Samar (province)

Samar is said to be derived from Samad, the Visayan word for "wound" or "cut", describing the rough physical features of the land which is rugged and deeply dissected by streams.

• 2 million-8,000 B.C — Based on geologic findings, during the ice ages (2 million years – 8,000 B.C), the islands of Mindoro, Luzon, and Mindanao were connected as one big island through the islands of Samar, Leyte and Bohol.
• 8550 B.C. — Diggings in Sohoton Caves in Basey, Samar showed stone flake tools dated 8550 B.C.
• 1300 — Other diggings along the Basey River revealed other stone flakes used until the 13th century.
• 1543 — The explorer Ruy López de Villalobos, first came to the island and named it Las Islas Filipinas.
• 1596 — Many names (such as Samal, Ibabao, Tandaya) were given to Samar Island prior to the coming of the Spaniards in 1596. The name "Samar" was derived from the local language samad, meaning "wound" or "cut", aptly describing the rough physical features of the island, rugged and deeply dissected by streams. During the early days of Spanish occupation, Samar was under the jurisdiction of Cebu.
• Arrival of the First Catholic Missionaries (Jesuits) — On October 15, 1596, the first Jesuit missionaries arrived in Tinago (now Dapdap) in Tarangnan. From Tinago, the missionaries, Fr. Francisco de Otazo, Bartolome Martes and Domingo Alonzo began teaching Catechism, healing the sick and spreading the Christian faith into the interior settlements.
• 1649 to 1650 — On June 1, 1649, the people of Palapag led by Agustin Sumuroy revolted against the decree of Governor General Diego Fajardo requiring able bodied men from the Visayas for service at the Cavite Shipyards. Like wildfire, the revolt quickly spread to the neighboring town in the Northern and Western coast of Samar and to the nearby provinces of Bicol, Surigao, Cebu, Camiguin and as far as Zamboanga. It was suppressed in 1650 by the combined forces of the Spaniards, Lutaos, and Pampangos.
• 1735 — Samar and Leyte were united into one province with Carigara, in Leyte, as the capital town.
• 1747 — Samar and Leyte were separated for administrative effectiveness.
• 1762 — Complaints from the Jesuits that the division was not working well, thus it was reunited again by the approval from the King of Spain.
• 1768 — Jesuits were expelled in all Spanish dominions. The Franciscans arrived on September 25, 1768 and took over the administration of 14 of the 17 parishes which were under the spiritual care of the Jesuits for almost 172 years. The administration of the remaining three parishes namely Guiuan, Balangiga and Basey in the south of Samar were given to the Augustinians.
• 1777 — The two provinces were divided for the last time, it was approved in Madrid in 1786 and had been effective in 1799.
• 1803 — Guiuan, Balangiga and Basey were turned over to the Franciscans for the lack of Augustinian priests.
• Royal Decree declares Samar as a Province — On August 11, 1841, Queen Isabella II of Spain signed a Royal Decree declaring Samar as a province.
• 1900 — The Battle of Catubig (April 15–18, 1900) occurred during the Philippine–American War. On April 15, 1900, the Filipino guerrillas launched a surprise attack on a detachment of the US 43rd Infantry Regiment, forcing the Americans to abandon Catubig town after the four-day siege.
• 1901 — The Balangiga massacre occurred during the Philippine–American War. September 28, 1901, the people of Balangiga, Giporlos, Lawaan and Quinapondan in Eastern Samar surprised and attacked the American forces stationed there, killing 48 American soldiers. To avenge their defeat, American general Jacob H. Smith ordered his men to turn Samar into a "howling wilderness".
• 1910 — On April 10, 1910, upon the papal bull of Pope Pius X separated the islands of Samar and Leyte from the Diocese of Cebu and erected the Diocese of Calbayog comprising both islands. Pablo Singzon de Anuncacion was named first Bishop and consecrated on June 12, 1910.
• 1942 — The occupying Imperial Japanese forces arrived in the province of Samar.
• 1944 — The Battle off Samar took place on October 24 as Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita's Center Force warships clashed with several allied naval vessels in a collision course. His forces sank escort carrier USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73), destroyers USS Hoel (DD-533) and USS Johnston (DD-557), and escort destroyer USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413), but at a cost of his cruisers Chikuma, Chokai, and Suzuya. Despite being a tactical victory for the Imperial Japanese Navy, it did not alter the course of the Philippines campaign.
• 1965 — On June 19, the Philippine Congress along with the three Samar Representatives, Eladio T. Balite (1st District), Fernando R. Veloso (2nd District) and Felipe J. Abrigo (3rd District), approved Republic Act No. 4221 dividing the region of Samar into three divisions: Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Western Samar. Each region adopted a new capital: Catbalogan (Western Samar), Borongan (Eastern Samar), and Catarman (Northern Samar).[5]
• 1969 — On June 21, under Republic Act No. 5650, Western Samar was renamed Samar with Catbalogan still as the capital.[6]
• 2013 — On November 8, Typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Typhoon Yolanda hit Samar province.[7] More than 300 people perished on the first day it hit the province.[8]
• 2018 — On late June, an 'misencounter' happened between Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines under the administration of Rodrigo Duterte. The misencounter killed numerous police officials of Waray ethnic origin.[9][10]

