Dumanjug is a 4th class municipality of Cebu Province and one of the 15 towns that comprises the 2nd congressional district of the province. It is located on the southwestern coast of the island, approximately 74 kilometers away from the main city, Cebu City.
The town is centered by the municipality of Barili on the north, by the municipality of Sibonga on the east side and the municipality of Ronda on the south. On its west is the clear view of the Tañon Strait.
The town covers 11,958 hectares and currently administering 37 barangays. These barangays are Balaygtiki, Bitoon, Bulak, Bullogan, Doldol, Kabalaasnan, Kabatbatan, Calaboon, Kambanog, Camboang, Candabong, Kang-actol, Kanghalo, Kanghumaod, Kanguha, Kantangkas, Kanyuko, Cogon, Kolabtingon, Cotcoton, Lamak, Lawaan, Liong, Manlapay, Masa, Matalao, Paculob, Panlaan, Pawa, Poblacion Central, Poblacion Ilaya, Poblacion Looc, Poblacion Sima, Tangil, Tapon, Tubod-Bitoon and Tubod-Dugoan.
The town’s topography is described with moderately undulating lands. The climate is fine with no pronounced rainy period and short dry season which lasts from one-three months. The heavy rainfall occurs usually on the month of October. The place is sheltered from the northeast monsoon and trade winds but vulnerable to southwest monsoon.
Dumanjug is one progressive town in the south. It has gained importance for the traders as the “transshipment point” and the gateway to the neighboring island, Negros Oriental. Commerce is promising in the area while other industries like fishing and agriculture also flourished.
How the Town Got Its Name?
Dumanjug is quite an interesting name and several sources have claimed its etymology. Here are some of the stories that tell the history of the name.
1st:
As the legend states, there was once a very brave chieftain who popularity is credited to his voice. His voice is so loud that even in far-flung places surrounding the village can hear his voice. In his memory, the village was called “Dumahunog” which means “loud” in Cebuano language. Eventually, the name evolved into “Dumanjug”.
2nd:
During the time when Spaniards took control of the land, the village was famous for its tuba, a strong yet sweet alcoholic beverage derived from coconut juice. Duman was the most famous among tuba gatherers in the village and raised several coco trees in the village,
One fateful day, Duman fell from his coco tree while gathering his tuba. It was also that day that Spanish Civil Guards visited the place, asking the name of the town (pueblo) in Spanish language. The natives failed to understand the foreign language and misinterpreted the question. Thinking why the people were gathered in grief, the natives replied, ”si Duman nahug” which means “Duman had fallen”. The guards though that the name was “Dumanjug” and recorded it as it is.
3rd:
Another version emerged. Duman was the mighty king and ruler of the municipality. Similar to the 2nd version, “Nahug” means “had fallen” which was the cause of the king’s tragic death. As years passed, it evolved into Dumanjug.
History:
It was first established as parish on March 28, 1854 before it was inaugurated as a town which took place in year 1855 by Captain Pedro Ricamora and Padre Agustin Melgar. The town adopted St. Francis of Assisi as its patron saint and conducts fiesta celebration every October 4 in his honor.
Now, Dumajug has three parishes: St. Francis of Assisi in barangay Poblacion whose church is one of the most handsome among the 90th century in western Cebu, the St. Vincent Ferrer in barangay Bitoon and Christ the King Parish in barangay Bulak.
The municipality is tagged as the “Town of Friendship” as it caters for any events as host in the south like beauty pageants, basketball tournaments, swimming competitions, dance sports, festive celebrations and more.
It is also popular for its very tasty “Bisayang Manok”, a native chicken deliciously cooked and only here in Dumanjug can be found. Many tourists will drop by to buy such delicacy.
In cognizance of the fiesta celebration of St. Francis of Assisi, the town also celebrates the “Sinanggiyaw Festival”. The word sinanggiyaw was derived from “sinanggi” which means “harvest” and “sayaw” as a native language of “dance”. It is a thanksgiving festival to their patron for the good harvest of agricultural crops. Participants display agricultural products such as corn, coconut, camote, rice and banana in colorful costumes.
Among the things to be seen here are the ancestral homes and old houses, the town plaza, executive building and of course, the churches especially the St. Francis of Assisi Church.
How To Get There:
From Cebu South Terminal in Cebu City, Dumanjug can be reached via public transportations such as public buses and hired vans. Reaching the town may comsume more or less two hours.
