Santa Catalina – Negros Oriental

The municipality of Santa Catalina is located about 95 kilometers from Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros Oriental. The municipality of Santa Catalina is part of the third district of the province and is composed of 22 barangays. It has 73,306 habitats according to the 2010 census. Santa Catalina is a rich culture, religion, and natural beauty. The name of the municipality came from the town’s patron saint, Catalina de Alejandria (Catherine of Alexandria).

Santa Catalina – A Short History

In the year 1572 during the Spanish colonization, the first Spanish expedition was made to the region of there Santa Catalina is. During this time, Santa Catalina was named as Tolong. The expedition was a Spanish mission led by Adrien Lajot. During that period there already existed settlements at Secopong, Daan Lunsod, and Cawitan. Christianity was born in the area as a group of organization called the Augustinian Friars led the people to their religion. The population of Negros Island increased rapidly, and in the year 1890, the Spanish administration formed the Province of Negros Oriental, in order to achieve a better organization. This is when the name of the town was changed as Santa Catalina.

After a few years, the Americans colonized the town Santa Catalina. The little town was not fit and could not meet the minimum requirements to qualify for becoming a municipality. During the World War II, Japanese occupation of the Philippines, the town was the guerilla fighter’s movement’s headquarters. After the war, it became a municipality in the year 1947.

  • Alangilan
  • Amio
  • Buenavista
  • Kabulacan
  • Caigangan
  • Caranoche
  • Cawitan
  • Talalak
  • Obat
  • Poblacion
  • San Francisco
  • San Jose
  • San Miguel
  • San Pedro
  • Santo Rosario
  • Fatima
  • Mabuhay
  • Manalongon
  • Mansagomayon
  • Milagrosa
  • Nagbinlod
  • Nagbalaye

What to See and Do in Santa Catalina

Pakol Festival

Being a Christian community, the town celebrates fiesta and other festivities. The biggest celebration in town is the Pakol Festival. Over the years, Santa Catalina grew not only with culture but in Agriculture as well. They are best known in Negros Oriental for their pakol bananas. A small seedy but sweet banana. Read more about Pakol Festival here!

Watch the Pakol Festival 2018 Video here:

Monkey Sanctuary

Due to the abundant harvest of pakol bananas in Santa Catalina, wild monkeys were drawn into the municipality. Before, the monkies would roam around town stealing the bananas. Today, they are well kept and fed in the Monkey Sanctuary. There is no entrance fee, however, donations are highly appreciated.

Watch the Tourist Spots in Santa Catalina Video here: