The town of Sibulan was regarded as a 2nd class municipality under the banner of Negros Oreintal, Philippines. It has an estimated population of 51,010 people in 11,000 households according to the statistics recorded by NSO in 2010 Census. In the southern part Sibulan is bordered by the province capital, Dumaguete City. Sibulan is also a best destination for the local and tourist visitors visiting
the region. Best attractions that can be found in the place are; Twin Lakes eco-tourism site, composed of Lake Balinsasayaw and Lake Danao. The Looc Memorial Shrine a historical site of the WWII encounter in Negros Oriental, on October 11, 1942, when independent partisan guerilla groups joined forces, the town fiesta celebrated every June 13 in honor of their Patron Saint, San Antonio de Padua. There are also golf courses that can be found in the municipality like Bravo Golf & Hotel. The municipality was divided into different political barangays which governed by their respective barangay captain. Here is the list of 15 barangays that were under in the municipality of Sibulan:
Agan-an
Ajong
Balugo
Bolocboloc
Calabnugan
Cangmating
Enrique Villanueva
Looc
Magatas
Maningcao
Maslog
Poblacion
San Antonio
Tubigon
Tubtubon
Sibulan is also the location of the Twin Lakes eco-tourism site, composed of Lake Balinsasayao and Lake Danao. The site, managed by the Protected Area and Management Board of the DENR, because this is a protected area, is located 1047 meters above sea level on Mt. Attractions and Landmarks of Sibulan:
Looc Memorial Shrine
The Looc Memorial Shrine marks the site of the first encounter of WWII in Negros Oriental, on October 11, 1942 when independent partisan guerilla groups joined forces. The Sibulan municipal government commemorates this event yearly with a re-enactment. from Dumaguete City. While playing golf, one can enjoy the fresh country air, open to both members and non-members all days of the week, including holidays. Rental of balls, tees, clubs and other equipment are also available. For inquiries and reservations, one may call the Provincial Tourism Office. San Moritz Beach
Located in Agan-an, Sibulan San Mortiz Beach features a swimming and beach combing area with five naturally ventilated cottages for rent with balcony and bathroom, under shade trees. Twin Lakes Balinsasayao & Danao
The town's most popular attraction is located in Enrique Villanueva, Sibulan, the twin lakes is located about 20 km from the town center and situated 1,000 meters above sea level, the entrance to this is actually accessible from the next town, San Jose. The two inland bodies of water, Lakes Balinsasayaw and Danao, are surrounded by lush tropical forests, with dense canopies, cool and refreshing air, crystal clear mineral waters with brushes and grasses in all hues of green. Biodiversity in the area is known to be one of the richest in the Philippines. The lakes are separated by a narrow ridge with no visible outlets to the sea. To get from Lake Balinsasayaw and Lake Danao and back there are row boats and kayaks available for rent. San Antonio de Padua Church
A great number of St. Anthony devotees from all over Negros Oriental crowd at the Sibulan church to light candles for the patron saint every 13th of each month especially during his feastday, transforming the church grounds and the plaza fronting it into a bustling festive gathering. A fluvial procession is also held annually June 13, his feast day. Masulog Festival
(3rd Sunday of January)
Held in barangay Masulog, Sibulan every January the street dancing and showdown presentations recount the legend of the great floods (sulog) that periodically laid waste to the old village. The natives would seek the intercession of the Santo Niño, and took better care of their natural resources so their crop lands’ fertility was restored. Yagyag Festival
(Last Sunday of April)
Yagyag is the vernacular for spawning, to lay eggs or spread, propagate and grow. The process refers in particular to the crabs and other marine creatures which gather during the months of October to December in Sapa, one of two springs found in Barangay Cangmating of Sibulan. The creatures lay and float their eggs during high tide, to mature in the swamps in the coming months, people from the neighboring barrios from Agan-an to Maningcao would come in groups for nature’s marine bounty which are harvested for food and as material for crafts. This is also an occassion for trading and barter, and celebration. The festival is a showcase of local arts and culture, fashion and unity. It features mardi gras-type streetdancing and related events. LEGEND OF SIBULAN
The Legend of Sibulan began with the passing of Tuglay and Tuglibong and all the mona into the land of the diwata. Only the children of Tuglay and Tuglibong were left in that place. Then a long drought came to pass upon the land so that the people could not plant their crops and famine soon stalked the highlands. The children of Tuglay and Tuglibong began to leave their home and travel to other lands in pairs. As soon as any pair found a place to their liking, they settled and begot progenies who became the ancestors of the other tribes in Mindanao. One pair chose to remain in Sibulan. The name of the man is Malaki T’Olu K’Waig, which name literally means “man at the head of the river”. Malaki is also the mythological firstborn of Tuglay and Tuglibong and is the word for man in the same way that Bia, Malaki’s sister, is the word for woman. In a sense, Malaki and Bia are even more appropriate archetypes of first man and first woman in the legend of the founding Sibulan. The couple stayed even as the parched land could no longer provide for them. Then, one day, as the man, too weak from hunger, hobbled across the barren fields in search of food, he saw a single stalk of plant growing lustily in the midst of a scorched earth. As he cut the plant with his bolo, fresh water gushed forth from its stalk and the flow did not cease until both the couple’s thirst and the earth were quenched and refreshed. From the plant’s abundant flow the rivers and the streams were once more filled with water until the rains fell to water the crops in the field. The couple named the plant as “sibul”, which means something is coming out from something or to appear or occur unexpectedly. The couple called their place as Sibul but as time passes, it became Sibulan.
