Atimonan

Atimonan, officially the Municipality of Atimonan, is a 1st class municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 64,260 people.

It lies on the eastern shore of the province, 42 km from Lucena and 172 km southeast of Manila. Atimonan is bounded by the municipalities of Gumaca, Plaridel, Pagbilao and Padre Burgos.

Etymology
There are three plausible origins of the name of the municipality:
 * 1) Atimon, an extinct tree alleged to have been prevalent in the area and had reportedly served many uses to the residents;
 * 2) The Tagalog phrase 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; and
 * 3) Simeona Mangaba, known to her town mates as Ate Monang, who was the older sister of the first town captain Francisco Mangaba and founder of the town. This is the most popular version.

History
Atimonan was founded by Simeona Mangaba on February 4, 1608, along the banks of the big Maling River, now known as Atimonan River.

Living along the riverbank, the people have always been 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, in 1610, after two years of stay, 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 in what is now Padre Burgos. 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 is known now as Bagumbayan was during the time of Captain Pablo Garcia.

On January 1, 1917, barrio Laguimanoc was separated from Atimonan to become an independent municipality that is now known as Padre Burgos. On December 23, 1941, the occupying Japanese Imperial Army entered the towns through landing beaches in Atimonan.

Barangays
Atimonan is politically subdivided into 42 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.


 * Angeles
 * Balubad
 * Balugohin
 * Barangay Zone 1 (Poblacion)
 * Barangay Zone 2 (Poblacion)
 * Barangay Zone 3 (Poblacion)
 * Barangay Zone 4 (Poblacion)
 * Buhangin
 * Caridad Ibaba
 * Caridad Ilaya
 * Habingan
 * Inaclagan
 * Inalig
 * Kilait
 * Kulawit
 * Lakip
 * Lubi
 * Lumutan
 * Magsaysay
 * Malinao Ibaba
 * Malinao Ilaya
 * Malusak
 * Manggalayan Bundok
 * Manggalayan Labak
 * Matanag
 * Montes Balaon
 * Montes Kallagan
 * Ponon
 * Rizal
 * San Andres Bundok
 * San Andres Labak
 * San Isidro
 * San Jose Balatok
 * San Rafael
 * Santa Catalina
 * Sapaan
 * Sokol
 * Tagbakin
 * Talaba
 * Tinandog
 * Villa Ibaba
 * Villa Ilaya

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. Atimonanins are mostly Tagalogs, but some have a small percentage of Chinese and Spanish ancestry. 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 AUCM (Born-Again Christians)
 * Iglesia Ni Cristo
 * Seventh Day Adventist
 * Jehovah's Witnesses
 * Philippine Independent Church/ Iglesia Filipina Independiente (known as Aglipayans)
 * Islam
 * Members Church of God International commonly known as Ang Dating Daan

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. Merlin Las Piñas
 * Parochial Vicar: Rev. Fr. Ralph Peñaflorida
 * Assisting Priest : Rev. Fr. Paul Liwanag

Parish of Our Lady of Angels (Philippine Independent Church)
 * Parish Priest - Rev. Fr. Arnold Manalo Damayan, BTh, BAPA

Philippine Good News International

 * Ptra. Analiza Satrain

Jesus Is Lord Church Atimonan Chapter

 * Ptr. Ding Oraa

Economy
The economy of Atimonan is sustained by fishing and agriculture. Many also engage in seafaring.

Tourism
The town is part of the Tourism Highway Program of the Department of Tourism.
 * Quezon Protected Landscape
 * ACEDRE Beach Resort
 * Atimonan Feeder Port
 * Pinagbanderahan Summit
 * Bantakay Fall and Caves
 * Atimonan Bay Park
 * Atimonan Fish Port
 * Atimonan Fish Sanctuary
 * De Gracia Beach Floating Cottage
 * Green Park Hotel and Resort
 * Missy and Zane Hotel de Recepcion
 * Villarreal Beach
 * Rizza Beach Resort(D'Bay Resort)
 * Playa De Lucia Hotel, Resorts and Restaurant
 * Tinandog Heights
 * Quezon National Park
 * ZigZag Park
 * Lumiliay Waterfalls
 * Malusak Cave
 * Cueva Santa
 * Aloco Falls
 * Robert's Kainan

Festivals
The 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.
 * Tagultol Fishing Festival

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.

It can be Held in Aliwan Fiesta 2018 during the festival is Tagultol Fishing Festival represented by: Atimonan Community Dancers.

The street dance is 15 member says: "The progressive town of Atimonan lies on the western shore of the province of Quezon, bound by flourishing gifts of nature and the abundance of Lamon Bay.  The creation of the Tagultol Fishing Festival 15 years ago brought new vigor to Atimonan’s cultural awareness, as well as an expression of gratitude to the Almighty and the town’s patroness Nuestra Señora de los Angeles for the bountiful catch received by fisherfolk.  The festival shows the old fishing method of “ugtol,” a Tagalog word meaning “bounce”.  Tagultol fishing consists of a rectangular stone tied to a piece of abaca string dipped in honey to make it more resilient in salt water.   The original music was composed by Francisco Laude, founder of Lupong Tagapangasiwa ng Kultura at Sining sa Atimonan.  Please welcome the Atimonan Community Dancers’ portrayal of the Tagultol Fishing festival!"

The 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.
 * Pabitin Festival

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 School
 * Malinao Ilaya Integrated National High School
 * Malusak National High School
 * San Rafael National High School
 * Balugohin Integrated National High School

Elementary (Primary)
Private: (Elementary Department)
 * Casa dei Patino Montessori School
 * St. Louie Kids World Learning Center
 * Our Lady of the Angels Academy
 * Little Angels Montessori Learning Center
 * Atimonan United Methodist Christian School Inc.

Public:
 * Atimonan Central Elementary 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
 * Santa 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. Vergaño

Municipal 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. Amandy

Municipal 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
 * PPSK President: Dexter B. Alegre