Sogod, Southern Leyte facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sogod
Municipality
Municipality of Sogod
Skyline from the shore
Flag Seal
Map of Southern Leyte with Sogod highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Sogod Location in Philippines
Country	Philippines
Region	Eastern Visayas
Province	Southern Leyte
District	[[{{#property:P7938}} | — Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1804: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).]]
Founded	September 6, 1571 (as a District the Leyte encomienda); 1603 (as a Catholic mission station)
Established	May 18, 1700 (as a barangay)
Incorporated	June 10, 1853 (as a municipality)
Barangays	45 (see Barangays)
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
Area
• Total	192.70 km2 (74.40 sq mi)
Elevation	115 m (377 ft)
Highest elevation	908 m (2,979 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 census)
• Total	47,552
• Density	246.767/km2 (639.124/sq mi)
• Households	10,959
Demonym(s)	Sogodnon
Economy
• Income class	2nd municipal income class
• Poverty incidence	24.68 % (2021)
• Revenue	₱ 202 million (2020)
• Assets	₱ 442.8 million (2020)
• Expenditure	₱ 193.5 million (2020)
• Liabilities	₱ 178.6 million (2020)
Service provider
• Electricity	Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative (SOLECO)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	6606
PSGC	[https://psa.gov.ph/classification/psgc/?q=psgc/barangays/{{#pro000&regcode={{&provcode= p {{#property:P988}} ]
IDD : area code	+63 (0)53
Native languages	Boholano dialect Cebuano Tagalog

Sogod is a lively municipality in Southern Leyte, Philippines. It is officially known as the Municipality of Sogod. In the 2020 census, about 47,552 people lived here.

The name Sogod comes from the Cebuano word meaning "to start." It began as a Catholic mission in 1601 and became a regular town on June 10, 1853.

Sogod is a key center for trade and business in the south-central part of Leyte. It is also home to Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) Main Campus and Saint Thomas Aquinas College (STAC). You can find Sogod along the Pan-Philippine Highway, about 126 kilometers south of Tacloban City.

History of Sogod

Learning about Sogod's past can be a bit tricky because there are not many old records. Most of what we know comes from Spanish missionaries. These priests, like the Jesuits and Augustinians, helped shape the town's culture, politics, and beliefs.

Sogod's Early Days

Long ago, Sogod was located near the mouth of the Subangdaku River. It was part of a larger area called Seilani. In 1544, a Spanish explorer heard about a big town called Sugut where Chinese traders came every year to buy gold and slaves. This shows that Sogod was an important trading place even before the Spanish arrived.

In 1571, the Spanish took control of Leyte. Sogod was already part of their system by 1582, though it was sometimes called Tugud or Tugut.

How Sogod Got Its Name

The name Sogod has a cool story! It's believed to come from a time when the town was often attacked by pirates. A watchtower was built to warn the villagers.

A famous fisherman named Bancao, also known as Mangkaw, was a hero. He was amazing at casting his fishing net, called Laya. When a group of fish appeared, he would leave meetings to catch them. People would shout "Sogod, sogod!" which means "to begin!" to restart the meeting after he finished fishing. This is how the town supposedly got its name.

Another idea is that Sogod (pronounced sú.gut) means "to comply" or "to consent" in Cebuano. This fits with the idea of Sogod being a busy trading town where people agreed on prices.

Early Christian Faith in Sogod

The first Christian missionaries arrived in Leyte in 1580. Later, the Jesuits took over in 1595. They started setting up mission stations in different towns.

Around the early 1600s, Jesuit priests like Padre Fabrizio Sersali, came to Sogod. In 1603, Bancao, a local leader, welcomed Padre Sersali. When Bancao's grandchildren got sick, the priest prayed for them, and they got better. Because of this, Bancao's family was baptized. A small chapel was built, marking the start of the Christian faith in Sogod.

Attacks from Pirates

Between the 15th and 18th centuries, pirates from Mindanao often attacked Leyte. They would raid towns, taking people as slaves or holding them for ransom. Sogod was one of the towns that faced these attacks.

