The pride of North: Comnpostela
Compostela, Cebu – The pride of North
No we’re not talking about a province in Spain with the same name, but of a prosperous northern agricultural town in Cebu Province, Philippines. Little is known about this Quesio (Cottage cheese delicacy made from Carabao or Goat’s milk that the town is known for) laden locale, for transients and commuters may have heard of it or may have passed it in their journey or two. Compostela is one of the many gateway towns for premier tourist spots and industries of the north.
Situated 26 Kilometers away (1 hour ride) from the Metropolitan and sits adjacent to the City of Danao, Compostela holds a convenience for trade and commerce in terms of ports and geographic proximity. The town is classified as a 4th class municipality underthe 5th District, that holds a population of 39, 167 (approx.) and has a land area of 68.9 km2. It is composed of 17 barangays namely: Bagalnga, Basak, Buluang, Cabadiangan, Cambayog, Canamucan, Cogon, Dapdap, Estaca, Lupa, Magay, Mulao, Panangban, Poblacion, Tag-ubi, Tamiao, and Tubigan.
Currently, Compostela along with the rest of the mid-northern towns of Cebu, plays host to sprouting subdivisions and a growing number of housing projects which is an indicator of progress. Due to its near proximity to Urban Cebu and the prominent cities of the North (Danao and Bogo) a fraction of the town's populace are foreign, local tourists and young professionals whose careers, businesses and families circulate to these cities.
Developments are also in the works as well to refine the town's tourist destinations to lure more visitors who want to enjoy the serene and pristine atmosphere that the town has to offer.
HISTORY
Sr. Santiago and the town’s history
Established in the year 1844 by a Spanish “Conquistador” by the name of Captain Manuel Aniceto del Rosario, Compostela used to be one of the barrio components to the then Municipality of Danao.
The barrio received its official name through the endorsement of Father Jose Alonzo, a Spanish friar serving under the crown and reportedly a resident
The barrio received its official name through the endorsement of Father Jose Alonzo, a Spanish friar serving under the crown and reportedly a resident of Compostela, Spain. He was then designated as the first parish priest and adopted Señor Santiago de Apostol as the parish patron saint.
Sr. Santiago de Apostol’s parish chapel laid witness to the barrio’s growth for as the years traversed and its population grew, the chapel was later decided by Spanish church leaders to be reconstructed into a church (Saint James Parish) in honor of Señor Santiago Apostol and to serve as the major place of worship for the Catholic faithful. It is stand
Sr. Santiago de Apostol’s parish chapel laid witness to the barrio’s growth for as the years traversed and its population grew, the chapel was later decided by Spanish church leaders to be reconstructed into a church (Saint James Parish) in honor of Señor Santiago Apostol and to serve as the major place of worship for the Catholic faithful. It is standing to this day, being one of Compostela’s proud historical monuments.
Political establishment and progress
The prosperous barrio existed with constant growth, for as the years progressed, so did its population. At the turn of the tide during the Spanish-American war, Spain lost control of the Philippines to the Americans; the result of which after the Treaty of Paris, a requirement to modify and re-classify all the local government units in the Philippines according to population and income was implemented.
In 1903, Compostela was officially annexed to the Municipality of Liloan. After more than a decade of secession, a special committee headed by Hilario Canen along with the then Cebu Provincial Governor Manuel Roa, presented their proposal to Hon. Sergio Osmeña Sr. which was then the Philippine Assembly Speaker, to sponsor the bill changing the status of Compostela to a municipality.
ATTRACTIONS
- Green Lagoon Park
The resort found at the northern part of Cebu in barangay Canamucan Municipality of Compostela.Green Lagoon Park in Canamucan in the town of Compostela. It has a beach resort with a pool and various amenities. They also have a playground for your kids to play on. You can enjoy at Green Lagoon Park with a very affordable price.
- Q-Park
GETTING TO Q PARK :
> Getting to Q Park Cebu is quite easy. From Cebu City, go straight to Mandaue’s national highway, then all the way straight to Barangay Magay, Compostela. On the left side of the road, you can easily notice the big sign that points to the direction of Q Park. There are also a lot of locals who are found along the road and they can give you instructions on how to get to the area. Once you get to this corner road, you will need to travel about 3-4 kilometers to reach the entrance to Q Park Cebu. Before reaching the magnificent Mother Mary, you will pass the Heroes Hill where a guard will ask you some details and may look at your driving license or ask your name.
- Queseo Festival
CEBU, Philippines - The Queseo Festival highlighted the recent feast of Señor Santiago de Apostol of Compostela, Cebu. It was an improvised festival depicting the main occupation of the townsfolk in the far-flung barangays of Lupa, Basak and Mulao. The festival showed the milking of the carabao and processing of the milk to produce the "queseo," a white soft cheese that goes well with either "puto" or biscuits.
The festival showcased seven basic dance figures inspired from the occupational movement from milking to processing to packaging of the cheese - 1. "paglimpyu," the cleaning and wiping of the breast of the carabao), 2. "pag-gatas," milking the carabao, 3. "pagsaan," filtering milk with a mesh unto a clean container, 4. "paghaling/pagpabukal/paghuyop," boiling the milk and blowing wind to spark the fire, 5. "paghuwad/pagkutaw," pouring vinegar to the boiled milk and stirring by hand, 6. "paghulma," molding the cheese with a molder, and 7. "pagputos," wrapping the cheese with banana leaves.
Compostela parish Church
Where Compostelanhons hears the word of God.
