Masbate

The mixing of Luzon and Visayan culture is the province of Masbate. The province lies south of the Bicol Peninsula. It is an archipelago composed of three major islands of Masbate, Burias and Ticao set in the inland sea of the Philippines Archeological diggings around the gold mines of Aroroy give evidence of flourishing settlements on the island of Masbate from the 14^th up to 16^th century. The existence of these settlements encouraged the Spaniards to explore the island, and then called Masbad, under the direction of Mateo de Saz and Martin de Goiti, to gather supplies for the Spanish settlements in Cebu and Panay. The Spaniards found flourishing settlements on the island and in the neighboring islands of Ticao and Burias. It was from Masbate that the Spaniards eventually landed on Luzon.

Masbate became part of the province of Ibalon, which later became the province of Albay. During the 17^th and 18^th centuries, the islands of Masbate, Ticao and Burias were heavily raided by Moro slavers. During the late 18^th century, these islands formed way stations for slave raiders who gathered captured slaves in various points before transporting them to Mindanao and Sulu. The Moros were forced to abandon these stations at the turn of the 19^th century.

More than half of the people of Masbate speak Masbateño a language that is closely related to Hiligaynon and Capiznon. However, in various municipalities of the island, various other languages are spoken. In the vicinity of the towns of Cataingan, Palanas, and Dimasalang, most residents speak Waray or Sinamarleyte. In Pio Corpuz the people speak Cebuano while in Placer and in the west coast along coast of Mandaon Hiligaynon are spoken. On Ticao and Burias, Bicol is spoken by the residents.

The province of Masbate is known as cattle country. The cattle breed found on the island was taken from herds in India that have flourished in the benign climate of the island. The province is the second largest supplier of cattle that is brought to Manila for slaughter. This industry has inspired the establishment of a 'Rodeo Filipino' on the third week of June. This festival features a week-long tournament of bull riding, cattle wrestling, lassoing, calf casting, post driving, carabao racing and a host of other ‘rodeo’ games. This unique observance is also accompanied by cattle raising contests, a trade fair and parades, much like the rodeos in the American West.

Masbate has carved an important economic niche in the Philippines based on its thriving livestock and metallic mining industries and on the foundation of these industries, further growth is assured. Masbate lies strategically in the cross roads between Bicol and the Visayas. The province sprawls over 4,048 square kilometers of territory that is suitable for a range of activities such as agriculture, pasturing, and fishponds. The province is a top livestock producer rising, not only cattle, but swine, caribou, goats and poultry as well. Fishing grounds that support small and medium scale fishing activities surround the islands. Apart from these resources, the province is also blessed with great deposits of gold, copper, silver, iron, manganese, limestone, marble, clay, quarts and feldspar, which allow Masbate to contribute almost 60 percent of Bicol’s mine receipts.Livestock farming, and agriculture remain as the main sources of livelihood for the province. The local government continues to support the growth of these industries and encourages the establishment of value adding activities. The province will benefit from agri-based industries such as food, dairy and beef processing, feed mills and livestock support services, breeding farms and hatcheries. Mining also remains highly profitable.