Samal, Bataan

Samal originated from samel, a covering attached to a banca to protect the passengers from the sun and rain, made of nipa leaves and woven together.

Aerial view of Samal, circa 1940s

Saint Catherine of Sienna became the patron of Samal, which was founded as a municipality on April 20, 1641.[5]

"Sea gypsies" of Mindanao settlers ("Badjaos" who resided for many years in Maubac, Lambayung, Tanjung, Pata, Tapul, Lugus, Bangos, Pagasinan, Parang, Maimbung, Karugdung and Talipaw, Mindanao) migrated to Luzon in the early 14th century and settled in Bataan. In Samal, they propagated the pearl and capiz culture.

Samal was the second town founded by the Dominican friars in Bataan and is composed of four barrios: Calaguiman, Santa Lucia, Poblacion and Lalawigan.

Samal is located in the eastern part of Bataan Peninsula, bordering Abucay to the south, Orani to the north and northwest, Morong to the west, and Manila Bay to the east.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 56.30 square kilometres (21.74 sq mi) [6] constituting 4.10% of the 1,372.98-square-kilometre- (530.11 sq mi) total area of Bataan.

In the 2020 census, Samal had a population of 38,302.[3] The population density was 680 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,800/sq mi).

Bamboo structures of the ponds

Composed largely of uplands and hills with some lowlands and plains, Samal's main produce are palay, corn, vegetable, fruits rootcrops, coffee and cutflowers, including livestock, poultry and aquatic resources such as shellfish, crabs, prawns, shrimps and different species of fish.

Joaquin Ma. Joson of Bataan established the first ice plant. Wooden shoe (bakya) making, and pulp mills (Bataan Pulp and Paper Mills, Inc. in the scenic slope of Mount Natib) are some of the industries of the natives. It also manufactures banana chips and arrow root flour through native processes, then made into cookies called araro as pasalubong. Samal is also rich is marine aquatic resources and highly productive farmlands.

Garments manufacturing in Samal is engaged in by five (5) firms already engaged in exports.[20]

In the Town Hall of Samal and along the streets, Capiz shells are displayed to show that the town residents manufacture this commodity.

Samal's attractions, events and historical landmarks include:

• Senakulo sa Calaguiman during Holy Week
• Town Hall of Samal
• Samal Capiz shell industry
• Fish ponds, mangrove, mussels and seafoods in Samal bay

Parish Church of Saint Catherine of Siena

Parish Church of Saint Catherine of Siena

The 1596 Parish Church of Saint Catherine of Siena belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga[23][24][25] (Dioecesis Balangensis - Part of the Ecclesiastical Province of San Fernando, Pampanga).[26][27]

The Parish has a Catholic population of 11,581, under Titular of St. Catherine of Siena, with Feast day on April 30. Its former Parish Priest is Monsignor Edilfredo Cruz of the[24] Vicariate of St. Dominic de Guzman.[28] As of June 5, 2023, Fr. Josue V. Enero was assigned as new Parish Priest of the church.[29]

The Dominicans in 1596 directed the spirituality of Samal. Attacked by Dutch invaders in April 1647, the local garrison of Pampanga under Alejo Aguas ousted the Dutch forces. Rev. Jeromino Belen, O.P. rebuilt the ruined church and the convent. In 1896 the Katipuneros burned the church and convent which were rebuilt by Rev. Justo Quesada in 1903.

• 
  Jose Rizal Samal Park and Plaza
• 
  Post office, rear facade of Town hall
• 
  Public market
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  Capiz shells street lights surround downtown
• 
  Banca transportation

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Samal, Bataan.

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code