Palawan · Romblon, Romblon · San Fernando, La Union · San Fernando, Pampanga · Tabuk, Kalinga · Tarlac, Tarlac · Trece Martires (de facto), Cavite · Tuguegarao, Cagayan · Santa Cruz, Laguna · Sorsogon, Sorsogon · Vigan, Ilocos Sur · Virac, Catanduanes Visayas Bacolod, Negros Occidental · Borongan, Eastern Samar · Catarman, Northern Samar · Catbalogan, Samar · Cebu, Cebu · Dumaguete, Negros Oriental · Iloilo, Iloilo · Jordan, Guimaras · Kalibo, Aklan · Maasin, Southern Leyte · Naval, Biliran · Roxas, Capiz · San Jose de Buenavista, Antique · Siquijor, Siquijor · Tagbilaran, Bohol · Tacloban, Leyte Mindanao Alabel, Sarangani · Bongao (de facto), Tawi-Tawi · Butuan (de facto), Agusan del Norte · Cabadbaran (de jure), Agusan del Norte · Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental · Digos, Davao del Sur · Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte · Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay · Isabela, Basilan · Isulan, Sultan Kudarat · Jolo, Sulu · Kidapawan, Cotabato · Koronadal, South Cotabato · Malaybalay, Bukidnon · Mambajao, Camiguin · Marawi, Lanao del Sur · Mati, Davao Oriental · Nabunturan, Compostela Valley · Oroquieta, Misamis Occidental · Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur · Panglima Sugala (de jure), Tawi-Tawi · Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur · San Jose, Dinagat Islands · Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao · Surigao, Surigao del Norte · Tagum, Davao del Norte · Tandag, Surigao del Sur · Tubod, Lanao del Norte

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Ejay Lasap Falcon (born November 21, 1989) is a Filipino^[1] model and actor who is currently a contract artist of ABS-CBN. He is also the Big Winner of Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus.^[1]

First Visit in Manila[link]

According to the PBBTEP site, Ejay's mother left his family in Mindoro when he was little and they never heard anything from her for a long time so at the age of 15, he went to Manila to look for her, only to find out that she had another family.^[2][3] During his three-year stay in Manila, he went to University of Manila and took a course in Hotel and Restaurant Management but was forced to quit school because of financial problems.^[4] It was also during that time that he met his manager, showbiz hairstylist Benjie Alipio, who took him in as a talent and entered him in Circle of 10 talent search.^[5][4] He did not win any title in the said talent search but it served as his ticket to get guest stints in various TV shows. He is also a proud member of Iglesia Ni Cristo (Chruch Of Christ) ^[5]

Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition Plus[link]

When the second season of Pinoy Big Brother started, Ejay auditioned and got in as one of the official housemates of PBBTEP. Clad in a Tarzan costume, he was introduced as "Promdi Hottie of Mindoro" who had trouble with technological gadgets and elevators when he first visited Manila. He was the first housemate to get inside the Pinoy Big Brother house.^[2]

On day 75, he was proclaimed the Big Winner—the battle between him and PBBTEP's second teen placer Robi Domingo was the closest in PBB history but he emerged the winner in the end with 36.31% of votes against the latter's 34.39%.^[6] His 620,934 votes earned him a title of "Big Winner", a P1.5 million business package from the Crystal Clear water purifiying company, a laptop, a kitchen showcase, a 46-inch LCD television set, a condo unit, and a cash prize of P1 million.^[6]

Upon leaving the PBBTEP house, Ejay was immediately plagued by intrigues. Rumors went out that votes during the Big Night were manipulated in his favor and that he did not deserve to win his title. He was also plagued with questions hinting that he used to be a callboy and that he is not a real promdi (province boy).^[7] He denied these issues and said that he leaves the decision to God to judge his detractors.^[4] Furthermore, Laurenti Dyogi, the director of PBBTEP, defended him from these allegations saying that he won not just because he was poor but because he changed a lot and shared himself in PBBTEP.^[7]

Entering Showbiz[link]

Ejay's first acting stint after PBBTEP, around late 2008, was when he guested in an episode of That's My Doc with fellow housemate, Valerie Weigmann.^[8] He has already guested in various TV shows of ABS-CBN and is part of the third season of TV5's Lipgloss.^[9] He also played a short role in Habang May Buhay, a primetime TV series of ABS-CBN which started airing 2010.^[10][11] He also made a guest appearance in ABS-CBN's top-rating primetime drama series, May Bukas Pa, last April 2009, and became a recurring cast of the said show. Finally in 2009, he played a major role as Gabby Arcanghel opposite Erich Gonzales in ABS-CBN's drama series entitled Katorse. This was followed by another show entitled Tanging Yaman where he was one of the main cast alongside his previous co-stars in Katorse, Enchong Dee and Erich Gonzales. In 2010, he also played a major role as Xyriel Manabat's brother in the show entitled Momay. In the said show, he was paired with Queenie Padilla. In addition, he also appeared in a number of ABS-CBN's MMK and Wansapanataym episodes.

Currently, Ejay is the model/endorser of Bench, Converse, Lacoste, Afficcionado Perfumes and Fashion Exchange.

His last project was Guns and Roses in which he was paired on-screen with Empress Schuck. The show ended on September 2011 but there were rumours that Ejay was planning to court Empress and continue the romance off-screen, but the two say they are happy just being friends.

Upcoming Projects[link]

Ejay was tapped to play the role of Pepeng Kuryente in Season 2 of the series Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla. Official airing date of the said show has not yet been revealed.

Filmography[link]

Television[link]

Movie[link]

See also[link]

• Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition Plus

References[link]

External links[link]

• PBBTEP Multiply Site