In 1754, a group of pirates attacked Sogod. They burned the church and watchtower. Local stories say that the church had a golden bell, the Kampanang Bulaw. Before the attack, villagers rang the bell to warn everyone, then buried it in the rice fields. Some say it was thrown into quicksand. The bell has never been found!

Sogod Becomes a Town

On May 18, 1700, Sogod became a regular visita (a small village with a chapel). A concrete church was built in 1718. Later, on June 10, 1853, Sogod officially became a municipality. Don Juan Cavales was appointed as the first leader, called gobernadorcillo.

Over the years, the town center moved a few times. In 1870, Don Gabriel Ydjao moved it to Libagon, renaming it Sogod Nuevo (New Sogod) and Sogod as Sogod Viejo (Old Sogod). The church also moved to Libagon. It wasn't until January 1924 that the church and town center returned to Sogod.

Sogod During the American Era

When the Americans arrived in the early 1900s, Sogod saw changes. Don Benito Faelnar became the presidente municipal (like a mayor) in 1903. He brought the town center back to Sogod.

Education became very important. The town sent students to Tacloban to become teachers. The first teacher, Pelagia Tibay, arrived in 1911. As more children went to school, the town hall was even used as a temporary school building!

In 1913, Libagon became its own municipality, separating from Sogod.

Sogod During World War II

During World War II (1942-1944), the Japanese occupied the Philippines. Sogod was not heavily controlled by the Japanese because it was hard to reach. This allowed local resistance groups, called guerrillas, to become strong.

The war brought challenges to Sogod's leaders. After the war, Francisco Villamor became the mayor, helping the town recover.

Past Leaders of Sogod

Here are some of the leaders who helped shape Sogod:

Exploring Sogod's Geography

Sogod is located in the northern part of Southern Leyte. It faces the beautiful Sogod Bay. The town is about 72 kilometers east of Maasin City, the provincial capital.

Rice paddies in barangay Salvacion with the Abuyog-Liloan Cordillera in the background. Wide plains characterize much of the south-eastern terrain of the town.

The town's area changed in 1950 when Bontoc became a separate municipality. After some adjustments, Sogod's land area is now about 192.70 square kilometers.

Sogod's Landscape

Sogod has flat and gently rolling plains in the south. Many rivers flow through these lowlands. The Subangdaku and San Francisco rivers are the main waterways. They start in the Leyte Cordillera mountains and flow south into Sogod Bay.

The northern part of Sogod has rugged mountains with thick rainforests. These forests are home to rare animals like the Philippine Eagle and Tarsier. Five mountains in Southern Leyte are found in Sogod: Bitanhuan, Cagbano, Capuloan, Llave, and Panjongon.

Recently, two new types of frogs were found in the Nacolod Mountain Range. This shows how special the wildlife in Sogod's forests is!

Sogod's Rivers and Bay

The Mighty Subangdaku River

The view of Subangdaku River, as seen from the Subangdaku I Bridge in barangay Suba.

The Subangdaku River is the largest river in Southern Leyte. It flows into Sogod Bay. This river is known as a "braided river" because it has many channels that split and rejoin. This causes sediments like sand and clay to be deposited, especially during typhoons.

In 1951, Typhoon Amy caused a huge flood in Sogod. The river swelled and swept away villages and farms. For months, people couldn't eat fish from the bay.

Mounds of gravel deposits are dumped beside the banks of Subangdaku River for the strengthening of the river control in barangay San Miguel. Farmers along the river banks complained on the soil erosion caused by the rechannelization project. Environmentalists in the province also claim that the sand and gravel quarrying in barangay Immaculada Concepcion was not a re-channeling project but a large-scale mining which exports these mineral deposits to Cebu and abroad.

Today, flooding still happens during heavy rains. Some areas of the river have dried out due to quarrying (taking out sand and gravel) and rechanneling projects. These activities have caused some environmental concerns.

Sogod Bay: A Rich Ecosystem

An aerial view of Sogod Bay from Milagroso hill. Every Lenten season, Catholics flock at the summit of the hill for the reenactment of the passion and death of Christ. The trail, leading to the summit of the hill, which starts from the national high school in barangay San Roque, is complete with life-size statues depicting the stations of the cross.

