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PROVINCIAL PROFILE OF MASBATE
FAST FACTS
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LOCATION
Masbate is one of two island provinces in the Bicol region. It is bounded on the north by the Burias Pass and the Ticao Pass, on the east by the Samar Sea, on the west by the Sibuyan Sea, and on the south by the Visayan Sea.
THE LAND
The province consists of three major islands - Masbate, Ticao and Burias - and 14 small island partially encloses Asid Gulf which slopes into the Visayan Sea, giving it the shape of an arrowhead. On its northwestern tip, limestone cliffs rise almost straight up from the coastline. In the interior are low rolling hills, with grassland covering 70% of the island. Ticao Island lies in the centerd of the Philippine Fault but Masbate and Burias are safely out of it. The entire province, however, is in the direct path of typhoons. Mainland Masbate has a short dry season while Ticao and Burias have no dry season at all.
A BRIEF HISTORY
It is said that a simple misundestanding gave the province its name. When the Spanish came to the island in 1569, they found a couple making chocolate from cacao. When the visitors asked them the name of the place, the couple thought the former wanted to know what they were doing and aswered, "Mas bati," meaning to mix vigorously. The chroniclers in the expedition recorded "Masbate" as the name of the island. Masbate was originally a part of Albay. In 1846, it was made into a separate commandancia politico-militar.
When the Philippine Republic was declared in June 1898, General Justo Lucban went to Masbate to take control of the island from the Spaniards. A military government was established with Vicented Trivino as governord until the American forces came in 1900. The Americans organized Masbate as a province in 1901, but made it a sub-province of Sorsogon in 1905. Finally, on December 15, 1920 the Philippine Legislature, through Act No. 2934, made Masbate an independent province.
THE PEOPLE
The province is a melting pot of dialects and cultures. The people of the capital town speak Masbateno with a mixture of Bicolano; in the west, Ilonggo or Capiceno. Bicolano is the dominant dialect in Burias.
COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Masbate ranks second only to Bukidnon in raising cattle. About 70% these are sold to Metro Manila and other provicnes in Luzon. Farming is the main source of livelihood. Copra is the leading product, followed by corn, rice, and rootcrops. Fishing is a major industry along the coast. The province is one of the richest in the country in terms of mineral resources that include copper, silver, iron, manganese, and chromite. Manufacturing firms are in the copra industry, handicrafts, furniture-making, and fish processing.
Information gathered from:
League of
Provinces
by:Roberto C. Arellano
This page last revised:January 29, 1999.
