Silago

Etymology

The name "Silago" was a shortening of Spanish murcielago ("bat"), referring to an account when the Spaniards encountered bats in the area perching in trees locally known as tuog. The natives replied the incomprehensible question of the name of their place asked by the Spaniards saying "tua'y daghang kabug" in the belief that the Spaniards were amazed the huge number of bats present in the area that time. The place was then called "Murcielago" and over time, was shortened to its present name Silago.

However, accounts from Pigafetta on the Magellan voyage indicates a certain island in Leyte recorded as 'Cenalo' along with the recorded 'Hinnangar' (Hinunangan), and 'Abarien' (Cabalian), which in a new presentation by Greg Hontiveros on the First Mass controversy published in 2008, designated it to the Hingatungan Point in the town and therefore not an island as the account indicates.

History

Silago was once part of the Municipality of Hinunangan, and under its political jurisdiction.

During World War II, Silago was the site of the USS Nautilus (SS-168) dropping off American weapons for Leyte resistance fighters.

After World War II, in 1948, local officials, with the support of then-Secretary of National Defense Ruperto Kangleon took efforts to turn Silago from a barrio into a municipality. On 20 June 1950, the Municipality of Silago was founded through Executive Order No. 326 issued by President Elpidio Quirino. The Executive Order was chartered through Republic Act No. 5962.

The first set of municipal officials were appointed by Quirino on May 17, 1951. Felix Balagon was appointed as Mayor, Leon Fortaliza as Vice Mayor, and Manuel Tomol, Enrique Sarona, Modesto Miras and Manuel Cruzada as councilors. Pedro Tomol was appointed as Municipal Secretary.

Geography

Barangays

Silago is politically subdivided into 15 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

There are 5 brangays of which are landlocked and the remaining 10 barangays are located at the east coast.

Climate

Demographics

Economy

Education

Elementary schools:

Almost all barangays have Elementary / Primary Schools, few are mentioned below:

• Silago Central Elementary School - Barangay Poblacion District I
• Sudmon Elementary School - Barangay Sudmon
• Hingatungan Elementary School - Barangay Hingatungan
• Awayon Elementary School - Barangay Mercedes

High schools:

There are only 4 high schools, which are strategically located at cater far flung areas.

• Silago National Vocational High School - Barangay Poblacion District II
• Hingatungan National High School - Barangay Hingatungan (located at northern portion of the municipality)
• Mercedes National High School - Barangay Mercedes (located at southern portion of the municipality)
• Katipunan National High School - Barangay Katipunan (located at western portion of the municipality)

Tourism

Silago got her name from the word “murcielago” which is a Spanish term for bat, because of this species' dominance in the locality. Proof to this is the giant bat sanctuary at Barangay Catmon. Along the coastal barangays of the town, there are clean beaches and a structure designed by nature lying in the town's deep blue sea known as Pelada Rock, also locally known as “Batong Dako" meaning large rock, which was occupied and utilized as a camp by the Japanese Imperial Army during the Second World War. The peculiar beauty of this rock is enhanced with the abundance of birds hovering and built their nest on it, sea snakes making the rock as their dwelling place, with fish and other marine products surrounding it. The rock is located just a short distance from the shore of Barangay Laguma and Barangay Salvacion.

Farther north, is a natural rock formation with a length of more or less 50 meters from the shore and about 10 meters wide.

The interior of Silago is mountainous, in which is the town's vast forest, home of the wild pigs locally known as “Baboy Ihas”. Among all the municipalities of the province, Silago is identified to have the biggest forest area.

The Municipal Tree Park, established under the administration of former mayor Martin "Boy" Tomol Sr. is another kind of tourist attraction in the municipality where fresh breeze and songs of the birds make the atmosphere pleasantly unique. On its northern part is a clean and clear river suitable for swimming.

Silago is also an emerging surfing destination. Although it is seasonal and the waves are not very big, it is ideal for learners and beginners to exploit.

Giant bats and troops of long-tailed macaque still abound in the town's forested mountain, mostly near the barangay of Katipunan.

In the upper portion of the town, at different locations, are waterfalls. Kagut-an Falls is more or less 1 kilometer away from the national highway, at Barangay Katipunan. This falls is paired with another falls near its vicinity, locally called as Kagut-an Dako Dos Falls, which possesses an exceptional attraction to all who sees it. In the same barangay is another falls called Kagut-an Gamay Falls. In Barangay Mercedes, about 1 kilometer distance from Mercedes Barangay Road, is Sitio Kawayan Falls with a height of about 10 meters.

Another falls is in Barangay Tubod distinctive in structure with matching cave on its opposite side. Water from this falls, along its way meets the Lanang River flow, which also has its own unique attraction.

Aside from Lanang River, which is located at the town's mountain barangay, is the Maag River that crosses along the national highway in Poblacion District 1. This river forms a lake that is suited for boating recreation. At the mouth of the river is the brown fine sand beach of Silago, which is more or less 1 kilometer long.

In the months of November to February, Silago's beaches are ideal for surfing with huge sea waves, comparable to waves in Siargao.

Town Hymn

The Hymn was written and composed by Rev. Fr. Plutarco Rodriguez and Neil Mate, and was implemented by Mayor Martin Tomol Sr.

References

References

1. {{DILG detail
2. "Executive Order No. 326, s. 1950".
3. "Silago".
4. "Silago, Southern Leyte Profile – PhilAtlas".
5. "Philippine Company Listings - Philippine Business Directory - Page 1".