Samar province covers a total area of 6,048.03 square kilometres (2,335.16 sq mi)[11] occupying the central-western sections of the Samar island in the Eastern Visayas region. The province is bordered on the north by Northern Samar, east by Eastern Samar, south by Leyte and the Leyte Gulf, and west by the Samar Sea.

Topography

Karst islets off the coast of Marabut, southern Samar.

Samar province is hilly, with mountain peaks ranging from 200 to 800 metres (660 to 2,620 ft) high and narrow strips of lowlands, which tend to lie in coastal peripheries or in the alluvial plains and deltas accompanying large rivers. The largest lowlands are located along the northern coast extending up to the valleys of Catubig and Catarman rivers. Smaller lowlands in Samar are to be found in the Calbayog area and on the deltas and small valleys of Gandara and Ulot rivers. Slopes are generally steep and barren of trees due to deforestation. Run-off waters after heavy rains can provoke flooding in low-lying areas and the erosion of the mountains enlarges the coastal plains of the province.

Catbalogan City, the provincial capital

The population of Samar (province) in the 2015 census was 780,481 people, [3] with a density of 130 inhabitants per square kilometre or 340 inhabitants per square mile.

19th & 20th Centuries

• Captain Luciano Sinko — Aide de Camp of General Lukban the first Representative of Samar to the First Philippine National Assembly. Who was born on January 7, 1873, son of Mr.and Mrs. Juan Sinko. He had two wives namely, his first wife was Petrona Tanseco and his 2nd wife was Victoria Sabater. Elected Municipal Councilor in 1907. Given posthumous Award for outstanding achievement in the field of government service during the First Samar Day Celebration.
• Senator Esteban Quimbo Singzon — born in Calbiga, Samar. Son of Doroteo B. Singzon and Mamerta A. Quimbo. First senator of the ten senatorial districts of Samar and Leyte, 1915. One of the first Philippine senators.
• Bishop Pablo Singzon — the first Bishop of Samar and Leyte. He was born on January 25, 1851 in Calbiga, Samar, son of Esteban Singzon and Demetria Baeza. He first studied his primary years in Calbiga, Samar his native town under the direction of the Franciscan Fathers Fr. Antonio Figueroa Fr. Antonio Sanchez and Fr. Andres Congzon, a secular priest. He studied his secondary years in San Carlos Seminary, Cebu and entered in the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas – The Eternal City of Rome for his seminary. He was awarded a Medal from Pope Leo III, Bishop of Rome and become the first bishop of Samar and Leyte in 1910.
• Pedro Rosell Arteche — the founder and leader of Philippine Guerilla forces of Samar. Born on April 21, 1900 in Barangay Kampondoy, Zumarraga, Samar. He was the son of late Nemesio Arteche and Pia Rosell. He was studied law. An active student leader and athlete, a man of principle, of firm conviction. and as a lawyer, he volunteered his service in deserving cases ... of poor persons oppressed. While serving as Governor, he reminded the National Officials of the appointment of Samareños to top government positions and was successful.
• Senate President José Avelino[21] — the first President of the Senate of the Third Republic of the Philippines and the second President of the Liberal Party came from Calbayog,Samar. He was Senate President pro tempore to President Manuel Quezon prior to the establishment of the Commonwealth. He was the grandfather of Filipino actor Paulo Avelino.
• Lieutenant Benedicto Nijaga[22][23]— nicknamed Biktoy, one of the "Thirteen Martyrs of Bagumbayan", executed on January 11, 1897 in Bagumbayan (Luneta Park). During a raid of a printing press in Binondo, the Spaniards found and confiscated subversive documents including a list of members of the Katipunan. Benedicto Nijaga was on the list as a collector of revolutionary funds. Upon the order of Gov. Polavieja to arbitrarily arrest all suspected members of the Katipunan, Nijaga was arrested while he was campaigning for revolutionary funds.
• Cardinal Julio Rosales[24] — (September 18, 1906 – June 2, 1983) the second Archbishop of Cebu, was a Filipino cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. A native of Calbayog, he made his studies at the Seminary of Calbayog and was ordained in his hometown on June 2, 1929. From 1929 to 1946, he did pastoral work in the diocese of Calbayog. He was consecrated bishop of Tagbilaran on September 21, 1946.
• Lucio Godina (March 8, 1908 – November 24, 1936) & Simplicio Godina (March 8, 1908 - December 8, 1936)[25] — were pygopagus conjoined twins from the island of Samar in the Philippines.[26] Born in 1908, these boys from the Philippines later made the trip to the United States, where they became sideshow attractions in such hubs of ‘entertainment’ as Coney Island. In 1928, after various legal difficulties – including narrowly avoiding jail when a man was injured in an alleged drunk driving incident – they married identical (but not conjoined) twin sisters, Natividad and Victorina Matos, in Manila. At the age of 21 they married Natividad and Victorina Matos, who were identical twins. They performed in various sideshow acts, including in an orchestra on Coney Island and in dance with their wives. After Lucio died of rheumatic fever in New York City, doctors operated to separate him from Simplicio. Simplicio survived the operation, but died shortly thereafter due to spinal meningitis.[27]
• Antonio Yangzon Escoda, Sr — husband of late Josefa Llanes-Escoda born in the municipality of Gandara.

