Dalaguete

The dalakit (Ficus benjamina) tree is the foundation of the origin and name of Dalaguete.

The natives look upon the tree not for its gigantic size, nor for its fruit which is of no use, but rather for the religious observance of the natives.

— Alcina 1668^{: 473–485}

They highly consider this tree for their belief that it harbors spirits or diwatas who could impose sickness if maltreated or hand in fortunes and gifts if placated. When fully grown, the intertwining roots are exposed from the earth and form huge caverns that could house several people.[5]

In ancient times, before the coming of the Spaniards, these trees had been used by people as major landmarks. People gathered under the encompassing shades and conduct social and economic activities such as festivities, contest, trading meetings, and other community gatherings. They establish market places under the shades of the dalaket where they sell their products and conduct trade with local roving traders bringing in Chinese and Asiatic goods from the port of Cebu.[5]

The place where the church or the poblacion were laid would have been the site of a communal gathering area for the natives. It was also the abode of a huge dalakit tree which provide shade and shelter while people conduct their activities. "Adto ta mag-abot sa dalakit". "Adto ta magtigom-tigom sa dalakit" [Let us meet at the dalakit]. These and other phrases were common among locals of centuries past when coming up with an agreement to meet or conduct an activity specifically at the site where the dalakit is situated. For several generations in pre-Hispanic Dalaguete, the area has always been unofficially called as dalakit. Its accessibility and its reputation as a communal area for community gathering have prompted the Spanish authorities to construct the church and eventually establish the area as part of an encomienda. From this common ground, and from this tree, begun the conception of a larger town which later come to be known as Dalaguete.[5]

Dalaguete Public Market – wet fish

• Agriculture: farming, fishing
• Products: vegetables, fish
• Cottage industry: blanket & mat weaving, basket making
• Mineral Resources: ice stones, lime red stone, lime pink stones, wood stones, phosphate, coal

Dalaguete celebrates its annual town fiesta in honor of its patron saint, San Guillermo, every 9 and 10 February. One of the highlights of the celebration is the street dancing and showdown competition called "Utanon Festival".

Utanon Festival is also a form of thanksgiving for all the blessings and graces the Dalaguetenons have received from San Guillermo and for giving them a place so rich in agriculture and music. Utanon Festival is a celebration of good harvest through dance and music. The town is known as the "Vegetable Basket of Cebu" and Mantalongon as the "Summer Capital of Cebu".

The public schools in the town of Dalaguete are administered by two school districts under the Schools Division of Cebu Province.

Elementary schools:

High schools:

• Caleriohan National High School — Caleriohan
• Caliongan National High School — Caliongan
• Casay National High School — Casay
• Cawayan National High School — Cawayan
• Dalaguete National High School — Poblacion
• Dumalan National High School — Dumalan
• Manlapay National High School — Manlapay
• Mantalongon National High School — Mantalongon

Media related to Dalaguete at Wikimedia Commons

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code