Hermosa, Bataan

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Hermosa
Municipality

Hermosa's Saint Peter of Verona Parish Church

Seal

Map of Bataan showing the location of Hermosa

Hermosa
Location within the Philippines

Coordinates:

1450N 12030ECoordinates:

1450N 12030E

Philippines

Country
Region

Central Luzon (Region III)

Province

Bataan

Legislative district

1st District of Bataan

Established

1852

Barangays

23

Government[1]
Mayor

Danilo C. Malana (Nacionalista)

Vice Mayor

Christopher D. Vitug (Nacionalista)

Area[2]
Total

157.00 km2 (60.62 sq mi)

Population (2015 census)[3]

Total

65,862

Density

420/km2 (1,100/sq mi)

Time zone

PST (UTC+8)

ZIP code

2111

Dialing code

+63 (0)47

Income class

1st class

Website

www.hermosa.gov.ph

Hermosa (Kapampangan: Balen ning Hermosa; Tagalog: Bayan ng Hermosa) is a first class municipality in
the province ofBataan, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 65,862
people.[3] "Hermosa" means "beautiful" in Spanish. It has a total land area of 15,700 hectares (39,000 acres). [2]
Hermosa is home to the Roosevelt Protected Landscape. It is accessible via the Bataan Provincial Expressway,
off Exit 10.
Contents
[hide]

1Etymology
2History
3Municipal government and politics
o 3.1Barangays
4Demographics
5Economy
o 5.1Hermosa Special Economic Zone
6Utilities and Amenities
7Saint Peter of Verona Parish Church
8Image gallery
9References
10External links

Etymology[edit]
According to legend, a group of Spaniards first came to this place, surprised and amazed they exclaimed, "Que
Hermosa! Que Hermosa!", when they saw some pretty maidens with long, black hair washing clothes and
bathing in the brook. The boys who accompanied their sisters repeated what they heard from the Spaniards and
upon returning home they repeated again and again what the Spaniards exclaimed. When the next group of
Spaniards visited the place, they asked for its name. The folks didn't understand Spanish but answered
"Hermosa, Hermosa". And that was how Hermosa got its name.
Another version was that "Llana Hermosa", meaning beautiful plain of white flowers was the original name of
this town. When the province was created, the town was formally named Hermosa, a name that fits the place
not only due to the plain's white flowers but more so to the beautiful maidens and places that abound the town.

History[edit]
Historically, the town was established in 1756 by Dominican priests. At that time, it was known as Llana
Hermosa and composed of Mabuco and Mabuyan. It was then still part of Pampanga, like the rest of Bataan. It
became an independent missionary center in 1756 with St. Peter de Verona as its patron saint.
The town of Hermosa was very peaceful and progressive before World War II. When the war broke out, their
quiet routine was disturbed. During the Bataan Death March, civilians of Hermosa risked the ire of the
Japanese by secretly passing food to Filipino and American soldiers.

Municipal government and politics[edit]

Pursuant to the Local government in the Philippines",[4][5] the political seat of the municipal government is
located at the Municipal Town Hall. In the History of the Philippines (15211898), the Gobernadorcillo is the
Chief Executive who holds office in the Presidencia. During the American rule (18981946) (History of the

Philippines (1898-1946)), the elected Mayor and local officials, including the appointed ones hold office at the
Municipal Town Hall. The legislative and executive departments perform their functions in the Sangguniang
Bayan (Session Hall) and Municipal Trial Court, respectively, and are located in the Town Hall.
Hermosa, Bataan's incumbent Mayor is Danilo Castillo Malana, The Vice-Mayor is Christopher Dimson
Vitug.
Sangguniang Bayan Members are: Johannes Reyes Santos, Ramon Gaza Jaring, Floyd Jaring Tungol, Rex
Rivera Jorge, Angelito Nuqui Narciso, Eduardo Del Rosario Yandoc, Vinci John Samaniego Rellosa and
Mariangelie Arcenas Alonzo.[6]

Barangays[edit]
Hermosa is politically subdivided into 23 barangays.

A. Rivera (Pob.)
Almacen
Bacong
Balsic
Bamban
Burgos-Soliman (Pob.)
Cataning (Pob.)
Culis
Daungan (Pob.)
Mabiga
Mabuco
Maite
Mambog - Mandama
Palihan
Pandatung
Pulo
Saba
San Pedro (Pob.)
Santo Cristo (Pob.)
Sumalo
Tipo
Judge Roman Cruz Sr. (Mandama)
Sacrifice Valley

Demographics[edit]
Population census of Hermosa
Year

Pop.