Sogod is located at the head of Sogod Bay. This bay is full of different kinds of fish, providing food and jobs for the people of Sogod and nearby towns. The Subangdaku River flows into the bay.

Weather in Sogod

The weather in Sogod is pretty steady throughout the year. It doesn't have very strong seasons, meaning it's not too hot or too cold, and rainfall is spread out. The average temperature is around 23.6°C to 25.4°C.

Most of Sogod has a climate where there's no dry season, and the heaviest rains happen between November and January.

People of Sogod

In 2015, Sogod had over 45,000 people. Zone V is the most populated area, while Lum-an has the fewest residents. Many people from mountain villages move to the town center or other cities for jobs and better services.

Languages Spoken in Sogod

Most people in Sogod are of Boholano and Cebuano descent. The main language is Cebuano, but many speak it with a Boholano accent because Bohol province is nearby. People also understand Waray-Waray and Surigaonon. Tagalog is used when talking to people from other parts of the Philippines. Many locals also understand English and Spanish.

Sogod's Economy

Gaisano Capital Sogod is the largest department store in the province.

Sogod is a 2nd class municipality. This means it has a good income. The town's economy is growing fast.

The Gaisano Capital Group, a big shopping mall chain, opened its first branch in Southern Leyte in Sogod on June 10, 2011.

What Sogod Makes and Sells

The port of Sogod

Sogod has small-scale manufacturing. They make charcoal from coconut shells, abaca products, and ceramics. They also produce furniture, hollow blocks, and process rice.

The main products exported from Sogod are copra (dried coconut meat), abaca fiber, and handicrafts made from abaca.

Banks in Sogod

Media in Sogod

Sogod has local newspapers like the Southern Leyte Times (English) and Southern Leyte Balita (Cebuano). These newspapers share news about Southern Leyte and Leyte.

Radio Stations

There are two radio stations in Sogod: Radyo ng Bayan Sogod (DYSL-FM 104.7) and Radyo Natin Sogod (DYSC 101.1 FM).

Cable Television

Maasin Cable TV provides many channels to homes in Sogod. Other cable operators like Dream Satellite TV and Cignal Digital TV also offer services.

Religion in Sogod

Religions in Sogod Roman Catholicism    93% Protestantism    6.6% Islam    0.4% The Most Reverend Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD (left), bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Maasin, and Monsignor Nestor Astillo, PC (right), parish priest of the Immaculate Conception Parish Church of Sogod, presided the Pontifical Mass for the annual town fiesta last December 15, 2013. The Holy Child Parish Church in barangay Consolacion.

Most people in Sogod (about 93%) are Roman Catholics. Other Christian groups, like the Seventh-day Adventist Church and United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), make up the rest. The main Catholic church is the Immaculate Conception Parish.

Catholic Churches in Sogod

The Catholic faith has been strong in Sogod since the early 1600s. Sogod became an independent parish in 1869. Since 1967, Sogod has two main Catholic parishes:

• Holy Child Parish, in barangay Consolacion
• Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, in barangay Rizal

Holy Child Parish

The Holy Child Parish in Consolacion was established in 1967. It has many active religious groups. These groups help defend the Catholic faith and encourage people to participate in church activities. Many chapels in the villages have been renovated thanks to these efforts.

Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Parish

The newly-renovated facade of the Immaculate Conception Parish Church.

The Immaculate Conception Shrine, which stood beside the parish rectory, was recently demolished to give way for the construction of a multi-purpose covered court that would house civil and religious activities in the town. It was a project earmarked by the former parish priest, now deceased Monsignor Felix Paloma, PC

The statue of the revered patroness of the town, the Immaculate Conception, is displayed in the church sanctuary during the town fiesta, which falls every December 14 and 15.

The Immaculate Conception of Mary is the patroness of Sogod. This parish is the "mother-parish" for other church districts in nearby areas.

The first church building was made of light materials in barangay Zone III. It was later moved to barangay Zone I. In the 1960s, a new concrete church was built in barangay Rizal, which is the current church today.

