28/09/2025
Happy Fiesta, Laoang!
Salamat The Provincial Government of Northern Samar
𝐋𝐚𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐠: 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲
“𝑺𝒐 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒊𝒔 𝑳𝒂𝒐𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝑩𝒂𝒚,
𝑺𝒐 𝑬𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝑹𝒂𝒘𝒊𝒔 𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉,
𝑺𝒐 𝑴𝒂𝒋𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒊𝒔 𝑷𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒂𝒐 𝑪𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒇,
𝑺𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒂𝒐𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒖𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒕.”
A Laoanganon writer and composer is quoted saying in the song "Laoang Sunset," a tribute to Laoang's captivating scenery and rich history.
A first-class coastal municipality in the Province of Northern Samar, Laoang is recognized as an important nexus for maritime trade and settlement dating back centuries. Fr. Francisco Ignacio Alcina, a missionary who worked in the islands of Samar and Leyte, in the 1600s mentioned in his book, Historia de las Islas y Indios de Bisayas, that "Lawang" island's seclusion from the mainland is a natural fortification, a seamless showcase of Laoang's meaningful and vibrant past.
𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡’𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭
On this day, a testament of faith stands as the rustic St. Michael the Archangel Parish remains steadfast after withstanding the test of time, greeting all who pass by Laoang.
𝐎𝐧𝐚𝐲’𝐬 𝐎𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐞𝐬
Just like the waves of Onay Beach that rush to its shore and sprinkle through the air, its beauty screams tranquility and mesmerizes anyone wandering along the shoreline. Located at Barangay Onay (Doña Luisa) near the heart of Laoang, it stretches as far as the eyes can see. When dusk is nearing, hues of orange and yellow kiss the sand which blends into the wilderness of day. This reflects the scenic Laoang sunset that can be best viewed at Onay Beach.
𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐠 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥
In a research of historian and UP Professor Dr. Rolando Borrinaga, the name "Laoang" is said to be derived from something used by the first settlers for a living. It is said that when the early Spanish conquerors landed on the island, they were attracted by the many lights that hit the shores of the settlement bays at night.
When those lights were seen, one of the Spaniards asked a native what the flashing lights in the sea were. Since the language used in the questioning was Spanish, the native did not understand the word he was asked. Out of respect and perhaps fear, the native tried his best to understand and use the expression "Lawag". Lawag, it turns out, is a torch used to catch fish because sea creatures are attracted to light and fishermen catch fish more easily using this method. The Spaniards were pleased with the natives' response and proceeded to tell their group that the name of the community was Laoang, from the word "Lawag". This version was passed down from generation to generation and was generally accepted by the townspeople since ancient times.
To this day, torches of light burn brighter with rhythms as Laoanganons showcase their rich cultural identity through Lawag Festival.
𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝
The aggressive seawater of the San Bernardino Strait is a challenge to sailors passing through. On the entrance of the waters of Northern Samar, the Batag Island Lighthouse serves the purpose of its towering height in guiding passing sailors since its construction in 1907. Situated on top of the hill in Brgy. Marubay of Batag Island in Laoang, it has battled many storms and witnessed the changes of time.
𝐈𝐧𝐨𝐠𝐤𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞
Inogkahan, a passage that cuts through a hill, serves as a gateway to the heart and soul of Laoang. Though it served a different purpose during the American and Japanese occupation, today it serves both as a shortcut that cuts travel time for locals and visitors and, as a photo-worthy spot with the excavated hill offering a unique mixture of natural and man-made attraction.
Source: Ibabao Magazine and Laoang Municipal Library
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