History:

Capul is an island town situated in the northwestern section of the province of Northern Samar. It borders the western end of San Bernardino Strait and with the southernmost point of Luzon on the opposite side. It bound the eastern Seagate of the Philippines to the Pacific Ocean.

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In the 13th century during the upsurge of the Mohammedan conquest, followers of King Abak, the pottery of Java, who have their own religion resisted Muslim conversion. They left the island of Java in three “Barangay” boats for archipelago. From there they separated. One remained in Sulu while the others continued their journey but in different directions. The second pursued on easterly route and landed at the Marianas. The last sailed north and found its way to the island of Capul. They settled in the island and adopted as their new home. In honor of their deposed King, they named the island Abak and the Indo-Malayan tongue spoken by them is up to the present the living dialect of the island municipality.

In the later period of the 16th century, the Island of Capul was among the first few places in Samar visited and evangelized by the Spaniards. The first visit to the island by Jesuit priests was in 1596. From 1600 to 1696 Jesuit priest would come for about 15 to 18 days and then moved along to another place. In 1697 one permanent priest was assigned to Capul from where he would also served other towns; Hibatag (Matnog), Bulusan, Tinagub (St. Magdalena) and Calbayog. The first priest permanently assigned was Father Francisco Potrus.

The first church made out hard wood and nipa roof was constructed in 1696. It was razed to ashes when more pirated plundered the island in 1715. In the same year and on the same site a more permanent church made of stones was erected. In 1768 immediately after the death of Father Miguel Rico de Jesus initiated the construction of stone walls “Kuta” surrounding the church. Also nearby on top of the large rock overlooking the town/harbor a stone watchover was erected. Until the coming of the Americans these structures served in combination as warning system and fort of refuge for the people during Moro raids. Again in 1881 the same church was renovated by Father Marianas Velore, the Architect priest. This church was at the time became the most beautiful edifice in the whole province of Samar. The same church but now in ruinous state still exist today.

In 1768 the Jesuits were expelled from the Philippines took over the mission. The first Franciscan priest assigned in the island was Father Juan Isandi. He was killed by Moro pirates in October. He was succeeded by Father Miguel Rico de Jesus. Until the island mission became a parish by decree of the Bishop of Cebu on November 8, 1879 in accordance with the Royal Decree on November 12, 1874 the church in Capul was under the administration of the Franciscan Order.

The location and proximity of the island to the Pacific Ocean and the prevailing strong currents flowing through the San Bernardino Strait were found practically useful during the galleons about to leave the Philippines via San Bernardino Strait, from where they weigh anchor and would start the long voyage only when the current was flowing outward to the Pacific Ocean and on their return trips from Mexico in the same manner they would wait for slack waters, gales or favorable current before proceeding to Manila.

As the Manila-AcapulcoTrade flourished so was the frequency of those frequent stopovers, to while away time engraved in block letters the word “Acapulco” in a rock. At earlier times Acapulco was used to designate the sitio where the en graven rock was located. Later it was applied to the whole island where it replaced the old name “Abak”, but the natives who are lover of shortcuts and contractions corrupted the word Acapulco to Capul.

Municipality Profile

Capul is a 5th class municipality. It appears on the map with irregular rice-grain-shape 14 kilometers in length and 5 kilometers in its widest section and with a land area of 35 square kilometers. It has a population of 12, 300. Thirty seven percent (37%) of the population of are residing in the town proper; 50% in the seven barangays; San Luis, Aguin, Landusan, Sawang, Sagaosawan, Jubang and Oson and the remaining 13% in sitios.

Livelihood

Coconut farming is the principal industry of the island. Approximately three quarters if the agricultural land is upland and rolling hills is planted with coconut trees. Lowland rice is raised in the center of the northeastern section and in the same areas in barangay San Luis, Aguin, Landusan and Sawang. The rest of the arable land is devoted to corn and other seasonal crops. Fish abound the coastal waters but swift current fishing is intermittent and seasonal.

Education System

On the public education system, Capul has two Central Elementary School, seven barangay community schools, Landusan National High School and Capul Agricultural and Industrial School. The later is a National Vocational School.

Tourism

The island has several interesting places which could be developed as tourists’ attractions. In the town proper, located are the stone watchover, the old church, a Japanese World War II tunnels. In the northern tip of the island nine (9) kilometers from the poblacion on a rock promontory overlooking San Bernardino Strait stands a beautiful light house. It is 143 feet above sea level with 49 feet high truncated conical tower.

The tower commands a panoramic view of the San Bernardino Strait extending limitless to the vast Pacific Ocean to the east; the topographical outline of Southern Luzon which on clear weather includes the majestic Mayon Volcano to the north; Naranjos Island and the province of Masbate to the west and the vegetation, surfs and shorelines of the island itself to the south. Few meters downward from the base of the lighthouse facing the strait are three circular Japanese world war II gun emplacements. The big gun once mounted were intended for support to the “Sea” plans, the Japanese Imperial Navy grand design and last desperate assaults to destroy the American landings at Leyte Gulf.

Halfway around the island of Barangay Sawang are two caves. Going inside the caves for the first time is quite a thrill and an adventure in a lifetime. The beauty of stalactites and stalagmites; the sight of thousands ceiled like distorted spring right on the way are some of the many interesting scenes to described to friends upon one’s returning home. At the southern point of the island is a natural rock formation shaped like rudder. It towers several feet high against a mighty cliff that a classic mythical mind would reminisce poetry and verses and would imagine beauteous Andromeda chained to it. All around the island are white sandy beaches and merely twenty or more meters away to the sea underneath the crystal blue waters are undersea gardens of coral growths, habitats of colorful species of fish precious-shells . Who knows…”Glory of the Sea”?

Climate

The climate is characterized by wet and dry seasons. The rainy season occurs from October to March and dry months occur from April to September.

During the rainy season, the weather is at its worst because of the northeast monsoon winds. There are days that nobody can go out of the island because of the big waves and strong winds.

The area is predominant of fertile soil of clay, clay loam and sandy loam favorable to boost agricultural production. It has thirteen point and six percent (13.06%) of plain to very gently sloping terrain, nineteen point and forty three percent (19.43%) of rolling and hilly and sixty nine point and fifty one percent (69.51%) steep hills or mountainous, suited to high value commercials crops.

Support Services

The National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) thru the Northern Samar Electric Cooperative (NORSAMELCO) supplies electricity to the town. Water is provided from springs, rains, artesian/deep wells. Additional drinking water may be purchased from the mainland.

The Capul District Hospital and the Municipal Health Office have a complete medical staff but with facilities that are yet to be devoutly wished. Residents of near island and islets have their own health centers but otherwise also avail of the medical services from the hospital and the health center.

Aside from Day care centers and elementary institutions, the island has Landusan National High School and Capul Agricultural and Industrial School established 38 years ago.

Communication facilities are provided by Smart and Globe Telecommunications companies.

Sundays are spent in attending Church services in this predominantly Catholic town. But then sports tournaments and cockfight derbies usually follow.

Others cross the Strait – to Allen, Matnog, Sorsogon, Catarman, or even Calbayog – for some needed shopping, relaxation and visiting relatives.

Motorcycles and motorboats are the means of public transport within the island.

Economic Condition

Although Capul is rich in natural resources, it is still a poverty stricken area; 87% of the populace are below poverty line with an average income of Php2,310, 12% belong to the middleclass and .5% belong to the elite group. It reveals that we have greater number of people suffering from scarcity of food due to low productivity and income.

Resources: Official Website of Capul, Northern Samar