Education in Sogod

Statistics on Education
Literacy Rate	98%
Pre-Elementary :	Public: 28 Private: 6
Elementary :	Public: 28 Private: 7
Secondary :	Public: 3 Private: 1
Tertiary :	Public: 1 Private: 2

Sogod has a high literacy rate of 98%. This means almost everyone can read and write. The town has two school districts: Sogod Central School for the west and Consolacion Elementary School for the east.

Formerly known as the Southern Leyte State College of Science and Technology [SLCST], the Southern Leyte State University [SLSU] was converted through the passage of Republic Act No. 9261 on March 7, 2004. The institution is the only state university in the province of Southern Leyte, located at barangay San Roque.

For high school, there are four schools: three public National High Schools and one run by the Catholic church. Sogod also has four colleges, including the Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) Main Campus, the only state university in the province.

Healthcare in Sogod

The Sogod District Hospital is the oldest health care institution in the municipality. The construction of the hospital was envisioned through the provisions stated by the Republic Act No. 2693 dated June 18, 1960.

The Sogod Rural Health Unit (RHU) manages healthcare in the town. They run several health centers and one municipal hospital, the Sogod District Hospital, which has 50 beds. There are also three private hospitals and many medical clinics.

Hospitals in Sogod

Getting Around Sogod

Provincial buses, PUV's and jeepneys picks up and drops off passengers at the Sogod Bus Terminal in barangay Zone III

You can travel around Sogod using Jeepneys, habal-habals, and potpots. Jeepneys are like decorated mini-buses used for short trips. Habal-habals are motorcycles that can carry many people, used for reaching mountain areas.

Blue Potpots thrive at Osmeña street in barangay Zone II.

Potpots are like auto rickshaws that carry 9 to 12 passengers. They come in different colors for different routes: blue for the town center, white for western areas, and red for eastern areas.

You can reach Sogod by land, air, or sea. It's a few hours by sea from Cebu City and a three-day drive from Manila. You can also fly to Tacloban City and then take a bus or van to Sogod. Sogod is an important connection point between Visayas and Mindanao.

Water and Electricity Services

The Sogod Water District (SWD) provides clean water to the town. They get water from springs like Magaupas Spring and Banat-e Spring.

Electricity is supplied by the Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative (SoLeCo). They started providing electricity to Sogod on December 26, 1977.

Phone and Internet

Globe Telecoms, Smart Communications, and Sun Cellular provide phone and internet services in Sogod.

Fun Things to See and Do in Sogod

The pebble beaches in barangay San Jose.

The Gerona Farm in barangay Buac Gamay owned by the Gerona Family.

A stalagmite adorned the entrance of a cavern in Magsuhot Park in barangay Mahayahay.

Sogod has many cool places to visit! The most famous is the Agas-Agas Bridge, which is the tallest viaduct in the country.

Other fun spots include:

• Banat-e Spring in barangay San Pedro.
• Dagsa-Pasanon Falls in barangay Dagsa.
• Lanao Spring in barangay San Juan.
• The Calvary Trail in San Roque and Milagroso, with life-size statues showing the Stations of the Cross.
• The mighty Subangdaku River in Suba and San Miguel.
• Buac-Malinao Reservoir in Malinao.
• La Caridad Farms in Buac Gamay.
• Labong Cave in Javier.
• Magapso Fish and Marine Sanctuary in Maac.
• Manubsuab Falls in Kanangkaan.
• Bagacay Beach in Consolacion.
• Prima, Cabadoy and Palanca Pebble Beaches in San Jose.

You can find inns and hotels in the town center.

Agas-Agas Bridge and Adventure Park

The Agas-Agas Bridge has a "Zipline Leyte," which is one of the longest twin zip lines in the Philippines. You can glide high above the bridge and the river below!

Cainting Cave and Falls

Discovered in 2003, Cainting Cave and Falls is a hidden gem. It's surrounded by the Sogod Rainforest and has a natural pool where three rivers meet. It's a bit of a trek to get there, but it's worth it!

Magsuhot Park

The Magsuhot National Park is a large forested area about three kilometers from barangay Mahayahay. It features four beautiful waterfalls, each about 20 meters high, that flow into a shared basin. It's a great place to enjoy nature.