Atimonan

The Municipality of Atimonan (Filipino: Bayan ng Atimonan) is a first class municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. It lies on the eastern shore of the province, 173 km southeast of Manila. Atimonan is bounded by the municipalities of Gumaca, Plaridel, Pagbilao and Padre Burgos. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 63,432 people.

Barangays
Atimonan is politically subdivided into 42 barangays.

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Explanatory Description Of The Official Municipal Corporate Seal
The municipal seal focuses SIMEONA MANGABA or ATE MONANG, the town’s founder and where the name ATIMONAN originated. She founded the town on February 04, 1608. She is carrying a bamboo with fresh water flowing from it, depicting the significant role she played during those times as the town folks’ adopted parent, leader and protector. The color of her baro and saya symbolizes patriotism and love for freedom, strong characteristics that bound them against all disturbances caused by man and nature.

Ate Monang is at the top of the mountain, where the famous Zigzag Road and Quezon National Forest Park is located. It is the town’s highest peak at 1400 ft. above sea level. The circuitous road with its tight curves is the famous Zigzag Road, compared to the Kennon Road of Baguio City. This road links the municipality of Atimonan to the southern portion of Quezon Province.

At the right side are the representations of the town’s main sources of livelihood – agriculture and fishing of which the prime agricultural product is coconut.

At the background is the Lamon Bay, with its calm and blue water. This serves not only as a rich fishing ground but also a scenic beauty that attracts tourists and its historical role based on oral tradition and history way back to the time of Moro Pirates that invaded the town, simply remind and inspire us of the bravery and heroism of Atimonanin like Francisco Tandas or ISKONG BANTAY.

The mountains at the background describe the physical characteristics of the town – a coastal municipality situated on a rolling terrain. The blue sky signifies a God-fearing and peace-loving community and the yellow background reflecting a ray in the sea represent the bountiful and innate beauty of the town. The entire seal is within two circles that describes the strong sense of unity among Atimonanins.

The drafting of the municipal seal was made in 1980. It was initiated and conceptualized by the late REMEDIOS V. DIESTRO, former Board Member of Quezon Province and Mayor of Atimonan. It was designed and drawn by Mr. EMMANUEL AMBAS, a former government employee. The seal was retouched and improved in 2005 by Ms. MAY MODELO-SORNITO, Clerk III, Office of the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator and given explanation and description by Mrs. CECILIA T. DE TORRES, Project Development Officer II and Designated Tourism Officer who also initiated the adoption of the seal. It was formally adopted as the Official Corporate Seal of Atimonan, Quezon by Municipal Ordinance 189, s.-2005 (Resolution No. 196, s.-2005) dated October 24, 2005 of the Sangguniang Bayan of Atimonan and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Kapasiyahan Blg. 2006-237 dated June 5, 2006. It was submitted to the National Historical Institute on September 3, 2006

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:
 * 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 Habito

Parish 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
 * 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
 * D'Bay Resort
 * Villa Urgino Beach Resort
 * Tinandog Heights
 * Quezon National Park
 * Sigsag Park

Festivals

 * Tagultol Festival

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.

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 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.

Education

 * Quezonian Educational College Inc.
 * Our Lady of Angels Academy(OLAA)
 * Leon Guinto Memorial College, Inc.
 * Southern Bay College of Atimonan
 * Atimonan National Comprehensive High 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