Albuera, Leyte
| Albuera | |
|---|---|
| Municipality | |
 Map of Leyte with Albuera highlighted |
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 Albuera
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| Coordinates: 10°55′N 124°42′E / 10.917°N 124.700°ECoordinates: 10°55′N 124°42′E / 10.917°N 124.700°E | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Eastern Visayas (Region VIII) |
| Province | Leyte |
| District | 4th district of Leyte |
| Barangays | 16 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Rosa Meneses |
| • Vice Mayor | Sixto dela Victoria |
| Area | |
| • Total | 303.35 km2 (117.12 sq mi) |
| Population (2015 census) | |
| • Total | 46,332 |
| • Density | 150/km2 (400/sq mi) |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+8) |
| ZIP code | 6542 |
| IDD : area code | +63 (0)53 |
| Income class | 3rd municipal income class |
| 083703000 | |
| Electorate | 24,622 voters as of 2016 |
| Website | www |
Albuera is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 46,332 people.
It was in 1862 when settlements began to appear in the areas between south of Ormoc farther down towards the town of Bay-Bay. The appearance of these settlements was soon followed by the formation of barangays. Among these settlements, Sebugay led in population.
Due to the constant danger posed by marauding bands of Moros who plundered the coastal settlements and kidnapped a number of its inhabitants, the village heads soon got together and formed a junta. Among those kidnapped and killed was a prominent Sebugaynon couple, Ta Sindi and her husband. During that eventful gathering, it was agreed to adopt St. James the Apostle as their patron saint. The village heads stayed near the shore at Wangag, where mounted volunteers scanned the seas for the Moro vintas. When the dreaded vessels appeared, the guards beat their gongs on top of a tower as a warning of impending danger. The men would then take their families to safety and afterwards, gather along the shore with their bolos and spears ready. Blood flowed both from the attackers and the attacked.
The growing community was then under the parish of Ormoc. Father Catalino Cabada , parish priest of Ormoc (1849-1867) came to organize the said community, but some family heads disagreed with the establishment of a poblacion near the Sebugaynon River. This river always threatened the lives of the settlers that lived along its side. Most of them agreed to have the poblacion situated in Balugo but a strong-willed Sebugaynon, Eusebio Calabia, who later became known as Kapitan Sebio, gave a suggestion. He proposed that the image of the patron saint be tied on horseback and wherever the horse would first stop, that particular place would become the site of the poblacion. The church was built near the beach across the place where the horse had indicated.
The majority of the settlers disliked the name Sebugaynons. One day, the settlers held a meeting with the purpose of renaming the community "Herrera," in honor of Governor Herrera, thus expediting its recognition as a pueblo. When the junta was formed, a sailboat, coming from Pilar Island and on its way to Ormoc, dropped anchor. A Spanish priest on board saw in the many beautiful lakes and the numerous springs a similarity with the town in his own native province of Galicia, Spain. The Spanish town which was named "Albujera" - - which means "fresh water lake" - - was noted for the healthful springs and cool lagoons. The Spanish priest lost no time in naming the town after his own municipality and the name "Albujera" or "Albuhera" was popularly adopted by the people of the town.
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Wikipedia