Atimonan, officially the Municipality of Atimonan, (Tagalog: Bayan ng Atimonan), is a 1st class
municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines.
According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 63,432 people.It lies on the eastern shore
of the province, 173 kilometres (107 mi) southeast of Manila.
Atimonan is bounded by the municipalities of Gumaca, Plaridel, Pagbilao and Padre Burgos.
== Barangays == Atimonan is politically subdivided into 42
barangays.
== History == There were conflicting stories on how Atimonan
got its name.
Some concluded that the name Atimonan originated from a tree known as Atimon alleged to have
been prevalent in the area and had reportedly served many uses to the residents.
These trees are now extinct and its non-existence could not be accounted for.
Others say it came from the words atin muna, signifying a policy, unity of feeling and
sentiments among the residents that bolster their spirit in the fight against their enemies
during that time.
But the most popular version is that it originated from the name of its founder, Simeona Mangaba,
known to her town mates as Ate Monang.
She is a woman reputed to be of unquestionable leadership, which the people regarded as their
adopted parent, leader and protector.
Ate Monang was the eldest sister of Francisco Mangaba, the first captain of the town.
She founded the town on February 4, 1608 along the banks of the big Maling River, now known
as Atimonan River.
Living along the river bank, the people has always been a prey to Moro attacks and so
for fear of Moro reprisals, the inhabitants decided to transfer to Palsabangon, now a
barrio of Pagbilao, Quezon.
However, the people felt discontented in Palsabangon because the place abounds in wild crocodiles
that from time to time disturbed them.
So, after two years of stay (1610), they left the place and transferred to Babyaw, a part
of Atimonan.
They settled in Babyaw for almost 14 years, but transferred again to another site called
Minanukan for some unknown reasons.
In 1635, they again transferred to another place called Bisita, but some families separated
from the majority and settled in Yawe, now San Isidro, a barrio in Padre Burgos, Quezon.
The next year, when Simeona Mangaba learned of what happened to the original group of
settlers, she, together with Fray Geronimo de Jesus, a Spanish friar, tried to unite
them once more and convinced them to return to the place where it was first founded.
The place known now as Bagumbayan, this was during the time of Captain Pablo Garcia.
Today, Atimonan is a fast-growing town known for its cleanliness, beautiful beaches, many
historical and natural scenery and most of all warm and peace-loving people.
On December 23, 1941, The occupation of the Japanese Imperial Army forces entering the
towns and landing beaches in Atimonan, Tayabas (now.
Quezon).
On January to August 1945, local Filipino troops of the 5th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 55th,
56th and 57th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and 5th Infantry Regiment
of the Philippine Constabulary was liberated in Atimonan and helped the guerrilla resistance
fighters under the Marking's Guerrillas and the President Quezon's Own Guerrillas (PQOG)
and the American liberating troops of the United States Army 1st Cavalry Division and
the 11th Airborne Division to fought against the Japanese forces and ended in World War
II.
=== Liberation and the Battle of Atimonan ===
Beginning the Liberation and the Battle of Atimonan on January to August 1945 between
the fought the main battles of the combined U.S. and Philippine Commonwealth liberation
military forces and aided the local guerrilla resistance fighters and defeating attack and
fought against the Imperial Japanese military forces in Atimonan, Tayabas (now.
Quezon).
On January 1945, many strongholds of all local military forces of the Filipino soldiers and
military officers under the Philippine Commonwealth Army 5th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 55th, 56th and
57th Infantry Division and Philippine Constabulary 5th Infantry Regiment has the sending the
local military operations in the town of Atimonan, Tayabas from the local P.C.A. and P.C.
military GHQ and military camp bases in Tayabas provinces and some parts in Northern and Southern
Luzon and Bicol Peninsula was they recaptured and liberated the entered the town in Atimonan,
Tayabas and aiding the local guerrilla resistance fighters under the Col. Marking's Guerrillas
and the President Quezon's Own Guerrillas (PQOG) and attacking Japanese troops.From
February to April 1945, the main battles and invading commands of all stronghold of local
Filipino soldiers, military officers, tank commanders, military trucks and jeeps, military
IFV's, artillery and mortars and many other military engagements under the 5th, 51st,
52nd, 53rd, 55th, 56th and 57th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and the
5th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary was around side by side in the town of Atimonan
and they entered and they recaptured from the plains, rice fields, rivers and forests
are destroyed and bombed and they recaptured and entering invasion around the town streets,
old Roman Catholic churches, municipal town halls, town plazas and many others are destroyed
and bombings and aiding the local guerrilla resistance under the Col. Marking's Guerrillas
and the President Quezon's Own Guerrillas (PQOC) and defeated Japanese Imperial Army
forces from the couple of three months of one year during the fighting for the liberation
before the American troops was captured the town.