21st Century

• Nemesio Baldesco[28][29]— a pedicab driver from Calbayog City who earned respect in the field of literary works in Waray. He is a recipient of Gawad Parangal of UMPIL (Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas). He is known as the “Father of Waray Poetry” (Amay han Siday).[30]
• Dr. Carmelita Abdurahman[31] — she served as commissioner for Samar-Leyte language at Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF).
• Archbishop Pedro Rosales Dean, Jr., D.D., Ph.L., S.T.L.[32] — (born 21 February 1930) is the Archbishop emeritus of Palo from Calbayog since the appointment of Archbishop Jose S. Palma as his successor. He served the Archdiocese of Palo from 12 October 1985 until 18 March 2006.[33]
• Chito S. Roño[34] —(born April 26, 1954), also known as Sixto Kayko, is a Filipino writer, film producer and film director from Calbayog known for his expansive vision and special-effects-heavy films, most notably Yamashita: The Tiger's Treasure (2001) for which he won the Metro Manila Film Festival for best director.[35] He is also known for his 1997 film Nasaan ang Puso which earned him his first MMFF for best director. There is an annual literary and visual arts competition held in Samar in honor of him.[36]
• Tessie Tomas[37] — (born October 31, 1950), a Filipino actress and TV host from Catbalogan,[38] best known for being the host of the ABS-CBN talk show Teysi ng Tahanan. In an interview with GMA Network's Tunay Na Buhay, Tomas recalled working for an ad agency prior to her career as a presenter and actress. Tessie later appeared in both comedic and dramatic roles, notably in the 2012 remake of the film Mundo Man ay Magunaw and 2015's Buena Familia. In 2018, Tomas played a supporting role in the ABS-CBN soap opera The Blood Sisters.[39]
• Michael Cinco[40]— a Filipino fashion designer from Catbalogan,Samar. He launched his eponymous fashion line in Dubai in 2003.
• Krystal Mejes[41] — a child actress from Catbalogan,Samar known for her role as Isabella "Bella" D. Acosta / Rebecca "Becca" Suarez in the 2015 ABS-CBN's Philippine melodrama television series Doble-Kara.
• Raul Isidro[42]— he started in the Philippine art scene in the late 1960s and ’70s, focusing on abstractions inspired from nature. From his province in Samar, he went to Manila to study Fine Arts at the University of Santo Tomas, where he learned about Modernism from mentors including Angelito Antonio and National Artist Victorio Edades. One of his classmates was Ramon Orlina, now renowned for his glass sculptures. The artist was born in Calbayog City, Samar. He was nominated for National Artist (Pambansang Alagad ng Sining) but unfortunately he has not won. Every fiesta celebration in Calbayog, the City Arts and Culture Office (CACO) conducted painting competition named after him in honor of him, the annual Raul Isidro On-the-Spot Painting Competition.[43]
• Jonas Oñate[44] — a Filipino singer from Calbayog City known for his appearance in Tawag ng Tanghalan, a noon-time segment of ABS-CBN program It’s Showtime.
• Rosalio “Yoyong” Martires[45] — (born September 9, 1951), a former Filipino basketball player, actor and comedian from Catbalogan. He played for San Miguel in the Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association and the Philippine Basketball Association between 1972 and 1982. In 1972, he appeared at the Olympic Games in Munich, Germany as a member of the country's national basketball team. He was a fleet footed guard specializing in steals/interceptions and assists.
