Masbate, almost in the center of the north-south axis of the Philippines and shaped like a primitive fish hook or arrow, is the Philippines' cowboy island. Cattle raising is the principal industry as the place is suited for it: it is one of the Philippine islands that is not mountainous, and which is also only thinly covered by forests for a long time. The trees were cut down in Spanish times when Masbate served as a shipyard for the Manila Galleons.

The island's name originates from a miscommunication between a native woman and Spanish soldiers in the 16th century. The woman was mixing and beating coca in her cooking pot. They asked her what the name of the place was and she thought they wanted to know what she was doing so she answered: Masa bati meaning mix, beat.

Geologists claim the island sits on a pot of gold, and to have large reserves of silver, copper and iron in its bowels as well. The waters of Masbate Province teem with commercial species of fish so fishermen have nothing to beef about. A thriving cottage industry that includes garments, ceramics, furniture making, metal crafts and other handicrafts also provides a livelihood for many. Masbate was first governed from Albay and later from Sorsogon when the two were divided but after WW II it became a province in its own right. The province of Masbate is part of the Bicol region and has two principal islands - Masbate and Ticao - with 21 municipalities.

GEOGRAPHY

Land Area: 4,047sqkm (1,562sqmi)

Topography: the interior has rolling hills, the east coast rocky cliffs

Mountain: Mt Uac near Concepcion 619m (2,030ft)

POPULATION

Majority Group: Cebuanos

Language: Masbate-Cebuano

Minorities: Mangyans

Island Population: 600,000

Cities,Town: (Census of 1990; x1000):

Aroroy 53,	Baleno 17,	Balud 26, Batuan 11,
Cataingan 39,	Cawayan 39,	Claveria 31,
Dimasalang 17,	Esperanza 15,	Mandaon26,
Masbate 59,	Milagros 33,	Mobo 25,
Monreal 19,	Palanas 22,	Pio V. Corpuz 19,
Placer 39,	San Fernando 17,	San Jacinto 23,
San Pascual 33,	Uson 37.

Political Structure

Provincial Capital: Masbate

Province: Masbate

Acc: Crown Lodge - Zurbilo St

Masbate Pension House Quezon St

St Anthony Lodging House Quezon St

BEACHES AND PLACES OF INTEREST

Dacu Beach near Mobo, 7km (4mi) southeast from the town of Masbate

Aroroy Beach near Aroroy, northwest of the town of Masbate; quiet white-sand beach for swimming

Talisay Beach Talisay, Ticao Island; unspoiled secluded place for swimming, boating and fishing

Batongan Cave and Underground River near Mandaon (west coast)

Catandayagan Falls at Monreal, Ticao Island; beautiful waterfall

TRANSPORTATION

There are jeepney connections to all major towns from the public market in the town of Masbate; the PAL Office is on 23 Quezon St, Masbate, Tel 310. PAL has a daily flight between the town of Masbate and Manila and three times a week flights between Masbate and Legazpi on South Luzon.

The MV Cebu Princess of Sulpicio Lines stops at Masbate twice a week, once on Saturday and once on Wednesday; on Saturdays the vessel proceeds on a slow journey to Calbayog (Samar), Ormoc (Leyte) and Cebu City; on Wednesdays, the ship travels straight back to Manila. There is also a daily ship connection between the town of Masbate and Bulan in Sorsogon Province, South Luzon; the trip takes about three hours.

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