Calape

Etymology

Its name is historically linked to kalapi, a type of rattan once abundant in the area, or is believed to signify a traditional gathering place for traders and fishermen.

History

By the time Spaniards arrived, there was already a native settlement in Calape. In 1802, the Spanish governor of Cebu established it as an independent municipality.

In 1957, the barangay of Abucayan Norte was created from the sitios of Cabulihan and Cabinong, and the barangay of Abucayan Sur from the sitios of Rama and Bino. The sitios of Binogawan, Masonoy, Bentig, Cahayag, and Lawis were also constituted into barrios.

Geography

Calape is bounded by Loon in the west and Tubigon in the east. To the north, the town center faces the Cebu Strait on the western side of Bohol Island, 42 km from Tagbilaran. The jurisdiction of Calape includes the islands of Pangangan (eight barangays) and Mantatao, as well as two uninhabited islets, Poom Island and Basihan Island.

There are four rivers that flow through the territory: Tultugan and Liboron Rivers that drain into Calape Bay, and Calunasan and Abucayan Norte Rivers that drain into Tipcan Bay.

Most of the coastal area is a fairly level plain that gradually rises into rolling hills of coralline limestone. The highest point in Calape is Mount Candungao in the eastern portion of the town, with an elevation of 500 ft above sea level.

Barangays

Calape is politically subdivided into 33 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

There are 18 barangays which form part of coastal area.

Climate

Demographics

Religion

92% of Calape's population is Roman Catholic. The remaining 8% is divided among other religious groups.

Economy

Education

Calape boasts a high literacy rate, with 93.09% of its population being literate as of a 2007 survey.

Public Schools

Elementary Education

• Banlasan Elementary School
• Bentig-Calunasan Elementary School
• Bonbon-Catmonan Elementary School
• Cabayugan Elementary School
• Cabudburan Elementary School
• Calape Central Elementary School
• Camias Elementary School
• Canguha Elementary School
• Kinabag-an Elementary School
• Labuon Elementary School
• Mandaug Elementary School
• Mandaug-Gamay Elementary School
• Mantatao Elementary School
• Pangangan Elementary School
• Sampoangon Elementary School
• San Isidro Elementary School
• Tinibgan Elementary School
• Tultugan Elementary School
• Ulbujan Elementary School

Secondary Education

• Calape National High School
• Fermin Tayabas National High School
• Mayor Anunciacion R. Tuazon National School of Fisheries
• Pangangan National High School

Higher Education

• Bohol Island State University
  • Program offerings{{cite web |access-date=June 25, 2025
    • College of Teacher Education
      • Bachelor of Elementary Education
      • Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English
      • Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Mathematics
    • College of Technology
      • Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
      • Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology major in Food Preparation and Services Technology
      • Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology major in Electrical Technology
    • College of Midwifery
      • Bachelor of Science in Midwifery
    • College of Fisheries
      • Bachelor of Science in Fisheries

Private Schools

• Calape Baptist Mission School, Inc.
• St. Teresa's School of Valladolid, Inc.

Government

During the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines, the chief executive of a town was known as the Capitan Municipal. This title later evolved into Presidente Municipal () during the early American regime. Eventually, the title Municipal Mayor became standard, especially during the Commonwealth period and onward. During wartime or transitional governments, such as under Japanese occupation or post-liberation, the term Mayor was commonly used for town chief executives, sometimes appointed by military or provisional authorities.

In earlier times, the selection of town leaders sometimes involved a drawing of lots (sortition) among prominent individuals from the principalia class—those with significant landholdings, formal education, and Spanish literacy. However, the exact sequence of tenure for these early town executives is often undocumented or difficult to reconstruct due to limited archival records.

Regular elections for this position were introduced under the American colonial administration through the Municipal Code (Act No. 82 of 1901), with elections initially held every three years. This three-year term remains in effect for municipal mayors under the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160).

Following the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986, elected local officials were removed from office and replaced by Officers-in-Charge (OICs) appointed by the new government. This transitional arrangement remained in place until regular local elections resumed in 1988.

List of chief executives

• Mauricio T. Cuario (1923–1927){{cite book |access-date=June 9, 2025
• Benigno Palacio (1933–1937){{cite book |access-date=June 9, 2025
• Felomeno Ruiz (1938–1941){{cite book |access-date=June 9, 2025
• Gaudencio Sepe (1942–1945)
• Pedro Dumadag (1946–1951)
• Ramon E. Nazareno (1952–1955)
• Alberto Carlon (1956–1963)
• Arsenio G. Damalerio (1964–1967){{cite book |access-date=June 9, 2025
• Isidro R. Redulla (1968–1979){{cite book |access-date=June 9, 2025
• Anunciacion R. Tuazon (1979–1986){{cite book |access-date=June 9, 2025
• Gabriel P. de la Peña (1986–1987){{cite book |access-date=June 9, 2025
• Gerardo T. Yu (1992–1995){{cite book |access-date=June 9, 2025
• Julius Caesar Herrera (1995–2001){{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040219221803/http://calape.net/LGU/sb.htm |archive-date=February 19, 2004
• Ernesto Cuico Herrera II (2001–2007){{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061010125345/http://www.bohol.gov.ph/calape.html |archive-date=October 10, 2006
• Nelson Nesia Yu (2016–2022)
• Julius Caesar Herrera (2022–2025)
• Sulpicio Nesia Yu (2007–2016 and 2025 to Present)

Gallery

|File:Calape Public Market (2017).jpg |Calape Public Market |File:Calape Catholic Church (2017).jpg |St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church |File:Calape Central Elementary School (2017).jpg |Calape Central Elementary School

Notable personalities

• Yoyoy Villame, a novelty singer
• Ernesto Falar Herrera, Senator of the Philippines (1987–1998) and former congressman of Bohol's 1st district (1998–2001); a legislator in the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th Congresses.

References

References

1. 2025 National and Local Elections Results [https://2025electionresults.comelec.gov.ph/coc-result Region VII Bohol Calape]{{Dead link. (August 2025)
2. [https://comelec.gov.ph/php-tpls-attachments/2025NLE/Statistics/CONSOLIDATED_2025_Number_Of_Registered_Voters.pdf Final Data on the Registered Voters], COMELEC, Retrieved 23 January 2025
3. {{DILG detail
4. (16 April 2021). "Rattan Fruit Tasting Experience".
5. "Meaning of kalapi – Cebuano Dictionary".
6. (June 2019). "Topography". Municipality of Calape.
7. (January 31, 1901). "Act No. 82".
8. (October 10, 1991). "Republic Act No. 7160".