Buenavista, Marinduque

The town was named "Buenavista" by Don Cornelio Sadiua, due to its "good view." Its former name was Sabang, which is the river that runs through it. The majority of Buenavistans trace their ancestry to the Don Cornelio Sadiua family.

In 1942, the Japanese Imperial forces landed in Buenavista at Patay Ilog before making their way to the capital. Due to its rugged terrain, relative isolation, and fierce pro-American sentiment, Buenavista was the headquarters for the resistance movement. Japanese forces and the Resistance and guerrillas frequently engaged in skirmishes within the town borders. Occupying Japanese forces burned the school and municipal building, after holding captives composed a member from each Buenavista family. Guerrilla forces eventually re-captured the town.

The 'Libas Ambush, known locally as Pinag Labanan, was a joint guerrilla-Buenavistan effort in which Filipino guerrillas and Buenavistans ambushed and killed a troop of Japanese soldiers. After which the Japanese commandant issued a proclamation that for 1 Japanese soldier killed by the Filipinos in Buenavista, 10 Filipinos will die within a 5-mile radius.

In spite of the Japanese threats the Buenavistans continued their fight against Japanese occupation throughout the war, including rescuing and hiding several the combined Filipino and American military personnel during the war. One such rescue occurred shortly after the fall of Bataan, when the lighthouse keeper found an American seaman hiding among the shoreline rocks. These rescued Filipinos and Americans were clothed, fed and hidden by the Buenavistans, even though they risked execution if the Japanese found out about it.

In 1945, the combined U.S. and Allied Philippine Commonwealth military forces landed at Caigangan beach in Buenavista and attacked from the Japanese Imperial forces in the Battle of Marinduque. The Buenavista Campaign was the first major offensive fought during the Battle of Marinduque. It culminated in a bloody firefight between the Japanese and a joint Allied- Filipino guerrilla offensive. The Japanese, who were headquartered in the Municipal building and elementary school, were soundly defeated.

Buenavista was chosen as the headquarters of the 5th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and the U.S. Army Signal Corps due to their record of anti-Japanese actions during the war. The U.S. Army Signal Corps and the 5th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army were quartered in Pablo Pe's bodega in the town.

The longest-serving mayor was Recaredo Sarmiento. His term was interrupted during World War II. The first Chinese-Filipino mayor was Wilfredo Sadiua Pe.

In the 2015 census, the population of Buenavista, Marinduque, was 23,988 people, [3] with a density of 300 inhabitants per square kilometre or 780 inhabitants per square mile.

Locally crafted products include:

• Kalamay-hati: A type of coconut jam made from coconut cream and sugar or molasses
• Maja blanca: A type of coconut pudding
• Suman: A dessert/snack made of sticky rice and coconut steamed in leaves.
• Puto: A steamed rice cake.
• Bagoong: A traditional fish paste made using fresh local/sustainable ingredients.

Buenavista Town Park

• The Palengke Seaside Cultural Arts and Entertainment Pavilion: A local gathering place for Buenavista events, parties, and exhibitions.
• Malbog Hot Springs: Located in the Malbog district. These are hot sulfur springs, heated by the volcanic Mount Malindig. They reputedly have therapeutic and healing properties.
• Elephant Island (previously Isla Perro): Located off the coast of Buenavista in the shadow of Malindig. In the 1970s the island was for sale at a price of 3000 pesos. In 2009, Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa opened in this island.
• Inuman Bato (Drinking Rock): Located in Suk'an district. It is a tidal pool on the beach that is submerged in the sea during high tide. At low tide, the pool is filled with drinkable, fresh water. It was reportedly featured in the popular "Ripley's Believe It or Not!" newspaper serial during the 1950s.
• Pablo Pe's Bodega: Located on Don Cornelio Street, next to the Pe House. This humble structure served as the headquarters of the United States Army Signal Corps during the Liberation.

List of former municipal presidents and mayors:

• Mun. Pres. Agaton Sarmiento ------- 1918-1925
• Mun. Pres. Ciriaco Arevalo -------- 1925-1931
• Mun. Pres. Vitaliano Salvacion ---- 1931-1934
• Mun. Pres. Cesar Nepomucen0 ------- 1934-1937
• Mayor Jose Salvacion -------------- 1934-1941
• Mayor Teofisto Jamolin ------------ 1941-1944
• Mayor Jose Sarmiento -------------- 1944-1945
• Mayor Jose Salvacion -------------- 1945-1946
• Mayor Recaredo Sarmiento ---------- 1946-1947
• Mayor Recaredo Sarmient0 ---------- 1947-1956
• Mayor Vitaliano Salvacion --------- 1956-1958
• Mayor Josefina Sadiwa ------------- 1958-1959
• Mayor Claudio Mabunga ------------- 1959-1967
• Mayor Wilfredo S. Pe -------------- 1967-1972
• Mayor Wilfredo S. Pe -------------- 1972-1980
• Mayor Renato S. Madrigal ---------- 1980
• OIC- Mayor Ofelia S. Madrigal ----- 1980-1988
• Mayor Ofelia S. Madrigal ---------- 1988-1992
• Mayor Wilfredo S. Pe -------------- 1992-1995
• Mayor Ofelias S. Madrigal --------- 1995
• Mayor Russel S. Madrigal ---------- Present

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Buenavista, Marinduque.

• Buenavista Profile at PhilAtlas.com
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information