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).