Soak up in the crystal blue waters with the sun simmering at the white, powdery sand beaches of Caluya’s islets and naval reserves overlooking the China Sea. Caluya islands can offer you the thrills of island hopping and exquisiteness of sailing.
Year founded: 1850 Land Area: 12,412 hectares Classification: 4th Class Municipality No. of Barangays: 18 Barangays Population: 20,049 (as of 2000) Zip Code : 5711
The island of Caluya was formerly called "Polo Pandan" by Moro pirates in search of commercial ships as target victims. Several years later, fishermen, coming from other islands, accidentally landed in Polo Pandan looking for drinking water. They found a potable spring coming from the roots of Dankalan tree and brought the good news to their fellow fishermen, and planned to settle by the shore near that spring.
Soon the Moro pirates landed at the other side of the island. The settlers for fear of their safety transferred their huts on the hilltop and called the place "Minoro or Barabanwa". When the Moro pirates tried to seize the settlers, using their bows and arrows, called "pitik" they hurled stones to block the path of the invaders and the attackers.
To gather collective efforts, the leaders of "Minoro or Barabanwa" entered brotherly relationship with other chieftains from the neighboring islands. They were called "Ilog" from Cuyo, "Logod" from Agutaya "Tangay" from the islands of Batbatan and Maningning, "Igso" from Romblon Negrito Tribes, "Compare" from Tagalog in Mindoro and "Baybay" from Antique. This brotherly relationship attracted the inflow of more settlers coming from Cuyo,Agutaya, Mindoro and Antique. In vernacular, they called their group "Calolo Nga Nag Uya". Shortened as Caluya, the name of the island even prior to the Spanish Colonization is retained to this day.
In 1570, a Spanish conquistador, Martin de Goiti stopped over the island town of Caluya on his journey to Manila.
Caluya Island is accessible through a 3-hour travel via a ferryboat from Libertad and 5 hours from Lipata Culasi Seaport. There are pumpboats to provide access from Caluya to any of its island barangays, like Semirara where the Semirara Coal Mining is situated.
