Liloan or Lilo-an is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Cebu. It lies in the eastern coast of the island, facing the Camotes Sea. It is bounded by the Municipality of Compostela in the north and northeast and Municipality of Consolacion in the south and southwest.
The municipality is part of the metropolitan area, commonly called Metro Cebu. Metro Cebu composed of 6 municipalities and three cities. It is situated with a distance of 19 kilometers from Cebu City.
With the total land area of 5,210 hectares, it houses 14 barangays namely: Cabadiangan, Calero, Catarman, Cotcot, Jubay, Lataban, Mulao, Poblacion, San Roque, San Vicente, Santa Cruz, Tabla, Tayud and Yati.
The total land area is composed of plains (19%), gentle sloping hills (27%), tidal flats covering fishponds and mangroves (2%) and the remaining portion are the mountainous part. Cabadiangan has the largest land allocation while Catarman got the least. In terms of accessibility, the barangays Mulao and Tabla are the farthest.
How The Town Got Its Name:
Liloan was first known for its beautiful beaches and considered as a resort town, ideal for sun bathing, before other towns were discovered as tourist spots. Many sea lovers wandered in this little paradise. However, there is a spot called “Silot” where bathers were not allowed to swim because of whirlpools.
The phenomenon is known as “lilo” in Cebuano dialect. That explains enough how the town got its name. Liloan is a place where there is lilo or whirlpool.
Another legend elucidated the origin of the town’s name. Long ago, as the legend goes, the place was once a wilderness. There was two people who was about to enter into a sacrament of marriage. However, the marriage was opposed by the parents.
Nevertheless, the couple left the place and boarded a boat. At the sea, they were hit by a storm but still managed to enter into a channel, called “Suba” for refuge and went to the interior. They noticed that the place were in abundance of fishes and decided to stay on its banks. With all the fishes they caught, they sold their catch to the nearby villages which amazed the villagers. When asked where the fishes were caught, they answered, “Sa may liloan”. When asked where they lived, they answered, “Sa may liloan”. And the place was stuck with the name “Liloan”.
History:
In a certain newspaper during 1970’s, an article stated that Lilo-an was separated from the Municipality of Mandaue in 1840 and became an independent political unit. However, in 1866, “BRAVE ENSENA de lo que fue y de lo que es la DIOCESIS DE CEBU En Las Islas Filipinas” cited that Lilo-an was converted into parish in 1845.
The establishment of the municipality of Liloan could possibly be in simultaneity to the creation of the parish. As the records per se, the first first priest was Fr. Vicente Dolorech who served the town in 1845 and Kapitan Basilio Bantilan acted as the first mayor from 1845-1846.
During the World War II, Liloan experienced three mayors at a time. Catalino Noval was the elected mayor. However, the Japanese Forces appointed Pascual Delgado. The Guerilla Forces as well had chosen yet another leader, Jose Cañete.
On the early records, the organization of Liloan as a parish, separate from Mandaue started in 1844. In January 27, 1845, the town’s status as a parish was confirmed by the Bishop of Cebu. It also has two other parishes: one in Cotcot and the other in Yati.
When you are going to visit Liloan, one should not miss the century-old lighthouse and taste its delectable delicacy, the world-famous Rosquillos. These cookies were founded way back 1907, delicious yet unnamed until President Sergio Osmeña named it rosquillos after the Spanish word “rosca”.
Other than that, Liloan was recognized for its booming industry. If hundreds visit the place for its beaches and scenic places, thousand flocked in this little place because of its active livelihood campaign through various job fairs.
Some of the major income derivations include the production of rosquillos, pottery and furniture making. Fishing, farming and livestock-raising are other means of livelihood. All industries can be summed up into a fusion of art and quality.
As the number of industries increases, this business-friendly town is now recognized as a pilot area for the implementation of a new business permit system by the Department of Trade and Industry.
Liloan in all its progress is envisioned to become a first-class municipality and is aiming to be included in the list of Philippine cities. With the construction of the North Coastal Road, it would be very easy to travel to and fro.
How To Get There:
Basically, there are jeepneys and busses that go to and fro Liloan. Once you are in the Liloan proper, you can tour the town with a tricycle or habal-habal.
From abroad, direct flight to Mactan-Cebu International Airport is the most convenient, then ask a cab to transport you to Liloan immediately or to the terminal where jeepneys and busses for Liloan are available.
For Liloan Attractions, click here.