• Lucien Letaba[46] — an author, musical director, composer, recording artist and arranger from Zumarraga, Samar.[47] He popularized the Waray songs “Waray Sugad” and “Balud”.[48][49] Lately, he launched his witty pocket book entitled “Maharaw na Misay”.
• Bishop Maximiano Tuazon Cruz[50] — born in Catbalogan City, Philippines and was ordained a priest on November 30, 1947. He was appointed titular bishop to Tanudaia as well as auxiliary bishop to the Diocese of Calbayog on November 10, 1987 and ordained bishop on December 1, 1987. He was appointed bishop to the Diocese of Calbayog on December 21, 1994 and retired from diocese on January 13, 1999. He died on October 9, 2013, at age 90.
• Rosita “Rose” Bradborn[51] — (born on 1973) is an Philippines international lawn bowler from Daram,Samar. She competed at the 2008 World Outdoor Bowls Championship and 2012 World Outdoor Bowls Championship but came to prominence when winning a bronze medal at the 2016 World Outdoor Bowls Championship in Christchurch in the fourswith Hazel Jagonoy, Ronalyn Greenlees and Sonia Bruce.[52] In 2018, he bagged three medals again in international tourneys.[53]
• Sergio Apostol[54] — (born January 17, 1935) is a Filipino politician born in Catbalogan City. In 2008, Sergio Apostol was Chief Presidential Legal Counsel for Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. On October 8, 2008, Eduardo Ermitaconfirmed Apostol's resignation, effective October 30, to prepare for his candidacy, for Leytecongressional seat, in the 2010 Philippine general election. Apostol is a member of the board of Union Bank and the legal consultant of the SSS’ Social Security Commission (SSC). After winning his district's seat as a Lakas-CMD party candidate of Arroyo, Apostol switched allegiance to the Liberal party of Benigno Aquino, the winner of the 2010 Presidential election.[55]
• Justice Antonio Eduardo Nachura[56]— former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines from Catbalogan,Samar. He took his oath of office as Associate Justice on February 7, 2007, and occupied the position until his mandatory retirement on June 13, 2011. Previously, Nachura had been Solicitor-General of the Philippines at the time his appointment to the Court was announced on January 31, 2007 by then-Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
• Romero Federico Saenz Quimbo[57] — (born December 12, 1969), also known as Miro Quimbo, is a Filipino politician who currently represents Marikina City's 2nd Legislative District in the House of Representatives of the Philippines. He succeeded then-Rep. Del R. De Guzman who won as mayor. Quimbo spent the first two years of elementary school at the Sacred Heart College (now Saint Mary’s College of Catbalogan) in Catbalogan City, Samar. He moved to the Marist School in Marikina City where he eventually finished his elementary and secondary education.[58]
• Marisol Abdurahman[59] — daughter of Commissioner Carmelita Abdurahman, a TV news reporter from Catbalogan,Samar. She is a senior news correspondent of GMA News and Public Affairs.
