BANTAYAN ISLAND CENSUS
B.I.Census
BANTAYAN ISLAND CENSUS
B.I.Census
Discover the rich historical heritage and cultural evolution of Madridejos.
Madridejos, a 4th class municipality located on Bantayan Island in Cebu, Philippines, is one of three towns that make up the island, situated off the northwestern coast of Cebu. As of the 2015 census, it had a population of 36,429, with 23,134 registered voters recorded in the 2016 elections. The town is bordered by Bantayan to the south and surrounded by the Visayan Sea on all other sides.
Historically, the area was known as "Lawis," which translates to "promontory," reflecting its geographical location as a peninsula on the northern part of Bantayan Island. Even today, the name "Lawis" is still used by many locals.
During the early 1600s, under the governance of Sebastián Hurtado de Corcuera, the Visayas faced frequent Moro attacks. These raids caused widespread destruction, including the capture and massacre of locals, the looting of towns, and the burning of churches. To protect the people, Lázaro Mangubat constructed a fort in 1630, known locally as a kota (cota). A lookout tower was later established in the barrio of Kaongkod, approximately 4 kilometers from the fort, allowing early warnings to be issued by sounding the budyong (a shell horn). The parish priest of Bantayan, Fr. Doroteo Andrada del Rosario, oversaw the construction of watchtowers across Bantayan Island during the mid-19th century to safeguard the townsfolk from raids.
Lawis gradually grew into a thriving community and was recognized as a visita during the Spanish colonial period. In 1917, it officially became a town and was named Madridejos in honor of Benito Romero de Madridejos, a former archbishop of Cebu. The town celebrates its annual feast day on December 8.
Today, Madridejos can be reached via ferry from Cebu City to Santa Fe, followed by a 75-minute trip to San Remigio (Hagnaya) using Island Shipping or SuperShuttle Ferry. From there, buses or jeepneys take about an hour to reach the town. Although there are currently no overnight ferry services or scheduled commercial flights to Bantayan Island, private air companies occasionally operate small aircraft, such as Cessna and Piper planes, to the Bantayan Airport. The transformation of Madridejos from a small fishing village into a modern municipality highlights its rich history and cultural heritage, while its scenic charm and historical landmarks continue to attract visitors to this quiet corner of Bantayan Island.