On April 10, 1945, the American liberation military forces under the 1st Cavalry Division
and the 11th Airborne Division of the United States Army was captured in Atimonan, Tayabas
and they helped and aiding the local Filipino ground troops under the Philippine Commonwealth
Army and Philippine Constabulary units and the local guerrilla resistance fighters and
defeated and attacking Japanese soldiers.
The re-establishment of the joint and combined military camps and bases of the Philippine
Commonwealth Army, Philippine Constabulary and the United States Army was the military
active on April 1945 in Atimonan during the fighting.
On April to August 1945 after the capturing the American liberation forces in the town
on last April, the joint and combined military forces of the Filipino soldiers under the
Philippine Commonwealth Army 5th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 55th, 56th and 57th Infantry Division
and Philippine Constabulary 5th Infantry Regiment, the local guerrilla fighters under the Col.
Marking's Guerrillas and the President Quezon's Own Guerrillas (PQOG) and the American soldiers
under the United States Army units of the 1st Cavalry Division and the 11th Airborne
Division was surrounded the main battles and invading commands from the couple of six months
before the liberated fought side by side around the town in Atimonan and they surprise attack
and entering Japanese Imperial Army forces.
The local and combined military and guerrilla raid and invasion of the military general
headquarters of the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces in Atimonan, Tayabas in 1945 and they
recaptured and invaded by the all the combined U.S. and Philippine Commonwealth military
forces including the local recognized guerrilla groups entering the Japanese Military GHQ's
in the municipal town.
After the local and joint military and guerrilla raid sieges of the Japanese Military GHQ's
in Atimonan, many the combined U.S. and Philippine Commonwealth ground forces included with the
local guerrilla resistance fighters was captured and taken the Japanese Military GHQ in Atimonan
and they surrendering Japanese Imperial forces.
When the combined U.S. and Philippine Commonwealth ground forces included with the local guerrilla
resistance fighters inside the capturing Japanese Military GHQ's has downed the flag pole raised
of the Japanese flag of the Imperial Japanese military through the up the flag pole raised
of the American and Philippine flag for the combined U.S. & Philippine Commonwealth military
after the fighting the siege commands.
The aftermath of the Battle of Atimonan on August 1945, the local and combined military
and guerrilla resistance casualties was founded of the fighting and succeeding battles, sieges
and invasions included the Filipino troops of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and Philippine
Constabulary units over 6,800 killed in action and 17,000 wounded in action, while the local
guerrilla fighters under the Col. Marking's Guerrillas and the President Quezon's Own
Guerrillas (PQOG) suffered over 480 killed in action and 1,743 wounded in action, the
American troops of the United States Army over 2,800 killed in action over 5,320 wounded.
On the part of the Japanese Imperial forces over 28,000 killed in action, 64,000 wounded
in action and 7,900 captured in action.
the combined U.S. and Philippine Commonwealth military ground forces with the local guerrilla
groups was saluted and the successfully victories after the battle of war and they captured
in Atimonan, Tayabas.
== Demographics == People from Atimonan are called Atimonanins.
The primary language is Tagalog, with many local phrases and expressions.
Manilans usually understand Atimonan Tagalog, albeit with some frustrations.
Many Atimonanins are part Chinese or Spanish.
Some Atimonanins can also speak Bicolano, Lan-nang, or Spanish.
=== Religion === The dominant religion in Atimonan is Roman
Catholic.
The culture in Atimonan is primarily ingrained in rural maritime Filipino settings.
Other religions present are:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) (commonly known as Mormon)
Atimonan United Christian Ministries Iglesia Ni Cristo
Seventh Day Adventist Jehovah's Witnesses
Philippine Independent Church/ Iglesia Filipina Independiente (known as Aglipayans)
Islam
==== Our Lady of Angels Parish ==== Our Lady of Angels Parish is a member of Roman
Catholic Diocese of Lucena.
Parish Priest: Rev. Msgr.
Emmanuel Ma.
Villareal Parochial Vicar: Rev. Fr.
Warren R. Puno Parochial Vicar: Rev. Fr.
Ruzzel HabitoParish of Our Lady of Angels (Philippine Independent Church)
Parish Priest - Rev. Fr.
Arnold Manalo Damayan, BTh, BAPA
== Economy == The economy of Atimonan is sustained by fishing
and agriculture.
Many also engage in seafaring.
The town is part of the Tourism Highway Program of the Department of Tourism.
== Tourist attractions == Quezon Protected Landscape
Atimonan Feeder Port Pinagbanderahan Summit
Bantakay Fall and Caves Atimonan Fish Port
Atimonan Fish Sanctuary De Gracia Beach Floating Cottage
Atimonan Bayview Resort Green Park Hotel and Resort
Missy and Zane Hotel de Recepcion Villarreal Beach
Rizza Beach Resort(D'Bay Resort) Villa Urgino Beach Resort
Tinandog Heights Quezon National Park
ZigZag Park
== Festivals == Tagultol FestivalThe Tagultol Festival is
an evolution of various cultural activities, practiced in previous years by Atimonanins.