• Dan Roleda[60] — a Calbayognon lawyer and former Manila Councilor (fourth district, Sampaloc, Santa Mesa, 1992-1998), party list representative under ANG LAKAS NG BAGONG KOOPERATIBA (ALAB) 1998–2001, and Presidential Adviser for Foreign Investments (2001-2010), worked very closely with award-winning director and fellow Waray Chito Roño in the early ‘80s to uplift industry standards. In 2019 senatorial election, he ran for public office and lost.[61][62]
• Herminigildo “Hermie” Sanchez[63] - an author and poet from Catbalogan,Samar and one of the foundations of Katig Writers Network (Katig-uban han mga Manunurat han Sinirangan Bisayas) who introduced the 6-6-8-8 stanza poem called “Hagsi” (Haglipot nga Siday).
• Julan Shirwod Nueva[64] — a well-known rapper, one of the members of Democrata Rappers (Democrata Production), and award-winning spoken word artist from Catbalogan.
• 1LT Rogelio “Jun” Deligero[65] — a military officer of Philippine Army from Gandara whose one of the 12 fallen heroes of Patikul, Sulu.[66]
• Tom Rodriguez[67] — a TV host, singer and actor from Catbalogan City, Samar. He was born in Subic Naval Base in Zambales to an American serviceman father and a Filipina mother. One of six siblings, he moved with his two brothers and three sisters with their mother to Pinabacdao, Samar (where their mother hails from). But they grew up in nearby Catbalogan City, also in Samar, where Rodriguez studied at Saint Mary's College of Catbalogan (formerly Sacred Heart College) from kindergarten to elementary.[68] He popularized the OPM song “Ikaw Ang Sagot”.[69][70]
• Mel Senen Sarmiento[71] — a Calbayognon politician who was a former member of the Philippine House of Representatives representing the 1st Legislative District of Samar from 2010 to 2016. He also served as Secretary General of the Liberal Party. He served as the Vice Mayor of Calbayog City from 1992 to 1995 and Mayor from 2001 to 2010. He was also the Secretary General of the League of Cities of the Philippines from 2004 to 2010. He also served as the final Secretary of the Interior and Local Government under President Benigno Aquino III after Jesse Robredo and Mar Roxas.[72][73][74]

There is a proposed creation of Samar Administrative Region or SamAR, in which Eastern Visayas will be partitioned into two separate regions. Since the creation of Negros Island Region out of the regions of Western Visayas and Central Visayas, non-government organizations, local government units and people from the three Samar Island provinces are now expressing their support and willingness to put the provinces of Samar, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar into one separate administrative region in order to boost its economy, improve and directly provide to its people the government's basic and other public services and lower its poverty rate incidence, since Samar island's three provinces are listed as one of the poorest provinces of the Philippines.[75][76]

• Samar travel guide from Wikivoyage
• Media related to Samar (province) at Wikimedia Commons
• Geographic data related to Samar (province) at OpenStreetMap
• Samar News.com—based in Catbalogan, it is a source of news and information on Eastern Visayas.
• Province of Samar—Profile of the Samar province
• Local Governance Performance Management System