30/07/2026
Malipayon Patron, Capul! ๐
To celebrate the annual town fiesta of Capul this July 30-31, 2026, let us honor the enduring heritage of a municipality shaped by the waters, nestled in the northernmost tip of the Samar Island.
Originally called Abak, Capul served as a staging post for Spanish galleon ships before they started their long voyage back to Acapulco at the onset of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade. This setting is where the island gained its name today, โCapulโ named after Acapulco.
Being one of the most historic towns in Northern Samar, stepping onto the island is like taking a glimpse of the past. The island also witnessed various seafarers as they stopped and traversed the San Bernardino Strait.
๐๐๐ฉ๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐: ๐๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐๐ซโ๐ฌ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ข๐๐
First lit in December of 1896, the Faro de Isla Capul or Parola, as the locals call it, served as a beacon for seafarers and fishermen in the turbulent waters of the San Bernardino Strait. Situated at Titoog Point, the Parola sits 143 feet above sea level and towers at a staggering 40 feet, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the San Bernardino Strait stretching towards the Pacific Ocean. The lighthouse is surrounded by a lush, rolling hill, which makes it the perfect spot on the island to catch a scenic view of the sunset.
๐๐๐ฉ๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐๐ก๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ก ๐๐ง๐ ๐
๐จ๐ซ๐ญ: ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ก๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐
The first church in Capul Island was burned to the ground in the 1700s by Moro pillagers. In 1800s, the church was restored and a fortress was built to fortify it against Moro raids. This now stands as the Fuerza de Capul, a church dedicated to St. Ignatius of Loyola and one of the oldest churches in Northern Samar. Even after more than 300 years, the churchโs architecture remains standing up to this day, leaving visitors in awe as they marvel at the solemnity of the sanctuary, the tall stone bulwarks, and the 11-meter-high belfry.
๐๐ง๐๐๐๐ค๐ง๐จ๐ง
When you roam around the island, you will notice how distinct the locals speak. This is because the Capuleรฑos or Abaknons, as the locals call themselves, speak the native language called Inabaknon. The linguists have identified it as Sama-Badjaw language, closely related to those in Mindanao rather than in the Visayas. According to oral folk history, this language is influenced by the chief of the island, named Abak, in the olden times, who originally came from Sulu region.
๐
๐จ๐ฑ๐ก๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ
Capul is indeed a town rich in history. There are areas on the island where you can spot dug-up holes, large enough to fit up to 10 people. These foxholes, as the locals call it due to its similarity to a den or burrow of a fox, are holes dug and used by the Japanese Army as hiding places during the Philippine-American-Japanese War.
๐๐รฑ๐๐๐๐ซ๐จ
Derived from the Spanish term โbaรฑar,โ which means to bathe, the Baรฑadero is the proof of abundance of water supply in the island. According to the locals, the spring has been flowing for more than 200 years. Since Capul has served as a staging post for Spanish galleons, the crew of these ships would bathe and refill their water supply in the Baรฑadero. At present, the spring used by locals for washing their clothes and for bathing.
๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐๐๐จ ๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ค ๐๐๐๐๐ก
Apart from its long-standing heritage, Capul also boasts pristine and untouched beaches. Pinangandao Beach, tucked away in the northwest part of the island, is a perfect spot if you plan to experience a quiet escape with soothing cool waters and unblemished shorelines. Another option is the Abak Beach, which is more accessible if you wish to go on a convenient getaway, equipped with wooden cottages and other resort amenities. It features lined up coconut trees offering a perfect background for taking snapshots and crystal-clear waters and rich marine ecosystem ideal for swimming, snorkeling, or even freediving.