The Town & Patronal Fiesta every August 1 & 2 is simply celebrated with the usual parade,
a cultural program, thanksgiving mass and procession.
In 1981, during the administration of then Quezon Board Member and then Mayor of Atimonan
Remedios V. Diestro, an activity was started – the Karakol.
It is a fluvial parade done in the afternoon of the 2nd day of the fiesta.
The boats traveled around Lamon Bay within the boundaries of the town proper headed by
the Grand Boat where the patron – Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles was aboard.
There were singing, dancing & band playing, all in expression of gratitude to the Almighty
for the year’s bountiful catch.
The parade then joined the religious procession and ended at the church.
Later, it was done in the morning after the thanksgiving mass at the Fishing Port and
Boat Racing Competition followed after the Karakol.
The creation of the Lupong Tagapangasiwa ng Kultura at Sining sa Atimonan (LUPTAKSA) under
the leadership of Mr. Francisco T. Laude, a retired public school teacher, put new dimension
and vigor to the town’s cultural awareness and in the year 2003, the Tagultol Festival
was finally launched.
Tagultol, an old fishing method used by Atimonanins, was derived from the Tagalog word ugtol, meaning
bounce.
Tagultol fishing consists of a rectangular stone tied at the end of abaca strings dip
in honey.
Thorns of calamansi & similar plants with bait were tied 2 feet above the stone before
dipping in water and moved in a bouncing movements.
The festival is a five-day celebration starting July 29 until August 2.
The celebration is an array of both cultural and sports activities, talent and beauty contests
participated by community organizations and individuals and headed by the local government’s
culture and arts council (LUPTAKSA) and Atimonan Tourism Council.
Pabitin FestivalThe Town of Atimonan celebrates the Pabitin Festival every May 15 in honor
of the patron saint of farmers, St. Isidore, almost the same in Lucban's Pahiyas Festival.
During this festival, every house in the town proper has hanging decor such as vegetables,
fruits, suman, dried fish wrapped in plastic and any other kinds of food, and when the
statue of St. Isidore have passed the street, then the decoration will be thrown in the
people who wants to have the decors.
== Education == (Secondary & Tertiary)
PRIVATE:
Quezonian Educational College Inc.
Our Lady of the Angels Academy(OLAA) Leon Guinto Memorial College, Inc.
ACEBA Science & Technology Institute (ASTI) Inc.
College of Science, Technology & Communication (CSTC) Inc.
(Secondary) PUBLIC:
Atimonan National Comprehensive High School (ANCHS).
Maligaya National High Schol Malinao Ilaya National High School
Malusak National High School San Rafael National High School
ELEMENTARY(Primary) : Private:
Casa dei Patino Montessori School St. Louie Kids World Learning Center
Our Lady of the Angels Academy(Elementary Department)
Little Angels Montessori Learning Center Atimonan United Methodist Christian School
Inc.
Public:
Atimonan Central School Atimonan Central School(ANNEX)
Buhangin Elementary School Balubad Elementary School
Caridad Ibaba Elementary School Inalig Elementary School
Magsaysay Elementary School Maligaya Elementary School
Malinao Ibaba Elementary School Malinao Ilaya Elementary School
Malusak Elementary School Ponon Elementary School
Rizal Elementary School San Rafael Elementary School
Sapaan Elementary School Sta.
Catalina Elementary School (ANNEX) Tagbakin Elementary School
== Local government == Municipal officials (2010–2013):
Municipal Mayor: Jose F. Mendoza Municipal Vice Mayor: Joel M. Vergano
Municipal Councilors: Zenaida D. Veranga
Renato C. Sarmiento Cielyn S. Diestro
Elmer M. Santander Maria Aurora A. Tamayo
Nestor E. Santander John Francis L. Luzano
Roseller A. Magtibay PPLB President: Ernesto S. Amandy
PPSK President: Loid John L. VergañoMunicipal officials (2013-2016):
Municipal Mayor: Jose F. Mendoza Municipal Vice Mayor: Joel M. Vergaño
Municipal Councilors: Zenaida D. Veranga
Rizaldy L. Velasco Renato C. Sarmiento
Elmer M. Santander Iñigo P. Mapaye
Cielyn S. Diestro-Makayan Roseller A. Magtibay
John Francis L. Luzano PPLB President: Ernesto S. AmandyMunicipal
Officials (2016-2019)
Municipal Mayor: Engr.
Rustico Joven U. Mendoza Municipal Vice Mayor: Zenaida D. Veranga
Municipal Councilors: Elmer M. Santander
Rizaldy L. Velasco Nestor E. Santander
Estela A. Lim Roseller A. Magtibay
Maria Aurora A. Tamayo Nestor V. Laude
Merlinda C. Pesigan PPLB President:Amado A. Vidal
== References ==
== External links == Official Website of Atimonan Municipal Government
Philippine Standard Geographic Code Philippine Census Information
Local Governance Performance Management System