% p.a.

1990

34,633

1995

38,764

+2.13%

2000

46,254

+3.86%

2007

52,484

+1.76%

2010

56,997

+3.05%

2015

65,862

+2.79%

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[3][7]

The population of Hermosa, Bataan, in the 2015 census was 65,862 people,[3] with a density of 420 inhabitants
per square kilometre or 1,100 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy[edit]
Existing industries in Hermosa are garments, handpainted jars, balut and salted egg making. Today, fruit
processing particularly of mangoes and bananas, handicrafts, and stuffed toys are the major produce of this
town. Probably less known, but existing for a long time is the aquaculture industry, traditionally for bangus,
tilapia and crabs, but more recently for prawns, which was found more lucrative.

Hermosa Special Economic Zone[edit]

The Zone is adapted for building light to medium industries, recreational and housing facilities for industry
and residents inside the zone investments in fruit processing utilizing the abundant supply of mangoes and
banana in the province is also a potential investment area. The Subic Hermosa Cybercity is a 93-hectare
Special Economic Zone which will host locator Businesses dealing in Information Technology (IT),
manufacture of electronic products, IT research and development, and multi-media industries.

Utilities and Amenities[edit]

Digitel is the major provider of telecommunication services in the municipality. Hermosa is 100% electrified
and is being served by the Peninsula Electric Company (PENELCO). Major source of water for domestic use
is ground water. Existing water systems are artesian and open wells, pumps and pipeline with tanks. Two
barangays are being served by a common facility through the Local Water Utility Administration (LWUA). In
addition, a new facility was installed in barangay Mabuco, which now served the whole poblacion. Hermosa
Rural Bank serve the banking needs of the municipality. Major bus lines and mini-bus coming from Manila,
San Fernando and Olongapo pass through the town of Hermosa while the most common type of transport
within the municipality are jeepneys and tricycles. The newly established Hermosa Public Market in Brgy.
Palihan, Hermosa, Bataan has also the terminal of vehicles going to Clark and Mabalacat, Pampanga via
SCTEX. The town has a total of 1 bank, 21 schools, 15 medical clinics/health centers, and 2 recreational
facilities. Cable TV is now available, provided by three providers, Hermosa Cable, Destiny and Malasimbu.
Internet connection is also provided by Digitel, and Smart(SmartBro).

Saint Peter of Verona Parish Church[edit]

Left side of the Church

Hermosa's cultural treasure is its 1717 heritage church.

Hermosa, known as "Llana Hermosa" belonged formerly to Orani (composed of Mabuyan and Maboco). It
became an independent missionary Pueblo in 1717. In the British invasion of Manila, the Dominicans held
there its provincial chapters in 1763. The Hermosa church was destroyed by fire several times. Residents of
Hermosa found a boat with a statue of a saint inside it along the river.
Saint Peter of Verona, O.P. (1206 April 6, 1252), also known as "Saint Peter Martyr", was a 13thcentury Italian Catholic priest. He was aDominican friar and a celebrated preacher. He served
as Inquisitor in Lombardy, was killed by an assassin, and was canonized as a Catholic saint.
St. Peter of Verona became the patron of this town.[8]
The church features a baroque-style faade with marvelous stained-glasses windows amid the splendor of the
ornaments inside the church which illuminates the whole of Hermosa. The major retablo of Hermosa is made
more attractive by the variations of saints placed in it amid its majestic dome. The church brings remembrance
of the colonial past.[9]
The Parish of Saint Peter of Verona belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga.[10] Its Feast day is May
3. It is under the Vicariate of Saint Peter Verona, led by Parish Priests, Msgr. Mario Perez and Fr. Josue V.
Enero, Parochial Vicar, Fr. Edgardo S. Sigua,[11][12] with Msgr. Antonio Dimaual, attached. It is also under the
Vicariate of Our Lady, Mirror of Justice[13][14](Dioecesis Balangensis) Suffragan of San Fernando, Pampanga
Created: March 17, 1975. Canonically Erected: November 7, 1975. Comprises the whole civil province of
Bataan. Titular: St. Joseph, Husband of Mary, April 28. Bishop Most Reverend Ruperto Cruz Santos,
DD).[11][15] [Coordinates: 1449'48"N 12030'28"E].[16]

Image gallery[edit]

Facade of the Town Hall of Hermosa

''Inside

Jose Rizal in Hermosa Park

Elementary School

Hermosa park and plaza

Hermosa Special Economic Zone (Subic Hermosa Cybercity)

Hermosa Covered Court, Gym