Overview

The Manaragat Festival is an annual month-long fiesta celebration (August 1–31). It is a tribute to the fishermen of Catbalogan City. The Manaragat is a festive dance characterized by varied movements and intricate steps of the different species of fish and seashells inhabiting the Maqueda Bay and beautifully presented by dancers in exotic and colorful costumes. The Manaragat Festival of Catbalogan City honors its Patron Saint, St. Bartholomew, every 24 August. St. Bartholomew, the miraculous saint, is believed by the local folks to have maintained the richness of the Maqueda Bay as the major fishing ground of the province of Samar.

Accommodations

• Bay View Inn

Address: Brgy. Mercedes, Catbalogan City

• Casa Cristina Hotel

Address: Brgy. 11, San Roque St., Catbalogan City

• Fame Hotel

Address: 6th St. Brgy. Muñoz, Catbalogan City

• Maqueda Bay Hotel

Address: Brgy. 03, Tomaletis Area, Catbalogan City

• Rolet Hotel

Address: Brgy. 03 Mabini Ave., Catbalogan City

• Traveler's Lodging House

Address: Brgy. 04 Rizal Ave., Catbalogan City

Accessibility

Catbalogan City can be reached from Manila or Tacloban City by land, air or sea.

By Air

Currently, no commercial flights to Catbalogan City are available. However, the Catbalogan City airport Catbalogan Airport on Buri Island is accessible to private and charter jets from Manila and elsewhere.

By Sea

The Port of Catbalogan (Piers I and II) is classified as a national port that can handle passengers and cargoes to and from Manila, Cebu and other places.

By Land

Bus transit is the dominant public land transport to Catbalogan City from Manila or Tacloban City passing through the Pan-Philippine Highway (Maharlika Highway).