The Municipality of Santander consists of 10 barangays which are:

• Bunlan
• Cabutongan
• Candamiang
• Canlumacad
• Liloan
• Lip-tong
• Looc
• Pasil
• Poblacion
• Talisay

Santander has two ports: one in Brgy. Liloan for fast crafts while pump boats are docked in Brgy. Sibulan. Before the pump boat discovery in 1970, they we’re using sailboats to cross the sea.

As of today, there are less than 15 resorts along the town and some offer diving facilities which you can enjoy during your stay. There are 5 Dive spots near Santander: Apo Island, Balicasag, Pescador Island, Sumilon and Siquijor. If you want to relax, you can definitely do that here too.

Sanayon or Igwaron is located at Pasil, Santander. It was derived from the local word “sanay” which means to breed, multiply or increase in abundance (pertaining to harvest). Around 1993, Sanayon Festival was held to display bountiful harvest from agriculture and fishing, which are the two main livelihood of Santander.

The site offers a unique, breath-taking view of the islands of Bohol, Siquijor, Sumilon, and Negros -- all the four islands of Region VII, Central Visayas!

St Gabriel the Archangel Parish is the only church in Cebu that has St. Gabriel the Archangel as its patron saint!

Before the St Gabriel the Archangel Parish church was built, residents of Santander had to walk 18 kilometers to the Immaculate Concepcion Parish in Oslob, Cebu, to attend mass. Imagine doing that every Sunday. Because of the unreasonable distance, the local folks petitioned for another church and at last, St Gabriel the Archangel Parish church was completed in 1898. The church originally faced the sea but this layout was changed in 1960 – the church now faces the road which is way more convenient for churchgoers, don’t you think?

Did you know that the church of Santander is more than just a religious building? It is also a symbol of its people’s awakening that led Santander to where it is today. It was a refuge for the local folks during the times of political persecution during the early 2000s with Santander’s priests being vanguards of protecting the people’s rights and interests.

The town’s fiesta is celebrated every April. Legend has it that when the St. Gabriel statue is taken for the yearly procession, rain falls even when the sun is out.

The Tostado festival celebrates its… take a guess? It’s most famous delicacy, of course, the tostado. What exactly is a tostado? A tostado is essentially a cookie, though research has failed to trace these cookies came to be baked (and well loved) as such in the town. The cookies made of sugar, flour, eggs, baking soda and shortening have been sold in their place for as long as they can remember.

The Tostado festivel was launched in April 2006 as highlight of the activities of the town fiesta. This is actually one of the first festivals conceptualized among Cebu’s towns. Of course, street dances and lots of food (tostado, included) are available in Santander during this time. 

It was a part of a defensive wall of Aloguinsan to protect the residents from Moro marauders. It was built in 17th Century. 

Note: We would love if you can share with us pictures of the Baluarte. We will add in photo credits of course.